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Baby
Creative Ideas for Little Ones
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Bringing-Up
Green Baby
Locally Owned and Operated
10 Tips to Greening Your Baby’s Nursery
By Sarah Beatty
LEED AP, Founder & President, Green Depot
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Bringing a baby into the home is one of the most
common reasons that people turn to green. As
parents we must come to the realization that
children are much more vulnerable to and have
greater exposure to environmental toxins. Many
experts in children’s environmental health have
found that pound-for-pound children breathe
more air, drink more water, and eat more food
than adults. Our children’s systems are less able
to detoxify chemicals and their developmental
processes are easily disrupted by toxins during the
first months and years of life. So greening your
baby’s nursery is one of the most important steps
you can take to start building a happy healthy life
for your child.
While it may seem overwhelming, creating a
healthy and safe nursery for your baby is really a
very manageable undertaking. When constructing
an eco-friendly nursery, try to pay attention to all
aspects of your baby’s life. Working step-by-step,
you can design a unique, stylish environment your
child will enjoy for years to come.
When greening your nursery keep these important
tips in mind:
Organic Baby Foods
Natural Products for Baby
Maternity Wear -How to Look Great
1. If you are taking on major construction
or building, make sure to complete any hard
renovations at least 8 weeks prior to your baby’s
arrival (such as painting or installing new flooring)
so that any residual fumes and airborne particulates
have time to clear.
2. Use non-toxic, zero-VOC (volatile organic
chemical) paints and finishes for walls and floors,
and have the walls sealed if you have any concerns
about lead paint. These days zero-VOC paints can
be custom-blended so let your imagination run wild
The Family Air Care Test
Kit from National Jewish
Health will give you
peace of mind in your
home. Purchase it at
www.greendepot.com.
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Catherine Flowers
Inspired by Nature, Captured on Silk
Catherine Flowers, Artist, Original Designs on Silk
Giclee Prints Also Available
A great crib is a smart investment. Make sure to look for formaldehyde-free wood and non-toxic, low-VOC
finishes. Options can be seen at www.greendepot.com and www.allmodernbaby.com (left). Organic baby
bedding cuddles your little one in eco-friendly warmth. The Organic Mattress (www.theorganicmattress.
com) has natural options for both baby and parents (middle). Make sure to use zero-VOC paints for all wall
surfaces and furniture. Check out Original Green Milk Paint Company at www.milkpaint.com (right).
when it comes to color.
3. If you are installing wall-to-wall carpeting,
select a tight, low-pile carpet made with natural
fibers, and be sure to use low-VOC adhesives.
High-pile carpets are a breeding ground for
dust mites and contaminants which can really
compromise indoor air quality. Another great
choice is a natural fiber area rug. Natural fiber
rugs are now available in all styles and colors. But
whatever you select, make sure to vacuum and
clean your floors frequently with a high-quality
vacuum with built-in HEPA filter.
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4. Invest in a durable crib made from
formaldehyde-free wood and non-toxic, low-VOC
finishes (remember your baby will spend a lot
of time gumming on it later!). If you want to go
one step further, choose FSC-certified wood and
help ensure that our forests are preserved and
managed responsibly.
5. Make sure to select a mattress that is free of
potentially hazardous chemicals and steer clear
of foam or cardboard. Many merchants now offer
an all-natural mattress made from 100% certified
organic wool and cotton batting. Wool serves
as a natural fire barrier and is impervious to
mildew and dust mites. Make sure to complement
your mattress with 100% organic cotton
bedding basics, and consider dye-free detergent
alternatives when cleaning your baby’s clothes
and bedding.
6. Shopping for clothes for your baby is so much
fun! But remember clothes come into direct
contact with your baby’s skin and should be
considered carefully. Look for 100% organic
cotton and low-impact dyes. Make sure to avoid
any garment that uses a BPDE fire retardant as it
has been linked to hormone disruption.
7. Many plastic baby bottles are made from
Bisphenol A (BPA) a potentially harmful
chemical. BPA has the potential to imitate the
www.CatherineFlowersStudio.com
[email protected] • 512-627-9871
We do the shopping for you, so you have more
time to focus on the important stuff.
Mother Earth and Baby is a one-stop shop for Mom’s and
individuals looking for boutique quality, organic clothing and
eco-friendly products. We are a premier online retailer of
beautiful, stylish gifts for babies and Moms. We have Moms
and their little ones covered with everything from organic
clothing to cribs, blankies to bags, strollers to baby shoes,
and so much more.
Visit Us Online:
www.MotherEarthandBaby.com
Bringing-Up
Green Baby
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hormone estrogen and create an “endocrine
disruption” that can prevent a child’s normal
development. Bottles should be BPA-free and
phthalate-free and nipples should be latex-free.
