Creating A Non-Toxic Nursery
All parents want to give their babies the best possible start in life, and that begins before they’re even born, with the preparations for their birth – including the nursery . There are so many products out there, each claiming to have your baby’s best interests in mind, that it can be hard to figure out exactly what you need… and the things you really don’t want to be anywhere near your baby.
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This article has some tips to help you get started in thinking about how to design and furnish your baby’s nursery with non‑toxic products. After all, your baby is going to be spending a lot of time in the nursery before he or she is ready to crawl around the rest of the house, and a newborn is particularly sensitive to environmental issues!
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Try To Use VOC-Free For Any Paint Jobs. According to MyHome.Gov.Au, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) "include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects." Decorating the walls is probably the first thing you’ll think about, and it’s important to remember that both wallpaper adhesive and paint contain compounds which could be harmful to your baby.
via enlightenedindigochild.com There’s a type of paint called VOC-free, which stands for “Volatile Organic Chemicals-free”. Organic in this case isn’t a good thing – it just means compounds based on carbon, which our bodies need for almost everything we do.VOCs are known to have potential long and short term adverse effects, so using VOC-free paint will help reduce any chance of this affecting your baby. Don’t forget to air the room afterwards before Baby arrives, even if you do use VOC-free paint, though! Making sure the paint is properly dry and the air is free of paint fumes will also make it safer for your baby. -
Natural Wood. If you think about it, wooden and plastic furniture has the same sort of issues as paint – what is it made of? What is it finished with? Are there harmful chemicals in it or in the varnish? One way to get around this is to go with natural materials like wood. If there are local craftsmen making things like cribs, they’re more likely to know exactly what is used in the construction than a company which mass produces.
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Natural fibre. Curtains, covers, clothes, rugs and carpets… there’s so many opportunities for synthetic fibres to sneak into your baby’s room. Natural fibre like cotton are really key – they’re more breathable and comfortable than synthetic fibre anyway, and they don’t bring in contaminants. Again, hand-made items are a great idea. Make sure to check the back of the rug as well, which may be a synthetic material or contain adhesives.
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Think about the mattress. There are companies which manufacture mattresses from organic (i.e. free from pesticides, etc) substances, and this is a great idea: your baby is going to spend the majority of his or her time sleeping, so it’s important that the mattress is toxin-free and non-synthetic.
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Air filters. Keeping air moving helps prevent it from becoming stale, and stops toxins from outside or other parts of the home hanging around in the air. This also reduces the risk of serious issues like SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), so it’s a step well worth taking.
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Scents Or Fragrances. Nurseries tend to get smelly every now and as a result, you may be tempted to bring in a scented candle, reed diffuser or air freshener, but stop right there! These products often contain harmful chemicals.Instead, try opening a window or using a safe alternative to help with the smell, like pouring baking soda into the diaper pail. Keep the diaper changing area clean with a baby-friendly and non-toxic cleaning spray.
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Other Rooms. Well, you guessed it right. No matter how much you worry about keeping your baby's nursery as hygienic and non toxic as possible, sometimes, parents to overlook the rest of the house. It is absolutely essential that the whole place is kept clean with clean fresh air circulating throughout the place.
There’s all kinds of information out there to help you make the right choice for your baby. It looks complex now, but it’s worth it!
