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The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We’re not just editors, we’re also moms. After reviewing mattresses for decades, here are our top picks for safe, nontoxic baby mattresses.
As a new mom who spent years on fertility treatments, it was more important than ever for me to find the safest crib mattress for my daughter. This is for her health, but also because infertility (and postpartum in general) can lead to a lot of anxiety when it comes to how your baby is sleeping. Babies under a year old sleep a lot — upwards of 12–16 hours a day. This sleep is critical in supporting both their cognitive and physical growth. But traditional crib mattresses are made of or topped with polyurethane foam, which is derived from petroleum, and often contain potentially dangerous fire retardants. Vinyl linings on crib mattresses can emit harmful phthalates.
While I’ve been more than eager to buy secondhand clothing and toys, my daughter’s bedding and her crib mattress were not something I was willing to compromise on. And from a quick chat with my friends who are parents, plus my research across numerous Reddit threads, I found that others feel the same.
Why are organic and nontoxic crib mattresses important?
Natural or organic mattresses reduce exposure to harmful chemicals commonly found in conventional mattresses. They can also be resistant to allergens and offer durability through high-quality materials. These mattresses are often made with natural materials like organic cotton or wool, promoting better air quality and a safer sleeping environment for babies.
You know that weird smell when you first open something from a factory, like a mattress? That’s called off-gassing, and polyurethane foam is known for it. What you’re smelling are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and according to the American Lung Association, they can be harmful in high amounts. In general, the less synthetic a mattress is, the fewer VOCs it emits. Crib mattresses are also often lined in vinyl, which, while great for its waterproofing, emits phthalates (chemicals linked to harmful health effects, such as disrupting your endocrine system).
Since mattresses must contain flame retardants to meet government flammability standards, many companies use synthetic flame retardants such as boric acid, PBDEs, and antimony trioxide. Children are most vulnerable to the potential toxic effects of these synthetic chemicals because they’re still developing, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
“We know these flame retardants are hazardous…the fact that you found these chemicals in crib mattresses is evidence of an ongoing problem that we as a nation have been unwilling to confront,” explains Dr. Jerome Paulson, a George Washington University pediatrician.
My methodology & testing criteria:
There are many organic crib mattress brands on the market, and it can feel like an overwhelming choice. Our team selected the best nontoxic crib mattresses based on the criteria below. I personally tested each one with my 10-month-old daughter, and we regularly update this list with new or emerging options.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC | Each crib mattress on this list is made of certified organic materials unless otherwise noted. We’ve personally visited many of these mattress factories to verify claims and see the production process firsthand.
- SAFETY & CERTIFICATIONS | Each of these mattress brands features third-party certifications, including GOLS, GOTS, and USDA Certified Organic, to ensure your baby’s safety. None of these mattresses contains toxic flame retardants.
- FIRMNESS & BREATHABILITY | I’ve personally tested every mattress with my daughter to assess firmness, crib fit, and breathability, all of which are incredibly important for safe sleep.
- WEIGHT & NOISE | Two things I never thought about before becoming a parent! Being able to lift and move the mattress on my own is so important, as is the “loudness” of the mattress, so that my daughter stays asleep when moving around.
- PRICE | While we’ve selected mattresses across a range of price points, they’re all high-quality, long-lasting, and come with excellent customer service and warranty options.
1. Avocado Organic Crib Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOLS-certified organic latex, organic wool, organic coconut husk
Size | Dual-stage crib mattress for infants and toddlers
Dimensions|52”l x 28”w x 5.5”h, 28 lbs.
Discounts Available | During Avocado’s Memorial Day sale, you can save up to 20% off mattress purchases (and save 10% on pillows, toppers, protectors and more) — available now through June 8th
After considering so many options, we chose Avocado’s organic dual-stage crib mattress for our daughter. It has some of the most impressive certifications, and I love that it’s thoughtfully crafted in our backyard in Los Angeles. My husband and I already sleep on an Avocado mattress and truly, truly love it, so it only made sense to start her off with the same quality and care.
Avocado has earned a reputation for creating some of the most organic, sustainable, and thoughtfully crafted mattresses at a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified factory, which our team has personally visited. Their meticulous attention to quality and purity ensures that every mattress is not only non-toxic and eco-friendly but also exceptionally durable and comfortable. Avocado is also one of the first brands to achieve certification from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a highly respected authority on chemical safety.
What sets this crib mattress apart, though (beyond certifications), is how comfortable and soft it is. It’s a dual-sided mattress with two levels of firmness—one side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. I love this because we can easily transition her as she grows. While this mattress is heavy, as other reviewers have noted, it’s not cumbersome, and I can move it/change the sheets solo. In fact, I love that it’s a bit bulkier than the other crib mattresses I tried because it feels more durable and supportive. While I love every mattress on this list, Avocado is the ultimate winner for certifications and comfort.
2. My Green Mattress Emily Organic Crib Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton & wool, GOLS-certified organic latex & organic coconut coir
Size | Dual-sided crib mattress for infants and toddlers
Dimensions |52″l x 27 1/4″w x 6″h, 15 lbs 6 oz.
