Modern expecting parents want more from their baby products–they want sustainable solutions that ensure their baby is happy and healthy. It’s important to find items that they can feel good about investing in, and as you shop for the perfect baby shower gift, there are a few things you can keep in mind.

A great rule of thumb is to choose gifts or products that are free of chlorine and fragrance, as many of these items contain harmful synthetics that can irritate a newborn’s delicate skin or may cause long-term health effects.

In this article, we’ll walk through the dos and don’ts of selecting high-quality, eco-friendly gifts for newborn babies.

Your Guide to Sustainable Baby Gifts

With so many baby care items and products listed as ‘eco-friendly’ on the market, it can be difficult to know which options rise above the rest. In truth, you can find many sustainable baby essentials, but only a select few that have been rigorously vetted for chemical-free credentials, durability, safety, and functionality.

Things to Consider

Not all items listed as eco-friendly are the best option for newborns, so here are a few things to keep in mind as you research the best newborn gifts:

The Materials

Just like shopping for anything else, checking the materials or ingredients in a product is a great way to ensure sustainability. Your gift must be made out of eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo, silicone, natural rubber, or plant-based fibers. Other materials can include organic cotton, glass (better for baby bottles than playthings), and recycled paper.

The Brand

Both the company and the manufacturer play key roles in determining the sustainability of a product or brand. Opt for items that are made with fair-trade materials and by brands that are fully committed to sustainability throughout their entire business. A few key brands include Coterie, Lovevery, and Melissa and Doug.

Reusability

Select gifts that are practical and reusable when necessary. Avoid gifts that are fragile and flimsy or that are more of a ‘gag gift’ than something new parents will use over and over. Stainless steel baby bottles, cotton baby blankets, and wooden spoons and bowls will be loved time and time again.

The Best Eco-Friendly Gifts

Still need a few more concrete ideas for expecting parents? We’ve compiled our ultimate list of products that the eco-conscious new parents in your life will love and appreciate.

Organic Cotton Clothing

Organic cotton is soft, durable, and gentle on newborn’s skin. We love organic cotton waffle clothing, and Bebenca Organics offers an adorable cotton waffle collection, including gender-neutral options. They offer three-piece bundles that are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified and dyed with AZO-free dyes (AZO is any dye that does not contain the main known carcinogenic compounds that have been regulated by the European Union).

You can find gift sets, two-way zippered jumpsuits, onesies, and more at Bebenca Organics.

Natural Pacifiers

Plastic pacifiers are easy to crack and break, creating risk for babies as well as harming the planet with dangerous chemicals. By using a 100% rubber pacifier, little ones have a durable comfort item that simulates natural breastfeeding.

These pacifiers contain no choking hazards and are free of PVC, phthalates, BPA, and parabens. Ecopiggy’s natural rubber pacifier is designed specifically to prevent tooth misalignment in the future.

Everyday Items

Items that are used every day and aren’t as glamorous are often overlooked by gift-givers and are always appreciated by new parents. Finding sustainable, greener options for disposable items such as diapers and wipes can be a life-saver for the overtired parent who can’t keep up with cloth diapers in those first several months.

The Diaper and The Wipe are the solution. Our signature diapers are made with apparel-grade materials and are hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and made with 25% plant-based materials for high-performance absorbency and lower environmental impact.

The Wipe is cleaner, stronger, and up to 30% larger than leading diaper brand wipes, and many parents find they only need one during diaper changes, as opposed to the average of three to eight wipes with other brands. Our wipes are 100% plant-based, plastic-free, and made with biodegradable fibers.

Both The Wipe and The Diaper are dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free. We now offer an exclusive Newborn Gift box set that includes two packs of The Diaper, a travel-size pack of The Wipe, an adorable Charlie the Bunny plushie, and a durable diaper pouch made from recycled bottles–all wrapped in a thoughtful keepsake box.