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
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!
