When decorating a nursery, our thoughts usually go to the color of the paint and the style of the crib. But there are many practical ways to create a nursery that is also healthier for your baby. Here is a quick checklist:

VOC-free paint. VOC’s, or volatile organic compounds, found in many house paints continue to release fumes even after the paint dries. Choose an interior paint without these harmful additives.

Solid wood nursery furniture. Engineered wood, wood finishes and upholstery materials can release potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, which is often used as a binding agent. Get solid wood over pressed wood furniture to avoid these harsh chemicals.

Organic crib mattresses. Babies sleep on a mattress for 10-14 hours or more a day during their most fragile developmental years. Get a mattress free of  synthetic materials that can release potentially toxic chemicals into the air your baby breathes.

Nursery air purifier. Keeping the air in the nursery clean with an air purifier prevents allergens, dust and mold from irritating fragile newborn lungs.  Babies breathe an average of 30-60 times a minute—that’s more than double the amount of an adult. With this greater intake of air during the early post neonatal period, the developing lungs are highly susceptible to environmental pollutants.