Updated May 23, 2023 to include some new brands and additional resources!
When people think of sustainability, they often think of clothing. But for me, my search for sustainability in baby and toddler brands actually started with toys.
You know… those plastic, easily-breakable kids’ toys with no educational value that seem to pile up every Christmas?
I’ve tried to consciously find brands that care about sustainability and not just pumping out loads of cheap things that will end up in the garbage. Here are 27 brands that make eco-friendly baby products.
What do you mean by sustainable baby and toddler brands?
I think about sustainability in two ways:
- A brand produces items that are so high-quality that they can be passed on to others or kept for decades without breaking down or needing to be thrown away (think wooden toys).
- A brand produces an item that will end up in the garbage (think diapers), but they are actively doing other things during the manufacturing process to offset that waste (like using plant-based materials and offsetting their carbon footprint through planting trees).
Without further ado, here are 27 of my favorite eco-friendly baby and toddler brands – including some that I am eager to try out – that are focused on sustainability and being kind to our planet.
As a bonus, these products typically end up being safer for your baby and of higher quality!
1. Lovevery
My personal journey to try to be less wasteful and more conscious about our impact on the environment started with Lovevery for me. Don’t get me wrong – we have a long way to go, but I think twice now before buying things, and I try to invest in quality over quantity.
Lovevery threw out everything you thought you knew about baby and toddler toys and really reinvented the wheel.
Now, I’m sure a lot of people will say Lovevery isn’t the first (and I’m sure they’re not), but this brand introduced me to the world of Montessori, toy rotation, and open-ended play with natural materials.
Lovevery toys don’t take batteries (except for the sustainable play sink), and nothing shrieks, beeps, or blares music so loud you’ll want to throw it against the wall.
Here are a few reasons Lovevery really excels when it comes to sustainability:
- Lovevery toys are built to last – they stand up to lots of play and are made of high-quality, mostly natural, materials.
- Lovevery teaches you about toy rotation, so when a child isn’t interested in a toy anymore, you put it in a closet or in storage. After some time, you can bring that toy back into your play space, and it’s like a brand new experience again.
- There is a Lost Parts Program where you can purchase any parts or pieces that you can’t find to ensure your toys and playthings don’t get thrown out prematurely.
- Lovevery toys are made of biobased materials, FSC-certified wood, and soy-based ink. Plus, many Lovevery products come with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification. This means a product is free from 350 regulated and unregulated harmful substances.
- By 2030, Lovevery is aiming to achieve net-zero carbon in every possible part of their supply chain.
For our family, Lovevery toys are the ones that stand the test of time. They don’t end up in the trash, and if we lost a key piece and the toy isn’t usable anymore, we can buy the lost piece to restore it.
This brand is killing it!
Related: Are the Lovevery Play Kits Worth It?
2. Healthy Baby
Diapers. There are SO many of them, and they all end up in the trash.
While you could opt for cloth diapers, only about 9% of parents do. I am not one of them.
For those of us who choose to use disposable diapers, we’re well aware that they produce a lot of trash. That’s why I really like the brand Healthy Baby, which uses sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing practices for its diapers.
Note: While I love their disposable diapers, I’d recommend skipping the wipes. They don’t nest, so it can be difficult to get the wipes to come out of the packaging.
Not only are these diapers super soft and absorbent, but Healthy Baby has taken steps to replace petroleum-based materials with plant-based materials. The result? Using less petroleum and crude oil to make diapers.
For most diaper brands, an entire cup of crude oil is used to make just ONE DIAPER. I can’t even wrap my head around this (”We Are Changing Diapers,” Healthy Baby).
That’s not the case with Healthy Baby. They use sugarcane as a source for the components in their diaper. They also use cotton instead of polyester in the outercover.
Also, don’t believe any diaper brand that says their disposable diaper is biodegradable. According to Healthy Baby, that’s quite misleading: “What these companies actually mean when they say their diapers are biodegradable is that some components of their diapers can break down over time, if a few conditions are met.”
Those conditions include removing the biodegradable parts from the rest of the used diaper and taking them to an industrial composting facility that accepts diapers. Good luck finding one near you as there are only a few in the entire country.
So, until composting diapers is within reach, the best we can do as parents is to find a brand that’s focused on sustainability and reducing waste.
You might also consider researching cloth diapering. Healthy Baby uses a two-part system for maximum absorption and softness.
3. Hiya
Our family loves Hiya vitamins for toddlers, which look and taste like SweeTarts and have 0g of sugar per serving.
