We love our babies and certainly want the best for them. This starts right from infancy, and for most parents, it means getting non-toxic and eco-friendly cribs for them. However, for many people, the only beds they can trust for their baby’s safety are the Greenguard Gold certified cribs.
There are many eco-friendly products out there, but not all of them are Greenguard Gold certified. This does not make them less healthy for your children. But for the sake of this article, I will try to explain what a Greenguard Gold certification is, their criteria for certification, and why you need it.
Before going on to that, why don’t we find out the real essence of getting non-toxic cribs? Like, why do you have to go the extra mile to ensure that your baby’s crib is non-toxic?
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). See disclosure for details.
Why should I buy a non-toxic Greenguard Gold certified crib?
No one wants to give birth to a baby and let them suffer discomforts, which is why we do not go to the markets seeking toxic baby cribs. However, just like mattresses, we cannot say for sure that all the products out there are made with the safest and natural materials.
Some companies use woods with harmful chemicals to produce their cribs. Though they may not look dangerous, they will (through the process known as gassing) release volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air; the air your baby breathes.
Inhaling these volatile organic chemicals has been found to cause many problems, including asthma and even cancer.
Many safety bodies have set a mark for testing these products to ensure they are free from dangerous chemicals and VOC emissions. So, Greenguard Gold certified goods are those that have been checked and found to be free from VOC emission, and this is a valuable benchmark for consumers.
What does the Greenguard Gold certification mean?
Greenguard Gold certification is a voluntary third-party program that is dedicated to testing products for the presence of over 10,000 dangerous chemicals and volatile organic compounds.
Every product that passes the Greenguard gold certification test carries the Greenguard Gold label.
What are the criteria for Greenguard Gold certification?
Before a product can successfully be certified by Greenguard Gold, it must
- be tested for 10,000 chemicals, and volatile organic compounds
- be safe for sensitive individuals (in this case, babies)
- also be found to have low emission and no off-gassing
Greenguard Gold makes its criteria very strict and is highly concerned about the safety of products for the young, the elderly, and other sensitive people who use the products.
Its primary reasons for such carefulness in analyzing products is because
- air pollution indoors can sometimes be up to 5 times more intense than outdoors
- people (especially babies) spend 90% of their time indoors, and it must be safe
- lack of good quality air can harm your baby’s health.
What are the best Greenguard Gold certified cribs out there?
I have a particular liking for the modern design of this Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 convertible crib. It is made from 100% solid pine wood from New Zealand, with a multi-step painting and staining process that is free from phthalates and lead.
Little wonder it is a Greenguard Gold certified crib. It also exceeds the safety standards according to the US CPSC and ASTM International. This means that they are free from 10,000 dangerous chemicals and 360 volatile organic chemicals.
It is available in two color tone options and a variety of six different colors. The design is extra lovely and makes me love the Million Dollar Baby brand (producers of DaVinci baby cribs) more.
This convertible crib comes with its conversion kit to convert the standard-sized crib to a toddler bed and daybed. But if you need to convert to a junior bed, you may consider getting an extra conversion kit.
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 is not the only safe convertible crib from Babyletto. They also produce other safe and non-toxic cribs like Babyletto Modo, Scoot, and Lolly, which are other great chemical-free options.
This crib has a dimension of 53.6″ L x 29.6″ H x 34.9″ W and has a total of 54 pounds. It can take up a standard-sized mattress of at least 51.6″ L x 27.3″ W and not higher than 6″.
Safe doesn’t always have to be expensive; that is what this crib says. Though it does not come with a super-fancy design, it is a safe and very affordable option.
This is a standard-sized crib made with New Zealand solid pine wood and has a lead and phthalate-free finish. This Greenguard Gold certified crib is safe for indoor air.
It has four adjustable bed positions that can be lowered as the baby grows and
It has a seven-color variety, including blue and yellow, and can make a bold statement in the nursery. There are neutral options like natural, grey, and white that you can use if you want something that blends anywhere.
This crib is most compatible with DaVinci’s line of Greenguard Gold waterproof mattresses.
