Baby Space

Green nursery

Q: How do we make our baby's nursery "green"?

A: "Newborns spend 16 to 17 hours of each day asleep, so it's important that you're not exposing your baby to toxic chemicals that emanate from commercial paint, carpet and bedding in the nursery," says Lisa Beres, a former interior designer and owner of Green Nest (greennest .com). Her website sells everything green, from organic-cotton crib bedding to an air purifier called Baby's Breath that filters out biological contaminants like pet dander, pollen, bacteria and mold. When Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette were expecting their son Maxwell, they went to Green Nest for their nursery's linens, moisture pad, comforter, pillows, wall paint and organic mattresses for the crib and day bed. Beres notes that you can make your baby's nursery a shade greener by simply using natural, dye- and fragrance-free, biodegradable cleaning products rather than harsh commercial cleansers. "It's one inexpensive but important change you can make to protect your baby," she says.