My Ultimate Non-Toxic Nursery and Beyond

I’m giving you all the details on one of my most-requested topics ever – creating a non-toxic nursery! Not only that, I’m sharing all of my top picks for feeding, diapering, bathing and more.

I am so passionate about creating a non-toxic home! It’s why I’ve written all about The Hidden Toxins in Your Home and How to Encourage a Healthy Home. While it’s not possible 100% of the time, I try my best to make as many non-toxic choices in baby items as I can.

There is no better time to invest in cleaning up your environment than when you’re getting ready to welcome a little one into the world. I’m going to walk you through just how to provide your baby with an environment that truly promotes his or her best health and wellness.

While the majority of these items are chosen due to quality and minimal/no toxins, there are some things on here that I hand picked and recommend after having 2 children. For example, The Doona, my all-time favorite car seat/stroller for life on the go/traveling.

Everything On the Go

1. Car Seat – My most important note on the car seat is to buy one that not only keeps your baby physically safe in case of a crash, but also keeps him or her safe from fire retardants and harmful chemicals that are used on many car seat fabrics these days. My choice is the Uppa Baby Mesa in Henry or Jordan. The Nuna PIPA car seat is another good non-toxic option.

2. Car Seat Base – Don’t forget to get an extra car seat base for dad’s, grandma’s or nanny’s car!

3. Stroller – We love the Uppa Baby Vista V2 Stroller. The adjustable handles are great for short or tall parents. There’s a huge storage basket under the seat. It comes with a bassinet as well as a toddler seat. The ride is so smooth. And it’s compatible with our Mesa Car Seat! A total win.

4. Car Seat + Stroller – I’m literally OBSESSED with the Doona car seat + stroller 2-in-1. It makes travel and errands an absolute breeze. Seriously, I can’t imagine life without it. Definitely a splurge but it changed my life. Makes getting out and traveling SO doable.

5. Car Seat Mirror – These are genius! Glance in your rearview mirror and see your rear-facing baby with this car seat mirror that is shatterproof, crash tested and certified.

6. White Noise On-the-Go – It might sound funny, but if you’ve had a baby, then YOU KNOW! This on-the-go Baby Shusher ensures your little one will never be without soothing white noise.

7. Baby Carrier – Oh my gosh it’s expensive, but I got the Artipoppe carrier as a gift and I totally understand the hype. It’s downright amazing! I have friends who use and love the Ergo Baby Omni 360 All Position newborn to toddler carrier and the Babybjorn Harmony, which are both also great choices at a better price point.

8. Baby Wrap – The Solly Baby wrap is my choice for close baby wearing. Especially the first couple months.

9. Travel Crib – We have Guava’s Lotus Travel Crib and it’s awesome. Judging by the Amazon reviews, we’re not the only ones who think that.

10. Travel Crib sheets – Don’t forget travel crib sheets.

Sleeping, Sitting, Soothing, and Nursery

1. Bassinet – The SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib was our choice for a bassinet and made  middle-of-the-night feedings a lot more bearable. The Babyletto Gelato Portable Bassinet is another really great option. The SnuzPod and Gelato Portable Bassinets both are a bit smaller, which is really nice for when baby is bedside in your room.

2. Crib – We love the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Crib in natural wood. It’s Greenguard Gold certified and therefore not made with toxic paints, glues and other materials. As an alternative, a solid wood, non-painted and extremely budget friendly option is Ikea’s Sniglar Crib.

3. Crib Mattress – While we don’t live in a perfect world and not every baby item will be non-toxic, I’d really try to prioritize purchasing a non-toxic mattress. Your baby will spend so much time with his or her sweet face breathing against it! We chose the Naturepedic Organic Natural Mattress for Infant and Toddler for that reason.

4. Crib Sheets – Nothing fancy, but we go for 100% organic cotton. Burt’s Bees makes them in a million adorable prints at a great price point. Def stock up on a few for when you need to change the sheets and babies needs a nap while they are drying.

5. Bouncer – We use the heck out of this! The BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss is perfectly unfussy, lightweight and a breeze to transport. We also have this Charlie Crane LEVO Rocker and absolutely love it, too. You really don’t need both though!

