Heads up, friends! Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no cost to you. But don’t worry, we promise to only promote products that we truly believe in and think you’ll love too.
Expecting a baby? First of all, congratulations! You probably have a million things running through your head that you need to do to prepare for your little one’s big arrival. Perhaps one of those items on your to-do list is creating a nursery out of healthy, non-toxic items for your baby.
One thing you don’t want to compromise on is the safety of the products you’ll use to care for your newborn. You may have read about the importance of avoiding things like BPA in plastic baby bottles and toys. However, building a truly eco-friendly space goes far beyond that, and it takes some time and research to figure out.
When shopping for baby products, we believe in the importance of finding things like cribs, sheets, clothes, toys and bottles that are not only good for your baby’s health, but also for the environment. But don’t worry — we’ve got your back! We’re here to share our knowledge and experience about building an eco-friendly nursery that prioritizes organic and non-toxic materials that will keep your baby safe.
From non-toxic cribs to organic nursing pillows, you can use this guide to work towards creating an eco-friendly nursery that also covers all the essential items you’ll need to create a healthy and sustainable environment for your new baby.
We’ll also provide tips on finding eco-friendly toys and organic clothes that will keep your baby safe and happy without harming Mother Earth.
Why Should a Nursery Be Eco-Friendly?
Here are some of the main reasons for creating an eco-friendly nursery in preparation for your little one’s arrival:
It creates a healthier indoor environment
Choosing organic and eco-friendly products helps create a healthier indoor environment. Babies spend a lot of time in their nurseries, and it’s important to ensure that the air they breathe is as clean and healthy as possible.
Using non-toxic materials and avoiding harmful chemicals like VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in some paints and furniture reduces the risk of respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems.
It reduces your carbon footprint
By choosing sustainable and eco-friendly products that do not pollute the earth or destroy our natural resources, together we can significantly reduce the impact of our consumer choices on the environment.
This includes everything from the materials used in furniture and bedding to the energy efficiency of lighting and appliances.
What Kind of Materials Should You Avoid in Your Nursery?
When creating an organic, eco-friendly nursery or home, it’s important to avoid products that contain harmful chemicals, synthetic materials, or that are not sustainably sourced. Here are some things to avoid:
- Conventional cleaning products: Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Instead, choose natural and non-toxic cleaning solutions like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
- Synthetic fabrics: Fabrics made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can release micro-plastics into the environment and are not biodegradable. Instead, opt for organic cotton, bamboo, or linen for bedding, clothing, and other textile products.
- Conventional paint: Many conventional paints contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to our health and the environment. Choose low-VOC or zero-VOC paint options when painting the nursery.
- Plastic products: Plastic is a major contributor to environmental pollution and can contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. Avoid plastic toys, bottles, and other products and instead choose eco-friendly alternatives made from natural materials like wood, silicone, glass, or stainless steel.
- Non-sustainable materials: Avoid materials that are not sustainably sourced or that contribute to deforestation, such as certain types of wood or paper products.
- Flame retardants: These toxic chemicals have been linked to a variety of health concerns, and children are especially vulnerable to them. Opt for a FR-free stroller and car seat when it comes time to shop for these essential products.
What Kinds of Materials Belong in an Eco-Friendly Nursery?
When looking for eco-friendly products for your nursery, there are several materials you can consider that are both safe for your baby and the environment. Here are a few materials that are worth considering adding to your baby’s room:
- Organic cotton: Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals, making it a safe and sustainable choice for bedding, clothing, and other textile products.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. It can be used for bedding, clothing, and other textile products.
- Wool: Wool is a naturally fire-resistant and hypoallergenic material that is often used for bedding, rugs, and other textile products. Look for wool products that are certified organic and sustainably sourced.
- Solid wood: Furniture made from solid wood, such as oak or maple, is durable, long-lasting, and can be sustainably sourced. Avoid furniture made from composite wood or particleboard, which may contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.
- Natural rubber: Natural rubber is a safe and sustainable material that can be used for mattresses, pillows, and other products. Look for products made from 100% natural latex rubber to avoid synthetic materials and additives.
- Non-toxic, low-VOC paint: When painting the nursery, look for non-toxic, low-VOC paint options that are safe for your baby and the environment.
11 Baby Essentials for Your Nursery
Let’s start with the basics. Your baby will need a place to sleep. Even if you start out co-sleeping, most parents at some point will transition their baby into a crib.
1. Cribs
With your baby’s crib, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting one that has very low or zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are chemicals that are commonly found in materials like paints and glues that are used in furniture production. Unfortunately, at high levels these chemicals can off-gas and release toxins that you don’t want your baby breathing in.
