The Hidden Danger in Kids’ Beds

TOP OF MIND

Mattresses packed with forever chemicals
As parents, we've spent all this time making sure there were no monsters under the bed, but we really should have been checking inside the bed.

According to two new studies, children’s mattresses and bedding were found to emit toxic chemicals and flame retardants associated with developmental and hormonal disorders.

Researchers from the University of Toronto measured air quality in 25 bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years and found concerning levels of over two dozen phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters.

The highest levels of chemicals were found near the children's beds, which led researchers to test the mattresses.

The important bits
The researchers followed up with a new study analyzing 16 children’s mattresses and identified them as the primary source of the chemical exposure.

Even more surprising? They found that a child’s body heat and weight can increase the release of toxic chemicals from mattresses, which is something current safety standards overlook.

Unfortunately, the study did not include brand names, but they were reportedly "well-known, lower-cost mattresses" from major retail stores.

Some of the chemicals found? Phthalates and flame retardants, which are both linked to serious health risks like cancer, hormonal disruption, and reproductive harm. Some flame retardants were also strongly associated with lower IQs in children.

It's important to note that most companies use flame retardants to meet flammability standards, but some public health experts and firefighting groups argue they’re ineffective and more harmful than helpful due to their toxicity to both consumers and firefighters.

What's it all mean?
Until we get stronger standards for toxic additives in products, it's up to us to make sure we're doing the most to protect our babies. For now, you can look for mattresses without flame retardants or those using safer alternatives like wool, though they tend to be a little expensive. See here. Natural materials such as cotton or latex are less likely to contain phthalates, but it's not guaranteed.

DID YOU HEAR

💰 Guilt-powered spending
A new study from Ameriprise Financial talked to over 3,000 parents and determined that 52% admitted to overspending on their kids due to guilt. Part of that comes from wanting to be the perfect parent, but as we've already established, there's no such thing. It's also worth noting that emotional support and quality time mean much more to a kid than a new pair of kicks. But if you need help with your spending, here's how to make a family budget.

🧼 5 things you're forgetting to clean
We'd all like to believe we have a clean home, but when's the last time you cleaned the armrest on your couch? Yeah, we went there. Or actually, Time.com went there. They put together a list of five things you're probably forgetting to clean, and your armrest made the cut. Also, your water bottle. When samples of reusable water bottles were analyzed by a lab, they contained 14 times the bacteria of a dog bowl. Woof. See the full list here.

🍼 Tariffs could impact the availability/price of baby products
Our government has hit China with 145% tariffs, and you might be like, "Okay, but like, what's a tariff?" We wondered the same thing. This article explains them well. Beyond understanding tariffs, we should probably also realize that nearly 90% of essential baby products, including items like bottles, strollers, and car seats, are made in Asia, with the majority coming from China. Experts warn this could make being a parent even more expensive.

🧒 1 in 31 US kids have autism
We told you last week that US Health Secretary RFK Jr. vowed to determine the cause of autism by September. And while that's highly unlikely to happen, parents are wanting answers now more than ever. According to a new CDC report, 1 in 31 US kids are being diagnosed with autism. In 2000? The rate was 1 in 150. Read the full story.

💇‍♀️ What happened to my hair?
Between 40 and 50 percent of women experience hair shedding during and after pregnancy. Sofia Richie was one of those women, and she swears this product helped her grow it all back.

DOSE OF GOOD

@jada.lynn20

My son funny asf omfggggggg 🤣🤣😂😂 #fyp #boymom #toddlersoftiktok #funnyvideo #viral

BITES WITH KIYAH

An off-handed comment from a colleague made me give up a food tradition I loved. Six years later, another off-handed comment led me to bring it back. This week, I’m sharing what those two moments taught me about values, nutrition advice, and why food traditions matter.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you what part of your house is the hardest to keep clean, and there was a tie for first place between, "Bathroom" and "What's clean again?"

RECALLS

Target Baby Food
Target is typically a source of extreme joy for most of us, but sadly, the retailer has been hit with a recall.

Health departments in Maryland, Kentucky and other states announced last week that about 25,600 units of Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable Puree, which are distributed and sold nationwide at Target stores, have been recalled due to elevated levels of lead.