Why should you consider an organic crib mattress for our baby? After all, as long as it’s safe and comfortable, your baby will fine right? Well, maybe.

Many parents-to-be are unaware that conventional mattresses are typically made with synthetic materials that can break down and release harmful chemicals into the air. Babies, with their sensitive immune systems, can be particularly susceptible to inhaling these chemicals or absorbing them through the skin.

Organic mattresses are made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton which do not contain the same toxins and chemicals. Thus, the purchase of an organic crib mattress along with natural wood furniture and other eco-friendly products can help you create a healthier nursery that benefits not only your baby, but your family and the environment as well.

Whether you\'re awaiting the birth of your first child or already have children, you probably already know that newborn babies tend to need a lot of rest. In fact, according to experts, babies can initially spend an average of 16 hours a day asleep!
Given this fact, the sleeping environment you prepare for your baby is especially important. Read on to find out more about the dangers of traditional crib mattresses and why buying a natural crib mattress is a better choice.

Conventional Crib Mattresses

Many conventional mattresses are filled with polyurethane foam which contains a variety of chemical additives. In fact, polyurethane, a petroleum product, contains known carcinogens. In addition, it is extremely flammable. To address the danger of using polyurethane foam, manufacturers treat mattresses with toxic industrial flame retardants that contain harmful ethers such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). PBDEs can leach out of the mattress and into the air. They have been linked to thyroid problems and other neurobehavioral disruptions. Due to this danger, PBDEs have been banned in Europe since 2004. In the United States, legislation banning manufacturers\' use of PBDEs has been passed in the states of California and Washington. Conventional mattresses typically have an outer shell made from vinyl/PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which contains phthalates. Phthalates are animal carcinogens and have been linked to damage of the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems.

Young children are particularly vulnerable to toxins and chemicals, especially during the first years of life so you don\'t want to expose your baby to these dangers unnecessarily. Let\'s take a look at some of the benefits of organic crib mattresses.

Organic Crib Mattresses

Manufactured with eco-friendly materials such as certified organic cotton which is grown without synthetic pesticides, heavy metals or genetically modified organisms. Waterproof layers are constructed from polyethylene which is considered to be non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Constructed with non-toxic fire protectants. Manufacturing materials and processes are better for the environment.

It is important to note that manufacturers can be somewhat liberal with labeling. So be sure to do your research. Review the product information and look for crib mattresses made with \"100% certified organic\" fibers.

As you plan your baby’s nursery, think about how a particular product will contribute to the environment you are creating for your precious little one. You would never willingly lie your baby down on a pile toxins and carcinogens that you could see. So remember that there are unseen dangers as well. The good news is that you can make healthier choices for your child. An organic crib mattress is a great first step.

	American Baby Company Organic Waterproof Quilted Crib and Toddler Pad List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $35.99
	Our organic fitted waterproof quilted mattress pad fits all 28' x 52 standard crib and toddler bed mattresses. The top layer is made of soft and breathable 100% organic cotton for baby's comfort. Middle layer is 100% soft and breathable polyester for absorbency...

Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Crib Mattress List Price: $179.99 Sale Price: $131.54

A Kolcraft Soybean Foam-Core Crib Mattress That is Better for Baby and the Environment FEATURES: * Hypoallergenic Soybean Foam-Core prevents sagging & is ultra- supportive * Soy Based Foam-Core offers improved durability over conventional foams and uses renewable resources instead of crude oils * Square Cut Corners for snug fit in cribs * Entire Cover and Lock-Stitched Binding wipe clean preventing allergens from clinging to the mattress * Lightweight to easily change sheets * Cover is wet-resistant & cleans easily * Airflow Pocket at bottom so mattress can "breathe" without small metal parts * Soybeans are a renewable resource & grown in the USA * Soy Foam-Core uses less Petroleum & Oil Product * Meets Federal Flammability Standard 16 CFR 1633 * Lifetime Warranty on workmanship and materials * Mattress is Free of Phthalates Antimony PBDE's and Boric Acid

	Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Crib Mattress List Price: $259.00 Sale Price: $258.95
	The Naturepedic No-Compromise? Organic Cotton Classic is simply the healthiest crib mattress available. It is waterproof, firm and eliminates potentially harmful chemicals from your child?s crib. It will provide your child with a more natural, healthy and comfortable sleep environment...

	Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 252 Crib Mattress List Price: $299.00 Sale Price: $298.95
	Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress Classic 252The award winning Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 252 features organic and healthy material while eliminating potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in crib mattresses...

	Dream On Me Portable Crib Mattress, White List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $23.95
	24 Features: -3'' portable mattress. -Softly cradles your baby for comfort. -The mattress creates a cloudlike environment for your baby to soundly sleep on. -Construct with quality materials and workmanship...

	Sealy Naturalis Crib Mattress with Organic Cotton List Price: $119.99 Sale Price: $95.54
	Certified Organic Cotton for a Plush Sleeping Environment. Cotton is Certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. Entire Cover and Lock-Stitched Binding Wipe Clean, Preventing Allergens from Clinging to the Mattress...

	Snoozy Organic Cotton Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $24.99
	A 100% natural cotton surface with an allergy barrier that is a soft knit fabric backed with ultra-thin breathable, waterproof polyurethane membrane. Provides protection from allergen molecules of less than 1...

	Naturepedic Organic Cotton 2-in-1 Ultra Crib Mattress List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: $399.00
	Naturepedic's two in one organic cotton ultra mattes promotes a health environment for your baby or child. The two in one dual firmness design allows a smooth transition from infrant to toodlers with just a flip of the matter...

	Colgate Mattress Eco-Friendly Portable Mini Crib Mattress, Ecru List Price: $64.95 Sale Price: $64.95
	EC324F Features: -Portable crib / mini crib mattress. -Fits standard size portable cribs and mini cribs. -Damask cloth cover with waterproof backing puts cloth closest to baby's skin instead of vinyl or polyethylene plastic...

	Colgate Eco Classica I Crib Mattress, Beige List Price: $189.99 Sale Price: $189.99
	The EcoClassica I is similar to our Classica I mattress in terms of firmness and durability, but the foam is made with plant based materials that replaces much of the petroleum used in the normal manufacturing process of foam...

The safety of your baby, while left unattended in his crib, is always a concern. You can ensure your child's safety by taking safeguards to avoid accidents. These are among the things you can do: • Ensure that the crib rails are high enough to prevent your baby from climbing over them. Do not leave pillows or mattresses that can make it easy for him to climb over.

• Ensure that you place your child's crib a safe distance from any windows. The curtain cords could pose a risk of strangling. If you do decide to have the crib within reach of the window, remove the cords, or use safety tassles or some other device so that your baby cannot reach for them.

• Always keep the side of the crib that drops pulled up and fastened to prevent your baby falling. This is, of course, especially crucial when the baby is alone and unattended.

• When your child starts using a bed, ensure that it has guardrails to prevent falls.

• Dress your baby in snugly fitting clothes. Clothes that fit loosely increase the risk of catching fire and burn more easily. Always buy flame resistant clothes. However, if you purchase clothes that are not flame resistant, (with yellow tag labels), ensure that they fit snugly.

• Install a smoke detector in your child's room near the crib. Remember to put in new batteries about once every year.

Your baby's crib needs to be a very safe place. Here are some tips to follow to make sure the crib will not harm your baby:

• If you buy a new mattress, be sure to remove and discard all plastic wrapping.

• The mattress should fit the crib snugly so your baby cannot slip between it and the side of the crib.

• Be sure the crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that your baby's head can't get caught between them.

• If you use a bumper pad, make sure that it goes all the way around the crib. Make sure the bumper pad is tied with at least six straps or ties. Ties should be no more than six inches long to prevent strangulation. Make sure your baby cannot get caught between the mattress and the bumper pad.

• Mobiles and other hanging toys should be high enough so that your baby cannot reach them.

• Do not put toys, stuffed animals, pillows or extra bedding in your baby's crib. These things can block your baby's breathing.

• Toys should not be tied to the crib because your baby can get caught in the cords.

• Cutouts in the headboard and footboard should be smaller than your baby's head so she doesn't get trapped in them.

• Place the crib away from windows. Cords attached to blinds or curtains can choke your baby if she gets caught in them.

Your baby spends the major part of the day in bed, sleeping. Therefore, it is important that the baby bedding you provide your child is comfortable, as well as easy to maintain.

