The Lazy Environmentalist » Organic Baby

Best Baby Slings and Carriers – Soft, Organic, Ergo

Marisa Belger — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:17:55 +0000

If you’re anything like me, you’ll discover that the arrival of your little bundle of joy stirs up great longing for many things that you once took for granted: sleep in blocks greater than 90 minutes; shirts free from crusted baby spit-up; and the use of both hands at once. Sure, you can hire a wet nurse for those evening feedings and sew a cloth onto every shoulder of every shirt, but I’d suggest focusing on the hands. With a baby nestled in one arm it’s nearly impossible to tie your shoes, make the bed or boil a pot of spaghetti. And forget knitting a sweater or typing a letter. That’s why they invented the baby sling. Wearing your infant or toddler is nothing new. Children have strapped to the backs and fronts of mothers—and increasingly fathers—all over the world since the beginning of time. Today, the selection of slings and carriers is bigger than ever and the benefits are just as sweet—a cozy, happy babe nestled close to her parent’s heart and two free hands to use as you see fit.

Here are some of my favorite organic ways to wear your baby:

Newbie slingers and advanced baby wearers can’t get enough of the simple, easy-to-use design of the Maya Wrap ($58.95). The big silver shoulder ring allows for quick adjustments and the instructional video details the many ways you can carry your child as he grows (think front cradle to supported piggy back). Added perk: enough fabric to breastfeed privately.

Finding the right carrier is a process that depends as much on style and color preferences as it does on body type—and dexterity. I found some slings and wraps to be intimidating in their complexity. I imagined that the day would soon come where I would be trying to stuff a screaming baby into sling that refused to expand or a wrap that refused to wrap (see below). Dittany Baby ($40) keeps it simple (and affordable) with the organic cotton pouch sling complete with bamboo leg padding to ensure that chubby thighs stay supported.

And then there’s the Moby Wrap ($69.95). I continue to be in awe of new parents who have not only figured out how to care for a tiny, fragile, crying, drooling little creature, but who have also figured out how to wrap that creature in a Moby Wrap without damaging any of its parts. Essentially one very long strip of organic cotton, the wrap looks incredibly snuggly for both baby and parent, but has always been beyond my ability. This is advanced wrapping. But don’t be afraid. You’re smarter than me.

If toting your babe in the height of ergonomic comfort is your primary goal, look no further than the lumbar-protecting Ergo ($120). I did. This strappy, adjustable carrier distributes your baby’s weight in all the right ways and grows as he does. I packed W in—with the infant insert ($22.49)—from week one and carried him until I could literally carry him no more (14 months or so). And the word on the street is that dads feel especially cool transporting their kid Ergo-style. W’s certainly did.

Wooden Pull Toys for the Green Baby Who’s Walking ‘Round

Marisa Belger — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:07:11 +0000

Some toys will sit lonely and unused on a shelf for longer than you ever imagined. Regardless of how interactive or brightly colored said toy may be your child may ignore it—choosing instead to give his time to cardboard boxes or empty Tupperwear containers. W was particularly disinterested in pull toys. Though he was outfitted with a wide selection of the funniest, fastest, most charming toys that could possibly be pulled behind you, he gave them no attention. Not a glance. Until he started walking, that is. Now that he’s comfortable on two feet—trotting, skipping even running—he’s happy to drag his hopping wooden frog or his clacking wooden (wood’s obviously the way to go) alligator behind him.

One day your child will be ready to pull a toy. And when she is, you’ll be prepared. Here’s where to start:

You know how I feel about the multi-functional toy. OK. I’ll remind you. I feel very, very good about toys that do more than one thing. If my child’s toy entertains him in more than one way I feel like I’m really getting my money’s worth, that the dollar to amusement value is top notch. Plan Toy’s Sorting Train ($19.79) is a superior dual-function toy. The train can be pulled along for traveling fun or your tot can stop and sort the blocks that make up this petit choo choo. So many options for fun.

Animals are a classic pull toy option. Toddlers find it innately satisfying to tug a little creature by a string and have it hop or roll or bounce behind or beside them. And Wonderworld’s Pull-Along Dachshund ($25) is extra cool, dazzling little eyes (and big ones—I’m impressed) with a multi-colored, multi-patterned body constructed from biodegradable fabrics and bright green wheels made from rubber wood and non-toxic paints.

