Category — Baby gifts

One of my favorite tips from last week’s KIWI College webinar with Paige Wolf (author of Spit That Out!) was when she said that while she’d love to buy only wooden toys, that’s just not practical for her. So instead, she tries to avoid colorful plastic toys  when it comes to things that kids will put in their mouths. That’s a great goal, not only to limit kids’ exposure to plastic, but to avoid artificial colors! We think about them in food, but not always in the other things kids put in their mouths.

It reminded me of a product we learned about recently here at KIWI: Hevea bath toys. These rubber bath toys have a cool translucent color, because they’re totally dye-free. So, wood is not your only source of dye-free baby products. (Another great option? The water-based dyes used by Plan Toys on their cute wooden toys.)

What are your favorite eco toys?

—Sarah, editorial director

Finished your latest issue of KIWI and  just can’t wait for the next one to arrive? Now you can get a little taste of KIWI in between issues with our interactive publication, KIWI Slice. The summer issue, available now, is all about pregnancy and babies. If you’re a KIWI mom or dad who’s trying to live greener and healthier with a baby, you won’t want to miss:

• The best kinds of exercise during pregnancy 
• What to eat when you’re nursing
• How to protect your baby from toxins

There’s more—and it’s all free! Once you’ve checked out the baby issue, don’t miss the food edition of KIWI Slice, either: lots of yummy recipes you can call up quickly on your computer (or print, as long as you promise to keep or recycle your print-out!).

—Sarah, editorial director

Being a new mom can be tough: Knowing what to do (and what not to do!), what kind of products to buy, plus what to avoid to keep your baby healthy and happy is overwhelming, to say the least. While I can’t offer all the answers, I can say that Lifefactory will make your life a little easier. The brand offers baby products like bottles and teethers that are free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC (plus they look cool, too!). The best part? Lifefactory has offered to give five KIWI readers one BPA-free teether and one BPA-free bottle. For your chance to win, become a fan on Facebook–but hurry, the contest ends tomorrow!  

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

Even in the face of some negative press, has anyone noticed how popular baby wraps and carriers have become?  One of my favorites is the adorable (and affordable!) Beco Baby Carrier for newborns and toddlers (weighing 7-45 pounds). Available in solid colors as well as patterns, it does double-duty as a front or back carrier, is machine washable, and is made from 100 percent organic cotton. Even better, every carrier purchase comes complete with a head rest (hood), infant insert, owner’s manual, plus DVD instructions to ensure you wear your baby safely.  

What’s more, the success of the original Beco Baby Carrier line has inspired the company to offer other products, such as the Beco MINI (a toy carrier),  and also Beco WEAR, an eco-friendly fleece that zips over the carrier and your baby to keep him warm. My favorite accessory of all? The drooling pad, which attaches to the carrier also and gives your baby somewhere else to drool (other than all over you!). 

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

I cannot even count the number of baby showers I’ve been to this year, but there have been several! I always search online for fun gift ideas and cloth diapers are always a great buy.  Thirsties is a line of sustainable cloth diapers that provide comfort as well as leak proofing for your baby.  CEO Erin Kimmett has made it her mission to provide families with a line of affordable and eco-friendly diapers for their babies as well as to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Thirsties’ line of diapers uses high quality fabrics that are PVC-, phthalates-, lead-, and latex- free.  Thirsties also offers other fabulous finds including prefolds, inserts, diaper washing solutions, wipes,  hemp inserts, diaper duffles and liners. The list goes on!  To check out Thirsties adorable products as well as learn more about this growing “green” company, please visit Thirsties, Inc.

-Brittany, KIWI Staffer

Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but I’ve reached the point in my life where a lot of my friends are starting to settle down and have kids! The result? More baby showers than you can imagine!  Even though I always check out the mommy-to-be’s registry, I like to use my knowledge of all things baby (courtesy from my job at KIWI!) to find cool, eco-friendly items my friends might not know about. One site I really love: My Green Baby, whose green baby inventory isn’t only adorable—it’s affordable, too.

Eco-conscious mom Megan Szczepanski founded the site after she was unable to find a place nearby that sold cloth diapers for her newborn. Sure, she could’ve ordered online, but Szczepanski wanted to be able to try the diaper out to see if it worked for her (and fit her baby’s bum). So in addition to offering adorable cloth diapers at My Green Baby in a variety of colors and prints, she gives moms the option to meet with her in person to see if the diapers are the right buy for them. Interesting idea, right? Check it out for your next baby shower—or your baby!

