<font color="aa00aa">Sometimes, it's not about being economical but using safer material. I watched a
DVD borrowed from the library (titled "Growing Green Babies", released Mar 24, 2009) and here's some pointers about choosing mattresses:
1) Most mattresses use polyurethane foam, a petroleum product, as internal filling. It is highly flammable.
2) So mattresses are treated with fire retardants, like polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs to counteract the high flammability of the polyurethane foam. Studies have shown that PBDEs can impair brain development.
3) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the surface material used in nearly all crib mattresses.
4) PVC is widely considered to be one of the most toxic & environmentally unfriendly plastics in use today.
5) Phthalate plasticizers are added to the Vinyl/PVC surface material to make it soft & flexible.
6) Phthalates are known carcinogens & can leach out into your child's crib.
7) Look for mattresses made of natural fibers. Untreated cotton or natural latex mattresses are great alternatives.
I know that:
* Babysafe carries latex mattress.
* Infantino carries the fiber-filled mattress (it comes FOC with purchase of Bonbebe Rocio Baby Cot at NTUC Xtra)
There are definitely other brands available locally but I don't know any others.</font>