Organic Baby Bedtime

Where is it?
organicbabybedtime.co.uk

History:
When Kate Nicholls’ father launched a website last year from his home in Philadelphia selling organic baby products, it didn't take long for him to realise the growing market for organic goods, on both sides of the Atlantic. The majority of customers were new parents concerned about the effects of chemicals on their developing baby; chemicals which are unfortunately present in most mattresses.

Organic Baby Bedtime also attracts lots of new parents who are looking for a better night’s sleep. Babies can’t easily regulate their own body temperature but the natural fibres used in the featured mattresses are breathable and self ventilating.

Kate monitored her dad's business and also researched the benefits of choosing natural over synthetic before deciding to set up her own website from her base, here, in the North West.

Kate says: “Before then I’d never really bought anything organic apart from an organic cotton H&M cardigan that I got in the sale and the odd bunch of bananas. andenerally I thought that organic was for eco-friendly types and rich people. But from talking to my dad I found out that babies are more vulnerable to the kind of toxins found in synthetic materials and chemical coatings and that I was wrong to think of organic as just ‘green’ or luxury; sometimes it should be a necessity.”

The one item where this seemed particularly relevant was the humble mattress. Kate knew that newborn babies can spend around 18 hours per day sleeping, so providing a natural sleeping environment is one of the key ways to minimise your little one’s exposure to unnecessary and potentially harmful toxins.

What does it sell?
Organic mattresses – from made to measure crib, pram and moses baskets, to cots and cot beds, right through to mattresses suitable for your child’s first bed. The mattresses are made from a variety of materials including organic coir made from the husks of coconuts, organic lambswool, natural latex from the rubber tree and soft mohair. The range includes mattresses from Naturalmat and Abaca Organic, the UK’s leading organic mattress manufacturers. Prices of mattresses range from £75- £345 with free delivery on all orders.

Who shops there?
Parents who want to take care of their children both now and in the future. Not only do organic mattresses offer a safe alternative for a good night’s sleep, but because they are created by traditional farming methods that avoid the use of highly toxic fertilisers they also benefit the environment. Parents who want value for money are also regular customers. By using nature’s own properties instead of cheaper chemical substitutes the mattresses on Organic Baby Bedtime offer a better quality, longer-lasting option.

Organic Baby Bedtime also attracts lots of new parents who are looking for a better night’s sleep. Babies can’t easily regulate their own body temperature but the natural fibres used in the featured mattresses are breathable and self ventilating, ensuring a constant circulation of air so babies can keep cool and comfortable throughout the night. Parents with children who suffer from asthma and allergies also shop for anti-dust mite and certified allergy protection mattresses.

Why go there?
A recent study by Otago University researchers has found that synthetic bedding contains higher levels of fungal cell products and may aggravate symptoms of asthma.

Added to this, mattresses older than five years also have about three times the amount of fungal cells compared to newer ones.

Kate says: “I know how overwhelming it can feel when you are trying to research all the different products you need when a new baby arrives and that continues throughout their early years. We have tried to create a really straightforward website where parents can easily see the benefits of the mattresses and make informed decisions, even if it is the first organic product they have ever bought.”

The future:
While many people still associate organic with food, the market for textiles and health and beauty products is continuing to grow. And although Organic Baby Bedtime is still in its infancy, Kate is hoping to develop the website to include a wider range of products to compliment the mattresses on sale: “At the moment though I am happy to be providing organic mattresses to discerning mums and dads and hopefully helping to promote the wider issue of why organic mattresses are so much more beneficial both to babies and the environment.”

Verdict:
Better for baby. Better for you.