In addition, look for bottles that reduce your
baby’s air ingestion.
8. Today’s diaper manufacturers are now
making disposable diapers that are chlorinefree and made from natural materials. New
parents have an abundance of natural baby care
products to select from. Many of these products
come from sustainably harvested forests and
are packaged in 100% compostable packaging.
Today’s baby wipes, creams, soaps, and powders
are now all offered for the eco-conscious
parent.
9. A little reassurance goes a long way. So
make sure to pick up a Family Air Care Test
Kit created by National Jewish Health (the
#1 respiratory hospital in the U.S). The kit is
self-administered and detects the five most
common triggers for allergy and asthma,
including thirteen types of mold. The cost
(roughly $299) can be covered by health
insurance when prescribed by a physician
(check with your insurance carrier). This kit is
a must. It not only gives a clearer picture of the
air quality in your baby’s nursery but in your
entire home environment.
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10. Clean it green! Replace household cleaners
containing chemical solvents with natural, nontoxic formulas. There are many manufacturers
making green cleaning products that cost the
same as the ones you are using now. Look
for household products that are plant-based
and biodegradable. This way you’re not only
improving the air your baby breathes, you’re
also helping to protect the environment for your
child’s future. NNE
Sarah Beatty, LEED AP, is the Founder and
President of Green Depot. She has been featured
in the New York Times, Metropolitan Home and O
Magazine. In addition to numerous publications
and television shows, Ms. Beatty often lectures on
the benefits of green and eco-friendly living.
In 2009, Earth Day New York and the NRDC
awarded Green Depot their Business Leader of the
Year Award. Ms. Beatty has a BA from Harvard
University and resides in New York with her
family. For more tips on living green and to see many
of the products discussed here visit www.
greendepot.com.
BABY’S
FIRST
ONE-STOP SHOP
From Crib Sets to Bassinets and
Strollers to Car Seats, Find the Newest,
Trendiest Baby Essentials at:
Boston’s first boutique specializing in the
finest organic fiber clothing, eco-friendly
toys and cloth diapering supplies.
5 Green Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-524-5402
www.hatchedboston.com
Specialzing in Organic and
Natural Items for Babies
and Young Children
Bringing-Up
Green Baby
Plenty of interior designers are now offering
“green” nursery ideas and designs. There
are many available across New England.
Find one in your area at www.naturallyne.
com.
Replace all household
cleaners with natural, nontoxic ones. Even your local
grocery stores are carrying
eco-friendly cleaning
products for the entire house.
• Organic Toys
• Environmentally Friendly Toys
• Baby Clothing
• Baby Wearing
72 Washington St • Salem, MA 01970
1-888-741-4242 • www.crunchygranolababy.net
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Products We Love for Baby
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1. The Beaba Babycook
5. Loveybag
9. Scary Fish Clothing
From the French company renowned throughout
Europe for baby food products, this countertop
appliance makes it easy to prepare fresh, healthy
and organic meals for baby (available at WilliamsSonoma, www.williams-sonoma.com).
The Loveybag is as unique as you are. These beautiful
baby diaper bags are made with 100% cotton and can
be accessorized with all-natural baby products made
in Amherst, MA. (www.loveybums.com).
Organics scary fish organic clothing is cute
and natural. The adorable design is certified
organic cotton, printed using low-impact printing
processes, and made in the USA. Find it at All
Modern Baby
(www.allmodernbaby.com).
2. The Soothie
The Soothie is the finest pacifier for newborns and
babies without teeth who are successfully bottle
or breastfeeding. The unique construction abides
by the stringent American Academy of Pediatrics
guidelines. Check them out at Itty Bitty Bella
(www.ittybittybella.com).
3. Cotton Monkey Bedding
This baby bedding collection from Cotton Monkey
is 100% certified organic. Each bumper is filled with
certified organic wool which is anti-microbial and
resistant to dust mites. You can find it at Mother
Earth and Baby (www.motherearthandbaby.com).
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4. Tie Dye Diapers
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From Loveybums these adorable tie dye diapers
are made with an outer layer of hand-dyed organic
cotton fleece, and an inner layer of un-dyed organic
cotton fleece. Each comes with an organic cotton
quick dry snap-in soaker topped with organic velour
(www.loveybums.com).
6. Kabuki
From the Bebop Baby Shop in Vermont the kabuki
hat, pants and kimono are made from 100% organic
cotton. Any baby will travel in warmth and style with
this darling set by Sckoon Organics
(www.bebopbabyshop.com).
7. Veggies
Your little one will love these veggies! These wonderful
teething toys are so, so cute and perfectly safe for
your child to teethe on. Made and stuffed with the
finest 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Find them at
Crunchy Granola Baby in Salem, MA.
