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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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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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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