I wish I could tell you to get prepared to convert this crib into a toddler or day bed, but I can’t. Parents say that the conversion kits are hard to find and give not so pleasant reviews. However, since it is not an expensive option, you can appreciate it for what it provides, the basic and toxic-free atmosphere for your baby.
Another downside is that the screws are visible, and many parents say that it is not as sturdy as others.
Its dimensions are 53.5″ L x 30.5″ H x 33.5″ W. Its total weight is 35 pounds, but the total weight it can carry is not specified.
I spent minutes admiring the classic look of this Greenguard Gold certified crib, and after all, I imagined myself in one years ago.
The DaVinci Jenny Lind crib has this flawless look that spells out ‘class’ for you and your baby. Its Greenguard Gold certification proves it safe for your baby. Besides the Greenguard Gold, it meets all the safety standards as given by other bodies. Its one-year warranty proves the assurance of its sturdiness.
It got wheels, yea! So you can quickly move your child from one room to another. But this will become a concern after your baby grows to the age where they can shake the bed across the room.
This crib is convertible, and when you are ready, you can turn it into a toddler bed and then a daybed. However, you will have to buy the conversion kits separately.
The DaVinci Jenny Lind crib has adjustable bed positions to suit your baby as they grow. It is available in eight color varieties; some are bright and the others natural to fit any color scheme you want to create. You can choose from the coral, cherry, emerald, ebony, lagoon, white, slate, and fog-grey color options.
This Jenny Lind crib is a sturdy option made from 100% New Zealand solid pine wood with lead and phthalate-free finishing.
However, some parents said that this crib is not so durable and will not take you through multiple children. The crib has plastic wheels.
The mattress holder also bows when the child gets older. You should thoroughly consider the conversion option as the conversion kits are not available in matching colors.
This Greenguard Gold certified crib should be your choice if you need additional storage. The brand has been in the market since 1945 and received the Women’s Choice Awards since 2018.
The crib is JPMA reviewed, and it exceeds all the safety standards according to ASTM International and CPSC, and all its mattresses are all Greenguard Gold certified.
It is sturdy and made of solid wood and has three adjustable bed positions. Though it doesn’t come with a mattress, it is compatible with any standard-sized mattress.
This crib is convertible up to a full-sized bed, but the full-sized bed frames are sold separately. You can take advantage of its changer and matching dresser, and even detach it and turn it into a nightstand as well.
In case you do not need a changer and dresser, you can buy the stand-alone option. But whatever your choice may be, you will still enjoy the convenient toddler rail that it provides.
The downside of this crib is that it is pretty difficult to assemble, and the changing pad is not water-resistant, and we do not know if it (the pad) is made of non-toxic materials). To be sure, go for a non-toxic option like Naturepedic Organic Cotton Changing Pad.
This sturdy crib is Greenguard Gold certified and exceeds the safety standards of CPSC and ASTM International.
It has an outstanding and elegant curved design with a luxurious finish, which will make your baby look like they are sleeping in a million-dollar facility.
It is made from 100% solid New Zealand pine wood and is finished with a multi-step painting process. The finishing, however, is lead and phthalate-free. It has four adjustable bed positions to suit your baby’s age.
It comes with a built-in drawer underneath, which is a great storage space for your baby’s diapers, bed sheets, and clothes.
If there is anything more adorable about this crib is that it works for adults too and can take up to 500 lbs weight.
The conversion kit for a toddler bed is sold together with the crib, but you will need to buy the conversion kits for a full-size bed separately.
This Greenguard Gold certified round crib is made of solid beech wood, beech laminate, and beech plywood, and as you guessed, it comes with some glue.
Though this product contains a limited amount of formaldehyde, it is produced by a reputable company, and so, it is trusted for its safety and non-toxicity.
This crib is convertible, and it comes with the conversion kits for a toddler bed, but you need to buy the conversion kits for a junior-sized bed. That will take your child until they turn 10.
Since this crib is oval-shaped, it cannot contain the normal standard-sized mattress, but it comes with its mattress. However, the mattress is polyurethane, and you can’t use that for your baby.
Instead, buy a Naturepedic Organic Cotton Oval Crib Mattress as a replacement for their mattress. It fits the crib naturally and is non-toxic.
