Highest Rated Organic (Natural) Baby Crib Beds in 2021 – Non-Toxic

Now that your baby is here, the least you can do is provide a crib that will provide them with support, comfort, pleasant sleep and breathable layers. It should be made of natural fabrics and should be a pleasant place for rest of your growing child.

Many parents are worried about possible allergies or back deformations, especially during this fragile period of the child’s life. On the other hand, they are aware that investing big money in something so temporary can be a real problem (especially if they are on a budget). But, saving your money on something like a baby bed can cost you much more in the future if your child develops some back, skin or respiratory disease.

When buying a baby bed make sure it’s completely natural and free of any chemicals that may start emitting off-gassing with time (a huge risk for newborns and growing children). At the end of the day, every parent wants the best for their child.

This is why we are focusing on a buyer’s guide and several organic mattress reviews that will help you pick the best bed for your little one.

What Makes An Excellent Organic Infant Crib Mattress?

No PVC’s With Phthalates

Usually, crib mattresses have a cover that is waterproof (made of vinyl which is PVC). Such materials are one of the most toxic and dangerous for the human’s health. Hard plastics such as PVC are usually added to create a flexible cover.

The problem here lies in the fact that during this process manufacturers use phthalates (sometimes 30-40 percent of the vinyl surface). Phthalates aren’t connected with the vinyl so you can expect them to start off-gassing.

Needless to say that this is dangerous for the child; continuous breathing of these chemicals can cause illnesses such as cancer, asthma, liver and kidney issues and so on. These chemicals can penetrate the skin, bloodstream and their bones (causing degenerative processes in their limbs, and head).

Although phthalates are forbidden for use in the USA, there are substitutes (that are legal), but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t toxic. It’s still not commonly known what percentage of additives is allowed in the vinyl (especially for infant beds). There can be tags and labels that say it’s fully organic and non-toxic without phthalates, but the truth is, it probably contains legal toxic chemicals.

No PBDE’s (Chemical Flame Retardants)

This is another feature you need to pay attention to. If you come across a mattress that was made with foam and PVC, be aware that it’s a flammable combination that will burn in no time.

This is why there are standards for flammability, but you cannot achieve inflammability if you don’t add certain chemicals which with time will emit off-gassing.

Polybrominated diphenyl (PBDEs) is one of the most popular and main fire retardant chemical that has been used for years. Its off-gassing is simply unavoidable; of course, they are microscopic, and we breathe them in.

Besides through breathing, your child will absorb these chemicals through their skin, but also these particles will be present in the household dust, and your kid will pick it up while crawling, playing or simply being at home. PBDE will harm the immune system, the general development, can cause changes in their learning and behavior but it can also cause cancer.

Only trust manufacturers that use organic materials as fire retardants such as wool, otherwise the risk is yours.

CertiPur Certification

CertiPUR-US was founded by the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA). This certificate claims that products that have it are certified and have gone through a strictly regulated process in independent laboratories.

So when you see a crib with this certificate, you can relax because it is completely safe and healthy for your kid.

CertiPUR-US ensures that the product has met strict standards and criteria when comes to emitting VOCs into the household.  A mattress with this certificate doesn’t contain Benzene, Toluene, TVOC, Formaldehyde and so on.

When a product is tested for this standard, this certificate puts it in about ten times more formaldehyde compared to other laboratories standards.

It’s Greenguard Certified

Besides CertiPur there is another certificate that you should pay attention to – Greenguard.  It ensures that the product went through strict testing and standards (world standards). It ensures the buyer that it has low levels of VOCs emission into the indoor space.

This certificate comes in two forms – Greenguard and Greenguard Gold. Greenguard Gold also includes health-based standards for all every additional chemical.

This certificate also requires a product with less VOC emission; if it passes the test, then it gets this certificate and is safe for use in your home.

When buying your kid’s mattress check if it has Greenguard Gold certification; if it has it then it’s safe. Your job is to ask about this certificate or look it up on the box.

Is Organic Crib Bed a Must Have?

Usually, the only natural material in an infant mattress is the fibers from wool or cotton, but it doesn’t mean that the crib is safe. Only these fibers meet the agricultural standards because they are of course agricultural products.

