Shopping: The Ultimate “Green” Nursery

Editor’s Note: The baby boutique retailer Sprout SF is at the forefront of championing nursery furnishings and accessories that are green, healthy, and stylish. Their local stores—on the Upper East Side and in Cobble Hill—are very popular with expectant and new families seeking to educate themselves on not only nursery essentials, but also on must-haves for a healthy lifestyle and environment in which to raise a baby. To put together suggestions for a Dream “Green” Nursery, we knew just who to turn to: Sprout SF Founder Suzanne Price. –Eric Messinger

All of the Dream “Green” Nursery picks you see here are available at sproutsanfrancisco.com!

Crib
The crib is the first thing you should think about when designing your nursery since some can take a while to order, and you can’t be without one! The Soho crib by ducduc is built from solid wood and made in America. It doesn’t include any MDF, which can emit formaldehyde, because where your baby sleeps should be a toxin-free zone. $995
Dresser
If you don’t have an existing dresser that will fit nicely in your nursery, you can buy one (like ducduc’s Soho Changer) that matches your crib and add a changing tray on top. Make sure the changing tray is removable, so the dresser can be part of your child’s room for years to come. $995
Bookcase
Books are our favorite baby gift, and you’ll get lots of them from friends. Newport Cottages’ Devon Bookcase with Drawer is solid wood with plenty of shelves to display all of their framed photos and keepsakes. Make sure to secure all bookshelves to the wall so your toddler can’t pull them over. $995
Mattress
We feel the crib mattress is the most important thing in your nursery to buy organic. Many traditional mattresses are sprayed with flame-retardant chemicals that your baby can breathe in while he is sleeping. An organic mattress, like the No-Compromise Organic Cotton Seamless Baby Crib Mattress by NaturePedic, will keep him from breathing chemicals into his lungs in the place where he’ll spend up to 16 hours per day. $359
Mattress Pad
You’ll want a mattress pad (like Sprout SF’s Waterproof Crib Fitted Mattress Pad) to keep the “leaks” off of your mattress. Don’t ruin the benefits of your organic mattress by putting a plastic mattress pad on top, as many plastics, such as PVC, can off gas. And no, covering a non-organic mattress with an organic pad doesn’t keep the chemicals from coming off the mattress and reaching your baby. $69
Organic Sheet
There are many beautiful and soft organic cotton sheet options. This is where you can bring some personality to your nursery and find some-thing cute that expresses your baby’s style. Since cotton is one of the crops most heavily doused with pesticides, we prefer organic cotton for items like sheets (shown here: Sprout SF’s Blue Elephant and Stars Bedding), that a baby’s new skin spends so much time pressed up against. $50-186
Four-Sided Changing Pad
You’ll want a waterproof changing pad on top of your dresser to comfortably change your baby on. Choose organic cotton brushed with a food-safe layer of plastic versus a foam pad that will release VOCs into the air. We love this Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Changing Pad. $99
Changing Pad Cover
I did not have enough of these when I had my first child! You’ll want at least two or three (like this Anchor Changing Pad Cover, a Sprout SF exclusive by Kate Quinn Organics) so that you can throw one in the wash every time there is a blowout, and there will be many! $30
Glider
Most glider chairs are made of polyurethane foam, which can release particles into the air and might also be sprayed with flame-retardant chemicals. Our Como Pure Latex Glider (a Sprout SF Exclusive by Monte Design) is made of all-natural latex and is incredibly comfortable to sink into during those middle-of-the-night feedings. $1,795
Rug
A rug can bring a fun accent into your baby’s room. Try to find one with natural fibers and without a glue backing, which can release formaldehyde. This rug from Armadillo & Co. is also customizable with a variety of color options. From $675
Diaper Pail
Some type of diaper pail is a must-have in every nursery. We love the Diaper Dekor because its bags are compostable. The Dekor’s bags are continuous and can be cut and thrown away mid-bag, so you’re never wasting bags in those smelly moments when you need to empty the pail before it’s full. $45
Wall Art
Spruce up your walls with some adorable, heartfelt designs. Sprout SF’s are made of wood and water-based paints. This “To The Moon And Back” print is sweet, stylish, and eco-friendly. $400
Playmat
Every baby needs a comfy spot to practice her tummy time. The Nook LilyPad playmats are super cushiony, water resistant, and can be thrown right in the wash. They are made of organic cotton, too! $120
Mobile
Made of wood with natural dyes, this beautiful Wooden Mobile Rainbow (sourced from sustainably-managed forests in Europe and made in Germany), will give your baby lots to look up at without overstimulating him from the crib or changing table. $45
Storage Bin
Having an easy place to throw extra toys is always handy. It’s even better if you can throw the bin itself in the wash, like Sprout SF’s Azure Dots Storage Bin, made from organic cotton canvas. $42
Decorative Pillow
Commemorate the details of your child’s birth with these organic cotton, down-filled Personalized Birth Announcement Pillows (a Sprout SF exclusive). Use them as decoration or as a back support on your glider. $120
Toys
Many plastic toys still contain phthalates, a group of chemicals that are mostly banned in baby toys but still lurk in toys marked for ages 3 and up. Play it safe and decorate your nursery with beautiful wooden toys like Sprout SF’s Name Train Letters. $5.95 per letter
Lovie
When your baby is old enough to sleep with a lovie, make sure it’s soft and cozy—yet still breathable—in case it ends up on their face, like this Robbie Adrian Fleece Lovie Blankey made of organic cotton that feels like velour! $26
Swaddle
Your baby will likely sleep swaddled for the first few months. Find something breathable and extremely soft for wrapping up your little burrito. These organic muslin swaddles by aden + anais come in the cutest patterns and also provide plenty of air flow. $26
Pajamas
Clothing marketed as “pajamas” for kids is often sprayed with flame retardant chemicals. Look for organic cotton footies, or “loungewear” (like this Sea Lion Footie, a Sprout SF Exclusive by Kate Quinn Organics) as a great alternative to keep them cozy and safe at night. $38
Diaper Cream
You’ll need some diaper cream at hand on your changing table, and some can contain pretty harsh ingred-ients. Our favorite, the NapiNol Booty Balm & Beyond Jar, contains only five ingredients, and they are all plant-based and organic. It doubles as nursing ointment as well! $21.95
Lotion
When you want to massage your baby’s soft skin with lotion, pick up something with organic ingredients and natural fragrances. Avoid phthalates and parabens, which are endocrine disruptors that often lurk in personal care products—remember, everything you put on baby’s porous skin makes its way inside. We love Babo Botanicals’ Oatmilk Calendula Moisturizing Baby Lotion. $15.50
Diapers
Many diapers can contain chlorine, formaldehyde, and other harsh ingredients. Pick something natural and cute, like these cute diapers from the Honest Company. They also don’t leak, which is a prime factor in picking a diaper! $16.05