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Organic Mattresses: Naturepedic Review

By Kristie Turck •  Published 07/29/22 •  5 min read

Last updated on August 20th, 2022 at 10:35 pm

Naturepedic Organic Cotton MattressThe topic of organic mattresses is met with a rash of strong opinions over what’s safe, what’s safer, and whether it’s something we should consider changing or embracing. Regardless of how you perceive it, it’s an investment.

The bottom line is, that your baby spends 10-16 hours a day face down on it. So, there is some serious merit to wanting to eliminate any potential hazard your baby could be breathing. Traditional baby mattresses are covered in vinyl (PVC), often containing phthalates to soften the material. That’s just the surface.

Inside that mattress is polyurethane foam (hello Volatile Organic Compounds) which are then treated with PBDEs to add flame resistance to otherwise highly flammable material. PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ether) levels have been increasing in the past decade, and who wants an infant breathing a potentially toxic substance? You don’t have to worry about this if you choose a mattress free of all these materials.

Enter Naturepedic. I had the chance to spend some time investigating organic mattresses and settled on one that I felt is an excellent choice, not only in safety but in performance. Naturepedic provided us with a No Compromise Organic Cotton crib mattress to run through a battery of tests and I am happy to say, they passed every single one. When it arrived, I opened it up and was just taken back by how pristinely nice it looked. The seams were all perfect, with no nicks or weirdness, and it was smooth and soft without that crinkly PVC feel. A winner of the first impression test.

Naturepedic Mattress Review. Liquid, Durability, and Overall Impression

      1. The Liquid Test: Naturepedic crib mattresses have a food-grade polyethylene plastic coating, an environmentally friendly material due to its non-toxic nature. We dumped leaky sippy cups on this bare mattress, and I am thrilled to report that it did not absorb or cause any staining and cleaned up like a dream. A few leaky diaper tests were done as well, thanks to my yet-to-be potty-trained 2-year-old and it passed those with flying colors. To add a layer of breathability to it, I have an organic mattress pad and an organic cotton sheet on the mattress for sleeping, but my sippy cup test took place on the bare mattress itself.
      2. The Durability Test: Babies are tiny, so the damage they can do on a mattress is minimal at best, but when your child grows, you want a mattress that will hold up through their developing years. Before seeing the mattress in person, I wondered whether it would perform as well as any “top of the line” traditional mattresses. For the sake of science, my 2-year-old still sleeps in a crib. (Yes, that’s it…science). This means a 30+ lb boy who jumps up and down like a wild banshee put this thing through the wringer. The older traditional mattress we shunned was starting to take a good beating and showed it from all this activity, so I was curious how Naturepedic would hold up in comparison. We’ve been jumping on it for over a month or so, and I can confidently say that this mattress would do great in the long haul. It still looks new and is unwavering in the wear and tear department.

 

Is An Organic Mattress Worth It For My Baby?

Babies and toddlers spend an enormous amount of time collecting sleep. Conventional mattresses are made with loads of off-gassing toxic chemicals, flame retardants, and phthalates known to cause many ailments and health problems.  Babies and toddlers are growing quickly and are particularly sensitive to environmental toxins.

Naturepedic is my top choice for many reasons.  Certified organic cotton and food-grade materials to protect the mattress and your child from moisture, dust mites, and allergens.

As a user of their products, I can vouch for their durability.  The crib mattress I used for two kids now still looks new despite the constant beating from rambunctious boys.

People have asked me for years “which mattress do you recommend?” and though an organic mattress is an expense. I think a mattress is one of the most important investments in a nursery or child’s bedroom you can make.  If you are going to splurge on something, this should be in the running for consideration.

It stands the test of time!

 

Tips When Buying A Traditional Mattress:

If you aren’t in the position to buy an organic mattress, you do have options.

      • Leave it outside or in a well-ventilated area for some time to let the materials “off-gas” before baby sleeps on it
      • When the mattress doesn’t smell like materials or plastic, it’s ready to be brought back into the house.
      • Consider an organic cotton or wool mattress pad. It will add a layer of breathability and “buffer” between baby and the mattress surface.

Naturepedic’s Organic Cotton mattress has FAR exceeded my expectations and I am completely comfortable recommending them to anyone. My son is getting to the age where he is ready for a bigger bed. When the time comes, I will be investing in a Naturepedic Twin Mattress for him.

Is this the only option out there? Of course not. But this is one I am very comfortable recommending for both safety, standards and overall product performance. For those looking for other organic bedding items, Naturepedic makes porta crib mattresses, bassinet pads, and changing pads as well.

I have long sung the praises of Naturepedic.  Both of my kids sleep on their mattresses.

 

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