Discounts Available | During My Green Mattress’s Memorial Day sale, you can save 15% sitewide on organic mattresses, bedding, and more, no code needed — now through May 26th. Active duty military, veterans, and their families can also save an additional $50 off their mattress purchase!
My Green Mattress‘ Emily Organic Crib Mattress is a very, very close second on my list of best crib mattresses. If we hadn’t tried the Avocado first and already been converted to the brand ourselves, we may have gone this route for a few reasons. For starters, it’s just as soft and cozy as the Avocado but weighs a bit less and is slightly easier to move around solo. It has a quilted cover made of 100% GOTS organic cotton and wool, which is perfect for warm nights and keeping my daughter cool, especially in the summer months. She is a big fan of it, too. As soon as I set her in the crib with this mattress, she snuggled up, spread out, and then pulled herself up to stand. The mattress is firm and didn’t make any noise while she did this.
This mattress is also dual-sided but differs from the Avocado because each side offers the same firmness, and it’s meant to be flipped every three months for even wear and tear and ultimately longevity. It’s also a bit more affordable, which can make a big difference. As for certifications, My Green Mattress is GOTS- and GOLS-certified and uses only natural, nontoxic materials, including organic cotton, wool, Dunlop latex, and coconut fibers (for the pad). If we have a second child, we will likely use this crib mattress for them!
3. Naturepedic Breathable Crib Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, non-GMO sugarcane PLA fibers
Size | Infant and toddler crib mattresses (also available in mini crib mattresses and oval crib mattresses)
Dimensions | 51 5/8″l x 27 1/4″w x 6″h, 14+ lbs
Discounts Available | Save 20% sitewide at Naturepedic during the brand’s Memorial Day sale, discount automatically applied at checkout
Naturepedic offers three thoughtfully designed crib mattresses, all made in the USA: Classic, Breathable, and Breathable Ultra. While each varies in features and nontoxic materials, all three are certified organic, dual-sided, and available with lightweight or 144-coil support (the lightweight option is only 14 lbs!). All three mattresses also include a waterproof layer crafted from non-GMO, food-grade, sugarcane-derived polyethylene, which meets both food-contact standards and fire-safety regulations without toxic flame retardants. This innovative waterproofing makes accidents easy to clean (simply wipe away) while ensuring a chemical-free sleep environment for your child.
I personally tested the Breathable model and love the 360-degree airflow, especially since we live in a warmer climate and our daughter was born in the middle of summer. The cover features a soft, organic cotton face and a 3-dimensional polyester lattice structure that allows air to flow through the fabric and beneath my daughter, providing 360° air circulation. Having a mattress this breathable (especially in the mini crib option for those of us who prefer mini cribs) does wonders for a new parent’s anxiety. I will note that the fabric makes a “scratchy” sound/feel, but my daughter actually loves this and scratches as a way to self-soothe! Naturpedic also has one of the strongest warranty offers on the list, with a lifetime limited warranty and a 100-night sleep trial.
4. KATU Organic 2-Stage Crib Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | GOTS- & GOLS-certified organic cotton, latex, wool & coconut fibre
Size | 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers
Dimensions | 52”l x 28”w x 4”h, 15 lbs.
I first learned about KATU and the Organic 2-Stage Crib Mattress before my daughter was born, and I’ve been so impressed by the brand that I recently gifted one to a friend for her baby shower. KATU, which translates to “forest” in Sri Lanka, is a small, family-run company focused solely on mattresses for babies and toddlers, rather than an adult mattress company with a baby line. That dedication really shows, and it’s led to the creation of one of the safest and most thoughtfully made organic crib mattresses I’ve come across.
I personally tested the 2-stage crib mattress, which comes in a soft sage green and feels especially design-forward compared to most crib mattresses on the market. It’s made with 100% GOTS- and GOLS-certified organic materials sourced from organic-certified farms in Sri Lanka, and each mattress is handcrafted by Sri Lankan artisans in KATU’s factory. The layers of organic wool, coconut fiber, and natural latex also make it incredibly breathable and naturally temperature-regulating, helping keep babies comfortable and safe through every season. We currently use the KATU waterproof mattress protector on our Avocado crib mattress, and KATU will be a top option for us if we have another baby. These mattresses are made in smaller batches, so make sure to pre-order if you’re hoping to receive it by a certain date!
5. Newton Baby Original Crib Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | Viscose, food-grade polymer, GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Size | Crib mattress, mini crib mattress
Dimensions | 52″l x 28″w x 5.5″h, 14 lbs
When our daughter was born, she slept in our room in a bedside bassinet. This worked well for night feeds and gave me peace of mind in those early months to have her nearby. We used the Newton bassinet, which uses an innovative Breathe-Thru Technology to ensure the safest sleep for newborns. So when I started researching crib mattresses, I knew I wanted to test out Newton’s crib mattress that uses the same technology and is washable from cover to core.