Along with dinosaurs and ducks, alligators and crocodiles seem to be on kids’ top 10 favorite animal list. And while a stuffed toy is nice, you can’t beat Selecta’s Crocolo ($24), a pull toy that opens its jaw and swishes its tail as it moves across the floor. As an added perk, the brightly colored croc is coated with non-toxic paints.

Sometimes I buy a toy for W, but sometimes I buy it for me. EverEarth’s Pull Along Koi ($11.75) is clearly in the second category. The clean, simple design and bright orange accents would look equally amazing perched on a shelf or being tugged aggressively across the kitchen floor. That the entire thing is made from wood sourced from renewable forests and water-based paints only makes it better.

Musical Toys that are Safer for Children and the Environment

Marisa Belger — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:17:17 +0000

There’s a fine line between nurturing your budding rock star and allowing your toddler’s incessant drum solo to drive you insane. Yes. That line is quite fine. While I’m sure most children possess a natural desire to create music, W has always seemed especially attracted to melody—especially when created by banging something against something else. And though he’s not picky—he’ll gladly rap out a tune using a wooden spoon and a hardwood floor; two pot lids; or his head and the porcelain bathtub (this one made me especially proud)—I still found myself itching to equip him with some actual instruments—some nice, wooden (read: quiet) instruments on which he could release his inner percussionist. In the beginning he’d slam down on his drum set or xylophone like it was any other surface, but gradually he began to view his instruments as devices that make music. He now sings his own song as he keeps the beat: “La la lalala! La la lalala!” Complicated lyrics, for sure.

I present you with a few of my favorite starter musical toys:

Some memories refuse to fade. One of my stickiest remembrances from childhood is of a man playing the harmonica, drums and guitar simultaneously on a NYC subway platform. And between harmonica solos he’d sing! The joy was almost too much to take. Now Plan Toys’ Musical Band ($39.16) allows your little one to be his own one-man band, without requiring nearly as much dexterity or musical ability. The set is made from organic recycled rubber wood—and water-based paints—and includes two drum pads, a cymbal and a guiro (a gourd-like percussion instrument played with a stick—I had to look it up). We’re talking hours of stay-home entertainment.

I’m a big fan of the xylophone. I’m not sure if that’s because it starts with “x” or because it’s a cool way to work out a beat. Regardless of the motivation, W is now the owner of his very own Wonderworld Eco-Friendly Neo Xylophone ($32). The multicolored instrument is made from rubber wood and non-toxic paints and while it emits a series of satisfying notes, the sound is never jarring.

My desire to have W play Plan Toy’s Concertina ($20.88) is entirely selfish. Sure, he may get a kick out of squeaking out a tune on this mini rubber wood accordion, but the pleasure will be all mine. There really can be no better sight than your one and half year old son playing the concertina and singing “la la lalala!” at the top of his little lungs. Moments like this are the reason we have children.

If for some reason W doesn’t get his father’s genes and is destined to be musically impaired like his mother, it would be wise to introduce him to the friendly world of the shaker egg at a young age. The egg is what he’ll have to “play” while everyone else is singing sweetly or rocking out on various (real) instruments. Wonderworld’s Eco-Friendly First Sound Blocks ($25) are a fine egg substitute. The hollow rubber wood blocks (colored with non-toxic paints) are filled with beads that produce varying sounds when shaken.

Onesies – hip, cute, essential – are the Ultimate in Baby Clothing

Marisa Belger — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:42:06 +0000

Ah, the onesie—the ultimate in baby clothing. No babyhood would be complete without a drawer full of the crotch-snap cotton T-shirts. Outfitting your infant in this ingeniously designed article of clothing guarantees that her belly will stay warm through it all. I learned this firsthand when W was born in the heart of a New York winter. His onesies functioned like baby long underwear—another layer to keep core heat inside. But onesies aren’t limited to winter weather. In the warm months a short sleeve or tank top onesie is all your little one needs. And that snap bottom is not only convenient for diaper changes, but also seems to keep things contained between those changes (and there is way more to contain than you could ever imagine).

Break the blue for boys/pink for girls paradigm and set your babe up with a collection of cool, unisex onesies that will give him/her street cred and elicit some smiles at the next family gathering. Here are my current faves:

Hive T’s got snarky down with this collection of organic cotton onesies ($19.99) emblazoned with witty hipster turns of phrase. I’m partial to the simple, but effective “New,” and just can’t get enough of “Party at my Crib” (with image of crib) and “That’s How I Roll” (with picture of stroller). Urban, funny, ironic clothing—just what your infant needs.

