Prepping for a Healthy, Low Waste Baby: Non-Toxic Big-Ticket Items (Stroller, High Chair, Car Seat, Bassinet, Diapers, Bottles, Glider)
Here’s the second post in my Prepping for a Healthy, Low Waste Baby Series! I originally wrote this article before having my baby and updated it after having my first and now updating it AGAIN as I’m expecting my second! Fortunately, I loved all the products that I found during my original non-toxic, sustainable research and am relying on all of them for baby #2.
Shopping for the “big-ticket” baby items forced me to think about and balance my goals of reducing waste, consuming less, and avoiding toxic products. In terms of baby items, there’s A LOT of information about the seemingly ZILLIONS of things we “need” the day the baby arrives! I’ve approached all this information and all these lists openly, knowing that what others deem necessities, I won’t. I absorbed the information, thought about how the different items fit into my lifestyle and match my values, and tried to keep my collection and purchasing of baby items to a minimum.
The best, most effective way to reduce waste and live more sustainably is to consume less. The next best way is to consume better.
The best, most effective way to reduce waste and live more sustainably is to consume less. The next best way is to consume better.
To consume less and consume better, first distinguish between what you need versus what you want.
Once you establish your needs, then the creative research stage begins to find items that fill your needs. I say “creative” because sometimes we can fill our needs with items hiding in our own homes! Other times, we can find great options second-hand or can purchase them new from the most sustainable, trustworthy sources.
Of course, we also purchase items we want. I do this all the time! It’s perfectly okay and normal. However, over time, I’ve found that my low waste lifestyle has me wanting less and less and I actually enjoy consuming less (but that’s another topic of conversation!).
The following list includes the big-ticket items- the stroller, car seat, bassinet and mattress, reusable and disposable diapers, glass baby bottles, and glider- that I’ve carefully selected. My top priorities are to have non-toxic and sustainable products (that are also super cute and chic), especially for the items that the baby will use regularly for many years.
Yes, sometimes non-toxic, sustainable items are more expensive. So, it’s best to prioritize. If baby/toddler and you will use the item frequently and for a long time, it’s especially important to prioritize getting the healthiest option for you all.
1. Stroller: Bumbleride Era & Bumbleride Indie Twin
Sometimes choosing between the least wasteful option (i.e., second-hand) and the least toxic option is difficult. In terms of a stroller, I had friends willing to give me a new or gently used stroller. However, I fell in love with Bumbleride’s non-toxic, eco-friendly stroller when pregnant with my first.
Many strollers contain flame retardants, polyurethane foam, perfluorinated chemical treatments, plastics that contain BPA, PVC, and phthalates, and other chemicals. Considering babies/toddlers spend a lot of time in their strollers, finding a stroller without chemicals that off-gas toxins that babies/toddlers then inhale is important.
Many strollers contain flame retardants, polyurethane foam, perfluorinated chemical treatments, plastics that may contain BPA, PVC, and phthalates, and other chemicals. Considering babies/toddlers spend quite a bit of time in their strollers, finding a stroller without chemicals that off-gas toxins that babies/toddlers inhale is important.
After all my research for baby #1 and again for baby #2, Bumbleride came out on top- the non-toxic, sustainable stroller brand STAR. Among the many great features, Bumbleride uses eco-fabrics without harmful chemicals, is infant compatible without attachments (and with options to purchase a bassinet and infant car seat adapter). Additionally, it remains the only stroller that I found that doesn’t use a polyurethane foam; the padding/fill has no added chemicals or treatments so there’s no off-gassing! Importantly, the infant car seat adapters available fit the car seat that I chose (see below).
Bumbleride cares as much about the products’ quality as it does sustainability. It prioritizes working with manufacturers that use methods to save energy, conserve water, and reduce pollution. The fabrics are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class I certified and are made from recycled water bottles. When dyeing the fabrics black, they use a special process to conserve water and minimize pollution. They also launched a ReRide program to give used strollers a second home.
I love the cork handle on the Era. Cork is naturally waterproof and non-toxic, durable, and 100% sustainable and renewable. Considering Rob and I will be pushing this stroller for years, it’s great to know that we aren’t griping something with questionable materials.
