Welcoming a new addition to the family this spring? Check out these natural, organic and nontoxic baby goodies, says Joanna Evans.
The Little Green Sheep, Natural Mattresses, from £59.95 (about $82)
Babies spend a lot of time sleeping on their mattress, but most contain nasty chemicals like fire retardants, which have been associated with toxic effects. Thankfully, The Little Green Sheep has created a range of chemical-free mattresses for babies and children made with natural materials such as coconut coir, cotton and wool. Wool is the star ingredient as it’s hypo-allergenic, temperature regulating and, crucially, naturally fireproof, meaning the mattresses pass the strict UK and European fire regulation tests without the need for chemical fire retardant sprays. There are mattresses to fit all sorts of cribs, cots, bassinets, Moses baskets and even a custom size option. Plus, The Little Green Sheep offers organic cotton mattress protectors and organic cotton sheets to complete your
safe sleeping set up.
Kura , Organic Baby Wrap, from £60 (about $82)
Keep your baby snug safely with this genius wrap you can use in car seats, pushchairs, strollers, prams, carrycots, bassinets and Moses baskets. The universal design has cut-outs at the back so that it can be used with three- and five-point harnesses and has been independently safety tested for use in car seats. Available in two sizes, 0–6 months and 6–12 months, the wrap is made from 100 percent organic cotton certified by GOTS, the leading organic textile standard, and the lining is printed with non-toxic Oeko-Tex standard inks, meaning they are free of harmful chemicals. We love the striped chunky knit design that comes in pebble gray, sorbet pink, sky blue and sage green, but there’s also a plain basketweave knit design available in charcoal, clay, cinnamon and stone colors.
Close, Caboo + Organic Baby Carrier, from £77/$90
Keep your baby close and your hands free at home or out and about with this top-selling baby carrier, suitable for newborns up to 4–6 months. Made from soft organic cotton, the carrier combines the flexibility and snugness of a stretchy wrap with the ease of use of a more structured carrier. You simply pop the carrier over your head like a t-shirt and adjust the fabric through the rings. No complicated tying techniques or knots required. The wide straps distribute baby’s weight comfortably over both shoulders plus allow you to tuck in your little one’s head for extra support and closeness. The carrier is certified as ‘hip-healthy’ and meets guidelines for safe carrying.
Little Green Radicals , Welcome to the World Gift Set, £50 (about $68)
This gorgeous gift set from organic and Fairtrade children’s clothing company Little Green Radicals is perfect for a new arrival. Presented in a lovely white box, it includes a hooded baby blanket, baby cap, long-sleeve footed babygrow (jumpsuit), long sleeve baby bodysuit (onesie), footed baby trousers and a cute drawstring ‘welcome’ bag to keep them in. All the items are made from super soft undyed organic and Fairtrade cotton, which means no nasty chemicals next to baby’s delicate skin. And the snaps used on the babygrow and bodysuit are nickel-free to reduce the risk of irritation or allergic reaction. The adorable set is ideal for a newborn, but also comes in sizes 0–3 months, 3–6 months and 6–9 months.
Standard disposable diapers, or nappies if you’re in the UK, can contain all sorts of potentially harmful chemicals and are terrible for the environment too. Reusable cloth diapers are a fantastic alternative and can save you money in the long run. There are many options available, but here are three of our favorites made with organic cotton, meaning minimal chemicals next to baby’s skin. All three are ‘all-in-one’ designs, which are the easiest to use as there are no separate parts to fit together.
For unrivaled advice on reusable diapers, including personalized recommendations, visit www.thenappylady.co.uk.
Simplex One Size All in One, $34.95/£27
US: www.blueberrydiapers.com UK: www.thenappylady.co.uk
Made with a waterproof outer layer (polyester) and 10 layers of 100 percent organic cotton in the wet zone, this is a highly absorbent diaper that’s quick and simple to use. The snap fastenings allow the diaper to grow with your baby from 10–35 lbs (4.5–16 kg), and pocket openings on both ends mean you can boost the diaper’s absorbency by adding extra inserts. It comes in a huge range of designs, and there’s also a newborn size for smaller babies.
Organic All in One, $25.95/£19.95
US: www.grovia.com UK: www.thenappylady.co.uk
Adjustable with snaps to fit from 10–35 lbs (4.5–16 kg), this diaper consists of a waterproof polyester outer and four layers of 100 percent organic cotton on the inside next to baby’s skin. It’s quick drying, has a slim fit and comes in a gorgeous range of plain colors and cute prints. There’s also a newborn size and a ‘Buttah’ version, which has a soft-as-butter laminated polyester velour outer instead of the standard one.
Organic One Size Wizard Uno, $24.95/£22.99
US: www.mother-ease.com UK: www.thenappylady.co.uk
A unique design with double elasticated leg openings (extra defense against leaks), this popular diaper is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, which sits next to baby’s skin, with a polyester core sewn in for durability. Like the other diapers here, it has a waterproof outer layer as part of the diaper and snaps to adjust the size (from 7–35 lbs). For nighttime, you can add a ‘booster’ (sold separately) between the absorbent core and the cover to increase absorbency. It’s available in lots of lovely plain and printed designs and comes in a newborn size too.
What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community
