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Design a green nursery for your baby

An eco-friendly room will help your little one thrive.

By Jodi HelmerTue, Mar 23 2010 at 8:44 AM EST
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Photo: egal/iStockphoto
 
Move over pink and blue, the hottest new color for baby’s room is green.
 
More parents-to-be are designing green nurseries, turning rooms filled with stuffed animals, storybooks and miniature socks into eco-friendly havens for their little ones.
 
The popularity of green nurseries has been sparked by concerns over toxins in products ranging from crib mattresses and changing tables to teething rings and onesies. The health effects of common toxins such as formaldehyde, phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) range from birth defects and ADHD to Type II diabetes and early onset puberty.
 
“There is no other time in our lives when we outfit a room from scratch; all of the chemicals that off-gas from new paint, carpet and furniture create a toxic soup in the nursery,” explains Sara Snow, author of Sara Snow’s Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home. “There are lots of simple things that parents can do to cut down on toxins and create a green nursery for their babies.”
 
Follow these tips to get started:
 
Choose eco-friendly paint: Paint with low- or no-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) will protect your baby from breathing harmful chemicals that are found in regular paint. Paint companies like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Miller Paint sell low- or no-VOC paints that cost a small fraction more than less eco-friendly paints.
 
Opt for green furniture: Furniture made from particleboard or laminated wood can contain high levels of formaldehyde, a chemical that has been linked to headaches, asthma and skin irritation. It’s also a known carcinogen. The price points might be lower but Joy Hatch, co-author of The Eco-Nomical Baby Guide: Down-to-Earth Ways for Parents to Save Money and the Planet, advises budgeting for better products.
 
“Choosing quality, solid wood or formaldehyde-free furniture means that your baby will be safer and the furniture will hold up to the demands of generations of children,” she says. “Think about buying heirlooms rather than just picking out a cheap, trendy piece that will only last through one baby's childhood.”
 
Look for cribs, changing tables, dressers and rocking chairs that are made of solid wood and coated with nontoxic finishes. Or, buy used furniture.
 
“Most of the off-gassing occurs in the first six to 12 months of the furniture’s life,” explains Snow. “Used furniture is healthier because the chemicals have already been released.”
 
Shop for a nontoxic mattress: Organic is the buzzword when it comes to crib mattresses — and an organic cotton mattress cover is a good thing — but it’s not the most important material. Conventional crib mattresses are manufactured with toxic fire retardant chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). Eco-friendly crib mattresses are filled with wool, which is a natural fire retardant.
 
“You don’t have to have an entirely green nursery; you can choose the most important things — and a crib mattress is one of the most important things,” Snow says. “Your baby spends so much time sleeping in her crib and the toxic load is so high in a crib mattress that it makes sense to make the healthiest choice.”
 
Opt for organics: Organic cotton clothes are probably on your radar — and your registry — but there is another product that should be organic, too: Your baby carrier. Your baby’s skin is right next to the fabric of the carrier and can absorb the chemicals, making it important to seek out baby carriers that are made from 100 percent certified organic cotton.
 
Be BPA-free: Plastic bottles contain BPA, a substance used to make plastic clear and shatterproof. BPA has been linked to a host of health issues, including birth defects, obesity and breast cancer. Glass bottles or BPA-free bottles contain no harmful chemicals. “There are a lot of BPA-free plastic bottles on the market now, and most of them are clearly labeled,” notes Rebecca Kelley, co-author of The Eco-Nomical Baby Guide: Down-to-Earth Ways for Parents to Save Money and the Planet.
 
Remember: breast milk is toxin-free and has enormous health benefits for your baby and the planet.
 
Shop smart: When it comes to designing a green nursery, the best thing for your baby and the planet is to think twice before adding items to your registry or your shopping cart.
 
“The sheer volume of stuff we are pressured to buy when expecting a baby has a huge environmental impact,” says Hatch.  "Deciding what products you can avoid and buying used are great eco-friendly, budget friendly ways to [outfit a nursery].”
 
When you shouldn't recycle
When it comes to baby gear, there are a few things that should never be reused or recycled. Here are some guidelines on baby products that should always be new.
 
Car seats: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises against borrowing or buying a used car seat. In addition to changing safety standards, used car seats might be missing parts, have near-invisible cracks or crash histories that will diminishing their effectiveness.
 
Crib mattresses: Research published in the British Medical Journal found that the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is higher when babies sleep on used mattresses. It’s worth the peace of mind to splurge on a new mattress.
 
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Related Topics: BPA, Green Kids, Organic Baby

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anonymous
Baby Cloths 09/09/2010 09:49 AM

ya its really very nice concept....i love your article...when we are pregnant than we searching for baby products.... get lots of information regarding baby cloths...http://bibianbaby.com

anonymous
Karen Malcolm Today 12:02 PM

My daughter wanted an "eco-friendly" nursery and "natural" products for the new baby. I guess I'm old but I didn't have the faintest idea what any of that meant. Thank God she registered with baby registry and I could just read her wishlist and make a choice she would not hate. I wish she had a list like that when she was a teenager. Oh well!

anonymous
Babytime Organics Dad 05/03/2010 02:42 AM

We didn't start taking the "green movement" seriously until we had out daughter. We started researching baby products and were amazed at the dangerous baby products out there. We're not perfect, but we're trying to choose organic, or at least eco-friendly when possible. Especially, the most dangerous products, like mattresses and bedding, personal care products, certain fruits and vegetables, and dairy, just to name a few. Like I said, baby steps.

anonymous
Carl 04/16/2010 17:27 PM

Let's not forget that we should be teaching our children our 'green' ways. The older generation screwed up, through no fault of their own. Middle-aged people are aware but rarely do anything about it. It's us 20 somethings that are more aware than most and if we can teach our kids then maybe the human race has a chance!
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anonymous
Kyle 03/29/2010 22:22 PM

Great article, we are due in mid April and have been trying to stay green/organic as possible for the little one. There is just too much at risk not to. You briefly mention buying organic baby carriers... there is a site I stumbled upon at www.organicbabycarriers.net that has a number of options. You can also goolge around for organic baby carriers for other possible options.

anonymous
Nunyabizness 03/23/2010 13:34 PM

Just wanted to say I enjoyed this article and the comments are surprisingly helpful.

anonymous
Ed 03/23/2010 12:18 PM

What a great article and great comments (especially the green registry). Choosing organic is not only for crib mattresses, clothing and furniture, but also for toys. Continue to keep baby safe and healthy by making smart choices in every area. We've shared this article on our Fan page. http://www.Facebook.com/YesItsOrganic

anonymous
rich 03/23/2010 11:14 AM

Other common sources of formaldehyde not mentioned but common in nurseries are manufactured wood doors, manufactured molding, laminate flooring, fiberglas wall insulation.

Opening the window and allowing air from outside come in is good. Outside air is cleaner and healthier than the inside air.

Lastly, I'd like to disagree with one quote.

“Most of the off-gassing occurs in the first six to 12 months of the furniture’s life,” explains Snow. “Used furniture is.... More

anonymous
Megan 03/23/2010 11:08 AM

Ever since we found out that we were pregnant, making a very green registry has been extremely important to us. We ended up making an account on myregistry.com so that we can choose from any store to find the most eco-friendly items possible. We are also trying to register locally when possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I think it's essential to raise the next generation with a green mentality right from the start because this is the only way we can change the future.

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