17 Best of Eco-Friendly Parenting Essentials of 2024 (According to Enthusiastic Parent Reviews)
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Parenting is tough, and you might feel overwhelmed scanning products with lengthy ingredient lists for toxic materials or trying to shop sustainably when there’s so many options out there. But finding safe and nontoxic products for the kid in your life doesn’t have to be as much of a struggle as getting them into their little booties before you head out the door. The best eco-friendly baby essentials are quality products that’ll last with little impact, as opposed to ending up in a landfill with the rest of their dirty diapers.
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According to a recent survey by Atomik and Water Wipes, parents are already trying to be more conscious of the planet when they’re shopping for kids, but it’s not always easy — while 89% of surveyed parents said that is was important to buy products that are eco-friendly, three-quarters of them also found that environmentally-friendly labelling on baby products were confusing and hard to understand.
But the good news is that thanks to our collective understanding of overproduction and overconsumption when it comes to parenting gear we don’t really need (think overstuffed baby registries vs. Marie Kondo-ing), brands are making it easier than ever to identify sustainable products. It’s always helpful to look for labels that show if a company is B-Corp certified, or include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 — that’ll indicate the brand is committed to creating products that have less of a negative environmental impact.
It’s easy to go overboard with baby products when it comes to your kids, but a good rule of thumb is that if you don’t feel like you really need it, then you probably don’t. But here we’ve listed a couple of top-rated baby essentials to shop from well-trusted brands that come with 4.0+-star reviews. From sustainable baby bottles to eco-friendly strollers, these are the essentials that’ll be easy on the environment, your baby, and your wallet.
The Best Eco-Friendly Parenting Essentials
Consider this your virtual green registry of environmentally-friendly baby gear, which we chose based on positive customer reviews, sustainable materials, eco-friendly brand practices, and more.
1. Dyper Viscose Baby Diapers
Bamboo disposable diapers tend to be popular with parents who’ve got sustainability in mind, and you can’t beat these hypoallergenic disposable diapers from Dyper. These bamboo diapers remain soft to the touch and are incredibly absorbent, but are also free of chlorine, latex, alcohol, lotions and phthalates and are unscented and unprinted. What we like: you can even return soiled diapers for composting through the company’s REDYPER service.
Promising Customer Feedback: “These diapers seem to breathe well, but yet, absorb well. More than once, my son had a blow out that has tested the integrity of the diapers, and I have been thankful that they kept the contents contained pretty well. I don’t know what the difference is between these and other plant-based, “natural” diapers, but they seem to keep him very dry to where he doesn’t get rashes or yeast or anything because of his skin becoming too moist.” —Momma Bear
2. Huhu Everyday Diaper Backpack 2.0
For a diaper bag that’ll fit in all the daily essentials like diapers, wipes, and small toys, and still look effortlessly chic, the Everyday Diaper Backpack 2.0 is the best possible blend of form and function. It’s super practical with plenty of storage and pockets (including a padded laptop space), has a gender-neutral design that doesn’t scream “diaper bag”, and is sustainably made from only the good stuff — i.e. high-quality, 100% recycled fabric (with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 seal of approval), and lightweight aluminum hardware. Plus there are tons of tiny details that come in the clutch, from the plush backpack straps, to the magnetic buckle for one-handed access while you’re wrangling the little one.
Promising Customer Feedback: “I recently purchased the Everyday Diaper Backpack 2.0 and it has been an absolute game-changer as a first time mom! The size is just perfect – it fits everything we need and more, without being too bulky or cumbersome. The water-proof compartment for a bottle is a lifesaver, ensuring no spills or leaks ruin the day. Plus, the various zipper bags, pockets, and compartments are a dream for organization – everything has its place, which makes finding things on the go so much easier.” —Michelle W.
3. Nuna Tavo Next Stroller
Nuna is a sustainable brand that’s responsible for all kinds of planet-friendly baby gear, but we like their Tavo Next Stroller that’s ready to roll with plenty of dream-worthy features for parents. This stroller has received the GREENGUARD Gold certification, meaning that it’s been tested for thousands of chemicals, and the company complies with some of the strictest emissions standards in the world. Thanks to “free-flex suspension” in the back, your little one’s ride will always be smooth in the super spacious seat, but it also has a compact, fold-away axle, self-guiding magnetic buckle (no five-point harness!) and a convenient storage basket so your ride will be smooth, too.
