Regular Innerspring	Innerspring With Edge Supports	4.5" Organic Latex	6" Organic Latex
100% Chemical Free	*	*	*	*
Firm Enough For Infants	*	*	*	*
Transfers Well To A Toddler Bed		*	*	*
Provides Correct Toddler Bone Structure Support			*	*

More Information

Regular Innerspring: The regular innerspring mattress is completely chemical free and provides all the benefits of an organic mattress. It features 260 elliptical coils for an even support, as opposed to other crib mattresses that only contain 180 coils. This is a great mattress if you intend to use it for the time that the baby is in the crib only (up to two years). Until this time, it doesn't matter what a child lays on as far as bone structure support goes because the critical time for supporting their developing bone structure is between 2 and 6 years. After 2 years of age, if you can get natural rubber (organic latex) it's the optimal choice for supporting their bone structure. The regular innerspring is not the best choice for transferring to a toddler bed because over time as a toddler climbs up and down on the bed the edges can wear out.

Innerspring With Edge Supports: The innerspring with edge supports is just like the regular innerspring except it features edge clips on the inside of the mattress structure that will prevent the edges from wearing out in a toddler bed. If you are sure you're going to transfer to a toddler bed but can't swing the price of the organic latex, this is the best option for you.

Organic Latex Both the 4.5" and the 6" Organic latex are made up of a natural rubber core rather than coils as the support. Natural rubber conforms to the body better and provides more comfort to everyone. Some parents worry that because it is cushion-like that it won't be firm enough for infants. This is NOT the case. The rule of thumb is, if the mattress does not sink in more than 1/2 inch when you lay your baby on it, it is firm enough for infants. Plus, natural rubber can help eliminate the "flat head" syndrome babies tend to get because it will conform better to their heads rather than pressing flat against it. As mentioned above, these two options are the best for toddlers aged two to six years because this is a critical time in the development of their bone structure. These also transfer well to a toddler bed and can be used up to six years of age, giving you the most use out of your investment. It does not matter whether you get the 4.5" or the 6". Many parents simply like having the 6" option because this is the standard thickness for a crib mattress, but the 4.5" does just as great a job and will save you a little money.

How To Shop For An Organic Crib Mattress

When shopping for an organic crib mattress you will normally find two types of inner support, coils and natural rubber (also known as latex). The innerspring versions with a coil support are usually more affordable due to the fact that it costs much less to make this kind of mattress than it does to make the natural rubber version. What you want to look for in the innerspring versions is coil count and the types of oils used on the coils. A good quality crib mattress will have at the very least 210 coils. Most non-organic crib mattresses have only 180 coils and do not provide an even support for babies. Look for non-toxic oils like tung oil and beeswax in the description of the mattress. If its not mentioned, write or call and ask what types of oils are used. It makes no sense to have an organic mattress with non-organic oils, but some companies will try to get by with this to be able to charge you more money for the organic label and yet not disclose that there are some components that are not organic. Many parents wonder how any innerspring mattress can be 100% organic if it has metal in it. Well, it's true that metal can not be classified as "organic", but this is why you must be concerned about the oils used on the metal. Any innerspring that states it is 100% organic means that everything besides the metal is 100% organic. This includes batting, filling, topping, and the thread used to sew it all together.

Natural rubber or latex mattresses tend to be the best value for your money. Initially they do cost more, but because they are the best support for a toddler's bone structure between the ages of 2 and 6, you'll get a longer use out of them. Just as manufacturers can try to be tricky with the organic label on innersprings, they can on natural rubber as well. Many manufacturers will add synthetic blends to their rubber, but still legally be able to classify it as organic because its more than 60% organic. Sometimes they will hide this fact and try to charge you more for a lesser quality product, and sometimes they will disclose this information and mark the mattress down as a more affordable choice because it has some synthetic materials included. In that case, what would be the point of buying it? It would be better to purchase a 100% innerspring organic mattress and use it up to six years even though it doesn't provide the best bone structure support than to get a natural rubber mattress with synthetic materials mixed in. After all, the reason for buying organic is to avoid the synthetic materials and chemical additives that can make your baby sick and cause a greater risk for SIDS, allergies, and other hazards.

Of course, we'd like to note that all of our mattresses are certified 100% organic. You can find the link to our certifications at the bottom of most all of our pages. But, even if you don't purchase one of our mattresses, we hope this has been helpful information to keep in mind while shopping for an organic crib mattress for your baby.