Used in our: mattresses
We use certified organic 1000gm Welsh wool from the British Wool board in all our cot mattresses. This guarantees that no chemicals have been used in the washing of the wool and that the welfare of the sheep is paramount. Once more, unlike some manufacturers we only use fleece wool that is seasonally sheared, and not abattoir wool (from slaughtered sheep).

Used in our: mattresses, bedding, soft toys, bamboo mats and Moses baskets
Most standard cotton is produced through using toxic chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. The World Health Organization estimates at least three million people across the world are poisoned by pesticides every year, with over 200,000 fatalities. As well as the environmental and health problems created from using these toxic chemicals, it often has a detrimental effect on soils, resulting in a vicious cycle of pesticide use.

Organic cotton is used throughout our entire range of baby bedding and also for the covers on our organic cot mattresses. It is important that all of the cotton sourced is 100% certified organic by IMO and meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). So absolutely no chemicals have been used such as pesticides or herbicides, helping to sustain our environment and produce a finer quality material.

Being colourful doesn't mean compromising on the cottons we use. We use special certified organic coloured cotton for some of our bedding products that meets the following specifications:

• No formaldehyde
• No optical brightener
• Eco-Tex Standard 100 certified
• No residual shrinkage
• pH-value sympathetic to the skin
• No azoic dye

Used in our: mattresses
Natural latex is used in all our cot mattresses and derives from the Hevea tree. We don’t use a layer of latex but instead use the natural latex to bind together the springy core of coconut fibre. This provides all the benefits of this fantastic natural rubber material without restricting the breathability of the mattress. Remember, if the latex is grey in colour then it has been treated with fireproofing chemicals, latex is naturally white.

Used in our: mattresses
Coconut coir is the fibre from the coconut husk that is washed and dried and packed into bales. Our coconut coir is sourced from Sri Lanka and is certified chemical free to Eco-Tex Standard 100 (the global testing and certification system for screening harmful substances in consumer textile products).

Many customers have concerns from sources online regarding chemicals such as phosphorus in relation to coconut fibre and baby mattresses in general. However, coconut fibre in its natural washed state is simply the fibres that have been stripped from the husk of the coconut. Phosphorus in particular is only added to the coconut fibre in cases when mattresses do not naturally pass the UK fire safety standards. The Little Green Sheep mattresses are naturally fire proof meeting BS standards BS7177 without using any chemicals whatsoever. All of our coconut fibre remains completely untreated and brown in colour. You can identify coconut fibre that has been treated with Phosphorus as it turns black in colour.

Used in our: Ryeland cot bed
When developing the natural Ryeland cot bed, we were adamant to make it the most chemical free cot bed in the UK, and one of the main ways of achieving this was through choosing a solid wood rather than laminates or MDF. Our Beech solid wood is from a certified sustainable source meaning that we can guarantee that the materials we use in the manufacture of the Ryeland cot bed is not at the detriment to the environment. Deforestation is widely considered as one of the main contributors to all CO2 emissions and so this was one of the first considerations when selecting our source.

Beech has many other benefits that make it perfect for manufacturing our cot beds. It is a stable and durable timber that will provide a long-lasting product which can be handed down from generation to generation. Used commonly in food preparation items and children's toys, Beech is a clean and odourless timber. Its naturally anti-bacterial properties make it perfect for providing a safe sleeping environment for babies.

Glue used in the manufacture of furniture can contain formaldehydes (commonly used in laminate and MDF materials). With the vast majority of cots sold in the UK using materials such as MDF it is a troubling and important fact that as of 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a report stating that formaldehyde was officially carcinogenic to humans.

We only use non-toxic PVA glue in the joinery of the Ryeland cot bed, and solid Beech wood that is entirely formaldehyde free.

For more information on the effect of formaldehydes in children's furniture, please see the below report released by the Environment California Research & Policy Center, 'Toxic Baby Furniture', In summary, the report explains how baby nursery cots, changing tables and dressers can emit formaldehyde at levels linked with increased risk of childhood allergies and asthma.

Used in our: Ryeland cot bed and stands
With babies coming into contact with lacquers and finishes on a daily basis, it is important to ensure that any furniture purchased uses only finishes that conform to the safety standard EN71-3. This demonstrates and certifies that the lacquers used have been toxin tested to ensure that they meet the required safety levels. All of The Little Green Sheep finishes have been tested and pass the EN71-3 standard, with alternative natural oiled finishes also available. We even offer a 100% untreated option on the Ryeland cot bed for mums and dads who do not want any treatment of the wood and just a clean, natural surface.

Used in our: Mattress protectors
Not all plastics are bad for babies. Some plastics are quite "inert" (do not emit dangerous chemicals) such as polyurethane, commonly used to make plastic food wrappings and food containers. The thin layer of polyurethane in our mattress protectors helps to provide a waterproof barrier protecting the mattress from any wetness, important to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. It also helps to protect against dust mites which are a major cause of hayfever and asthma.

Used in our: Moses baskets
Used to make our maize Moses baskets, this natural material is great for a more flexible and portable basket. Every single maize basket is fumigated to ensure that no bugs exist with a non-toxic gas which is so safe it is used to decontaminate containers holding food stuffs.

Used in our: Moses baskets
Used to make our wicker Moses baskets, it looks great and provides a sturdy feel to the basket. As with our Maize baskets, each one is fumigated to ensure that no bugs exist.

Used in our: Bamboo mats and Moses basket bumper sheets
Certified to Eco-Tex Standard 100, our bamboo fibres are entirely chemical free and grown naturally. Bamboo makes for a luxurious, soft fabric and is perfect in our bamboo mats for baby yoga, massage and nappy changing. It is also great when washed and fluffs up nicely to provide even extra cushion!

Used in our: Soap, balms and oils
Unlike many 'natural' toiletries for babies, we don't use any preservatives but instead only 100% natural and organic ingredients! Ingredients that go into our range of toiletries include organic sunflower oil, organic coconut oil and natural spring water. All products are handmade in Wales.