Promising Customer Feedback: “I cannot say enough good things about our Tavo Next. The canopy on this stroller is just amazing, we get compliments all the time when strolling around. The magnetic buckle is a great touch too! We’ve taken it over grass, gravel, tan bark and it handles beautifully. What I love most about it though is the folding mechanism. It folds into itself and is so compact.” —Jessica A.
4. Burt’s Bees Baby Unisex-Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
Burt’s Bees is well-known, but you might not know that their organic cotton baby clothes are practically must-haves for new parents. This best-selling wearable blanket boasts mores than 33,000 Amazon reviews, thanks in part to a zipper that opens from bottom for easy diaper changes. As a bonus, it also comes in 27 cute patterns from quilted elephants moons and stars, so they’ll stay comfortable and adorable in their very own sleep sack.
Promising Customer Review: “I’m a huge Burt’s Bees fan. I never bought anything BB until I started with a cute onesie for my baby. I love the 1.5 tog! It’s nicely quilted, not heavy, and not thin. It’s so soft! I’ve washed it quite a few times now and it holds up as a true quality product. My baby is usually in a long sleeve onesie, so her arms are covered by (usually BB) cotton. She stays warm and comfortable through the night.” —Tyler Peirce
5. Philips Avent Glass Natural Baby Bottle
Plastic bottles can contain BPAs that may stunt a baby’s development according to some research, so if you’re looking for a safer, more sustainable alternative, go for Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottles which are made from premium borosilicate glass. The nipple lets the baby control the pace of the milk like they do when breastfeeding, so it’ll only release when they take a sip. The no-drip nipple design and anti-colic valve will give you some peace of mind, and you’ll also feel better knowing the bottles won’t be a burden on landfills, either.
Promising Customer Feedback: “Love these and use them daily for my baby girl who is a year old. She holds them herself and lays down to watch her Rachel. I dropped them a few time and not one has cracked or broken, and they’re super easy to clean as well. Recommend them for sure!”—Vanessa
6. Solly Baby Wrap Carrier
While other baby wraps and carriers can feel too warm or bulky, the buttery-soft Solly Baby Wraps are cult favorites for a reason, made with a lightweight “TENCEL Modal” that’s cool to the touch. The material is sustainably sourced from the pulp of Austrian beechwood trees, made with eco-friendly dyes, and are biodegradable to boot. We like the simple, easy-to-use design of the Solly (although it might take a little practice at first), which will keep your baby comfortably close for the first year or so.
Promising Customer Review: “I absolutely love this wrap and so does my baby! Baby girl has been very uncomfortable since day one and the Solly Baby has helped us calm her down and get her to sleep faster than anything else we’ve tried. She loves being snuggled up against me and I love that I am comfortable and hands-free while carrying her. This wrap fabric is extra soft and breathable, and there are no uncomfortable parts that dig into my back.” —Martha F.
7. Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
For a sustainable, long-lasting alternative to the average high chair (which we know the baby is going to grow out of sooner rather than later), the Stokke Tripp Trapp is designed for use from 6 to 36 months. Made from high-quality European beech wood, this iconic chair never sacrifices style for durability, with a five-point safety harness and adjustable support for the ideal angle (it’s also JPMA-certified and meets or exceeds ASTM safety standards). It’ll grow along with the child but also allow them the freedom of movement to throw peas to their heart’s desire.
Promising Customer Feedback: “Deserving of all the hype. Excellent quality, super sturdy, and simple design that’s easy to assemble and keep clean. I love that it has a foot platform! I also love that it does it doesn’t look like a highchair. I see why it’s the highchair.” —Leslie
8. Naturepedic Organic Cotton Changing Pad
This super-soft yet supportive changing pad is made with a sugarcane coating, which is one of the safest available options out there. That makes the non-toxic pad’s cover is 100% waterproof and stain-resistant, while a layer of GOTS certified organic cotton adds the perfect cushion. A contoured design prevents the baby from rolling, while a safety buckle helps secure them even further.
