Creating an Eco-Nursery: Find Lots of Treasures in Little Time

Frame construction. Courtesy of erikorganic.

Babies are the most beautiful and precious gift that any home can receive. We want both what is most beautiful and healthy for them.

This posting is for everyone that is either expecting a baby or would like to be at some point in the future. I’m in the latter group. Exploring the online world of organic and natural baby nursery furniture and bedding was definitely a challenge.

Most online outlets had just one or two cribs, as well as a few mattress and bedding selections. After some scouring, I did find three sites that are worth looking at for either their large selections of solid wood furniture or their organic bedding items.

It’s becoming my experience as a New Yorkers trying to live a more sustainable and healthier lifestyle that I have to look online if I want a large selection of natural or organic furnishings.

The three online eco-furnishing retailers that I found are:

• erikorganic- a provider of American-made solid wood furniture and organic mattresses. The company has a large selection of cribs, with some changing tables, and a bassinet.
• TheCleanBedroom- a provider of American-made solid wood furniture and multiple styles of natural or organic mattresses and bedding. The company has a large selection of cribs, but no changing tables or bassinets.
• organicbabyworld- a provider of multiple styles of natural or organic mattresses, beddings, blankets, and other material necessities. Their only crib is an Arts and Crafts style solid maple.

Classic baby crib. Courtesy of erikorganic.

erikorganic caught my attention because it has the largest selection of solid wood cribs. I like their classic styles and that they can be ordered with conversion kits to transform the cribs into kids daybeds and later full-sized beds. These cribs are expensive, so I like the idea of being able to get as much use out of them as possible. The changing tables also can be converted into regular dressers as the children grow older.

“Trudy” organic hemp crib. Courtesy of TheCleanBedroom.

TheCleanBedroom also has a large selection of cribs with a definitely more clean line modern look to them. The crib that stood out for me was their ‘Amish-made “Trudy” Organic Hemp Crib.’ It comes in three colors (red, blue, and hot pink), has three draws on the bottom, and converts into toddler bed. I love multifunction!

TheCleanBedroom cribs aren’t cheap either, but what I like about theirs and any solid wood furniture is that they contain less chemicals than those made from combinations of pressboard and plywood with exterior solid wood finishes. The most common chemical found in artificial wood furniture is formaldehyde, which is contained in the glue.

Formaldehyde has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Formaldehyde is also found in carpentry such as cabinets, as well as materials such as permanent press fabrics, draperies, and mattress ticking (the outside fabric used to cover your mattress).

In addition, besides being a probable carcinogen, formaldehyde is also what’s known as a volatile organic compound, which at room temperature can be emitted as a gas. Symptoms of irritation from VOCs include headaches, nausea, and allergic skin reactions.

Natural latex mattress.Courtesy of organicbabyworld.

Chemical sensitivities are another reason that I like these organic furniture and bedding outlets. All of the outlets have organic cotton and wool mattresses. In addition, TheCleanBedroom and organicbabyworld both also have organic mattresses containing natural latex, which is a sap-like fluid that comes from various types of shrubs and trees.

Natural latex (a rubber) is considered to be hypoallergenic and contain antibacterial properties which repel dust mites. Some individuals can have allergic reaction to the proteins in latex. Common allergy symptoms include:

• Itchy, red, watery eyes.
• Sneezing or runny nose.
• Coughing.
• Rash or hives.
• Chest tightness.
• Shortness of breath.

Babies sensitivities to allergens is also why I like organicbabyworld, which also has organic blankets, baby clothes, and other necessities.

Overall, the one things that I learned in all this exploration is that it’s nearly impossible for anyone to do a one-stop-shopping of nursery room items if they are going the complete natural and organic route.

Related Reading:

• What’s In Your Home Environment Can Be Making You Sick- Formaldehyde

Reader commentary and input are always welcomed!