Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System Baby Soother

There's so much more to preparing your home for a new baby than picking a color palette and painting the nursery. (But who can argue against starting there?) The truth is that every choice you make lays the groundwork for a lifetime of health and happiness, so it makes sense to invest some energy into creating a haven that's not just aesthetically pleasing but also reliably safe for your little one.

For Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of Wellness Within Your Walls, that means interiors free of harmful chemicals and toxins that could compromise a child's ability to thrive.

"The best that you can do as a consumer is ask the right questions, insist on transparency from manufacturers, and be willing to walk away from a brand if it does not meet your family's health criteria," says Cooke. "Being aware of 'health-washing' tactics is part of adopting a healthy behavioral strategy."

The good news is that every little bit counts. Even something as simple as taking off your shoes before you enter your home can help minimize tracking harmful pesticides, pollen, fungi, and bacteria into your child's environment; staying on top of animal dander can improve air quality. Here, Cooke shares six tips on what to avoid when creating a safe nursery space for your newborn.

Courtesy of David Tsay for Emily Henderson Designs

You're using the wrong flooring.

At first, it might be a no brainer to use standard wall-to-wall carpeting—it's like a cocoon for your just-born little one. But you'll want to do your homework. There is a wealth of literature on the damaging effects of synthetic floor coverings. "Carpets can contain some of the nastiest toxic chemicals on the market, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, perchlorethylene, and PFOA," says Cooke, noting that potential side effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation and a decrease in red blood cells that could result in anemia or compromised bone marrow; there's also a link to leukemia. Also, be aware of hardwood floors that are glued down or finished with toxic stains—they can also negatively contribute to a newborn's health. Cooke suggests shopping for no-VOC finishes or opting for 100% wool rugs and untreated carpets. Luckily, many manufacturers offer these options, just ask!

You're pushing around dust bunnies—and worse.

It's hard to keep your home dust-free when your venting system is pumping in impurities 24/7. Before bringing your baby home, Cooke recommends testing to ensure that your heating, venting, and cooling systems are working properly, and doing a deep cleaning of all vents and ducts. If you'd like to skip the costly professional job and do this yourself, just lift registers to vacuum up everything from dust to pet hair, then wipe down with a clean, damp microfiber cloth (a chemical-free household cleanser can help remove stubborn dirt). Be sure to change your HVAC filters afterward, or you'll just undo all of your hard work, and consider including an air-quality expert as part of your home-maintenance team.

If you live in an older building, abating mold in your home well before bringing your newborn home should be a priority. Consider what mold abatement entails first, as the off-gassing chemicals involved can be harmful.

Courtesy of Lark & Linen

You're going overboard with scents.

Many air fresheners you find in the supermarket aisle do more harm than good—many contain toluene, which is known to cause nerve damage—so you should never use them in your infant's nursery, Cooke says. The same is true of scented candles, which recent studies have shown may emit carcinogens that are concentrated when burned in confined spaces. If you want to perfume your child's space, try using a plant like lavender, which can absorb excess formaldehyde in the air while naturally scenting the room. And, whenever possible, use nontoxic cleaning supplies, which don't give off noxious fumes.

You're decorating too late.

Most people paint and put together the nursery a week or two before the baby arrives, but according to Cooke, you should prepare much sooner. New paint and furnishings can off-gas for weeks. As an alternative, choose no-VOC paints, primers, and stains, and off-gas all new furniture in a garage or storage area before introducing it into your newborn's space.

Courtesy of Ryan Liebe for Emily Henderson Designs

You're missing the sleep connection.

Newborns sleep 12-14 hours a day, making the crib the most important element of the nursery. "Having nontoxic, natural, organic textiles, mattresses, pads, and sheets helps keep your baby safe," says Cooke. "Mattresses that feature organic-cotton fabric and filling and that avoid the use of latex and other chemicals are a healthier, nontoxic option." She recommends Naturepedic's patented waterproof mattresses because they pass all federal and state flammability standards without the use of any fire-retardant chemicals or flame-retardant barriers, and they use certified organic components that meet the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Once you have chosen the right mattress and bedding, it's important to wash all textiles in hypoallergenic detergents.

You're stuck in the dark.

"An abundance of natural light is good for all humans, not just newborns," says Cooke. Not only is it full of vitamin D, which is known to aid in the battle against cancer, but light can also affect a child's mood. According to Cooke, poor light has been shown to inhibit neurotransmitters in the brains of newborns. And consider using a neutral hue on walls and ceilings, which can help reduce overstimulation in babies.

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Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System Baby Soother

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/kids-pets/a25610234/nursery-decorating-mistakes/

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