[Shahbazin]

OK, our daughter came along almost 3 weeks before her due date (and I thought 1st time mommas were supposed to run late!?), so we hadn't got around yet to painting/caulking our tiny, almost non-ventilated, mildewed/moldy 3/4 bathroom. I've been agitating to go ahead & do it, but both of us are worried about fumes; we do have a big HEPA air filter (very fancy multi-stage thing, what they use in labs & Dr.'s offices) that we can run. Can DD be in the house while we're painting? (the house is about 650 sq ft, & the bath right next to the bedroom). What about at night - should we make plans to stay over at grandparents' house? How long for the smell to go away? Even bleaching the walls, they're badly stained, I can't think all that mold & crap is healthy either... it's just all the paint/caulk stuff says "toxic when preg." & DH never got around to it...

 

[kiwiva]

Have you considered using low-VOC paint? I have done some painting while pregnant and use Benjamin Moore low-VOC paint. Once it is on the walls there is absolutely no smell. I still use a ventilator on me while painting and keep the air cleaner running, but it is worlds better than the paint we used to use.

 

[Minoh]

I wouldn't want my dc around to breathe in those fumes for a long time, until there is no hint of a smell at the very least. The time for them to off-gass probably varies depending on the ventilation.

If you can afford it, I would recommend using the low VOC paints available in any case. They're so much healthier for everyone in the family.

 

[deditus]

Sherwin Williams 'Harmony' line is low odor and no-voc. This is what I used while pregnant.

 

[josybear]

i know this fits in the category of 'i bottlefed all my kids and they turned out fine', but while pregnant and after he was born i painted my house. i used regular, non-oil paint. ds has not grown extra limbs.
i'm pretty sure latex paint is safe, especially with air filters & stuff.

 

[Slaydensmom]

I haven't tried this myself but I remember seeing this tip...
I use Young Living Essential oils in my massage practice. Since it's a network marketing company, Users give tips on how to use various products. One tip was that you could pour a bottle(15ml) of peppermint essential oil into a can of paint and that would negate the toxic paint fumes.
Don't have anymore specifics than that in the ole memory.
Don't know if you want to try...maybe someone else out there has heard of this?