Ethical Brands to Support During Your Baby's First Year
In just over a month, my sweet Aria Jo will turn ONE. I don’t know how it happened (parents always say that, don’t we?) and I’m having a hard time processing the fact that she’s going to be a toddler in a matter of months.
So in an effort to hold on to the “littleness” for just a bit longer, I thought I’d share a quick roundup of ethical brands I adore for baby’s first year. Most of these brands are chosen through a filter of longevity and usefulness but some of them are just because it’s fun to buy pretty things for your baby. I’ve used most of these products myself for Aria, but the ones I haven’t are from brands I’ve obsessed over for years or just think would be really, really helpful for a new mama.
Should I do a postpartum themed follow-up post focused on ethically made essentials for new moms? Let me know in the comments!
Reiet Reiets
An absolutely stunning brand based in Spain, Reiet Reiets (“Little Kings” in Catalan), creates heirloom pieces that can be handed down from baby to baby or even generation to generation. They’re made to order, one piece at a time by local knitters (the attention to detail in these pieces is truly amazing). Although they’re definitely “investment pieces” they’d make incredible gifts or special additions to your baby’s wardrobe that you’ll cherish for years, even after they grow out of it.
2. Wildbird
One of my most used items that I never knew was so indispensable was my Wild Bird sling. Believe it or not, I only wore my bigger two a handful of times. But with two others, and a newborn, I wore Aria more than I carried her, especially in the beginning months. She took more naps in my sling while I made drinks at the coffee shop than I can count. As she’s grown, I still wear her on outings and on walks or just when she needs some extra snuggles.
I love Wildbird because the linen (I got a single layer) slings are so breathable and don’t make me (or her) sweaty like other materials I’ve tried. Plus, it’s a woman-owned brand that uses organic/sustainable fibers to make their super practical and use-able pieces.
3. Ecopiggy
Another mama-owned brand that I’m loving is Ecopiggy. They’ve got a sweet selection of sustainable rubber pacifiers and blocks and other eco-friendly goodies for baby that are hard to find elsewhere.
4. Glow Bug Cloth Diapers
Another product that got their fair share of use were our Glow Bug Cloth Diapers. As you might remember, we exclusively cloth diapered Aria until we opened Simple Coffee Co and then, it was just too much to juggle without a washer/dryer in our RV. (More on that decision here).
BUT. I miss it terribly and can’t wait to start back up again as soon as we practically can. It’s a completely do-able step that just about anyone can take and Glow Bug makes it so easy.
5. SnuggleMe Organic
Another product that I LOVE for babies of all ages (Aria still uses hers for naps at the coffee shop), is a SnuggleMe Organic pillow. When she was a newborn, I loved having it as a safe place for her to lay beside me and as she’s gotten older, we put it on the floor for her to rest and safely climb out of on her own. Knowing that it’s made without any harmful chemicals puts my mind at ease too.
6. Mason Bottle
We loved using these Mason Bottles whenever Aria needed to take a bottle. I would just pour pumped milk into it and store it directly in the mason jar (being careful when you thaw, to make sure the jar doesn’t break!). They’re plastic-free, super durable, and make great sippy-cups too when baby gets a bit older.
7. Baby Eco Trends
This shop is an amazing resource for baby furniture that’s made in the USA from sustainably harvested wood. They have cribs, Moses Baskets, rockers, wooden toys and more.
8. Kate Quinn Organics
We brought Aria home in a Kate Quinn Organic gown and although it was a pricey piece (I added it to my registry!), it lasted us nearly six months and I was able to resell it for nearly a new-price. I loved knowing that my newborn’s perfect baby skin was safe and sound with organic fabrics.
9. Beya Made
The age-old conundrum when it comes to kids clothing is how quickly they outgrow them. Beya Made is a stunning, innovative brand that designs clothes that last 3 times longer than averages pieces. They “grow” with your baby, so you can spend less time shopping around and more time focusing on your babe.
10. THRIFT STORES
Not necessarily a shop to support, but something that bears mentioning….
There’s a strange stigma involved in buying used clothes for your baby (especially for your first one, I’ve learned). Let me be the first to attest to the fact that your baby won’t even know the difference ;) Not only will you be saving (likely barely used) clothing from landfill, but you’ll be saving loads of money, and supporting your local economy or small resale shops. I’ve found so many ethically made pieces via secondhand shops, and ethically produced or not, I stand by the idea that thrifting is the most sustainable way to shop.
What pieces were must haves for you and your baby? Or, if you’re expecting a little one, what’s on your list?
*This post was sponsored by Reiet Reiets, but all opinions were my own and featured products I genuinely love and support. Thank you for supporting the brands that make SL&Co. possible!*
