The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic, Eco Friendly Baby Gear

CONTENTS:

• Why Avoid Toxins in Baby Products? 
• Car Seats
• Strollers
• Baby Carriers
• Swing and Bassinet Alternatives
• Bedding and Mattresses
• Co-Sleepers, Cribs and Furniture
• Changing Pads
• Bathing
• Nursing
• Bottles, Sippies, Dishes and Bibs
• Travel Cribs
• Bouncers
• Cloth Diapers
• Toys
• Activity Gyms

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Most photos are linked so please feel free to click on them

Disclaimer: I do not have personal experience with the majority of these products.  If I have used them, it is noted.  I have done my best to document information I have received from companies via email, or whether I found it noted on their site.  I will do my best to keep this information updated, but I cannot be held accountable for any changes, or anything that an employee misinformed me of.  This registry serves to help as many people as possible, but if you have a major concern, I would suggest confirming with the company yourself.


Why Avoid Toxins in Baby Products?

I think the thing that was most appalling when I started looking into toxins in baby products was the use of flame retardants in just about everything.  Strollers, swings, mattresses, bassinets, nursing pillows, pajamas, anything with foam pads like changing tables, tub inserts, sleep wedges, etc... and somewhat understandably, car seats.  Most are manufactured with toxic flame retardants, to protect all those babies that go up in flames while on their nursing pillows, changing pads, and let's not forget all the babies left in their strollers in burning buildings.  Flame retardants, also known as PBDE's (polybrominated diphenyl ether) and Chlorinated "Tris," are being shown in study after study to be endocrine disruptors linked to a number of health problems, including infertility, neurological disorders, and even cancer.

In addition to flame retardants, there are of course the dangerous toxins in the plastic used to make many baby items and toys, including BPA, phthalates and the worst of the worst - PVC.  Taken from the HealthyStuff.org site, "From production to disposal, PVC is associated with the use and release of toxic chemicals.  During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents in surrounding areas, may be exposed to vinyl chloride (the building block of PVC) and/or dioxin (an unwanted biproduct of PVC production), both of which are carcinogens."  Phthalates are often added to PVC to make it more pliable, making it a toxic two for one.  PVC...the thing some baby teethers and bath toys are made of! 

To learn more about vinyl chloride and the risks of its manufacturing, "Blue Vinyl" is an excellent documentary about a woman, motivated by her hysterectomy for cervical cancer at the age of 25, looking into why her parents changing the siding of her childhood home to vinyl may be problematic.


The easiest way to avoid these toxins is to simply avoid plastics all together whenever possible.  There are plenty of options out there for toys and gear made partially or entirely of natural materials.  With the exception of a few items like car seats, plastic is not a necessity, and neither are many of the things deemed so by the Babies 'R Us stores, the online retailers like Diapers.com and other retailers out to get your money.  I know that may be a difficult concept for some to wrap their heads around, because plastic is so dominant in the world of baby items, but I'm here to say that I know it's possible to skip many of the standard plastic baby registry products, because I did it myself. 

While some (but not all!) of these items may cost a little more than their toxic competitors, money can be saved by omitting several typical registry items.  This may be a consumer based blog, but my intent is not to encourage mass consumption, it is to provide options that have a less harmful impact on the environment and/or the users themselves, or give ideas of products that can eliminate the need for other purchases - like replacements for typical disposable items.  For those of you may think there is no way you could survive without a giant plastic exersaucer or swing, I implore you to reconsider.  There is more to it than just toxicity.  Last summer we rebuilt the deck at my husband's childhood home, and completely buried in the dirt, submerged for approximately 30 years, was a plastic tupperware cup.  When we dusted the dirt off, it looked brand new - untouched, not a hint of decomposition, as if someone bought it the day before and buried it there.  The only clue to its age was that it was avocado green.  That was just one small, children's cup - imagine what one of those exersaucers will look like in 100 years?  200 years?  Or one of those large outdoor plastic playhouses?  If the tupperware cup is any indication, my guess is they will have changed very little.  Then of course there is all of the polluting aftermath from manufacturing, including ocean and air pollution, and potentially poisoning factory workers.  All of this for one item that will be used for a few months?  A year even?  I understand that people have their reasons for wanting such things, but all I'm saying is that I urge you to think of what is a necessity from a different perspective.

"Addicted to Plastic" is an informative and sobering documentary on the implications of plastic production and disposal, including visiting one of the "plastic islands" forming in the ocean, which is twice the size of Texas.  There is a full length version on youtube, but I'm not sure if it's authorized, so here is the trailer:




Nontoxic Options?

All of that said, there are still lots of options out there with little or no toxins to round out a baby registry.  When my daughter was born I used myregistry.com, so that I could add things from any site, including smaller retailers like cloth diaper stores.  It worked out very nicely for us. 

Car Seats:

As I said, here is an item where not only plastic is unavoidable, but flame retardants as well.  However, there are manufacturers doing good things, and the good news is that not all of them are at astronomical price points.

On July 16, 2012 Graco released a press statement saying that they are "committed to ban and monitor the use of [tris]" (PLEASE SEE NEW UPDATE BELOW!) and says that it does not use FireMaster 550 (a common replacement for PBDE's that is equally toxic) on any of their products.  The pdf of the press release can be found here.

UPDATE ON GRACO!!! (March 19, 2013): It seems Graco replaced Tris with yet another toxic flame retardant called TBBPA.  Read more about it here.

Britax manufactured "one of HealthyStuff.org's most toxic car seats in 2011," and in response to their findings, released a statement (found here) on October 4, 2011 saying they are focused on "reducing and/or eliminating the usage of all chemicals containing bromine or chlorine to all components, not just those that are in close or direct contact with children....we fully expect that all suppliers will be compliant by the end of 2012."

