A Sustainable Baby Registry Guide Featuring Our Favorite Non-Toxic & Organic Products For Your New Bundle Of Joy (2024)
Organic & Non-Toxic Baby Products To Put On Your REgistry
Baby registries can be daunting. You are most likely new to the baby world and don’t know what you really need to add to a registry. You probably also want to make sure you are picking safe and sustainable products. Luckily, many organic baby brands are creating healthy, eco-friendly products you will love to use. When I was first pregnant, I didn’t know where to start, but now that I have had two children, I can create the perfect sustainable baby registry for others to use!
Why Choose Sustainable Products For Your Baby?
If you are new to this blog and found us through a Google search, you'll quickly realize that sustainability is a top priority for us in all aspects of our lives, not just in fashion. Sustainable products not only have a longer lifespan, but they also show respect for the planet and the people involved in their production. When you're buying new sustainable items for your baby, you'll want high-quality products that can be passed down, rather than ending up in a landfill. Sustainable products also use non-toxic materials, which is very important for the health of you and your baby.
Finding Secondhand Baby Items
You can probably knock out many of these with hand-me-downs from your family and friends. Of course, we all want the best, eco-friendly products, but it's always a sustainable choice to go with something pre-loved, especially since you won't use them for long. Most of my children’s clothing is secondhand, and it's saved us a lot of money. However, if you have something specific in mind or don't have the best secondhand options, we have all the sustainable alternatives listed below.
A last note, not all of these products will be useful to everyone. It’s easy to go overboard with your first, but if you don’t feel like you really need it, then you probably don’t.
Our Top Picks for Non-Toxic Baby Products For Your Sustainable Registry:
Natural & Organic Clothing
People love to gift baby clothing.
I suggest letting your family and friends know to look for "organic cotton" when shopping for new clothing and to explore second-hand options like Once Upon a Child.
There is this excellent sustainable baby clothing brand called Hanna Andersson (make sure to check out their pre-loved section). Made from natural materials like OEKO-TEX cotton (some organic), their clothing is made to wear and wash over and over, then hand down.
Plus, they have a ton of character clothing and PJs, from Disney princesses to Marvel superheroes, which are always fun.
Also, check out our post featuring our favorite baby clothing brands here.
A Cute Pair of Booties
While babies don’t need shoes - no matter how adorable a pair may be - they need something covering their little feet. My kids always had socks or a pair of booties, and I’ve never seen any as cute as these! Made Trade has a collection of over 20 handmade animals to cover your baby’s feet. This wonderful online marketplace is also great for decorating your nursery with gorgeous baskets.
Plus, they have the option to create your own registry through their actual site.
Eco-Friendly Stroller
These are my top 3 stroller recommendations:
Bombi: If you need something more compact, this is your stroller! It is made from 50% recycled plastic bottles and is exceptionally lightweight. It’s also a more affordable option at $199.
Bumbleride: This one is also made from recycled plastic bottles & is amazing for our neighborhood/beach walks. The big tires are made for rougher terrain, so no getting stuck!
Greentom: Made from recycled plastic bottles, this stroller weighs less than 15 pounds! We love how the stroller grew with our kids from bassinet to toddler years.
Practical Car Seat
I would have loved to afford the Nuna Exec car seat when my firstborn was a baby because it is probably the most sustainable and non-toxic option available.
However, I ended up choosing the Graco 4-in-1 because it fit my budget and can be used from newborn to booster, so I knew I would get a lot of use out of it.
I recommend only purchasing a secondhand car seat if you know its history. It should not have been in a car accident or been subject to a recall. This can be challenging information to find, so it's best to buy from someone you trust.
Non-Toxic Baby Carrier
A good baby carrier is essential for completing your daily tasks without having to set the baby aside. There are SO many different options when it comes to baby-wearing. The most popular are sling rings, wraps, and carriers.
It really is up to you (and your baby) to decide which is most comfortable.
The brand Boba makes the wrap pictured here, but they also have many carriers to choose from, as well. Plus, they have a page dedicated to helping you choose the right one for your needs.
Non-Toxic Crib
For the crib, you’ll need three things - the crib frame, the mattress & the crib sheets—no bumpers or anything fancy.
Babies spend between 10 and 14 hours each day in their cribs, whether sleeping or playing on the mattress. So when you have a baby, a crib and a crib mattress become the most important things you have to buy for your nursery. (even if you mostly co-sleep - like us - you still use the crib during nap times)
If you want options - We’ve recently published a post about cribs and crib mattresses here.