(www.crunchygranolababy.com).
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10. Green Depot Crib
From Green Depot this gorgeous crib is crafted
from solid FSC-certified hardwood. Unlike many
cribs made from particleboard, it is completely lead
and formaldehyde-free, so it helps ensure that your
nursery environment is as clean and safe as can be
(www.greendeport.com).
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8. Womb Chair
It’s named the Womb for a reason, Saarinen’s Womb
Chair™ by Knoll® will cradle your child in comfort. The
Womb chair is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified
available at All Modern Baby of Boston, MA.
(www.allmodernbaby.com).
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Photo from CSN Stores
Photo from CSN Stores
1
Baby Love!
Baby Resources
All Modern Baby
800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199
P: 800-315-0068, www.allmodernbaby.com
Happy Green Bee
2 Bear Trail, Gouldsboro, ME 04607
P: 207-963-7355, www.happygreenbee.com
Go Green in your nursery with our large selection of eco-friendly products. Browse
our selection of environmentally friendly furniture, baby gear, toys and more. We carry
furniture, bedding, toys and accessories for baby. Visit us online at www.allmodernbaby.com.
Happy Green Bee has a simple philosophy: clothing that is comfortable, colorful, playful and ecologically responsible. By using organic cotton, a comfortable and practical fabric, and simple bee-striped patterns, children feel as comfortable as they look
while their parents take a small step in making a big difference in the environment their
children live in.
Bebop Baby Shop
167 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452
P: 802-288-1002, www.bebopbabyshop.com
We are proud to offer baby, toddler, maternity, and parenting items that are good for
you, your child, and the environment. We strive to carry as many high quality organic,
fairly traded, handmade, and locally made products as we possibly can.
Catherine Flowers
P: 512-627-9871, www.CatherineFlowersStudio.com
Email: [email protected]
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Inspired by nature and captured on silk, Catherine Flowers original designs on silk and
giclee prints are a beautiful addition to your baby’s room or any room in your home.
Visit our website for available images and prints.
Green Depot
222 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
P: 212-226-0444, www.greendepot.com
Young children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards than adults are. That’s
why we decided to create one-stop shopping for parents seeking to create safe, clean,
wondrous spaces for their little ones. Green Depot believes that any green choice - big
or small - is a positive step for our future.
Crunchy Granola Baby
72 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
P: 978-741-0800, www.crunchygranolababy.net
Sure, Crunchy Granola Baby is a shop specializing in organic and natural items for
babies and young children. But we’re also a shop that prides itself on balancing quality
products with quality customer service. If you’re interested in cloth diapers, come in for
a demonstration. If you’re curious about babywearing come try our wraps and slings.
Global Enfant
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
P: 843-237-5650, www.globalenfant.com
Global Enfant is an online baby store committed to offering you the best organic baby
products; including organic baby diapers, baby shoes, baby carriers, baby care essentials and more. Please see our large selection of organic diapers and diaper accessories and our huge inventory of organic baby clothing including infant dresses, pants
and shirts.
Hatched Boston
5 Green St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
P: 617-524-5402, www.hatchedboston.com
We are a Massachusetts boutique specializing in the finest organic fiber clothing, ecofriendly toys and cloth diapering supplies. Our clothes, toys and accessories will delight
you and your baby. Organic Gift Registry is available.
Little Merry Fellows
Sandy Hook, CT 06482
P: 203-270-1820, www.littlemerryfellows.com
At Little Merry Fellows we work to provide the highest quality, made-in the USA natural,
organic baby products for eco-friendly mothers, babies and children. By providing
simple, thoughtful products, we are able to provide the blank canvas for babies to
grow and be merry.
Loveybums
PO Box 3307, Amherst, MA 01004-3307
P: 800-488-7811, www.loveybums.com
We are New England’s finest resource for natural and organic diapering and diaper
products. We are a family owned and operated business located in Western Massachusetts. All of our products are made here in New England with eco-friendly fabrics
produced in the U.S.
Mother Earth and Baby
Edneyville, NC 28727
P: 877-556-8453, www.motherearthandbaby.com
We offer a collection of specially selected, baby and maternity clothing, baby essentials, nursery furniture, decor and accessories. This extraordinary assortment of
top quality gifts is the perfect answer for this special time in your life or baby shower
celebration.
NunoOrganic
Westborough, MA 01581
P: 508-744-3220, www.nunoorganic.com
NunoOraganic offers a full range of organic and eco-friendly baby clothes. Our wide
selection of exclusive baby and children’s clothes will match the quality of your shopping experience. For NunoOrganic, selling organic toys and clothes means outstanding quality and outstanding customer service. We aim to give our customers a unique
shopping experience.
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