I have a confession to make.

(How many times do I start a post like that? What do I think this is, True Confessions?)

I’m having a baby on Thursday, and I’ve got the cradle all set up next to my bed. I’ve already put the mattress pad and cradle sheet on the mattress - not because I’m proactive, but because I can’t stand to look at the mattress.

Because I’m pretty sure it’s the same mattress on which I lay when I slept in that same cradle.

It’s neat to think that my own babies will have all slept in the same cradle that I did, but it’s frankly a little gross to think that all of us have slept on the same mattress that is now more than 35 years old.

However, it gives me a great reason to encourage other mothers - especially those who are just starting their families - to check out Natural Mat.

Natural Mat is a UK-based bedding company that specializes in mattresses made from organic raw materials. They just expanded into the US last fall, both online and in baby boutiques across the country. As eco-consciousness and health concerns have become more prevalent, Natural Mat’s products fit the bill perfectly for many parents:

• Materials are non-allergenic and anti-dust mite, thanks to essential oils of lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus;
• Materials are naturally fire retardant and comply with federal regulations
• Materials are from renewal and sustainable sources

And most impressive for those of us who can’t bring ourselves to replace items that should have been replaced years ago - the materials used in Natural Mat’s products provide much better, longer lasting support than traditional materials (like foam and cotton batting).

They offer three varieties of crib mattresses: 1) The Coco Mat (shown above) - filled with a core of organic coconut fiber wrapped in lambswool; 2) The Latex Mat - filled with a core of natural latex fiber (direct from the rubber tree), also wrapped in lambswool; and 3) The Mohair Mat - filled with a core of horsetail hair wrapped in mohair fleece.

Granted, the prices of these mattresses fall into the category of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” But again, if you’re like me, you’ll hang on to your Natural Mat for years, passing it down as an heirloom. And unlike my 1970s-era foam cradle mattress, these mattresses are built to last.

For more information, check out the Natural Mat website.

Much of my undergraduate coursework focused on microbiology, and the two most unnerving classes I ever took were Human Parasitology and Food Microbiology.  While I was fairly disgusted by much of what I saw, it certainly did convince me to take precautions to protect myself - and now my family too - against germs.

That said, I hate anti-bac gel.  It smells funny, it feels funny, it dries out your hands, and it leaks.  And for Pete’s sake, would someone please explain why there are anti-bac gel dispensers alongside soap dispensers and sinks in restrooms?  A quick swipe of anti-bac gel does not absolve you of the responsibility to WASH your hands after using the restroom.  And if you’ve already washed thoroughly and you don’t aspire to create super-germs, then why do you need the gel?

We moved to Denver nearly two years ago, and we’re still adjusting to the aridity of the climate.  It’s especially hard on my girls’ skin, especially in the winter.  Anti-bac gel is out of the question; regular handwashing (with hand lotion applied afterward) is our routine.

But I took the girls - and some CleanWell hand sanitizer - to the zoo on Monday.  I love the zoo, but let’s be honest:  it’s gross.  Nearly everything is outside, so it’s covered in grime.  Kids cling to the guardrails and press their noses against the glass.  And when you do run across a restroom, you really don’t feel any cleaner even after you wash your hands.  Other than Disney World, I can’t really think of a better place to try out a new hand sanitizer.

I’ll admit it; I’ve been converted.  This stuff is great.

It doesn’t smell funny.  It doesn’t feel funny.  It doesn’t dry out your hands - ask my older daughter, whose hands get dry and itchy thanks to mere handwashing - and the pump spray bottle and sealed towelettes eliminate leaking entirely.

Count me in with the rest of the anti-bac crowd, because I truly don’t see any reason NOT to carry and use CleanWell.

Check out the rest of the CleanWell reviews, courtesy of our fantastic bloggers at The Parent Bloggers Network.