The Indie Twin was an easy choice when deciding on a stroller for 2. It’s infant compatible and grows with baby without any additional attachments needed. The organic infant insert is a lovely accessory to make baby even more snug. Stay tuned for more information on the Indie Twin after I’ve put it into use.
2. Car Seat: Nuna EXEC™ & Nuna PIPA™ Lite
Physical safety is the most important consideration when it comes to choosing a car seat. Fortunately, there are car seat options that are physically safe AND non-toxic. Unfortunately, many car seats contain flame retardants and fabric treatments that release toxins. Babies are particularly susceptible to these toxins’ negative effects, including immunotoxicity, reproductive and endocrine disruption, impairment of fetal and child development, interference of thyroid, liver and brain function, and even caner. Although there are flammability standards set for car seat manufacturers, companies can (and do!) meet these without using toxic flame retardants. WAHOO!
Fortunately, there are car seat options that are physically safe AND non-toxic. Unfortunately, many car seats contain flame retardants and fabric treatments that release toxins.
The Nuna Exec and Nuna Pipa Lite contain fabric made from a wool blend and don’t have flame retardant chemicals, bromine or fabric treatments. The Exec received the GREENGUARD Gold certification for meeting chemical emissions standards, helping to reduce air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure. Additionally, the Nuna Exec grows with the baby from infant to 4+ years old. I love items that will last a long time!
We purchased the Nuna Exec and a dear friend gifted us the Nuna Pipa Lite. I never once took the Pipa Lite out of the car because I never needed to. We barely used the Pipa Lite because we weren’t in the car much thanks to COVID. But, we loved it for the few times we used it.
When we needed to get a second carseat that was larger, we opted for the Clek Fllo Convertible Carseat- the mammoth collection. It’s more affordable than the Nuna Exec and also lasts many years. All Fllo models are free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. Those in the mammoth collection is free of any flame retardants, so we went with the Clek Fllo in the mammoth collection.
3. Bassinet & Mattress: Design Dua Billia Bassinet + Naturepedic Bassinet Mattress
Knowing that a friend was gifting me her children’s crib and changing table, I decided to purchase my first-choice bassinet. The Design Dua bassinets are so beautiful. After the baby uses, I’ll give it a second life as a decorative basket.
Design Dua has “imperfect sales” where it offers great discounts on products that are less than perfect. I snagged the bassinet during one of those sales and I don’t even know where the imperfections are! It’s definitely worth paying attention to these offers.
Many bassinet mattresses are made with polyurethane foam, which I wanted to avoid. Design Dua says that it doesn’t use any toxic materials in its bassinet foam, but I decided to also get a custom Naturepedic bassinet mattress. I love Naturepedic products- they are of the highest quality and are MADE SAFE® certified. Unfortunately, Naturepedic has discontinued customizing pads/mattresses, but they still make an oval one that’s 27x47x3. (Use code abbysfoodcourt15 for 15% off Naturepedic purchases). *****It’s imperative that you make sure there are no gaps between the mattress and the bassinet for baby’s safety. If in doubt, use the mattress that came with the Design Dua bassinet.*****
4. High Chair: Stokke Tripp Trapp + Newborn Attachment
Stokke Stripp Trapp High Chair with Newborn Attachment
The tag line for Stokke’s Tripp Trapp high chair is “The chair that grows with your child.” Need I say more? This high chair meets feeding experts’ standards for proper positioning for babies/toddlers learning to eat because it’s sturdy, enables the baby’s pelvis to be tilted slightly forward, and has an adjustable foot rest. Unlike many of the high chairs out there, it’s made of solid wood from responsible forestry practices as opposed to plastic. It’s free from phthalates and bisphenols and here are many different color options to choose from, all with water-based, non-toxic paint.
I’m not usually into accessories but the newborn attachment is a real must. It enables you to strap your baby in and have him/her right next to you at the table. It’s so lovely to have your baby right there with you (and it’s wonderful not to have to bend down to engage with the baby while you’re at the table).