The HealthyStuff.org car seat guide can be found here.  It ranks all types of car seats (infant, convertible, booster) by toxicity ratings.  They also have other children's products ranked on their site.  Unfortunately, it seems that testing for car seats only goes upto 2011, and there is a note in the FAQ on the site that says they will be unable to screen car seats this year, which I'm assuming means 2012.  I will definitely keep an eye out for any updated information.

Orbit Baby has been a leader in minimal toxins in their car seats and strollers since they first entered the marketplace, but they are definitely at the high end of the cost spectrum.  However, in 2011 their infant car seat still rated a MEDIUM on the toxicity scale found on Healthystuff.org.  You can learn more about their green practice here.  Despite that rating, they still remain at the forefront of the industry when it comes to non-toxic strollers and car seats.

Stokke is even further up the price point chain, but also focused on reducing toxins.  Although I can't seem to locate any retailers selling their car seat in the US.

Evenflo has some car seats listed on sites like Target as "made in the USA and imported."  I am still waiting on a response clarifying which of their other products are made in the USA.

Strollers:

The people of Organic Baby University (nice job Jennifer!) have put together a comprehensive list of all of the companies, and all of their responses (or lack thereof) they received regarding toxins in their strollers.  Make sure to check out all three parts! 

I was disappointed to learn that Bumbleride has changed their tune since 2008 when I emailed them about my stroller, and when I emailed them recently to confirm that they were still chemical free, I got a similar response as Jennifer, saying, "The foams that are used inside the fabrics are treated with flame retardants to meet CA's TB117 standard, however there are no chemicals used on the actual fabric itself."  I ADORE my Bumbleride Flyer, so if you can find an older version on craigslist, I highly recommend it!

I can remember back when I was looking for strollers for my daughter, I contacted Inglesina and Peg Perego, two companies that still make their products in Italy, and was dismayed to learn that they use flame retardants on everything.  I recently confirmed that this is still the case.

MADE IN CHINA producers are:

4moms - (from email) "We build all our products with the highest quality standards in mind. Our products are designed and engineering in Pittsburgh, PA and our engineers work very closely with the line workers to help them understand why each step matters. We do most of our production in China, not because of the lower cost of labor (which is actually lower in many other parts of the world), but because we have a fantastic manufacturing partner there who shares our commitment to quality and is incredibly skilled. In addition to all the standard testing required by law, our suppliers help us test every lot of incoming material to make sure that it meets our stricter standards on lead, phthalates, strength, color, and dozens of other properties. We have the highest confidence that our products are safe. After all, we're parents too and our own kids use our products.

Testing of all materials used in 4moms products is something that 4moms takes very seriously to ensure the safety and health of your child. We perform extensive testing to ensure we comply with all applicable US and International regulations. We also perform additional voluntary testing to ensure we have the safest, most innovative products in the industry.  I'm unable to provide specifics due to the extent of our testing program, but can assure you that 4moms products meet Federal phthalates and heavy metal requirements."

Just to confirm, I asked that no flame retardants were used on their products, and got this response: "We use many manufacturers around the world but car seats and strollers are made in China.  Our strollers do not have flame retardants added to them."

Baby Jogger

Combi - (from site) "Like most brands, Combi strollers are made in China however unlike most brands Combi owns and operates its own factory which is run according to very strict Japanese quality control principles. In addition to assembly, most of the components are in fact also made within the Combi factory."

Graco

Joovy (confirmed with phone call)

Maclaren - (from email) "our products are produced in China"

Orbit Baby

Phil and Ted's - (from email) "All of our buggy's are designed and engineered in New Zealand and manufactured in China."

Uppababy

Valco

Bugaboo - made in Taiwan

Conflicting information that I'm still waiting on responses from:

Britax lists its convertible and booster seats on their site as "made in USA w/global components" but it does NOT say that on the infant seats or strollers.  They have yet to respond with clarification about where the infant seats and strollers are made.

Evenflo searches show some items that are listed from the USA, so I'm still waiting to confirm which ones.

First Years is also showing conflicting info - still waiting on a response

Baby Carriers:

If you are new to the concept of baby carriers, Quirky Baby not only has an excellent selection, but if you click on each type in the menu on the left, there is also a detailed description of every type of carrier before their selection, as well as a comparison chart.  Still undecided?  Quirky Baby has a quiz to help you figure out your needs, and if that isn't enough, Rachel is happy to answer any of your questions.  If you live locally in NJ, there is a try before you buy program.  She even offers private consulations in her home office by appointment.  Don't live locally?  If you have any small retailer close to you that sells carriers, many will let you at least try them on, and some may even let you try before you buy.  There are also free babywearing groups all over the country, and I know the central NJ one has a lending library. 

I have been contacting manufacturers of many baby carriers, and this is the information I have collected so far.  If the information wasn't readily available on their site, they were asked where their products are made, and/or whether or not they are treated with any flame retardants or other chemicals, including the foam padding (where applicable).  I focused on carriers that contain foam padding, since that's where flame retardants usually lurk.  If it was found on the website the link will be provided, and if it was from an email response, that will be noted.  They are alphabetized and I will try to keep info updated, as well as add other brands in the future.  To learn more about "Oeko-Tex Standard" referred to by some of the companies, click here.

BABYBJORN:

Origin: (from email) "BabyBjorn Carriers are made in various countries.  I need to know the exact carrier and color specifically before I can tell you where it's made."  So unfortunately, they have a LOT of models and colors!  They were extremely quick to respond, so if the origin is of concern to you, your best bet is to email them what specific models and colors you are interested in.

