If you’re like me and think eco-friendly baby products are costly, you’ll love this article on How to Create a Non-Toxic Nursery on a Budget!
How to Create a Non-Toxic Nursery on a Budget
If you love homemaking, and creating a safe and pure haven for you and your family, I’m sure you will feel the urge to tidy and make a comfortable nest. Just like other mammals who prepare to give birth, women are creatures of nature by design. It is an absolute honor and privilege to nest.
However, many greedy industry companies exploit this desire and instinct to make a profit. While this industry can be good, it mostly sells cheaply manufactured toxic products.
However, there are affordable ways to nest on a budget when looking for eco-friendly options.
How and Why to Detox Your Home
This is a page from my free EBook that I created to help guide you to Detox Your Home and most importantly why creating a non-toxic nursery is important for the health of your new baby.
While there is so much that goes into a non-toxic home, there is even more thought that goes into what my baby will be touching, and absorbing.
Child development is the motivating factor for many mothers who want to make these swaps. Many of these toxins and chemicals lead to severe development issues for babies and affect their health later on.
“Phthalates and their metabolites are biologically active once absorbed. Adult bodies can metabolize and eliminate some phthalates, but babies are less capable of doing this. Babies are also more vulnerable to the effects of phthalates, given their rapid growth and development.”
LeafScore
Non-Toxic Nursery on a Budget To-Do List:
1. Don’t overspend on clutter
While many parent magazines and articles will tell you exactly what you need to set up a nursery, most are unnecessary. Babies first and foremost need their mothers. The comfort, care, and love a mother provides are unparalleled. Of course, dads are required too!
Many children worldwide have gotten by without setting up their nursery before arrival. If you become a tired mother who is trying desperately to sleep-train their baby in a crib, you’ve been told the lie that babies must sleep away from you.
Co-sleeping is not only a primal instinct built into all mammals but is also more affordable. Just make sure to set up your bed for co-sleeping properly and safely. @thehappycosleeper has taught many women to not be afraid of co-sleeping.
For those who try co-sleeping and prefer it, cribs or bassinets, become expensive clutter. Do yourself a favor and try to find a used solid wood crib if needed first before investing in an out-of-budget crib or bassinet that might not be used for very long.
2. Find used or antique furniture that is in good shape
If you need non-toxic furniture, consider used or antique furniture. This dresser was $25 on FB Marketplace!
The quality of antique furniture is probably better than furniture made nowadays…depending on the era. Another benefit is that if there were any VOCs, they’ve off-gassed by now!
The only stipulation is they commonly used lead paints back then, so if it is painted wood, chances are it has some lead. I would search for used, solid wood pieces that are unfinished.
If you can score a good deal on a solid wood dresser that needs refurbishing, many non-toxic products can be used to spruce up an old dresser. Make sure to use Zero Voc paint for the finishing touches. This can save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Ask yourself, What do I need?
Do I need a changing table? Try to affix a non-toxic changing pad on a dresser to reduce clutter! Do I need a wipe warmer? If you get given one, try it out in the winter months, but try not to spend money on these things. I found this GreenGuard Gold Certified Changing table made from real wood and has no VOCs. It is ideal for storing the Terra diapers and esembly diapers that I will use for my baby.
Do I need a bookshelf? If you find a solid wood piece at a thrift store, score! However, floating bookshelves save space and money. Other than that, there are creative ways to store books.
4. Consider stages of development
Newborns and Infants have a few physical needs: diapers, clothes, food, warmth, and most importantly love. They won’t necessarily need fancy toys right away or much to entertain them.
Consider the development stages and base purchases from that vs trying to buy it all before they arrive. Once you notice they are more aware of the world, a few infant non-toxic toys are fun.
A cool site called Lovevery designs toys and play based on age and development. If these are not in your budget, try thrifting the items each kit comes with. I’ve seen these kits listed on FB Marketplace for less too, so be on the lookout!
How Necessary are Nurserys?
Everyone is different and has different needs. I know that my baby and I will be co-sleeping in our room. However, I still want to set up her own space for her clothes, books, and essentials like blankets, diapers, and a play space for when she gets older.
If you have the extra room, make the space for the new family member! Again, a nursery shouldn’t be overwhelming with loads of ‘things’ or accessories that might end up as clutter down the road. This means more money out of your pocket too.
Keeping things simple will help eliminate the chance of buying potentially toxic items that can either off-gas or leech plastic into your baby’s system.
Non-Toxic Products for a Budget-Friendly Nursery
Moving forward with creating a nursery? Then let’s look at a few non-toxic staples.
- Ikea has solid wood cribs for a great price
- This changing table mat and cover from Naturepedic are of great quality without any plastics or foam.
- I found this GreenGuard Gold Certified Changing table made from real wood and has no VOCs. It is ideal for storing the Terra diapers and esembly diapers that I will use for my baby.
- This picallo play mat is everything for when a baby starts having tummy time and exploring their surroundings.
- A wool cotton blend rug is a must for crawlers
- These applepark stuffed toys are amazingly made with ● GOTS-certified organic cotton ● 100% naturally hypoallergenic corn fiber filler ● OEKO-TEX 100 certified low-impact fabric dye ● BPA-free, phthalate-free
- Of course, choosing organic cotton clothes, and blankets is recommended. I like to buy from Honest co and Burts Bees because they are more affordable for better quality.
- P.S. Feel free to add organic cotton clothes to your baby registry because you will get a lot of clothes! Be specific on what you want, don’t compromise quality for your baby shower.
I had a beautiful spring-themed honeybee baby shower where I received a lot of cute clothes and generous gift cards.
Non-Toxic Paint, Wallpaper, & Decals
I created this guide to help you choose a non-toxic paint for your home, but safe enough for a nursery.
After much research, I discovered this company sells non-toxic wallpapers. Spoonflower’s wallpaper is free of PVC, vinyl, PFAS, and formaldehyde and is completely safe to use in a nursery.
Spoonflower wallpaper can be pricey, for good reason…so if it is out of your budget, skip the wallpaper and opt for non-toxic wall decals.
Many wall decals contain VOCs, phthalates, toxins like formaldehyde, plastics, and solvent-based dyes. All of which you do not want around your baby! A good checklist is to see if the stickers are FREE from vinyl, PVC, phthalates, VOCs, formaldehyde, or soy-based inks.
These are the top 5 companies with excellent ratings from LeafScore:
I might go with Made of Sundays Forest Animals Decals for my baby’s nursery. If I do, I will write a review!
If you’re expecting soon, check out my free Pregnancy Checklist Download to help you further prepare for a natural birth!
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