Anything else used for the making of these beds (foams, latex vinyl covers, etc.) isn’t meeting the standards. Today the cotton can be considered organic, if it grew without being sprayed with fertilizers or pesticides.

Most farmers use such chemicals, so it’s rare to find such cotton. Wool that comes from sheep that were fed with organic food with no pesticides or hormones is safe to be used.

The labels these days don’t prove anything because there are numerous natural fibers (wool), that have chemicals and fire retardants (no matter how natural it was before, the moment the chemical comes in touch it loses its natural features).

Off-gassing can cause serious issues and even sudden infant death syndrome. There isn’t extended research on this, but it isn’t excluded.

Also, if baby mattresses have every certificate, it doesn’t mean that will provide the little one with the needed back support (the certificate isn’t a proof that the layers will keep the child’s back and spine in a natural posture during its development).

So, if you buy an organic crib (with cotton or wool) and if there is still some level of chemicals used, make sure at least that the layers are firm and the cover is breathable. Many kids are tossing and rolling, so at least the mattress should be breathable, to avoid suffocation.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

There are scientists that have theories that off-gassing of toxic chemicals are released from infant beds and when inhaled or absorbed through the child’s skin, can cause SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Although these theories aren’t yet acclaimed by science, they also aren’t looked upon as a conspiracy theory.  Some countries are having a prevention campaign for this syndrome; parents are warned to check the crib and its materials before they buy it.

In New Zealand, SIDS has dropped significantly after such campaigns, and turns out that this is an actual risk for newborns and toddlers. Their immune system is still developing, and you can only imagine what sort of damage those harsh chemicals do to their little bodies.

A sleeping kid (especially if they roll and sleep with their face down) have a bigger risk of inhaling a lethal dose of the toxic chemicals. When sleeping on their back, the risk is lower, but it still exists.

What you can do to protect your kid is to pick the best and free of toxins mattress although it can be a challenging job.

Buying the Right Non-Toxic Bed for Your Baby

Comfortability

This is a tricky part because your little son or daughter won’t be able to tell you if the bed feels comfortable or not.

Children sleep on their back during this age, so their crib should be firm enough to help them develop their back, spine and skull well. Luckily most manufacturers know that the mattress needs to be firm enough to keep the baby’s back in a natural position so it can develop without problems.

Also, it should have excellent edge support not because babies cause compression but because they tend to roll (especially as they grow up a little bit); the edge support will remain on the surface (and not in between the mattress and the rails).

Your child should feel comfortable while resting, but also the mattress shouldn’t be too soft. Avoid memory foams while your kid is still young. It should be made of firm and supporting layers (innersprings are perhaps one of the choices).

Waterproof

This feature will save you from getting new mattresses within several years; obviously, your infant or toddler will wet the bed at one point, so instead to clean it or trying desperately to dry it, get a mattress that is waterproof.

Yes, such beds contain vinyl covers which often aren’t the best option if you seek an organic mattress, but pick the one that at least contains legal chemicals. Also, you can pick a wool pad that is water “resistant,” but it’s not waterproof.

Whatever your choice may be, try to get protection because you will spare yourself from many worries and your child will sleep on a dry and pleasant surface.

Breathability & Airflow

Buying breathable kid’s mattresses is not essential only for a fresh and thermoregulated sleep, but it can also be a life-saver in situations that may cause SIDS.

Your baby needs to sleep on a mattress that will have a proper air circulation so he or she won’t be disturbed by overheating (often babies wake up because they are too hot).

The sleeping surface should always be dry (not only from urine) but from sweat as well, otherwise it can be an excellent place where bacteria and mold can grow.

Natural and breathable materials will protect your kid from possible off-gassing; always check the certificates and make sure that the only fire retardant the crib has is made of wool (without additional chemicals).

Firmness

No matter the materials, your growing kid will be better off with a firm mattress (especially suitable for their back, neck, spine, and head).

If it’s going to be foam, the top-grade choice is a firmer one. Do the finger test – press it in the middle and near the edges. The foam should come back fast to its original form. Avoid slow responsive foams for children.