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "All fabrics used in BabyBjörn products that have a textile component that comes into contact with babies' skin meet the very stringent Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 which guarantees that there are no harmful chemicals used in the production of the fabrics. Active chemical products having flame retardant properties are banned within the scope of Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and therefore there are no treatments with chemicals to the fabrics used in our products in order to meet flammability requirements. In order to meet any flammability requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, BabyBjörn uses only natural fabrics in the production of BabyBjörn products, meaning that they are flame resistant by nature. (Versus using man-made fabrics which are very flammable and need to be treated to pass the standard)"

They also provided a pdf of a statement regarding the foam padding which said this:

"Environmental Science & Technology magazine reported in May 2011 that the foam found in many baby products (e.g., portable mattresses, baby carriers, changing table pads, etc.) contains chlorinated Tris, or other flame retardants. These chemicals, while legal to use in the US, are considered toxic. This is not an issue for BabyBjörn products. Each of our products meets all safety requirements of the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, including those related to flame resistance, and they also are certified to a rigorous, international standard (Oeko-Tex Standard 100; Class I). This standard prohibits the use of flame retardant chemicals (e.g., Tris, PBB, TEPA, TCEP9, etc.) in products made for children. In short, your child’s well-being is our first priority. You can use all BabyBjörn products with confidence, knowing that they are free from health-hazardous substances."

BABYHAWK:

Babyhawk makes mei tai carriers that can be worn front or back, and can even be custom made with a choice of fabrics.  These come in a regular and and toddler size (3 inches taller than the regular size).  They also make the Oh Snap, with buckles and webbing instead of traditional mei tai straps.

Origin: (from email) "We manufacture our carriers in Oceanside, CA"

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "All of our carriers have been tested for chemical additives and lead and have passed. We also do not use any materials that are treated with flame retardants."

BABY K'TAN:

From the site: "Baby K'tan is a wrap without the wrapping.  The Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is an innovative soft cotton baby carrier that is an ideal blend of a sling, wrap and carrier, providing the positions and benefits of all three. There is no other carrier available like it. It is a ready-to-wear wrap that enables parents & caregivers to comfortably carry infants and toddlers (from birth to 3 years) in multiple positions."

Origin: (from email) "Our carriers are currently manufactured in Guatemala and China"

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "Our carriers are not treated with any flame retardants and all of our carriers (regular and organic) are tested for and are free of harmful chemicals, formaldehydes and azo-dyes"

BECO:

Beco makes soft structured carriers that can be worn on the front, back or hip

Origin: "The majority of all Beco products are still being produced in California with exception of Butterfly 2 Metro Black and Espresso colors, which are being produced in USA as well as China. This is clearly stated on the listing page of every product on Beco Baby Carrier website." - taken from site under "important counterfeit notice" on FAQ page

Chemicals?: NO Beco proudly announces on their opening page NO LEAD, TOXIC DYES, PHTHALATES, FLAME RETARDANTS

BOBA:

Boba's structured carriers can be worn on the front or back, newborn to toddler without an extra newborn insert.  They also make wraps, formerly known as the Sleepy Wrap.

Origin: "All Boba Carriers and Wraps are manufactured with reputable companies located in China that adhere to strict labor laws. They also follow our strict policies regarding fair work ethics and are an integral part of the Boba Inc. family."  Taken from Boba's FAQ page.

Chemicals?: After not receiving an email response, I called and spoke to someone who said there were no chemicals used.  However, when I asked her to email me something official in writing, this is what I received: "I did not find anything specifically on our website that speaks of being chemical free, however, we meet the standard of the CPSIA compliance.  Please see the enclosed link."

CATBIRDBABY:

Catbirdbaby makes the Pikkolo carrier as well as a mei tai.  From the site: "The pikkolo carrier is a unique blend of mei tai and buckle carrier that features comfortable but slim memory foam straps, enables you to do an ergonomic front facing out carry, can be used from birth without a separate insert, and still works great for carrying toddlers up to 40 lbs.!"

Origin: Made in USA

Chemicals?:  NO (from email) "No, we do not use flame retardants in our carriers."

ERGOBABY:

Ergobaby makes soft structured carriers that can be worn front or back.  They offer inserts for newborns.

Origin: (from email) "We started doing all our organic carriers in India. China is our manfacturer as well as Vietnam which is our newest factory."

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "Our carriers have not been treated with any chemicals. We do not use flame retardants. There are no preservatives in the color dyes which makes the ERGObaby carrier 'child safe'."

LILLEBABY:

Lillebaby is a soft structured carrier that can be worn on the front or back.

Origin: "Designed in the USA, manufactured in China...Factory conforms to social accountability standards" - Listed on site for each carrier under "quality and care" tab.

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "There are no flame retardants in Lillebaby carriers."


MAYAWRAP:

Maya Wrap ring slings have a padded shoulder for excellent back support, and are suitable for all ages from newborn to toddler.  You can do a newborn hold, hip carry and even kangaroo carry.  We LOVE our maya wrap!

Origin: Guatamala - "It is Maya Wrap company policy that all those involved in the production of Maya Wraps are paid a fair wage in the local context, have healthy and safe working conditions, and are at least 16 years of age. We recently had this verified by an independent 3rd party and will continue to have this verified on a regular basis"  Found on site, here.

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "Our slings do not have any flame retardants or chemicals on them. They are hand loomed in Guatemala and then are washed before packaging them!"

MOBY:

Moby now has a new structured carrier that can be worn on the front, as well as their original wrap that can be worn in the front or the hip.

Origin:  "Moby Wraps are made in Chiang Mai, Thailand by Moby Co. Ltd. which is owned jointly by the Moby Wrap founders and their Thai partners. The salaried staff enjoy generous wages, bonuses and health care. Most importantly Moby Co. Ltd. provides a friendly and respectful work environment."  Found under "about us" on website.

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "There are no fire retardants or other chemicals used on our wraps."

We adored our moby wrap when our daughter was born.  I loved it for grocery runs - I would put it on before I left the house and just popped my daughter in it when I got there.

ONYA BABY:

A structured carrier that can be worn front or back

Origin:  In the email, I was directed to their website, which tells all about their location in the Philippines where their products are made - here

Chemicals?: NO (from email) "None of our products are treated with any chemical products. Flame retardants or otherwise.  Along with the required CPSC standard testing, we also voluntarily test our products for flammability and solubility to saliva (neither tests are mandated, but we feel they are important).  The solubility testing insures there is nothing nasty that can be absorbed by your child in any component we use to make our carriers."



