Creating a baby nursery or bedroom space for your family’s newest addition can be a really fun and exciting time. But it can also be really overwhelming to think about the amount of decisions you’ll be making in creating this room. Sometimes we tend to overcomplicate things and make decisions more difficult than they need to be. Also, that baby registry makes decisions even MORE overwhelming. And what’s more is that we definitely live in a culture where we overbuy from the get go.
The good news is we really don’t need all the things we might THINK we need when it comes to a nursery. They can be as simple as you are willing to go. For me personally, I had SO many items and conveniences I THOUGHT I needed for my daughters, when in actuality, I really didn’t need all that much. By the time the third baby nursery came along, I paired down A LOT of items and went with the basic necessities. It was still cute. It was still cozy. But it was also free from way more toxins than the other nurseries I had created.
It’s completely fine to start with the basics and add more as you find out what you need. And it’s also okay to disregard that exhaustive list “needs” that any baby store will tell you must be added to your registry. (I learned that one the hard way and ended up returning or giving away so many unused items we thought we needed had originally put on our baby registry).
One of the best tips I can give is to really plan out what you think you will need for your nursery. By writing it out and being intentional with it, you’ll be less likely to ask/purchase items you “might” need and instead ask for or purchase only what you truly want. And it’ll make your baby registry a cinch to complete.
This has been my solution to many areas of my home. If I don’t have an item on a list of planned out things to purchase for a space, I just don’t get it. It has helped me purchase only what we need and stay on a budget at the same time.
Creating a baby nursery with fewer things is the first step to creating a healthy space. However, there are things you’ll likely want or need, and making sure they’re as healthy as possible is key.
You’re in the right place as I’m about to share my TOP picks for a toxin free baby nursery and baby registry:
FURNITURE
Furniture is one of the largest purchases you will likely make for your nursery. There are many brands that are focusing on low VOC paints and finishes as well as using solid wood rather than manufactured woods. These are great changes that will positively impact the room your baby will sleep in.
There are a few things to look for when it comes to furniture that will help you choose something healthy and safe:
- LOW or NO VOC Finishes (paint, stain or lacquer)
- Solid Wood (particle board, medium density fiberboard and plywood all use glues that contain formaldehyde)
- Upholstered furniture with organic or pure latex foam
When you receive your furniture, allow the furniture to off gas for 24-48 hours in your garage or outside in order to let the VOCS and other solvents off gas for a period of time before bringing them indoors.
If you’re interested in buying second hand furniture or refinishing second hand furniture, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking the appropriate precautions.
I go into depth about this in my Healthy Nursery Happy Baby online workshop with a downloadable guide and worksheet. Essentially, you’ll want to make sure what you’re purchasing is solid wood and from a smoke-free home. Once you have it in your possession, you will still want to let it air out before bringing it in.
Another option to make shopping easier is to look for a third party certification. GreenGuard and GOTS are great certifications to look for when it comes to furniture.
These brands are known for being certified organic when it comes to furniture:
RUGS
Rugs by Roo: As I’ve been on my own healthy house journey, I have learned so much and I’ve come to appreciate businesses that are owned and run with our health and our world’s health in mind. Rugs by Roo is just that type of company, which is why I absolutely adore them.
Not only are their rugs toxin free, but they’re also practical. Sandy Wong, the owner of Rugs by Roo is a mom and knows how important functional rugs are. She’s made it easy for us all to find washable, toxin free rugs for our home and kids spaces.
And can we just talk about her social mission for a minute? She works with suppliers who have strong commitments to supporting the local communities where these rugs are made. They offer programs to help equip women with skills to earn a living and support their families. Each of these rugs is handmade by artisans.
MATTRESSES
As many lucky parents will tell you, babies sleep a lot. They sleep more than they are awake for most of the first three years of their life. With this being the case, they’re spending an enormous amount of time on their mattress. In fact, the majority of their life may be spent on a mattress of some kind those first few years.
