Putting Together a Non-Toxic Nursery

If you know me, you know that I am all about balance. I try to choose natural and non-toxic products as much as I possibly can without it becoming an additional stressor in my life (been there and it wasn’t healthy either) but I definitely don’t mess around when it comes to the safety of my babies so today I am sharing with you my go-to tips for putting together a non-toxic nursery and choosing safer products during and after pregnancy. Studies now show that newborn babies are even exposed to chemicals in utero during pregnancy and these chemical exposures can affect a baby’s respiratory, digestive and immune system and can impact neurological development and behavior. Children also take in more chemicals per pound of body weight than adults because they are so small which makes it even more important to be dodging chemicals whenever possible

Here are some important areas to focus on…

Laundry

You are most likely super excited to start washing your baby’s cute little clothes in preparation for their arrival but you don’t need to use laundry detergent made specifically for babies to do it. There are no regulations when it comes to laundry and personal care products which means that laundry detergent made for babies and children can definitely still contain chemicals and synthetic fragrances. I recommend opting for a natural laundry detergent instead that is gentle and unscented. We like Attitude brand.

Personal Care

You are no doubt going to purchase a gentle baby soap for bath time but again there are barely any regulations when it comes to these types of products so it’s so important to purchase products from trustworthy brands dedicated to making safe non-toxic products for both you and baby. Avoid products that contain chemicals like parabens, phthalates, SLS, and fragrance/perfume. Choose natural soaps that are only scented naturally if at all. We use The Honest Company for shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, and body cream.

Plastic Baby Bottles/Feeding

Manufacturers have removed BPA from bottles due to health concerns for babies and although they may seem like a better option they contain other chemicals instead. BPS commonly added to BPA-free items is nearly identical to BPA (if not worse) and presents with similar health effects. Purchase glass, stainless steel, or silicone baby bottles and sippy cups only. Plastic bottles should never be heated and you should never add heated milk into plastic bottles.

Paints

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint. Lead is released over time which causes low level exposure over time which can result in health issues for babies and children. Prenatal exposures to lead are linked to reduced cognitive and intellectual development, lower birth weight, ADHD, anti-social behaviour, and increased risk of allergies. Current conventional paints contain solvents like benzene and toluene, phthalates, heavy metals, mercury, and preservatives like formaldehyde. 20% of these chemicals off-gas within the first 2 weeks, the remainder continues to off-gas for nearly 4 years! Some paint manufacturers make paints low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC); look for the Green Seal logo for the best options. A lot of the VOC’s are in the tint (color) of the paint and the darker the color the higher the VOC content. Look for both low VOC paint and low VOC tint. Safe paint options (VOC free): Safecoat, ECOS paints, Unearthed

What are VOC’s?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that easily become vapors or gases. Many volatile organic compounds are commonly used in paints, paint thinners, lacquer thinners, moth repellents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, degreasers, automotive products, and dry cleaning fluids Long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Short-term exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, weakness, fatigue, loss of coordination, allergic skin reactions, nausea, and memory impairment.

Furniture

Cribs envelop the baby on all sides so skimping on crib quality is not advised. Baby furniture can contain chemicals like formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen and is also linked to sub-fertility, allergies, and asthma. Avoid furniture made with: -particleboard, pressed wood, composite wood, and MDF. If budgets are restrictive and solid wood furniture is not an option (although IKEA does offer a solid wood crib for under $100) or if you have already purchased furniture made from particleboard or MDF wood, it should be coated with AFM SAFECOAT a water-based sealer which can reduce off-gassing of formaldehyde by nearly 100%

*This applies also to other furniture including dressers, toy chests, changing tables, etc.

Carpeting

Chemical adhesives in carpeting can off-gas chemicals and some contain stain-resistant chemicals which can disrupt the endocrine system. Carpeting is also a trap for dust, molds, and other pollutants which can trigger asthma or allergies. Solution: Hardwood floors are best with machine washable throw rugs.

Baby Mattress

Baby mattresses are made primarily of polyurethane foam a highly flammable petroleum by-product and so companies will add chemical flame retardants (along with adhesives and other chemicals) to the mattresses. Mattresses with plastic vinyl covers contain and release phthalates which are linked to health issues like thyroid dysfunction, early breast development in girls, weight gain, insulin resistance, reduced IQ, behavioral problems, ADHD, and more. Babies sleep 14-16 hours a day in their cribs, faces inches from the surface where the chemicals are being released. The concentration of VOCs in the breathing zone can be 2.5 times greater than the rest of the room. VOCs in the air inside the crib can be 21 times greater than the rest of the room. The chemicals are concentrating around the sleeping area of the baby like a cloud. *Extremely fussy babies who cannot communicate discomforts may be reacting to VOC exposure.

Avoid mattresses made from polyurethane foam, soy foam, or ‘plant-based’ foam, natural latex (fewer chemicals but may cause an allergic reaction in some), synthetic latex, or those with a vinyl plastic cover (waterproof).

Instead, look for mattresses made from polyethylene foam (does not off-gas), hydrated silica, or wool which are naturally flame retardant. They should also have an outer material of cotton, wool, or polyester but NOT vinyl. The mattress should not have chemicals added for waterproofing or antibacterial.

Recommendations: Naturepedic, Essentia, white lotus Home, Organic Mattress Inc.

Car seat/Stroller

Many care seats and strollers are manufactured with flame retardant chemicals which are known endocrine disruptors (hormone disrupting). Avoid strollers with fabric that’s stain-resistant, waterproof, or “antibacterial’. We went with the Nuna Pipa car seat and the Nuna Mixx stroller but the Uppa Baby, Maxi Cosi, and Britax brands are also good options that are made with materials that are naturally flame retardant without added chemicals.