How to Set Up an Eco-Friendly Baby Registry
I’m getting ready to set up my baby registry, and I want to focus on organic, “green” baby products. Where should I start?
Give thanks. Not just for the miracle of life that is about to bless yours, but for the myriad eco-options now available to you. When I had Corbin it was so hard to find eco-friendly items that were not way out of my budget, and now there are so many fabulous resources! Start with organic bedding since your little one will be spending so much time there - at least we hope he or she will be a good sleeper. Then make sure the products you use to wash and bathe baby are organic, and opt for non-phthalate leaching baby bottles such as those from Born Free, thinkbaby™, and the bisphenol-A free Green to Grow. Enjoy all of the adorable organic cotton outfits too. Cotton is one of the most chemically intensive of crops so that little onesie, when made with conventional cotton, is a big mess of chemicals you definitely don’t want your baby exposed to. And make sure the teethers and toys you give her are made of wood and other more natural ingredients since she’ll be product testing everything in her mouth.
EcoToyTown is a great resource.
You may also find it a fun little exercise to explore some of your local baby stores. It can be a good way to connect with other moms, and you may discover some enjoyable boutiques that offer organic products within their registry – also fun places to visit regularly as your baby grows. This idea also supports the “shop local, fair trade, and organic” mantra of green living (
#3 on the EcoMom™ Challenge).
Here are some of our favorite registries for baby (and you) during this special time:
- Our Green House has a diverse catalogue and they always seem to have some unique finds, such as vegan baby booties in chocolate and turquoise.
- Naturally Good is an easily navigable site with products arranged by category from bedtime to playtime.
- Green for Baby, a little boutique in Southern California with web access as well, will walk you through a phone meeting to help you register appropriately.
- Earth Mama Angel Baby is so sweet and it caters to you as well as your baby - since part of becoming a mommy is taking care of yourself (which many new moms forget).
One last thing: Remember that some of your friends and family may not yet have caught the “green wave,” so try to make your request for organic respectful and sensitive, i.e. provide a kind entrée into the world of green living. Hopefully they’ll be excited that you’ve opened the door for them, but if not, stay positive and take heart. You may be a leader within your community!
NOTE FROM THE CRADLE:
You can easily add any (or all!) of these registries to your 'My Registry Links' portlet in the MY CRADLE section. If you choose to create a web page on The Cradle, these registries will appear there as well, making it easy for your family and friends to access them. You can find an overview on how to set up your registry links here.)
About The AuthorKimberly Danek Pinkson is the founder of the EcoMom Alliance and a popular media guest and keynote speaker on issues of green living and sustainability. A longtime social entrepreneur and freelance writer, she is a frequent contributor for parenting magazines and websites such as BabyCenter and iVillage. Kimberly works with her team of EcoMom Leaders to bring forth the organization's positive and proactive messaging, including teaching Sustain Your Self workshops nationwide. She is the proud mommy to son Corbin, a doting auntie to two nephews, and very happy to be a part of The Cradle. To learn more about Kimberly and join the EcoMom Alliance, please visit ecomomalliance.org.