This is why it’s incredibly important to choose a mattress that is free from flame retardants, VOCs, formaldehyde, synthetic latex and springs.
All of these components can be harmful to the health of our bodies as well as the health of our babies’ bodies. Chemical flame retardants have been known to cause problems to the endocrine system in adults and kids. It also has a very long lifespan and is absorbed into the system relatively quickly.
Our bodies can become quite burdened by this chemical as it takes a long period or time to exit the body. But due to the fact that it’s a product we use for a long period of time every day, our bodies are never getting a chance to recover.
Finding an organic mattress for your crib that is certified by a third party is key when it comes to ensuring your baby is sleeping on a safe and healthy material. Don’t forget to check the mattress for your bassinet or cradle too.
Here are some great options when it comes to your baby’s crib mattress:
- Avocado Mattress: Free from petroleum based foams, waterproofing, flame retardants and formaldehyde. Greenguard Gold Certified and GOTS certified.
- Naturepedic Mattress: No flame retardants, latex, polyurethane foam, soy, vinyl/PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, GOTS Certified and Greenguard Gold Certified.
- MyGreenMattress: GOTS Certified and GOLS Certified for natural latex. No chemical flame retardants, polyurethane foams or other toxins.
- Mattress Protector: Avocado Organic Crib Mattress Protector
PAINT AND TEXTILES
If you’ll be painting your baby’s room, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for the paint to dry and completely off gas before your baby will be in the room.
One thing to remember is that the lighter the paint color, the fewer VOCs the paint will contain. Opting for a light color can ensure that your baby’s room will have the fewest amount of VOCs present.
You’ll also want to search for a brand that is completely safe and completely toxin free. There are some really great, natural options you can choose from that contain virtually no traces of chemicals or toxins.
If you’ll be adding drapes, rugs or other textiles like decorative pillows or blankets, you’ll also want to check their contents and certifications. Looking for items that are certified organic and certified to be made with natural materials is best.
These items are all known to contain flame retardants, formaldehyde and perfluorochemicals. Often times these components are embedded within the fibers and never really leave the product.
Paint:
Farrow and Ball: One of the reasons I love Farrow and Ball is because it’s tested within the UE, which has much higher standards than the US in terms of chemicals and toxins. It is a No-VOC paint with a water base which allows it to dry quickly. You can order their paint and samples online.
ECOS Paint: This paint is zero VOC and is certified by the Declare Label, which is a third party certification that verifies ingredients. ECOS Paints has also chosen not to use other chemicals that are not regulated as VOCs. Their pigments are also VOC free, which makes this an easy choice for paint. You can order paint and samples online.
AFM SafeCoat: One thing I love about AFM SafeCoat is their transparency. They have data and spec sheets available on all of their products. Their paint is true zero VOC and they list out each of their ingredients on their website. Their paint is water based and contains no toxic chemicals. The best place to order AFM SafeCoat is at the Green Design Center website.
Healthy Paint Co. (Formerly Anna Sova): The unique thing about this paint is that it’s made with 94% food ingredients. Things like food grade bamboo, food emulsifiers, and milk casein. They also have pigments that are imported from Germany, which contain no VOCs and are APE free. This paint is a no VOC paint and you can order paint and samples online.
BlackOut Shades:
THINGS TO ADD TO YOUR BABY REGISTRY
STROLLER
- UppaBaby Strollers: Free from BPA, phthalates, lead, latex, flame retardants and formaldehyde.
- Bumbleride Strollers: Free from flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, PFOAS and polyurethane foam). Their fabric is actually Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified and you can also get an organic cotton infant insert or organic cotton seat liner if you want.
- Nuna Strollers: These strollers are actually Greenguard Gold Certified for low chemical emissions and they meet the more strict EU standards. Their fabric is natural and certified organic wherever they can use it.
Stokke Strollers: Is free from flame retardants, phthalates, PVC toxins, PFAS, BPA & BPS and formaldehyde. They actually use a waterproofing solution that is free from the typical toxins. Their fabrics are Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified and they use non toxic dyes and inks. They’re also tested to be lead safe.
