Eco Friendly and Organic Diaper Cakes

Looking for an eco-friendly or organic baby shower gift that leaves an everlasting imprint in the minds of expecting mothers? A unique trend sweeping the celebrity scene and expanding creative baby shower gift giving involves stylish, eye-catching arrangements known as diaper cakes. Comprised of rolled up diapers and other festive trimmings that resemble a multi-layered wedding confection, diaper cakes are non-edible gestures filled with color and whimsy. From organic cloth diapers to luxury baby products, a variety of businesses make choosing a diaper cake that stays in line with eco-conscious values an easy task to achieve. While some businesses use eco-friendly products to decorate the center of the diaper cake, others conceal special trinkets and gifts inside – so when the expectant mother finally unwraps her work of art – a surprising treat is discovered. Keep in mind that the typical 3-tier diaper cake consists of around 50 small diapers. Available in small diaper 'cupcakes' (shown right) to elaborate 5-tier cakes, the following companies are just a sample of what to expect when searching for your next eco-friendly or organic baby shower gift: Diaper Cakewalk With Seventh Generation chlorine-free disposables and the luxurious reputation of Burt's Bees all-natural baby care products, Diaper Cakewalk constructs diaper cakes topped with an all-natural cotton critter. For example, a vegetable dye is used to color the stuffed animals. The typical eco-friendly diaper cake is comprised of 40 to 45 (size 1) diapers (accommodating infants up to 14 pounds). Diaper Cakewalk offers eco-friendly arrangements centered on their Blue Elephant, Neutral Giraffe, and Pink Lamp (shown at top). GrowinStyle Choose the Organic 2-Tier Green Polka Dot Diaper Cake to deliver an attractive gift for parents who aren’t sure if they're welcoming a baby boy or girl into their lives. About 25 to 30 eco-friendly diapers (size 1) are used in the creation of the diaper cake – decorated with high-quality ribbon and topped with Sophie the Giraffe –a natural BPA-free teether. The diaper cake comes with your choice of Nature BabyCare or Seventh Generation Diapers. GrowinStyle also makes an Organic Upscale Diaper Pound Cake and Cupcakes arrangement that gives the appearance of a custom "you shouldn't have" diaper cake order. This upscale selection includes 45 to 50 eco-friendly Nature BabyCare Diapers (size 1) and Weleda Baby Care Trial Size cream. Rattlecake Diaper Cakes The Eco-Friendly Trendy Turtle Diaper Cake provides a new mother with four tiers of Seventh Generation (size 1) diapers and organic baby products, including Carter's Organic Cotton Hooded Turtle Towel and Carter's Organic Cotton Turtle Onesie. Four Carter's Organic Cotton Washcloths decorate the outside of the cake alongside a Safety 1st comb, brush, and nail clippers. Accent ribbon and ingredient card round off the package. The smaller 2-tier Cuddly Honey Bear Diaper Cake supplies a plush teddy stuffed with recycled fibers and flanked by natural, Burt's Bees products. Image Credits: Diaper Cakewalk, Rattlecake, GrowinStyle

Shopping for an Eco-Mama

From eye-catching bassinets to organic receiving blankets, the number of luxury baby products and eco mama-to-be gifts continue to expand as more companies embrace an environmentally conscious approach towards providing sustainable goods. For example, browse the eco-friendly items at The Land of Nod and you're sure to fall in love with brands, like Stokke, Pixel Organics, Cariboo, Svan, Ecotots, and Ergaorganics. A sample of eco-friendly gifts for expecting mothers include: Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib Currently on sale for $799.00, the Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib (above) is originally priced at $999.00, but the extra greenbacks are certainly worth it for a nursery outfitted with this strikingly clean design. Easily converting from a bassinet to a crib, parents will surely embrace this time saving unit. With beechwood construction, the eco-friendly Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib also offers four adjustable mattress heights, lockable wheels, and portability – perfect for any room of the home. Choose from Stained Espresso or painted White finishes, offered only at The Land of Nod. Cariboo Earth Folding Bassinet It's only natural that a parent wants their child to sleep in safe and secure surroundings. Made by Scandinavian Child, this eco-friendly bassinet accommodates newborns up to 22 pounds. Handcrafted from sustainable Radiata pine, the stained finish is water-based and biodegradable. This gift also comes with an unbleached, all natural cotton bassinet bag, fitted sheet, and eco-dyed veil. The New Zealand wool mattress supplies natural fiber comfort and is also covered in unbleached cotton. Price: $449.95 Svan High Chair When it's time to entice a little one with strained peas and turkey noodle surprise, serve meals in style with this eco-friendly high chair, crafted from birch and made by Scandinavian Child. Dealing with a fussy eater? The Svan High Chair is easy to clean, offering a wipe-down wood finish and a dishwasher safe plastic tray cover that easily snaps off. Other features of the high chair include:

• Three-point safety harness system
• Simply twist a knob to expand safety guard
• Seat adjusts vertically and horizontally
• Adjustable footrest

