Getting a good night’s rest is a major key to good physical and mental health. In fact, there is research to suggest that the quality of sleep you experience is inextricably linked to your overall happiness. This is something that is especially important when thinking of children.
2020 was very isolating for kids, and now they are going back to school with a whole new set of stresses... remembering to wear their masks, wash hands, keep their distance, and a whole new set of rules for how they interact with their friends. This year giving them the best foundation to handle these changes will be extremely important, and that foundation starts with healthy sleep! In fact, you can boost the immune system and protect your body from stress by getting quality sleep at night where the body truly rests and recovers from these daily stresses.
So when it comes to shopping for a kids mattress it will become even more important to consider the sleep environment it will provide, and we're talking about more than simply comfort and price.
Why You Should Prioritize Organic for Kids
Have you thought about the toxicity of a typical mattress? Babies and kids spend a lot of time in their beds, and during that time they are exposed to chemical off-gassing that synthetic mattresses product. This can be especially harmful to their little growing bodies as they spend between 7 to 12 hours a day on their mattress, their fragile respiratory, neurological, reproductive, and immune systems are still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals which can affect brain development.
Synthetic mattresses are always coated with flame retardants, scary enough you can even find these lurking in children’s pajamas! These PBDE flame retardants have been scientifically linked to several health issues including:
- Lower IQ
- Hyperactivity
- Thyroid Disfunction
- Altered Sexual Development
- Early Onset of Puberty
- Developmental Issues
- Cancer
You’ll notice everything listed above is directly connected to the developmental stages of your child’s life. So what can you do?
Here are the top 4 things to look out for when purchasing your kids' mattress or crib mattress:
- Flame Retardants – Mattresses are often treated with chemical flame retardants to meet federal regulations. It is important to choose a crib mattress manufacturer that does not use toxic chemicals to meet these regulations.
- Polyvinyl Chloride or Vinyl Waterproofing – This waterproofing is often achieved with plastics that contain the hazardous compound polyvinyl chloride or vinyl. This is known to be the most toxic plastic that constantly outgasses into the air that your baby breathes. If you choose to have waterproofing, you must ensure there is no vinyl used. Healthy crib mattress companies can achieve a safer waterproof surface with the use of food-grade polyethylene.
- Polyurethane Foams – These foams are petroleum-based materials that will emit VOCs into the air. You must also consider that soy-based and vegetable-based foams are simply poly foams mixed with these other elements but the majority of the mix is still polyurethane-based.
- Fabrics – You want to stay away from crib mattress cover fabrics and fabric batting that is made of polyester. Polyester can cause respiratory tract irritation and even rashes. Moreover, you should be vigilant of options that seem good on the outside. What does this mean? Think of an organic cotton cover over a polyurethane foam mattress. It’s important to pay close attention to all components of the mattress.
Here at Essentia we do things differently and keep sleep safety at the forefront of all of our decisions. When you purchase an Essentia Grateful Bed Jr or Essentia LaLa Crib Mattress you can rest assured it is one of the healthiest sleep surfaces for your little one.
- Made in Essentia’s GOLS and GOTS certified organic factory, Essentia uses only the highest quality natural and organic components to ensure a clean air environment for babies. You won’t find any synthetic fabrics or poly foams so the baby is not exposed to VOCs from these elements.
- Temperature-neutral sleep surface and constant airflow through the mattress, even while stomach sleeping.
- Allergy-Friendly. The LaLa crib mattress and Grateful Bed Jr do not have any nesting ground for dust mites so it will not attract or emit allergens as reported by Dr. Robert G. Hamilton of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
- Essentia does not use any chemical flame retardants on any products.
- Featuring a touch of Essentia’s patented natural memory ensuring pressure relief for optimal blood flow, proper spinal alignment, and a temperature-neutral sleep surface your child will experience fewer sleep interruptions and sleep longer.
- Exclusive to Essentia’s LaLa crib mattress is food-grade waterproofing integrated into the backing of the GOTS certified organic cotton cover.
As your little one moves into teenage status, or if you simply want to get a head start with a mattress that will stand the test of time and grow with your child we have some amazing options that can go from toddler to teenager:
Tatami
A popular choice among parents, the Tatami is an 8-inch mattress like all Essentia adult mattresses. This model will feel very similar to the Grateful Bed JR for your child with one important upgrade, there is no longer a weight limit for the comfort level. This model can truly grow with your child and even go with them to college!
Stratami
The Stratami mattress is the top-rated foam mattress today! In fact, Consumer Reports has ranked Stratami against competitors and the Stratami has scored 82, the highest score in the foam mattress category. This 8-inch mattress is the perfect amount of bounce for your child and will be super comfy if you just so happen to fall asleep while reading that good night story.