Kanoe Hammock

Swing and Bassinet Alternatives:

If you really, really want a swing or bassinet but are concerned about the standard variety coated in toxic flame retardants, there are several hammock style alternatives.

Kanoe is MADE IN THE USA of organic cotton canvas, and comes in natural with khaki lining or Earth (brown) with Sky blue lining.  It is designed for newborns upto children 30 pounds.  It is suspended from the ceiling with hardware, or they recommend several stands (scroll down to "Is there a stand?") sold elsewhere if you prefer a stand.

NOTE: Based on customer feedback of poor customer service, Hushamok has been removed from this guide and is NO LONGER RECOMMENDED.  Check back soon for the release of the update which includes many new options!

Another organic cotton hammock option is the Yayita hammock made by a company called La Siesta.  It is a little more reasonably priced, and it can be used with a purchased wooden stand, or suspended from the ceiling with hardware.  It is available at Nova Natural and you can purchase the hammock and stand separately, or together at a discount. 



Yayita Hammock
at Nova Natural



Cariboo Bassinet
and Activity Gym

Cariboo Baby products are made in New Zealand, of sustainable materials.  You can read more about their practices here and here.  They make bassinets, changing tables, activity gyms, cribs, bedding and mattresses.  Their products are available at these online retailers, and The Cariboo Store seems to have the best selection.



Bedding and Mattresses:

I have always told new mom friends that if you are going to do just a few things organic/toxin free, it should be the bedding, mattress and sleepwear.  All of them are loaded with flame retardants, and mattresses have a slew of other things to be concerned about, like PVC and phthalates.  When I contacted Carters years ago about their fleece pajamas, I was told that they now have a process where the flame retardants are actually part of the polyester fabric, instead of them being treated separately with it.  But larger manufacturers like Carters and Oshkosh are starting to make affordable organic pajamas, if you are OK with those manufacturers.  If you can't afford organic sheets for your own bed (as children often sleep there too), at least avoid "wrinkle free" ones - those contain formaldehyde as well (that goes for wrinkle free clothing too!).  Larger chains like Target are starting to carry all sorts of organic sheets in all sizes, if you want to go with toxin free bedding but can't afford options not made in China.  In fact, some like these for adult beds say "made in USA or imported." 

FAIR TRADE:

Bamboobino - makes bamboo sheets, towels, clothing and nursing pads (from site): "The viscose from bamboo fiber in all our products are Oeko-Tex 100 certified, and is made from OCIA & USDA-certified organically grown bamboo. The organic cotton in our products are also OCIA-certified. All our products are made in Vancouver except our socks, crib sheets and pandas, which are sourced ethically in Asia. Whenever possible, we use local suppliers."

Coyuchi - organic bedding (including matching nursery collections), towels and pajamas made with fair trade practices all over the world.  For more info on where their products are made, scroll down to "Social and Environmental Standards" here

Kate Quinn Organics - organic bedding, clothing, towels and bibs/accessories made in India

Under the Nile - organic baby sheets, blankets, toys, clothing/pajamas, towels and bibs/accessories made in Egypt

MADE IN USA:

Cotton Monkey Organic Crib Bedding

Carousel Designs manufactures all sorts of crib and toddler sheets made in the USA, but for the reasons stated above, I would stick with their organic line.  One place we saved is not getting all the standard matching crib stuff and nursery decor.  We didn't feel we needed a matching lamp and light switch cover and hamper...again, everyone has their own tastes, needs and desires, but that is definitely a place where parents can save if necessary. 

Cherub's Blanket makes not just blankets but towels, bibs, hats and onesies in organic cotton

Cotton Monkey - makes 100% organic towels and bedding (including bumpers and crib skirts) in gorgeous, colorful prints

Holy Lamb Organics makes bedding, wool puddle pads and mattresses with organic cotton and premium eco-wool batting.  They also make organic nursing pillows.

Kelly Green makes all kinds of organic hemp, cotton and wool bedding, including mattresses.

Naturepedic makes mattresses and bedding of all sizes (including bassinet, mini crib, cradle and cosleeper), mattress toppers and pads, contoured changing pads with no vinyl, PVC, phthalates or polyurethane foam, all waterproofed with food grade polyethylene.  If the polyethylene still make you nervous, they now make a quilted mattress with no waterproofing. 

OMI Mattress (from site): "mattresses and bedding are produced in the nation's only large-scale 100% organic factory...OMI’s handmade organic mattresses are manufactured in Northern California by expert artisans."  OMI mattresses are made of "Cruelty-free Eco-Wool™, certified organic cotton, and 100% natural rubber latex — all renewable, biodegradable resources."  They are available for purchase online at Giggle.com

Pure-Rest Organics/Ecobaby Organics says on their site that "many of their raw materials and finished products are completely USA made."  They make organic bedding, mattresses, towels and baby clothing.  They have wool topped or quilted natural rubber mattresses in every size and even shape, including ones for mini co-sleepers, stokke products and even the Baby Bunk mentioned below.  They also sell Pacific Rim furniture as well as the Baby Bunk itself.  You can read more about their organic certifications here, and they have excellent resources about toxins here.

Savvy Rest makes organic mattresses of all sizes, and bedding for adult beds.  From an email: "Our mattresses and bedding are made in the U.S. The quilting for our casings is sewn for us in North Carolina and all of our mattress orders are custom-cut and completed at our facility here in Virginia. Not all of our materials are domestically sourced (latex is from the rubber tree which only grows near the equator, and some of our organic wool is from New Zealand because as of yet, there is not an adequate supply of North American organic wool to meet demand.) Our molded latex pillows are made in India. Our Dunlop latex is processed in Kerala, India, and our Talalay latex is processed in Connecticut.  The Dunlop natural latex supplier has been fair-trade audited by Intertek."  You can learn more about their rubber harvesting here. 