Sometimes you need to keep it simple. Sometimes you need to keep it simple, organic and cozy. That’s when I turn to Kate Quinn Organics. Always soft and durable, Quinn’s onesies are also rich in super-saturated colors that can be rocked by baby boys or girls. Take this Storm Blue long-sleeved onesie ($14)—ideal tucked beneath a mini jean skirt or under a pair of overalls. Versatile, really.

Under the Nile are masters of crafting decadently soft organic Egyptian cotton into the most charming babywear. If you or someone you know is expecting a summer baby, this monkey-themed tank top ($13) is a classic gift for the new arrival.

Skip the soy latte in favor of a longer lasting soy product—a soy onesie. BabySoy transforms soy protein fiber into stylish little one pieces ($13.95) in an array of tantalizingly named colors—ocean, chocolate, blossom and so on.

Bath Toys for a Clean, Green Baby Boy or Girl

Marisa Belger — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:19:36 +0000

There was a specific time in W’s young life where a nightly bath transitioned from a quick, easy (even optional) experience to a soggy, mandatory part of each day. As soon as he became mobile rolling around in any available dirt pile took over as his all-time favorite activity. Add to that his ongoing appreciation for eating—and wearing—a variety of foods and you have enough motivation to fill the tub each night, regardless of how damp you’ll end up at the end of the bath time experience.

There are a couple of key things I’ve learned about bathing my perpetually sticky, often grimy one and half year old son: 1) don’t wear anything that can’t handle getting wet; 2) hair washing requires speed and agility; 3) it’s all about the toys.

Now, about those toys . . . playing in the tub not only makes bath time way more fun for the one being bathed, but I’ve found that it also improves my life by maximizing the time that W actually spends in the water. The longer he stays in there, the better my chances are of having a clean, sweet-scented baby. At least until tomorrow.

The following toys would be a welcome addition to any tub:

I love modern spins on a classic and Boon has done it brilliantly with its series of Odd Ducks ($5.99). BPA and PVC-free, the boldly colored ducks—I’m digging the orange and white stripes—are also mold-resistant. And these ducks score extra points by being equally charming perched on a shelf or squeezed tightly in a damp toddler hand.

If you’re looking to add a carnival theme to bath time, check out Boon’s Splat Floating Ring Toss ($6.99). You and the little one can hone your aim by taking turns chucking BPA, PVC-free rings onto the floating base. Note: prepare for some serious splashing.

Let’s hear it for multi-use toys! Green Sprout’s colorful stacking cups ($5.99) are as fun in the water as they are in the living room or the back yard or in the car during the almost-too-long drive to grandma’s.

While not technically a toy, Little Twig’s bath mitt ($4.99), is certainly entertaining. A terry washcloth disguised as a ladybug or bumble bee, this mit is one of those trickster baby items that helps you do your job while entertaining the wee one. W loves to tug and chew on its little antennae while I scrub behind his hears and under his chin.

A Wooden Toy for the Imaginative Baby or Toddler Who Loves You

Marisa Belger — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:40:19 +0000

If and when we decide to have another baby, I’m seriously debating adding a concise, but clear message to the pregnancy announcement. I see it going something like this: “I’m pregnant! Please keep your plastic presents.” It may be generational—I find that my parents and their friends are particularly adamant about filling a new person’s life with shiny, plastic toys, mostly of the flashing light, song-singing variety. The older crowd seems to think we’re keeping our little ones trapped in a dull, unstimulating universe of boring, unanimated toys. For me, the appeal for wooden amusements is three-fold: each wooden toy I purchase will hopefully keep another hunk of battery-powered primary-colored plastic out of a landfill; toys that are fueled by nothing but kid-energy require an increased amount of ingenuity and imagination (two qualities I’d love to cultivate in my offspring); and when sucked on, licked and otherwise caressed and cuddled, wooden toys highlighted with non-toxic paint are less harmful than their BPA, Phthalate-riddled plastic counterparts.

Wooden toys have come a long way from the rudimentary car or doll someone’s uncle whittled out of a stray stick. They’re colorful, imaginative and even challenging. Here are some of W’s favorites:

Happy kids make happy parents, but sometimes you can make everyone happy simultaneously. Plan Toy’s Oval Xylophone ($20.08; Amazon.com) does just that by giving W something to bang with ferocity, while keeping the noise level to a lovely low roar. The Xylophone made from organic recycled rubber wood and water-based dyes and is clearly the perfect first instrument for the aspiring musician.

