As Mary Mason said, “A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.” When it comes to baby, parents want what’s best. We want the best and safest products. When you think of your little one’s nursery, you should always think green to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and toxins. That is why I am happy to share these eco-friendly baby nursery ideas and tips to create the perfect space for babies.
Importance of a Eliminating Toxins in the Baby Nursery
Did you know that the average newborn baby has 200 pollutants and chemicals present in her cord blood? The nonprofit group, Environmental Working Group (EWG) was responsible for a 2005 study that looked at chemicals in newborn cord blood. The EWG found that some of the chemicals and pollutants come from common household products, such as fabric strain removers. Many of these chemicals have been outlawed in the United States, but they’re still present in our food chain, soil, and groundwater.
Toxins are dangerous to everyone but more so for babies and children.
“While toxins threaten everyone’s health, infants and children are especially sensitive to toxins. This is because children are more exposed to chemicals (pound-by-pound), their organs are still developing, and their bodies are less able to detoxify. Children are also more vulnerable to toxins because they lack a fully developed blood-brain barrier, the structure in the central nervous system that prevents the passage of chemicals between the bloodstream and the neural tissue.” –UniteForSight.org
Thinking of toxins being near your baby, much less in their blood stream, is a very scary reality. And since your newborn baby will spend many hours a day sleeping in the nursery, it’s important that you create a toxin-free nursery environment for your precious baby. Here are seven tips to help you eliminate toxins in your baby’s nursery.
Eco Baby Nursery Ideas
Creating an eco-friendly baby nursery is a wonderful idea! Here are some tips and ideas to make it happen.
Eco-Friendly Nursery Walls
When it comes to wallpaper or paint, make sure these are sustainable. You don’t want your baby to be breathing in dangerous chemicals. So, when looking for your paint try and make sure that it has little or no VOC, volatile organic compounds. The majority of the paints on the market are high in VOC (volatile organic compounds). Some VOC paints that are mixed with sunlight create smog – and you definitely don’t want that in your baby’s lungs. You can find VOC-free paints at many local hardware stores and even Home Depot.
Neutral nursery ideas are very popular these days. In this way the baby nursery can be reused for the next baby without needing to redo the color palette or baby nursery theme. Neutral colors are the easiest way and also make for a relaxing, beautiful nursery.
Many parents are opting for gender-neutral nurseries, with colors like green, yellow, or gray, and decor that isn’t overly feminine or masculine. Nature themes like forests, jungles, or woodland creatures are timeless and can create a calming environment. Think earthy tones, leafy patterns, and animal motifs.
Nursery Flooring
If your baby’s nursery already has carpet in it, always make sure you steam clean it every few months. Carpet holds a lot of dangerous things like dust mites, debris, and other nasal allergens that your baby doesn’t need to be breathing in.
Although, if you’re looking to go the wood flooring route, try and stick with something that is environmentally friendly like bamboo flooring.
Eco-Friendly Nursery Furniture
When it comes to baby furniture, you can’t really go any greener than reusing. Whether you borrow your sister’s rocking chair, or you get baby’s crib from a garage sale, you’re helping the environment by limiting trees that need to be cut down for a new set. Be sure to check for any recalls. Natural wood furniture is a durable choice. Natural materials such as wicker baskets all look great with a white color scheme or with any neutral nursery design.
Opt for organic cotton or hemp for bedding, curtains, and upholstery. These materials are free from harmful chemicals. Look for decor items made from recycled materials or repurpose items you already have at home. Furthermore, keep the nursery simple and clutter-free to reduce the need for excess furniture and decorations.
Choose an Organic Crib Mattress
Buying an organic crib mattress is a perfect way to start protecting your baby’s health. Traditional crib mattresses come fresh from a factory with tons of fumes. (Just sniff one, and you’ll see what I mean). Since your baby is still young with an immature immune system, their bodies can’t handle the same toxic loads as you can, and this can lead to serious health problems down the road. On the other hand, organic crib mattresses are made with only organic ingredients and non-toxic materials. When you go organic, you can help your baby avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals.
Nursery Toys
When it comes to baby toys they are a dime a dozen. Just try to avoid a lot of plastic toys since they are made with a lot of chemicals. You can tell plastic is made with a lot of chemicals just by that “new” smell it has. So, try and go the organic fabric route and try to stick to wood toys that have a natural non- toxic finish.
Eco-Friendly Skin Care Products
When it comes to your baby’s largest organ, skin, try and use natural ingredients so it doesn’t get irritated. By avoiding ingredients like parabens, phalates and other toxins, you are helping your little one’s skin start out right!
Cloth Diapers
If you want to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, you will want to stick with cloth diapers. These save thousands of diapers from going to the landfills each and every day. Regular disposable diapers have a huge impact on the environment, representing 4 percent of solid waste in the landfills! Plus, disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin (a carcinogen) and other harmful chemicals. Make the best choice for your baby’s health and stock your changing table with cloth diapers.
Another perk of cloth diapers is that your child will get a head start on potty training. Babies on cloth are more aware of when they are wet, so they can be potty trained up to half a year sooner than babies on disposable.
By incorporating these ideas, you can create a beautiful and eco-friendly nursery for your baby.
Top 10 Tips To Protect Children from Daily Toxins
Below is the Slow Death by Rubber Duck authors’ top 10 list of ways to protect your children from these daily hazards and toxins:
- Reduce non-stick products and stain repellents
- Cut PVC plastic and fragrances
- Eliminate Flame retardants in fabrics
- Don’t use hard plastic containers
- Eat Organic food
- Have some fish in moderation
- Stop using antibacterial products
- Use natural household cleaning products
- Call the companies
- Contact Congress
It is super important to lessen our exposure to toxins especially for children and especially in baby’s room since they spend so much time there. Do you worry about this type of thing?
Conclusion
There are several ways you can create a green nursery for your little one. These are a just a few of the eco-friendly ideas you can start considering, and a few ways you can help the earth while creating a safe and healthy nursery for your baby.
Babies tend to spend 15+ hours in their room each day. Between night time, nap time, bath time, diaper changing and everything else, they are in their room a good percentage of the day. Therefore it’s a good idea to think about how you can create a green and healthy atmosphere in their nursery. I hope you enjoyed these green Baby Nursery Ideas that you can use to get started on creating a safe, eco-friendly environment for your baby! Ultimately, the best nursery ideas are ones that reflect your style and preferences, creating a comfortable and welcoming space for both you and your baby. Do you have any unique nursery ideas you would add to this list?
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Ann says
These are great green baby nursery ideas. Thanks!
Malinda Deckow says
I am going to have a baby boy so thanks for all the great baby room ideas. It is good to have all this general information on how to keep the nursery an eco-friendly, toxin-free, safe place.
Nick Smith says
At Guardian Health Care Services, we share your commitment to providing personalized and compassionate home-based care. From our skilled nursing team overseeing complex conditions to our emphasis on fostering independence through personal care services, we’re dedicated to ensuring a smooth journey to recovery.
Mysa York says
Thanks for sharing this informative article on creating a green baby nursery! It’s important to consider eco-friendly options when setting up a nursery, and the tips and ideas provided here are very helpful. From non-toxic paint to sustainable furniture choices, these suggestions will help create a healthy environment for both baby and planet.