Preparing for the birth of a baby requires a lot of planning and activity. Not only are there regularly scheduled doctor visits to maintain and healthy eating habits to create for mother and baby, there's the nursery to prepare for the homecoming event. That's where many parents fall short when it comes to taking the best care of their baby. Even with the best of intentions, parents can create an environment that makes it difficult for their new baby to breathe and thrive.
It's important to consider the environmental hazards and potential toxins that are introduced to the baby's nursery before decorating or updating the room begins. Fresh paint, new carpet, newly purchased linens, and other elements that are introduced to the baby's room can contain some harmful chemicals and other substances. Today's world of "green living" offers many alternatives to traditional methods of preparing a nursery.
Paint
You've probably painted the interior of a home in the past and have found that the paint fumes can cause headaches and sometimes nausea. Many people open their doors and windows when painting to avoid the unpleasant and potentially toxic fumes. Paint contains chemicals that can cause difficulty breathing, stuffy noses, and a variety of other physical problems that last for a period of time.
Unfortunately, paint still causes some of these problems long after it dries. That makes it especially important to use a non-toxic paint and to apply the paint to the nursery walls or furniture as far in advance as possible. Allowing the paint to dry and the room to completely air out from the potential odors and irritants will create a healthier environment for the baby.
There are many eco-friendly paints today that are non-toxic and they contain more natural ingredients. They have less odor initially and the odor is no longer detected after the paint dries. This is an important step in creating a healthier environment for you and your baby. Search for natural, eco-friendly paints and start painting well in advance.
Carpets and Floors
Most new parents are so excited about the birth of their new baby that they can't wait to decorate the nursery. This often means new carpet or flooring. It may mean moving into an entirely new house that offers more room for living. Either way, it's important to consider how new carpet can affect your baby's health.
Many carpets contain stain protectants, adhesives, and other finishes that emit odors and irritants -- especially when they are first installed. They also contain a lot of dust and fibers that filter deep into the carpet during shipping and installation. This dust and debris eventually finds its way into the air and can temporarily contaminate the air, making it difficult to breath and causing eye or skin irritation.
It's essential to have any new carpets installed as far in advance as possible. Choose carpets that are eco-friendly such as natural wool. In keeping with the "green theme", evaluate the use of recycled carpets too.
Taking precautions to ensure the new carpet is as clear of dust and debris as possible is also important. Vacuum the carpet multiple times over the weeks following installation. Dust the furniture and walls frequently to capture dust that is emitted from the new flooring. Keep the carpet and air as clean as possible and the newborn will be exposed to fewer chemicals and irritants.
In lieu of traditional carpet, consider other eco-friendly solutions for flooring such as natural carpet, recycled carpet, hardwood, or laminate. Not only are these products better for the floor and the air, they are mostly biodegradable which makes them even "greener" and healthier. It's easy to create a cozy nursery by adding a natural fiber rug made of seagrass, cotton or other natural ingredients. Rugs add a special touch to the nursery and they can be economically changed and updated as the baby grows.
Cleaning for Life
While we're talking about "green nurseries", it's important to consider the cleaning products used. Many products contain harmful, harsh chemicals that leave residue and danger behind. Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products that do not contain those harmful chemicals. Avoid products that contain phosphates, chlorine bleach, and fragrances. Look for products with natural ingredients.
Before deciding to wash nursery furniture with toxic chemicals where tiny mouths, fingers, and hands will find them, evaluate natural cleaning products for better health and greater peace of mind. Use natural detergents to launder new linens and clothes that will touch baby's skin. Keep them as free of chemicals as possible.
Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time -- and it's the perfect time to become more environmentally conscious. Creating a "green nursery" is one way to contribute to a healthier enviornment for baby and to contribute to the overall health of the world. Taking small steps towards a "greener" nursery will make the world a healthier place for your baby today -- and in the future.
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