6. Lounger – The Snuggle Me Organic Baby Lounger Pillow we used so much with a newborn.

7. White Noise Machine – Either the HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine or the YogaSleep Dohm Sound Machine are great choices! I highly suggest white noise for baby’s nursery.

8. Pacifier – If you plan to use a pacifier, I’d go with Natursutten’s Orthodontic Pacifier, as it is free of a lot of synthetic materials. I will say, if you want your baby to take a pacifier, you may have to try different ones, as each baby may have a preference.

9. Nursery Glider – The Babyletto Kiwi Glider Electronic Recliner is a great choice for both comfort and its Greenguard Gold Certified fabric, which essentially means it won’t off-gas harsh VOC’s and chemicals into the nursery.

10. Sleep Sacks and Pajamas – My favorite are Kyte Sleep Sacks and Kyte Zippered Footie Pajamas. Otherwise, I would look for 100% organic cotton sleep sacks like these from Burt’s Bees.

11. Non-Toxic Detergent – I use the same detergent for my whole family because I don’t want any of us wearing clothes or using towels that have been soaked in harsh chemicals! We love Branch Basics (use code TAYLORDUKESWELLNESS) or Molly Suds.

12. Baby Monitor – This one can be tricky for those who are concerned about EMF’s. But my thought on the baby monitor is this – do the best you can. If you live in a house where you can hear the baby, you may opt for no monitor. If you live in a house where you cannot hear baby, you will likely want/need a monitor. Bebcare makes a monitor that claims to emit fewer EMF’s than standard baby monitors on the market. If you’re looking for an essentially zero-EMF option, then Techwellness Blog walks you through how to hardwire a monitor in your baby’s room.

Bathtime Necessities

1. Bath Tub – The Tot has a few great bath options and I also like the Puj Tub for an in-sink or travel bath.

2. Bath Mat – I’m a big fan of using a bath mat as a matter of safety, and this Nonslip Bath Mat is machine washable, which I love.

3. Baby Shampoo + Body Wash – Carina Organics Baby Shampoo + Wash is so gentle on baby, non-toxic, and has an EWG rating of 1. We use and love it.

4. Baby Lotion – Earth Mama and Primally Pure (use code TAYLORDUKES) are my go-to’s. Earth Mama makes a great Calendula Baby Oil as well as Baby Lotion. And Primally Pure’s Baby Balm and Baby Oil are perfect for moisturizing  baby.

5. Washcloths or Towels – Burt’s Bees and Honest have organic and affordable washcloth packs for babies. They also do great basic, organic towels for baby, too – Burt’s Bees or Honest.

6. Bath Toys – Though they will not need this in the beginning, I find bath toys and teethers helpful as baby gets older and wants to chew on something. It also can help with hand mouth coordination before they stat solids.

Diapering

1. Diapers + Wipes – I’m a Coterie convert! Coterie Diapers and wipes are touted as the highest performing diaper, and they are by far my favorite. I personally do the subscription. If you’re in a pinch or need an Amazon option, Honest diapers and wipes are options.

2. Diaper Bag – The Fawn Design diaper bag is what I use and like. Freshly Picked makes a great diaper bag as well. And I absolutely love the Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack – it’s so stylish as well as functional!

3. Diaper Cream – By now you know I am in love with Earth Mama Organics and Primally Pure (use code TAYLORDUKES) for all things baby care. Earth Mama makes a diaper balm that is fabulous. Primally Pure makes a baby balm that is equally wonderful. Both brands use only the highest quality, safest ingredients, and I use so many more products than just their diaper balms! And to be honest, I don’t really have to use diaper balm often because when you use clean, organic diapers, you don’t have to worry about synthetic chemicals aggravating babies skin.

4. Changing Pad + Covers – We love the Naturepedic Organic Contoured Changing Pad and use Burt’s Bees Organic Changing Covers over it. You may want a back up changing pad cover because accidents can happen 🙂

Feeding

1. Nursing Pillow – The Nook Niche Organic Feeding Pillow is my favorite for nursing. Another slightly more budget friendly option is the My Brest Friend Nursing Posture Pillow with Organic Slipcover.

