Organic Nursery Red Wing MN

By Jodi Helmer

Pick the right paint
Choose paint with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to protect your baby from breathing in these harmful chemicals, which are commonly found in regular paint. If you opt for a low-VOC paint, choose one with a VOC level of less than 10 mg per liter.

Know your flooring
Carpet backing is treated with flame-retardant chemicals, which end up in the dust particles in the room. Carpet also off-gasses carcinogens like xylene and benzene, which can trigger allergies and other respiratory problems. Opt for hardwood floors instead. If you do use carpeting, choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter to help keep exposure to dust mites and other allergens to a minimum. Also, use nontoxic cleansers so harmful residues don’t make their way into your baby’s lungs.

Find the safest furniture
Changing tables, dressers, and rocking chairs made from plywood, laminated wood, chipboard, or particleboard contain high levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen that causes headaches, respiratory irritation, and skin rashes in both adults and kids. Choose solid-wood furniture with no- or low-VOC paints and finishes, or buy unfinished furniture and coat it yourself with water-based sealers.

Avoid toxic toys
The iconic rubber ducky gets up to 50 percent of its weight from phthalates, chemicals linked to cancer and obesity. Phthalates are also known endocrine disrupters, which means they can interfere with the hormones that regulate masculinity and femininity. Many plastic toys contain heavy metals as well, so choose phthalate- and BPA-free plastic toys, or ones made from wood or organic cotton.

Buy BPA-free bottles
Plastic bottles, sippy cups, and plastic-lined formula cans contain bisphenol-A (BPA), which makes plastic clear and shatterproof. BPA has been linked to birth defects, cancer, abnormal genital development, and early onset of puberty. Glass bottles contain no harmful chemicals, making them the best option for your baby. If you prefer plastic, look for bottles that are labeled phthalate- and BPA-free, such as the Adiri Natural Nurser or BornFree brands.

Choose the right car seat
Car seats often contain heavy metals, formaldehyde, and chemicals like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that are known carcinogens and allergens. While some of these products are unavoidable—for example, a car seat that doesn’t contain PVC isn’t going to be safe—less-toxic alternatives do exist. Ecology Center, an environmental group in Michigan, tested 62 different infant car seats and two emerged as clear, toxin-free winners: the Graco SnugRide and the EvenFlo Discovery.

Select the best crib mattress
Until recently, all crib mattresses contained chemical-based fire retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in order to meet safety standards. Unfortunately, these materials can give off potentially harmful chemicals that at high levels can harm a child’s development. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued new standards s...

Author: Jodi Helmer

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