If your choice is innerspring, make sure the bed has more layers; usually, these beds are heavier. The innersprings will last even when your kid grows up a little bit and start jumping all over the bed. They will provide excellent support for the back (during development and growth).

Whatever you decide, just make sure that the surface it’s firm (sit on it, test the edge support and feel it yourself); soft one can cause malformations in your child’s back and head.

Organic Vs. Non-Organic

There are many differences between these two types of mattresses, mainly in the materials that were used. Beds made with natural materials are usually lightweight and don’t contain any materials that anyhow were exposed to harmful toxic chemicals (including the cotton that should be grown without pesticides).

Non-organic usually contains VOCs and PVC, especially if it’s waterproof or contains a layer of memory foam or latex.

Latex and foam are not recommendable for a child’s mattress (foam and latex are responsive materials, and a baby’s back needs a firm surface that will help in its development). If you still prefer foam, pick a thick and firm one.

Although organic mattresses contain labels and certificates it doesn’t mean that they are completely safe for your kid; the other type will surely contain chemicals that emit off-gassing which (although isn’t a hard proof) can be the reason of SIDS (more information on FDA.GOV).

The final choice is yours, of course.

Read more about non-organic type: Our Top Available Crib Mattresses Reviews and Ratings This Year

Top 3 Safest Baby Cribs Reviews

Naturepedic has all the features a baby crib should have. It’s made with certified organic cotton and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.

Babies will wet the bed more often than not, so the manufacturer created a waterproof mattress (parents don’t have to worry about leaking diapers anymore). Besides that, it’s breathable, so your little one won’t be disturbed by overheating.

It has two sides, a thoughtful feature to help parents invest in a mattress that will last longer. One of the sides is suitable for infants who are still developing their back, head and spine (it’s extra firm and flat); the other side is slightly softer and is suitable for babies, and growing toddlers.

You won’t have to worry about your child’s back and head (the firm side is excellent for the back development, while the soft one will keep toddlers’ spine well aligned).

It passed the edge support test – a grown person can sit on it, and it will remain firm, and there is minimum compression.

This is one of the highest quality choices for babies and toddlers – the company has numerous awards for their works. They give a warranty for as long as you use or own the mattress.

Please check our extended review here.

Cribs should have all the features My Green Mattress has. Inspired by his daughter’s allergies, the manufacturer decided to make a baby’s crib that won’t cause children any problems. This bed doesn’t contain any chemical flame retardants; they used wool to pass the needed standards (wool smothers fire).

This material is also naturally resistant to mold. Besides that, there are no unpleasant odors. There are two sides of this mattress that regulate the temperature, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter.

It has excellent edge support; although your child is lightweight, this feature is important because babies start to roll you can be safe that they won’t fall between the rails and the mattress. Besides that, this is one of the best options for healthy back development.

The warranty is ten years.

If you want to read our extended review, click here.

This is one of the best choices on the market (it’s a little pricey though) because its inside contains a breathable material (Wovenaire) plus a polymer that is food-grade. It does not contain harmful chemicals, latex, foam or springs that are usually a common material in every other so-called organic mattress for children.

Since it doesn’t contain any of these materials, this is one of the safest beds that have zero risks for off-gassing, allergens or toxic materials (especially fire retardants). It’s easy to clean, and you can wash it and keep it free of odors, bacteria and so on. Also, the firmness is ideal for the little one’s growth.

Its 3-D space cover is made of a breathable material, adding even better airflow and coolness to the whole crib. We recommend it because its firm enough for a baby (especially for the head, and spine), but soft and bouncy enough for a lively toddler.

No matter the child’s age, it will support it well at all times.

We have written a more extended review, check it here.

Our Final Thoughts

Investing in children’s mattresses is a serious thing. We have picked some of the best options for your kid’s needs if you are looking for an organic crib mattress (check the extended reviews as well), but besides that, we hope that our guide helped you learn what every term means and what certificates are important.

Cotton, wool, breathable layers, natural fibers are only some of the few materials that will work well for your child; always check the firmness and the edge support to keep your child safe (back and head are still in development during the first years) and on top of the sleeping surface.

Baby beds must to be free of chemicals, waterproof, breathable and of course firm, so your kiddo can have a fresh, carefree and easy rest.