Promising Customer Review: “The changing pad has held up very well through daily use over four years. Both the pad’s surface and the structure of the pad are still in excellent condition. Super easy to clean, and comfortable yet supportive for kids. We like that it’s got four raised sides instead of two — this felt safer with an infant, works just as well for older kids, and the bottom lip has helped keep in accidents.”—Anonymous
9. WaterWipes Plastic-Free Original Baby Wipes
With more than 73,000 reviews, parent and experts alike rave about these 99.9% water-based WaterWipes that are not only compostable and biodegradable, but are super gentle on your baby’s skin. Made with just a drop of fruit extract (though they’re still fragrance-free), they’re even safe enough to be wiped on premature baby and newborn skin. Whether you use them as diaper wipes or for everyday purposes, WaterWipes are also super versatile for adults — accepted by the National Eczema Association of America and dermatologically-approved by the Skin Health Alliance, allergy sufferers and those with eczema-prone skin can use them too.
Promising Customer Review: “These wipes are a game-changer for parents who want a natural and safe option for their little ones. I feel confident knowing that I’m not exposing my baby to any unnecessary chemicals or harsh ingredients. They are unscented and hypoallergenic, which is perfect for my baby’s sensitive skin. Not only are these wipes gentle, but they are also incredibly effective. They do an excellent job of cleaning up messes without leaving any residue or causing irritation.” —Jonathon V.
10. FridayBaby Air Purifier
Let’s clean the air, baby — to create a more natural home environment, this Frida Baby purifier filters out harmful airborne particles like mold spores, pollen, smoke, odors, and other pollutants with a similar True HEPA filter that’s used in the best air purifiers for your home. The easy-change air filter lasts for 90 days, but what’s even more convenient is that the purifier pulls triple-duty as a while noise machine and night light, too.
Promising Customer Feedback: “This white noise machine is used every night in our bedroom. It has a wonderful night light and is very effective in blocking road traffic noise, dogs barking, and other unwanted sound. Highly recommend.”—Mary Jo
11. Tubby Todd Bath Co. The Regulars Bundle
Tubby Todd Co.’s bath and body products will give your little one a good clean, all with cleanest ingredients possible. Their essential skin and hair products are meant to help with any skin sensitivities, but every product is gentle enough for newborns and toddlers. This Regulars bundle lets you try out some of their staples, including a Hair + Body Wash that gently cleanses during bath time with chamomile and echinacea extracts, an Everyday Lotion with ultra-moisturizing avocado oil and cocoa seed butter, and an All Over Ointment that’s perfect for spot-treating extra dry or eczema-prone areas.
Promising Customer Reviews: “I bought this after reading amazing reviews about the All Over Ointment for baby acne, and what an amazing product! Within 20 minutes of the first application I noticed a difference. Very excited to try the rest of the products, but worth it just for the All Over Ointment in my opinion!” —ShoesLady0
12. Cocobowlco Coconut Bowl and Wooden Spoon Set
Eventually, when your baby starts on solids there’s going to be a lot of tossing food around and flailing while they eat — we suggest invest in some durable, sustainable bowls that can stand up to being thrown at the floor without shattering and also help you reduce some waste at the same time. Cocobowlco uses real, up-cycled coconut shells and turns them into child-friendly food bowls that come in completely recyclable packing. Bonus: the polished finish on the spoons and bowls are soft and smooth enough for your baby’s skin.
Promising Customer Review: “Love the texture and durability. Both the spoons and bowls are made for long wear. It’s nice because they don’t break if you drop them, and the kids find it fun to eat from!”—Sherell
13. Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloths
One thing you can never have enough of as a new parent is burp cloths, and these Muslin Burp Cloths made from Green Sprouts are the underrated workhorses of the baby gear world. Made from soft, organic cotton, they’re safe for your baby’s skin, while four absorbent layers can stand up to sniffles, drips, drools, and more. The hourglass shape also provides more coverage and a more convenient shape than rectangle-shaped cloth.
Promising Customer Feedback: “We couldn’t live without these, seriously. Our son has crazy reflux and spits-up about 10 times per day. We have six of these and they are constantly in the wash. They have REALLY gotten use and are holding up perfectly. They are large, so when draped over the shoulder or laid down under his head, they always catch the spit-up.”—Adrian S.
