Did you know that nursery furniture can be toxic? When you think about how much time your baby spends in their cot (sleeping average is around 15 hours a day), why would you want to risk it being bad for them? Babies systems are more vulnerable than children and adults so let’s aim to protect them as much as we can. Hopefully you’ve read my post about baby bedding which covers what they’ll be resting their little heads on!
The majority of children’s furniture (and other furniture) is made from MDF (medium density fibreboard). This is a cheap wood and the glues or bonded resins that are used to make it contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical known to cause asthma and other lung issues, fatigue, liver and kidney issues and cancer. It can be argued that the “offgassing” of this toxic chemical is so low that it won’t make a difference but then you add up the time that a baby spends there, potentially breathing in toxic gases….
Recommendations
For Millie’s nursery furniture, we used an old IKEA unit (which has had years to offgas) and her cot and dresser are from Gaia Baby. Not only are they gorgeous but they are very upfront about using real ash wood with no MDF or chipboard in sight! IKEA is an interesting one as they use alot of particleboard but say it’s much lower in formaldehyde. I wouldn’t use it for a bed if it can be avoided. For other options, a good sign is if it has a Greenguard Certification. Another lovely brand to look at is Boori.
Help! I’ve already bought all new furniture made from MDF!
Don’t panic! Ideally, open up all the boxes and allow the furniture to “offgas” for as long as you can, ensuring adequate ventilation through the use of air conditioners, heating and the good old trick of opening the windows! If your baby is already in the nursery then please make sure that their mattress is low tox 🙂
In summary, when choosing nursery furniture, it’s best to steer clear of MDF. While it may seem affordable, MDF is often bound with formaldehyde-based resins, which can release toxic fumes over time. Babies, with their developing lungs, are more vulnerable to these emissions. Plus, MDF isn’t as durable as solid wood, so your baby’s crib or dresser might not stand up to their growing energy levels! Opt for natural, solid wood furniture—it’s safer, sturdier, and much more eco-friendly. Your baby (and the planet) will thank you!
Read my key points for a Healthy Home here.