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When it comes to creating a room for your baby to spend their earliest days, it can be hard to decide what the best (and safest) products to use actually are, especially if you’re aiming for an organic nursery. But what does that actually mean?
While the word “organic” has definitely taken on many different definitions, parents who are talking about organic nurseries usually mean that they’re choosing nontoxic decor, bedding, and toys to give their children — and often that they’re keeping it all as environmentally conscious as possible.
“Buying eco-friendly products minimizes exposure to volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs. These are toxic chemicals often introduced through new furniture. Particleboard is one of the primary sources of formaldehyde (a highly toxic compound) in the home,” residential designer Caroline McCandlish told The Washington Post. “Also, because infants are in the primary development stages, they are considerably more vulnerable to the adverse health affects of VOCs than older children and adults.”
If that sounds like the right choice for your family, but you don’t know where to start in creating your organic nursery, read on.
Nursery paint: How to choose a safe option
There are certain ingredients in some paint that are toxic to children (and humans in general). Though lead is a big one, it hasn’t been used in paint in a long time, but you may want to look out for paints that use VOCs, which can also be dangerous.
In order to choose a nontoxic nursery paint, you’ll want to check out one of the many eco-friendly brands and lines out there — though they may come at a premium. Brands Clare Paint and Backdrop are two good options available online, and at your local hardware store, you may be more likely to find Sherwin Williams’ Harmony, which is VOC-free, along with Behr Premium Plus, which is certified for low chemical emissions.
If you already live in a home that may include lead paint on the walls — including homes built before 1978 — you may ask your pediatrician if you can have your child’s blood lead levels tested. If you’re not sure about the paint in your home, it may also be possible for your local health department to test the paint for lead as well.
Organic nursery bedding and decor
If you’re creating an organic nursery, you’ll want to think about the bedding your child will sleep in — after all, they’ll be spending a lot of time in their crib (fingers crossed). It’s easy enough to find without breaking the budget, too — brands like Burt’s Bees offers up certified organic crib sheets that will keep baby safe and comfy all night long.
When talking about textiles, most fabric products will boast that they’re organic before you even click “buy.” These fabrics are free of nontoxic chemicals and dyes, and you can even find organic baby clothes that won’t irritate your little one’s skin, either.
When it comes to furniture, it’s best to stick with all wood, as some furniture is made with particle board, which may release chemicals like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
Organic nursery on a budget
It’s probably safe to say that most parents want the best, least toxic environment for their baby, but it comes at a pretty steep price, which isn’t always possible for everyone to shoulder.
“Believe me, I love the idea of supporting sustainable farming with every single food purchase. But I also love the idea of paying my mortgage,” mom Sally Kuzemchak told Mom.com.
Fortunately, there’s a way to keep it organic on a budget. Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Maybe you want to invest in an organic paint and let the particle board products slide. Or maybe you want to focus on organic bedding and furniture and be less concerned with the type of toys that end up in baby’s nursery. It’s up to you!
And to make things even more cost-effective and eco-friendly, don’t be afraid to shop secondhand. While items like a crib or a car seat are usually better purchased new, decor and other furniture items for your organic nursery can be found at a deep discount at garage sales, thrift stores, or even Facebook Marketplace.
Creating your baby’s nursery should be a fun experience, so don’t let the stress of making sure everything is perfectly organic ruin it for you. You’ve got this!