Hiya stands out from the children’s multivitamin crowd in a few key ways: they aren’t gummies, they have NO added sugar, and the packaging is eco-friendly.
When you first order Hiya, you’ll get this sturdy glass bottle. Every time you need more vitamins, you’ll get a refill packet shipped to you that you pour into your glass bottle. Plus, the refill pouches are not made of plastic.
Vitamin bottles are one of those items that often end up in the trash necessarily, and I love that Hiya has found a simple, effective solution.
Plus, you can get 50% off your first order.
Related: Are Hiya Vitamins the Best Multivitamins for Kids?
4. Blaynk
Blaynk may be the most eco-friendly brand on this entire list. The textile industry is one of the most environmentally harmful industries on the planet, and they set out to change that.
Blaynk uses zero chemicals and only rainwater to produce its products, which means no wastewater and no water pollution. Only organic cotton is used, which means no pesticides. They use no dyes, so nothing ends up in rivers and oceans.
They really go above and beyond to bring us high-quality, sustainable bibs, burp cloths, swaddles, and bedding.
Plus, you can get 20% off your purchase with code TMB20!
5. Pact Kids
I have been a fan of Pact’s organic house dresses myself for years, so when I needed to buy some new baby clothes, I checked their site first to see what they have.
I was SO happy to see they have a full line-up of baby and kids clothing, including the softest footie sleepers you’ve ever felt in your life. I’m a die-hard fan of these sleepers. The organic cotton is somehow thick without being hot – it’s luxurious. And the price is right.
On top of having some of the best baby sleepers on the market, Pact is also dedicated to organic farming. They use sustainable crops, organic farms, and chemical-free dyes to ensure every fiber is supporting Mother Earth, from seed to tee.
When you order from Pact, you have the option to offset the carbon footprint of your shipment, which is amazing.
And they also have a Give Back Box program, where you can use your Pact shipping box to donate old clothing to nonprofits. You can print a free shipping label right from the Pact website.
I’m so tired of all these fast fashion companies pumping out trendy clothing that’s cheaply made with materials that won’t last. Pact is really pushing back on that by creating thoughtfully made clothing that’s high-quality and durable. But the kicker to me is their prices are very reasonable.
6. Monti Kids
Monti Kids is a Montessori toy subscription program that manufactures 95% of its toys from wood.
These toys last.
Monti Kids is comparable to Lovevery, but there is definitely a bigger emphasis on wood with Monti Kids. Monti Kids also takes a more traditional Montessori approach, whereas Lovevery is merely Montessori-aligned.
The wood Monti Kids uses for its toys is very thoughtfully chosen. They use both solid wood and high-grade Russian plywood for their toys, both of which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being sustainably sourced.
In addition, Monti Kids makes every effort to minimize their carbon footprint with eco-friendly packaging options – their packaging is 100% recyclable. They ensure fair hours, occupational health and safety, and no child labor.
A core value of Monti Kids is sustainability. They believe in making toys that last for generations – not a few months of your child’s life.
These are some of the highest quality – if not the highest quality – baby and toddler toys on the market.
Read More: Monti Kids Review
7. Cerebelly
Cerebelly is a baby food company that specializes in baby pouches for 5 months up to 25+ months.
What makes this brand different from others is its focus on brain development. You can select pouches that are created just for your baby’s current age, which provides optimal nutrition for their brain development in that stage.
The brand also has smart bars, which are perfect for on-the-go snacking.
I think this brand is doing something so cool and unique, but what really puts it over the top for me is its free recycling program.
Food pouches typically end up in the trash, and Cerebelly is very aware of that. So they partnered with TerraCycle to help customers recycle their old pouches for FREE.
Create a TerraCycle account and join the Cerebelly program. Reuse any box you have to collect your used Cerebelly pouches. When your box is full, you can download a free shipping label and send your old pouches for recycling.
I think this is AMAZING because I live in a rural area where home recycling isn’t even an option. I hate how much waste food delivery services can create, but I can totally get behind an option like this.
8. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees is another brand that is taking steps to make products responsibly. They don’t test on animals, they’re committed to responsible sourcing, and their packaging is recyclable curbside or through TerraCycle.
Burt’s Bees also has landfill-free operations, they are CarbonNeutral® certified, and they offset their annual water consumption through watershed restoration projects.
Burt’s Bees has a great fragrance-free shampoo & wash for baby that’s perfect for sensitive skin. We also use fragrance-free products with our babies when they’re newborns, and this one is a great option.
