Monday, April 18, 2016

Prepping for Baby

Listen up all you new parents and parents-to-be!

As I'm sure you've realized by now, there’s a lot that goes into getting ready for a newborn and so I am here to make stocking and creating an eco-friendly and toxic-free nursery a little easier for you.

Make sure the paints and stains you use are eco-friendly
and non-toxic, too! Photo source: KidSpace Stuff
Having a green nursery and natural baby products contribute to the health and wellness of your growing family; consumption, disposal and reuse of these products is far less harmful to your baby in both the short- and long-term. Plus, as eco-friendly products become increasingly available, you can decorate and stock your nursery with so many fun and colorful items! 

Most of us know about The Honest Company, the baby-care company dedicated to bringing parents effective yet safe and eco-friendly products. Even though I do not have little ones running around, I am a true believer in some of their natural products, namely the stain remover and multi-surface cleaner. They work and I don't feel like I've filled the air in my tiny apartment with chemicals.

Parents like Honest for so many reasons; diapers are made using plant-based materials without latex or fragrance additives, bottles are completely BPA- and BPS-free and are made with medical-grade silicone and swaddles are made with certified organic cotton. And if you care about waste diversion like I do, you’ll be glad to know that all items are shipped in recyclable packaging. Additionally, the company puts a portion of every purchase towards child development research, improved nutrition at childcare centers and education funds. What’s not to like about that?

While The Honest Company may currently be the best-known eco-friendly baby store, there are plenty of others! I’ve done a little digging for you, but if you find a different item you like, be sure to read all the information the website provides about where the materials come from and how the items are made. If this information isn’t easily disclosed or found, you may want to call the company or keep looking for something else. 

Fortunately, there is a lot of great stuff out there these days. Just see for yourself:

Spiral Bee Dress & Bodysuit Set: Color - Blossom
I want Burt's Bees Baby clothing for myself!
Photo Source: Burt's Bees Baby
Burt’s Bees launched Burt’s Bees Baby in 2012. We all know Burt's Bees as the natural skin-care company that started with the simplest idea: "what you put on your body should be made from the best nature has to offer". Given this, you can only assume that the baby collection meets the same standards. Besides the well-known washes, ointments and sun care, you can find an extensive collection of natural (pesticide- and chemical-free), 100% organic cotton, adorable clothing and other cloth items for babies and kids. They even make teethers purely out of cornstarch. How cool is that?

The Land of Nod, Crate&Barrel’s baby store, has a large collection of nursery chairs, ottomans and rugs that are made from recycled metals and other materials, sustainably grown wood and plant-based foam. The best part? Some of these items are quite chic! Just note that The Land of Nod does not solely sell these types of items; so find out as much as you can about the products before purchasing!

Last but certainly not least, Etsy is actually a great place to find non-toxic, eco-friendly nursery items. Some people have entire stores dedicated to things like wood items, toys, wool items, and more. Etsy is endless and if you’re unsure about an item, many store owners will list exact materials used in each item and take questions from potential customers.


What’s your favorite eco-friendly purchase for your newborn or nursery?

No comments: