Advice needed about paints

[iDontShareChocolate]

Hello,
We are looking to paint our flat. Problem is we have a 5 month old and a dog. I am worried about the paint affecting them.
DH says that we will buy water based paint and it will be fine, but after a bit of googling it looks like that they aren't as innocent as they sound?
I also saw that there are some paints called eco paints. Are they worth the money and which brands? Or should we stick with the water base ones and indeed it will be fine?Any tips to get rid off the smell?

The flat is small so even if we close doors to cut off the room and open windows the smell will probably travel. We also have no relatives or friends that we can stay with.

Any advice will be appreciated!

It’s really not as bad as you think it will be. Can one of you take her out whilst the other paints? Open windows to air

Paint with the windows open, most paint don't smell that much any more. I've been painting for weeks now armistead, dulux, crown, johnsons and Leyland have all been used and no strong smell from any of them.

Air for a few weeks even when dry and its all good.

It's gloss paint that smells the most. If you can avoid doing woodwork and radiators then emulsion paint clears quickly.

I’ve also had this worry and did a lot of research. Short version: you can paint with the dog/child in the house and it’s fine.

Only use water based paint and check the VOC level on the tin. There will be a little image and anything water based will likely be very low, you can get water based emulsion and gloss, you’ll be able to wash the bushes with water, and there will be hardly any smell.

Paint is subject to EU VOC emissions levels and so these have long been reducing. Open some windows as you do it and you’ll be fine.

Ok, thanks everyone that's quite reassuring!