Paint and pregnancy

Decorating a nursery for your new baby can be so exciting! It’s the start of a new chapter and often forms part of the nesting phase for expectant mums.

At Earthborn, we get a lot of questions about painting and decorating whilst pregnant. Paint and pregnancy can be a complex topic. Not only are there health considerations to think about (should you even be painting when pregnant?) But also practical and emotional considerations; ‘How can I find paint that doesn’t smell’? Or ‘how do I choose the perfect colour scheme for my nursery’?

We have rounded up and answered some of your most frequently asked questions about paint and pregnancy!

Is it safe to paint when pregnant?

With Earthborn paints, yes!

Traditionally, pregnant women are advised not to use paints during pregnancy. This is due to the fumes and chemicals that can come from oil, latex or enamel heavy paints. Pregnant women are also advised to stay away from industrial paint environments due to the increased toxic fumes.

And that is where we come in. Earthborn paints are completely free of any oils, latex or enamel (virtually VOC free!)

If you’re still unsure, speak to your doctor before using any type of chemical (from household products to cosmetics) or taking on any DIY projects. Babycenter.com has lots of information on types of chemicals to avoid when pregnant.

What type of paint is safe to use during pregnancy?

Many expectant mums are keen to decorate their baby’s nursery or might have to carry out another decorating project whilst pregnant, so it’s important to find a paint that is not only safe to use during pregnancy but also a baby safe paint too.

We always recommend Earthborn paints to anyone who is pregnant or has young children as Earthborn paints are some of the safest types of paints you can use, containing virtually zero VOC content and being free from nasty smells and emissions.

We know that keeping you and your baby safe is top priority, which is why we have made sure that our Claypaint and Lifestyle Emulsion have Ecolabel accreditation and all our interior paints are certified as being safe to use on children’s furniture and toys, carrying the Safety of Toys Standard (EN71:3).

Why choose Earthborn Claypaint for your nursery?

Other than coming in 84 beautiful shades, Claypaint has so many other beneficial properties:

• Careful ingredient selection avoiding known allergens.
• The high breathability and moisture absorbing qualities of Claypaint help to even out the humidity in a room. Making for a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
• The clay in Earthborn Claypaint emits negative ions; higher ambient levels of negative ions are widely accepted as being beneficial to health and wellbeing, especially for allergy and asthma sufferers.
• Claypaint’s high clay content helps to destroy airborne odours and contaminants.
• Less static electricity build up, so reducing dust and allergens.
• Being odourless and quick drying, also means that rooms can return to normal (and baby can move in!) almost immediately after painting with Earthborn.

Practical advice for painting when pregnant

As well as choosing paints that are safe to use, there are a few other precautions to take if tackling a DIY project when pregnant:

• Always ventilate a room when painting (even when using safe, non-toxic products).
• Always let someone else carry out tasks like stripping paint or sanding surfaces. The fine particles released into the air can be easily inhaled and older paints contain more toxic chemicals.
• Take extra care on ladders!
• Before using any product, look at the ingredients list first. If the ingredients aren’t on the label, contact the manufacturer for a full declaration. This ensures that you know exactly what you are using.

Click here to find out more about our child safe paint, inspiring colour schemes and nursery ideas, as well as other advice for decorating children’s bedrooms.