Is there any more exciting time in your housekeeping journey than setting up a nursery for your first baby? When Hailey was born we could not afford new baby furniture so we found used furniture and cleaned and painted it. Folding all those tiny little clothes and putting them in the dresser was pure joy.
One thing I wasn’t aware of then was how many chemicals a baby is exposed to from birth. In order to protect our children we need to be aware of what they are exposed to regularly.
Baby furniture can contain formaldehyde. Crib mattresses give off many chemicals including alcohol and solvents. Don’t even get me started on the paint!
There are some things you can do to make your child’s nursery a healthier place. The first thing is to buy used furniture. After several years most of the chemical odors have dissappated. Of course, check to make sure the furniture is sturdy and safe.
Buy organic bedding if you can afford it or register for it on your baby registry. You don’t want your little one sleeping in a sea of chemicals.
Also, make sure the paint you buy is the healthiest you can find. There are many green certified paints available.
If you must buy new furniture, buy solid wood, not pressed wood or particle board. Solid wood doesn’t have the glues that emit chemicals like other types of furniture.
Be aware of other things in baby’s life. Plastics, cleaning supplies, and the like are not good for baby, avoid them whenever possible. When you spray cleaning supplies some of the mist stays in the air for you and baby to breath. Also, baby care products can contain ingredients that you don’t want on your baby’s skin.
No, it’s not possible to get rid of every chemical they are exposed to but simply reducing the amount will have health benefits.