They also have really great sleepers that are made of organic cotton and have really nice zippers. The only comment about Burt’s Bees sleepers is they are long and narrow, so if you have a short and chunky baby, they may not fit well.
9. The Tot
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop that’s full of eco-friendly baby and toddler products, it’s The Tot.
The Tot started because so many companies mass produce baby and toddler products using harmful materials, just because they’re cheaper to source and are more readily available.
With The Tot, you can shop from a tightly curated selection of over 200 vendors that offer high-quality, safe, and practical products. The vendors are transparent in the materials they use and the manufacturing process they follow.
All products on The Tot website are free from harmful ingredients, like formaldehyde, bisphenols, and heavy metals. These are not only bad for our bodies, but they can be bad for the environment.
When you find a product, you can also look into the vendor. Most vendors talk about how they are producing eco-friendly products that are made sustainably.
For example, this finger paint is made using non-toxic, natural ingredients. It also comes in unique packaging, and the brand, eco-kids, works with environmentally friendly companies from around the US.
10. Lily & River
For any Montessori parents who want high-quality wooden playsets, Lily & River is a cult favorite.
They have their famous Little Climber along with an array of other fun playroom activities, including the Little Rocker and Little Dome.
Lily & River uses premium hardwood that’s FSC-certified to be child-friendly. They also plant a new tree with every single order. Their wooden playsets are made in the USA (Phoenix, Arizona to be exact) and are designed to last decades.
While Lily & Rivers checks all of these important boxes, their playsets are SO fun for toddlers! Kids will climb up these contraptions for hours on end. So fun!
11. The Dough Project
I am loving brands that are taking popular baby and toddler products and reinventing them to be safer for your kids and better for the environment.
The Dough Project is a perfect example of reimaging Play Dough. Play Dough is composed of water, a starch-based binder, a retrogradation inhibitor, salt, lubricant, surfactant, preservative, hardener, humectant, fragrance, and color.
The Dough Project, on the other hand, is composed of organic wheat flour, sea salt, and cream of tartar. The brand uses plant-based sources to color the dough, including beets, turmeric, spirulina, purple carrot, annatto seed, chlorophyll, and activated charcoal.
The dough is stored in recyclable and reusable plastic jars, and it’s fully compostable when it’s done.
Not only is The Dough Project better for the environment, but it’s also safer for your kids!
12. Tubby Todd
Tubby Todd has the ever-so-famous All Over Ointment. They have other stuff, but Tubby Todd is almost synonymous with that ointment. This is the balm for everything, from eczema to cradle cap. It’s fragrance-free, made from plant-based ingredients, and is like a miracle in a jar.
Tubby Todd is also passionate about consciously improving its sustainability as a brand. In 2022, they’re focused on reducing packaging waste.
They also have started creating products with sustainability in mind, including a hair & body refill jug, which saves 16 normal-sized bottles from going in the trash. They also created a Suds Stick, a bar soap, which is a plastic-free alternative to hair & body wash!
13. Lalo
If you’re looking for some baby and toddler furniture staples, check out Lalo. The Play Kit, which is an award-winning Play Table and set of Play Chairs, is very popular.
This table is durable and sturdy, which means it won’t end up in the trash due to a broken leg a few months after purchase (I may or may not be speaking from experience here). The wood used is FSC-certified sustainable beech wood, and the plastic used in the chairs is non-toxic.
All Lalo products meet and exceed ASTM safety standards and are Prop 65 compliant.
So many wooden products nowadays are made of particle board, which warps and breaks. It’s a breath of fresh air when you find a brand that actually uses high-quality wood that will last.
14. Newton Baby
In the world of baby and toddler mattresses, Newton Baby is a clear standout.
Their crib mattress is made of Wovenaire®, which gives parents the peace of mind they look for in an organic crib mattress but with the added benefit of Breathe-Thru Technology.
The mattress is 90% air by volume and is made of safe, food-grade polymer. It’s 100% recyclable and made in a clean, emissions-free facility. It also doesn’t have any of the common toxic chemicals you’ll find in other furniture-type items (see this helpful guide about non-toxic nursery design for more info).
There are so many other amazing things about these breathable mattresses – including the fact that you can actually wash them – but this is certainly the mattress you should order if the environment is a top priority for you!
Read my review: My Honest Opinion: Is the Newton Baby Crib Mattress Worth It?
