(ARA) – Your bundle of joy is on the way, and between doctor visits, arranging for family leave time, and keeping your network of friends and family up to date on the impending arrival, you still need to think about getting a room ready for baby. Pink if it’s a girl, blue for boys, or a unisex yellow or violet?

Whatever color you choose for your baby’s room, it should definitely be green – as in eco-friendly and healthful. It’s easy to find ideas for environmentally responsible nursery decor on the Internet. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Go VOC free

Many things in our home release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the health effects of which have been well documented. Paint can be one of the biggest culprits. Pick the wrong paint and your baby’s room could reek of fresh paint for months after she arrives. One solution is to choose low VOC paints and paint the nursery at least a month or two before the baby is born. Nursery murals are another option. Self-adhesive, easy-to-hang wallpaper murals can reduce, or even eliminate, the need to paint. From safari scenes to princess castles, it’s possible to find a mural for virtually any taste.

Reuse, recycle

If this is not your first baby, you might be reusing some nursery items from your first go-around. But if this is your first, rather than buy new, consider buying used or seeking hand-me-downs from friends and family. Not only can this save you money, it’s helpful to the environment by keeping usable items out of the waste stream and reducing the amount of resources consumed to manufacture new items.

Cotton to the idea of organic

Few things in life are as smooth, perfect – and sensitive – as the skin of a newborn. You want to be sure everything that touches your newborn’s skin is as soft and natural as she is. Invest in good quality organic cotton bed linens for baby’s crib. And, since infant safety experts recommend newborns sleep with nothing in their crib except a snuggly fitted sheet, outfitting baby’s crib organically may be cheaper than you think. All you need to buy are organic fitted sheets – skip the comforters, cute little pillows and bumpers, which tend to be pricey, unnecessary and a safety risk.

Wood you look at that

Plastics are among some of the most unhealthful items in our home, so keep plastic out of baby’s room as much as possible. Choose wood furniture and other natural materials. Replace plastic diaper pails with metal cans with a lid. If you’re considering replacing the carpet in baby’s room, think about going with wood or linoleum; neither release VOCs and both are easier to clean than carpet.

For more ideas on how to green your baby’s room, check out online resources like GreenBabyGuide.com or