As a parent you want the best for your children, but what’s best isn’t always the quantity of what you give them, but the quality.  When planning a baby shower try and keep that idea in mind.  It’s important to keep your registry to the things your baby truly needs. For centuries babies survived just fine without all the plastic and bells and whistles.  It can often be wasteful and takes up so much space in your home.  Sure we want to stimulate development, but there are plenty of less obnoxious, more educational ways to enhance this.  What’s even better is that there are more sleek alternatives to the light up Fisher Price bouncy seats that are also made of safer and more sustainable materials.

So what should you put on your registry?  The first thing to do when planning a baby shower is figure out where you want to register.  Look for local baby boutiques that offer more keep sake and specialty options and/or find a great website that offers an array of organic/natural baby products and a big box store like target for other things like diapers and bottles, etc.  Myregistry.com is an easy to use site that brings all your picks together.

Layette  (also known as baby separates)

• Your baby will live in kimono tops, onsies, pants, and swaddle blankets for the first few months of their life.  Organic clothing is particularly important for newborns. Their skin is so delicate and porous. Anything that touches them can be absorbed into their delicate system

Organic mattress

• This is an important one!  Standard mattresses are made of disgusting materials and polyurethane foam, which are sprayed with even more harmful chemicals and flame-retardants.  Over time the chemicals break down and produce off gas into the air.  Your baby will spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping on his/her mattress.  The off gas is known to cause asthma, allergies, and other irritations.  It’s worth the extra investment to go organic on this one.
• Naturepedic has a great selection of various organic mattress styles.
  They start at $279 and can go up to $399.

• For the most natural option, Nook has a Pebble Pure mattress made of coconut husk and natural latex, with an organic cotton and eucalyptus wrap.

Strollers

• Many people associate choosing a stroller the equivalent to car shopping.  It’s true. I would recommend researching and learning what will best meet your needs, i.e.: a pram, jogger, compact, etc taking into consideration your lifestyle. Do you you have limited space, a hatchback or sedan, will you be walking with with baby frequently or just using for light strolls.  Everyone will have different needs and expectations.   When trying to maintain a focus on healthy options there are some companies on the market offering this.

Nuna has several great stroller options, include the Jett Mixx which is one of my personal favorites. All the fabrics used on both their strollers and carseats are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it has been test for harmful substances maintain strict human and ecological requirements. Price: Pepp $250, Tavo $350, Mixx2 $600,

Bumble Ride is another great company. They use OEKO-TEX certified textiles that are made 100% of recycled polyester from water bottles and free of harm chemicals.  They also use a dye process that reduces water use and pollution.  Bumble ride makes a lightweight-jogging stroller as a single or side-by-side double great for twins or multiple aged children.  The inflated tires allows for smoother steering on a variety of terrain.  If you live in Chicago, you know we can have some harsh winters with plenty of snow and neighbors who don’t shovel, as well as uneven side walk in the mild weather and sand along the lake front.  The Indie is an ideal option to navigate all those scenarios. Price: Indie: $529 Indie Twin $739

Another fun company making it’s way to the states, is Joolz.  They make a high end stroller for the more design focused shopper.  They are a Dutch company manufacturing in the Netherlands starting this summer, 2017 and use organic materials.  The Joolz Geo mono start stroller can grow into a tandem compact duo stroller for twins or a second baby.  They are only sold at select retailers
, but a worthy competitor to the Bugaboo Donkey and Mama Xari.  I love the way this stroller collapses and the attention to detail in its design.  Price: Geo Mono (earth and studio collection) $999-1049 Geo Duo $1249-1299

Entertainment

• Baby Swings- The Nuna Leaf is a sleek designed swing.  It can hold up to 130lbs so your child can use it past the first six months of their life.  This swing has such a soothing sway that it could make any baby settle down and rest.  The best part is that is does not require batteries and has a lock for when you just want a stationary seat.
• Bouncers- Bloom Baby offers a Coco Go bouncer, rocker combo car.  The seat can be locked in a laying, relaxed, or high seated position.  There is a vibrate setting for a little one needing some extra motion, and it’s a sleek design that won’t take up much space on your floor.  It also folds flat for easy storage or a travel.  Bjorn also makes a great bounce option.  This too folds flat.  The seat can easily be removed for a washing, because let’s be honest, most blow outs will happen in these chairs!

Toys

• Wooden toys are a great alternative to all the plastic ones out there, and yes it’s fine for babies to put a wooden toy in their mouth. They are more sustainable for the environment and actually look nice sitting on a shelf.  Plan Toys, Grimm’s, Haba, Tegu, and Plan Toys have a great selection from infant to toddler age.

You will not be able to control everything your child is exposed to in the world, but you sure can make their home the healthiest place to be.  It’s not to say everything out there is chemical ridden and unsafe, just pick and choose products that fit your budget and work best for your family’s lifestyle.  Being aware is the first step to a better way of life for you and your little ones.