14. Toki Padded Organic Cotton Play Mat
Toki play mats feature a comfy, natural foam insert that’ll give your little one a soft yet firm surface to catch any tumbles. Made with only the safest materials, they’re super easy to clean, thanks to a fully removable organic cotton fabric cover. When they’re done rolling around (and probably nodding off) this portable play mat folds up for easy storage.
Promising Customer Feedback: “This mat is my FAVORITE thing I purchased for baby. I can’t even describe the texture. It’s soft, but firm. Perfect for tummy time and then little feet learning to walk. I also love that the cover is washable. This is the game changer, because stuff on the floor is going to get dirty. No wiping or yucky chemicals…just throw it in the wash and it looks like new. If you are on the fence, jump for it! A cushy landing awaits!” —Deborah
15. The Play Gym by Lovevery
You can skip the plastic toys for good: this best-selling versatile gym set from Lovevery has five Montessori-inspired development zones that are meant promote brain and motor skill development, and comes with accessories you can add on for further learning at different stages. What we like: the company has a focus on sustainably-sourced materials, from the FSC-certified wooden legs and batting ring, to the organic cotton mouthable teether, and also tries to minimize carbon emissions with shipping.
Promising Customer Feedback: “When we saw this play mat, and heard all the wonderful things about it we knew we’d have to buy one. This one blew the socks off the other three we had! It’s so sturdy, well made, soft and cushioned. I thought there were maybe not enough toys and bells and whistles to it, but our child loved the items so much more than anything the others came with. I think maybe they were over stimulating for him, but not with the Lovevery mat. It’s so easy to assemble, wash, and take along with us. I can’t recommend this enough.”—K. Cham
16. Esembly Waterproof Cloth Diaper Cover
We know that sometimes cloth diapers can get a bad rap for being not quite-so-absorbent, but this stylish diaper cover from Esembly is always prepared to take a splash. You can avoid the infamous diaper explosions with two leak-proof parts: an organic cotton inner (sold separately) for absorbency, and the Esembly Diaper’s outer layers (made from 100% recycled plastic bottles) for waterproofing and containment. In fact, these can also be used on their own as a swim diaper! Instead of going through endless packs of disposables (6500+, to be exact), with Esembly you only need 20-24 diapers Inners, and 6 Outers from birth through potty training. This’ll not only help excess diaper waste, but save you a couple of bucks too.
Bonus: Esembly’s Outers are also Standard 100 OEKO-TEX-certified and free of lead, BPA, PVC, and phthalates, making them perfect for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Promising Customer Feedback: “Esembly diapers are all we have used since my son was born and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Outers keep leakage away 99.9% of the time, Size 2 for my seven month old fits perfect, and quality is what one could expect from Esembly (read: great). They’re easy to wash and a great value for money as these are supposed to last until potty training.”—EHZ
17. Motherlove Diaper Balm
You want the best for your baby — and the best you can get for your baby’s skin is Motherlove’s Organic Diaper Balm. Motherlove is a certified Women-Owned B-Corp that focuses on environmental and social sustainability, and this natural diaper rash cream is made with everything you want and nothing you don’t. With clean ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and calendula flower, it’ll help alleviate diaper irritation for your little one’s bum with antifungal and antibacterial herbs. The best part? The balm is zinc oxide- and petroleum-free, which means it’s compatible with all diapers: cloth, disposable, compostable — you name it!
The Diaper Balm is also USDA Certified Organic (which means non-GMO, too!), Certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny, and made in a solar-powered, zero-waste facility.
Promising Customer Feedback: “I don’t understand why more people don’t use this or know about this. I wish all doctors would recommend this all-natural diaper balm that works! It works 100% of the time for my baby girl, no irritation whatsoever. It actually seems to soothe her skin immediately upon application because she seems less fussy after applying it. It takes only a day or two for the diaper rash to go away ASAP.” —Brian & Sarah
How We Make Our Best Eco-Friendly Parenting Selections
We take care in choosing the products we present to our readers. While we review descriptions to showcase modern selections with utility, we also rely on promising customer feedback or first-hand experience with the products and brands. The result is a carefully considered shopping list with you in mind. Customer reviews have been edited for length and clarity.
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