Another downside of this crib is that it is expensive and cannot be converted into a full-sized bed.
How do I choose the safest baby cribs?
There is a lot more to consider about a crib than the size and design. And though we sometimes choose the best cribs, we need to ensure that the mattresses are also non-toxic and comfortable for your child.
So, the safest baby cribs are those made with natural and non-toxic materials, but this is not all. You need to look out for the following when choosing your baby bed.
- The material
Most of the baby cribs you will find are made of wood, but not all woods are safe. There is a class of wood called “manufactured wood”, and chipboard, plywood, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) are parts of it.
These manufactured woods have been treated with chemicals like fillers, glues, and the rest, which may not be so safe.
It is best to go for cribs made from natural solid wood. This type of wood is safer and even more long-lasting than the manufactured counterpart.
From my findings, I realized that the best baby cribs are those made with lightweight, sturdy, and soft solid pinewood.
Though these woods have a rustic feel and look, they are safe and are sustainably found in New Zealand.
- Wood finishing and glue
Water-based wood finishes are safe finishes to be used for wood. They only emit very low VOC and have low harsh chemical contents.
If you want the safest wood finish, it has to be a food-grade oil finish which includes tung oil, beeswax, and flaxseed oil. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to come across these kinds of cribs.
Cribs with water-based finishes are common to come by. However, you may barely know the type of wood finish used for the crib of your choice since most manufacturers don’t disclose such information.
The glue
Wooden cribs usually need glues to hold them together, and these glues can either be water-based or formaldehyde-based.
Some cribs that use standard formaldehyde-based glue are dangerous and will emit VOC, which formaldehyde is among. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer for both adults and children and is also responsible for some developmental challenges in children.
You will mostly buy cribs disassembled and will need to fix them. So when assembling the crib, it is best you go for water-based glues since they are safer, non-toxic, and more eco-friendly.
If you don’t want the stress of checking for a lot of water-based glue, avoid manufactured wood cribs. The solid wood can be assembled with as little water-based glue as possible.
- Mattresses
Your baby will likely be in contact more with the mattress than the crib itself; that is why choosing a safe, organic, and non-toxic one is a must.
The safest mattresses you will find are those made from organic cotton or other natural materials like coconut husk, wool, and latex. Polyethylene and polyester are among the few synthetic materials that are safe for making mattresses.
However, a baby with super-sensitive skin will still react to mattresses from a synthetic origin, so you need to test and know the most suitable one for your baby.
Do not go for polyurethane foams. They usually have flame retardants added to them, and that makes them toxic. These flame retardants can cause cancer and some other developmental problems in children.
- Certification
You have read about the Greenguard gold certification, but that is not all the available certifications for baby’s safety. Others include ASTM International, TSCA, and US CPSC.
When cribs are certified by these bodies, it means that they have been tested and found to emit only a very low amount of VOC.
- Are they convertible?
Though not every convertible crib is safe, you may want to go for a bed that will last longer for your baby. Since getting a safe bed for your child can be as tough as war, it is important to make an effort worthwhile, except you are willing to undergo another undercover work.
These cribs are the convertible types and can usually be transformed into a daybed, toddler bed, and twin-sized bed.
However, the conversion kits for some of these cribs are usually sold separately, and you may want to buy the conversion kit alongside the crib. Some manufacturers may stop producing a particular type of crib, making it difficult for you to find the conversion kits when you need them.
It is also possible to find some cribs that come with their conversion kits. You may be lucky to lay your hands on these few.
Conclusion
Greenguard gold certified cribs have proven to be the best cribs in terms of non-toxicity, and it is definitely worth the try. Though there are numerous designs and characteristics to distract parents from the safety of most cribs, it is crucial to seek the Greenguard Gold certification label before making a purchase.
Did I mention my favorite Greenguard Gold certified crib? I love the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 crib and would recommend it for your precious one. Also check out the best organic crib sheets for your baby’s crib.
Featured on: Romper, Her Brilliant Life, Link2Us Mag and lots more.
- 50 Wise Names That Mean Old - April 3, 2023
- 50+ Sweet Names That Mean Guardian Angel - April 3, 2023
- 120+ Best Albanian Baby Names - April 3, 2023