Using Products Like Organic Crib Mattresses to Remove Chemicals From a Baby's Environment - Family

Fire retardants are in many items, particularly those for children. While the premise of fire retardants seems innocent and practical enough on the surface, what, exactly, is a fire retardant chemical? In some cases, the chemical can be nearly as harmful as a fire itself. In recent news, Zhu Zhu Pets, the hottest toy this holiday season, were found to have high levels of antimony, one such fire retardant chemical, in them. At too-high levels, antimony can be harmful to children. But toys aren't the only baby products with added chemicals. Crib mattresses, sheets, and even pajamas all have such substances or materials added to them.

Unfortunately, with toys and other baby products like crib mattresses, the effects of the chemicals aren't immediate. As a result, pinpointing the specific chemicals that cause infertility, asthma, or rashes later in children often isn't immediate. Rather, certain diseases in children are studied and, then, the disease points back to certain chemicals a child could have been exposed to as a baby. Often, this includes chemicals like antimony, as well as other common chemicals like PBDE's and phthalates, a softener added to plastics like PVC. As a parent shopping for a baby or child, you'll probably find that, unless specified, phthalates, PBDE's, and BPA are nearly ubiquitous.

The safer route for finding chemical-free products is going natural or organic. Many retailers of organic or natural baby products carry organic crib mattresses made from organic cotton or rubber and without PVC and fire retardant chemicals. Organic baby toys are often included in with selection. While harmful chemicals like phthalates, PBDE's, and BPA are eliminated from such organic baby products, organic or natural toys and mattresses often contain a combination of organic cotton, wool, unfinished wood, and natural latex to be a sturdy, fire retardant product free from chemicals.

Retailers who carry organic crib mattresses often carry chemical-free versions of cotton mattresses for cribs, bassinets, and cradles. Similarly, such organic toys and baby sheets made from natural or organic materials are designed to give a baby a chemical-free environment.

The magnificent Zhu Zhu Pets Princess Castle