SOS from Texas makes a really affordable ($13.50) organic cotton baby blanket, among a few other baby items.

COMBINATION STORES:

Baby Earth has a good selection of Naturepedic, as well as organic sheets and mattresses for Arm's Reach Co-sleepers of both sizes

Baby Eco Trends sells Naturepedic as well as Holy Lamb Organics (including the Bo Peep nursing pillow), and the Pacific Rim and Amish furniture listed below, all made in the USA

Cotton Monkey makes organic bedding and towels, all made in the USA

Dax Stores carries a great selection of many of the brands above, as well as some brand unspecified bedding made in the USA.  They also have a toxin free, organic nursing pillow and cover, as well as the Pacific Rim brand of furniture mentioned below.

Little Spruce Organics is one my favorite stores, and has the best selection of wool blankets (mostly from Germany) as well as all things wool clothing and everything organic!  They also give 20% off first orders!

Nature's Baby Blankets has a huge selection of all things organic bedding and mattresses, and the Baby Bunk mentioned below.

Organic Baby Garden has a large selection of organic sheets, clothing, towels, furniture and more from many of the brands featured here.

Co-sleepers, Cribs and Furniture:

Since children's furniture often takes a beating, the most budget and eco friendly thing you could do is scour flea markets or yard sales for dressers and just invest in a co-sleeper or crib.  You can even convert a dresser into a changing table.  Here is a quick tutorial for an idea using crown molding to add the ledge around the changing pad. 

While I loved my Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper and would love to recommend it even more, before my daughter was born I contacted the company and was told that they do contain flame retardants.  We were unable to afford other options, so we opted for the mini co-sleeper with one of the EcoBaby wool covered organic mattress and the organic sheets for it.  It was the best we could do within our means.  Once she outgrew it we skipped the crib and put a twin mattress next to ours, with both on the floor so there was no danger of rolling off.  I'm still waiting for a confirmation email from Arm's Reach that these facts about their flame retardants remain unchanged.

MADE IN USA:

The Baby Bunk is a solid maple co-sleeper, with a non-toxic finish and organic mattresses available.  The bunk, organic bed skirt, sheets and mattresses are all available for purchase at Nature's Baby Blankets.


Humanity Organics Family Bed is organic cotton flannel filled with eco friendly kapok (a natural tree fiber).  It is available at the manufacturer website as well as Nature's Baby Blankets.  I didn't see any product origins on their site, so from an email: "Yes, the Family Sleeper is made in the USA. It is manufactured in Maine. There are no flame retardants or any other toxins sprayed or added to our products or pillow fill."


Eco Baby Trends carries a fantastic selection of gorgeous Amish, non-toxic nursery furniture.  There are over a dozen styles to choose from, each so beautiful.  They have bassinets, rockers, ride on toys like I've never seen, and more.  They also carry the other USA brands: Holy Lamb Organics, Naturepedic and Pacific Rim.






El Greco is a family run business from NJ, that uses non-toxic and sustainable materials.  Their cribs are currently available at these retailers, including Land of Nod (search El Greco)

Kalon Studios produces very modern furniture of sustainable materials.  There is a nice selection available at Layla Grace.

Pacific Rim makes nursery as well as adult bedroom furniture, from sustainably harvested maple, with non-toxic finishes.  Dax stores carries a complete selection of Pacific Rim, and Eco Baby Trends carries two of their cribs.




OTHER OPTIONS:

Cariboo Baby products are made in New Zealand, of sustainable materials. You can read more about their practices here and here. They make bassinets, changing tables, activity gyms, cribs, bedding and mattresses. Their products are available at these online retailers, and The Cariboo Store seems to have the best selection.

Babyletto is an affordable option for those not looking to spend several thousand on a nursery.  Their furniture is made of sustainable New Zealand pine, lead and phthalate free, and has non-toxic finish.  With the exception of the Grayson crib (and maybe drawer bottoms), their pieces are made mostly of solid, stained wood - not veneer or MDF.  Simply Baby Furniture has an excellent selection, and if budget is the number one concern above anything else, the "Baby Mod" line sold at Walmart is the exact same furniture, just marketed for less money under a different name.



Oeuf and Stokke are two other eco friendly nursery furniture brands available at many retailers.  I am personally a fan of solid wood, and if you look closely at their descriptions, you will see words like "composite wood" or "MDF" (a step up from particle board), "veneer" and "plywood."  All of this for a hefty price tag.  For that reason, I can't really get behind their furniture.

Changing Pads:

Firefly Diapers Wool Mat

If you want to go 100% natural, waterproof material, then wool is the way to go!  We cloth diaper with wool almost full time, and it is just amazing.  It is naturally water repellent, stain resistant, fire resistant, has antibacterial properties and when it comes to changing pads - it can absorb 35 - 40% of its own weight in moisture.  Where bedding and clothing are concerned, it is also breathable and regulates body temperature.  There are lots of felted and interlock varieties of wool that are actually machine washable, but some do still require hand washing.

For some simple changing pad options:

Lilysdreams Upcycled Pad

Firefly Diapers makes a $22 wool changing mat that is made in the USA and machine washable.  From their site: "Won’t shrink like knit or hand-felted wool changing pads."

Lilysdreams on etsy sells this ingenious upcycled 2 layer wool changing/puddle pad for $17

Nature's Baby Blankets also carries wool puddle pads

Oeuf's Pure and Simple Eco-Friendly Contoured Changing Pad is one of the more affordable contoured pad options I found, at $48.  From an email: "The foam used in our changing pad is plant based and the actual plant used to make it comes from the magnolia family.  The cover is made with damask and the wetproof backing is made with food grade poly-urethane, which passes Greenguard.  It also is important to know that our pad and mattresses are all Greenguard certified for children and schools and are free of: lead, PVC, phthalates, BPA, formaldehyde, PBDE, phosphorus and arsenic."

