Sleep is not for the weak, especially for your growing baby. Each slumber they take contributes to the rapid development of their brain and body and plays a role in their overall well-being.
According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, over one million new neural connections form every second in the first three years of an infant’s life.1 And as they sleep, all they’ve learned in the day is created and stored.
To ensure your baby snoozes as much as they can each day, it’s imperative to invest in a high-quality mattress early on. However, with so many products on the market, there’s a lot to review before purchasing. Is it free of harmful allergens? Is it comfortable yet durable?
Healthy and Safe Sleep With Naturepedic
Naturepedic, a leading mattress manufacturer for infants, checks off all the boxes, providing parents with a certified organic, breathable, and waterproof product. To help you decide if Naturpedic’s mattress is right for you, we’ve compiled all there is to know about the company and its products so you, too, can get a good night’s rest.
What to Consider When Selecting s Mattress for Your Baby
Infants require 12 to 16 hours of sleep each day (naps included), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).2 This makes choosing a mattress for your bundle of joy as a new parent even more overwhelming. With many factors to consider, we’ve broken down four different components to guide you when making your first purchase. Naturepedic also has a thorough step-by-step comprehensive guide.
1. Cover
To extend the lifespan of your baby’s mattress, consider a waterproof surface or cover. Not only will it protect it from spills and accidents, but also allergens and odors. Opt-in for a removable cover that can be placed in the wash for easy clean-up.
2. Firmness
Ranking at the top of the list of important features is firmness. Since babies are still developing and lack motor control, a firm crib mattress can prevent them from sinking into a mattress and suffocating. The AAP advises moms and dads to place their infants on a flat, firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet–free of additional bedding or soft objects–to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation.3
3. Size
Set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), all full-size crib mattresses should be 27.25 inches x 51.25 inches, with a thickness up to 6 inches.4 This helps prevent both head entrapment and suffocation between the mattress and sides of a crib.
4. Weight
Typically, foam mattresses are lightweight and weigh between 8 and 13 pounds. Naturepedic’s lightweight and innerspring infant models can withstand up to 50 pounds.
The Beginnings of an Impactful Organic Mattress Brand
Founded in 2003 by Barry A. Cik, Naturepedic is an organic, non-toxic, eco-friendly mattress manufacturer for infants, children, and adults. After failing to find a suitable organic mattress for his first grandchild, the environmental engineer veteran set out on a mission to help families who faced similar dilemmas.
“As I researched further, I was horrified to discover firsthand the state of the baby mattress industry,” Cik explained. “As an environmental engineer, I know a thing or two about chemicals – chemicals that should never, under any circumstances, be used to manufacture crib mattresses.”
With help from his two sons, Cik was able to find a solution. He was able to patent the first and only organic baby crib mattress designed with a waterproof surface made from non-GMO sugarcane and various breathable options.
Today, the Ohio-based company continues with its mission to provide families with safer, organic-based products that positively impact the environment. It has since received numerous certifications and is considered an EPA Green Power Partner.
Naturepedic was awarded the 2021 Green Ribbon Award for its Classic Organic Baby Crib Mattress this past November by the Sustainable Furnishings Council. According to the award announcement, the manufacturer received the prestigious honor for “its design, sustainability, aesthetics, and ingenuity.”
To further promote a healthy and safe sleeping environment, Naturepedic has been a consistent advocate and supporter of NGOs and nonprofits that advocate for transparency in consumer-based products, known as “Right to Know.”
What We Love about Naturepedic and Why We Use It
A good night’s rest begins with an even greater mattress, which helps prevent more significant problems in infants as they age. Some issues may include developmental delays, a weakened immune system, decreased mood, and problems with their physical health.5
Fortunately for concerned parents, Naturepedic offers top-of-the-line handmade mattresses that will keep your baby safe and healthy. With specialized features backed by certifications and awards, Naturepedic stands out against other competitors in the market. Here are just four hallmarks of Naturepedic’s mattresses that win us over again and again.
Breathability
SIDS is one of the deadliest issues babies face, accounting for 3,400 deaths a year.6 While the cause of the syndrome is unknown, soft bedding has been shown to increase the risks.7 Unfortunately, some parents are still choosing soft, plush-like options for their newborns.
As a result of the high risks, Naturepedic worked to create crib mattresses that are both firm and breathable (they allow air to flow through them). Known as the Naturepedic Breathe Safe™ mattress, the engineered design incorporates a breathable layer that is only porous at the surface level, whereas other products on the market are entirely porous. This helps prevent your little one from breathing in trapped germs and allergens.
The Breathe Safe™ mattress allows breathable air to flow freely between the baby and the mattress, which has led it to receive the industry’s lowest-scoring for suffocation risks. As an added plus, the mattress’ breathable layer is also removable, so it can be tossed in the washer if soiled.
Certified Organic
As the demand and popularity for organic products increases, more and more items are sporting organic labeling. Unfortunately for consumers, it can be quite challenging to distinguish which items are fully organic.
With Naturepedic, all mattresses are Global Organic Textile Standard certified. This means they’re held accountable for maintaining environmentally conscious, ethical, and sustainable business practices and meeting and exceeding the standards required for organic certifications. Parents can rest assured that all mattresses include non-toxic, 100% certified organic materials.
As a result, the company has joined the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, which supports the promotion of product transparency and material health.
Waterproof
Through Naturpedic’s unique design, all crib mattresses feature an underlying waterproof surface made of food-grade polyethylene from non-GMO sugarcane. With the waterproof surface perfectly nestled beneath the breathable layer, the mattress can remain free of microbial contamination. When any accidents occur, the phthalate- and vinyl-free surface (known carcinogens) can easily be wiped down.
Chemical-Free
As the first infant mattress brand to make naturally-safe mattresses without harmful chemicals and flame retardants, Naturepedic is proving that products can be made free from toxic chemicals and materials like latex, formaldehyde, pesticides, GMOs, glues, and adhesives.
“Many conventional crib mattresses are made with questionable chemicals and materials,” Cik explained in a recent press release. “At Naturepedic, we’re proud to eliminate all questionable chemicals and materials in our crib mattresses while never compromising on hygienic, breathable, physical, and allergenic safety.”
When your little one makes their grand arrival into the world, it’s important to introduce them to the safest and most high-quality products, including their mattress. With Naturepedic’s revered products, you can ensure your baby is free from exposure to toxins that are detrimental to their health and protected through its certified-backed features. As your baby sleeps, you’ll also be able to rest knowing they’re in good hands.
