So, it's time to set up that nursery and you've read a lot about "toxic" substances found in crib mattresses.  You're concerned that you need to provide a healthy, chemical free environment for your child but don't know where to start, what you ultimately need and if there really is a danger.

Let's start with the last question first:  Is there really a danger?

Yes.  This is not just my opinion as a bedding professional, but has been documented countless times in everything from motherhood publications to medical journals.  The reason is lies almost 90% with the crib mattress.  Here's why:

Crib mattresses are largely low priced items for most mattress stores - even most baby products retailers.  Whether the core is innerspring or foam, the reality is that the cushioning material - and core in the case of a foam crib mattress - is made of what is known in the industry as "random" foam.  "Random" means exactly what you think it would - whatever foam is handy, lying around or left over from making adult mattresses.  In fact, in one crib mattress you could have multiple types of foam just in that one little bed.  In that case, there's going to be glue used - usually the least expensive type around - to piece that "random" foam together to make this mattress.

Then, most mainstream crib mattresses are covered in some form of vinyl or plastic cover which basically do not allow the mattress to breath and do not promote air circulation within the crib bedding environment. 

Babies and small children spend far more time in their bedding environment than adults.  In addition, their resperatory systems are still developing and, as such, are fragile and ill equiped to deal with the offgassing of this "random" foam, glue and vinyl or plastic. 

Now, this is not meant to scare you, but inform you as to why there is something to be concerned about.  Typically, new parents - and even old parents - are just not thinking about what is under the sheets, buying into the age old adage that kids will sleep literally anywhere.

Because of the costs involved, you may not want to go all the way organic.  This is very understandable, but even going natural is a huge improvement over standard.  First, you are totally eliminating the "random" foam and the vinyl.  Almost always, you are also eliminating the glue.  Those factors alone have provided a wealth of improvement over the standard crib beds.  The mattress will breath, air circulation will improve and there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that this is a far better environment for the child's resperatory system.  The only improvement going organic gives you is the total chemical free aspect from cradle to your cradle!

Invariably, people get stuck between innerspring and natural latex.  Which is better?  As far as comfort goes for baby, there is none.  Really - baby will sleep just as well on springs as they will on the natural latex.  The difference is which bed will stay cleaner.  When that is injected into the equation, the natural latex bed wins hands down.  It is not absorbing like the cotton batting found in the innerspring, plus it is going to be more dust mite resistant than the innerpring counterpart.  It is also much easier to use this mattress for all of your children (assuming you are going to have more than one baby) than the innerspring model because natural latex models are more likely to have replacable covers.

Now that you've made up your mind, what else do you need?  Well, we've taken the vinyl or plastic out of the equation and replaced it with organic or natural cotton - not exactly moisture proof.  So, we need some kind of moisture barrier.  In this case, nothing is going to work better at keeping the natural environment than a wool puddle pad.  Available from a variety of sources, this pad is a tightly woven wool mat that basically lays on top of the mattress.  Most will keep all moisture from penetrating through for about 24 hours - giving you more than enough time to change the bedding.  Most are also machine washable/dryable - very convenient!

Some parents also believe they need a crib mattress pad.  Actually, you don't, especially for a newborn.  The puddle pad will do just fine.  The only reason you would use a mattress pad is if, later on, you wanted to make your child's mattress a little softer.  Most natural or organic crib mattress pads are not machine washable - an exception is the Natura Kindersoft line - and in that respect you are setting yourself up for a piece of bedding that you will have to find the time to hand wash and let hang dry.  If, later on, you chose to get a mattress pad, then keep that puddle pad and put it on top, just under the crib sheet.

Bedding is also important.  Remember, you are going for breathability.  Organic or natural cotton crib sheets are excellent for this.  You also shouldn't discount bamboo, which adds the same moisture wicking properties as wool.  Bamboo, however, uses a viscose process to create the soft fiber, so it is not going to be totally chemical free like organic cotton.

Next, you need to decide if you want to go with a crib bumper.  Again, know that some natural and especially organics are not going to be machine washable, so wiegh the labor factor accordingly.  This is not a componant of the overall bedding that is likely to get as dirty as the rest, but it is something to think about. 

As your child grows, you may want to add a boudoir pillow with a sham to the mix.  Again, a variety of types are available but wool seems to be the best in terms of staying clean.  Shredded latex models are also available, but be careful the one you get does not have a zipper as you do not want your child gaining access to the inner fill.

So that's it.  I hope this has helped to "clear the air" on why it is important to have a healthy bedding environment for your child and also what combinations work the best.