When environmentally-friendly products initially came on the market, only the die-hard environmentalists were supportive. However, they’ve been making a big splash recently, especially in the land of baby. Not only has quality increased, but cost has decreased, making it much more affordable to go green for baby.

You might be asking yourself why you should consider using eco-friendly products for your little one. First, babies produce a lot of waste and using green products will help reduce your impact on the environment. Although estimates vary, calculations indicate that over 28 billion diapers end up in landfills every year. 28 BILLION! In addition to reducing waste, you’ll be teaching your children the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – from a very early age. In essence, you’ll be helping contribute to an entire generation of those that are eco-conscious right from the start.

These days, many options exist if you’re looking to take care of your little one in an eco-friendly manner — it’s no longer just the cloth diapers of old!  From furniture to blankets and clothing to personal care items, take your pick from a wide assortment of products that will help you raise a “green” baby and become a “green” family.

Start by outfitting your infant’s nursery with furniture made from recycled materials. From cribs to changing tables, baby boutiques offer an array of environmentally-friendly products to meet your every need. Available in your choice of wood tones and styles, all cribs meet or exceed the new Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety standards for baby cribs.

When you think eco-friendly fabrics, do you automatically envision rough, scratchy material? If so, you’ve got the wrong idea.  Check out the Barefoot Dreams collection, featuring soft, supple baby blankets that will surround your baby in a cocoon of delight. Wrap them in sheer coziness with a blanket they’ll cherish for years to come and that will get softer each and every time it’s put through the wash.

And speak of blankets, you can’t go wrong with a collection of eco-friendly swaddling blankets, in a variety of adorable patterns and styles. You’ll use them every single day for far more than just swaddling. Toss them over the car seat or stroller, lay them over your shoulder for burping or lay them down to change a diaper, these eco-friendly swaddling blankets will become your best friend.

Choosing clothes for your little one is such a fun and exciting experience! Instead of traditional clothing, consider putting your little one in clothing that’s not only adorable, but eco-friendly, as well. From practical lounge sets and tees to gorgeous dresses and bloomers, you’ll be in awe at the sheer volume of choices available. Your baby will be the best dressed and most environmentally sound infant in the playpen.

Instead of relying on traditional baby care products, choose all-natural, organic items that will be gentle on your baby’s delicate skin. Whether you choose emollient lotions designed to soften dry patches or sunscreen to protect their precious skin, you’ll be thrilled knowing that all products are free of harsh additives and parabins.

Environmentally-friendly baby products have come a long way. The offerings are now much more stylish for those moms-to-be who still want to strut their stuff with baby in tow. Whether you’re a mom-to-be who’s made the decision to rear her little one in an eco-friendly manner or whether you’re looking for a baby gift for a shower, consider picking up something that will be not only be good for baby, but good for the environment, as well.