How to Choose Safer Baby Products for a Healthier Nursery
A gentle guide to designing a beautiful, safer space for your little one.
Designing a nursery is one of the sweetest parts of getting ready for your baby—but if you’ve already started, you might’ve noticed how quickly it can go from exciting to overwhelming. Once you’ve picked out the crib and started playing with layouts, a whole new layer of decisions starts to creep in: materials, safety standards, certifications, ingredients you’ve never heard of.
Terms like “organic,” “non-toxic,” “low-VOC,” “phthalate-free,” and “GreenGuard certified” begin popping up everywhere, and suddenly you’re second-guessing that beautiful crib you had your eye on. Is it safe? Is it full of chemicals? Is any of this really necessary?
If your brain has gone down that rabbit hole, take a breath…you’re not alone. The truth is, yes, some nursery products can contain materials that release unwanted chemicals. But you don’t have to overhaul everything or chase perfection. With a few intentional choices and a little confidence in reading labels, you can absolutely create a nursery that’s as safe as it is stylish.
Let’s take it one step at a time.
First, Why Does This Even Matter?
Babies are more vulnerable to environmental toxins than adults for one simple reason: their bodies are still developing. Their brains, lungs, livers, and immune systems are working overtime to grow, and their tiny bodies absorb more per pound than we do. They also spend a lot of time in close contact with their environment (sleeping, crawling, tasting inanimate objects) which makes the nursery one of the most impactful spaces in your home.
But here’s the hard part: baby product safety regulations are, frankly, behind. Many common nursery items like foam-filled changing pads, flame-retardant crib mattresses, and synthetic area rugs can release (or “off-gas”) chemicals into the air. You may not be able to see or smell them, but your baby’s body is certainly interacting with them.
That said, this is not about creating a perfect, chemical-free bubble. That doesn’t exist (and trust me - striving for it will only steal your peace). It’s about awareness and better choices where you can make them. That’s it…that’s the simple, and very acheivable, goal.
What to Watch Out For (and Where They Lurk)
Let’s get to the nitty gritty. Here are some common culprits found in nursery furnishings and what to look for instead.
1. Flame Retardants
Where you’ll find them: Upholstered chairs, crib mattresses, area rugs, nursing pillows, car seats, changing pads, curtains and even baby clothing.
Why to avoid: These chemicals can affect brain development, hormones, and long-term health, and babies are particularly sensitive.
What to do: Look for certifications like GOTS, GOLS, or GreenGuard Gold, or ask brands directly if a product is free from flame retardants. And don’t be afraid to request that in writing.
2. Formaldehyde
Where you’ll find it: Pressed wood furniture like MDF or particleboard, wrinkle-free bedding or clothes, black-out curtains, laminate flooring and some adhesives.
Why to avoid: It’s a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant.
What to do: Prioritize solid wood furniture with water-based finishes, and if something smells strong or “new,” let it air out before bringing it into the nursery.
3. PVC (aka vinyl)
Where you’ll find it: Waterproof mattress covers, some diapering supplies, toys, and certain play mats.
Why to avoid: Often called “the poison plastic,” PVC may contain phthalates, lead, and other heavy metals which are known endocrine disruptors.
What to do: Look for products labeled PVC-free and opt for natural materials like organic cotton, wool, or food-grade silicone instead.
4. Phthalates & BPA
Where you’ll find them: Soft plastic toys, changing pads, mattress protectors, baby bottles, bath accessories, food products and diapering accessories.
Why to avoid: These are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can impact cardiovascular and reproductive development.
What to do: Choose products labeled phthalate-free and BPA-free, but even better, choose natural materials when possible.
5. VOCs & SVOCs (Volatile & Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds)
Where you’ll find them: Paint, flooring, rugs, crib mattresses, upholstered items, and textiles treated with stain resistance or antimicrobial coatings.
Why to avoid: VOCs can cause respiratory issues, central nervous system disorders and organ damage over time. SVOCs, which ride on dust and stick around long-term, are even sneakier and don’t always have a smell.
What to do: Choose zero-VOC paints and avoid stain-resistant, “performance” or “wrinkle-free” fabrics and rugs. Unwrap and air out new items for a few days before setting them up in the room.
6. EMFs (Electromagnetic Fields)
Where you’ll find them: Baby monitors, smart devices, routers, white noise machines and anything plugged in near your baby’s sleep area.
