From a luxe subscription box to sustainable jewelry, these chic items are sure to please the eco-conscious mamas in your life.
Katherine J Igoe (she/her) is a lifestyle writer who covers style, culture and beauty (especially her favorite shopping finds).
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Baby Diapers
Diapers are special underwear worn by babies and young children until they can use the toilet. They absorb liquid and waste from the infant’s bowels to prevent leakage and contamination of the diaper and the baby’s skin, as well as other surfaces and objects. The diapers are typically made of cloth or synthetic disposable materials. Disposable diapers come with an absorbent pad that contains chemicals that can hold in the liquid, while cloth diapers are composed of absorbent fabrics that can be washed and reused.
While changing diapers is unavoidable, it doesn’t have to be unpleasant. You can add a little bit of fun to the process by purchasing patterned diapers. Diaper brands such as Huggie Beauty Hollywood, and Hello Bello offer a variety of fun prints to choose from.
If you are shopping for a new diaper, you should know that baby diaper sizes vary by brand and product. Some brands may designate a specific age for their diapers, while others will note the recommended weight range for each size. A good way to tell if your baby needs a larger diaper is when the top of the diaper can hardly be closed and the elastic at the leg holes is tight against the legs and waist.
You can also sign up for Huggies Rewards+ to earn points toward free diapers. The program is easy to use and helps you track your spending. Plus, you can get free samples and coupons to save money on your favorite diapers. The program is free and available to any US resident.
Baby Wipes
Whether it’s wiping sticky hands, cleaning up messes or cleaning off dirty faces, baby wipes are quick clean-up essentials that can help protect your child’s delicate skin. You can choose scented or unscented baby wipes to match your preferences, and many of them are hypoallergenic and have a gentle formula that’s free from harsh ingredients and fragrances.
If you’re shopping for the best baby wipes, look for a package that’s easy to open and close with one hand and stays moist. Some have a resealable flap or zipper to keep the baby wipes fresh. Other types of packaging include tubs and pouches that are great for storing baby wipes in your diaper bag, purse or backpack.
In addition to choosing the right brand and type of baby wipes, consider how much you want to spend and what ingredients you prefer. For example, some brands make their baby wipes with natural ingredients, while others use lotions and other chemicals. Some baby wipes are also eco-friendly, which is a big plus for concerned parents.
Some brands offer special baby wipes for specific purposes, such as nappy rash. For instance, Aveeno Baby Hand & Face Wipes are dermatologist and pediatrician-recommended to cleanse your little one’s sensitive skin. These wipes contain oat extract, aloe and mild moisturizers to gently nourish baby’s skin. They’re also fragrance-free, soap-free, alcohol-free and phthalate-free.
Another option is Hello Bello Baby Wipes, which are fragrance-free and come in a bulky pack that’s easy to toss into a diaper bag or purse for quick clean-up on the go. They’re also made with plant-based, natural materials that are biodegradable and compostable. They’re also free of sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde donors and dyes.
Baby Shampoo
Baby shampoo helps remove oil, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, and other contaminant build-up from your baby’s hair. They can also help soothe dry scalps or skin. Baby shampoo is generally gentle and non-irritating, making it safe to use on your baby’s sensitive scalp and hair. However, you should always check the label and avoid ingredients that can irritate your baby’s scalp or skin, such as fragrances, dyes, parabens, phthalates, and chemical preservatives.
This gentle baby shampoo and body wash gets great reviews from parents and contains a few key ingredients that help to calm the scalp. It is free of harsh detergents, and is formulated with natural oils and botanicals to nourish the skin. However, it may be too fragrance-intensive for some babies and may leave a residue in the hair if not rinsed thoroughly.
It is important to note that some baby shampoos contain a small amount of SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) which can be irritating for some babies’ sensitive scalps. This is especially true for babies with eczema. For this reason, it’s best to stick with a mild baby shampoo that is fragrance-free, free of SLS, and doesn’t have any added colorants or phosphates. This shampoo from Noodle & Boo fits this description and is designed to soothe eczema-prone scalps and skin.
Another great option for a gentle shampoo is this baby wash from Baby Dove, which is a budget-friendly choice that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It does contain a small amount of SLS, but is less irritating than many other formulas. You can use this shampoo until your baby is ready to switch to a kids or adults shampoo, which typically has more ingredients to help cleanse oily hair.
Baby Conditioner
When washing your little one’s hair, a baby shampoo is essential to keep their scalp and hair healthy. It helps to rinse away excess oil and remove dirt and debris. This is particularly important for babies because their skin and hair are prone to irritation. A good shampoo also keeps their hair soft and shiny and makes it easier to comb through their locks.
A baby shampoo is formulated with mild detergents to reduce the risk of irritants and is typically free from sulfates. This is because newborns have delicate skin and only produce small amounts of sebum. The mild cleansing agents used in a baby shampoo help to prevent overproduction of oil and remove dirt and grime from their hair and scalp.
Most baby shampoos also contain conditioning ingredients to help keep your little one’s hair smooth and shiny. They are often derived from natural oils and may contain shea butter or coconut oil. These ingredients make the hair smooth and supple, which is ideal for babies because curly hair tends to retain less moisture than straight hair.
Using the right shampoo and conditioner for your baby can help to maintain their curl pattern and prevent tangles. It is recommended to use a moisturizing conditioner after every shampoo to help rehydrate the hair and skin.
SheaMoisture’s Baby Curl Shea Shampoo and Wash is a good example of a moisturizing shampoo. It contains shea butter and murumuru seed extract to moisturize the hair and scalp, and it is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. This shampoo and wash is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, and it is vegan. It also contains a prebiotic moisturizer that helps promote healthy hair and skin bacteria, and it is available in a variety of scents.
Baby Oil
Baby oil is a skin moisturizer that’s specially designed to be gentle on infants, and it helps keep moisture in. It’s usually made from mineral oil and a bit of fragrance, though it’s possible to find plant-based options. The best baby oils tend to absorb quickly, leaving skin soft and smooth. You can use it on the entire body, and some moms like to massage their little one with it as part of a soothing bedtime routine.
You can find baby oil in a range of sizes, and some brands offer a pump-top that makes it easy to use with a wiggly toddler or newborn. Look for the labeling of your chosen oil to see if it’s recommended for sensitive skin, and make sure you store it in a cool, dark place where it won’t be affected by sunlight or heat.
A budget-friendly option, this Burt’s Bees baby oil works well for softening and moisturizing skin. It’s formulated with apricot, grape, wheat germ, and sunflower oils and doesn’t contain any parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum. The oil has a mild fragrance and is safe for babies and adults to use, too.
Another great option, this Johnson’s oil is hypoallergenic and clinically proven to help prevent excess moisture loss. It has a light, gentle scent and is easy to spread for baby massage.
Made with organic shea butter and lavender flowers, this product gets a lot of positive feedback from parents. It has a natural, fresh scent and also contains jojoba oil to soothe dry skin. Some moms have used it to help relieve colicky and gassy babies, too, by performing abdominal massage. This oil is slightly pricier than some other options, but it’s also EWG certified and sustainably packaged.