What To Look For
Today's market offers a wide variety of baby products, from bedding to diapers to detergent, specially made for eco-conscious parents. However, there is no minimum standard for a product to be labeled "natural" or "earth-friendly," so read packaging and ingredients labels carefully. For bedding and clothing, look for 100% organic cloth materials, such as cotton, bamboo andhemp. When shopping for body products, such as ointment or baby wash, read the ingredients list for recognizable natural products, such as aloe vera or jojoba oil. You are better off with products made by green brands, such as Burt's Bees and California Baby, rather than the "natural" version of a conventional brand, which may vary only slightly from the original.
Common Pitfalls
Just because a company labels a product "natural" doesn't mean that it is. Take the greatest care in choosing products that will come in direct contact with baby's skin, such as creams, ointments, wash, and wipes. Avoid products with long lists of chemical ingredients that are difficult to pronounce. This is a tip-off that the product is not as natural as the label may suggest. Avoid any ingredient with the suffix -paraben, such as methylparaben and others. Parabens, a known irritant, are often used as a preservative in body products. Avoid fragrances and alcohol, both of which can irritate a baby's skin.
Where To Buy
Green baby products are increasingly easy to find. Major retailers, such as Target and Babies R' Us, have responded to consumer demand for products with natural and organic ingredients. They carry popular lines, such as Seventh Generation, Earth's Best, Burt's Bees and California Baby. Large health food stores, such as Whole Foods, also carry green baby products. Online retailers, such as diapers.com, carry these brands as well as more difficult-to-find items, such as environmentally-friendly baby laundry detergent.
Cost
Green baby products can be slightly more expensive than their conventional counterparts, with the most expensive being environmentally-friendly diapers at 5 to 10 cents more per diaper. Considering the sheer quantity of diapers that most babies use, that is a significant price difference. Other green products, such as baby wash or laundry detergent, are modestly more expensive than traditional brands.
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