Why to avoid: The science is still developing, but some studies suggest high exposure can disrupt sleep, behavior, and development.
What to do: Keep monitors at least 6–10 feet away from the crib and unplug unnecessary electronics when not in use. If you want to go a step further, consider a hardwired webcam setup to avoid WiFi near your baby altogether.
7. Synthetic Fragrances
Where you’ll find them: All-purpose sprays, disinfectants, laundry detergents.
Why to avoid (conventional versions): Many standard cleaning products contain ingredients like synthetic fragrance, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), VOCs, and preservatives that can linger on surfaces and in the air. These chemicals may contribute to respiratory irritation, skin sensitivities, and hormone disruption, especially in babies.
What to do: Choose non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaning products made with simple, transparent ingredients, look for brands like Branch Basics. For air quality, use a high-efficiency air purifier with a true HEPA filter to reduce airborne irritants. Avoid air fresheners, diffusers, or purifiers that emit ozone. And for a simple, cost-effective solution, open the windows and run a fan for a dose of fresh outdoor air.
Safer Nursery Essentials to Start With
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. But if you're wondering where to focus your energy (or your registry), here are the most impactful places to start:
1. Crib Mattress
If you take one thing from this guide, I hope that it’s a decision to purchase a GOTS/GOLS certified organic crib/bassinet mattress. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping…and these days many doctors recommend them sleeping facedown. This is intense and controversial, but if you’d like to do a deeper dive, consider reading this New Zealand study on SIDS and crib mattresses (the one that started my whole low-tox mothering journey). These days it’s simple to choose a non-toxic crib mattress made without flame retardants, polyurethane foam, synthetic waterproofing or vinyl. Natural latex, wool, coconut coir, and organic cotton are great alternatives. I went with a Naturepedic and it lasted many years!
Top picks:
Naturepedic
Pure Baby & Child
Savvy Rest
Avocado
Holy Lamb Organics
2. Bedding
Opt for 100% organic cotton GOTS or OEKO-TEX certified sheets and sleep sacks. Avoid anything labeled “wrinkle-free” or “stain-resistant.”
Brand favorites:
Burt’s Bees
Honest Company
Under the Nile
Aden + Anais (look for their organic lines)
Babyletto
3. Paint
If you’re planning to paint, choose a truly zero-VOC formula and avoid paints with antimicrobial additives (which are technically SVOCs). ECOS and Clare are great options. For more info, check out my blog on recommended paint brands.
4. Crib & Dresser
Larger furniture is trickier because most American manufacturers use some amount of engineered wood/particle board/MDF for stability and cost reasons. Purchasing solid wood furniture is often cost-prohibitive for most parents, so this is an area I recommend the mindset of “better is better” rather than “prefection or bust”. In this case, the “better” is Greenguard Gold certified furniture. It will likely still have some engineered wood construction (but in more minimal amounts) and will have been tested to ensure very low levels of VOCs. I recommend allowing time for off-gassing (leave it out in the garage unboxed for a few weeks) before your baby arrives. If you’re painting or refinishing furniture, be sure to use a baby-safe, water-based paint or finish.
5. Changing Pad
This one gets a lot of use. Look for organic cotton pads or wool-topped alternatives. Naturepedic’s changing pad is a great, widely available option.
6. Rug or Play Mat
Babies spend a lot of time on the floor. Choose rugs made from natural fibers like wool or cotton and avoid foam mats.
Some low-tox brands to explore:
Lorena Canals
Rugs by Roo
Safavieh
7. Baby Monitor
If you need a monitor (most of us do!), consider one with low EMF emissions, or place it across the room from where baby sleeps. You can also explore wired webcam options via Tech Wellness.
Progress Over Perfection
It’s easy to feel the pressure to make everything “just right” but remember, this isn’t about perfection. This is about creating a loving, nurturing space that supports your baby’s health and your peace of mind. And you’re already doing that by caring enough to read this far.
So yes, go ahead and choose the paint color that makes your heart sing. Invest where you can, make the swaps that fit your budget, and let go of the rest. Because a nursery that’s thoughtfully curated with love, intention, and a little low-tox know-how is a beautiful beginning.
And if you need a little help pulling it all together, I’m here to help.
