The Green Home: Nursery Ideas

Welcoming a newborn into your life is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. I know that learning I would be expecting one of my own made me look at life in a diifferent way. I wanted to do everything better. I wanted to live healthier, live happier, and do everything I could to give my precious baby the life she deserved. On top of all of that, I realized that my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will inherit the Earth, and all of the messes that we've made here. All of a sudden, eco-friendly living took on a whole new importance for me.

There's no better time to start living greener than when you become a parent. Besides all of the good that an ecologically responsible outlook can have on the world at large, adopting green habits and materials will benefit your little one as well. Here are some tips for outfitting your green nursery.

1. Look for Real Wood Furniture

Wood composites, such as plywood and particle board, which make up at least part of much baby furniture, offgas toxic chemicals like formaldehyde into your home. Your newborn's nervous, hormonal, and immune systems are still developing, and these chemicals can wreak havoc on baby's system. A better choice is to purchase furniture made from solid wood and finished with natural oils and waxes.

2. Use Low or No VOC Paint

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are toxic chemicals that are released into the air by various solvents and finishes, including paints. They have been known to cause asthma, neurological defects, and cancer. Normal paints, even latex, are loaded with VOCs. You know that "fresh paint" smell? Yeah. Those are the VOCs being released by the paint. Use Low or No VOC paint, and be sure to paint the nursery at least a month before your baby comes home so that the paint cures before baby arrives.

3. Forget About Carpeting

Traditional carpets offgas, shelter dustmites and other allergens, and hold mildew and odors---none of which is good for baby. If you have hardwood, it's best to stick with that. For a little softness, consider adding a natural sisal or organic cotton or wool rug.

4. Green Bedding

Your baby will spend hours and hours in its crib. The mattress and bedding your baby is lying on can also affect her health. Typical mattresses offgas for at least a few months. You can purchase natural mattresses, which are more expensive, or you can purchase and unwrap your traditional mattress a few months before baby arrives so it can offgas. For extra protection, consider purchasing a natural mattress pad that will cover the old one and smother any offgassing. The sheets and blankets are another place to think green. Less expensive permanent press sheets are treated with formaldehyde--not good for baby. To get around this, either purchase organic cotton or wool bedding, or wash any permanent press sheets several times before using them with your baby.

5. Green Cleaning

There's no point in going through all this effort to green the nursery if you end up using chemicals to clean with. Consider some all-natural cleaners for your nursery.

6. Green Baby Care

Be totally green by using only all-natural products to bathe and moisturize your baby. Look for ingredients like water, olive oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, aloe vera, cocoa butter, and witch hazel. Avoid petroleum-based products, mineral oils, artificial colors and fragrances, and synthetic chemicals.

Creating a green nursery is a positive and comforting way to begin life with your baby. You're giving him or her the best start possible. Isn't that what parenting's all about?