As parents in the 21^st century, we have a bountiful array of products to choose from for our little ones. But with more choices, a greater conscientiousness emerges, and new parents want to know where these products come from, how they are made and how they may affect our most precious commodity: our children.

To consider what we put on, in and around our babies, here’s a look at some organic, chemical-free and biodegradable options for the typical must-haves of those first months.

Diapers

New moms are going retro. Cloth diapers are coming back with a vengeance and there are so many to choose from! No more safety pins for this crowd; now there are snaps, Velcro, one-size-fits-all and all-in-ones.

When we realized that we were filling landfills with our babies’ leftovers for the next 500 or so years, we knew we had to give cloth diapers a go on Baby No.3. Cottonbabies.com has several cloth diaper options to choose from and offers accessories, free shipping and even clearance-priced gently used diapers (we love the BumGenius one-size, which fit both our 2-year-old and newborn). If you’re wary of the initial investment, consider this: over three years, cloth diapers can cost half of what disposables diapers will run for the same amount of time.

If cloth diapers aren’t right for you, try biodegradable and chlorine-free diapers made from renewable materials. Seventh Generation and Earth’s Best diapers can now be found in grocery stores, as well as at Babies “R” Us. Coupons are readily available on their websites.

Clothing

Have you considered wrapping a baby up in bamboo or hemp? Not everyone can fit out a child’s entire wardrobe and bedding in organic fibers, but one or two pieces made naturally will help you – and your baby – sleep better at night. Target has an array of organic newborn clothing and bedding items.

If shopping locally appeals to your ethical senses, try hitting up a craft fair, farmers market or natural health store in your community. Many budding businesses will have products for display in these marketplaces, as well as online shops. Etsy is an invaluable resource for baby clothes made locally and naturally!

Soaps & Detergents

As childhood allergies seem to be on the rise, parents are desperate for soaps and detergents that won’t irritate a new baby’s super delicate skin. This can be a stressful task, as words like “fragrance free,” “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist tested” grace nearly every label.

For our own eczema-stricken daughter, our pick early on was Arbonne Baby Care, a botanically based line of products for hair and body. California Baby also has an extensive line of products that contain organic and sustainably grown ingredients (also available at Target).

Seventh Generation’s laundry detergent is plant-derived as well, and free of optical brighteners, dyes and synthetic fragrances. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, more and more parents are singing the praises of Soapnuts, which is dried tree fruit with natural cleaning properties. Soapnuts are organic, free of harsh chemicals, and biodegradable. These and other chemical-free detergents are also perfect for washing cloth diapers.

Bottles

Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping or using formula, you will at some point be giving your baby a bottle or sippy cup. Most plastic bottles, cups and dishes contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), which some studies suggest may be harmful to children.

Companies like BornFree, Dr. Brown’s and EvenFlo produce BPA-free bottles, dishes and pumping accessories. These brands can also be found at most big box retailers. For our children, using EvenFlo was a logical choice, as their products allowed us to make an easy and safe transition from breastfeeding to pumping, from bottles to sippy cups, from one baby to the next.

-Karen Huber

Are you a new, or experienced, parent? What natural or organic product can’t you live without?

More on Organic Baby from HalogenTV.com:

1. Creating a Green Baby Registry
2. Lead in Products: Sources, Symptoms and Treatment