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

With a full line of body care products for pregnancy, labor, post-partum, and breastfeeding, Earth Mama Angel Baby has new and expecting moms covered in organic goodness.  The line was created by moms who view pregnancy the way our foremothers did, as a phenomenal natural process to be honored accordingly.  Their offerings feature eco-friendly packaging and 100% natural, vegan ingredients for lotions, potions, sprays, and oils you can feel good about.  We’re big fans of their Mama-to-Be Tea Sampler, which makes a cool, unexpected shower gift.  Learn more at earthmamangelbaby.com.

Marygrace, KIWI intern

If the name Pure and Little doesn’t give you enough warm fuzzies, try their logo on for size: Organic. Baby. Love.  Ahhh!  I’m sold.  The company offers organic baby clothing, bedding, and accessories like bath products, books and music, and plenty of plush toys.  Spring and summer babies can keep comfortable in Pure and Little’s organic cotton onesies (we love the peace out natural), while fall and winter babies will stay toasty with a unisex kimono jacket.  But my very favorite?  The Baby Fred monkey plush.  He just looks so happy!  More at pureandlittle.com.

Marygrace, KIWI intern

If a Prius is beyond your budget right now, try a new kind of hybrid: gDiapers.  Perfect for the eco-conscious mom-to-be who isn’t quite ready to embrace cloth diapers full on, gDiapers are made of a washable cotton outer with a disposable, plastic-free liner that can be flushed down the toilet, composted, or tossed in the trash (they decompose in about 90 days.)  A starter kit is available at gDiapers.com, or try their gBaby Shower Gift, featuring the starter kit, an extra cloth outer, and a case of flushable refills.  Oh, and the “g”?  It stands for green!

Marygrace, KIWI intern

It’s no secret that the healthiest, most delicious foods come from natural sources. Organic Valley’s milk, cheese, eggs, and meats are raised without antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides for authentic food that truly nourishes. A family farm co-op, Organic Valley aims for continual improvement and transparency, making their products food you can really feel good about. Coupon lovers click here.

–Marygrace, KIWI intern and lover of all things natural

Sweet Pea Products knows sensitive skin.  Created by a certified infant massage instructor who was dissatisfied with the lack of natural baby massage oils, all items with the Sweet Pea name are 100% natural and fragrance free.  With a collection of unique baby products including serenity balm, lavender and tea tree soap, and herbal tub teas, Sweet Pea will calm your child’s skin while giving you a piece of mind.  Enjoy a 20% discount with coupon code KIWI.

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and lover of lavender

It’s easy to say no to preservatives and additives with Tastybaby’s organic frozen baby food. They might be serious about nutrition, but with flavor names like “Corn in the USA” and “Peas on Earth,” TastyBaby knows how to have fun.  What’s more, all the food is gluten-free, and is packaged in reusable, BPA-free cups.  Getting a stamp of approval from eco-conscious moms like Cindy Crawford, Ali Landry, and Lisa Loeb, try a Tastybaby gift basket for a great shower gift!

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and fan of eco-consious moms

Earth’s Best’s new diapers are chlorine-free and contain corn- and wheat-absorbent materials.  Made with annually-renewable resources to reduce petrochemicals, they pair perfectly with Earth’s Best durable, chlorine-free wipes, which are all-natural and contain soothing vitamin E and aloe.  Soft and gentle, they’re perfect for stashing in your diaper bag to double as on-the-go hand and face wipes.

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and trying to be reliant on renewable resources

Sock seams making your child scream? Made with a polyester and lycra blend, SmartKnitKIDS socks are seam-free and comfy as can be.  They’re available in white, pink, purple, navy and black, and come in a variety of sizes for kids of all ages.  Check them out at therawear.com and use coupon code KIWI for 10% off at checkout.

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and seam-free friendly

Feel the difference of natural with Noli n Nali skincare line, available for both mom and child.  Certified organic, these eco-friendly products nourish the body from the outside in with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and calendula.  Think soothing belly butter and nipple salve for moms, and gentle shampoo, bubble bath, and detangler for little ones.  Use coupon code KIWI for 25% off your purchase.

