At the ABC Trade show in Vegas, we were joking that all anyone wanted to show us was their new organic product. It got to the point where we just asked, okay what do you have that is made from bamboo, organic cotton, BPA-free plastic, or recycled bottles?
With the recent announcement from Safeway, the third largest supermarket chain in the US, that they will no longer carry any bottles with Bisphenol-A, safety in baby products in on everyone’s mind. Click here for details.
Whether you think it is all hype or a huge safety issue, there is no doubt that safety in baby and children’s products is a huge issue on everyone’s mind these days. I’d love to find out what environmental/product safety issues you, our readers, are concerned or passionate about. Do you think organic materials are worth the extra money? Have you gotten rid of any Bishenol-A bottles or sippy cups?
I have three kids and while I bought new bottles for my baby that were BPA-free (not that she took a bottle but that is another story . . .), I’ve gotten some new BPA-free sippy cups too (the Klean Kanteen Sippy Cups ones are my favorites – dishwasher safe and cute colors), but I’ve kept some of the old ones too. Somehow it seems worse to the environment to throw away 15 plastic cups than to keep using them. But I am torn. . .
So here at Let’s Go Strolling, we have straddled the fence. We have our own environmental-friendly icon to signal which products enviromentally-concious consumers might like, but we also stock the “regular version.” We ordered the 4 new Serena and Lily Organic bedding sets (Maggie, Dylan, Rye, and Hazel) as well as their regular bedding sets. We stock the Bebe Au Lait Organic Nursing covers as well as their regular patterned non-organic covers. 
We have the Organic Ergo Carrier as well as several non-organic colors, the organic and non-organic Ultimate Swaddling Blankets. We also have several BPA-free products like the Klean Kanteen Sippy Cups, the OnTray Grocery Cart Shopping Tray, and the Zoli Snack and Formula Dispenser.
What environmental/safety issues matter to you in baby products? Will you pay more for them? We’re giving away a Bebe Au Lait Organic Nursing cover (you choose the color) to one responder who gives our their environmental shopping opinions and/or environmentally friendly products you would like to see us offer!
We really value your input!
P.S. If you are an office fan, on last week’s episode, the Office tried to destroy an Orbit stroller at a baby shower. It was hysterical. If you want to see this episode or a deleted scene where they are abusively road testing the Orbit Stroller System (without a baby), click here to view it on Orbit’s website!
I really love this paradigm shift towards environmentalism, conservation, and safety. Of all the trends in products, I think this makes more sense than most. With everything in life, however, I think it’s good in moderation. Being organic, just for the sake of marketing is a no no for me. Products that DO get me to pay more for the organic label are:
1) BPA-free products where food or drinks to be ingested are touching the plastics (i.e., bottles, sippy cups, etc…)
2) Dye and chemical free materials where my baby will touch them with his/her bare skin (i.e., swaddle blankets, cloth daipers, etc…)
3) Where being organically made makes the production of the product more socially and environmentally responsible (i.e., renewable raw materials)
My wife and I are looking for baby carriers and love the fact that we now have the option to choose an organic model. Additionally, some manufacturers (such as Beco) also have socially responsible production processes that really make me proud to own and buy their products.
In summary, I love organic products if it makes a difference in our kids’ health or helps make the world a better place.
It’s funny how having a baby can change your life in many ways, and for me, it’s recommitted me to living a greener lifestyle. Buying healthier, safer, more natural products is very important to me know and is worth the extra money. I think not only about my son’s health, but also of the future planet that he will be inheriting.
I’ve always been a recycling, composting vegetarian, but have really stepped it up after finding out I was pregnant. Now that my son is 7 months old, I am happy to be living in a house of cloth diapers, natural cleaning products, organic baby foods, and eco-friendly baby products.
I would pay up to 1/3 more for greener items, particularly those that come in contact with my son’s skin and are ingested (food). I’d love to see some California Baby toiletries or other natural baby bath stuff. It’s hard to find where I live.
Thank you for your commitment to the health and longevity of our environment!