5 ways to create an eco-friendly nursery

1. Use ‘baby safe’ eco paints

Regular paint (even water based) contains volatile organic compounds, chemicals and fungicides – hardly ideal with a baby in the house. Instead, think about switching to eco paints which are made with natural ingredients. Some eco paints are greener than others, so do some research to find the most sustainable, child-safe paints before you buy. Luckily, there’s no compromise on quality as eco paints come in a variety of colours and are considered just as durable as conventional paint. Win win.

2. Furnish with love

When choosing furniture for your nursery, look for solid wood. Veneers and laminates are likely to contain a number of harmful chemicals that may be released over time. Reuse and recycle are important core messages of eco living, so consider using second-hand furniture in the nursery. Your friends or family may have a chest of drawers you can have, or you might pick up a bargain at your local second-hand shop. Second-hand furniture can be sanded down and repainted (with eco paint) to make it look as good as new. Remember to wear protective gear when sanding and be sure any hand-me-down pieces meet today's safety standards.

3. Choose an organic mattress

When buying a mattress for your baby, choose organic. Your baby will spend up to 14 hours a day on the mattress, and non-organic ones may contain chemicals and toxins. Once you’ve selected an organic mattress, it makes sense to use organic bedding too. With a little shopping around, you should be able to find organic bedding for around the same price as non-organic bedding, too.

4. Eco toys

You’ll probably want some toys to fill the nursery, but these don’t have to be the battery-powered plastic toys that seem to flood the market. These toys often have a relatively short life cycle and soon end up in landfill. By choosing wooden eco toys, you can give your baby toys that will last, without compromising on fun factor.

5. Keep it clean

Once you’ve spent time and money creating the perfect eco-bubble for your precious bundle, there’s no point coating it in harmful chemicals in the name of cleaning. Track down some organic cleaning products to use in the nursery, not only are these better for the environment but they will protect your child from coming into contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

No one is expecting you to do it all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a few eco purchases. Every eco decision, no matter how small, will have a positive impact on your family’s carbon footprint and, ultimately, the planet.

Written by Philips Avent in collaboration with scientists and perinatal psychologists