Congratulations! I know there’s lots to get ready when a baby is coming. So if one of your burning questions has been, What’s the best organic crib mattress? This post is for you!

Because let’s be real: A non-toxic crib mattress is generally more expensive than a regular one. So it leads you to wonder, is an organic crib mattress actually better? Is it worth the money?

baby in onsie sleeping on non-toxic crib mattress

As it turns out, then answer is yes, but it depends. Marketers are really sneaky at making you think you’re getting something you aren’t, so it’s important to really do your research on organic crib mattresses.

While there’s no such thing as a chemical free crib mattress (everything is made of chemicals), you can certainly look for the safest non-toxic crib mattresses out there.

So yes, an organic crib mattress is worth it, but only if you know what to look for. Read on to learn more about picking the best non-toxic crib mattress.

(Prefer to skip the science and go straight to the details about all the best organic crib mattresses? Click here to jump down.)

The best organic crib mattresses quick guide

Want to know how to build a completely non-toxic nursery (from a real PhD chemist)? Grab my non-toxic baby registry printable.

Model

Primary Support Layer

Certifications

Flippable two-stage?

Price

Latex core

GOLS, GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$$

170 coils wrapped with organic cotton

GOLS, GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$$$

276 coils

GOLS, GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

❌

$

150 coils or wavesupport core

GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$

252 coils or wavesupport core

GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$$

252 coils or wavesupport core

GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$$

150 coils with supportive edge

GOLS, GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold

❌

$

Latex

GOLS, GOTS

❌

$$$

Latex

GOLS, GOTS

❌

$$$

280 coils

GOLS, GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold

❌

$

Breathable PETE core

GREENGUARD Gold

✅

$$

Why an organic crib mattress is worth it

Most conventional crib mattresses (particularly the cheaper ones) are made with polyurethane foam. It’s comfortable, cheap, and can last a long time. But here’s the thing: Polyurethane foam often releases dangerous chemicals such as phthalates, fire retardants, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

While I don’t like to spend a ton of energy focusing on the negatives, these compounds are hormone disruptors. That means they can cause long-term health effects, including higher risks of childhood asthma and wheezing, infertility and reproductive issues, even some cancers.

When these chemicals are off-gassed from your baby’s mattress, your child breathes them in. And the worst part is this: The highest concentration of VOCs is directly above the surface of a mattress (basically, right above the chemical source). Given that this is right where your baby’s face is… that’s not good.

One secret almost half of parents won’t admit: Somewhere in the middle of the night, over half of all babies (regardless of age) end up in their parents’ bed. This is true whether or not people ever intend to bed share, because parents are just tired. With that said, consider an organic mattress for yourself too – one that’s firm enough to be safe for baby. This article shares the best non-toxic adult mattresses.

Something else to keep in mind: Newborns sleep up to 17 hours a day, and even older infants sleep around 15 hours a day. That’s a lot of time to spend breathing in high concentrations of toxic chemicals.

Is an organic crib mattress worth it? Yes, here's why.

What to look for in a non-toxic crib mattress 

Before I tell you about all the best non-toxic mattresses out there, I want to share with you what you need to look for.

By knowing what’s good (and what to avoid), you’ll have a checklist of requirements in case you come across a mattress (or something else on your baby registry) that looks like a “good deal.” 

Here are some things to look for: 

No flame retardants in crib mattresses

If you’re curious as to why it polyurethane foam is used in crib mattresses, it’s simply because it has a lot of great properties: It can be made firm enough for a baby crib, it holds off mold and mildew, and it’s durable. And it’s also super cheap. 

The main issue? It’s highly flammable. 

To address that problem, manufacturers added fire retardant chemicals to mattresses such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The problem is, there are serious hazards associated with this chemical class, including reproductive effects (lowering your chance of grandchildren), neurological effects, and even elevated cancer risk. 

Even scarier? Children are at even more risk than adults for these toxic effects because they’re still undergoing development.

Bottom line? Look for a baby mattress without flame retardants.

In 2015, California began requiring that all furniture be labeled as to whether it contains fire retardants. Since then, fewer manufacturers have been using flame retardants, but check the label to be sure. 

Look for vinyl-free mattresses and crib mattress covers

Even if a mattress is made with cleaner products such as latex or polyurethane foam-free filling, you should steer away from it if the casing is vinyl.

Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl is typically used in waterproof mattress covers. And let’s be real: Waterproofing is a big deal for a crib mattress.

However, PVC is also a known carcinogen that has been linked to MANY problems: Asthma, learning disabilities, reproductive effects, and even cancer.

And as bad as that is, vinyl also contains other toxic compounds such as phthalates. Phthalates make components (like a thin mattress cover) more flexible, but unfortunately, they’re also known endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to cause reproductive effects and been related to some cancers.

Once these chemicals are in your child’s system…they’re locked in for life. 

There is no magic detox to rid your baby’s body of these chemicals once exposed because flame retardants, vinyl, and phthalates bioaccumulate. Once your child is exposed, these compounds are stored in fat tissues and generally stay there.

So as stressful as it is, you’re better off looking for a non waterproof crib mattress.

Are there any certifications that will let you know a crib mattress is non-toxic?

Fortunately, there are several certifications that can help you decide which crib mattresses are safe. But here’s the catch… You still have to do a little research.

I know. 

But some certifications are more reliable than others, and not all “organic” crib mattresses are made equal. Here’s a list of common certifications, and what they mean. 

GOLS and GOTS

The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) show that a mattress is made from either 95% pure organic latex or 95% pure organic material. They also certify that the products contain no polyurethane foam and no fire retardants.

These are the best certifications if you want a truly organic, non-toxic crib mattress. You’ll know you’re getting a baby mattress without flame retardants, phthalates, lead, formaldehyde, PVC… basically all the chemicals you want to avoid. If you can swing it, go for a GOTS certified organic crib mattress.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

The Okeo-Tex Standard 100 certification sets strict limits on VOC emissions from products and  prohibits specific toxic chemicals from being in products, such as phthalates, lead, and other toxic chemicals. With that said, OEKO-TEX certification can be used on synthetic materials, meaning a mattress can be certified non-toxic by them without being organic.

Greenguard-Gold

GREENGUARD Gold certifies that there are few volatile components of a mattress, meaning they won’t offgas as much as a typical conventional mattress. That means you’ll have low levels of VOCs, including some flame retardants, phthalates, or formaldehyde.

Like with OEKO-TEX, a crib mattress could get the GREENGUARD Gold certification without being organic.

Why I don’t recommend Certi-PUR crib mattresses

The Certi-Pur label isn’t a bad start, but it’s not enough.

Certi-Pur is a certification specifically for polyurethane foam, saying that it’s free of ozone depleters, certain flame retardants, lead, formaldehyde, and harmful phthalates.

With that said, we’ve already established that it’s better to steer clear of polyurethane for your baby’s mattress if possible.

Plus, this certification doesn’t apply to the entire mattress. It only applies to the foam itself. So if the mattress also contained a layer of vinyl waterproofing, your child would still get exposed to phthalates and other chemicals that way.

Finally, Certi-Pur isn’t quite a third party certification. It’s administered by the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam. While this is a not-for-profit organization, it still feels a little iffy to me.

With that said: If you choose a Certi-Pur crib mattress, watch out and check out the safety of the other components.

Best organic crib mattresses

Hopefully everything we’ve discussed has convinced you that yes, an organic crib mattress is worth it. So before you pick just any mattress, take a look at some of the best non-toxic crib mattresses so you can feel confident as you lay your little one to rest.  

Avocado

The Avocado mattress company was 2020’s #1 mattress, and is a championed favorite if you’re looking for GOLS, GOTS and Greenguard Gold certifications. In addition, they have the coveted OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. 

Their double-sided organic crib mattress has a latex core and grows with your baby. You can flip it to a softer side once your child reaches toddlerhood.

(PS: Don’t forget – you’ll need an organic mattress protector too. Avocado has a great all cotton one).

If you’re looking for the most best crib mattress Avocado has to offer, check out the Luxury organic crib mattress. It’s made with cotton-wrapped pocketed innersprings, organic certified hemp pads; organic certified coco-fiber perimeters infused with organic latex for strong edge support; resilient organic certified latex; and the finest quality, organic certified cotton ticking. The Luxury crib mattress is also flippable so you can get as much use as possible from it.

