We are all aware of the importance of living a green lifestyle these days. It is more important than ever that you make sure that you are doing everything that you can to be friendly to the earth that we all share. Learning to live “green” is sometimes very difficult to do, but it’s a lot easier if you learn habits at an early age. You can help the earth and at the same time get your little one off on the right track to a green lifestyle, if you choose earth friendly items for your nursery.

Green parenting is one of the most popular movements to hit the stage in a very long time. It provides you an excellent opportunity to teach your child something that is useful to not only them but to the world. You can start your green parenting lifestyle while you are still pregnant. In fact, the thing that you are going to concentrate on the most with the new baby is the place that you can make the biggest green affect. We are of course talking about baby’s nursery.

Let’s start with the paints that you choose for the walls, furniture and decor items. It’s best to use paints that are bio-friendly, meaning that they are made with low volatile organic compounds. Some people will tell you that these types of paints will be more expensive, not last as long, are not as durable or do not offer the same range and finish of colors. These statements are just not true. One gallon of bio-paint generally cost only a couple of dollars more, than one gallon of traditional paint. The durability is about equal, due to advancements in manufacturer processes, they last just as long as regular paint and actually resist chipping and peeling better than latex (which can also be an allergy issue for baby). As far as selection of color and finish, the only consideration is that you may have to use multiple coats and layered painting to get the same depth and richness as traditional paint, but once the project is finished you will not be able to tell the difference. The best choices in bio-paint are those that are milk or soy based. These paints tend to be able to hold up to baby and have the most eco-friendly rating available.

As far as flooring in concerned, wood is best for baby but can be expensive and, unless you choose the right tree, is not enviro-friendly at all (“hardwood” floors are made from trees that generally take 25-75 years to mature), So why not go with cork? No, we’re not talking about the stuff from your bulletin board, although it it’s made from the same tree. Cork is replenished quickly, very durable, softens sounds, and can be easily recycled when it’s time to redecorate (where do you think new bulletin boards come from?).

For fabrics choose ones that are made from hemp or bamboo. These plants are easily replenished as they grow quickly, can be grown almost anywhere in the world that has water and sunlight readily available, are versatile; they can also mimic the feel of many other fabrics. If you absolutely must have silk or cotton that’s fine but make sure that the fabrics are organically grown and processed. It might be nice to make sure that they were created with fair-trade and fair-labor practices as well.

These are only a few ideas that you can take advantage of when you are putting together your nursery. These steps will start you and your baby out on the right foot to an environmentally friendly life.

Doc. No.: CBFADS729

Author Bio: Colby Brister is a writer for My Baby Bedding Shop and he would like for you to check out his Baby Bedding and Crib Set and his Toddler Bedding.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: Going Green, Nursery