Green Room to Grow In

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Nursery Checklist: 10 Green Necessities
1. Moses Baskets, Bassinets
Moses basket with organic cotton futon and receiving blanket ($200; www.ourgreenhouse.com); palm leaf basket from a Honduran women's co-op, with organic cotton futon and liner ($185; www.naturalnursery.com). Note: Do not use handles to lift basket with baby inside.

Co-Sleeper Sleigh Bed crib ($300, solid wood) or Original ($186, steel w/ cotton liner) converts to bassinet, includes fitted sheet (www.armsreach.com). Organic cotton co-sleeper futon ($95) and cover ($40; www.kidbean.com)

2. Cribs, Furniture
Rather than VOC-emitting pressed woods, choose solid wood from well-managed forests and natural oil/wax or low-VOC finish.

Pacific Rim Arts & Crafts crib, Pacific Coast maple with natural oil/beeswax finish ($675; www.abundantearth.com); DaVinci New Zealand-pine Kalani crib ($460) and Emily 3-drawer changing table/dresser with graceful guardrails ($351; www.daxstores.com); Diktad changing table/bureau ($169; www.ikea.com)

3. Crib Mattress
Make sure mattresses fit snugly in crib.

Organic cotton & wool ($233) or natural latex core, ($324; www.daxstores.com); organic cotton & wool innerspring ($345; www.lifekind.com)

4. Bedding
Organic cotton sheets and organic cotton or wool changing & "puddle" pads: www.heartofvermont.com, www.coyuchi.com, www.kidsstuff.com, www.greenhome.com

5. Diapers & Clothing
Organic cotton sherpa Baby Bunting ($32) and Flannel Footie ($27; www.ourgreenhouse.com); organic cotton baggy gown ($22; www.ecobaby.com); also see www.underthenile.com, www.natural-babycatalog.com

See our Diaper Product Report for organic cloth and greener disposables. Wool, cotton diaper covers/soakers at www.tinytush.com, www.babybunz.com

6. Bath
Organic terry hooded towels: plain ($24, www.potterybarnkids.com); Tadpoles towel with mitt ($20, www.target.com); Georges Collection towel with embroidered bird ($40; www.oneearthonedesign.com)

Non-PVC "tubs" in padded polyester: Leachco Safer Bather ($16; www.amazon.com); Safety 1st Cradle and Comfort ($20; www.target.com)

Shampoo, soaps, diaper creams: Choose paraben-free and unscented, or scented with organic essential oil (avoid lavender and tea tree, suspected of hormone disruption); see www.earthmamaangelbaby.com, www.druide.ca, www.terressentials.com, www.usa.weleda.com

7. Area Rugs
Undyed wool ($273, 4' x 6'; www.oneearthonedesign.com)

8. Non-Polycarbonate Baby Bottles
Glass: www.gerber.com; #5 plastic: www.evenflo.com, www.gerber.com. See Baby Bottles Product Report

9. Toys
Choose hardwood or non-PVC plastic. Color-grown cotton stuffed rhino teether ($12; www.2kh.com). See Toys Product Report

10. Fragrance-free, least-toxic laundry soaps
See Laundry Supplies Product Report

*for hand-me-downs, www.urbanbaby.com and www.craigslist.org

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