April 30th, 2010
During the first months of their lives, the immune systems of infants are still developing. At this stage, they tend to be more susceptible to their environs and sometimes have difficulty in processing toxins. It is for this reason that a green nursery or an eco-friendly nursery appeals to many parents. Even for parents who are not specifically eco-conscious or are actively living sustainably, they are very interested in creating the safest and least toxic environment as possible for their new baby. Today in the third (and last) part of this mini-series, we’ll look at what it means to buy eco-friendly baby products.
It’s a well-known fact that babies tend to get a little messy. For this reason it might be tempting to purchase items like crib bedding, crib mattresses, baby blankets, pillows and clothes that stain or moisture resistant. When purchasing baby products for your green nursery, skip any thing that has been treated; especially avoid fire retardants commonly used in the making of crib mattresses.
And speaking of messy, while it might seem very labor-intensive and there’s no denying that disposable diapers are much more convenient, reusable organic cloth diapers are much kinder to the environment. While a disposable diaper may be as soft on baby’s skin, the cloth diaper, particularly some organic versions, are actually more breathable, and therefore are more comfortable for baby.
Especially since they will inevitably end up in your baby’s mouth, look for toys made of wood with non-toxic finishes or of natural fibers. For baby products like teething rings, soothers and chew toys that are often made from plastics, stay away from ones made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic that can be potentially harmful to your child.
For baby products like lotions, shampoos and diaper creams, look for eco-friendly baby skin care items that don’t use harsh detergents and other potentially toxic chemicals. Ditto for any cleaning products or solutions you plan on using in your nursery and anywhere in your home that baby will come into direct contact with what is being cleaned.
It used to be more difficult to find eco friendly baby products. But it isn’t so complicated anymore. As more of us are finding ways to be kinder to the environment (and to our children and ourselves), manufacturers of baby furniture and baby products are responding by offering a variety of sustainable, eco friendly or organic baby products.
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April 28th, 2010
When designing a nursery, many expectant parents are concerned with avoiding products that are potentially harmful to a newborn. Strictly adhering to organic products can quickly become very expensive. A viable and cost effective alternative is to select products that use non-toxic finishes and materials for surfaces that come directly into contact with your baby. Today in the second part of this mini-series, we’ll look at what it means to buy eco-friendly baby furniture.
Many baby crib manufacturers are offering a number of smart convertible options that allow you to “repurpose” or use the crib during one or more of your child’s evolving developmental stages. Cribs and other baby products that “grow with your baby” are very appealing to parents who are looking for ways to buy fewer items and increase their commitment to sustainable living. Buying a crib or a 
changing table that “grows with your baby” also has the added bonus of being more cost effective and economical. When deciding what other furniture pieces you would like to include in your green nursery design, consider purchasing items like a glider, for example, that can be used in another room in your room after baby no longer needs it.
Stay away from baby cribs and other types of baby furniture that are made with plywood, particleboard, MDF (medium density fiberboard) or any other kind of wood composite (also known as engineered woods). Even though they are made of recycled wood products (a good thing), they typically use toxic chemicals (a bad thing) like formaldehyde in the formation process. While the Tulip Panda 3 Drawer Single Dresser does include MDF, it is made of formaldehyde-free glue and other environmental friendly materials such as bamboo.
Choose an organic crib mattress for your baby’s crib. Select organic crib bedding with a theme (if you have chosen one) to match your décor. The Summer Infant Sleepy Safari 4 Piece Organic Crib Bedding Set is made of organically grown fabrics and natural dyes. It has a non-gender specific jungle theme and color scheme perfectly suited to a green nursery. In addition to organic pillow cases and coverings, look for baby pillows stuffed with synthetic-free latex, organic cotton, untreated wool or kapok (a type of plant fiber).
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April 26th, 2010
When preparing for your baby’s arrival, you want to create a nursery that is beautiful, welcoming, warm and inviting but above all safe for your newborn. For many parents, this means creating a green nursery or an eco-friendly nursery. On Friday we explored what it means to design a green nursery and the reasons why it’s a good idea to do so. Today in the first part of this mini-series, we’ll look at how to go about actually preparing a room that will be an eco-friendly environment for your little one.
After picking the location for your nursery, the first thing you will probably want to do is to paint the room. Even if you like the current color, check to see what type of paint has been used. Especially if you just moved into a new house or apartment and you don’t know for sure if the paint is non-toxic, you might want to repaint the room anyway just to be on the safe side. You will want to avoid traditional paints because they typically contain high amounts of VOCs or volatile organic compounds.
