Why an Organic Cot Mattress is Essential for a Green Baby!

 

An organic cot mattress is one of the must have essential items for parents trying to 'go green' according to an article yesterday by Fox News.

Alan Greene , author of Raising Baby Green The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care states that this is a must have item. "The first thing I would choose is an organic mattress because a baby's face is so close to the mattress all day."

This is because of chemicals present in conventional mattresses. Synthetic mattresses may include an array of chemicals including flame retardants, polyurethane, foam, polyester, plastic and formaldehyde. These are all absent in an organic cot mattress. Greene also stresses that children sleep on their mattress more than 12 hours a day so making sure that they are not exposed to chemicals that are not good for them is important.

Avoiding chemical exposure is also really important. "Things get exposed through the skin," Dr Benjamin Kligler a board-certified family practitioner and director of research at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City says . "It's not just about what you eat."

Amongst other essential steps to Greening your baby are avoiding nursery decoration and construction work at home whilst pregnant, making sure you choose environmentally friendly cleaning products, watching what you eat by reducing fish consumption is also important, as Mercury in fish can be toxic to baby. Choose BPA free baby bottles and breastfeeding as much as possible, and also keep baby on an organic diet by avoiding non- organic beef, milk, potatoes, and apples.

Greene says "I do suggest using a bottle that is bisphenol-A (BPA) free. Studies in animals have found it's very clear that BPA is an endocrine disrupter."

What to Definitely Buy Organic!!

Following on from the interesting article on what you shouldn’t buy Organic, the Huffington Post brings us a follow up on what we definitely should buy organic.

This list is a no compromise guide to safe shopping so that you know that you are buying what really counts when it comes to organic.

The 1st on their list is Beef. "Research suggests a strong connection between some of the hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans, particularly breast cancer," says Samuel Epstein, M.D., professor emeritus of environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.

Oestrogen like agents used on Cattle increase your chance of developing cancer adds Ted Schettler, M.D science director at Science and Environmental Health network.Persoonally i think this applies to all meat!!

When you buy beef that is certified organic you’re not only cutting out those hormones, you’re also avoiding developing antibiotic resistance.

The 2nd on the List is Strawberries. This super food has been found with over 13 pesticides on it according to the Environmental Working group. "Strawberries have a large surface area and all those tiny bumps, which makes the pesticides hard to wash off, so you're ingesting more of those chemicals," explains Marion Nestle, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition and public health at New York University and author of "What to Eat."

Also choose Organic peaches, apples, blueberries, and cherries over non organic varieties

3rd on the list is Cookware. Although I don’t think you can buy this labelled organic, there are simply more healthy versions.

Traditional “non-stick cookware contains fluorochemical called PTFE that breaks down to form toxic fumes when overheated," says Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the EWG. "Those fumes can coat the inside of the lungs and cause allergy-like symptoms."

Tests by EWG showed that in 2 minutes on the stove, non-stick cookware surfaces can heat up beyond guidelines after which they emit toxic gases. These then pollute our food and the air we are breathing. Better options are stainless steel, ceramic or cast iron.

4thly and surprisingly is Popcorn…The inner linings of microwave-popcorn bags may contain a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which is used to prevent the food from sticking to the paper. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state that PFOA is a likely carcinogen.



"We don't know all of the hazardous effects of PFOA yet, but we have some evidence of a link to cancer, as well as to effects on the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems," says David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany. Make your own on the stove!!


5thly, is garden Pesticides. For the plain and simple reason that they are suspected carcinogens according to EPA data and that long term exposure may cause brain and nervous system changes. Not only are you breathing the chemicals in, but you bring them indoors and onto carpets via your shoes," says McKay Jenkins, Ph.D., a journalism professor at the University of Delaware and author of What's Gotten Into Us? Buy and good organic gardening book to show you natural alternatives to spraying everything with chemicals

6thly are common household cleaners which potentially expose you to harmful chemicals on a daily basis. Ammonia and Bleach for instance can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, they also contain phthalates which disrupt normal hormonal activity in the body says EWG senior scientist Becky Sutton, Ph.D.

Research on Phthalates is not totally clear, "the greatest concern is how early-life exposure will affect male [reproductive] development," Dr. Carpenter says. There's weaker evidence, he adds, that phthalates affect the nervous and immune systems

Natural cleaning products like Ecover, bio-d and method are just as good at cleaning but without the side effects.

7th on the list are water bottles. Avoid hard re-usable plastic water bottles as they contain BPA or bisphenol A another endocrine disruptor according to the National Institute of Environmental health Sciences. "For adults, the biggest concern with BPA is that it may increase the risk of breast cancer in women and reduce sperm counts in men," says Dr. Carpenter, who explains that BPA can leach out into the water in the bottle. To be safe, sip from an unlined stainless steel or BPA-free plastic bottle

8th - Food Storage Containers. More BPA! Which can leach out of the containers into your food! "The leaching is increased during heating, but it also leaches to a smaller degree even when cold foods are stored," Dr. Carpenter explains. Glass containers are your safest -- not to mention planet-friendly -- bet. Both Rubbermaid and Pyrex make glass ones with BPA-free plastic lids

9th Milk- Dairy products account for 60 to 70% of the Oestrogens we consume through our food due to the hormones that comes from the cows. In addition about 17% of cows are treated with the hormones rBST (rBGH) which stimulates milk production by increasing circulating levels of another hormaone called insulin like groth factor (IGF-1)

"Elevated levels of IGF-1 in people are associated with an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer," Dr. Schettler explains. The use of rBGH is banned in Europe and Canada. I am still researching if this includes the UK. If anyone knows, please let me know! Although research is doesn’t yet definitively say that drinking rBGH-treated milk increases your IGF-1 levels Dr. Schettler says it's advisable to buy milk that hasn't been treated with it. So try and find milk that's organic so its free of antibiotics but also labeled rBGH-free, rBST-free, or is produced without artificial hormones. Not so easy in the uk!

10th on the list- Ok celery is next on the list! Celery tops the chart as coming out most contaminated in pesticide tests (EWG). This is due to the porous stalks, they retain a lot of what’s sprayed on them. Also switch to organic bell peppers, spinach and potatoes which also score really high for pesticide contamination.

11th on the list is Tomato Sauce or paste. Most people will go for a can, but this is dangerous due to BPA. The lining on the inside of food cans that's used to protect against corrosion and bacteria may contain BPA," explains Cheryl Lyn Walker, Ph.D., a professor of carcinogenesis at MD Anderson Cancer Center and past president of the Society of Toxicology. Swicth to glass jars of boxed tomato sauce. Nearly all brands tested in 2009 contained BPA.

Last but by no means least on the list, and one close to our heart is mattresses. Most mattresses are treated with possibly toxic flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which have been linked to learning, memory, and behavioral problems, according to Lunder.

The EWG advises opting for products that haven't been treated with brominated fire retardants and choosing less-flammable materials, such as wool. Organic mattresses use tightly weaved fabrics such as organic cotton and naturally flame resistant organic wool to achieve fire resistance naturally. Organic mattresses are also a more popular choice for people with allaergies.

Where does the latex come from in buyOrganics Latex mattresses? And how pure is it?

We often get asked about the purity of our latex in our latex mattresses by customers who find it really frustrating trying to figure out whether other online companies are selling really pure latex mattresses like ours or are just making empty claims.

Now with new regulations in place, it is no longer possible to make empty claims so we thought we’d show you directly what goes into the making of our latex and where it comes from.

The latex in our Boomarang brand latex mattresses comes from a company called Latex Green. They are a 100% natural latex foam manufacturer based in Columbo, Sri Lanka. The Rubber only comes from a specific planation and they have over 60 years’ hands on technical experience in Rubber technology and manufacture. Much more expertise than could be presented by a small, new or un-established company. The trees from the plantation remove 143 metric tonnes of Carbon Dioxide from the environment in 1 year alone. Meaning that your latex mattress is not only chemical free and pure, but is green in combating Climate change as well.

The process used is a Dunlop process rather than the Talalay method. General expert consensus is that this traditional method of latex production produces much sturdier latex foam and subsequently latex mattress which is more durable than the Talalay method of production. The Talalay method also allows for the introduction of chemicals so it is more difficult to assess the latex’s purity.

The Dunlop process at the Latex Green factory uses a high tech U.S foaming machine in which air is blended with latex to achieve the required density and hardness during its foaming and gelling process.

As a 100% natural latex manufacturer with customers who are particularly looking for a 100% pure product only, they choose their ingredients carefully.

The pure latex foam is then vulcanised using a steam cure technique that uses a highly energy efficient machine with design engineered pin moulds that keep the latex undisturbed through the process. The following multi washing cycle uses only pure clean drinkable water to wash the latex. The final stage involves a soft condition drying mechanism which is unique to latex green to enhance the natural feel of the end product.

The latex is quality controlled for correct hardness, weight and look so that you can be assured that the latex that goes into your mattress has been checked to ensure that it is in perfect condition before it goes into your mattress.

There are no toxic or synthetic fire retardents or other artificial additives or chemicals used in the latex foam or in any of the processes at Latex green, subsequently there are absolutely none used in the final production of our latex mattresses. The foam has subsequently been certified by oeko tex and our final latex mattress production involves the use of only natural fibres without any fire retardants or toxic glues. Where gluing of layers is required only natural rubber solution is used.


How can we be sure? If you paid for veggie burger and you got a beef burger you’d see, taste and smell the difference wouldn’t you?

With certifications and a fully transparent supply chain, we can see where our fabrics and materials come from so that when we assemble the components without the addition of anything impure we know with 100% confidence that what we are providing the end consumer is what we say it is.

See the video of production here

Keen DIYers may adopt latex mattresses in home improvement schemes

Latex mattresses could become popular among homeowners who are looking to make the most out of DIY tips while improving their property.

According to the Cayman Net News, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is currently offering an interior design course as part of its Continuing Education programme.