2. Pump – While pumping isn’t my favorite activity in the world, the Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump is my favorite pump. Along with an electric pump, I suggest the Haakaa pump. It’s a super affordable device that is extremely handy to catch let-down milk from the opposite side of where baby is nursing. This can be such a blessing to use in the beginning to store up a milk stash.

3. Bottles – I’m a big fan of glass bottles in order to reduce your baby’s exposure to plastics. Our favorites are the Evenflo Classic glass bottles. You can start with the 4oz but then as baby gets older, you may want to stock up on the 8oz bottles.

4. Bibs/Plates/Bowls/Spoons – Austin Baby Co. makes excellent silicone bibs, bento boxes, bowls and placemats that are easy to wash and take on the go to restaurants. EZPZ and Avanchy have great first food sets. Elk and Friends make perfectly kid-sized stainless steel cups with silicone straws and lids that are spill proof. Otherwise, I’d look for anything in non-toxic wood or silicone.

5. High Chair – The Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair is an investment that will grow with baby from six months all the way up through the time your child is ready to sit in an adult seat! For an economical and easy-to-clean option, look at Ikea’s Antilop High Chair.

6. Burp Cloths – These organic cotton muslin burp cloths are my favorite.

7. Milk Storage Bottles – Alright, in all honesty, I’ve stored and frozen my breast milk in empty glass Culina yogurt jars! I’d suggest measuring out how much milk you’re putting in the jar, and marking both the ounces and the date on the top of it. If you’re looking for a non-yogurt jar option () then these glass breast milk storage bottles are fantastic. They even hook directly up to most wide mouth breast pumps like Spectra and Philips. You can buy these adapters to make them fit most Medela and Avent breast pumps as well!

Teething, Grooming, and Remedies

1. Thermometer – Technically, a rectal thermometer is considered the most accurate in an infant. Frida Digital Rectal Quick Read Thermometer is a good one. If you’re not comfortable with a rectal thermometer, Frida’s 3-in-1 Ear, Forehead, Touchless Thermometer or iHealth’s No Touch Forehead Thermometer are both great options.

2. Nail Clippers/File – Don’t worry about accidentally clipping too low or nicking your baby’s hand with the Haaka Baby Nail Trimmer.

3. Saline Spray – Little Remedies Saline Nasal Mist is great for loosening congestion before suctioning baby’s nose.

4. Nasal Suction – It might look strange, but the NoseFrida Snot Sucker is SO handy to have when baby gets a cold or congested.

5. Teething Remedies – It can seem so difficult to soothe a teething baby, which is why I’m thankful for natural remedies that come to the rescue. I use both the Punkin Butt Oil and Boiron Camilla. You’ll want to save or bookmark this article I wrote on Good Supplements to Have on Hand for Kiddos as a great reference as baby grows (and we all know that happens fast!!).

6. Teether – For teethers (and toys in general, because almost anything will go in baby’s mouth!) I look for non-toxic silicone (or wood) options like this Itzy Ritzy teether.

7. Pacifier Medicine Dispenser – The MediFrida Accu-Dose Pacifier makes administering medicine so much easier than trying to measure and syringe it into baby’s mouth.

8. Mobile Medical Kit – The Frida Mobile Medicine Cabinet is perfect for bundling a few products together. It has the pacifier medicine dispenser, rectal thermometer and nasal suction.

Here is a general suggestion for you when it comes to buying for baby: Focus on quality over quantity. I would prioritize buying high-quality, non-toxic (as much as possible) products such as the ones I listed above. You’ll likely end up finding out that you need and use less than you thought you might.

I’m a huge advocate of making smart purchases. I like knowing my purchases will promote health, hold up with the wear-and-tear of use, and make both my life and baby’s life easier. You can’t go wrong with what I listed above, especially if you want another child. A lot of these things can be used more than once!

Finally, you’ll want to check out other articles I’ve written on both pregnancy and postpartum:

• What to Eat and Avoid During Pregnancy: Your Guide to Prenatal Health

• Pregnancy Series Part II: How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy Journey

• Pregnancy Series Part III: Navigating the Postpartum Period

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