CAR SEAT
- Nuna Car Seats: All car seats are free from flame retardants and PFOAs. All car seats also use a merino wool blend and are Greenguard Certified
- Clek in Mammoth (Twilight/Full Moon Fabrics): Make sure that you purchase the Twilight or Full Moon fabrics as they are made without flame retardants. The fabric is Oeko Tex Standard 100 Certified and made of merino wool.
- UPPAbaby in Henry or Jordan Fabrics: These two types of fabrics are made with merino wool and do not contain any PFAS or chemical flame retardants.
- Maxi Cosi in PureCosi: All PureCosi fabrics are flame retardant free and avoid many other toxic chemicals.
- Britax Advocate (Safewash): Make sure you purchase one that is with the SafeWash fabric as it is made without chemical flame retardants. This fabric is also free from heavy metals, phthalates and PFOAs.
CHANGING TABLE PAD
- Naturepedic Changing Pad: Free from latex, soy, GMSs, PVC toxins, phthalates, PFCs, flame retardants and Polyurethane foam.
- Keekaroo Changing Pad: JPMA 2.0 certified , Latex-Free , PVC-Free , BPA-Free , Phthalate-Free , Formamide-Free, Non-Toxic
HIGH CHAIR & BOOSTER SEATS
- Stokke: Because they are manufactured in Europe, the standards for these high chairs are SO much higher. The tray is free from BPA and phthalates and the wood high chair is finished with water based, low toxin paint.
- Keekaroo: The wooden high chair is finished with a low-VOC, plant based lacquer. Keekaroo also has a booster seat that is free from latex, PVC, BPA and phthalates.
- BabyBjorn: White they don’t offer a high chair any longer, they do carry a PVC free and BPA free booster seat as kids get older.
- Inglesina: Free from BPA, phthalates, lead, flame retardants and other toxins.
- Lalo: Compliant with California’s Prop 65 standards and free from BPA. The seat and tray are made from food safe plastic and the legs are FSC certified sustainable beech wood.
BOUNCERS
- BabyBjorn: All natural fabric is Oeko Tex 100 Standard certified and free from harsh chemicals.
- Little Dove Baby Rocker: A toxin free wooden frame with a natural cotton cushion
- Bloom Coco Lounger: Free from lead, BPA, phthalates, PVC toxins, formaldehyde and flame retardants. The fabric on this is an organic cotton canvas.
TRAVEL CRIBS AND PLAY YARDS
- Guava Lotus Travel Crib: Greenguard Gold certified for low VOCs, lead free, phthalate free, PVC free and heavy metal free. Full height mesh guarantees breathable airflow.
- Nuna Sena Aire Play Yard: GOTS certified, organic inserts. And all fabric in the LEAF series is Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified. All materials in this play yard abide by the European REACH and EN71 standards for health and safety.
NEWBORN AND BABY CARRIERS
- Organic Boba Wrap: GOTS Certified organic Cotton
- Organic Baby K’Tan: GOTS Certified organic cotton
- Baby Bjorn Mini Carrier: All fabric is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified and does not contain AZO dyes, cadmium, lead, phthalates or formaldehyde.
- Lillie Baby Complete Organic Baby Carrier: Made with organic cotton that is tested for heavy metals, phthalates and formaldehyde.
- Beco Gemini Organic Baby Carrier: 100% GOTS Certified organic cotton outer layer
BABY BATHTUB
- Puj Flyte Infant Tub: Made for newborns up to 3 months, this is free from BPA, phthalates and PVC toxins.
- Boon Naked BathTub: BPA free, phthalate free and PVC free.
- Stokke Flexi Bath: Free from phthalates, formaldehyde and BPA.
- Hevea Bath Mat in a Regular Tub: Made from 100% non toxic natural rubber.
BOTTLES & MILK STORAGE
Opt for glass or stainless steel wherever you can. Philips Avent and Dr. Brown’s were our favorites. You can also use platinum silicone so long as it won’t be heated up.
