Going to a Baby Shower? Here Are Our Favorite Sustainable and Non-Toxic Baby Gifts

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If you’re aware of the hazardous substances often found in common clothing and household items, you might be a bit stressed about what to bring to your friend’s upcoming baby shower.

But don’t worry. While there are hoards of unsafe baby items on the mainstream market, there are also many baby brands that intentionally keep toxins out of their products. You can still be supportive and show your excitement while keeping their new baby safe and healthy!

Here’s what to look for when buying eco-friendly baby shower gifts:

Natural Materials: Let’s be real: any toy you get for an infant is probably going in their mouth. That’s just what babies do. And plastic toys can leach harmful substances (like BPA) that can disrupt their hormonal system and development, in addition to introducing more microplastics to their system.

We recommend avoiding plastic as much as possible and instead opting for toys made with natural rubber, real wood, and yarns made from natural fibers like cotton and wool. The same goes for clothing. Avoid synthetics like polyester, as these are most often dyed with skin-sensitizing dyes that can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. If you want to bring onesies and booties, choose ones made from soft and natural materials like cotton and alpaca wool.

Non-Toxic Dyes, Paints, & Finishes: What’s on children’s clothing and toys is just as important as what they’re made of. While waterproof and stain-resistant coating might sound temptingly useful, these finishes are most often achieved with PFAS, which has been linked to elevated blood cholesterol levels, metabolic disorders, and lower immunity. Even if the child doesn’t put the object directly in its mouth, PFAS can shed off products and into a home’s dust–which puts crawling babies that put their hands in their mouth at higher risk. And it’s not good for mom, either, as PFAS has been linked to fertility issues, some cancers, and immune system issues.

To keep both mom and baby safe, avoid performance finishes and look for non-toxic labels like Oeko-Tex and bluesign. If you’re shopping for toys, make sure the brand that use formaldehyde-free glues, lead-free paints, and water-based dyes.

Battery-Free: It’s safe to assume that you’ve walked down a toy aisle before and quickly noticed a wide selection of battery-powered toys and gadgets. But most batteries contain toxic chemicals, and children can easily swallow smaller ones like button batteries. How you dispose of old batteries is very important. Certain batteries should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. Since most new parents don’t have time to seek out a responsible battery take-back program, we recommend battery-free or rechargeable toys.

Ethical Supply Chain: Any item one brings in their home should be made by people who were paid and treated fairly. Look for brands that foster close supply chains with ethical practices by checking to see if they’re Fair Trade certified. Bonus points if they’re family-owned and use locally-sourced materials!

Check out our guides for non-toxic baby mattresses and nursery furniture. 

What we like: Finn + Emma produces heirloom-quality toys handmade in Peru. Its collection includes toys made from non-toxic wood and organic cotton yarn, as well as apparel made with organic cotton and non-toxic dyes. It carries everything from play mats and swings to toys and teethers. Its durable and timeless designs are made by workers who are paid a living wage in safe conditions. The brand also offers gift wrapping for an additional fee on one item per order.

Price Range: $15-$990

Available in: Most Countries

What we like: A family owned company owned and operated in rural New Hampshire, Badger Balm carries a range of baby care products including baby skin balms, diaper cream, baby oil, hair care, and sunscreen. It works closely with its suppliers and uses minimally processed ingredients.

Price Range: $10.99-$17.99 (excluding bundles)

Available in: The U.S. and select stores in Canada, Europe, China, and Peru

What we like:  Pebble’s products are made in Bangladesh by artisans to help provide safe working conditions and fair wages for women in the area. Everything throughout the process is handmade, from spinning the organic cotton into yarn to knitting the toys, hats, and baby blankets.

Price Range: $19-$70

Available in: Most Countries

What we like: Zeiki (which means sweet and smart in Arabic) is a non-profit educational toy brand that makes ethical toys for learning. It uses locally-sourced materials and upcycled fabric scraps to create its range of toys free from lead, phthalates, and heavy metals. Zeki Learning is Fair Trade certified and seeks to empower women artisans in Palestine through fair work and wages.

Price Range: $15-$199

Available: Internationally

What we like: Coyuchi is an heirloom-quality home goods brand that carries organic cotton baby blankets, snuggle sacks, and quilts. It also offers a baby gift set with an alpaca hat and matching baby blanket. Coyuchi manufactures in a fair trade certified factory, and uses natural dyes on all of its textiles.

Price Range: $48-$198

Available in: The Continental U.S.

What we like: Nestig makes children’s decor with quality materials tested to exceed safety regulations. Its products are handcrafted in Brazil, and it only works with partners that use sustainable materials. Its collection of sheets, mobiles, toy storage, blankets, and wall art are designed to be safe, sustainable, and functional.

Price Range: $55-$229

Available in: The U.S. and Canada

What we like: Plan Toys makes child development toys with natural wood from rubber trees, non-formaldehyde glues, and water based dyes. All of its toys are ethically made in Thailand. Plan Toys also offers repairs and replacement parts, and parents can sell their pre-loved toys or rent new ones to reduce spending.

Price Range: $3-$350

Available in: The U.S.

What we like: Ecopiggy makes natural essentials to sooth babies. It carries natural rubber toys, pacifiers, and unique Baltic amber teething necklaces. The rubber from the trees come from sustainable plantations in Malaysia. You can purchase pacifiers in different styles, sizes, and packs. It also carries blankets, bath toys, and washcloths.

Price Range: $4.95-$79

Available in: Most countries