Painting baby's room

EC2016 · July 2015

My husband wants to hire someone to paint the room but I really hate paying someone to do something I can do myself. I figured if I opened the windows and doors it would be fine and safe. What do you ladies think?

vvitchhazel · July 2015

I'd say to use your own discretion. I personally wouldn't, but if there is sufficient air flow to minimize the fumes then maybe it wouldn't be as bad. I just wouldn't want to even bother with the risk.

kemerson531 · July 2015

I tend to be less cautious overall so I might be biased, but I think you'd be fine with open window ventilation, and take breaks occasionally if the smell gets too much for you. If you're really worried about the fumes/smell you could even get one of those ventilated face masks from a hardware store. I know a lot of brands make "Eco-friendly" paints too, so they don't have the VOCs and other nasty chemicals that might bother you or worry your husband

EC2016 · July 2015

The room has a sliding glass door that I planned on opening. There's really not much wall space to paint either with the sliding glass door, bedroom door, and closet all taking up most of the wall space. Maybe I'll get my dad to do it. My husband is just not a good painter.

vvitchhazel · July 2015

I think the biggest risk comes from extended exposure. If it's one room, it's probably not going to be a problem. At this point, you're probably past the point of risking miscarriage and I can't imagine birth defects would pop up after one day of painting, especially if there's a sliding door for ventilation.

deaddahliah · July 2015

I think as long as the room is ventilated you'll be fine. We're doing all our painting ourselves, to be extra careful I'm planning on buying a painting respirator ($30).

cawalp · July 2015

Totally agree with PP on the face mask and the more eco-friendly paint brands. I don't think they are too much of a price difference from the regular types (and definitely cheaper than hiring someone). With the sliding door and the mask, I'm sure you'll be just fine. Is your husband worried about the exposure or how well you'll do with the job? I know mine doesn't like to think that I'm better at him at certain house project type stuff even though I used to renovate a house wih my parents. I'm not saying that's the reason but he may be using the exposure argument as an excuse for you not to outdo him. Just talk to him about it.

EC2016 · July 2015

I painted our entire house before getting pregnant and I did a pretty good job. I think he just doesn't want me in the fumes and I really don't want him to do it. He tried to help with the rest of the house before but I ended up going behind him to fix it. I'll definitely be looking into the eco friendly paints and mask.

nickicb7 · July 2015

We are having a friend do it for us. I'm going to be around, but probably will avoid hanging out in the room.

jeanbug12 · July 2015

I say you'll be fine. All paints these days are pretty low VOC. With the windows open, a day of painting won't harm your baby.

Cricket99 · July 2015

We have done "painting parties" in the past where we have friends and family come over to get it done quickly. Then we have pizza and hang out afterwards. It gets the job done quickly and everyone gets to hang out and have fun

kmo8986 · July 2015

I painted DS nursery with my moms help with the windows and doors open, it was fine. I am planning on painting DS big boy room too so we can move him out of the nursery before baby girl comes. Luckily the nursery is grey so with some decor changes boy nursery changes to girl nursery very easily!

katiedid0907 · July 2015

We painted DS's nursery while I was pregnant and it was fine. Try to do it on a cooler day so you can open the windows up and put a fan in the room. If you feel uncomfortable stop or take breaks but I didn't have any issues with it.

TinyDancer51510 · July 2015

I just painted the guest room and kept the windows open. I'm pretty sensitive to smells/chemicals when I'm not pregnant and I was fine.

Sovvy · July 2015

I did, the windows were open and it's low VOC paint. I get more fumes walking downtown than I do painting with good ventilation.

SummerOH · July 2015

Painting is fine. Like others have said, just open the door/windows and take breaks if you feel the need. Low VOC paint might be a good idea, too.

designer303 · July 2015

Benjamin Moore makes a zero VOC paint which is what we used in our DS's room, its called the Natura line, using that with ventilation I would think you would be fine. I didn't paint DS's room as I was on bed rest but I sat close by and supervised

mollyj931 · July 2015

Ditto what a lot already said. Paint now is pretty low fume and with ventilation you'll be fine. I'm planning on painting ours and some furniture at some point.

aphilli8 · July 2015

I moved in my first trimester and had to paint three main rooms in the house before we left. Then we painted the nursery at the new house when I was in third tri. Both doctors okayed it, I just wore a mask.

With the windows open and fan on it was fine. I actually felt like I would need the mask more when I'm getting a pedicure.

Beverly0628 · July 2015

There are also zero VOC and low odor paints available at Home Depot. They have charts there that explain the differences between each paint, which ones are zero VOC, etc. We just did our bathroom and I couldn't even tell we were painting, even with the door closed. I think we used Sherwin-Williams DUO, which is much cheaper than Benjamin Moore. You can actually even pick a Benjamin Moore color, because they have a lot of really nice ones, and ask them to mix it in a cheaper Sherwin-Williams base at Home Depot and they will do it!

holocene · July 2015

I just finished painting the entire main floor of our new house yesterday. I took breaks often and kept the house well ventilated.

Monilee1017 · July 2015

I see no problem with it, just be careful. Have ventilation, use proper paint and be smart. I painted when I was pregnant with my boys. But when I was pregnant for DS2 and fell off the ladder onto a bookshelf DH said I was done, he finished.

ChelseyBels · July 2015

I like to convince my mom or husband to do it...

mamaksweez · July 2015

I plan to paint 2 rooms, and my doctor said there is absolutely no problem with painting while pregnant. It just needs to be a ventilated area.

MollyA1011 · July 2015

Cricket99 said:
We have done "painting parties" in the past where we have friends and family come over to get it done quickly. Then we have pizza and hang out afterwards. It gets the job done quickly and everyone gets to hang out and have fun

How fun!!!! What an awesome thing to do!

EC2016 · July 2015

Thank you ladies for all of the advice!

l4rk · July 2015

We traded houses with my parents for a weekend and then they painted the room with the in-laws (along with the master and SS bedrooms). It was basically the best. I highly recommend taking up parents on any offers to paint...

Unknown · August 2015

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mstefanovic · August 2015

Sherwin Williams harmony paint is VOC free. I painted the nursery around 9 weeks. I had all the air vents open and fans going. There weren't any fumes and I felt fine.

mrsgetz4000 · August 2015

We are in the middle of home renovations so I asked my doctor. I need to pain and sand some dry wall, she said just wear a mask and make sure the room is well ventilated. I'd wait until he summer heat cools down so you can open up some windows

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