Green Nursery—Healthy Baby!

By Jan Mader

Poet Henry David Thoreau said, "Every child begins the world again." How true and wonderful that is, especially when that child begins their life in a green nursery. A green nursery is one that is as free as possible of chemicals or products that might physically endanger your child. A bonus is that it’s also environmentally friendly.

A great way to begin the design process is with paint. Many major paint manufacturers now offer eco-friendly paint lines with little or no outgasing of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs cause health-related issues in the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver.  Painting with low VOC paint also means little odor:  You may not be able to tell you just painted!

Bamboo is a good option for your nursery floor, as is organic wool carpet. Eco-friendly wool comes from sheep that are raised without chemicals in their diets. For window coverings, choose organic fabrics that are made from fiber that is raised without chemicals or fertilizers, which contaminate ground water.

Recycled furniture for your nursery is a wonderful idea as long as you determine how it was originally made. If you find out that your old crib was made from medium-density fiberboard, look for other options.  Formaldehyde is used to bind the boards and can leak if it is not properly sealed. All used furniture and toys should be tested for lead safety and given a good chemical-free cleaning. Organic cribs and beds can be expensive but are well worth the cost. Your furniture will be finished with lead-free, water-based, and biodegradable stains and paints.

Decorate with plants. Plants that are grown naturally, like bamboo and green spider plants, lend themselves to improved air quality. They help to remove persistent chemicals from the air. 

Sooner or later, nursery toys are going to go into your baby's mouth. It's okay to be a proactive parent even before your baby is born: Ask for eco-friendly toys. Go ahead. Quote Henry David Thoreau on your shower invitations or baby announcements. Thoreau was a man before his time. He said, "We can never have enough of nature."

Green nursery resource: http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/06/02/5-ways-to-green-your-nursery/