Moonlight Slumber makes natural cotton changing pads free of phthalates, lead, vinyl and PVC.  For the $80 price tag, I'd probably spring the extra money for the contoured Naturepedic instead.  Made in the USA

You can find the Moonlight Slumber pads at Baby Earth.

Naturepedic makes 2 sided and 4 sided organic cotton changing pads.  There is no PVC, no phthalates, no lead, no vinyl or polyurethane.  They are covered in a food grade polyethylene for a waterproof barrier.  They cost $99, not including the covers, and are available at nearly every retailer listed here.  They also sell a flat changing pad for $79.  Made in the USA



EcoBaby Pad (larger size)

EcoBaby Organics wool topped natural rubber pads are sold in a number of sizes, including the 18" x 36" size (select cradle from the drop down menu - for some reason changing pad which is the same size is not registering).  It is not contoured, 1.5" deep and costs $142.  It is also available at Dax Stores for a few bucks less. 
Made in the USA

Holy Lamb Organics makes a luxurious 100% organic cotton lined pad, stuffed with "premium eco wool" batting.  There are also wool puddle pads for purchase there.  All made in USA




Bathing:

INFANT TUBS:

While made of plastic, baby tubs (especially when kids outgrow the sink) can conserve large amounts of water, and save time filling the tub.  Plus, if you're anything like me and hate keeping up with cleaning the sink and bathroom tub, it can make life a little easier.

Prince Lionheart WashPOD

The Prince Lionheart Washpod, Spa Baby and Tummy Tub are all versions of the European upright tub design, started by Tummy Tub.  The concept is that the position simulates the womb and comforts the child.  I can attest that my daughter loved her PL Washpod from day one, only fussing when we took her OUT of the tub to dry her off.  All are BPA, phthalates and PVC free.  (Since this is not noted on the Prince Lionheart website, I received the following email: "The WashPOD is made of 100% polypropylene and the pillow is polyurethane foam.  They are both BPA, phthalates and PVC free.  The WashPOD is made in China."  Just to confirm, since the main danger of polyurethane foam is that it is often manufactured with flame retardants, even though this foam is submerged under water, I wanted to be sure and it was confirmed via email that it does not have any flame retardants in the foam.  If you choose you could take it out, or just opt for the Spa Baby or Tummy Tub.  Spa Baby also has an "Eco" version which is made of recycled plastic, but their competitor, Tummy Tub states, "Recycled polypropylene may be contaminated and the consistent quality cannot be assured. Therefore recycled material should not be used for a hygienic product such as a baby bath. Recycled material is a great idea for producing other items such as planters."


Boon also makes a toxin free "Naked" infant tub, which is collapsible.  However, the upright tubs above can easily be reused long after the baby outgrows them, for any number of things, whereas the boon tub is single purpose.  I use our washpod to lanolize my daughter's wool diaper covers.






BABY/TODDLER TUBS:

Prince Lionheart also makes a collapsible tub free of BPA, phthalates, lead and harmful materials.  It is available in pink, blue, green and white.  There is also a FlexBath Support that can attach to it to hold up younger babies.  It was confirmed via email that the flexi-tub is made in Denmark.





I LOVE our PRIMO EuroBath!  Yes, it's a large, somewhat cumbersome plastic item, but we save SO MUCH water!  My daughter is 2.5 years but larger than many 3 year olds we know, and she still fits in it with no problem.  Filling it takes a mere minute or two, and I can't even imagine how much water we'd be using if we had to fill our whole tub.  Made in the USA



LEACHCO? Yes, they are made in the USA, but while attempting to find out whether any of their baths contained BPA, PVC or phthalates, I was directed to their FAQ page (which I'd already read) that only discusses their products not containing flame retardants.  I replied that their response didn't answer my question, and I wanted to know if it contained those chemicals, not flame retardants.  I got no response (which has been a tip off that it means they do).  I will continue to try to follow up.


TUB TOYS:

Please see the post I wrote on NATURAL RUBBER PACIFIERS, TEETHERS AND BATH TOYS

TOWELS AND WASHCLOTHS:

The following carry organic towels and washcloths:

Bamboobino - makes bamboo sheets, towels, clothing and nursing pads (from site): "The viscose from bamboo fiber in all our products are Oeko-Tex 100 certified, and is made from OCIA & USDA-certified organically grown bamboo. The organic cotton in our products are also OCIA-certified. All our products are made in Vancouver except our socks, crib sheets and pandas, which are sourced ethically in Asia. Whenever possible, we use local suppliers."

Bamboosa - makes hooded towels, clothing, bibs, blankets and more out of certified organic bamboo.  We own two of these towels and still love them!  You just cannot beat the absorbency.  And they are still so cushy soft after years of use.  Made in USA


Cotton Monkey Organic
Hooded Towel

Cotton Monkey - makes 100% organic towels and bedding (including bumpers and crib skirts) in gorgeous, colors and prints - Made in USA

Cherub's Blanket - makes blankets, towels, bibs, hats and onesies in organic cotton - Made in USA

Kate Quinn Organics - organic bedding, clothing, towels and bibs/accessories  - Made in India

Organic Baby Garden has a nice selection of organic bath towels (including Bamboobino, Coyuchi and Cotton Monkey), as well as clothing, furniture and more from many of the brands here.

Under the Nile - organic baby sheets, blankets, toys, clothing/pajamas, towels and bibs/accessories made in Egypt

AFFORDABLE OPTION: if budget is a concern, larger retailers are starting to carry organic towel and washcloth sets, like this one here.

Nursing:

I've witnessed many a facebook survey on breast pads, and the winners are always Bamboobies and wool pads.  Wool?  YES!  WOOL!  It can be very soft, and it is super absorbent!  Bamboo is also incredibly absorbent.  They are both my two favorite fibers for cloth diapering.

