As I often say, a crib mattress is the most important purchase for the nursery. And it really should be. Your baby will spend a lot of time on the crib mattress playing, napping, and sleeping at night. So, it really speaks to how crucial it is to make sure your baby’s sleep surface is non-toxic.
Now, there are many organic crib mattresses on the market from trusted manufacturers. Brands like Naturepedic, Avocado, Green Cradle, Lifekind, Savvy Rest, and Soaring Heart are all reputable manufacturers.
But My Green Mattress is one of my favorite mattress brands.
In addition to sleeping on one of their adult mattresses, I’m a big admirer of the Emily Organic Crib Mattress. It’s a fantastic choice for your baby’s crib mattress!
Made of GOTS-certified organic materials and GOLS-certified latex, the Emily Natural Crib Mattress is an affordable crib mattress that also passes my strict material standards with flying colors.
What to Look for in a Crib Mattress
Before making a crib mattress purchase, I encourage all parents to learn about what makes a crib mattress safe. They are not all created equal! Here are the key elements I look for when recommending a crib mattress. If you want more details, I definitely recommend checking out my article, The Best Organic Crib Mattresses.
It Should Actually Be Organic
A good crib mattress should be made of 100% organic materials. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy as it seems to find an all-organic mattress. Many brands claim to be “all-natural” or they might even carry an “organic” label. But don’t be fooled! In reality, the organic components are often only part of its makeup. For example, the mattress cover might be made of organic cotton; if you look closer, you might find that the rest of the mattress is made of synthetic and/or chemically treated materials.
While the labeling is reassuring, the product itself might contain materials you don’t want in your baby’s mattress. I do not respect companies that engage in greenwashing (e.g. where they fool you into thinking their products are cleaner than they are), but this is, unfortunately, a popular marketing technique. It’s important to do your research when shopping for baby items.
It Should be GOTS-Certified
To ensure a crib mattress is organic, you can look for two important certifications. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for cotton and wool, and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) for latex.
These are third-party certifications that mean the mattress has gone through rigorous testing and meets the highest textile standards in the industry. It also verifies that an accredited factory makes the product. These certifications are definitely a requirement for me!
Avoid Flame Retardants
To meet federal fire safety regulations, some manufacturers add flame retardants to crib mattresses. Not only are these chemicals largely ineffective, but they can be toxic and off-gas for years.
Flame retardants are not something you want your baby to sleep on. Studies have linked flame retardant chemicals to serious health concerns, including cancer, impaired fertility, obesity, and neurological and developmental problems. Luckily, there are natural materials that accomplish the same goal, like wool!
Avoid Polyurethane Foam
You should avoid polyurethane foam, soy foam, and vegetable-based foam. Polyurethane foam is highly flammable and petroleum-derived. It emits VOCs and is often treated with flame retardant chemicals. Even so-called “soy-based” and “plant-derived” foams are simply polyurethane foams mixed with these other elements. It’s a marketing technique to lure you in (otherwise known as greenwashing).
Even though many foam mattresses are now certified by Certi-Pur, it is important to consider that these certification programs (while helpful) do not test for every possible toxin or contaminant. The bottom line: polyurethane is a synthetic material that will contain chemicals. Avoid it!
Related: The Best Waterproof Crib Mattress Pads
Avoid Vinyl
I suggest avoiding waterproof mattresses and mattress covers made with vinyl. Although most of us desire the convenience of a waterproof mattress, most waterproof mattresses are frequently made with vinyl. Also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl is one of the most toxic forms of plastic. It can contain additives such as phthalates, which experts link to both short-term and long-term health risks.
Luckily, there are non-toxic alternatives such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This is a breathable moisture barrier that is biodegradable and sourced from OEKO-Tex Class-1 certified suppliers. You’ll find TPU in the My Green Mattress organic waterproof mattress protector.
It Should Be Firm
To ensure safety, a crib mattress should have a snug fit in the crib. When you fit a mattress to the crib, you should only have a maximum space of two fingers between the mattress and crib. This includes the corners!
Also, note that some crib mattresses have what’s called dual firmness. This type of crib mattress is made for both infants and toddlers. An infant side will be the most firm while the toddler side will be a little softer. If you have a dual-firmness mattress, it’s important that infants sleep on the firm side until at least 18 months of age.
If you are using an old crib mattress passed down from an older child, you’ll also want to check that the mattress is still in good condition. Note that experts advise against using a hand-me-down mattress from a non-family member since you won’t be able to know its history.