You also want to avoid furniture materials that contain formaldehyde, which can cause health problems like respiratory irritations. Another deal-breaker are flame retardant chemicals that used to be commonly used in furniture production, but have been linked to developmental delays and other serious health problems.
Finally, phthalates should be avoided at all costs. These are usually found in plastics (and in some crib mattresses and toys) to keep them more flexible; however, they have been shown to disrupt hormone function, so best to avoid whenever you can.
You should look for cribs made from natural materials such as solid wood, and avoid those with parts made from particleboard or MDF (medium-density fiberboard), which often contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.
What to look for in a non-toxic crib
- Natural and organic materials: Choose a crib made from natural materials such as solid wood. Solid wood non-toxic cribs are less likely to contain harmful chemicals and are more sustainable than synthetic materials.
- Low VOC emissions: Look for a crib that has low or zero VOC emissions. This means that the materials used in the crib have been tested and certified to release minimal amounts of harmful chemicals into the air.
- Water-based finishes: Choose a crib with a water-based finish, rather than a solvent-based finish, as these finishes are less likely to contain harmful chemicals.
- Non-toxic adhesives: Look for a crib that is held together with non-toxic adhesives. Some glues contain harmful levels of formaldehyde.
- Sustainable and eco-friendly: Consider the environmental impact of the crib materials. Look for materials that are sustainably sourced and eco-friendly.
- Safety standards: Don’t forget this one! Choose a crib that meets safety standards such as those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States. These standards ensure that the crib meets strict safety guidelines and is unlikely to pose a risk to your baby’s physical safety.
- Certifications: Look for a crib that has been certified by independent organizations such as Greenguard or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These certifications ensure that the crib materials have been tested and meet strict standards for safety and environmental impact.
Luckily, there are plenty of safe, non-toxic, solid wood cribs out there that emit very low or zero VOCs. Check out all of our favorites on our Guide to Eco-Friendly Cribs.
2. Crib Mattress
To go along with your crib, you’ll want to find a crib mattress that is non-toxic and, ideally, organic. Ideally the crib mattress is fee of polyurethane foam, vinyl/PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, and flame retardants. A standard crib size is 28” x 52”, and they are usually between 5 and 6 inches thick.
Here is my top favorite non-toxic crib mattresses, which I bought for my daughter and was very happy with:
Naturepedic Organic Crib Natural Mattress ($269)
I love Naturepedic, so much so that I bought one for my daughter’s crib when she was an infant. I later purchased Naturepedic’s twin size mattress for my son’s big kid bed. Naturepedic’s mattress is 100% GOTS and Greenguard certified for low chemical emissions. It is firmly supportive- which is important for safety with a newborn- and uses a natural waterproof coating made out of sugarcane rather than vinyl (sweet!).
I definitely recommend getting a separate waterproof crib mattress pad ($69) from Naturepedic for some extra wetness protection and to extend the life of your mattress. Like Naturepedic’s mattress, this pad is completely non-toxic and free of vinyl/PVC, phthalates, and synthetic latex. It works super well to keep your baby’s mattress dry!
Check out our guide to organic crib mattresses for more great options.
Now that your baby will have somewhere safe to sleep, let’s move on to the next important item to complete their non-toxic crib:
3. Crib Sheets
As with a lot of items on this eco-friendly nursery guide, I recommend getting some organic crib sheets for your baby’s sleeping surface. For the same reasons as the mattress pads, organic crib sheets that are certified as non-toxic by third parties such as GOTS are free of potentially toxic chemicals that you really don’t want her breathing in as she sleeps.
Our favorite brands for organic crib sheets that are fully GOTS certified and of very high quality are made by Naturepedic ($29), MakeMake Organics ($34), and Avocado ($49).
For more budget friendly organic sheets that are also made from GOTS certified organic cotton, look no further than Burt’s Bees ($15) and HonestBaby ($16).
We recommend getting 4-5 organic crib sheets to start off with. That way, you’re not doing laundry every day (therein saving water), and you have enough back-ups for those inevitable spit-up and diaper leaks to last you a few days.
Once your baby has a non-toxic crib, mattress, and sheets, let’s review some other items you’ll likely need to complete your eco-friendly nursery.
4. Dresser and Changing Table
The same rules as for cribs apply for choosing any other furniture that’s going into your baby’s new digs, including dressers and changing tables. We recommend considering a matching set to go with your non-toxic crib, as they are usually made of the same materials as their crib counterparts. If you’ve done your research and feel confident you can trust a company to make your crib, it makes good sense to go for matching nursery pieces so you don’t have to do twice (or thrice) the amount of research.
