A recent CNN article has raised serious concerns for parents: the very mattresses where our children sleep, grow, and develop may be releasing harmful chemicals into the air they breathe.
According to two new studies in Environmental Science & Technology Journal found that many children’s mattresses and bedding products emit substances such as phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters. These chemicals are linked to developmental delays, hormone disruption, and in some cases, cancer. What makes the situation more concerning is that the emission of these chemicals increases during sleep, when a child’s body heat and weight cause the materials to release more of these toxic substances.
Fortunately, safer alternatives exist. At 5 Little Monkeys, we have always been committed to protecting children’s health by creating a mattress designed just for them, made with clean and certified materials.
What the Research Revealed
Researchers measured the air quality in 25 children's bedrooms and found high concentrations of over two dozen harmful substances in the sleep environment. The highest levels were detected near the bed area. When researchers tested 16 newly purchased children's mattresses, they found that many were a direct source of chemical emissions.
Some of the most concerning findings included:
Phthalates, which are found in plastics and vinyl, were detected at high levels. These chemicals can interfere with hormone systems and have been linked to developmental and reproductive concerns in children.
Flame retardants such as PBDEs and OPFRs were present in concentrations that exceeded regulatory limits. PBDEs have been associated with lower IQ scores and behavioral problems.
Some mattresses even carried labels suggesting safety compliance but still contained banned or restricted chemicals, such as pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP), which is a known toxin.
Why This Matters More for Kids
Children are especially vulnerable to chemical exposure. Their brains, organs, and immune systems are still developing, which makes them more sensitive to environmental toxins. And since young children typically spend 10 to 14 hours a day in bed, their exposure time is longer and more concentrated than that of adults.
What’s more, kids tend to sleep with their faces close to the mattress surface, where the off-gassing of chemicals is most direct. That makes the quality and safety of their mattress one of the most important health decisions a parent can make.
How 5 Little Monkeys Helps Protect Your Child
Unlike many mainstream mattresses made for adults and simply sized down for kids, our 5 Little Monkeys mattresses are thoughtfully designed just for children. Every material we use is selected with care, and our mattresses meet the strictest safety standards in the industry.
CertiPUR-US® Certification
All 5 Little Monkeys mattresses contain CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam. This certification guarantees that the foam is made without:
-
Ozone depleters
-
PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardants
-
Mercury, lead or other heavy metals
-
Formaldehyde
- Phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
It also ensures that our foam has low VOC emissions, meaning fewer indoor air pollutants and better air quality for your child’s room.
Additional Safety Standards
We go beyond foam certification to deliver peace of mind:
-
Our mattress covers are made with certified organic cotton, offering a soft and chemical-free surface.
-
Each mattress comes with a waterproof and hypoallergenic protector that helps reduce exposure to allergens and irritants.
-
All textiles used in our mattresses and bedding are OEKO-TEX® certified, confirming they are free from harmful substances.
-
Our products are also CPSIA compliant, which means they meet federal safety standards for children’s products.
- We do not use fiberglass, a common but controversial material found in many low-cost mattresses. Instead, we use safe fire barriers that meet or exceed regulatory standards without compromising safety.
How to Create a Safer Sleep Environment for Your Child
Whether or not you choose a 5 Little Monkeys mattress, we encourage all parents to take a closer look at what’s in their child’s sleep space. A few simple steps can go a long way:
-
Choose a mattress that has been independently certified for safety. Look for labels like CertiPUR-US® and OEKO-TEX®.
-
Wash bedding and mattress covers regularly to reduce buildup of allergens and chemical residues.
-
Avoid highly pigmented or novelty bedding products that may contain dyes and chemical treatments.
-
Ventilate the bedroom daily to help disperse any chemical emissions that may be present in furniture, paint, or flooring.
- If you buy a new mattress or bedding, let it air out in a well-ventilated room for at least 24 hours before use.
Final Thoughts
As parents, we do everything we can to create a safe, loving environment for our children. But sometimes the products we trust can fall short — and in the case of many children's mattresses, they may actually contribute to health risks we never expected.
At 5 Little Monkeys, we believe that bedtime should be a time of comfort and peace, not concern. That’s why we build every mattress to the highest safety standards, using clean, certified materials that support healthy sleep and healthy development.
We’re proud to be part of the solution and to help families sleep easier, knowing their child’s mattress is as safe as it is comfortable.
To learn more about our certified safe children's mattress, visit 5littlemonkeysbed.com.
Image by Freepik