The options will give you a peace of mind.
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According to a study conducted just last month by ACS Publications (the publishing arm of the American Chemical Society), there are many harmful chemicals in mattresses, especially in ones designed for kids and babies. The study's findings deduced that highly toxic phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters mostly come from kids' and babies' mattresses that are off-gassing chemicals directly into their air. For parents who may be worried about what their little ones are breathing in, you can invest in non-toxic mattresses for children that have been vetted by industry experts and certified organic by organizations such as Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US for certified foams.
For a little more insight on what to look for when buying a non-toxic mattress, we called in an expert: Atlanta-based Laura Hunter, LPN, pediatric nurse and co-founder of Moms on Call, an online resource of trustworthy info for mothers all over the world. Her first order of business? Debunking a major mattress myth: Non-toxic does not mean the mattress is chemical-free because technically, chemicals exist everywhere. Instead, she says, "Non-toxic mattresses are made without harsh chemicals that could be unsafe with long-term exposure. Let's be honest, pretty much everything we use has some level of chemicals."
In order to buy mattresses that are good for the home, she advises looking for brands that have received certifications, like Greenguard Gold or Global Organic Textile Standard stamp of approval. "These certifications show that the mattress has passed extra safety checks for off-gassing, emissions, and more," Hunter adds. Ahead, shop our go-to non-toxic, organic mattresses for children.
If you are a regular House Beautiful reader, then Saatva is a name you already know because one of our editors loves the Rx mattress for relieving back pain. For anyone familiar with Saatva's regular-size mattresses, this Youth one is most similar to the Classic, which we've reviewed in full. The Youth version is a bit smaller, but it doesn't compromise on quality or comfort. For starters, it's CertiPUR-US certified, Greenguard Gold certified, and boasts the Congress of Chiropractic State Association Seal of Approval. So, what makes it child-friendly? It's dual-sided to adapt to a growing child’s needs from ages three to 12. One of the sides is fitted with a waterproof covering, making it fully accident-proof, so if your little one is transitioning out of diapers, there's no need to worry about ruining this costly mattress. It can handle any mess.
Yes, Saatva also makes high-quality mattresses for cribs. Like the Youth mattress, this one is both accident-proof and dual-sided, making it ideal for infants all the way through their toddler years. We can't forget about the removable and washable cover that's made with organic cotton and treated with an eco-friendly water-repellent treatment just in case the diapers aren't as leak-proof as they may have seemed. Plus, like all Saatva mattresses, this one is CertiPUR-US certified and Greenguard Gold certified.
Complete with a 100-night trial, a 25-year warranty, and free returns, there's no reason to not buy this mattress. After all, what do you have to lose? Like many kids mattresses, this one is dual-sided, with one being waterproof for potty training and the other being quilted side and a bit more firm for lasting comfort. But wait, you may be wondering, what makes it waterproof that's safe enough for children? The waterproof side is covered in a non-GMO sugarcane fabric made without glues, adhesives, or polyurethane foam. Hunter adds, "This is a brand known for organic materials and clear certifications. No added flame retardants, plus waterproofing that’s made from food-grade materials."
Newton Baby may sell only one crib mattress, but there are four variations of it, including the Essential, waterproof, Original, and mini. We've listed the Essential, as it's one of the more affordable options that doesn't overlook essential qualities, such as breathability and safe materials (it's Greenguard Gold certified). This mattress is also washable from cover to cover, so if your baby has an accident, as they do from time to time, feel free to toss the whole mattress in the wash. There's no foam, glue, latex, or springs, so your little one will enjoy a clean and hypoallergenic sleep. Hunter adds, "Their mattresses are breathable, washable, and lightweight. A practical choice, especially for parents who like clean, simple options."
If you're looking for an organic mattress for your young child, this Avocado option is goals. "They’re one of the best when it comes to clean sourcing and using certified natural latex. Plus, they’re transparent and committed to sustainability," says Hunter. Here's the breakdown: First and foremost, the mattress is made domestically in Los Angeles with 704 individually wrapped coils and GOLS-certified organic latex that's sourced from sustainable farms. Second, and perhaps equally important, is the GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool on the outermost layer that delivers breathable comfort. There are no chemical flame retardants, fiberglass, or polyurethane foams used to craft this GOTS-certified organic mattress that, unsurprisingly, has earned the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label and meets EWG Verified and Made Safe standards.
You don't have to think twice about whether or not this Naturepedic kids' mattress is nontoxic. After all, it's in the brand name! Available in both a twin and full size, the Lullaby is Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it meets or exceeds stringent chemical and VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions standards. It's also waterproof and very easy to keep clean. Unlike the brand's Eco Organic kids mattress, this one is not waterproof, which is worth considering if your child is not wetting the bed as much as they may have when they were younger. This mattress is more like an adult mattress than one your toddler may sleep on.
Like we said earlier, all mattresses—even ones from self-proclaimed clean brands—use chemicals in their mattresses, so if you are reading the list of materials and notice a few multi-syllable words you can barely pronounce, don't panic or immediately close your browser tab. "Shopping for a mattress shouldn’t feel like a science exam, but it’s helpful to know a few names to skip when scanning product labels or websites," Hunter explains. "Some of the bigger ones to steer clear of include harsh flame retardants (especially the older kinds like PBDEs), formaldehyde, phthalates, and vinyl (often found in waterproof mattress covers), and VOCs, which are found in certain foams and glues."
She also suggests heading to such sites as cpsc.gov and saferproducts.gov to double-check if the product has had any recalls or safety alerts. If your child has slept on a non-organic mattress though, don't panic. They are not doomed! Hunter says, "Some chemicals—when a child is exposed to them regularly—can cause irritation, breathing issues, or affect hormones. That said, many manufacturers have made huge progress in cutting out the worst offenders. So don’t panic—we just need to stay aware and make thoughtful choices."
The word "chemical" doesn't exactly inspire a breath of relief since it has such negative connotations, but not all chemicals are harmful. "Not everything with a 'chemical-sounding' name is bad. Some are completely safe and necessary to make the mattress work properly," says Hunter. Ingredients such as water-based glues (instead of harsh adhesives), natural latex (from rubber trees, not synthetic versions), organic cotton, wool, and certified safe foams are all a-okay. "Choosing lighter, neutral-colored fabrics can help too, as they often require less dye and fewer UV stabilizers," Hunter adds.
I am sleep-obsessed: I like to get at least seven hours a night, so when I recommend a mattress, I am definitely doing my due diligence to choose the right ones for House Beautiful readers. I have covered everything from the best luxury mattresses to the best cooling mattress toppers, so you can trust that I have interviewed the right experts and pulled products from trusted brands when curating this list of non-toxic mattresses for kids. For this particular story, I chatted with registered pediatric nurse, Laura Hunter, LPN, for further expert advice and tips. Hunter is a mother of five, an Atlanta-based pediatric nurse, and an infant care consultant. Hunter is also the co-founder of Moms on Call, which is a platform for parents to receive accessible help, advice, and more when it comes to parenting a baby or toddler. It started as a consulting business that grew into an online platform where two pediatric nurses now offer their expertise and tips to parents worldwide.
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