Painting

dobbyisfree

Were painting pretty much every room in the house before baby. My FIL helped DH do our bedroom this weekend and he drives me CRAZY (ended up buying 30 extra dollars in stuff to do it his way) so I kind of want to help DH paint the rest myself... what are your thoughts? I thought as long as it was ventilated (and Ill call my Doc to be sure). If it matters its not the perfect paint (Sherwin Williams Superpaint - recommended by my uncle who works there before he knew i was pregnant)

abchittam

My mom seems to think that I don't need to be around the paint fumes. She painted while I was at work last time with DS. I hate painting so I'm not gonna argue if she wants to paint this baby's nursery too (and she does!)

I think it should be ok as long as it's well ventilated and you check with your doctor to get the ok first. Every doctor is different when it comes to approving things. Someone on here mentioned that her dr approved excedrin in limited doses, but my dr said absolutely not!

alyss0nl

As long as the room is ventilated and you're not ingesting the paint, then it's fine. I helped paint when I was pregnant with DS. I even more a mask a couple times when we were in a smaller space.

bunkgirl

I painted DS's room when I was pregnant...he turned out just fine

earichar23

You can get the low VOC paint (low fumes) if the smell bothers you but my dr thinks most paints these days are fairly safe as long as it's in a well ventilated area. That said we hired a painter to do the nursery and he encouraged us to have it done at least 3 months before the baby will sleep in there. I'm not sure what he's basing that on though.

BeckF

They sell really good painting masks that are kind of like a ventilator. My midwife said it's ok as long as I'm in an airy place but the guy at lowes said the darker the color the worse the toxic fumes. Just something to think about.

alyssa719

It should be fine... the one thing to watch for (which is a little more in-depth than just painting) is if you're refinishing your tub and/or using automotive paints for things. 

keshupe29

Most paints are fine! The ones that are nasty are the oil based. And they are not that common anymore either! Open up the windows if it's warm enough and enjoy!!

stella_blu

I've painted in each of my pregnancies. With DS we painted our whole basement and I couldn't help. The smell made me feel yucky. I tried wearing a mask but that made me feel worse lol. If someone is ready and willing to help you, let them. We did our family room and kitchen a couple weeks ago and I fatigued easily. The worse was trying to paint the ceiling.

PregsMcSnoozalot

i wear a respirator like this:

those thin dust masks are useless...they are for dust.  this will keep you from inhaling the organic compounds that are dangerous for you and LO.  i have a degree in painting, so i know all about paint toxicity!  haha!  to me, opening a window or two does not constitute "well ventilated", and anyway you are standing right over the fumes, breathing hard as you roll it on.  these masks are only 25 bucks or so at home depot--totally worth the piece of mind