Ok, here it is: the much-anticipated crib post. First, we have to share how thrilled we are to have a mini-me mattress ready to go. Let me explain. Remember when John and I started a “mattress fund” to save up for an organic mattress after sleeping on a sketchy hand-me-down for far too long? Back in June of last year we finally invested in our Organic Serenity Natural Dunlop Latex Mattress by Savvy Rest, and ever since then we’d imagined someday getting a mini version for our child — a truly organic crib mattress.
When the thoughtful people at Savvy Rest offered to send us one of their organic crib mattresses for our nursery, we were over the moon. If John and I wanted a mattress free of flame-retardant chemicals and made from 100% natural materials for ourselves, we definitely wanted that same standard for the beanette. Savvy Rest’s crib mattress is free of synthetic chemicals and built from five inches of firm, all-natural latex. The top and bottom are quilted with organic wool fiber and covered in organic cotton fabric, meeting U.S. fire-safety standards without resorting to chemical sprays or dips. Wool also repels dust mites and helps regulate moisture, so baby P will sleep cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
We were ecstatic to receive it and can vouch for the comfort and durability of our Savvy Rest mattress — we’ve enjoyed ours for nearly a year. It’s also nice that Savvy Rest is based in Virginia, so the product didn’t travel far to reach us.
With the mattress sorted, the next big decision was finding a crib. That turned out to be more challenging than we expected. We wanted something reasonably green and non-toxic — consistent with our lifestyle of composting, using non-toxic cleaners, and conserving water — but we also had a strict budget. With strollers, car seats, cloth diapers and other big-ticket items still on our list, we set a crib budget and stuck to it.
We settled on a compromise-driven approach: a crib that was more eco-friendly than most budget options but still affordable. After some research and soul-searching, we made a concise “must-have” list to narrow down our options:
- Constructed entirely of solid wood (to avoid pressed wood and MDF, which can contain off-gassing glues and formaldehyde)
- A non-toxic finish (babies have a mysterious habit of chewing crib rails)
- Priced under $400 if possible (our initial budget was closer to $200, but we could stretch a bit)
- Meets or exceeds U.S. safety standards
- Modern, clean lines and a white finish to fit the nursery and remain gender-neutral for future use
- A stationary crib with no drop side, to avoid well-known recall risks
We also had a bonus list of nice-to-haves:
- Pull-out storage underneath to maximize space
- Convertible options to a toddler bed or daybed
- A two-tone look with a splash of darker wood for contrast
- Free shipping
We considered several routes: building our own crib (decided against it because of safety testing and standards), buying an unfinished solid-wood crib to finish ourselves (many were pricey and not the sleek style we wanted), and hunting for a used crib (the greenest option but complicated by evolving safety standards and recalls). With my mom generously offering to help, buying new seemed like the safest choice.
Armed with our checklist, we scoured options. We found some attractive cribs made from solid wood with non-toxic finishes, but many listings didn’t clearly state whether MDF or pressed wood was included, and some were right at or above our budget cap. We also looked at a couple of Ikea cribs that were well-priced and popular with many happy parents, but they didn’t explicitly promise low-VOC finishes, so they didn’t fully match our criteria.
One standout was an Argington crib that was a true eco option: solid wood, fully non-toxic materials, and carefully constructed. Unfortunately, the white finish we wanted was well out of our price range, and the available maple finish didn’t match our nursery scheme. Other beautiful, sustainably made cribs — like the Stokke Sleepi — were simply too expensive for us.
Then we discovered a surprisingly well-rated option that checked almost every box. It was described as made from New Zealand pine with a non-toxic finish, solid-wood and veneer construction (avoiding pressed wood and the associated VOCs), and it met or exceeded U.S. safety standards. The crib included a conversion rail for toddler bed/daybed mode, had a storage drawer, offered free-to-store shipping, and came in white with a darker wood accent. Best of all, it was within our $299 budget and had excellent customer ratings. That felt like a small miracle after hours of searching.
We ordered it, eagerly assembled it at home, paired it with the Savvy Rest mattress, and set everything up in the nursery. To test things out, we introduced “Burgette” — a playful hybrid made from a burger zippy sleeper and a stuffed beanette — who seemed to approve of the sleep setup.
So that’s the story: how we landed on an organic mattress from a small Virginia company and a clean-lined, solid-wood white crib that avoids pressed wood and uses a non-toxic finish. We know the setup could be even greener if budget allowed, but parenthood feels like a series of trade-offs. We balanced priorities where it mattered most and were deliberate about where to invest. We even found a thrift-store nursery chair to add to the mix, so we’re keeping balance in mind as we prepare for baby P. There will undoubtedly be countless more decisions ahead, but for now we’re happy with this part of the nursery design.
Psst— If you want to see our nursery progress from the beginning, we documented the painting process and the accessory hunt.