Bamboobies are much thinner and discreet. They do have a thin layer of polyester and polyurethane for waterproofing, but they are made with a combination of organic cotton, oeko-tex certified bamboo, and hemp - depending on which variety you get. You can read more about their materials used if you scroll down to the bottom of the FAQ page

LANACare is really the gold standard of wool nursing pads and they make numerous sizes and thicknesses of pads.  Danish Woolen Delight sells them, as well as LANACare blankets and wool clothing from Switzerland.  You can read all about their practices and the wool they use here. 

Just Fussy is a mom run business that makes the best of both worlds.  Her pads are topped with soft organic bamboo velour, have a hidden bamboo fleece core, and are backed with organic merino wool.  Custom sizes can be made.  If you are looking for a postpartum mama cloth option, her pads are exceptional.  You can read the review I wrote about them here.

Loveybums is another mom run business that offers an organic velour pad or an organic wool pad made with two layers of soft wool jersey. 

Dax Stores carries a great selection of many of the brands above, as well as some brand unspecified bedding made in the USA. They also have a toxin free, organic nursing pillow and cover.

Holy Lamb Organics makes bedding, wool puddle pads and mattresses with organic cotton and premium eco-wool batting. They also make organic nursing pillows.  This pillow is also available at Organic Baby Garden.  Made in the USA

Leachco makes an organic "Cuddle-U" nursing pillow cover.  They are MADE IN THE USA.  I ADORED my cover!  Unfortunately, the stuffing is synthetic and not organic, but it can be used on one of the pillows above.  My daughter loved napping in it.  When she was tiny I did need to prop something under her rear to keep her more level, but as she grew that wasn't a problem.  Unfortunately, while the cover and the pillow are available several places, the only place I can currently find that sells JUST the replacement cover is Walmart.  It would be very easy to modify another cover like this, as the straps just fasten with velco on the underside of the pillow.




Organic Caboose makes an organic nursing pillow with print options for the pillow itself, and an organic pillow cover with different prints sold separately.  The pillow is more rectangular than traditional "Boppy" style pillows.  They also have many other organic items, like sleep sacks and cloth diapers.  Made in the USA

Blessed Nest "Nesting Pillows" are filled with buckwheat hulls, that allow you to position your baby and retain that position.  The inside pillow is made of organic canvas (made in a US mill), and the included removable slipcovers are organic cotton and french terry.  They have a variety of prints to choose from, and they also have a smaller pillow, "The Nest Egg" that can be used with the nest or on its own for travel.  Made in the USA




MY FAVORITE NURSING BRA? - you can read all about it in another post I wrote here!



Bottles, Sippies, Dishes and Bibs:



The Glass Baby Bottle has a PHENOMENAL selection of glass, stainless and non-toxic everything food and drink related, including the Brinware Tempered Glass Dishes and Be Kind Silisippers that I've previously reviewed.  They also carry the natural rubber bath toys I've reviewed, and a number of other baby care, maternity and baby gear items.




For Small Hands carries this adorable set of hammered stainless steel flatware, in a variety of sizes for baby, toddler and child (including a butter knife in the 3-6 year old child size).  It is made in Mexico.

Life Without Plastic has the best selection of plastic free, natural bristle bottle brushes.  They are made in Germany.






Travel Cribs:

Unfortunately, traditional pack 'n plays are chock full of toxins and synthetics.  We didn't travel much, so this was one area we saved money and skipped.  However, I'm sure there are many out there who do more traveling than we did when our daughter was young!

Nuna makes an interesting looking travel crib called the "Sena", but I noticed it was missing on their page touting the green characteristics of their products.  From an email: "The outside of the mattress is made of polyester.  The inside is comprised of fiber fill and does contain a low amount of flame retardant." 

Organic Moses Baskets are probably the most natural and eco friendly solution, although somewhat limited when it comes to size.  This one sold at Nature's Baby Blankets has everything included, even the organic mattress and bedding, and beyond traveling, I could see how this would be nice to have at home as well, as a portable bed for naps in any room of the house.  MADE IN THE USA.



BabyBjorn makes a larger, more traditional option for those looking for a little longevity for their money.  All the fabric in the crib is Oeko-Tex certified, and as for the foam mattress, (from an email) "In order to meet any flammability requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, BabyBjörn uses only natural fabrics in the production of BabyBjörn products, meaning that they are flame resistant by nature.  (Versus using man-made fabrics which are very flammable and need to be treated to pass the standard). Please see attached statement."  The statement said, "Environmental Science & Technology magazine reported in May 2011 that the foam found in many baby products (e.g., portable mattresses, baby carriers, changing table pads, etc.) contains chlorinated Tris, or other flame retardants. These chemicals, while legal to use in the US, are considered toxic. This is not an issue for BabyBjörn products. Each of our products meets all safety requirements of the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, including those related to flame resistance, and they also are certified to a rigorous, international standard (Oeko-Tex Standard 100; Class I). This standard prohibits the use of flame retardant chemicals (e.g., Tris, PBB, TEPA, TCEP9, etc.) in products made for children. In short, your child’s well-being is our first priority. You can use all BabyBjörn products with confidence, knowing that they are free from health-hazardous substances."

There is a link on the BabyBjorn page to find numerous online retailers, many of which sell extra sheets as well.  They are available at Baby Earth.  As far as the product origin?  From an email: "BabyBjorn travel light cribs 2 frames are made in Sweden, the fabric is made in China."

Bouncers:

TO BE AVOIDED:

Some may be wondering about Svan, a company who touts an eco friendly bouncer.  What do you get for that hefty price tag?  According to the email I recently received, you get flame retardants.  I received an email stating, "The flame retardant that is used for the foams and fabrics is Ammonium Polyphosphate"

Nuna makes a bouncer called the LEAF, touted on its site to be all kinds of eco friendly with Oeko Tex certified fabrics.  They even talk about the content of the foam being "free of harmful substances" on their "certifiably green" page.  However, email confirmation proved that the LEAF bouncer does contain flame retardants in the padding.    

