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Kermit the Frog was wise beyond his Muppet years when he said, "It's not easy being green." Not only is it tricky to figure out when it's important to choose organic, it's a challenge to scout out deals among all the green products vying for your attention. Whether you spend a little or a lot, the choices below will give your baby a healthy start while doing good for the earth. — Tracy Chait
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1. Receiving Blanket |
The Dream
Lola & James have made a vintage cashmere baby blanket, $298, from recycled cashmere (still as soft), eliminating much of a product's manufacturing waste. It's available in a "boy" and "girl" color palette. For a more straightforward receiving blanket, try Petunia Pickle Bottom's Organic Gift Set, three blankets for $79, available in two sets of graphic prints. And don't forget your organic blanket friend, $18, a security blanket topped with a sweet little rabbit, all in super soft organic cotton.
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The Reality |
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2. Non-toxic Crib |
The Dream
The Oeuf Crib in Walnut, $920.
Hand crafted from solid birch, finished with nontoxic lacquer and featuring medium-density fiberboard made from recovered wood fibers, this is a good-looking place to sleep, inside and out.
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The Reality
City Lights Commuter Crib by Sorelle, $406.
With this piece, you'll get modern design as well as the good-for-the-planet stamp. You won't find solid birch at this price point, but this crib is made from poplar, uses water-based paint and odorless glue and makes use of a reforestation program to gather materials. While perhaps less virtuous in a lineup of nontoxic cribs, IKEA's Leksvik Crib, $159, is made from solid, renewable wood sources (in this case, beech and spruce) and uses "less toxic" glues. In short, non-toxic = more money, less toxic = less money.
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3. Organic Crib Mattress |
The Dream
Natural Mat Mohair Crib Mattress, $625.
Weaved together from horsehair tail, organic coir and fleecy mohair, this mattress is a combo of the best available natural materials. No chemicals, synthetics or any ingredient that ends in -cide here. If you're worried about a potential mohair allergy, there's the oft-touted Naturepedic 2 in 1 Organic Cotton Ultra Crib Mattress, $399. This one's waterproof (sides too!) and features organic cotton that's unbleached, undyed, un-everything you worry about.
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The Reality |
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