| Expecting a baby and not sure where to start with the | | | | house all of the diapers, creams, toys, snacks, and |
| plethora of green, natural, organic and eco-friendly | | | | everyday items you tote around? Diaper bags are |
| baby products available? Look no further, here are the | | | | now eco-friendly made from recyclable materials and |
| top 10 must have items to include in your "green" gift | | | | through fair trade practices. Better yet, after your baby |
| registry. | | | | is out of diapers, the bags are functional enough to use |
| 1. BPA-Free Bottles - Safety should be your number | | | | for everyday. Go Gaga is one brand who gets it right. |
| one concern, so look for bottles free of chemicals | | | | In styles from messenger, gondola, and slide tote, these |
| bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride | | | | bags also contain a superior ergonomic strap. Bye Bye |
| (PVC). BPA is found in plastic, so double check to | | | | sore shoulders. |
| make sure bottles you purchased are free of this | | | | 6. Organic Crib mattresses - Organic mattresses are |
| chemical. Another option is to purchase glass baby | | | | made with organic and non-toxic materials instead of |
| bottles. Lifefactory is one company that makes a | | | | conventional and chemically treated materials. Your |
| great looking glass baby bottle with a modern | | | | newborn spends a good portion of they day sleeping, |
| eco-friendly design. | | | | so it is important to ensure a mattress is as pure as |
| 2. Organic Skincare for baby and mom to be - Go | | | | your little one. A typical crib mattress is made with |
| back to basics and look for baby lotions, oils, and | | | | many chemicals that have been linked to childhood |
| creams with natural, plant based, and sustainable | | | | health problems. Fire retardants, plasticizers, and other |
| ingredients. Look for products free of ingredients such | | | | chemicals are in the foam and vinyl cover of a crib |
| as parabens-petro-chemicals(methyl, propyl, etc.) | | | | mattress. |
| implicated in a multitude of health problems and | | | | 7. Organic Crib sheets - Similar to organic crib |
| phthalates - Carcinogens, mutation agents, stored in fat | | | | mattresses in that your baby is spending hours |
| cells-they make perfume set and plastics bend. A few | | | | sleeping on top of them. By choosing organic cotton |
| great organic skincare brands include ErbaOrganic, | | | | crib sheets, your baby will thank you later. |
| Mambino Organics, and Sum-Bo-Shine. | | | | 8. Organic cotton towels - From Bed to Bath, make a |
| 3. Organic Cotton Clothing - Organic clothing has come | | | | move toward organic cotton towels, washcloths, and |
| a long way from what some may view as the | | | | robes. After using organic baby wash, shampoos, and |
| tree-hugger days. It is easy to find basic pieces for | | | | lotions, finish the job by wrapping your precious baby in |
| newborns along with items that have modern styling. | | | | an organic hooded towel. Once again, you can find |
| Look for organic cotton that has been certified or | | | | basic styling in this category, or if you prefer a bit of |
| includes a blend of organic cotton/soy. Bodysuits, tees, | | | | whimsy, check out the hooded towels that will have |
| pants, hats, mittens, dresses, rompers can all be found | | | | your baby looking like a cute little monkey. |
| in organic cotton material. | | | | 9. Organic or Eco-Friendly Baby Carriers & Wraps - |
| 4. Cloth Diapers - Gone are the days of cloth diapers | | | | Whether choosing a baby carrier or wrap to tote your |
| secured with frustrating safety pins and then adding a | | | | tot, look for products made with either organic cotton |
| plastic cover on top of it all. The new wave of cloth | | | | fabric or made from eco-friendly, recyclable material. |
| diapers includes everything from All-in-Ones to basic | | | | Boba Carriers and SleepyWrap are two brands that |
| diapers secured with Velcro or Snaps. And please | | | | provide these options. In fact, most mainstream brands |
| don't forget, cloth diapers now come in a wide variety | | | | offer organic versions of their carriers these days. |
| of materials and fashion colors. Need more reasons to | | | | 10. Eco-Friendly Toys - Of course, what child will keep |
| switch from disposable to cloth? Try affordability, | | | | toys out of their mouths? If there is a chance it will be |
| friendliness to our environment, and healthier for your | | | | chewed on, make sure the items if made from organic |
| baby. | | | | cotton fabric, bpa-free plastics (in the case of |
| 5. Eco-Friendly diaper bags - Need a great carryall to | | | | teethers) or eco-friendly wood. |