Did you know – Traditional Crib Mattress are Toxic?

Today, I’m going to focus on babies. And if any of you have infants or babies sleeping in traditional cribs and crib mattresses, you’ll want to pay special attention. Did you know that infant mattresses can emit harmful fumes?

According to an article I read recently (“Five Problems with Baby Crib Mattresses”), nearly all of the crib mattresses in use today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC) phthalates, chemical fire retardants, and a variety of industrial toxic chemicals. Since your baby is going to spend at least 10 to 14 hours a day sleeping in his crib, this is rather scary. Your baby is constantly inhaling and breathing in these chemicals.

In traditional crib mattresses, the vinyl surface is actually polyvinyl chloride (PVC) phthalate, which is a hard plastic that’s been combined with chemical plasticizers to make it soft and flexible. Phthalates may sound like a harmless word, but several types of phthalates have been banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission due to their link to causing cancer, allergies, learning disabilities, and asthma.  In addition to PVC, traditional crib mattresses also contain latex/rubber – a documented allergen that’s unhealthy for infants.

These are just a few reasons why parents should go organic with their crib mattresses or mattress covers. A mattress cover that’s made with wool, organic cotton, or polyethylene will help protect your baby from these dangerous chemicals.

And if you have the money to shell, you may consider buying a special mattress – new on the market – called Heaven Sent Breathable Mattress from Secure Beginnings, LLC. This breathable mattress features a revolutionary design with a passive airflow system (which means that air circulates up and down through the mattress), which helps reduce the risk of your baby re-breathing CO2 (a possible cause of SIDS). It’s a pretty clever invention, though it does come at a price.

Heaven Sent Breathable Crib Mattress

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About DP Nguyen

DP Nguyen is founder and editor of Hip Chick's Guide to PMS, Pregnancy and Babies. She’s an expert pregnancy and women’s health blogger, and she’s available for blog consultation, ghost writing, and general writing services. She is NOT a medical doctor and does NOT offer medical advice. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, DP spends her free time writing children’s novels and loving on her dog, Gracie Lu. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.