Eco-friendly paints or natural paints have significantly less toxins in them that can be released into the air. Brushes and paint spills can easily be cleaned with soap and warm water. Eco-friendly paints have noticeably less odor when they are being applied and virtually no odor after they have dried. Non-toxic paints are made from a variety of organic compounds including beeswax, mineral pigments, plant oils, soy and even buttermilk. The best part is that you will not have to treat the paint cans as hazardous material when you are disposing of them. Even with eco-friendly paints, if you are pregnant you should plan on having someone else do the actual painting for you.
Turn the same scrutiny for toxic materials on the floor of the room you have chosen to be your baby’s nursery. If possible, plan on hardwood flooring with a non-toxic finish. Since your child will spend a lot of time on the floor, when creating a green environment for your little one, selecting the right type of flooring important is just as important as picking a non-toxic paint. Carpeting, especially older types of wall-to-wall carpet, can be the perfect trap for mold, dust mites and other kinds of allergens. Choose instead a combination of hardwood flooring with an area rug made of natural, untreated fibers like jute, wool, cotton or hemp.
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April 23rd, 2010
It seems to be what everyone is talking about these days – global warming, carbon footprints, manufacturers that are environmentally responsible, companies that produce “green” or organic products. But what does that really mean to you personally when you are in the process of making room in your home for a new child? Planning a nursery can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. Adding environmental concerns on top of everything else you have to take care of right now can seem like more stress when you need less. However it’s not complicated if you are aware of what to look for – when designing a green nursery, it’s just a matter of focusing on the right elements.
The whole point of designing a green nursery is to provide a safe, healthy and non-toxic environment for both you (after all, you will be spending a lot of time in this room too) and your baby. Start with the paint – choose water-based paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If you are pregnant, plan on having someone else do the actual painting. Even when using a non-toxic paint, to ensure that it is properly “cured” and won’t emit chemicals into the air, paint the nursery at least one month before bringing baby is to occupy the room.
Bare floors with an area rug made from natural materials like cotton or wool are best. If there is already wall-to-wall carpet in the room that cannot be removed, give it a good cleaning with an eco-friendly carpet shampoo.
When shopping for baby furniture, choose a crib and changing table made from timber (real wood) as opposed to furnishings made from composite woods such as pressboard or MDF (medium density fiberboard). Make sure that paints, stains and other types of finishes are non-toxic. Avoid plastic wherever possible. Choose toys made from natural materials like cotton and wood.
Select a crib mattress that is the most organic or eco-friendly that you can afford. Look past what you can actually see. Make sure that the materials used to make a crib mattress are manufactured without the use of toxic fire retardant chemicals. If a purely organic crib mattress is out of your price range, an economical option is to buy a quality firm crib mattress and then purchase a separate organic cotton crib mattress cover.
Consider materials like untreated pure cotton and wool for window treatments and crib bedding. Another option is to use wood shutters that have a nontoxic finish or mini-blinds. Make sure that you choose a type that doesn’t have dangling cords.
Designing a green nursery is relatively simple when you know what to look for. It is simply a matter of buying items and products that are as toxic-free as possible for anything that your infant will directly come into contact with. An eco-friendly nursery will be the perfect place for your little one to sleep, grow and play.
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April 21st, 2010
You selected the crib with extra care and meticulously matched it with the other baby furniture you will need to make your infant’s first room a special place. But in many ways, the crib mattress is just as important as the crib itself, since it will play a direct role in your baby’s development. Because you’re buying it for a baby, the natural instinct is to choose something soft and cushiony. However, since your baby will be sleeping on it while they’re growing and developing, a crib mattress should be firm and not too soft or too hard.
There are basically two types of crib mattresses, foam and innerspring. One type of mattress is not better than the other. For adult mattresses, it comes down to the sleeper’s personal preference and how he or she feels when lying down. The same applies to a foam crib mattress or an innerspring crib mattress. Studies have shown that if the parent or parents sleep on an innerspring mattress, they will probably choose the same type when buying a baby crib mattress.
Crib Mattress Characteristics
Whether you purchase an innerspring crib mattress or a foam crib mattress, the crib mattress should have the following characteristics:
- It should be firm
- It must fit snugly against the sides of the crib to eliminate any possibility of injury or harm
- Should include some type of waterproof cover
- Crib mattress seams should have fabric binding to allow air to escape, relieving pressure and extending the life of the crib mattress
- Include vents which allows the mattress allows to breathe
Going Natural
If you are concerned about the possible effects of synthetic materials, chemicals or potential allergy-causing compounds on your child, an alternative to traditionally made innerspring and foam crib mattresses, is the organic crib mattress. It is typically composed of organic cottons and wools. The protective cover is made of a non-toxic, water-resistant material like white polyethylene, an environmentally friendly plastic.
