Learn About Eco-Friendly Baby Gear for Your Little One
If you’ve always shopped with sustainability in mind, continuing that mindfulness in shopping for your baby may be less challenging than you had imagined. Finding eco-friendly gear for your granola-baby-to-be is easier than ever, as more and more baby product manufacturers have prioritized using renewable materials and ethical manufacturing processes that are kinder to the environment.
As a new parent, you want to make sure that you are providing the best for your baby. This includes everything from their food and clothing to their gear and toys. When it comes to baby gear, choosing eco-friendly options can have a significant impact on both your baby’s health and the health of the environment. Here’s what you should know about Eco-friendly Baby Gear:
- Safer for Your Baby’s Health. Eco-friendly baby gear is made with materials that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins that can be found in traditional baby gear. For example, many traditional baby products contain phthalates, formaldehyde, and flame retardants, which have been linked to developmental and health problems in children. Eco-friendly baby gear is made with natural, organic, and non-toxic materials that are safe for your baby’s delicate skin and developing bodies. These materials are also free from harmful dyes and synthetic fragrances that can cause allergic reactions.
- Better for the Environment. Traditional baby gear is often made with synthetic materials that are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Eco-friendly baby gear, on the other hand, is made with sustainable materials that have a smaller carbon footprint and are less harmful to the environment. For example, eco-friendly diapers are made with organic cotton, bamboo, or other sustainable materials, which are biodegradable and do not contribute to landfill waste.
- More Durable. Eco-friendly baby gear is often made with high-quality, durable materials that are designed to last longer than traditional baby gear. For example, cloth diapers made from organic cotton or bamboo can be used for multiple children, reducing the need to purchase new diapers for each child. Similarly, wooden toys and furniture made from sustainably harvested wood are more durable and can last for generations, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
- Less Expensive in the Long Run. Although eco-friendly baby gear may have a higher initial cost than traditional baby gear, it can actually be less expensive in the long run. For example, cloth diapers can be reused for multiple children, saving parents hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the years. Similarly, investing in a high-quality, eco-friendly stroller or crib can save parents from having to replace these items frequently, ultimately saving money in the long run.
- Supports Sustainable Practices. Choosing eco-friendly baby gear supports sustainable practices and promotes a healthier environment for future generations. By choosing products made from sustainable materials, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and promoting the use of renewable resources. Additionally, many eco-friendly baby gear companies have sustainable business practices, such as using renewable energy sources, recycling materials, and donating a portion of their profits to environmental causes.
- Promotes Healthier Living. Eco-friendly baby gear promotes a healthier lifestyle for you and your family. By using products that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins, you are reducing your exposure to these substances and promoting a healthier living environment. Additionally, many eco-friendly baby gear companies offer products that promote natural parenting practices, such as baby-wearing and breastfeeding, which have been shown to have numerous health benefits for both parents and babies.
The Best Eco-Friendly Baby Gear on the Market
We’ve rounded up our picks for the best eco-friendly baby gear, featuring a ton of amazing green baby products and our go-to natural baby gear choices.
Bumbleride Era Stroller
Bumbleride is so committed to sustainable manufacturing processes, they have an eco-friendly checklist for each of their strollers. The Era can be used from birth through toddlerhood, and has a non-toxic cork handlebar, fabric made from 100% recycled PET (65 water bottles per stroller!), and plastic parts sourced from recycled fishing nets.
Clek Liing Infant Car Seat in Mammoth
Designed, engineered, and made in Canada, Clek was the first car seat company to eliminate chlorinated and brominated flame-retardants from their entire car seat collection. And Liing’s Mammoth option features an ethically sourced 100% merino wool, to boot.
Nuna RAVA Convertible Car Seat
The Nuna Rava is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and free of both PFAs (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and flame retardants. Nuna also adheres to the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) standard, which aims to reduce the usage of chemicals that may negatively impact human health.
Oeuf Classic Collection Crib
The Oeuf Classic Crib is the perfect combo of minimalist design, sustainability, and crazy comfort for your little one. It’s low to the ground and easy on your back, plus it can be converted to a toddler bed when you’ve outgrown the baby stage. The crib finishes are water-based and non-toxic, it’s produced in a Forest Stewardship Certified facility, and all manufacturing waste is recycled.
