Just because you’re new parents, doesn’t mean you have to compromise your green lifestyle. There are a ton of products to start your kiddos off on the right carbon-free foot(print).  It’s never too early to help instill in them the importance of making thoughtful, earth conscious choices. Here’s some basics on green living with a little one.

Diapering

The average baby uses 5,000-8,000 disposable diapers through the end of toilet training. You can try and start out with cloth diapers, but they don’t fit well until a baby reaches around 12 pounds. Until then, disposables are pretty much the only game in town, but you can offset the wastefulness of one-and-done diapers by choosing a brand that limits the impact on our environment.  This brand is our favorite. There are no lotions, fragrances or chemical bleaching of absorbent materials. Made in the USA, these diapers use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems by being B Corporation certified.

Personal Care

A baby’s skin is super delicate, so you really want to do your homework before choosing their first skin care products. This body wash and shampoo combo is perfect for those with allergies and fragrance intolerance. In addition to being free of fragrance, or scent-masking agents, California Baby Super Sensitive No Fragrance Everyday Lotion is a hypoallergenic lotion that does not contain any nut oils, gluten, soy, oat, dairy or alcohol. On a personal note, it cleared my baby’s cradle cap right up without having to use those nasty, chemical-laden shampoos.

Toys

A 2008 study by the Ecology Centre showed that 33% of all toys tested contained potentially harmful levels of dangerous substances including lead, cadmium and phthalates.  Instead of taking a chance on exposing your little ones to these hidden dangers, choose toys that are wooden, simple and plastic-free. We love this rattle made from crocheted, organic cotton. The chime rattle has a soft, unique texture to stimulate your baby’s senses.

Feeding

Whether you’re breastfeeding, or bottle-feeding, make the natural choice for your child by using glass bottles. Glass is naturally free of BPA, so there’s no need to worry about different types of plastic or whether they’re safe. Plus, they’re durable, a snap to clean and can be easily sterilized. When you’re done Born Free takes your glass baby bottles and recycles them into non-feeding products such as toys, furniture and household utensils. Now that’s something you can feel good about.