For example, crib-maker Babyletto ($499) makes a matching dresser ($399) that does double duty as a changing table. Babyletto’s furniture is made of sustainable New Zealand pine, zero VOC paint, and is Greenguard Gold certified, so it meets strict standards for low chemical emissions.
Another great budget friendly and non-toxic option is the Kalani 4-in-1 crib and changer combo ($329 on sale). Find more details about the non-toxic Kalani crib (and other options) in our Guide to the Best Non-Toxic Cribs.
Similarly, the eco-friendly furniture company Dadada makes both dressers and “changing trays” that can go on top of the dresser, all of which match the cribs they make from the same style. (Note that you’ll still need a changing pad as a soft surface to go inside the changing tray if you go with this option).
The eco-friendly company Oeuf Sparrow, which makes a beautiful crib ($960) with hardwoods that emit zero VOCs, also makes a matching dresser ($1,695).
If you’re thinking about using eco-friendly diapers with your baby, we review the best options for both reusable cloth diapers and non-toxic disposables in our detailed guide.
5. Nursing Pillow
There are lots of nursing pillows out there to choose from, from the popular Boppy to the ergonomic (and hilariously named) My Brest Friend. Most of these are comfortable and substantially help prop your baby up while you’re nursing or bottle feeding her, easing back strain, neck strain, and—let’s face it—lots of other strains that you will get from hunching over to feed your baby.
However, for the eco-conscious parents out there, we recommend going with one of the lesser known, but higher quality nursing pillows that are fully organic inside and out. You can check out our guide to our favorite organic nursing pillows to get the full low-down on each of these brands, and to see why they’re a safer bet than the more well-known ones like the Boppy.
If you’re short on time, we highly recommend the Magnolia Organics Nursing Nest Pillow ($59), which is made entirely of GOTS certified organic cotton, as our best wallet-friendly pick for an organic nursing pillow. We also recommend the Blessed Nest organic nursing pillow ($98) and the Organic MoonWomb ($175) as the best organic pillows to spend a little more on. Both the Blessed Nest and the MoonWomb pillows are made with organic cotton pillow casings and stuffed with natural buckwheat hulls for firm, yet moldable support.
Once your baby has a safe crib to sleep in and an organic pillow to feed on, we can look ahead to other elements of the eco-friendly nursery’s design and function. First up: rugs!
6. Nursery Rugs
Rugs make a nursery cozier and more comfy, and they can really tie the design of a baby’s room together. however, rugs can be real tricky if you’re looking to go eco-friendly because many of them are sneakily finished with stain resistant chemicals and flame retardants that we now know to be “forever chemicals” (PFAS) that are badly polluting our planet. Rugs can even emit VOCs into the air or have pesticide residue left over in their materials if they weren’t made of organic ingredients.
For an eco-friendly and non-toxic rug for your nursery, we recommend looking for rugs made out of natural products like organic cotton, wool, jute and sisal that have not been treated with stain resistant or waterproofing chemicals that can off-gas into the air in your nursery or bedroom.
There are many options out there for non-toxic rugs, including a line from the popular Safavieh made of all natural products, and the gorgeous prints from the fully GOTS certified company Under the Nile. For more options and details, come visit our extensive guide to non-toxic nursery rugs.
7. Toys!
Now for the fun stuff! Toys are another category of baby must-haves you’ll want to shop (or register) for carefully because, let’s face it, babies and toddlers put EVERYTHING in their mouths. It’s how they explore the world, so of course you’ll want to make sure the part of the world they’re exploring with their mouths is non-toxic and harmless to their developing bodies.
When looking for non-toxic toys for your tot, we recommend generally staying away from plastic (except for one of our favorite companies, GreenToys, which recycles plastic and turns it into new toys that kids love. GreenToys is a possible exception to the “no plastic toys” rule because they ensure their toys do not contain phthalates, which are a no-go on our list in an eco-friendly home).
Exposure to phthalates has been linked to a range of health problems, including motor reflex issues, cognitive development, hormonal imbalances, and even reproductive system abnormalities.
Some of our favorite eco-friendly and non-toxic toy companies are GreenToys, Under the Nile, PlanToys, and Hape.
For the real low-down on the best non-toxic toys, eco-friendly bath toys, and organic stuffed animals, head on over to our detailed guides. We promise this will be the fun part!
8. Baby Bottles and Teethers
Just like with toys, it’s best to find baby bottle nipples and teethers (aka things that spend quite a lot of time in your baby’s mouth!) that are made of ingredients like food grade silicone and natural rubber. For the bottles themselves, we like to look for those made out of glass, food grade silicone, and stainless steel.
Glass bottles are some of the safest baby bottles because they are free of harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and PVC that can be found in plastic bottles. Silicone bottles are flexible, durable, and also free from harmful chemicals. Stainless steel bottles have also become a more popular alternative in recent years because they’re hard to break, easy to clean, and free from harmful toxins.