15. Stride Rite
Stride Rite shoes are, in my opinion, the best toddler and kid shoes on the market. They fit like a glove and are super durable. The cherry on top is these shoes are extremely eco-friendly!
Stride Rite shoes are made with organic linings and recycled materials. You can even wash these shoes in the washing machine.
The brand has an aseel sneaker that’s made from recycled plastic bottles, which just blows my mind.
All of the shoes are made with plant-based inks, zero toxic materials, and limited factory waste. Their sourcing is also sustainable.
Every time we need new shoes, I go to Stride Rite.
16. BabyBjörn
We use and love several products from BabyBjörn, but the bouncer takes the cake as one of our all-time favorite baby items.
I, like many other moms, am dumbfounded as to why my infant likes this bouncer so much. It does not plug in, there are no buttons, and it doesn’t automatically sway or rock. You just sit your baby down in this thing, and they are somehow completely content.
Read my review: Why 65% of Babies Love the BABYBJÖRN Bouncer
Some say its the ergonomics of the seat – I really don’t know. But it’s awesome.
BabyBjörn also has amazing baby carriers that are user-friendly, sturdy, and require no fancy tying methods.
It’s also completely awesome that BabyBjörn is very committed to sustainability. They explain that they develop products with good functionality and a long life span. I can attest to the quality – we have a baby carrier passed down by my sister-in-law, and it has been heavily used for almost a decade.
BabyBjörn says: “[Our products are] often handed down and used by several children in succession, which is one of the strongest contributions we make to sustainability.”
BabyBjörn has a complete sustainability guide that outlines the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint, and they are conducting life-cycle assessments (LCAs) to study the environmental impact of manufacturing their products. I love how transparent BabyBjörn is about how they aren’t perfect, but they are taking steps to be better.
17. Hanna Andersson
Hanna Andersson says they are “the original sustainable kids’ clothing company,” as they’ve been producing high-quality, sustainable clothing since 1983. The intention behind this clothing line is the clothes are so high-quality that they can be passed down and reused, but the brand also uses organic cotton and fair trade practices.
The clothes are actually made to be handed down with a tag that says “this belongs to” and several lines for each new child to mark as their own.
You can find really cute clothes for babies, toddlers, and kids up to size 16. There are even matching family sets for basically any occasion. The mommy & me trend is pretty popular right now, and this brand has some of the most adorable sets.
18. Hape Toys
It’s my understanding that Hape is part of the manufacturing process for Lovevery toys. So, if you like the quality of Lovevery items, you should definitely check out Hape. Some of their items are also more affordable (or physically larger in size), though you may have to pay for shipping if you don’t buy through Amazon.
Hape’s toys are made with sustainability, education, and innovation in mind. The brand is dedicated to responsible material sourcing, adopting green packaging, and using soy-based paints to minimize their impact on the environment.
This brand has a whole suite of high-quality, wooden toys for babies and toddlers, though their wooden dollhouses are a definite standout to me.
These life-sized dollhouses allow children to play with imagination and creativity, and they’re suitable for boys and girls.
19. Finn + Emma
Finn + Emma is an heirloom quality apparel and toy brand that’s 100% organic and ethically made.
Their garments are made with super-soft G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton and non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes. Their toys are made from untreated Indian hardwood or hand-knit with organic cotton yarn.
The untreated, non-toxic wood used to make Finn + Emma toys can last a lifetime (or two).
Even their snaps are lead and nickel-free and feature their signature coconut inserts. They care about the smallest details!
The macrame toy hanging basket definitely caught my eye, and the baby rompers are adorable.
20. Serenity Kids
Serenity Kids is an organic baby food company committed to introducing our little ones to different organic fruits and vegetables. Their baby food pouches look absolutely delicious!
They’re committed to being eco-friendly through ethical farming partnerships, regenerative agriculture, and eco-friendly packaging.
I love food brands like this that are intentional and thoughtful about being kind to the environment and who they choose to work with.
Plus, they even have a recycling program where you can ship back your used pouches so they don’t end up in a landfill. Love this brand!
21. Thirsties Baby
Like regular diapers, swim diapers can pile up in the garbage can during the summer months, and they leave me feeling very wasteful.
I was thrilled to come across Thirsties Baby, which has the most incredible reusable swim diaper ever.
These swim diapers are adjustable, so we have literally used the same reusable swim diaper for all of our kids, from the first swim until they’re fully potty trained (Size 2, for reference).
They also hold in poop, which is obviously quite important.