Related: Safe Sleep for Babies: 12 Important Guidelines Every Parent Should Know
What Makes the Emily Natural Crib Mattress So Special
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The Emily Organic Crib Mattress checks all my boxes. It is eco-friendly and non-toxic. It has top certifications, and it’s affordable. It’s also made-to-order, so what you receive will be a fresh mattress made for you! Here are the details.
Safe, Non-Toxic, Organic Materials
The Emily Organic Crib Mattress has a short, simple list of materials. If you look, you won’t find polyurethane foam, VOCs, vinyl waterproofing, polyester, pesticides, formaldehyde, or chemical flame retardants. Phew! And when you unroll the mattress from its packaging, you won’t be greeted with an unpleasant chemical odor.
How the Emily Natural Crib Mattress is Made
The core has a supportive 150-coil innerspring made with heavy-duty 13.5-gauge steel. It’s a perfectly firm foundation, which is exactly what you want for a baby!
The top pad on the mattress consists of GOTS-certified organic coconut fibers and GOLS-certified organic latex. It’s both breathable and antibacterial.
And, on top of the pad is the quilted cover. This consists of GOTS-certified organic wool and GOTS-certified organic cotton. The organic wool layer helps to regulate temperature while also being hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, mildew, and dust. Also, note that wool is a natural fire barrier. No toxic chemicals required!
Lastly, the outermost layer of the cover is made from 100% organic cotton. It’s buttery soft! One thing to note here: the Emily Natural Crib Mattress does not use synthetic vinyl as a waterproofing material. I recommend the organic waterproof mattress protector. It’s made of organic cotton and TPU, making it both comfortable and fully waterproof.
Certifications
The My Green Mattress factory has a number of impressive certifications.
First, they have earned GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard). These are the highest possible third-party certifications for organic cotton, wool, and latex. Both GOTS and GOLS ensure that the materials used in every mattress have been safely and responsibly sourced and processed. It’s also worth noting that, in order to retain GOTS and GOLS certifications, the factory is regularly audited to ensure that their processes continue to meet these strict standards. If you really want an in-depth look at their process, you can actually take a peek inside the factory here!
Second to GOTS and GOLS, My Green Mattress has also earned the Greenguard Gold certification, meaning that it has been tested to meet all standards for chemical emissions. Lastly, you’ll see that they carry the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification for organic textiles.
They basically have every certification you would ever want a baby product to have! On top of this, the company stands behinds its claims with complete transparency. You can view their compliance certificates right on their website.
Firmness
The Emily Natural Crib Mattress consistently gets glowing reviews from parents for its ideal level of firmness. The mattress allows for even weight distribution and maintains the perfect level of springiness. You can also flip the mattress for equal wear as both sides have the same firmness. Hello, longevity!
Company Mission and History
Before you purchase something that your baby will spend a large percentage of time using, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the company! And let me tell you: I trust them 100%!
Based in La Grange, Illinois, My Green Mattress is a family-owned company that has been making organic mattresses for kids and adults since 2007. The mattress was developed by My Green Mattress founder, Tim Masters.
I have personally spoken with Tim many times (and even his wife, Cindy) and have taken a tour of their GOTS-certified mattress factory. I’ve worked with many members of their team and have to say that I love working with them. They’re wonderful people and MGM is a great company.
In an effort to provide a safe, non-toxic mattress for his daughter, Emily, who struggled with eczema and allergies, he created the Emily Natural Crib Mattress. Tim’s goal was to craft a product that was entirely free from the harsh chemicals and synthetic materials used in many children’s mattresses. I find this to be such an excellent backstory that just adds to the quality and transparency of the company.
Affordability and Customer Service
An organic crib mattress made can often cost $500+. However, the Emily Organic Crib Mattress is priced at $259, making it a far more budget-friendly option for parents.
My Green Mattress has a reliable, excellent customer service, too. Parents rave about this! Since the mattresses are sold factory direct, representatives from the company are always available to help guide and answer questions.
My Green Mattress also sets itself apart from most competitors with its 120 Night Sleep Trial. If you’re not happy with the mattress, you can exchange it, or initiate a return. They just ask that you donate the undamaged mattress to a local charity.
Like many quality brands, The Emily Natural Crib Mattress is also covered against defects with a 10-year limited warranty.
Bottom Line
This Emily Crib Mattress is a really good choice for your nursery.
It is manufactured in a sustainable way that is reliable, firm, and above all, safe! You can certainly feel good about buying this mattress for your baby’s nursery and know that you have provided your little one with the best sleeping surface for years to come!
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