How to create a safe, healthy nursery for your baby
As parents (or parents-to-be!) we all want the best for our baby, and that starts with creating the safest environment possible for their nursery. Since babies are more vulnerable to the potential effects of harmful substances, one of the best things you can do is choose the healthiest and safest products. From clean air to organic and sustainable products, there are many ways you can make their sleep space soothing and safe. I provided links to some of my favorite natural baby products below. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Most new nurseries start with a fresh coat of paint. But before you begin, make sure you are choosing the safest paint for you and your little one. It is especially important to choose non-toxic paints for the walls because walls cover the most surface area in the room. This means that whatever you apply to the walls will have a big impact on the air quality of the space. When choosing a safe paint for the nursery, it should contain zero volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Zero VOC emission paints have less than 5 grams per liter of organic compounds. This is compared to 50 grams per liter (or less) in low VOC paint.
Here are my favorite non-toxic paint for nurseries:
Your newborn baby will spend many hours a day sleeping, so it’s important to choose a safe crib, mattress and bedding. Start with a GREENGUARD Gold Certified crib. A GREENGUARD Gold Certification indicates that products have been independently and scientifically screened for over 10,000 chemicals and more than 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde and phthalates, that pollute indoor air and contribute to health problems, including asthma and allergies. Thankfully many companies now carry GREENGUARD Gold certified cribs and furniture.
Here are a few of my favorite GREENGUARD Gold Certified cribs:
Typical mattresses have chemical flame retardants. To avoid having your baby sleep on these chemicals, opt for mattresses made of organic cotton, natural latex and wool. Wool makes the mattresses naturally flame retardant, so no chemicals need to be added. Below are my favorite options.
For bedding, choose GOTS certified organic cotton. It’s the highest organic textile standard and is chemical-free on baby’s skin. Always, always wash your baby’s bedding straight from the package before putting it on the crib.
My favorite organic cotton nursery bedding:
Creating a safe, natural and healthy nursery is incredibly important for your new little one. And let me know if you have favorite natural and non-toxic baby products!