We also had very high hopes and low expectations that this trade-up would excite Noah so much that he might actually want to sleep the entire night in his own bed. Our expectations met the outcome because not even a new big boy bed was more appealing than cuddling next to Momma and hogging Dadda's pillow while simultaneously kicking him in the back.
If you know Momma, then you know that these brothers sleep like kings when it comes to mattresses. Breathing well while sleeping became a primary focus of learning for Momma prior to Eric's home front arrival. AND much like nutrition the more you dig, the more you understand, and the more informed your choices become.
I learned a lot like what terrible materials mattresses are made from. Everything from vinyl/PVC and polyurethane foam, perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), questionable fire retardant chemicals, and antibacterial biocides. Many of these compounds are banned in Europe where precaution is favored versus the US approach that compounds are safe until proven harmful. There is not a lot of support for proving something already on the market ISN'T safe. I could go on.
In my research I also found that mattresses made out of healthier materials are REALLY high priced when compared to those made up of cheap, lightweight materials. This can be a hard pill to swallow because we are talking hundreds of dollars difference. Also not to be ignored is that these healthier mattresses are not always the solid fit they are said to be and can leave a gap in the crib. They are also A LOT heavier than the popular polyurethane foam mattresses. What is a Momma to do? Someone has to have seen the opportunity here and designed an affordable, well made, lighter weight, no chemical mattress right?! YES! Naturepedic come to the rescue. The price point was much easier on the credit, but you can bet I am getting every penny out of these healthy mattresses not to mention the time and energy researching and acquiring added to my value.
This brings me to the point. Eric's Naturepedic crib mattress has followed him from crib, to toddeler bed, to twin bed. With each bedsize increase we just stuffed more stuffed animals around the edge to make up the difference (finally a good use for stuffed animals!) until....last week when he fell out the side. He has been avoiding the right side of the bed because the stuffed animals don't hold his weight. So ....time for the Twin...Naturepedic again to the rescue. Since I first discover this awesome company fiver years ago they have much expanded their line to include Twin, Doubles, Queens, Kings, and accessories! SO we invested in a twin...moved Eric's crib mattress to Noah, and will sell Noah's crib mattress that he has hardly slept on anyway.
After all this and weighing the cost benefit analysis and carefully timing our mattress investment, the TWIN arrives special deliver and Eric's says, "Mom, did you get my new mattress at Mattress Discounters?"
As much as I would like to think Mattress Discounters is offering healthier mattresses at affordable prices, I just don't think they are there yet.
Naturepedic is an affordable investment but I guarantee you won't find it at Mattress Discounters.
