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You don’t have to look hard to find the latest in eco-friendly fashion for your young ones. The biggest baby retailers now offer products that are safe for kids, easy on the planet and cost-conscious. Babies “R” Us leads the pack with the most extensive collection of natural and organic baby products. Blankets, onesies, burp cloths, hooded towels, bibs and kimonos are all available in organic cotton as well as booties, leggings, dresses, pants, tops and hats. Organic cotton is ideal for babies because it’s grown without the carcinogenic pesticides and insecticides used in standard cotton products. While these toxins kill undesirable pests, they can also contaminate water, harm farm workers and remain inside the cotton fiber as it is transformed into a blanket or T-shirt for your child. With more than 40 eco-friendly brands, Babies “R” Us makes going natural easy and affordable. Gerber’s organic cotton sets (including cap, mittens and booties) are just $9.99, while Winnie The Pooh organic cotton bodysuits are $9.99.

 

If you prefer to go the full Lazy Environmentalist route, stay in your bathrobe and do your eco-baby shopping from the comfort of your couch. Type “organic” into Amazon.com’s search function and click “baby” from the left-hand navigation bar to reveal hundreds of organic styles from reputable brands like Kee-Ka, Skoon, Kate Quinn Organics and Pixel Organics. Sort the products by price from lowest to highest to find items that fall within your budget.

 

One of the Lazy Environmentalist’s favorite baby and kids clothing brands is Speesees, a company that creates funky, eye-catching clothing and accessories using organic cotton and low-impact dyes which help to reduce chemical content. The conditions at Speesees factory in India have been certified by Social Accountability International, an organization that helps ensure the basic human rights of workers around the world — but see for yourself. Visit Speesees.com for photos of the Indian fields where its organic cotton is farmed and the factory where the clothing is made. And while you’re there, look for ‘70s-inspired jumpsuits emblazoned with catchy imagery (dandelions, horses, trees) for $26.

 

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Excerpted from Josh Dorfman's latest book, The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.

 

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