ORGANIC BEDDING AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Room designed by Rockabye Mommy
As parents, we strive to create the safest and most nurturing environment for our little ones. From the food they eat to the toys they play with, every choice matters. One often overlooked but crucial aspect of a healthy nursery and bedroom is the bedding. Second to your mattress, choosing organic bedding should be a top priority and can make a significant difference in your child’s health and well-being. Here’s why:
What is Organic Bedding?
Organic bedding is made from natural materials like cotton, linen, or wool that are grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. These materials are processed and manufactured under strict guidelines to ensure they remain free from toxic substances.
Benefits of Organic Bedding
Healthier Sleep Environment Conventional bedding can contain residues of pesticides, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that can irritate the skin and respiratory system. Organic bedding, on the other hand, is free from these harmful substances, providing a cleaner and safer sleep environment for your baby and family.
Hypoallergenic Properties Organic materials are naturally hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for babies with sensitive skin or allergies. They help reduce the risk of skin irritations and allergic reactions, ensuring your baby sleeps soundly and comfortably.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Organic farming practices are designed to be environmentally friendly. They use less water, avoid harmful chemicals, and promote biodiversity. By choosing organic bedding, you’re not only protecting your child but also supporting sustainable practices that benefit the planet.
Durability and Comfort Organic bedding is often more durable than conventional options because it hasn’t been weakened by chemical treatments. It’s also incredibly soft and breathable, providing a cozy and comfortable sleep experience for your little one.
Ethical Production Many organic bedding brands adhere to fair trade practices, ensuring that the workers involved in the production process are treated fairly and work in safe conditions. This ethical approach adds another layer of goodness to your purchase.
100% Organic Cotton GOTS Certified crib sheet from PB Kids.
Organic bedding is essential in creating a safe, healthy, toxin-free bedroom environment (read more here for non-toxic nursery tips and here for additional tips to a toxin-free space). Consciously reducing your toxic load by choosing an organic mattress, pillows and bedding, will ensure your best quality, healthy sleep. Making the switch to natural, organic bedding can be easier than you think. Below are a few essential tips to keep in mind while you’re shopping.
Making the Switch
Switching to organic bedding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with the essentials like crib sheets, mattress protectors, and blankets. Look for certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to ensure the products meet high organic standards.
GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard: This certification is the strictest organic-textile standard in the world. From harvesting and fabric finishes to the supply chain and social impact- each step is carbon footprint minimal and ensures the purest end product for consumers. To obtain a GOTS certified label, a product must: contain at least 95% organic fiber, must not be treated with bleach, formaldehyde, or any other toxic substances. It must use non-toxic dyes. Must be produced in mills that enforce strict social and environmental standards, treating their employees and the earth with deep respect.
OEKO-TEX: OEKO-TEX 100 is a third-party textile testing and certification system covering all stages of textile production. Even if a product may have started with quality raw materials (or even organic raw materials), it doesn't necessarily mean the product was manufactured to the same principles. This is why the OEKO-TEX certification was created; it certifies the manufacturing process. Textiles which meet the standard have undergone testing beyond legal regulation in many countries, testing for known harmful substances.
MADE-SAFE: Is the only certification examining all materials in bedding from a human health and ecosystem perspective. Brands with The MADE SAFE® seal means that a product is literally Made With Safe Ingredients™ not known or suspected to harm human health, animals, or ecosystems.
Fair Trade Certified: When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified™ seal, you can be sure it was made according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. Some of the key benefits of supporting Fair Trade Certified™ products include clean water, education, and healthcare for local communities.
Greenguard Gold: While not the best, this certification is a better choice than none and gives assurance that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet their chemical emissions limits - contributing to the creation of healthier interiors. Gold certification considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly.
GOTS Certified organic cotton muslin crib sheet and waffle blanket from Naturepedic
WHAT TO AVOID:
Anything synthetic: Polyester, Acrylic, Nylon. Often containing plastic and other chemicals.
Anything chemically treated: Such as “Wrinkle-free,” “permanent press,” “anti-static,” “shrink-resistant,” “color-fast,” “anti-bacterial,” “anti-microbial,” “soft finish,” “stain-resistant,” “stain repellant,” and “flame retardant.” These fabric finishes are all treated with a chemical process that includes formaldehyde and other chemicals. While these treatments may sound beneficial, they have been chemically treated.
favorite brands for CRIB BASICS:
Shopping for a baby’s crib bedding is pretty simple. All you’ll need is an organic fitted sheet - keeping all soft bedding items out of your baby’s crib for safety. Adding a crib skirt can safely dress it up a bit.
Naturepedic: GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard, MADE SAFE and EWG certified, they are definitely a go-to source of mine for organic mattresses and they just launched a collection of organic bedding for the whole family! Their baby bedding collection includes organic waterproof mattress protector pads, organic cotton breathable covers, 100% organic cotton fitted crib sheets and baby blankets making them a one-stop shop for your crib bedding basics!
Coyuchi: GOTS, MADE SAFE and Fair Trade certified - They offer organic percale crib sheets in three colors. And organic cotton baby blankets.
Pottery Barn Kids: PB Kids now offers many options that are GOTS and Fair Trade Certified. Look for the icons below each style for these certifications to know for sure what you are purchasing. And you can also filter by “organic baby bedding.” This is where you will find numerous color and pattern options.
Naturepedic 2-in-1 crib mattress and waterproof mattress cover.
FAVORITE BRANDS FOR ADULT BEDDING BASICS:
Naturepedic: GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard, MADE SAFE and EWG certified. Their bedding collection for the whole family just launched! Duvets, duvet inserts, sheet sets and blankets. We have their organic cotton sateen sheet set and duvet set. They are buttery soft and so comfortable! We are loving this collection.
Coyuchi: GOTS, MADE SAFE and Fair Trade certified. Coyuchi has a full bedding collection of sheet sets, pillow cases, shams, duvets and blankets. I love that they offer a variety of colors and patterns.
Avocado Green Mattress: I have not personally tried their bedding however they do have a complete bedding collection including sheet sets, pillow cases, duvets, duvets inserts and blankets. Their bedding only comes in solid colors but they do have some beautiful striped alpaca wool throws.
Naturepedic organic cotton sateen duvet in pewter and sheet set in arctic snow
Investing in organic bedding is a step towards a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for your child. It’s a simple change that can have a profound impact on their well-being and the environment. At Rockabye Mommy, we believe in creating nurturing spaces where your little ones can thrive, and choosing organic bedding is a beautiful way to start.
-stephanie
