Being a 'green' parent can indicate that you're doing your part to help conserve our natural resources, but more importantly it means that you are safeguarding your child from poisons that could hurt them. Below are great tips to become a green parent.
As adults we process chemicals, but little ones have a hard time processing them. Our homes are filled with harmful toxins that while not unsafe to us, but are often very harmful to babies. Below are a few ways to help get ready for your baby-to-be and be a green parent.
It is so much fun to ready the nursery for baby's arrival. This is actually the first place you can start to make your home green and safe for baby. So why don't we discuss the four walls, you desire to paint them just the best shade. But just be sure you select a low or zero VOC paint. The average paint contains high levels of volatile organic compounds. When this kind of paint is exposed to the sunlight it could actually create smog. Low VOC paints are readily available and will go a long way to safeguard your new born's lungs.
There are many things you should consider when considering furniture for the baby's room. Recycling is a wonderful thing for the earth, and lots of parents want vintage furniture for the baby's room. First make sure that you look into the safety of vintage pieces. Check out consumer web-sites for any recalls. You will also want to make sure that you get rid of all paint from the pieces. This is important because of lead paint that had been banned in 1977. Even if the piece is newer, you cannot be sure if some repainted it and with what type of paint. You should also be mindful of furniture produced from medium density fiberboard because it off-gasses formaldehyde that may cause asthma.
Any time something is tagged organic this indicates it is manufactured out of materials that are toxin free. This is why you want to buy an organic crib mattress; it won't have the chemicals. Much like anything be sure you research the product. Some crib mattresses contain organic material inside, but nonetheless have vinyl on the exterior, defeating the point. If you're purchasing a non-organic mattress, make sure you give it a good amount of time to air out before the baby is born. Do not air it out in the nursery; you may wish to but in a room with an open window.
Infants have very delicate skin, which is why cloth diapers work best for them. Not only do disposable diapers fill landfills, in addition they off-gas. The 100% biodegradable inserts are ideal for dealing with the messes inside cloth diapers.
You work very hard to keep your infant's environment thoroughly clean, but which kind of cleaners are you using. Many of today's cleaners contain VOC, which as mentioned before are hard for your newborn to process and may cause asthma. There are lots of organic cleaners available on the market that will be safer for your baby. Do this after you've cleaned something. Go walking outside, then when you come back in do you smell chemicals; in that case consider switching to safer cleaners.
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