The chair grows with your child (as the tagline suggests) and transitions to a seat for adults too! This will be in our house for years to come.
5. Reusable Cloth Diapers: Esembly
Cotton Inner Liner
Colorful Outer
Here’s where the fun really begins! I can’t express my excitement about the Esembly products. Originally, I planned on using a reusable diaper service, however, the only service available in Long Island closed.
Fortunately, I met Liz from Esembly at an event we did together at HATCH and I couldn’t be more impressed with her and the Esembly experience so far. Ordering the diapers and accessories couldn’t have been easier: you simply follow the steps on the “esemble your system” option and it walks you through exactly what you need. The Esembly team has 10 years of experience with cloth diapering and laundering. They first started Diaperkind, a cloth diaper service in New York City and they used their years of experience to develop the Esembly products. Their goal is for us to be able to all tackle reusable cloth diapers where a service isn’t available or wanted. All the products are made with health, safety, and the environment in mind!
It’s also important to note that the second hand reusable diaper game is strong. Many people use reusable diapers from friends or even strangers. With a proper wash, you’re good to go. And, if you want brand new, Esembly is available!
Post-baby update: We used the Esembly diapers for a year and they are a great option to get started. They run a bit small and we switched to disposable diapers after a year. I plan to use the same Esembly diapers for baby #2.
Of note, diaperkind is a cloth diaper laundry service that serves NYC, parts of NJ, Nassau County on Long Island and Austin, Texas. Using a diaper laundry service makes cloth diapering MUCH easier. Let me know if you have any question!
6. Glass Bottles: Mason Bottle
Mason Bottle 8 & 4 ounce bottles
What could be better than using the mason jars you have lying around as glass bottles for your baby? NOTHING! When searching for the perfect glass baby bottle, I was ecstatic to find Mason Bottle. The founders wanted to eliminate plastics from their lives and save money by using items they already had. Their drive and creativity led them to create products that you can use with regular 4-ounce and 8-ounce mason jars. These products include silicone sleeves for the jars, silicone nipples, caps, rings, and silicone lids. Aside from the nipples, you can use all these products when your baby grows out of bottles. The silicone sleeves can turn your mason jar into a coffee mug!
I’m started with DIY kits to fit 4 and 8-ounce jars. The kits include a set of slow flow silicone nipples, silicone sleeves, and plastic caps that I can use with mason jars I currently own! Additionally, I have the writable silicone mason jar lids to store and freeze breast milk. (Yes, you can freeze in glass so long as you leave some room in the jars and you don’t de-thaw the frozen milk in boiling hot water! Check out my Guide to Non-Toxic, Ecofriendly Breastmilk Storage here).
The rings and caps are made of plastic. However, it’s not single use plastic and they’re designed to last a long time. Most importantly, the baby’s milk does not touch the plastic!
Since originally posting this, Mason Bottle has come out with a stainless steel bottle, which looks fantastic and new lids, which also look great! FOODCOURT25 for 25% off your purchase of Mason Bottle products.
7. Glider: Monte Design Como Glider
I was going to skip on a rocking chair/glider and then Rob professed that it was his dream to have one…so, the research began. I wanted a glider that looked chic enough to be in our home for years to come, not one that looked like it only belonged in a nursery. Monte Design delivered with gorgeous products! It handcrafts all of its products using sustainable practices and materials. The fabric is OEKO-TEX(R) certified and is free of flame retardants, and the wood is FSC Certified.
I wanted a glider that looked chic enough to be in our home for years to come, not one that looked like it only belonged in a nursery.
This remains one of my favorite purchases. Every night I sit on it with my toddler and Rob is on the ottoman. We read him bedtime stories and cuddle him before putting him to sleep. When he wakes in the morning, he wants to sit in the chair. I couldn’t have been happier with this purchase and I know we’re going to cherish this chair for years.
I hope that you enjoyed reading about the “Big-Ticket” items I’ve selected for our baby. Let me know if you have any product recommendations or items you wished you had right away with a newborn! And, check out the other post in my Prepping for a Low Waste Baby Series: What I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag.