When Barry Cik learned he was going to be a grandfather, he went out looking for the perfect organic crib mattress. Strange choice of baby gift? Not for Cik: he’d been an environmental engineer for the past 25 years. He knew all about the dangerous chemicals in conventional crib mattresses, and he wanted a healthy alternative for his family’s new arrival.

What Cik found disappointed him. Most of the organic mattresses were made with wool or latex, both of which can cause allergic reactions. The mattresses also weren’t waterproof: one leaky diaper or spit-up episode, and mold would begin to grow on or in the mattress, with no way to clean it properly. Cik decided to take matters into his own hands. He and his two sons founded Naturepedic, a company that makes organic, non-toxic crib mattresses. The company’s now so successful that it’s branched out into changing pads, adult-size mattresses, pillows and sheets.

Green mattresses are important, especially for babies. Conventional mattresses are often treated with flame-retardant chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. These chemicals can have a significant negative impact on a baby’s growing brain, possibly causing developmental delays and behavioral changes. They’ve also been linked to SIDS. While states like California and Maine have begun prohibiting the use of PBDEs as flame retardants, plenty of mattresses still contain them. Naturepedic’s No Compromise crib mattress uses a nontoxic fire retardant instead. It’s a GreenGuard-certified piece of baby furniture, meaning it doesn’t release chemicals that affect indoor air quality, and it’s safe for children and schools to use. It won’t harm your baby or the environment.

Conventional crib mattresses use vinyl and PVC as a waterproof layer: these materials can release potentially dangerous chemicals over time. Instead, the No Compromise mattress uses nontoxic food-grade polyethylene. Many hypoallergenic mattresses shield you from dust mites with a latex layer. If the latex is at least 97% natural and doesn’t contain petrochemicals – and as long as you’re not allergic to latex – this is good. Some use a layer of wool to prevent allergens from entering the mattress. Again, this is good, provided that you’re not allergic to wool. The No Compromise mattress’s polyethylene layer repels dust mites without off-gassing or provoking possible allergic reactions. There’s also a seamless version, without the piping at the edges mattresses usually have, that provides even more protection against allergens.

Crib mattresses should be on the firmer side, to prevent infants from rolling over on soft bedding and potentially suffocating. Cotton-filled mattresses, however, have a reputation for being uncomfortably hard. The No Compromise is indeed firm, but not rock-hard. It stands up well to a boisterous toddler jumping on it, but it’s comfy enough for little ones to sleep safe and sound. Naturepedic also makes a two-sided crib mattress that features a firmer side for infants, and a slightly cushier side for toddlers. All Naturepedic mattresses are filled with organic cotton: dyes and bleach used in regular cotton can cause skin rashes and other allergies. Organic cotton is grown without chemical pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, which means fewer chemicals in your little one’s nursery.

Naturepedic makes organic mattresses for every type and shape of crib: as well as the standard rectangular version, there’s a bassinet mattress, a cradle pad, a portacrib/Pack N Play-style pad, and even an oval mattress. Naturepedic helps you treat your baby with care while also protecting the environment he or she will grow up in. Check out Naturepedic crib mattresses here.