Some manufacturers offer foam crib mattresses that are eco-friendly as opposed to being purely organic. If this is a concern for you, read any available product information and crib mattress product reviews to find an organic crib mattress that meets all of your requirements. Expect to pay a little more for an organic crib mattress.
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April 19th, 2010
If you’re looking for a crib that will blend easily with a traditional, transitional or a country décor, look no further than the Emily 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib by DaVinci. With a hint of sleigh bed élan, the Emily crib has soft, flowing lines, a classic, heirloom appearance and a design that allows it to grow with your baby. Emily convertible crib packages include everything you will need to convert it into a daybed or a full bed once it is no longer needed as a crib.
The most practical feature of the Emily convertible crib, is of course its ability to be converted to first a toddler bed.
Then eventually to a full size bed. An Emily convertible crib can save you from buying two different beds as your child moves from the toddler stage to the “big boy bed” stage.
Especially if you are looking for ways to make your nursery greener, DaVinci Emily convertible cribs are carefully crafted from woods from sustainable forests and wood composites. In DaVinci Emily product reviews, consumers repeatedly remark on how relatively easy the wood crib was to assemble and that it’s well-made and very sturdy.
If you live in an apartment, a condominium or would like the option of having the crib in your bedroom, consider the DaVinci Emily Mini 2-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib. While it will only convert from a crib to a twin size bed (with conversion bed rails), this mini crib has several of the main features of the standard size Emily crib. It might be the ideal space-saving solution you are looking for.
If you’re looking for matching furniture pieces, the DaVinci Emily Collection doesn’t just offer cribs. You will also be able to find other much-needed baby nursery furniture products like the Emily changing table and the Emily 4 Drawer Chest.
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April 16th, 2010
You have put a lot of thought into planning your nursery. You’ve painted the walls, carefully selected the baby furniture and bought those cute accessories like a lamp, curtains and a rug that make your child’s first room a special place. The final finishing touch is selecting pictures that stimulate baby’s vision, helping your child learn and grow. In order for wall art to have a positive effect on your child, pictures should be hung correctly and be predominant in baby’s line of sight.
Properly hung pictures and other kinds of wall art can actually enhance the subject by putting the emphasis on the picture, drawing the observer’s eye into the frame or the object itself. Depending on the size, color or shape, wall art has the ability to emphasize and harmonize the personality and atmosphere of the room. And the way in which wall art is placed on the walls, individually or in sets, can single-handedly make a room spacious or smaller – whichever is the more desired effect.
Tips for Hanging Pictures
Typically you would hang framed pictures at eye level when standing. But in a nursery, hang pictures and other types of wall art at baby’s eye level when being carried or held (when you’re standing).
Group smaller pieces of art into sets and position the pictures in each set close to each other rather than trying spread out a small number of pictures in an attempt to fill up the space.
To avoid creating a sense of clutter or busyness, when creating set of smaller pictures, group them together by color scheme, theme, style or size.
Before hanging a group of art pieces, have a plan. First make a rough draft layout by placing the pictures on a table or the floor – this will help you visualize how they will look like when they are hung.
Tricks the Pros Use
To make the best use of the space, match the size and orientation of the wall art to the main portion of the wall where it is to be hung. For example, a vertical framed picture would look best on a narrow wall but a landscape (horizontal) framed work of art would nicely fill the space of a wide wall.
There’s no “one hook per picture” rule – hang wide frames using two hooks. Place one hook on either side, one third of the in from the outer edges of the fame. Use a ruler or a level to ensure that both hooks are aligned properly.
Use removable hooks with adhesive backs for lightweight pictures or wall art pieces. This will give you the freedom to change a group of pictures to reflect a different season or a specific holiday.
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April 14th, 2010
After planning the nursery and buying all of the baby furniture for it, you might be tempted to leave the walls bare or just hang a couple of photographs or prints in nice frames. But choosing the right kind of wall art for your baby’s nursery can actually make the space cozy and welcoming, creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere that will help stimulate your child’s senses.
Creating Instant Memories
Select a picture frame that allows you to mount a number of small pictures in the same frame. This will let you create a collage that not only can be changed, but will be unique to you and your family.
Go black and white. Frame a set of two to four photographs of relatives, people or places that are significant to your family’s history. Using black and white photos that are different yet connected by a common theme will add a sophisticated touch to your nursery.
