 During
pregnancy many mothers to be are given information as to how they must
properly take care of themselves and the life that is within them.
They are given information concerning what foods they should eat, what
chemicals they shouldn't be exposed to, appropriate exercise regimens,
and a whole host of other important issues beneficial to the mother and
her baby. One such important piece of information is how to create an
environment for your baby that is safe;
an environment that is healthy and non-toxic making sure that your baby
is not exposed to pollutants. An eco-friendly baby nursery provides a
haven for your baby that allows it to grow up healthy without
having to worry about the environmental hazards that can inhibit its
physical and mental development. Here are some of our Organic Baby Suggestions. For more Organic Baby Living Tips visit or Organic Baby Blog.
Walls and Floor
The paint used for
the nursery should be environmentally safe and free from toxic volatile
organic compounds (VOC's). Choose a VOC-free paint created from
all-natural ingredients like buttermilk, soy resins, beeswax, lime,
clay, oils from plants, and earth pigments. (for more tips about which paint to choose see our Organic Baby Blog).
If
there is wall-to-wall carpet in the room consider pulling it up and
disposing of it. Carpet fibers trap dust mites, mold, pet dander,
pollen and other allergens. Hardwood floors and natural stone tiles
work very well in a nursery; with hardwood floors you get easy
clean-ups and floors that can last a very long time. If you can, use
hardwood floors that are made of sustainably managed forests and finish
them with either a natural or nontoxic sealant. Natural stone tiles on the other hand are durable, recyclable, easy to care for
and maintain, simple to disinfect, and have an enduring life cycle. If
you are only able to use the carpet that you have make sure to vacuum
it once a week and clean it with non-toxic biodegradable cleaning solutions at least once a month.
Rugs
can be used to lively up and brighten your nursery floors. It is
important that you choose rugs made from organic cotton or untreated
wool (rugs can also be made of hemp and jute); these materials are
biodegradable and non toxic.
Furniture
It is essential that you avoid all new furniture made with
particle board, plywood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). These
items should be avoided because they often contain formaldehyde in
their glue and can release chemical fumes that are harmful; these types
of furniture also wear out more quickly. They are and eco friendly
nursery no no! Instead, you can either purchase furniture made from
wicker, rattan, or solid wood. Also, you can purchase used furniture
as long as it is a few years old (giving the furniture enough time to
release its harmful chemicals).
Mattress and Bed Set
When picking a mattress for
a crib be advised that regular mattresses contain unsafe and possibly
cancer-causing fire retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers
(PBDEs). You should choose a mattress that has organic cotton filling
(mattresses with conventional cotton are heavily
pesticide-sprayed) and is made of wool casings. Stay away from
mattresses that contain stain and moisture resistant treatments also
because they are suspected of being treated with harmful chemicals.
Your baby's bedding should be organic all-cotton and the pillows should be filled with natural stuffings (untreated wool, kapok, organic cotton, or buckwheat hulls).
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