Green Your Home for Baby

A new baby brings joy and excitement—and, sure, plenty of sleepless nights and dirty diapers and worrying about your baby. Most parents go to great lengths to baby-proof their homes, but many often overlook some key environmental hazards.

Babies and young children are particularly susceptible to environmental toxicity because their immune systems haven't fully matured and also because their growing bodies are still undergoing cellular development—which means toxins have the potential to change the way their cells work.

Since August is Baby Safety Month, we thought there's no time like the present to offer up a few pointers on making your home safe and healthy for your new bundle of joy.

Bottled BPA

Over the past few years there has been a lot said about the potential risks of bisphenol-A, or BPA. BPA is a chemical used in plastics and it mimics estrogen. The problem? Too much estrogen may have an impact on the development of some cancers 

Though Canada, France and Denmark have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles, the U.S. still allows it. And BPA is also found in the lining of many cans-including cans of baby formula-and plastic-lined lids on jars. The best advice for parents who want to avoid BPA is to specifically look for BPA-free plastic baby bottles, or simply stick to glass bottles. As for lining of containers, there's a simple solution: make food for your toddler from scratch. Not only are there health benefits, such as increased nutrition, but you'll save money, too.

Toxic Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, and yet it's still used in lumber and a lengthy list of materials and furniture in homes. In addition to being a known carcinogen, short-term exposure can also affect breathing, which can be dangerous for babies.

Since formaldehyde is present in so many products—including pressed-wood cabinets and furniture, wood panels, plastic surfaces, paints and varnishes, carpets, and drapes or curtains—it's a good idea to seek out formaldehyde-free furniture and materials for your baby's nursery. It will cost you more, but you'll be reducing the toxic load in the nursery, providing a healthier environment for your child.

Baby's Chemical Mattress

Mattresses in cribs can be the source of a host of problems for your baby. Most baby mattresses are treated with a flame retardant, which sounds like a good thing on the surface, but is really quite toxic. The toxins in flame retardants off-gas over a period of time, exposing your child to harmful chemicals. Other problems with traditional mattresses include mold, bacteria and dust mites, none of which foster a healthy environment.

There are options out there, but, like anything that's considered an advancement, you'll pay for it. Nook's Pebble Mattress has a pebble-like raised surface that promotes air flow, which helps your baby sleep better and longer (a win for exhausted parents!). The mattress core is made of natural latex, which prevents dust mites from settling in, the cover is made from organic cotton and eucalyptus that has been infused with zinc, a natural anti-microbial agent, and a layer of organic wool is used instead of fire retardants. The final verdict: it's pricey, but worth the investment.

While it's true that choosing eco-friendly products is going to cost you more money, the health benefits are worth every penny. Of course, we can't all afford to splurge on every item, but these three suggestions are a good start.