We live in Florida and have a pool, so if a child does have an accident, we can usher them to the grass and hose them off (including the swim diaper). I can imagine this may not go as smoothly in a public pool.
But, if you have a pool or even a water sprinkler in your yard, these swim diapers are perfect and will save you from throwing away a lot of trash. They’re also extremely cost-efficient. One swim diaper will last you several years, and they’re only $16.50!
22. Blueland
Blueland creates dryer balls that cut down on dry time, cost, and waste by replacing up to 1,000 single-use plastic dryer sheets! These particular dryer balls are sustainably sourced and are made of New Zealand wool. Plus, they actually work.
These particular dryer balls win tests time and time again for keeping your clothes soft and static-free.
A huge bonus is dryer balls are super gentle for drying baby clothes. You don’t have to worry about chemicals in typical dryer sheets rubbing off on your baby and toddler. If your little one has sensitive skin or any skin conditions like eczema, dryer balls can make a huge difference!
Bonus: these dryer balls are completely compostable when it’s time to replace them.
23. Pipette
In September 2019, Pipette was created to give parents a solution that actually works for their babies’ sensitive skin, without compromising on safety or sustainability. They do this with ingredients that are gentle, 100% clean, and completely non-toxic.
Their skincare products don’t harm the environment or animals, and they’re very innovative in their formulations. For example, they created a sustainable version of squalene, called squalane, that’s derived from renewable sugarcane and is super-safe for s baby’s delicate skin.
The brand banned over 2,000 ingredients, more than the United States (12) and the EU (1376). They then used their rigorously tested clean ingredients to create effective, nurturing formulas.
Pipette also practices Carbon Neutral Shipping at no cost to its customers.
The brand’s bestsellers include their unscented baby shampoo + wash and mineral sunscreen SPF 50.
24. WeeSprout
WeeSprout started with reusable squeeze pouches and has blossomed into a brand that cups, plates, food storage jars, bowls, baby food freezer trays, and so much more.
The brand uses recyclable materials for all of our products and packaging and creates products that can be used over and over again to reduce waste.
Their glass drinking cups are a perfect alternative to plastic, and they have many products that make it easy and sustainable to make your own baby food.
25. Honest
Save 15% On Your First Month’s Diapers + Wipes Bundle at Honest. Use Code: HONESTCO15
Honest is Jessica Alba’s health and wellness brand, and while it may be mostly known for makeup, it has a full line of baby products, including a diaper subscription. I’m personally not a fan of their diapers, but I do LOVE their wipes and baby wash.
The shampoo + body wash for babies smells amazing and has clean ingredients, and the wipes are the highest quality wipes on the market. They’re super thick, so you never have to worry about gross things getting through the wipe.
In 2021, the brand announced a new sustainable packaging initiative featuring 100 percent recyclable cartons using 100 percent tree-free paper made from upcycled sugarcane by-products.
Honest does not test on animals, and there are over 3,500 ingredients and materials on their No List. The brand also has sustainable products with more options to reduce, reuse, and refill for less waste. The brand also has carbon-preferred shipping sources and plastic alternatives.
26. Tender Leaf Toys
Tender Leaf Toys creates wooden toys that are made to last a lifetime. The brand is deeply committed to protecting Indonesia’s natural resources and only works with reclaimed rubberwood, a by-product of the latex industry.
In addition, for every reclaimed tree it uses, the company plants a new one, driving ahead the cycle of regeneration. Tender Leaf Toys has been awarded the ICTI Ethical Toy Program seal of approval for its ethical and sustainable supply chain.
They make some of the cutest, most innovative wooden toys on the market, including a counting carrots game and an adorable garden wheelbarrow set. You can check out all of their wooden toys here.
27. Dropps
Dropps is a laundering brand that offers very clean, environmentally friendly laundry detergent. The brand offers carbon-neutral shipping, compostable packaging, and a break from those big plastic jugs.
Dropps’ ultra-concentrated formulas leave out unnecessary fillers and excess water, which saves on packaging and decreases pollution. And while the detergent is in a pod format, rest assured that the pod is made from a water-soluble casing called Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), which dissolves upon contact with water.
Dropps has an entire baby line that includes detergent, oxi booster (a color-safe bleach alternative), and fabric softener. These products are unscented and are perfect for sensitive newborn skin.
Conclusion
I have no doubt left some amazing brands off this list, so please share your favorites in the comment section!
These are just the brands I’ve found and have loved, and I’m always looking for new sustainable brands to support.
Happy shopping!