	DaVinci Kalani Convertible Crib in Espresso List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: Too low to display
	Da Vinci Kalani Crib The Da Vinci Kalani Crib is a favorite among parents and children everywhere. The Da Vinci Kalani Convertible crib has all of the standout features which parents have come to associate with Da Vinci...

	Graco Sarah Classic 4 in 1 Convertible Crib, Cherry List Price: $149.99 Sale Price: $127.49
	This crib is cleverly designed to grow with your child from infancy through the teen years. The traditional sleigh design of the Graco Sarah 4-in-1 convertible crib makes it a popular choice for baby's nursery, especially with safety minded parents...

	Graco Shelby Classic 4 in 1 Convertible Crib, Cappuccino List Price: $219.99 Sale Price: $182.40
	The Shelby is both an Island Crib, which means it can be put in the middle of a room so baby has a 360 degree view and a Classic Crib which means it has no moving parts. It also has a smaller footprint also lends itself to apartment living...

	Delta Shelby Crib and Changer, Espresso List Price: $319.99 Sale Price: $238.84
	The Shelby Crib and Changer is the ultimate in style and functionality. Its built well and is designed to grow with your child into their adult years with its conversion capability. The crib converts easily to a toddler bed and a full size bed (with headboard and footboard) with night stand...

	Graco Victoria Non Drop Side 5 In 1 Convertible Crib, White List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: $254.99
	Classic, elegant styling makes the Graco Victoria Crib an ideal choice for safety minded parents. This beautiful crib features stationary side rails for a safe sleeping environment for baby with a mattress platform that adjusts to three different heights depending on the age of your baby...

	Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Stages Crib, Espresso List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: $189.95
	For a beautiful, modern nursery, invest in the Tuscany Convertible Crib from Stork Craft. It provides the ultimate in versatility and value. As your child outgrows the crib, easily convert it into a toddler bed, day bed, and finally to a full-size bed...

	DaVinci Parker Crib in Oak List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: Too low to display
	Da Vinci Parker 4-in-1 Convertible Crib Create a classic, sophisticated nursery with the Da Vinci Parker 4-in-1 Convertible Crib as its centerpiece. Converting into a crib, day bed, toddler and full-size bed, this quality set will last for years...

	Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress List Price: $89.99 Sale Price: $88.99
	Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress The Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress is a phenomenal crib mattress. It is one of the most comfortable models of baby crib mattress around. The Sealy crib mattress includes 204 heavy gauge interlocking steel coils which are heat tempered for strength and durability...

	Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $16.99
	Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress PadTired of your crib mattress getting stained?  Try out the Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad.  With deep pocketed skirts to prevent sliding and shifting, the Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad is safe for your child...

	DaVinci Emily Convertible Baby Crib in Cherry List Price: $279.00 Sale Price: $206.10
	The DaVinci Emily Convertible Crib is an elegant addition to any child's room. The DaVinci Emily crib can be converted into a daybed, a toddler bed with guardrail, and a full-size bed. This versatility combines with sophisticated style to make the Emily Crib an investment that grows with your little one...

Following the recall of more than a million of Delta Enterprise Inc.'s cribs, parents have been stricken with panic and worry about the safety of their infants.

The recall is expected to affect millions of families and included a recall of 1.6 million potentially faulty cribs, according to a Chicago Tribune special investigation. While the 1.6 million cribs are not on the market any longer, many cribs are resold or passed down through families, according to the Chicago Tribune. The faulty cribs were produced from 1995 to 2007 from Delta, which has been deemed the largest distributor of cribs worldwide.

Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Delta noted that the recall stemmed from the deaths of two infants who were asphyxiated following the malfunction of the drop side of the crib, on a closer investigation by the Chicago Tribune, the company had an alleged lengthy history of crib malfunctions.

Crib Safety Tips

The dangers associated with faulty cribs can be avoided or reduced, according to the CPSC, by abiding by the following list of crib safety tips:

* Place infants on their backs and ensure that the crib is fitted with a tight-fitting mattress.

* Pillows, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, blankets and toys should not be placed within the crib.

* Consider replacing blankets with sleepers.

* Place a tucked in blanket as well as baby?s feet at foot of bed and do not place blanket higher than infant?s chest.

* A fitted sheet designed for a crib mattress should be the only one used.