But if you need to save money before baby arrives, that’s okay too! Avocado also has their Eco-organic crib mattress at a very affordable price. This lightweight version is still a healthy crib mattress that’s GOLS, GOTS, and GREENGUARD Gold certified. The tradeoff for the lower price on the Eco Organic crib mattress is that it isn’t flippable like the other two.

Avocado also gives a generous one year trial period so that you’ll have no doubts about loving your organic crib mattress.

Check out Avocado here.

Naturepedic

Manufactured in Ohio, Naturepedic crib mattresses are also GOTS and GOLS certified. However, they have some unique features that I really like.

All of Naturepedic mattresses are free from harmful chemicals including flame retardants, vinyl/PVC, polyurethane foam, phthalates, biocides, and perfluorinated compounds (PFAS). Plus, since all the designs are made with cotton and no wool or latex, they’re safe for those with allergies to either of these materials.

The Classic crib mattress option can be bought with both a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlerhood. It has a wipe-clean waterproof surface with a thin LDPE layer that provides non-toxic waterproofing.

The Breathable option also comes in a dual-sided design. Like the Classic, it has a wipe-clean waterproof surface. Plus, it’s the only certified organic breathable crib mattress, allowing your baby to sleep better without overheating (and possibly helping with baby’s airflow too).

The Breathable Ultra crib mattress is even nicer, with a quilted cotton cover that allows breathability and protects the mattress from messes.

Plus, if you order directly from Naturepedic, they have a 90 day money back guarantee.

My Green Mattress

The Emily crib mattress from My Green Mattress has a more affordable organic crib mattress option, but that doesn’t mean it’s not high quality!

The Emily Crib Mattress from My Green Mattress is made with a layer of breathable, GOLS certified organic coconut fiber and organic latex.  Latex provides a naturally cool sleep and is dust-mite, mold, and mildew resistant.

The mattress is covered with GOTS certified organic cotton and GOTS certified organic wool, which acts a a natural flame retardant.

One con: While the Emily Crib mattress is dual sided, both sides have equal firmness, so it may not be suitable for your toddler.

RELATED: Best non-toxic toddler crib mattresses

My Green Mattress offers a 120-day money back guarantee.

Check out My Green Mattress here.

Green Cradle

If you’re sold on a latex core crib mattress, you should check out Green Cradle. These healthy crib mattresses are simply made, with a 100% GOLS Certified latex core covered with an encasement of GOTS certified wool. The whole thing is quilted between 2 layers of GOTS Certified organic cotton.

Organic latex and wool are naturally anti-microbial, meaning the mattress is resistant to dust mites and mold. Additionally, wool is naturally flame resistant, so there’s no need for chemical flame retardants.

Check out Green Cradle (and their beautiful hardwood cribs) here.

Lifekind

Lifekind’s Certified Organic Crib mattress is GOLS, GOTS, and GREENGUARD Gold certified for peace of mind. It’s manufactured in North America and has a double-stitched organic wool and cotton cover.

Lifekind prides themselves on making sure that only all natural, certified organic products come through their factory doors. They even keep their factory smoke and fragrance free to make sure that no allergens are passed on to your little one through their products.

Although there are no returns or exchanges, Lifekind carries a 20 year limited warranty on its crib mattress. You can check them out here.

Brentwood Home

Although not technically organic, the Brentwood Home EcoAir Waterproof baby crib mattress is made with organic materials (and no polyurethane foam). This vegan mattress is made with sustainability in mind, using REPREVE, a non-toxic recycled polyester fiber.

What makes the EcoAir crib mattress unique is its use of a polymer (PETE) layer with a breathable, open cell structure for its core. Non-toxic, hydrated silica is used as a flame retardant instead of old school chemicals.

This mattress has a GOTS certified organic cotton cover and can be flipped for both an infant and a toddler side.

You can check out Brentwood Home’s healthy crib mattress here.

Conclusions on the best organic crib mattresses

Hopefully you’ve seen that yes, an organic crib mattress is better for your little one.

A non-toxic crib mattress is an investment in your child’s life long health. Yes, it’s a little pricier, but it will pay off for years (and even decades) to come.

Let me know if you have any questions on the best organic crib mattresses in the comments. And if you’re interested in making your nursery completely non-toxic, make sure you grab my non-toxic baby registry printable (with my favorite brands and info on the chemicals you need to avoid).

Should I get an organic crib mattress?