An important part of the pregnancy is preparing the baby’s room. We spend a lot of time thinking about colors, patterns, and furniture. But safety should be our number one priority. By creating an eco-friendly nursery, you’ll be giving your child the best possible start at life. Here are some tips.
1. Opt for eco-friendly furniture – Formaldehyde is a dangerous toxin that can affect your child’s development. Avoid cribs, changing tables, dressers, rocking chairs and shelves with made laminated wood, fiberboard, particle board, and pressed wood. The glue in these products can emit formaldehyde. Furthermore, make sure all paint products are low- or no-VOC; consider buying unpainted furniture and painting it yourself so you can be sure. You definitely want to make sure the crib is safe since your child will spend a lot of time there.
2. Use natural, eco-friendly cleaning products – Traditional cleaning products can come with a plethora of dangerous chemicals that we don’t want near our skin. Fortunately, there are many organic and natural products available today. Be sure to check all the labels and use products especially designed for babies’ delicate skin. When it doubt, just use vinegar.
3. Use safe feeding products – During the first months of your child’s life, all they will do is eat and sleep. Avoid the harmful toxins in plastic by opting for glass. Glass is safe and easy to use. Our hybrid bottle with an exterior plastic sheath protects against breakage.
4. Use baby-safe bedding and mattress – Like I said, your kid will be spending a lot of time in the crib, so that spot has to be as safe as possible. Your bedding should be 100% organic. The fabrics should be made with natural dyes and organic fibers, like organic cotton or bamboo.
5. Paint the walls properly – If you’ll be painting the nursery for your new baby, be warned that paint (even low-VOC) can emit toxins for some time. If the current color is acceptable, stick with it. After painting, leave the windows and door open for a few days to let the room air out. The room needs to sit for at least a week before you can move baby in. Make sure the crib is outside the room during this sitting period.
6. Choose safe flooring options – Like furniture, many types of flooring are made with chemicals, especially formaldehyde. Choose natural woods made from eco-friendly methods, like bamboo, cork, and carpet made from organic fibers. Area rugs made from natural fibers such as jute, sisal, sea-grass, coir, and hemp, have become very popular. If you have to use conventional carpet, ask the retailer to leave it unrolled in a warehouse for at least a week to air out.
Written by Christine Barlow, Inventor of 5 Phases Eco-Friendly Baby Bottle System
Mom Christine Barlow is the inventor of 5 Phases eco-friendly and non-toxic baby bottles, the safest and healthiest way to bottle feed your baby. Her inspiration in creating an alternative to traditional feeding bottles came after the birth of her 1lb 7oz micro-preemie baby. Having a compromised child, she became aware how environmental factors were affecting our children. With all the concerns of plastics and infants being the most vulnerable, she felt there was a need for more options for parents who wanted to use glass. She knew she had to act – and the 5 Phases Hybrid Glass Baby Bottles were born.
5 Phases is dedicated to helping families achieve a healthier and organic lifestyle. Starting with baby, they develop products keeping both the environment and health of your family in mind. And when it comes to your baby nothing else will do – Christine knows, she’s a mom too!
For more information on 5 Phases, visit www.5phases.com!
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