Naturepedic Organic Breathable 2-Stage Baby Crib Mattress
This Naturepedic mattress uses organic cotton fabric and fill, and has a wipe-clean waterproof surface made from non-GMO sugarcane. It’s lightweight, so changing sheets requires less effort, and is dual-sided (so you won’t need to purchase an additional mattress once your baby can safely sleep on a less firm mattress).
Monte Joya Rocker
The Monte Joya Rocker has a design-snob-friendly aesthetic, and a granola-friendly construction. The frame is made from sustainable hardwoods, and the inner foam is low VOC and flame retardant free. The Monte family of products is hand-built in Canada, and is GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Nook Pebble Changing Pad
Nook’s soft and contoured changing pad is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and made from CertiPUR-US foam, which is free from PDBEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. The cover is fully waterproof for messy moments, and is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to stains and molds.
Lorena Canals Little Biscuit Round Rug
Cute enough for your little biscuit’s playroom, this rug from Lorena Canals is handmade with natural 100% cotton and features non-toxic dyes. And best of all, it can be thrown in the wash for easy clean up and you can avoid using harsh cleaning products for spot treatment.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
If you plan to breastfeed, a high quality balm is essential to preventing chapped and painful nipples. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter is 100% organic, lanolin-free, and non-GMO project verified.
Kyte Baby Zippered Footie
Kyte Baby jammies are made from ethically sourced bamboo, one of the most sustainable resources on the planet. They’re soft, hypoallergenic, and ideal for babies with eczema or sensitive skin.
BIBS Original Color Pacifier
These natural rubber latex binkies have a cherry-shaped nipple and round shield to mimic breastfeeding, and are BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free.
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Glass Anticolic Baby Bottles
The Options+ Glass Bottle features the same anti-colic venting system parents know and love, but allows for its removal once your baby becomes a feeding pro. What does that mean for you? Less tiny bottle parts to wash.
Beaba Babycook Solo Baby Food Maker
The Babycook steams, cooks and purees baby food in 15 minutes or less, and allows you to have total control of ingredients as you begin introducing solids. Eating a totally organic diet and eliminating preservatives? Oui oui!
bobo&boo Bamboo Divided Plate
These plant-based plates are the perfect option for your granola baby. Made from sustainable bamboo, these beauties are 100% biodegradable and compostable (about as eco-friendly as a mealtime product can get). Free of BPA, toxins, and melamine, you can also microwave them and toss them in the dishwasher for easy clean up.
Ahimsa Stainless Steel Mindless Mealtime Set
Ahimsa feeding gear is pediatrician-Mom designed and made from stainless steel, preventing any chemical transfer to your little one’s food. This set is built to last a lifetime, so you won’t have to replace it as your little one gets older.
Zip Top Sandwich Bags
Zip Top is on a mission to rid the world of floppy sandwich bags and single-use plastic. Made from 100% food-grade silicone, these bags are free of BPA, lead, PVC, phthalates, and latex. A single Zip Top storage bag can replace more than five thousand plastic bags—they’re an eco-friendly must for your kiddo’s lunchbox.
Little Partners Learn ‘n Climb Triangle
A staple in the Montessori classroom, the Little Partners Learn ‘n Climb Triangle allows your child to move freely within boundaries and encourages independent play. Solid hardwood construction allows for years of use, and any finishing paint or assembly glue is non-toxic.
Poppyseed Play Wooden Baby Gym
This wooden gym is made from unfinished pine, and includes high contrast black and white toys based ideal for the visual development of infants. The toys can be switched out easily, and promote hand-eye coordination.
All Cuddle + Kind dolls are ethically produced in Peru and Nepal, where local artisans are provided a sustainable fair trade income. Additionally, they’ve partnered with multiple global nonprofits to donate meals and fight childhood hunger.
Lucy Darling All Aboard National Parks
Lucy Darling’s National Parks board book will take your little one on an adventure across our incredible national parks system, from Acadia to Yosemite. Your kiddo will be a nature freak in no time.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].