Let's Review Organic/Non Toxic Options for Beds & Bedding

[katesk]

I still have questions about options for natural mattresses/bedding - after reading through past threads...Would love any insights or suggestions.

The overall issue is that an organic/natural/wool/latex mattress bed is expensive! But then, so are the barrier/toppers/pads that I could buy to cover a conventional mattress. So, I'm not sure if it wouldn't just be more cost effective to start over with a "clean" bed.

Here are some of my questions - I'm considering options for both the "family" king size bed, the crib (and eventually the twin bed for son as he get's older.) Ideally, I want to find a solution that gives me most bang for buck, in the long haul.

Crib: Should I just cover current "toxic" mattress with BabeSafe, or is there a barrier and wool topper solution that would be a cost efficient compromise? Or, skip all the cover solutions and just buy clean organic mattress? Can you re-use for future babies?

Family Bed: Should I invest in brand new bed mattress - perhaps latex or rubber, with wool and look for a package deal - buying all toppers, bedding at once. Just bite the bullet?
or - is there a good option for barrier and wool topper that would be a compromise?

These latex beds - do they need to be replaced like a "normal" mattress does - do they get lumpy and saggy? Are they heavy and hard to move? (thinking of relocating across country in a year or so...)

Has anyone bought one of these latex (non spring) beds without testing them? I'm not sure I can find one nearby to test - how do you know if you like it? Does it feel like a futon?

I wish there were a decision tree out there - a guide book...
Thanks for your help!

[thundersweet]

Well, I dont have answers to all your questions but here is what we did about ds's crib. I ordered a White Lotus chair futon (like the crib futon but not as firm) the other day. I was having a difficult time getting a doctors prescription since I wanted them to use the organic case for it rather than the standard cotton/poly and I did not want boric acid. Well, after I got the note the guy says "the prescription needs to be in your name" I was like WTF? lol Anyway he said to fax it to him and we'll see if they will do it. I had a bad taste in my mouth about the company anyway because they were not returning my calls. Long story short I cancelled that order. Well at least I think I did. They wont return my calls. I bought a beautiful organic wool cotton innerspring mattress. It doesnt even need a prescription since it has wool in it. I got a really good deal on it since the wahm that was going to sell them in her store had it as a sample I guess. The company sent her one to look at I guess. My mattress is from www.anaturalhome.com and this is the one I have. http://www.anaturalhome.com/organic-baby-mattress.html I love it. It has a washable cover. The whole outside comes right off for washing. I dont think I will ever do that though. The thing is is even though you are buying a "clean" mattress you still have to take great care in covering it. So, after you buy the mattress you still need to get the all natural stuff to go over it. I would be so afraid of getting anything on the mattress itself. To go over my sons mattress I bought a wool puddle pad and a cotton matress pad seen here http://www.kushtush.com/cribpads.html I will put the puddle pad on the mattress and then the cotton pad on top of that followed by the sheet. That way I am sure to get no pee on his mattress. I would think you would need to do the same with a bed for yourself since your kids will be in there at least some of the time. My dd still sleeps with us. lol I thought about doing the babesafe cover thing but could not get past the fact that I was still wrapping his crib in plastic. I think if you cant replace then definitely do that at the very least. My next order of business is to replace my dd's mattress. Dh wont agree to it though since she doesnt even sleep in there. Sorry this got so long!! lol

[Adamsmama]

I'm curious...why do you need a prescription for the mattress?

[thundersweet]

Because its chemical free and does not have fire retardants. By law you have to have a prescription. I think if you get a mattress that a has wool in it though you do not need one. At least I bought one for my son that way. My sons ped gave me all sorts of trouble. She wanted to know why and who the company was. She said "I have never heard of such a thing"

[BathrobeGoddess]

I am in the process of doing the same thing for our family bed. We need a king and I have been doing so much research ( four months worth) that I am getting very stressed out.
I think that we are going to go with a recycled poly with a E-Foam center futon for our mattress for the following reasons:

1. they are recyled so they close the loop
2. They are recycled so they don't off gas at all
3. it is light weight
4. Poly doesn't break down so will never off gas and will last for many, many years
5. Poly doesn't need to be sprayed with fire retardant so doesn't need a dr note (or in our case, Colorado doesn't have that loop hole so it isn't an option.)
6. Its costs a whole lot less
7. I can put a latex and wool topper on it and isn't even close to as exspensive at a latex mattress (or a soft I like a firm sleeping surface).

That is where I am ..... at this moment .....