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and lover of body nourishment

Helping build healthy bones by aiding in calcium absorption, vitamin D is an important nutrient that’s often hard to find in foods.  Baby Ddrops are an easy way to provide your child with the daily recommended amount of vitamin D, minus the unpleasant taste or clumsy droppers that often accompany supplements. The unique bottle dispenses 400 IU of vitamin D in one easy drop, which can be used while breastfeeding, on baby’s pacifier, or mixed into a child’s food or drink.  For $2.00 your next purchase, call 888-234-5656 and mention code KIWI!

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and promoter of vitamin D 

Check out the Lil Diaper Depot for a great selection of eco-conscious products. You can ditch disposables for good with their organic cloth diapers, or swaddle baby in an eco-fleece baby blanket made from recycled soda bottles. The company caters to moms, too, with super-soft, organic nursing pads, extra-comfy body pillows, and stylish diaper totes. Pick up a gift certificate for an upcoming baby shower, or register for your own. Receive 10% off your first order with promo code KIWI9 before 2/28/09.

–Marygrace, KIWI intern and lover of eco-conscious proudcts

Your baby can stay warm in the cold with this adorable 100% organic cotton baby cap. Sold individually or in sets, it makes a naturally wonderful gift. Cute and comfy, these caps are a must have. For only $6 your baby can rock this hat in natural or brown. Receive 20% off when you type KIWI20 at checkout! Get it now at Wee BE Organic Baby Cap.

– Brittany, KIWI intern and green enthusiast

By now, we’re all plenty familiar with the fact that many types of reusable, plastic bottles are unsafe-full of toxic phthalates and BPAs, drinking from these bottles can do serious harm to your body. Imagine, then, the impact such chemicals could potentially have on babies that drink from plastic bottles on a regular basis. With smaller bodies and rapidly developing systems, they’re left extra vulnerable to these dangers.

Enter Green to Grow’s collection of non-toxic bottles and nipples. Their BPA- and phthalate-free bottles ($9.99-$10.99) are made from 100% recyclable PES, an alternative plastic that’s safe for babies and the environment. Contrary to traditional, rubber counterparts, their nipples are made from heat-resistant silicone without any harmful nitrosamines ($5.49). And if Green to Grow hasn’t already made your life a little easier by providing a sound piece of mind, their products are completely dishwasher safe. Talk about milking a good thing!

Visit greentogrow.com for more.

My neighbor just had a baby boy. Infants and their security blankets are like peanut butter and jelly…they go perfectly together. I found a soft security blanket with assorted tags adorning all four sides called Little Taggies Naturals. These blankets are made with 100% certified organically grown cotton fibers, pure silk ribbons and safe dyes. For $28.95, you can buy one too at taggies.com or your local specialty gift shop.

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

I love buying baby clothes. When I was younger, I remember going shopping with my mom and my best friend. While my mom was busy looking for clothes, my bf and I pretended to shop for baby clothes. Now, my friends are having kids and I can actually buy clothes for real babies. My new favorite line is Organically Grown. It is affordable 100% pure organic cotton baby wear. How affordable? $22-$38 at Macy’s and Gottschalks!

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

My cousin, Maggie, loves The Earth Friends dolls. She takes Jayden everywhere she goes. I know she’ll be happy to receive another eco groovy doll to add to her entourage. They are handmade in California and inspire to learn to honor ourselves, each other and our planet. The best part is that all of the materials are either recycled or organic. For $64, you can get one for girls and boys at Whole Foods nationwide or theearthfriends.com.

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

I am sure some of you have received the latest issue of KIWI. For our January/February issue, KIWI had a special “delivery.” (Ignore the lame pun!) We rounded up some wonderful gift ideas for parents-to-be in our “Oh, Baby!” green baby shower feature. Obviously, we can’t mention everything in the magazine, but luckily for us, we have KiwiLog and everything we wanted to include… we now can. Hooray!

Our first in our blog series on baby shower gifts is the Chubby Bunny and Snuggle Blanket sold by Happy Healthy Baby. Both pieces, the bunny and the blanket, are 100% organic cotton and dyed with metal free dyes. The doll is 7″and the blanket is 29″ X 29″. If you are searching for the perfect snuggle buddy for your baby or a friend’s baby, this bunny and blanket duo should fit the bill. And look how cute!

Available at Happy Healthy Baby, $36.