@taylorblair1
Parenting & Baby
10 Baby Essentials and Newborn Must Haves
Our Head of Brand Partnerships has welcomed her second baby girl! We asked her to share her favorite sustainable baby essentials and newborn must haves from ethical brands. In this editorial, explore Taylor’s favorite picks. Discover non-toxic sleep suits, zip-up pajamas, zinc diaper cream, and plastic-free baby bottles. Plus, there are more!
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“This second time around, I’ve realized how little you really need for a newborn! Here are my trusted baby essentials and newborn must haves. I’ve used them for over three years with my first daughter and now with my second.”
– Taylor Blair, Head of REV Partnerships
1. ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle
Newborn must haves: For your baby’s sleep
Available in many different TOG options, the Cocoon Swaddle Bag is the brand’s hero product for a reason. It is a 2-way zip up swaddle sleep sack, which enables easy diaper changes regardless of the time of day or night! Unlike a lot of sleep sacks that require more technical hands or the conventional velcro, which can be a bit noisy, this sleep bag is just so easy to use. The options for TOG allow you to have different choices depending on temperature and season. It is also bell-shaped to support a healthy hip development, which is something a lot of other swaddle options don’t consider. You can also use this swaddle bag in addition to the Butterfly Cardi as a duo! The combination is what I recommend for younger babies, like mine, who need the snug support to have a good chunk of sleep.
2. White Noise Machine
Newborn must haves – For when your baby won’t sleep!
I think a white noise machine is a must have for any newborn. It can be essential when your baby just won’t sleep! It lasts 48 hours on a single charge and is light and compact, so it can easily travel with you on the go. I love that it has a built-in soft LED light that makes overnight diaper changes and nighttime feeds a bit easier. Especially in the early newborn stage.
Shop The Drift Away White Noise Machine
3. ergoPouch Butterfly Cardi
Newborn must haves – For healthy sleep!
Some newborns feel cozy sleeping with their hands near their face. That’s why ergoPouch made the Butterfly Cardi. It lets babies sleep in different ways. The super stretchy material keeps the baby comfy and allows full chest expansion while breathing. Also, wearing the Cardi won’t disrupt the natural sleeping position. This helps support healthy hip joint development. The Cardi is a great alternative for those babies whom don’t like sleeping with their arms swaddled in. It can also be used as a transition aid to arms-out sleeping once baby shows signs of rolling.
4. ergoPouch Long Sleeve Romper
Newborn must haves – The perfect pajama!
The perfect zip-up pajama to wear alone or under a swaddle/suit. The zip makes overnight diaper changes much more seamless! The romper includes a unique 3-way zip system by ergoPouch. This system holds the diaper securely and stops the romper from twisting, which helps prevent leaks during the night.
5. Artipoppe Slings
Newborn must haves – A sling!
A sling is a baby essential for me. It helps me get things done at home. Sometimes, it’s the only way to soothe a fussy baby to sleep. A carrier allows me to be hands-free when my baby wants constant comfort and closeness. I have found the sling to be even more essential this time around as I already have a toddler running around and needing my hands for help. The Artipoppe carrier may be an investment, but it is worthwhile, especially if you plan to have more than one child, as they really are made to last. We used our slings for a full 2 and a half years with our first and fully intend to do so again. Atripoppe only uses natural and nontoxic materials, and they are incredibly soft and comfortable. For parent and baby.
6. Mini Bloom Diaper Cream
Newborn must haves – For non-toxic diaper cream!
I’ve long adored Mini Bloom. The baby brand founded by the family behind Goldfaden MD. Mini Bloom’s Toot Toot Diaper Cream is the best I’ve ever used and stops nappy rash immediately. We use this after each diaper change and it creates a protective barrier on the baby’s delicate skin to prevent a rash from starting. Their formulation is among the cleanest out there. All their products have been thoroughly tested for effectiveness and non-toxic!
7. Healthy Baby / Peachies Diapers
Newborn must haves – For ethical diapers!
For those early baby days, I choose to use disposable diapers before switching over to reusables. When I’m in the UK, I go for Peachies – one of the softest diapers I’ve come across from a B-Corp Certified brand. A very absorbent diaper that is free from nasty chemicals, dyes, fragrances, and is perfect for sensitive skin. Peachies can save the equivalent of 93 tonnes of CO2 for every 1,000 babies who wear their nappies – that is the weight of 17 elephants!
When I’m in the US, I always support Healthy Baby. A brand whose ethics I strongly believe in. Their diapers are soft, absorbent, and great for delicate skin. Plus, they have the first EWG Verified diaper. Also, they are made without harmful ingredients. They hold B Corp Certification. Their diapers come from a carbon-neutral facility that uses only green energy. Also, their products are Certified Plastic Neutral. I love their wipes! They have an amazing ingredient list. It includes organic calendula, aloe, and chamomile. These ingredients help soothe baby’s skin.
8. Naturalmat Baby Matresses
Newborn must haves – For natural sleeping surfaces!
I always trust Naturalmat for sustainable sleep surfaces. My husband and I use their mattress. Our daughter sleeps on their kids’ option. They also offer choices for cribs and Moses baskets for babies. Handmade in Devon, UK, since 1999, Naturalmat mattresses use 100% natural and organic materials. They are completely chemical-free and hypoallergenic. Their natural nursery mattress is perfect for newborns because it is firm, flat, and breathable, making it a very safe sleeping surface.
Shop Naturalmat Baby Matresses
9. HEVEA Baby Bottles
Newborn must haves – Plastic free bottles!
It is hard to find a 100% plastic-free wide-necked baby bottle, which is why when I discovered HEVEA I was thrilled. The bottle is made of glass. It has a 100% natural rubber nipple that seals tightly. This design stops any leaks. Their bottles also come with a rubber sleeve to protect the glass bottle from breaking, as drops are inevitable when you are juggling as a new parent! The brand offers a range of fantastic natural rubber products. These include nipple shields for early breastfeeding, rubber duckies, pacifiers, and more.
10. Bugaboo Strollers
Newborn must haves – A quality stroller!
Finding a sustainable stroller can be tough. But Bugaboo is setting the standard for ethically made strollers. A pram is a newborn must have for getting out into the world after the early postpartum phase! Bugaboo makes my favorite strollers. They offer many options for your family. You can choose double strollers, compact ones for easy travel, or larger models. Bugaboo is B-Corp Certified. Their strollers are built to last, so they’ll serve multiple children. They use low-impact materials and apply circular economic design to close material loops and prevent waste. In 2022, they were the first stroller brand to replace fossil-based plastic. Instead, they used ISCC certified mass-balanced bio-based material.
Explore Eco Baby Fashion
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Baby
Fawn and Freda
Martha Dress
£70
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Fawn and Freda
Wilb Trouser
£45
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Fawn and Freda
Asta Trouser in Sky
£48
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Asta Trouser in Sand
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Bathroom
Pico Goods
Handwoven Organic Bath Towel
£48
