Organic Cotton Mattresses, Safe, Non-Toxic

By Ina Woolcott

100% organic cotton is the most safe and non-toxic mattress material obtainable. It is firm, breathable and makes for a comfortable sleeping surface. BUT - there are a few factors to regard when it comes to any cotton mattress.

100% cotton is not fire-safe. In the USA, according to federal law, a doctor's prescription must be given before a 100% cotton mattress can be sold. Cotton cant deal with moisture as well as wool. It also doesn’t provide the insulating properties and the body temperature regulation that wool does.

Wool - Natural Fire Retardant, Regulator of Body Temperature, Handles Moisture Well

Wool is a natural fire retardant. Therefore, generally, a prescription is not required when wool has been added to the cotton. As before mentioned, wool also regulates the body temperature far better than cotton.

Naturally, moisture is given off by the body whilst sleeping - again as mentioned before wool handles moisture better than any cotton - and any other fibre - without losing its insulating properties. It will wick - to convey or be conveyed by capillary action - away moisture and the body wont overheat. Although the mattress isn’t entirely waterproof, because of the wicking action, it does dry quickly when damp. A mattress that dries quickly means keeping a comfortable body temperature and prevents dust mites.

A baby in one’s bed highly increases the need to reduce the wetness, as urine and other fluids associated with a baby can easily create bacteria, fungus and toxic vapours, ruining the mattress. As well as making it uncomfortable and unhealthy.

This may seem like the perfect answer to toxic mattresses, but…although wool is a natural material, it also naturally contains phosphorus and may also contain arsenic and antimony. Fungus commonly growing in bedding can interact with these substances to create poisonous gases. Thus, though wool is natural, it cannot always be guaranteed entirely non-toxic. This is entirely dependant on the wool - where and how the sheep are raised, and how the wool is cleansed and processed.

The amount of phosphine gas emitted from organic wool may be minute, and may not even be an issue - but we simply don’t know. As it is extremely difficult and expensive to test for, it isn’t tested.

It is important to let parents know that there could be a risk in using wool for babies - although this has not yet been ‘scientifically’ proven to cause SIDS, the 100% successful cot death prevention campaign in New Zealand is enough evidence to warrant taking a precautionary approach. It is up to you to consider the positives/negatives of using wool products, and to make an informed decision that sits right with you.

Wool puddle pads are water resistant and the best natural way to protect your mattress from baby fluids. Obviously they are good for regulating body temp and won't cause a baby to overheat - a known factor in crib death.

One thing is for sure though - the typical toxic chemical/ingredient laden mattresses with are extremely dangerous for babies. When using a 100% cotton or a cotton/wool mattress, the baby is definitely protected. Of course, 100% cotton is still the best option available to you.

How Can a 100% Cotton Mattress be Waterproofed?

Currently there are no completely safe methods for waterproofing 100% cotton mattresses. Having a baby in your bed means you will need to find a way to reduce wetness.

There are no waterproof mattress pads available at this time that are safe for babies. Any mattress pad claiming to be waterproof will definitely add toxic chemicals to your baby's sleeping environment. No matter what anyone says, a mattress cover/barrier pad on an adult bed will NOT block toxic gases.

There is one waterproofing material deemed safe - polyethylene. It does not emit any gases of its own and is also non-toxic. The ironic thing though is the fact that it is NOT a natural material, but a plastic! Scientists and environmental organisations that have caried out studies on plastics ad all agree that polyethylene is the safest and most non-toxic plastic out there. Although there are baby mattress covers available, there are no adult mattress sizes.

Mattress pads aren’t made from polyethylene, as they are frequently washed in hot water, which breaks down the polyethylene. You wont find a mattress pad made from polyethylene anywhere.

There are people that purchase sheets of polyethylene at DIY stores and wrap them around their adult size mattresses - BUT this is extremely risky as you can’t be sure of what you are getting and these materials are untested - there are different grades of polyethylene and there is no way one can be certain that what they are getting is pure polyethylene.

No other material is available that will block toxic gases being emitted from mattresses. Cotton, wool, latex, or any other kind of synthetic mattress cover/pad may add comfort and protect the mattress, but will not block toxic gases coming off the mattress.

100% wool moisture pads handle moisture very well. They are not waterproof though, they are water resistant, resisting leakage. The pads should be removed ASAP to protect the mattress. The wool should be pure and organic if possible.

What to do?

Don't be put off from co-sleeping as it has the most positive, healthful benefits for both you and baby. Remember the positive’s of sleeping right next to your baby, attentive to their natural breathing pattern, and protect and nurture them with plenty of breastmilk. Purchase the most non-toxic mattress and bedding affordable to you and cherish the time you have with your baby.

Related Link: Toxic Mattresses Can Cause SIDS, Co-Sleeping is Safer

DISCLAIMER:

This information is for educational purposes only and is NOT meant to be SIDS prevention advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. NO claims are being made that co-sleeping or using a non-toxic mattress will prevent SIDS since this has not been 100% scientifically proven, and there can be other factors involved in SIDS. None of the information or options presented above or in related articles are considered to be SIDS prevention advice.