It might not be easy being green, but it’s certainly easy to go green – even with your baby. Several basic baby products offer environmentally-friendly alternatives: mattresses, for example, are made from organic rubber or cotton, bottles are often BPA-free, and clothing and sheets, even, are made from organic fabrics. For the latter, organic cotton, colored with plant or vegetable-based dyes, has become increasingly common. But, organic cotton isn’t the only option for going green with baby clothing and sheets. Rather, bamboo fabric – often a hybrid material of bamboo and organic cotton – is increasing in popularity for baby products and for clothing in general.

According to a recent press release for organic baby clothing line Baby Bambu, bamboo fabrics are soft and antimicrobial, which make them useful for clothing ranging from onesies for babies to adult athletic gear. Organica Essentials is the manufacturer behind Baby Bambu, and they’ve designed fabric and garments for infants that are not only hypoallergenic and UV resistant but also less resistant to odors. Additionally, all Baby Bambu clothing has a gender-neutral appearance, with green or yellow being a popular color for the baby clothes.

Organic bamboo fabric isn’t only used for baby clothing, however. Several other products, including blankets, car seats, sheets, and pillows, are made from it. Although Baby Bambu is the more prominent name for this emerging sub-sect of organic baby products, other manufacturers use the material, as well. If the antimicrobial and odor resistance of organic bamboo seems appealing and you want to use the material, always read the product’s label before purchasing. The combination of bamboo and organic cotton is common, but some manufacturers use a bamboo and nylon combination instead; this combination is not organic – nylon is a synthetic material – and won’t have the same properties as the bamboo-cotton combination.

As any parent knows, babies and young children go through clothing, toys, and furniture quickly. It’s not a matter of taste or style, however; rather, babies and young children grow and pick up skills, and the clothing no longer fits and the toy becomes too basic. Parents, like everyone in the current economy, may be strapped for cash, and purchasing discounted or secondhand baby products seems appealing. Nevertheless, some baby products should be purchased new, while others are best secondhand or as a hand-me-down.

An article in NOLA.com talks about purchasing clothing secondhand for babies, toddlers, and even teens. The strategy, of course, is to find items that a child will go through quickly – inevitable with a baby – but are also lightly worn. Babies need basics, as such clothing won’t always last long. If you can’t purchase some clothing, such as onesies, at a discount, look for them in thrift and consignment stores, in addition to t-shirts, pants, coats, and hats. While you might not find everything secondhand, you’ll be able to build up a reserve of clothing for the child from the time he or she is born to 18 months.

Clothing aside, some items for a baby should always be purchased new for safety and security reasons. Strollers and baby furniture, such as cribs, risk being less safe when given as a hand-me-down or purchased at a secondhand store. Some recalled items, as well, may end up on the racks of thrift and consignment shops, and you may risk using a product that poses an entrapment, suffocation, or choking hazard. Drop-side cribs, more specifically, will be taken off the market soon but are still found in several secondhand stores. In these cases, investing in new baby furniture and strollers is recommended, while clothing can be purchased secondhand or received as a hand-me-down.

Planning for a new baby – either your first or another child – is expensive. In some cases, having the second child is easier, as you’ve already been through the first. Nevertheless, getting the right baby products takes some strategy if you want to save money. Unfortunately, not all baby products should be purchased secondhand or received as hand-me-towns, but not everyone should be purchased new, either. An article in GoToBabyGift gives a few suggestions:

• Consider a unisex design for your crib, especially if you plan to use it for another child.
• If you want a fashionable diaper bag, make sure it stores all items you’ll need.
• Go for cloth diapers to save money.
• Only use wipes for emergencies; if possible, try to use soap and water instead.
• Have various four and nine-ounce bottles on hand that are BPA-free.
• Several onesies in sizes from zero to 18 months should be on hand.
• Invest in a baby monitor.
• Strollers don’t need to be expensive but they should be safe for your child and should be strong enough to last through the toddler years.
• Make sure you have a few swaddling blankets.
• Keep a baby thermometer at home in case of fevers.

Aside from these points, consider purchasing a car seat that will last for several years and will accommodate the needs of a baby – neck support, especially – and a toddler. Additionally, baby toys are also a necessity, and if you’re strapped for cash, stick with educational or stimulation items. Mobiles, crib books, and mirrors are the basics, and the child should have some toys in black, red, and white or contrasting primary colors that make sounds and have varied textures. Toys, aside from being fun, help build up a child’s basic senses and help him or her transition into the physical skills acquired in the toddler years.

As the saying goes, “Clothes make the man.” This mainly pertains to interviews and social presentations: a person showing up in sharp, well-tailored threads will garner more respect than the man in shorts and a worn t-shirt. But, what about children? Although they may not be able to tell the difference between designer and discount clothing, young children – and even babies – are already developing their own preferences.

This was captured no better this week by an interview with Angelina Jolie in Vanity Fair. Jolie has had her share of identity issues, but now she’s a mother of several children and, in the article, discusses all of their clothing preferences. Child Zahara, for example, likes mainly girly and feminine clothing, while Shiloh, instead, prefers tracksuits and more masculine fair. Jolie, in fact, even describes her as being “like a dude.”

Clothes, essentially, can be considered extensions of toys. Many children don’t really start to see certain toys as being gendered until the preschool years, and, even then, you’ll still see a mix of “boy” and “girl” toys mixed together in play. But, if you’re a parent, should you be encouraging your child’s identity through clothing?

Although a child can’t wear onesies and t-shirts forever, going for the opposite – a $600,000 wardrobe worn by celebrity children, for example – is even more unreasonable. Children grow through clothing quickly, and, while you should stick with the basics, your child can also start exercising some of his or her choice, too. Have a set of basic pants and shirts at home, but allow your child to pick out a few pieces. Many baby retails carry unique baby clothing that could appeal to your child’s tastes. This way, your child starts to form part of his or her identity, and you can stay within your budget your children’s clothing, too.

Chemicals are everywhere, and some of them are linked to cancer risks, behavioral issues, and brain development. Adults are exposed to several chemicals on a daily basis, but should your children be? A recent article published by CNN touches on many common products found in your house – including those babies and children use – that may contain such chemicals as BPA, phthalates, formaldehyde, and PBDEs. The article lists some of the common products that may contain these chemicals, risks associated with them, and alternative products. If you’re concerned about your baby being exposed to any of these, here is a condensed version:

• BPA. This chemical is commonly found in plastic baby bottles and cans with plastic lining, such as formula. A few states already have BPA bans on products, such as cups, designed for children under three years of age. BPA has been linked to cancer risks and behavioral issues in children, as the chemical mimics estrogen when consumed. Stainless steel and glass are alternatives to using plastic with BPA, although various plastic products may be labeled as “BPA free.” If you do have plastic at home, be careful to not heat it when making food.
• Phthalates are plastic softeners and, as a result, are found in various plastic products, such as toys. As children want to put everything in their mouth at a certain age, be careful with the plastic products you purchase, particularly teething rings. Aside from plastic, phthalates are found in shampoos and vinyl items and have been linked as an endocrine disrupter and to ADD/ADHD.
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are common flame retardant chemicals that are added to nearly all types of items. If a product is labeled as “flame retardant” or “fire resistant,” it probably contains PBDEs. For your children, such products like foam mattresses, sheets, and clothing may contain PBDEs, and the chemical will also accumulate in dust over time. Because PBDEs may affect brain development, opt for non-fire retardant products, unless they use natural wool for such protection.