| Preparing for baby is an exciting time and nesting is | | | | with low or Zero VOC paint or finishes. Also, take a |
| one joy to go along with it. As you begin to dream | | | | look at eco-friendly furniture made from sustainable |
| over design and decoration for your baby's nursery, | | | | materials such as bamboo. Avoid furniture made with |
| here are a few keys in setting up a green or | | | | pressed wood which contains resins and glues that |
| eco-friendly space. Remember, baby spends on | | | | give off high VOC levels. |
| average 10-14 hours a day sleeping leading the nursery | | | | Organic Mattress - Over the last 30 years, crib |
| as one of the most important rooms in the house. | | | | mattress materials have been replaced with |
| Non Toxic Paint - At one point in time, lead in paint was | | | | petroleum-based synthetics. Nearly all crib mattresses |
| a big concern. So, unless you are living in an older | | | | in use today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC), |
| home or using paint from years ago, VOC's (volatile | | | | phthalates, chemical fire retardants or barriers, and an |
| organic compounds) are today's problem. VOC's are | | | | extensive list of added industrial chemicals. Recent |
| toxic chemicals released into the air by various | | | | studies have questioned the use of these materials. To |
| solvents and lacquers, including paints. They have been | | | | ensure baby's safety and comfort, a few great crib |
| known to cause ear, nose, and throat irritation, damage | | | | mattress options are organic cotton mattresses, |
| to central nervous system and in some cases VOC's | | | | organic wool, or pure natural rubber. Both Naturepedic |
| have been suspected of causing cancer. Before | | | | and Ecobaby have a variety of organic mattress |
| applying paint, take the safe route and choose a brand | | | | options to choose from. |
| that is low or zero-VOC to reduce the risk of toxic | | | | Organic crib sheets - Similar to organic crib mattresses |
| fumes. As a last precaution, make sure the room is | | | | in that your baby is spending hours sleeping on top of |
| well ventilated, painted months in advance, and that | | | | them. Conventional bedding is full of chemicals and |
| friend or spouse paints the room for you. | | | | conventionally grown cotton is the most heavily |
| Non Toxic Carpet - Do you live in a house with | | | | pesticide-laden crop grown. By choosing organic cotton |
| hardwood floors? Hardwood floors are actually one of | | | | crib sheets, your baby will thank you later. Naturepedic |
| the best options in nursery flooring. Why? Traditional | | | | and Jubi are two brand names with organic crib |
| carpeting can harbor dust mites and allergens, while | | | | sheets in their lines. |
| new carpeting may give of those nasty VOC's. If you | | | | Toys - Every room needs a few playthings and when |
| miss the plush that carpet provides, choose an organic | | | | selecting toys, less is more. Keep in mind, babies and |
| cotton or wool area rug for added comfort or warmth. | | | | children love to put objects in their mouth, so choose |
| Crib - Thinking about handing down an older sibling or | | | | organic cotton toys. Wood toys are also a good |
| cousin's crib? Although this is an easy way to save | | | | option, but make sure to purchase unpainted. For any |
| dollars and keep a family heirloom, any crib with old | | | | plastic toys, look for PVC-free (no phthalates) and |
| peeling pain, varnish or bent slants should be avoided. If | | | | BPA Free. Miyim Inc. is one company who understands |
| a new crib is in your future, be sure to find one finished | | | | organic toys. |