Designing a Non-Toxic Nursery
You spend your entire pregnancy taking care of your body for baby and eating right, the next step is to make their new environment healthy. Newborns spend a large portion of their early life in their nursery, so keeping it as healthy as possible is an important task. Creating a non-toxic environment for your baby can help to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.
Crib
Since newborns sleep approximately 12 to 16 hours a day, the crib is the first place to reduce or remove toxins. Choose a crib that is made of non-toxic materials and finished with no or low VOC paints and stains. Cribs are usually made of solid wood, stacked plywood or MDF. Not all MDF is considered non-toxic. Classifications are given to MDF depending on their degree of formaldehyde emission. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, which are sometimes emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such as paints and adhesives that may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Modern crib manufacturers such as Oeuf, Nurseryworks, and Spot on Square use non-toxic MDF in addition to solid wood.
You should also check to see that your crib is safe by whether it has met mandatory safety standards. Crib manufacturers often ask organizations such as the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) or the ASTM to test products and materials to ensure their safety. When shopping for a crib, information on the materials used and their safety testing should be readily available. Shop for your crib where they publish this information to help soon-to-be parents make an informed decision about the products that they choose for their baby’s environment.
Mattress
An organic mattress is essential for a non-toxic nursery. Conventional crib mattresses are made with petroleum-based chemicals that have been linked to childhood health problems. Many researchers suspect that toxic chemicals are playing a significant role in the dramatic increase in childhood disorders. The primary filling material used in nearly all conventional crib mattresses is polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is highly flammable because it is essentially a petroleum product. In order to combat this hazard and pass Federal and State flammability standards, polyurethane foam has typically been treated or wrapped with harsh industrial fire retardant chemicals. Therefore, parents and physicians are recommending organic crib mattresses as a way to avoid unnecessary exposure to these chemicals.
Look for organic crib mattresses that are filled with organic cotton and coils, not foam. The mattress should also be firm to support baby’s developing back. Naturepedic makes organic mattresses that use non-toxic baking soda, hydrated silica and cellulose fiber as natural flame retardants. Also, you will most likely want a mattress that is waterproof. Naturepedic uses polyethylene (plastic #5), an environmentally friendly plastic that is used throughout the food packaging industry for its purity and non-toxic properties. It is also easy to clean and will not stain. The mattresses are free of wool or latex since these are common allergens.
Bedding
You are in luck! Organic crib bedding is becoming more popular. There are not a lot of options for colorful designs for the organic nursery and organic bedding sets tend more expensive. However, unlike conventional crib bedding, many organic bedding pieces are sold as separates. Today, many soon-to-be moms are looking to buy fitted sheets and crib skirts but not the crib bumper due to their physician’s suggestion to keep everything out of the crib. Kate Quinn Organics now makes bright and colorful solid and printed fitted sheets, crib skirts, quilts, window panels and decorative pillows for great prices.
Changing stations
Another place to remove toxins from the nursery is the changing station. This part of the nursery is often overlooked as a place that can contain chemicals. As with conventional mattresses, most changing pads are made of polyurethane foam. The contoured changing pad by Naturepedic have an organic cotton, chemical-free filling with a non-toxic polyethylene waterproof coating. There are also organic cotton changing pad covers to maintain a chemical-free environment.
Paint
To decorate a non-toxic nursery, you can use no-VOC wall color to bring the color into the room. With low or no VOC paint, you will recognize the difference as it is being painted for there will be no smell. Beware contractors do not instinctively want to use these paints for they usually require an additional coat for deep colors but the result is worth it!
Flooring
Try to avoid putting in new flooring, which can release chemicals in the air or irritate allergies. If necessary, use natural rugs to lessen allergies. Keep carpets clean using a HEPA filter vacuum.
Creating a non-toxic nursery is so much easier now than even a couple of years ago. Armed with this information, you should be able to create a healthy, non-toxic and inspiring nursery for your newborn!
