Sleep is essential for a baby’s growth, and it’s important to provide them with the safest sleeping area possible. But how much do you know about your baby’s crib and mattress? Hand-me-down cribs are an eco-friendly option, but when you do the research on traditional cribs, you might want to reconsider.
Traditional cribs made from wood contain formaldehyde in the plywood as well as other toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the paints. You don’t want your baby breathing in these chemicals, especially when they’re supposed to be resting in a safe, comfortable space.
Even traditional mattresses contain toxins, which contaminate the environment and your baby’s lungs and skin. Organic mattresses have desirable characteristics, because they are often hypoallergenic, antibacterial and mold and dust free because of the type of rubber that is used. Also, non-organic mattress covers can contain pesticides and other chemicals that can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.
When you’re looking for an eco-friendly crib, you want to make sure that the materials are locally-sourced and that they don’t contain any of the following: formaldehyde, VOCs, pesticides or any other chemicals. Baby 3 in 1 cribs are functional and possibly one of the most sustainable models, because they can grow with your child. Some green convertible cribs can serve as a crib, daybed and toddler bed. Designs such as these can save your family money and reduce your waste.
There are many online stores that sell green cribs, and searching for them online can give you time to determine which option and price range is best for your family. There are so many designs, and you also want to double check that the materials are nontoxic to your baby. Although comparison shopping takes effort, it will benefit your baby’s health as well as the environment’s, so take your time.
From day one, your baby started to come into contact with germs and bacteria, but your baby’s nursery should be the one place where you don’t have to worry about these things. Choosing an eco-friendly crib, mattress and mattress cover can be a wise choice in the long run. Plus, when you’re finished with it, you can pass a safe product onto another family or choose to keep it in the family.
