Is There Such a Thing as Organic Baby Furniture?
The answer is "not really", because there is no real consensus as to what exactly organic means when it comes to furniture. Furniture has never been the greenest of products and much of the baby furniture on the market today is fairly low on the green-scale. There have been some brands that have tried to make very 'clean' baby cribs and dressers but the cost of the furniture was very high and customers sadly weren't willing to pay for it. However, there are some brands and components to steer clear of and that you can look for to increase the greenness or sustainability of your baby's furniture.
Much of the less expensive furniture in the USA today contains wood veneers, which are thin pieces of wood glued over particle board or multiple density fiberboard (MDF). The glue used to adhere the veneers can contain formaldehyde which is a toxic chemical. Glues, coupled with paints and stains, can contain additional chemicals which may be more than you would like to have around your child.
Baby Furniture contains wood that is mostly from third-world forests and clear-cutting is a problem all over the world. To make a greener choice, look for baby furniture made with wood from sustainable forests and woods like Ramin Rubber Wood, which is a renewable resource.
If you can afford high-end, modern furniture, like Spot on Square, Oeuf, or Nurseryworks, you will get furniture that is built on the premise that working with sustainable, raw materials and having green packaging is a common practice. These are good brand choices to ensure you get furniture that has a more earth-friendly aura.
Another good thing to look for are manufacturers who have gotten GREENGUARD certifications. GREENGUARD certified products must meet stringent chemical emissions requirements and are screened for more than 10,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Certification means that the furniture or mattress emits very low levels of toxins and will be the healthiest choice for your baby. Some great brands that are GREENGUARD certified are Baby Appleseed, Natart, Nursery Smart (Darby Collection), and Naturepedic mattresses.
If the above mentioned brands are too expensive or not your style, we have a few recommendations to help you create the healthiest sleeping space for your baby. Try to find a solid wood or mostly solid wood crib. Brands like Westwood, Bonavita, and Pali are good choices and with a solid wood crib, you will get less VOCs than you will from a crib with mixed materials (MDF and veneers). Regardless of the crib chosen, spend a little extra to get an organic mattress and mattress protector pad from a company like Naturepedic which gives your infant the safest surface where they will spend up to 16 hours sleeping each day.
Although there is not really organic baby furniture available, all of the things mentioned above will help you find the best material and brand choices in the market. I hope this article will allow you to choose what you think is most important when choosing your baby's sleeping arrangements.
Recommended Products:
 Ubabub Nifty 2 Piece Nursery Set - Timber Convertible Crib and Changer in Walnut |  Oeuf 2 Piece Nursery Set - Rhea Crib and 4 Drawer Dresser in Walnut/White |
