The Eco-Friendly Nursery
For a Healthy Baby and Home
by The Cradle Staff
ecorating the nursery can be exciting, emotional, and… eco-friendly.
Keep in mind that as babies’ immune systems are developing in the early months of their life, they are more susceptible to their environment and could have a harder time handling toxins.
This is not just about living green – it’s about creating the safest, healthiest, most non-toxic environment possible for your children.
CRIB
PAINT
AIR
FLOOR
THE CHANGING TABLE
TOYS
CLEANERS
CRIB
Your baby is going to be spending a lot of time in his crib during the first few years of his life (between 11–12 hours at night, plus naps!). Consider making it as comfortable and eco-conscious as possible.
Eco-friendly suggestions:
- Choose a crib made of solid, sustainable wood, treated with non-toxic paint, finishes, or stains.
- Pick a natural mattress made without petrochemicals, such as those made of wool, organic cotton or 100% natural latex. If you decide to go with a conventional mattress (the natural ones can be a bit more expensive), try to use an organic mattress pad protector as a barrier between baby and the bed. Also, air it out a couple of months before placing it in the crib (for off-gassing).
- Wash all bedding with a gentle, natural baby detergent, such as those made by Method or Seventh Generation.
PAINT
Choosing which color paint for the walls is a matter of taste; choosing paint with low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) is a matter of health.
As paint dries, VOC’s are emitted into the air, giving off gases and chemicals, and creating that strong paint smell. These fumes can be dangerous to a little person’s health.
Eco-friendly suggestions:
- Choose paints and primers made with low VOCs, such as those by Yolo Colorhouse.
- Try to paint the nursery far in advance, before the baby is born, and open windows to air it out.
- If you live in a house built before 1978, check for lead in the paint (you can test this with a do-it-yourself kit). If lead is found, hire professionals who are qualified to correct, and get rid of, lead problems – sanding it or scraping it yourself could hazardously spread lead dust throughout the house.
AIR
Babies breathe more rapidly than adults do, so they get more pollutants into their little lungs (making them more vulnerable to indoor air pollution).
Eco-friendly suggestions:
- Open the windows every day to bring in fresh air and circulate out stale air.