Another brand that will be missing here are the Bloom Coco Loungers.  I sent my email late at night, and got an immediate response.  It was interesting getting into an IM-like email correspondence with someone from a company, as it can sometimes take quite a while to get a response.  I thought something was fishy when the first response I got was asking which loungers I was referring to?  I was immediately tipped off that there must be some models they'd rather not answer my questions about, while others are OK.  So I responded, "All of them."  This was the response I received, and those who are still interested in them can do with the information what you want, but I don't want there to be any confusion over which model I recommend, which has flame retardants, which doesn't, etc...  "coco wood is made in europe; coco plexi made in china, using highest possible grade german acrylic; coco go is made in china - no formaldehyde, no toxic chemicals.  For coco wood and coco plexi we do not use flame retardants on the seat pads as it is not needed.  For coco go we use non-toxic flame retardant on the seat pad."  So I responded, "What is the 'non-toxic flame retardant' used?"  And suddenly, our quick IM-like correspondence was over.  I did wake up to an email saying that since it had been after hours, they would have to refer my question to the engineering department, but despite my responding again, I have not received a response.  I really don't need one. 

SAFE BOUNCERS:

BabyBjorn - My number one choice!  Made in Sweden (confirmed via email that all models are made there), and if you read the statement posted above with the travel crib, it is free of toxic chemicals. I love that it can convert to a toddler chair when you detach the harness (which we did until she started using it as a stool to climb up on things), that it folds flat if you'd like to store it for more children, and it's adjustable to lay back for infants. And the best part? Aside from the base, there is almost no plastic. It's just a frame with fabric stretched over it.  My daughter loved this thing so much!  I was skeptical because it requires the child to move it, but once she figured it out, she would get herself going so much her back would be bouncing off of it in the air!  I also think that has to do with why she got so strong so fast.  It was like a little baby workout.  The toy bar was wonderful too (note - the red on the face in the middle and the petals of the flowers are plastic).  I remember how excited I was when she first reached out and spun those toys.  The only thing I'm sad to see is these have nearly doubled in price in the three years since we got ours, and the toy bar has gone up by $10.  But I still think it is worth every penny!  There is a link on the BabyBjorn page to retailers, but we got ours at Baby Earth.

Maclaren Eco Bouncer has been discontinued by the manufacturer, but I have come across it a few places and since the pool of non-toxic bouncers is so small, I thought I would put it out there for now.  From an email: "we are pleased to confirm that all of our Eco range are made of recycled materials and do not contain any fire retardants in the products produced for the USA." It is still lingering at a few places.  Albee Baby has one for $29, but note that it is only rated for children up to 6 months.  We used our bouncer WELL beyond that time frame. 




Stokke Bouncer Daybed Combo (sold separately)

Oeko-Tex certified material, with a bouncer that converts to a carrier and fits inside a rocking daybed.  I'm still waiting on an email response confirming info about this set, but until then, I called and the woman I spoke to could only provide me with a write up about their crib mattress. 

NOTE: This is regarding their Sleepi, mattress - still waiting on response about bouncer/daybed.

"The foam Stokke Colgate Mattress was designed and engineered specifically for use with a Stokke crib.  We use a fine Damask Cloth cover with waterproof backing.  The cover is soft to the touch yet durable because it is made of high quality cotton and cloth.  We use cloth binding to sew the mattress as it is one of the strongest ways to close a mattress.  Underneath the cover, we use a flame-blocker barrier fabric which is a natural cellulose fiber which is not sprayed with chemicals to exceed all federal and state fire laws.  Colgate uses an all-natural, internal fire barrier.  It is made of inherently fireproof materials with no topically applied chemicals, retardants or other additives.  Further, it is a barrier fabric which is underneath the cover - exceeding all current Federal and State regulations.  All of our materials are non-toxic.

There are specific Federal regulations that we must meet with regard to the chemicals used in our raw materials.  We meet or exceed these Federal regulations.  The Stokke Mattresses actually meet a European Standard which is considered more stringent than the US safety standards.  Our mattresses do not "off-gas."  Colgate uses a third party independent testing labs to test for harmful substances as well as maintaining a rigid quality standard."  

Available at Baby Earth.

Cloth Diapers:

I could probably write a post almost as long as this on cloth diapers!  This blog is not even a month old and there is much more to come with reviews, giveaways and more on cloth diapers.  If you want to stay up-to-date, "like" our facebook page for updates!  In the meantime, I will start with my favorite larger cloth diaper retailers, that have excellent selections.  Most have low minimums for free shipping, as well as incentive programs where for every dollar you spend you earn money towards future purchases.

• Mom's Milk Boutique - free shipping on orders over $35, milk miles rewards program, customer reviews on site
• Abby's Lane - free shipping on all orders, Abby's Lane Dollars program, customer reviews on site
• Sweet Bottoms Baby - free shipping on all orders, Rewards Program, customer reviews on site
• Kissed by the Moon - free shipping on orders over $49, Kissed Cash program, customer reviews on site

Toys:

Again, here I could write a lengthy post on toys alone.  There will be much more to come on the subject and often, so "like" our facebook page for updates...  Until then, here are some of my favorite retailers, that have lots of toys including baby toys and teethers:

• Nova Natural
• Little Spruce Organics
• A Toy Garden
• Palumba
• Bella Luna Toys
• Maukilo
• Moolka

Activity Gyms:

Wooden baby gyms make an excellent alternative to ones with polyester fabric and dangling plastic toys.

Finn + Emma Baby Floret	Cariboo - Organic Baby Garden	Lilliputiens Baby Floret	Janod Springy's
Plan Toys Amazon	Heimess (Germany) Amazon	Hape Oompa	Sevi Amazon (out of stock)
Studiomishela (Etsy)	 Highland Wood (Etsy) 	Solmccormick (Etsy)	ShopLittles (Etsy)

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