Eco Friendly Cribs

The Wise Baby
The Wise Baby - The Definitive Baby Blog

Can I share some exciting news, THREE of my high school besties are preggo at the same time and all due within a month of each other, ahhhhh!!!! I have had no shortage of advice for them, some unsolicited, wink wink. Something feel strongly about is buying an eco friendly crib and organic mattress. I am by no means a tree hugger, but I try to be organic where it matters most, especially when it comes to Harrison. For me, the quality of the crib was the most important thing because that’s where babies spend the majority of their time (theoretically). When choosing a crib, it’s important to make sure it’s up to safety standards, but it’s also necessary to examine what materials it’s constructed of.

The most important things to look for in a crib is that its made with no VOC and no MDF.

VOC- These are volatile organic compounds. They are found in the paint/finish of the crib. The problem is that these chemicals evaporate and enter the air where your baby is breathing. Look for a crib finished with a water based paint. Not only does the baby breathe in these chemicals, if they are anything like Harrison, they also use the side of the crib as a teething ring.

MDF- This is medium density fiberboard which is sawed down wood kept together with glue. It contains formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen. The best way to avoid this is to look for a crib made of solid wood and preferably sustainably harvested wood. This is the driving factor in the high cost of eco friendly cribs (and other furniture!).

Organic Mattress- The mattress is one of the most important, if not the most important, piece of gear to purchase the organic version of. Traditional foam mattresses are drenched in flame retardant chemicals that leach. There are many natural alternative flame retardants like wool and baking soda. I’m a huge fan of the Naturepedic mattress

. They are highly customizable and offered in several price points. They will also make you an organic mattress to fit any special size crib or bassinet you have which is great to keep in mind if you have a family heirloom or go with an Ikea crib.

Here are some of my top picks for great eco-friendly cribs!

Spot on Square Ulm Crib

/ Oeuf Rhea Crib

/ Bloom Alma

Mini pictured but the entire line meets our standards / Newport Cottages Devon Crib / Ikea Sniglar / Kalon Studios Caravan Crib

Eco Friendly Cribs
Lisa