Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Going green and organic is the thing to do for 2008. Using renewable materials, recycled products and organic fabrics are just a few ways you can make your nursery green. A green nursery is not just good for the environment and the Earth, but also for your baby’s health.

Reuse
Reusing products are one of the best ways to save the Earth. Reused products could be a dresser, a changing table, a crib if it still meets the safety guidelines and other baby furniture. Reusing products keeps them from going in to a landfill, which is very important. You can reuse products by finding them at a garage sale, in a dumpster, as hand me downs from friends and family. And if it is a little more than gently used, feel free to refinish it or paint it so it matches your style.

Organic Products
Organic products are a good way to go when stocking up the nursery for two reasons. One, the product is made from all natural ingredients, which means there are no chemicals or other unnatural bi-products to worry about.  Who wants to sleep on sheets that were processed by a lot of chemicals to make them soft? Nobody! Organic products are free from dyes, perfumes and unnatural substances that could be harmful to your baby.

Two, organic products are made from renewable sources, such as cotton, bamboo and hemp.  Renewable products can replenish themselves and do not drain the Earth of any one resource (think oil).  Renewable products can also be processed naturally, so they remain organic and chemical or pesticide free.

Decorate
The theme of your baby’s room can be ‘green’ too. Paint is now made with natural dyes and materials that are not as stinky or full of chemicals like they used to be. You can buy curtains and swags made from organic materials (or even recycled stuff!) for on the windows. Instead of buying wallpaper, use vintage pictures or other reused print for the wall designs. Be creative!

Any home improvement store will have ideas for decorations and themes that fit a green lifestyle. The internet also has a ton of sites offering designs and tips to keep on budget while remaining true to your green ideas.  Going green and using natural products does not have to cost an arm and a leg anymore, either. With its popularity, organics and green products have slid in to mainstream markets, which has driven the price down considerably since they were introduced a decade ago.