These safe bottle materials won’t leach toxins or chemicals as your baby sucks or chews on them, which can happen with plastic bottles and nipples (even the ones that are labeled as BPA free). There are a ton of options out there these days, so we’ve narrowed them down to the best non-toxic baby bottles and teethers we could find. There are also plenty of options for non-toxic sippy cups for when your baby outgrows their bottle phase.
If you’re short on time, our favorites are Life Factory (for glass bottles), Comotomo (for silicone), and Life Factory or Klean Kanteen (for stainless steel).
You may want to have a few different bottles at home if you plan on doing any bottle feeding, since babies can be on the picky side when it comes to nipples. You may want to try a few different styles to see which they will accept (especially if they get used to breastfeeding and Mom really needs a night out!).
9. Pacifiers
Another item to consider keeping non-toxic and entirely plastic free is your baby’s pacifier.
If you go the pacifier route, it’s worthwhile to get some natural rubber or 100% silicone ones rather than pacifiers with plastic components. This is for the same health reasons (avoiding the leaching that happens with plastic materials) that we recommend these non-toxic materials for teethers and baby bottle nipples. Check out our guide to the best non-toxic pacifiers to see our favorites!
10. Clothing
Similar to nursing pillows, we also recommend shopping for organic clothes, at least while your baby is very young. New babies’ skin is more delicate than that of older kids and adults, making it more sensitive and permeable to potential toxins. Luckily, there are lots of organic baby clothes brands out there now — and there seem to be more every year, as the demand from parents is growing for clothes that are not processed with concerning chemicals and toxins.
As a lot of people are looking for alternatives to fast fashion, many parents are now looking for more eco-friendly baby clothes brands. Some of our favorites are the GOTS certified organic Burt’s Bees Baby, Hanna Andersson, and Pact, but there are many other great brands work taking a look! Head on over to our guide to some of the best organic baby clothing brands to fit a range of budgets and styles.
We also have a guide to the best organic sleep sacks to keep your baby warm and comfortable while they sleep, along with these organic GOTS certified baby blankets to use in a stroller or during play time.
11. Non-toxic Lotions, Soaps, and Diaper Creams
The substances you clean and moisturize your little one with should be made of plant-derived, natural and organic ingredients that are ideally EWG verified to be as safe as possible for your baby’s delicate skin. If you’re ready to learn more or to stock up in preparation for your little one’s arrival, check out our guides to the safest and most effective non-toxic baby lotions, shampoos and body washes, wipes, and diaper creams.
12. Paint
Thinking about painting your nursery pink, or light blue, or a nice gender neutral color? Before you head to the nearest ACE hardware, make sure you know which paints are safest for your baby’s new digs.
Generally speaking, you will want to get paint with zero VOC’s for your baby room. These can be hard to find (so check out our guide to zero VOC paint!), but we’ve discovered a few over the years that are easy to use and safe around children and adults because they don’t emit any VOCs. Here is my top favorite paint with zero VOCs:
Clare
Clare is my all-time favorite paint to use, and I’ve used a lot of different paints! I’ve painted our playroom, dining room, and bathroom with Clare paint. These paints are super easy to use, as they glide onto the walls evenly and smoothly.
Clare paint is Greenguard certified and comes in a variety of gorgeous, timeless hues. Best of all, it doesn’t need any primer! Usually, a room looks fantastic after two coats of their paint.
I highly recommend going with Clare’s rollers, but I would buy your own name brand painter’s tape (I had issues with theirs sticking to my ceiling and taking some of the old paint with it).
Clare also has great customer service, and they’ll ship the paint and supplies you purchase right to your door. I have been super happy with the colors of our newly painted rooms, and I recommend them to everyone I know who’s thinking of starting a new painting project.
There are plenty of other paints out there – and even some you can go get at the hardware store today. But just make sure you look for that zero VOC label before you buy for your nursery. Happy painting!
Final thoughts on creating an eco-friendly nursery
We hope this guide helps you take some small steps towards creating an eco-friendly nursery for your new little one. Remember that your nursery and/or baby room and/or baby closet (lol) doesn’t have to be perfect! As parents, we are under enough pressure to do everything perfectly, and we certainly don’t want to add to that layer of stress that expecting moms and dads are under.
We encourage you instead to be thoughtful and to have fun choosing some eco-friendly brands when and where you are able to do so to supply the essentials to your baby’s nursery. Every step in the eco-friendly direction is a win, as far as we’re concerned.
You’re doing great! Keep up the good fight, and thank you for any steps you take towards protecting our beautiful planet.