I’m not sure who enjoys stacking more—W or me. All I know is that I’m obsessed with keeping all of the concentric rings of Melissa & Doug’s Rainbow Stacker ($8.50; Amazon.com) in sight—an increasingly challenging task, as W likes to stash them in the dishwasher, in his sock drawer and under his crib. After 11 months of watching him ignore the stacker, sit on the stacker, throw the rings at the stacker, it was deeply satisfying to see my child successfully drop one wooden donut after the other on the waiting peg. Ahhhhh yeah.

The itty bitty set can also experience the joy of wooden toys with Haba’s Pipapo Clutching Toy ($12.59; Babyearth.com). Skip the plastic rattles and excite any young baby with this clacking, sliding handful of wooden fun. Where other rattles simply rattle, this wooden clutch toy can be satisfyingly grabbed, pulled and twisted.

As your child’s dexterity increases, keep him challenged with Haba’s Worm Threading Beads ($17.99; Babyearth.com). The set includes 70 multicolored wooden beads (colored with non-toxic paint) and 3 strings for threading. I see it as a chance to design chunky necklaces and bracelets for any occasion.

Baby Bib – From Plastic to Cotton, Disposable to Organic

Marisa Belger — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Among the many wonders of life with a baby or toddler is the sheer volume of laundry such little people produce. I’m convinced that I spend most of my free time folding miniature T-shirts into tiny squares or hoping—against hope—that the mysterious white crusty spot or the smudge of green grass or the Jackson Pollack-esque display of sweet potatoes and peas will lose to the power of the super wash cycle. There’s not much you can do to keep your kids clean while finger painting or making mud pies in the backyard, but you can soften the mealtime blow with a bib. The secret to successful bibbing? Have many on hand and within arms reach—we like to keep W’s latched to the back of his high chair between meals—you never know when your little one is going to perform a chest massage with their cheese tortellini.

From basic to artsy, here are some of my favorite bib picks:
Baby shower looming? Skip the registry and score major points with a super creative and uber-practical gift for the munchkin-to-be. MooMe’s set of two organic bibs ($14.81) come in a carrot/pea or orange/strawberry duo and are packaged—ingeniously—in baby food jars. They’re also made from 100 percent organic cotton and non-toxic dyes.

There are bibs and then there are Bibs. Baby Bjorn’s Soft Bib ($9.95) is a bib with a capital “B.” This ergonomic—the PVC-free, BPA-free material was created to conform to a child’s body—and highly functional device (the bib is designed with a deep pocket to catch food, is supremely water/milk/partially chewed banana proof and can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleanup) should be a staple in every baby-occupied home.
Add a bit of flashy style to mealtimes with Bumkins’ aptly titled SuperBib ($16.95, set of 3). The waterproof protectors come in a variety of bold graphic designs (think skulls and crossbones, electric blue paisley and hot pink concentric circles) and are PVC, phthalate and lead free.

Not sure when you’re going to need a quick cover? Stash a couple of Classy Kid’s Clean & Green Disposable Bibs ($4.95 for a box of 20) in your diaper bag and you’ll be good to go at a moment’s notice. Never again will you have to tie a cloth napkin around your kid’s neck when dining out. Nope. Never again will your child be subjected to looking like a disheveled cowboy while dining in public. And you can do it guilt free. These bibs are biodegradable, decomposing in just a few months.

The Mattress Doesn’t Come with the Crib, Thankfully – the Organic Crib Mattress

Marisa Belger — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:22:22 +0000

You’ve got the crib, the sheets and the bumpers. You’ve got the pjs and the cozy cotton stuffed animals for snuggling. Maybe you’ve even got the baby. So what’s missing? Ahh. The good old mattress. I may be alone here, but when I was nine months plus, with baby Belger pushing on my stomach, spleen or whatever other organ he could ram his little fetus heels into, I was completely shocked—and somewhat appalled—that my sleek, modern crib arrived with no mattress. “What do you mean all cribs come without mattresses?” I asked my very patient mother. She explained that just like adult beds, crib mattresses had to be purchased separately from their crib frames. I scoffed at such logic and dragged myself to the nearest BuyBuyBaby.