The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) have also developed a set of standards to ensure safety among infants. The AAP developed the following list to assist parents in choosing the safest crib for their child.

* A Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification should be provided with the crib.

* Slats should not be widely spaced, no more than 2 and 3/8 inches.

* Ensure that wooden cribs do not contain splinters and that all joints fit precisely together.

* Crib surfaces should contain lead-free paint and surfaces should be smooth with no cracks or peeling paint.

* Avoid decorative cutouts on the end panels.

* Corner posts should either be very tall or flush with the end panels.

* Cribs that have been lowered should reach at least 9 inches about the mattress support while cribs raised all the way should be a minimum of 26 inches above the mattress support.

* The mattress should be the same size as a crib in order to avoid trapped limbs or body parts.

* There should be a hand-operated, locking drop side that does not unintentionally release.

Dangerous Cribs

Individuals who have been a victim of a dangerous crib recall or crib defect are encouraged to locate a personal injury attorney in order to receive a free legal consultation on the potential development of a crib recall lawsuit. Because of the severity of dangers and damage that can occur, it may be necessary to develop a crib recall lawsuit in order to obtain the monetary means to pay for damages incurred by a victim and their family.

	DaVinci Kalani Convertible Crib in Espresso List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: Too low to display
	Da Vinci Kalani Crib The Da Vinci Kalani Crib is a favorite among parents and children everywhere. The Da Vinci Kalani Convertible crib has all of the standout features which parents have come to associate with Da Vinci...

	Graco Sarah Classic 4 in 1 Convertible Crib, Cherry List Price: $149.99 Sale Price: $127.49
	This crib is cleverly designed to grow with your child from infancy through the teen years. The traditional sleigh design of the Graco Sarah 4-in-1 convertible crib makes it a popular choice for baby's nursery, especially with safety minded parents...

	Graco Shelby Classic 4 in 1 Convertible Crib, Cappuccino List Price: $219.99 Sale Price: $182.40
	The Shelby is both an Island Crib, which means it can be put in the middle of a room so baby has a 360 degree view and a Classic Crib which means it has no moving parts. It also has a smaller footprint also lends itself to apartment living...

	Delta Shelby Crib and Changer, Espresso List Price: $319.99 Sale Price: $238.84
	The Shelby Crib and Changer is the ultimate in style and functionality. Its built well and is designed to grow with your child into their adult years with its conversion capability. The crib converts easily to a toddler bed and a full size bed (with headboard and footboard) with night stand...

	Graco Victoria Non Drop Side 5 In 1 Convertible Crib, White List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: $254.99
	Classic, elegant styling makes the Graco Victoria Crib an ideal choice for safety minded parents. This beautiful crib features stationary side rails for a safe sleeping environment for baby with a mattress platform that adjusts to three different heights depending on the age of your baby...

	Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Stages Crib, Espresso List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: $189.95
	For a beautiful, modern nursery, invest in the Tuscany Convertible Crib from Stork Craft. It provides the ultimate in versatility and value. As your child outgrows the crib, easily convert it into a toddler bed, day bed, and finally to a full-size bed...

	DaVinci Parker Crib in Oak List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: Too low to display
	Da Vinci Parker 4-in-1 Convertible Crib Create a classic, sophisticated nursery with the Da Vinci Parker 4-in-1 Convertible Crib as its centerpiece. Converting into a crib, day bed, toddler and full-size bed, this quality set will last for years...

	Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress List Price: $89.99 Sale Price: $88.99
	Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress The Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Mattress is a phenomenal crib mattress. It is one of the most comfortable models of baby crib mattress around. The Sealy crib mattress includes 204 heavy gauge interlocking steel coils which are heat tempered for strength and durability...

	Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $16.99
	Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress PadTired of your crib mattress getting stained?  Try out the Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad.  With deep pocketed skirts to prevent sliding and shifting, the Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad is safe for your child...

	DaVinci Emily Convertible Baby Crib in Cherry List Price: $279.00 Sale Price: $206.10
	The DaVinci Emily Convertible Crib is an elegant addition to any child's room. The DaVinci Emily crib can be converted into a daybed, a toddler bed with guardrail, and a full-size bed. This versatility combines with sophisticated style to make the Emily Crib an investment that grows with your little one...