The news source stated organiser of the sessions Lisa Ebanks teaches both theory and practical work, offering tips of the trade in the process - such as the use of colour.

She told the publication: "We learnt it is not good to use red in bedrooms if you have high blood pressure," before adding: "Blues are good for the bedroom."

And those inspired by her remarks to spruce up their living area may want to invest in a latex mattress in the process.

The Ramsey mattress - described as the finest luxury natural latex mattress in the market today - is available on buyOrganics and is created with pure chemical-free latex.

Latex mattresses may be perfect for those 'clearing the cobwebs'

A natural latex mattress could be a good investment for people who are looking to spruce up their home and sleep better in the process.

In an article for wonderwoman.in, Richard Laliberte and Benia Se noted regularly replacing bedding items is a good idea and can improve and individual's health.

The writers explained swapping pillows removes the risk of bacteria being drawn to areas where hair and body oils are soaked in.

In addition, the journalists suggested homeowners change mattresses every five to seven years to improve the quality of their sleep.

They said: "A study at Oklahoma State University found that most people who switched to new bedding after 5 years sleep significantly better and [experience] back pain [on fewer occasions]."

And those taking heed of their advice might find they benefit from a natural latex mattress from buyOrganics.
The product is handmade in the UK and completely metal free, wrapped in pure organic Welsh wool and finished with a fixed organic cotton cover.

How to Care for and Clean your Natural Latex Mattress

Sleep is obviously an essential part of our daily routine. Therefore it’s really important that our mattress is not only clean in the sense of being toxin and chemically free but also daily clean from daily dust, mites, skin cells, and other allergens. A clean healthy mattress will give you a comfy and restful sleep.

1. Flip your latex mattress over and around every six months. To provide even wear, flip your latex mattress so that the top is now on the bottom, and turn it so that the foot of the mattress is now at the head. Depending on the size of your mattress, this can easily be a two person job. Be careful to protect your back and try not to let a latex mattress fold on itself otherwise it may get damaged.

2. Cover your latex mattress, to protect it and extend time between cleanings . Consider purchasing an organic mattress cover such as the Molton Mattress Protector, to protect the surface of your mattress. The mattress preotctor should be washable, easy to remove and replace on your mattress such as the Molton which can be washed at up to 95C which will kill dust mites.

3. Manually Remove dust from your latex mattress surface. Dust, dander, and dust mites build up in your latex mattress naturally, although the internal wool layer will prevent them from travelling deep into the mattress core. Even those of us without allergies can begin to notice dust and dirt in our latex mattress. Vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner on a weekly basis. If someone does have allergies in your home, you may need to vacuum more frequently and/or purchase mattress covers.

4 If the latex mattress surface becomes dirty or soiled, then patch wash the soiled area. Mix a mild detergent with water until suds form. Apply the dry suds only to the soiled area using a sponge. Wipe the area with a sponge that has had warm water wrung from it. Allow the area to dry thoroughly. If the cover is removable remove it and machine wash at about 60C to kill dust mites, but do not use the mattress until the cover is put back on. Don’t allow the interior padding of the mattress to get wet. If it's warm outside, you can dry a mattress quickly outside. You can also use a fan blowing across the mattress surface to insure that it dries quickly

5 Air Your Latex Mattress Regularly. As often as possible , remove all sheets and coverings from the latex mattress, after hoovering the mattress and floor below the bed , open windows and allow the air to circulate around the mattress.

Getting a Good Nights Sleep

Organic Mattress lovers will be delighted to learn that their investment in getting a good nights sleep is well deserved as an article out today in a U.S newspaper warns us that lack of sleep can have serious side effects.

Getting the optimal level of sleep is essential to a persons mental and physical health. The ideal amount is 7 to 8 hours and not getting enough sleep can have serious effects to your health, your ability to concentrate, and minimize personal productivity due to fatigue. Resulting poor health may include signs of irritability, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, emotional mood swings, lack of concentration or hyperactivity.

If we followed our natural body clock, we would wake as the sun rises and sleep as it gets it darker in the evening, but our busy lifestyles mean that we sleep according to the tick tock clock our society follows instead.

Common ways to treat sleep disorders include sleep studies which help treat sleep aponea and snoring, whilst Mattresses and pillows play a big part in our sleep. If a mattress is too soft or too hard, a person will be unable to get comfortable.

Mattresses and linens need to allow body temperature to adjust. Having too many pillows can cause head position to obstruct a person's airway. Instead, pillows are a great way for assisting with propping of arms and legs to minimize body aches.

In this instance organic mattress lovers will appreciate how the natural pure fibres in an organic mattress will allow better temperature regulation than artificial fabrics.

Although mattresses and pillows are a source for allergens to hide, organic mattresses made with deep layers of organic wool will help repel allergens, as wool naturally repels dustmites. Treating the bed with a Neem spray can also help greatly. Bamboo and organic cotton sheets are also hypoallergenic without the need for chemically treated mattress covers.

Our U.S sleep expert also suggests parking your day before you go to bed by writing your worries and thoughts down before you go to bed, so that they're there for you to deal with in the morning rather than worry about all night!