I wanted an organic mattress, but it turns out that dodging the vinyl/PVC and polyurethane foam found in most conventional children’s mattresses is a pricey undertaking. So, I settled for a couple of layers of organic cotton to soften the toxic blow—an organic cotton mattress pad and organic cotton fitted sheet.

Here are some ideas to facilitate your mattress hunting:

If you haven’t completely blown your baby budget on tiny socks and aquatic-themed mobiles (am I thinking out loud again?), you may have the cash to splurge on Naturepedic’s No Compromise Organic Cotton mattress ($259). Stuffed with nothing but organic cotton and wrapped in a 100 percent polyethylene food grade waterproof coating—this number promises not to interrupt your babe’s slumber with pesky VOCs.

Those who subscribe to the fantasy that their little one will not produce an extraordinary amount of fluids that you will have to clean up at three in the morning may want to extend that dream to a mattress that is not waterproof. LA Baby Natural Organic Crib Mattress ($249.99) gives you all the organic cotton goodness you could ever want in a non-waterproof mattress and if that’s not enough, they throw in a—that’s right—organic waterproof mattress cover for free. Because babies are drippy. That’s just they way it is.

Word on the street is that I’ll know W is ready for a “big boy bed” when I hear the telltale thump in the middle of the night. That thump is the sound his head will make as it hits the floor after he leaps from his crib. Oh, boy. The joys of parenthood just keep coming. When the thump comes, hopefully I’ll be ready with Naturepedic’s No-Compromise Organic Cotton Ultra Twin Mattress (at $599, I better start saving now) and a super cool bed frame.

Baby Bedding: Sets, Organics, Neutrals, Animals, and All

Marisa Belger — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:09:14 +0000

Babies spend most of their time sleeping, so it makes nothing but sense to outfit their sleeping quarters with the best in bambino bedding. In my world, “best” means the softest, coziest organic cotton possible. And like most gear for the miniature set, organic bedding options are vast and somewhat overwhelming. Whether you’re the traditional type who adheres to the pink-girls/blue-boys paradigm, a non-conformist who seeks out bold gender-neutral colors and patterns or a commitment-phobe who can’t decide on a look and so chooses plain, boring, masking tape-colored sheets (no, I’m not proud), you can easily create an organic cotton dreamland for your little one. Check out these organic options:

You have big goals for the nursery—a Technicolor alphabet hand stenciled on one wall, a freshly painted rocking chair, a carefully selected collection of stuffed animals strategically placed on shelves—but I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to cheat a bit. Really, start cheating. Soon you’re going to need your energy for more important undertakings, like wiping baby vomit off the living room couch. It’s not necessary to race around in search of the perfect sheet, bumper, crib skirt and comforter. Take the easy route with BeBe Star’s 4 Piece Lamb Organic Cotton Crib Set ($255). The color scheme is neutral natural with just a bit of jazzy lamb-themed patterning to spice things up.

Those with racier sensibilities may prefer Q Collection’s Junior Celestial Parade Organic Crib Set ($395, Babyearth.com). The blue, yellow and white collection is clean and modern with a Galileo pattern on one side and an elephant pattern on the other—reversible as you see fit. The set includes a bumper, crib skirt, fitted cream sheet and your choice of an additional blue or pink sheet all made from organic cotton and packed in an incredibly cute reusable organic cotton tote. [Spoiler alert for my pregnant friends: this set is officially at the top of my baby shower gift list.]

If sets aren’t your thing (you’re not alone—we all know there’s no way I could have committed to a set), Pixel Organic makes some killer individual fitted sheets for cribs, toddler beds and big kid beds too. If I could do it again, I would have insisted that W slumber on this super cool orange “Stalk of Wheat” sheet ($59.99) and would have alternated it with “Lions, Tigers and Kitties . . . Oh My.” ($59.99).

Feeling safe and simple? I did. And W’s got six soft, plain organic cotton sheets to show for it. DwellStudio, known for their bright patterns, also makes a solid Organic Natural Fitted Crib Sheet ($44). You just can’t go wrong with neutral natural.

Soft Baby Shoes for Infants and Up

Marisa Belger — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:17:29 +0000

It’s simple. There’s only one pair of soft baby shoes that a baby needs: Simple’s Weebit moccasins. W lived in these soft shoes until he started walking. They were the only baby footwear that didn’t hug his chubby baby ankles too tightly and that kept his chubby baby toes neither too hot nor too cold. We started off with a hemp pair and as his feet grew moved onto a pair made with organic cotton and wool.