Question from ACC
I am expecting a new baby in 6 weeks and concerned about the baby nursing and sleeping on my mattress. From past experience, I anticipate that the baby will likely not sleep in his crib and will want to be with me. My current mattress is a king-sized mattress that I inherited from my mother. It is about 3 years old. I cannot afford to buy a new, king-size organic cotton/wool mattress. (My older son has a latex allergy, so NRL in a mattress is not an option.)
What are my options?
1. “Wrap” my mattress? I have heard that mattress works to contain VOCs, and yet I’ve heard other opinions, as well. The wrap is made of polyethelene — is that right? Is it safe?
2. Put an organic wool/cotton mattress cover on my bed to at least create a barrier (theoretically) between the mattress and the baby?
3. Do a combination of the above?
How long do mattresses outgas for? Do they outgas more or less as they get older?
Debra’s Answer
Mattresses outgas less over time.
Polyethylene wrap will help and outgasses less than the mattress itself.
A cotton/wool mattress cover will not block outgassing fumes.
Probably a combination of both would be your best bet. The polyethylene would block more emissions, and the mattress cover on top would give more comfort.
