The best eco-friendly baby products: 11 sustainable substitutes, from reusable nappies to wipes
In the first 100 days of my daughter's life, the app my wife and I use to track every feed, pee and poo revealed that we had changed almost 800 nappies: 769, to be precise. Each of these required a baby wipe (or three or four), a cotton wool pad to pat dry and a nappy bag for disposal. With all of this destined for landfill, my baby's carbon footprint was racking up months before she was even ready to take her first step.
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Statistics from the recycling charity Wrap estimate that 3bn disposable nappies are thrown away in the UK each year and that a baby could get through more than 4,500 before they're potty trained.
'Babies have small feet but big footprints. The best way to minimise this will always be the reusable option, where appropriate,' says Adam Herriott, a senior specialist at Wrap. 'There are pros and cons on both sides of the nappy debate, but reusable nappies have the edge on disposables, which have a heavy carbon footprint linked to their production. Reusables naturally require washing, but limit the resources required, especially when line dried.'
Planet-friendly choices don't end at nappies either. Below are some of the best sustainable baby products, from wet wipes to clothes, I've tried with my now four-month-old – and couldn't live without. I've also had, and included, recommendations from fellow parents, who have put each item through the daily grind of child rearing.
Mama Bamboo bamboo eco nappies
£9.99 for a pack of 24-35 at Mama Bamboo £10.30 for a pack of 24-35 at Big Green Smile
Cloth nappies have come a long way in recent years, but are still used by a small minority of the population. Disposables win out when it comes to convenience – an essential for time-poor and sleep-deprived parents who are on the go. There are eco-friendly options, but nappy recycling is limited in the UK: even if a nappy claims to be compostable or biodegradable, it's likely to be incinerated or end up in landfill where it will take decades rather than months to break down.
No disposable option is perfect, but it's possible to reduce the environmental impact of its production, which accounts for about 63% of a nappy's carbon footprint, according to a Defra-commissioned report. The Mama Bamboo bamboo eco nappies are 80% plant-based, and the B Corp is part of a carbon neutral offsetting scheme, making it Ethical Consumer's most sustainable disposable nappy-maker. The nappies also work and fit well, and have remained leak-free throughout intensive testing. CA
Close Pop-in All-In-Two one-size bamboo reusable nappy
£21.45 at Close
I started using cloth nappies in 2019 when my daughter was born, and I've used them for both of my kids, who are now six and two. I opted for them for the environmental impact that disposable nappies have, but they've also had so many benefits, including less nappy rash, no poo blowouts, and they look cute. I've tried several brands, including Little Lamb and Tots Bots, but I love the Close Pop-Ins for ease. My initial investment in nappies was £300 and I've probably spent another £200 on additional ones, but over two children, I've definitely saved money compared with solely using disposables. Charlotte Butterworth-Pool, Leeds
Etta Loves x Walala Studio Shapes muslin square
£24 at John Lewis£24 at Etta Loves
My daughter is of the sicky variety, so a constant stream of muslins has become essential at all hours. Finding ones that are soft, absorbent without leaking through, and able to withstand constant washing has been something of a quest, but the ones from Etta Loves tick all the boxes. The B Corp's muslins are made from 100% organic cotton, and each is finished in a sensory design that aids cognitive and visual development. They also double as a great distraction tool on a changing mat or draped over a pram. CA
Cheeky reusable baby wipes kit
£49.99 at Cheeky
My sister recommended Cheeky Wipes back in 2018 when I was pregnant with my first child, and they've been amazing. They're soft, reusable and cheap, and you can use them for just about anything. At first we used them just for nappies, but they're ideal for weaning and wiping up and are a good alternative to wet wipes. I now have two children, and we still use them all the time; usually for wiping sticky faces or hands or in the bath, but I also use them for washing my face and taking off makeup. They've saved us loads of money over the past six years, and I love that it's a small thing we can do to help the planet. Rebecca Goodman, Cambridgeshire
Doddl baby to toddler feeding set
£56.60 at Doddl
Since I used the Doddl plate and bowl set, I've never looked back. They adapt with your child (the suction on the bottom can be removed), are dishwasher safe, and are made with biodegradable materials. I know you can get ones with, perhaps, more sustainable materials (I used Bamboo Bamboo, but you have to treat them with plenty of TLC), but these last a long time and are practical for everyday use. They also have a rehoming project for when you're finished with your set. Charlotte Stirling-Reed, baby and child nutritionist
Heimess baby gym and walking heart bear
£92.50 at Babipur
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Among all the plastic toys, flashing lights and earworm-inducing sound effects, this simple, plastic-free, wooden baby gym from Heimess has become my daughter's (and my) favourite. Watching her progress from staring at the dangling bears to finessing her fine motor skills on the small shapes has become a daily ritual, and it will grow with her, turning into a walking frame when she's ready. Despite being a hand-me-down that's already been used heavily by my two nieces, it's got plenty of life in it yet – and there's not a battery to change in sight. CA
Burt's Bees baby shampoo and wash
£8.99 for 236.5ml at Sephora£8.99 for 236.5ml at Amazon
I use Burt's Bees on my 21-month-old boy, and it's been a lovely part of our daily routine. I started with the shampoo and wash when he was a newborn, and we've stuck with it ever since. It lathers well, rinses easily, is gentle on his skin, and leaves him smelling like a mix of honey, chamomile and that fresh baby scent you wish you could bottle up for ever. Monica Kranner, London
Eco by Naty nappy bags
£1.59 for 50 at Boots£1.59 for 50 at Amazon
If I'm at home, I think nappy bags are completely unnecessary. Nappies go straight in the bin – just a normal bin, not a nappy bin, because they require more plastic and they don't stop the smell! For when I'm out and about, though, the 100% compostable bags by Naty are the best eco ones I've used: they don't rip, and hold up to having heavy nappies put in them. I only use them when I'm not near a changing room, because it's just extra plastic otherwise. Larissa Hazell, Essex
Kokoso Baby natural baby hairbrush
£7.99 at Kokoso Baby
As well as being blessed with a dark brown mullet from birth, my daughter has had a side of cradle cap that we've tried to keep under control. Enter this baby hairbrush from Kokoso. Made from sustainably sourced beech wood and soft-yet-firm natural boar bristles, the brush is good for the planet and my daughter, gently removing the flakes while massaging her scalp in what has become a pre-bedtime ritual. CA
Neal's Yard Remedies baby barrier cream
£8 for 50g at John Lewis£8 for 50g at Neal's Yard Remedies
An early case of nappy rash has seen all sorts of ointments applied to my daughter's behind, but a lot of the more intensive creams dried out her delicate skin as a scaly side-effect, and feature an ingredients list that will have you questioning. This barrier cream from Neal's Yard has none of the nasties and manages to balance protection with moisturising, keeping the area soft, supple and irritation free. CA
Mori clever zip sleepsuit
£32.50 at Mori£33 at John Lewis
Secondhand is the most sustainable approach to dressing your little one, and rather than buying one-off pieces, it's possible to buy bundles of clothes on apps like Vinted for a fraction of the cost of new, helping your bank balance and the environment. If you're in the market for a super soft, eco-friendly option, though, Mori's sleepsuits are made from a blend of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton and retain their plush feel after countless wash cycles. CA
Have you got any sustainable tips and tricks for bringing up a baby, or have you used an eco-friendly product that you'd highly recommend? If so, please email thefilter@theguardian.com
Charlie Allenby is a freelance health and fitness journalist who puts running and cycling gear through its paces on increasingly ridiculous endurance challenges. He became a parent last December, so has swapped Strava for sensory toys and now fits his exercise in around changing nappies and entertaining his daughter
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