Go poster. Take pictures of mom, dad, baby or the proud grandparents and make them poster size. Hang one or two by themselves on one accent wall for maximum effect.
Frame inspirational sayings or quotes that are meaningful to you.
Wall Art Ideas
Spell out your child’s name using three-dimensional wood or plastic letters. Or use letters stencils to write your baby’s name directly on the wall in paint using an accent color so that it stands out.
Love the idea of a wall mural for your baby’s room but can’t even manage to draw stick figures? Not to worry. You can create a mural from “scratch” with the help of peel and stick vinyl pieces.
Just want to give a certain area of the room a touch of whimsy? Use nursery decals to draw attention to the dresser, crib or the corner of the room where you have your glider.
Instead of Framed Prints
Use animal, clown or sea creature plaques made of plaster or resin to add a colorful, 3-D vibe to the walls of your nursery.
Select wall hangings in soft shapes like farm animals, airplanes, or boats that match the theme or the crib bedding you have chosen for your nursery.
Especially if you or someone in your family is a quilter, hang a baby quilt on one wall to add color and character to your baby’s room.
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April 12th, 2010
Particularly for items that you will need for only a relatively short period of time, it’s good to know about specific baby furniture pieces that are designed to be used for other things once it is no longer needed for its original purpose. The Badger Basket Company offers a uniquely shaped changing table that is simple, compact and ultra-functional, but above all, looks smart as well.
The innovative and unique angle of the Badger Basket Diaper Corner Baby Changing Table in Cherry lets you make use of potential “dead space” in your nursery. The corners in a room tend to get left out of the overall interior design when planning a nursery. Since this change table fits neatly and discretely into the corner of the room, it could be the ideal decorating solution for a small nursery or an awkwardly-shaped room.
The unique design of the Badger Basket corner changing table also allows you to change the diaper while facing your child. Unlike most changing tables which have you changing the child while standing mostly to the side, when using the Badger Basket corner changing table, your baby’s feet are conveniently pointing directly towards you.
Badger Basket Company has been manufacturing changing tables for over 65 years. The changing table is made of wood, wood composites and veneers, finished with ton-toxic paints and stains. It has a small footprint, is compact, sturdy yet lightweight and can be repurposed. If you’re looking for a versatile and functional changing table, perhaps the Badger Basket Diaper Corner Baby Changing Table is the right fit for you and your baby.
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April 9th, 2010
As soon as they’re big enough to climb up and potentially out, it will be obvious they’re growing out of their crib and new sleeping arrangements will need to be made. When your child no longer needs a crib, parents are faced with two main choices – a toddler bed or a twin bed. Buying a toddler bed for your child can make the transition from a crib to a twin bed much easier. Purchasing a twin bed saves you from having to buy another bed in 1½ to 3 years. Since a twin bed can appear to be too big for a small child, many parents struggle with what to choose, safety issues causing the most concern. Essentially a toddler bed gives the child assurance and the parents peace of mind.
Toddler Bed Fast Facts
The sleeping area of a toddler bed is the same size of a standard crib and most kinds of toddler beds use a crib mattress. A toddler bed sits almost on the floor, which is what is so appealing about it. Toddler beds have the appearance and freedom of a twin bed, but are scaled down to provide a toddler with a safe sleeping environment. Even so, many types of toddler beds include some kind of railing for added protection and to prevent the child from falling out.
If you’re reluctant to buy a piece of furniture for your child’s bedroom that has such a short life span, buy a toddler bed that is not theme-related, as these beds tend to be more expensive than a standard toddler’s bed. You might also want to skip any extra features such as under-bed storage for the same reason.
Toddler beds are often cheaper than twin beds. Usually they use a crib mattress, so it will save you from having to buy a new one. Many types of toddler beds also let you make use of the crib bedding you already have on hand.
Other Options to Consider
Buy a convertible crib. Convertible cribs are designed to grow with your child, from 0 to approximately 5 years of age. Some types of convertible cribs need a conversion kit – check to see if this is applicable to the crib you are considering purchasing.
Remove one side of the crib and let your child get used to the freedom of sleeping without being enclosed in on all sides.
Buy safety rails for a new twin bed or a twin bed you already own. When purchasing a new twin bed, choose a type of bed that stands low to the floor such as a low-profile platform bed like the Young America by Stanley myHaven Twin Low Post Cottage Panel Bed or a captains bed. Captains beds are basically a platform bed on top of a set of drawers, but they tend to sit close to the ground, depending on the number of drawers included in the bed’s design.
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