The Original Crib Mattress, which also comes in Essential and Mini versions, is available in five colors and designed as a two-stage mattress to grow with your baby through the toddler years. It’s firm enough for safe infant sleep but incredibly lightweight (14 lbs), making changing sheets and lifting it in and out of the crib much easier than with most of the other mattresses on this list. What really makes Newton stand out, though, is the brand’s focus on breathability and safer materials. The mattress is independently tested for low chemical emissions and made without lead, phthalates, vinyl, or PVC. While I still personally lean toward organic cotton crib mattresses, Newton has created an incredibly thoughtful option for parents who are especially concerned about airflow during the newborn stage. In third-party testing conducted by a CPSC-accredited lab, babies were shown to get 97% more air while breathing through a Newton mattress than through a conventional waterproof crib mattress, which can make all the difference for safety and peace of mind.
6. Love To Dream Gro Mattress
Natural & Nontoxic Materials | Certified organic cotton cover, bundle fiber core, hypoallergenic and recyclable materials, GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Size | 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers
Dimensions | 52″l x 28″w x 6″h
For a minimal, lightweight, safe, and organic crib mattress, I was so excited to test the Gro Mattress from baby sleep brand Love To Dream. My daughter has been obsessed with her Love To Dream cotton sleep sacks since she was a newborn, so I already trusted the brand for sleep, and I had high hopes for their new mattress. What stood out right away was how minimal the mattress felt compared to some heavier, denser crib mattresses. It has a stark white, removable cover that can be thrown in the wash and is water-repellent (great for potty training). The bundle-fiber construction promotes airflow, helping regulate temperature and reduce the risk of overheating. And like some of the others I tested, it’s a dual-sided design with a firmer side for infancy and a softer, more cushioned side for the toddler stage. It’s also made in the USA.
One unique feature to highlight is the reinforced two-inch perimeter edge to prevent sagging or rolling off (or catching pacifiers!), as well as a memory-technology fiber core that gently conforms to your baby’s body whilst still providing support. I noticed this right away with how my daughter seemed to snuggle up in a specific spot and stay still. This was also the only mattress that came with a storage cover, so if you buy it early on but plan to use a Snoo or bassinet in the early days, it’s already protected and ready to store.
What are the most important certifications for crib mattresses?
So how do parents shop for a better option? Your best bet is to look for third-party certifications that indicate product safety. The following are the ones our team looks for when it comes to any mattresses, but especially crib mattresses:
- GOLS Certified (Global Organic Latex Standard): This certification ensures that the latex in your crib mattress contains more than 95% certified organic raw material. Stringent environmental and social criteria must also be met throughout the product’s supply chain in order to be certified.
- GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard): To receive GOTS certification, 95% of a product’s materials must be certified organic. This certification is the gold standard for organic cotton, wool, and other textile components. They also monitor strict worker protections that ban exposure to toxic chemicals and child or forced labor.
- GREENGUARD Certified: A crib mattress with this certification ensures the product won’t emit VOCs at a harmful level. GREENGUARD’s standard is one of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive for ensuring the lowest emissions and off-gassing.
- OEKO-TEX Certified: A crib mattress with this certification means it’s free of 100 commonly used toxic substances and allergens (from raw materials to final product).
- MADE SAFE: This nontoxic certification requires your crib mattress to be validated to ensure that over 6,500 substances on the banned and restricted list have been avoided or constrained.
- USDA Certified Organic: This seal guarantees that the raw materials used in your crib mattress, such as cotton or wool, are at least 95% organic. However, unlike GOTS certification, it does not account for chemicals used during production or certify the entire mattress.
What common harmful substances are found in crib mattresses?
While you can find more affordable crib mattresses than the options on this list, it’s important to recognize that not all crib mattresses are created equal. Most conventional crib mattresses available online and in-store contain harmful substances that impact your home’s air quality and, most importantly, your baby’s health with chronic, long-term exposure. Here are a few to look out for:
- Polyurethane is a commonly used foam in mattresses, but it can release VOCs through off-gassing. (That new mattress smell? It might be the polyurethane!) This can cause respiratory irritation and headaches.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids, including many synthetic materials used in mattresses. (They’re also common in paints!) VOCs have health impacts ranging from mild irritation and nausea to liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. Some VOCs are even known carcinogens.
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals used in some mattresses and furniture for their water and stain-resistant properties. Research on these “forever chemicals” by the CDC and the EPA has linked PFAS to conditions such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, hormone suppression, and cancer.
- Chemical flame retardants, such as brominated or halogenated compounds, are added to mattresses to ensure they meet fire safety standards. These flame retardants have been linked to health issues such as endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental issues, and cancer, especially in vulnerable populations like infants or the elderly.
- Fiberglass is used in some mattresses as an inexpensive flame retardant, but fiberglass fibers can be released into the air and environment if the mattress cover is removed or torn. Aside from short-term irritation, chronic inhalation of fiberglass can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
