Four steps to a safer nursery

With a new arrival among the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved into their home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.   A major renovation at the residence meant that baby Archie’s nursery has come under a lot of attention, for its non-traditional, eco-friendly and gender-neutral design.  At the same time, the couple haven’t skimped on the safety features. So what should be considered when baby-proofing a nursery fit for a prince?

Security gadgets

According to royal reporter Katie Nicholl, Harry and Meghan will fill their nursery with gadgets, all of which can be controlled from their smartphones. As well as child-proof windows, a mood screen and stereo sound system, they will integrate “top-of-the-line cameras” so they can keep an eye on their tot from anywhere, at any time. A high-tech baby monitoring system such a Nanit is likely to be used, since it shows a bird’s eye view live stream that can be accessed directly from a smartphone. The system is specially encrypted to be safe from hackers and, at the same time, tracks temperature and humidity to be sure baby sleeps soundly.

EMF protection

But with many gadgets come wires, which should be safely stored away from children. Equally, child-friendly precautions such as plug protectors are necessary to prevent curious toddlers from getting a shock. Going wireless may seem like the most sensible option, but keep in mind EMFs (electro-magnetic frequencies) emitted from wireless devices. EMFs are now classified as a class 2b carcinogen by the World Health Organisation. Not everyone realises this radiation can be harmful, and with children more exposed over their lifetime, as published by Wikipedia. smartDOT can be used on all our much-loved devices, whether that’s a baby monitor, tablet or Wi-Fi router, to filter harmful radiation at its source. What’s more, smartDOT can help to alleviate stress and promote a deeper, more fulfilling sleep – something necessary for mum and baby.

Cot safety standards

Finding the right cot is equally important for safer sleep. At her New York baby shower, Meghan Markle was gifted a Hudson crib from Babyletto; a 3-in-1 cot that converts into a toddler bed and later, a day bed. When looking for a cot, the most important thing is that it meets safety standards. In the UK, the code BS EN 716-2:2008 indicates that a cot is deep enough, with the correct bar distance, a snugly fit mattress and no cut-outs, ledges or steps. Pre-loved furniture should be checked for safety and bar gaps shouldn’t be wider than 6.5cm. Though they may make the cot look cosy, pillows, cushions, quilts, bumpers, duvets and soft toys can help baby to climb out. They are also suffocation hazards and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Archie’s cot’s Greenguard Gold Certification demonstrates a duty of care, plus a production involving no toxic materials.

Non-toxic materials

The royal couple have reportedly spent a lot of time deciding on toxic-free resources for their little one. Their chosen paints are from The Organic & Natural Paint Co.’s Auro range and don’t contain any potentially harmful chemicals, both to respiratory health and the environment. Dad-of-two Chris Ridley grew the company from genetic breathing problems in his own family and feels passionately about the issues: “I hear all the time about pregnant women redecorating with big brand toxic paints, just weeks before the baby is due. Please don’t do this! Not only will you be inhaling all the nasties in a very critical part of your pregnancy, but these paints will leach chemicals into the air for months, even years, after drying.” As well as this, Harry and Meghan’s decorative choice is vegan, so not tested on animals and not containing common emulsion ingredients such as milk, beeswax, ox gall (cow bile) or shellac (beetle secretion). For homes built before the 60s, original coats of paint may contain lead and create dangerous dust. Instead, their toxic-free paint is reportedly infused with eucalyptus oil!