BLANKETS, SHEETS AND SLEEP SACKS
Just as mattresses make a difference to the health of your nursery environment, so do the blankets, sheets and swaddle cloths your baby will be surrounded by.
Fabrics that you purchase can have chemicals and toxins embedded directly into the fibers of the fabric. These chemicals are intended to make the product more stain resistant or make it resistant to wrinkles and wear.
We now know that these chemicals, while they may seem like a good addition, are quite toxic to our babies bodies. Again, we should remember that our babies fragile skin is being surrounded by this product for long periods of time.
An easy way to make sure we’re making a healthy choice is to look for a third party certification. Another way is to make sure the fabric is either 100% cotton or 100% linen. Synthetic fabrics can have compounds of dyes and plastics that are not healthy or good for our baby’s environment.
These are my top picks for organic sheets, swaddle blankets and sleeping blankets:
- Crib Sheets: Burt’s Bees Organic Cotton Sheets
- Crib Sheets: Honest Company Organic Sheets
- Swaddle Blankets: Burt’s Bees Organic Muslin
- Swaddle Blanket: Pondering Pine
- Velcro Swaddles & Pods: Happiest Baby Sleepea
- Velcro Swaddles & Pods: Cambria Baby Adjustable Swaddle
- Velcro Swaddles & Pods: Halo Organic SleepSack & Swaddle
- Pajamas: 02Baby
- Pajamas: Burt’s Bees
- Baby Blanket: BabyMoon Organics Handmade on Etsy
- Baby Blanket: Cherubs Blanket Handmade on Etsy
MEALTIME
Food Containers:
- WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Containers
- WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray with Clip-on Lid
- Babymoov Glass Food Storage Containers | Leak Proof Stackable & Reusable Glass Jars
Bibs:
- Touched by Nature Baby Organic Cotton Bibs
- Otterlove Silicone Bib – 100% Pure Platinum LFGB Baby Bibs
Toddler Cups:
- Otterlove Natural Grip Silicone Baby/Toddler Cup – 100% Platinum Pure LFGB Silicone
- Elk and Friends Glass Mason jars with Silicone Sleeves & Straws with Stoppers
- Stainless Steel Cups for Kids and Toddlers 8 oz – Stainless Steel Sippy Cups
- Non-Toxic Plant-Based Sippy Cup Without BPA, BPS, Bpf
- Sippy Cup Lids – 100% BPA Free Leak Proof Silicone
Plates:
- Avanchy Bamboo Suction Toddler Plate & Spoon
- Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish, Suction Plate
- Stainless Steel Silicone Suction Plate with Dividers by Avanchy
- Eco Safe and Friendly natural wheat straw food-safe premium plates
Utensils
BABY MONITORS & NIGHT LIGHTS
Let’s talk electronics. The EMF waves that are produced by a baby monitor are similar to that of a telephone. These waves can be disruptive to sleep patterns and create sleep disturbances in small babies and children.
With this in mind, it can be best to purchase a baby monitor that is analog, as opposed to digital. Now days this can be difficult to find, but there are ways to reduce the exposure to EMF radiation with other techniques:
- Use a monitor that only turns on when sound is detected (AngelCare is a great option for this)
- Use a monitor that is hardwired such as a D-Link Monitor
- Make sure you monitor is as far away from the crib as possible (while still being able to use the monitor properly).
EMF waves drop off rather quickly and so being a safe distance from these electronics can be a really safe option for your room.
While a totally toxin free space for your sweet baby is probably your goal, don’t forget that there will be some toxins that your baby comes in contact with — and that it will be okay. By paying attention to their room and items from the get-go, you’ll be a step ahead. And you’ll be giving your baby the best start possible.
Do you have any recommendations for picture frames?? Seems so basic but I feel like all I can find are made of MDF or plastic.
Your best bet might be to buy locally or on Etsy to find a solid wood picture frame — craft fairs might be a good place to find it too!?