Bassinet
I highly recommend getting a bassinet because babies sleep randomly throughout the day, and it’s nice to be able to put them down in whatever room you are in at the time - instead of having to place them in the crib and check up on them every so often.
You can definitely find bassinets secondhand easy. I constantly see them at the kids store down the street. However, if you want something to add a little charm to your house, definitely check out the bassinets from Home by Design Dua!
Non-Toxic Play Mat
A great play mat is a highly recommended bonus - especially for tummy time, which my son hated.
The Loverly Play Gym kept his interest for several hours at a time, and I see other babies in the family loving it, too. They are designed by child development experts, and use materials like sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton & water-based, non-toxic finishes!
You can make it into a little tent for when they get a bit older, and it comes with activities to help them develop throughout their first year.
Diaper Bag
This was optional for me. I used the tote bags I already had to put all of my kids’ daily essentials in. I always carried a couple of diapers, wipes, a toy, and a small changing station - I couldn’t find an eco-friendly version, so we had a tiny skip-hop changing pad which we put to great use. It was sustainable for me because it’s a small bag that fits your diapers & wipes so that you can throw it into your existing tote. It folds out so you can lay your baby down & change them. Highly recommend! However, if you have more to carry - like some bottles & clothing - check out MomKindness.
Diaper Station
Another thing I don’t think is super essential, but they do come in handy. There is a certified organic changing pad from Naturepedic that is a little more pricey ($99), but it’s non-allergenic and easy-to-clean. My mom used to always say she just changed me on the bed with a towel, so really this is about preference and what brings value into your life. Also, nest Designs has a changing pad you can lay down on any service.
That beautiful bassinet brand from earlier also has changing stations if you are going for a handmade aesthetic.
Non-Toxic Diapers
I will be very honest with you; I did not like my experience with cloth diapers. We were living in a small apartment, I was constantly behind on laundry & I could never get the smell out. I applaud anyone who has the patience & time for them, but I know it isn’t realistic for every lifestyle.
I think you should try it out, but if it doesn’t work, try Honest Diapers. They never gave my children a rash; they have fantastic leak protection and are non-toxic and plant-based. Truly one of the best option for a disposable diaper - and you can save $ on subscriptions.
Want to try your hand at cloth diapering (it’s the most eco-friendly option)? Check out this post here!
Pump & Bottles
Always check with your insurance to see if they can send you a pump for free before you decide to buy one yourself. Also, ask your mom friends if they have one on hand they are no longer using.
It's great to have a manual pump with you at all times, and will most likely receive one when you are in the hospital.
Pumps and bottles are a personal preference for both the mother and the baby, so I would recommend doing your own research or talking to your doctor.
My favorite pump was the Willow. It's cordless, great for travel, and incredibly easy to clean. If you are looking for a plastic-free bottle, we suggest the Pura, which you can find in different sizes and colors.
I also highly recommend buying nursing pads. I used them every day, and now they are a staple in my nail polish removal routine.
Towels & Bath Time Accessories
For towels, you can use what you already have.
We had a couple organic baby towels for when our children were really little that were gifted to us, but around 6 months, it is just easier to use a full size towel you already own.
I do suggest purchasing some washcloths specific for babies, and these ones from Nest Designs look so soft.
I don’t feel they need their own bathtub, but we loved the Blooming Bath Lotus for the sink.
Muslin Swaddles & Bibs
Swaddling is the practice of gently wrapping a baby in a light blanket to help them feel calm. This technique is believed to improve a baby's sleep and reduce stress, which is why parents worldwide have swaddled their newborns for centuries.
If you're a new parent and want your baby to feel comfortable and cozy all day, you may be considering purchasing swaddles or muslin blankets. However, most brands use conventional cotton, which is not a sustainable or healthy option for our babies.
This article features 12 sustainable brands that offer eco-friendly, organic swaddles and muslin blankets, which are not only healthier for babies but also incredibly adorable!
Mealtime
Hands down, our favorite products when it comes to eating are from EZPZ!
All of their products are made from 100% food-grade silicone, which is naturally unbreakable and toxin-free. You can put them in the dishwasher and microwave, and they come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
They've made eating so much more fun and manageable. Additionally, these mats have a good grip on the table, so you don't have to worry about food flying off!
If you've had a baby before, do you have any products that you absolutely loved having on hand? It's always fun to create registries and stock up on the best for a newborn, but so many of these items can be acquired secondhand. I definitely encourage that first. However, don't feel guilty for wanting to have fun either! These really are the sweetest days <3
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