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We’re not just editors, we’re also moms. These are the best sustainable, thoughtfully made essentials for new partners.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and now we know firsthand that the adage is true. And when we add up all of a baby’s must-haves, we recognize that child-rearing is often expensive and overwhelming. (Reusable diapers and cribs and sleepers and organic formula, oh my! 🙈) So for any new parents, we’ve found 11 of the best gifts you can get to help them prepare or care for their new bundle of joy. All are ethically or sustainably produced and thoughtfully designed for both baby and parents.
Don’t forget to check out our very favorite baby blankets and baby clothing, too!
1. Baby Carrier | Solly Baby
Price | $69
Help baby transition from womb to wrap with the Solly Baby Carrier (available in Loop or Wrap styles). Crafted by a mother of four, each is made of sustainable fabrics including Lenzing modal sourced from Australian Beechwood trees and organic cotton. The end result is a lightweight and airy fabric with a hands-free fit, so parents can continue to bond with baby while going about their day—a real game-changer for any new parent.
2. Organic Cotton Quilted Sleep Sack | Coyuchi
Price | $78
If sound sleep is the challenge, check out Coyuchi’s sleep sack for a better night’s rest (for both parent and baby). Using organic cotton grown and woven in India, this Fair Trade Certified sleep sack is carefully designed to easily take on and off while still providing a snug fit and room for babies to move. This purchase also benefits environmental initiatives worldwide.
3. Baby Bottle Washer, Sterilizer & Dryer | Baby Brezza
Price | $300
Washing baby bottles and teethers can get cumbersome — thankfully this Baby Bottle Washer and Sterilizer from Baby Brezza tackles the job quickly and efficiently. It’s versatile and capable of washing baby bottles, baby product parts, sippy cups, and more, making life convenient for busy parents. The steam and drying feature kills 99.9% of germs with HEPA-filtered, germ-free hot air, and the items stay sterilized for 72 hours. With 6 cleaning modes, including a 19-minute quick wash, new parents will have peace of mind knowing baby’s bottles will be ready to go before next feeding time.
4. Play Kits Subscription | Lovevery
Price | $80+
New parents are inundated with information overload from every angle: What and when and how to feed, clean, and help their new baby sleep is beyond overwhelming. Take the guesswork out of play with a Lovevery subscription, which sends appropriate play essentials for each stage of the little one’s early life. Starting at newborn and continuing up to three years, these beautifully crafted kits are geared to help children with their sensory and neural development without the hassle for the parents. Kits arrive every two to three months and can be canceled any time!
5. Diaper Bag | Uashmama
Price | $149
Babies require a shocking number of items on the go, but thankfully diaper bags have come a long way. Get the conscious new parent in your life the Giulia Carryall Tote Bag from Uashmama to stylishly contain all the diapers, wipes, toys, clothes, bottles, and more. This Italian-made bag is crafted from the brand’s signature washable paper, a surprisingly durable and sustainable material that is as chic as it is eco-friendly.
Use code GOODTRADEGIFT for 10% off your first purchase through 1/31/2023.
6. Meal Delivery Subscriptions | Sunbasket
Price | $15+
We know the last thing a new parent wants to worry about is food. So we recommend treating them to a meal delivery subscription with Sunbasket, which provides delicious, flavorful, and organic options for every meal. Whether your loved ones are pescatarian, gluten-free, or diabetic, there are accommodating recipes here that will make healthy cooking a breeze. Did we mention some meals can be ready in as little as six minutes?
7. Baby Rocker | Finn & Emma
Price | $349
Most veteran parents recommend investing in a high-quality baby rocker, given how often your little one will be using it—and we love this rocker from Finn & Emma. Stylish, sustainable, and snuggly, these wooden rockers are responsibly sourced from beechwood and then padded with sustainable cotton. Easy to clean, assemble, and use, it’s no surprise that this ranks as a top gift for new parents everywhere.
8. Infant Lounger | Snuggle Me Organic
Price | $109
For tummy time, sitting support, or supervised hangouts, the Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger is an excellent gift. Uniquely designed with a supportive pad, each lounger envelops baby’s full body for extra comfort, unlike most pillows or mats. And it’s all healthy and nontoxic, too, sewn in Minnesota using GOTS-certified organic cotton and hypoallergenic fabrics. Pro-tip: You can pick up a removable cover, so washing and cleaning is more convenient for your loved ones.
9. Nursing Balm | Storq
Price | $19
As an actual bosom buddy for those who are breastfeeding, this nursing balm helps soothe the most sensitive of skin—because we know how painful it can be! This formula is organic, GMO-free, edible, and safe for babies so it checks every box on our list. Plus, it can be used during pregnancy, postpartum, or even afterwards as a salve—with a nourishing coconut scent. Make life easier for baby and mama.
10. Hooded Baby Towel | Parachute
Price | $34
Make bathtime sweeter and softer with this plush baby towel, delicately sewn from 100 percent long-staple cotton from Turkey. This hooded towel will keep little ones warm from wash to dry for years to come, as consumers praise its durable quality. Whether you gift one at a baby shower or post-birth, it’s a long-lasting, quality gift that new parents will love (and can reuse for subsequent children).
11. “The Chair” High Chair Full Kit | Lalo
Price | $280
For loved ones in small spaces or those with a commitment to functionality and sustainability, we recommend the Lalo Chair Full Kit, featuring the high chair that shrinks as their baby grows. This innovative two-in-one chair is ideal for playtime and feeding time for children up to three years old, and the full kit comes with play legs and a cushion, too. It’s thoughtfully designed with BPA-free plastic, FSC-certified sustainable wood, and durable cotton, so it’ll last through the years. Convenient, comfortable, and chic all at once.