The Land of Nod offers your choice of Cherry, Espresso, Mahogany or Natural stain. If you'd like to go for the gusto, select a coordinating cushion to accompany your gift: Blue, Brown or Green. Price: $259.95 UPPAbaby Vista Stroller This 2009 UPPAbaby Vista Stroller model retails at $669.99 and has been dubbed the ' SUV of the stroller world.' With a rugged design, the Vista Stroller provides an attractive, lightweight (thanks to the same aluminum alloy used in aircrafts) , and highly functional gift to the eco-mama ready to shed a little baby weight tackling the local park or neighborhood streets in style. UPPAbaby also added an eco-friendly bassinet lined with a blend of organic cotton and soybean fiber to sweeten the deal. What more can you ask for? Other features to consider include telescoping one-touch handle height adjustment, easy folding for storage, cell phone pocket, and removable, machine washable fabric. One last tempting detail…the included weather shield, mesh sunshade, bug cover and pop-out SPF 50 canopy extension that delivers 30% more sun coverage. This product is for newborns to children weighing 50 pounds. Available colors include: Black (Jake), Blue (Myles), Green (Carlin), Red (Denny) or Silver (Mica). Ecotots' Big Kahuna Bookcase What better place to store all of the bouncy balls, stuffed animals, and pop-up books in a child's room than with a 100% formaldehyde-free, FSC Certified birch plywood bookcase? Offering an extra deep and wide bottom shelf that makes gathering precious possessions easy for little hands, the Ecotots' Big Kahuna Bookcase assembles within minutes without the need for cumbersome tools. The bookcase is decorated with a non-toxic, water-based stain (Cocoa or White finish) and delivered in less than one week. Price: $335.00 Little Twig Baby Bath Gift Set If you're looking for a thoughtful gift for an upcoming baby shower, the Little Twig's baby basics gift pack is built to please the mother who plans to bath her child in eco-friendly luxury. Made with certified organic and natural bathing essentials, this gift includes a plush caterpillar washcloth, stimulating extra-mild baby powder, and organic lavender baby wash and bodymilk. Packaged in a reusable plastic bag, the gift set caters to newborns and older. With this particular gift, take note that a portion of proceeds will benefit Every Child Foundation. Price: $39.99 Photo Credit: The Land of Nod

Eco-Friendly and Organic Must-Haves for Your New Baby

In the past, products which combined luxury, safety and a concern for the earth were scarce – especially when it came to baby products. These days it’s much easier to find lavish baby products that are eco-friendly and organic, without compromising the frills, rich colors and softness you demand for your little one. Check out these eco-friendly and organic ‘must haves’ for your new baby. 1. Robbie Adrian Organic Cotton Fleece and Silk Baby Blankets These luxurious and rich baby blankets are the perfect addition to your nursery. They are super soft, and wonderful for tucking in your little bundle of joy. Made from 100% organic cotton fleece, they feature a natural silk charmeuse ruffle edging. These gorgeous blankets are available in deep colors like Eucalyptus, Raspberry, Chocolate and Natural – so matching them with your existing nursery décor is no problem. Robbie Adrian baby blankets are made in the US and allow parents to get eco-friendly and natural without compromising style, color or quality. 2. Baby Bambu Organic Cotton/Bamboo Onesies It’s important to provide your new baby with the perfect combination of softness, style and comfort. The Baby Bambu organic cotton and bamboo onesies allow you to do this easily, while still caring for our earth. Made from a blend of 70% soft bamboo and 30% organic cotton, these onesies are not only adorable – they’re stylish! With a cute little bamboo panda embroidered on the front and silk-screened washing instructions on the inside, these onesies are great for naptime, playtime or even for a day on the town. These onesies are naturally antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and more than 98% UV protectant. 3. Grow Green Baby Organic Baby Sling This organic cotton baby sling uses no buckles, straps, Velcro or other fasteners and is perfect for keeping your hands free while still cuddling your little bundle of joy. Whether you’re out for a day of shopping or taking care of things around the house, your baby is comfortable and secure – and both of your hands are available. They are designed for babies 35 pounds and under, allowing you to get a lot of use out of this great product. The Grow Green Baby sling comes in 3 different colors and is available in sizes extra small to extra large. 4. B Nature Organic Cotton Baby Booties These adorable booties are 100% organic cotton, stitched to allow your baby’s feet to breathe. They’re perfect for warm days and wrap around your baby’s foot comfortably, staying put – even on the most rambunctious little ones. They’re perfect for boys or girls, and are a neutral ivory featuring bright stitching and embroidery. For parents who want the best for their babies without compromising their environmental responsibility, these products are a great start. Speaking of a great start, there is nothing more natural than welcoming your little one with baby essentials that promote a healthy planet.

Journey Light: Stylish Diaper Bags for Green Parents

With a commitment to keeping the health of your little one, as well as the environment in mind, meet Journey Light and their first line of non-toxic, sustainable parenting gear and lifestyle bags. Catering to stylish moms (and dads), Journey Light products utilize hemp and organic cotton materials to create trendy diaper bags that also double as laptop carriers in some cases. One Small Change ($65) Seed (shown) Fashionable Portability With this 2-in-1 portable changing station and tote, on-the-go parents can easily handle the everyday needs of their newborn or toddler. Comprised of hemp and organic cotton, Journey Light uses low-impact dyes to add earthy oranges, browns, blues, and greens to their products. Compostable cornstarch serves as the basis of the foam pad that provides comfort during changes. Finishing off the total package in eco-friendly diapering is the first non-toxic, water resistant textile finish called NanoSphere, where parents can easily blot small bloopers with towels, and larger accidents are instantly spot washed. Peace of Mind ($140) Earth (shown) Roomy and Stylish With plenty of room, use the inside compartment for a small change or to store your laptop. Measuring 20" wide by 15" high with 15-inch shoulder straps, this selection also offers a roomy zipper pocket and three holders that cater to most water or baby bottles, and sippy cups. Delivering a Message ($120) Sunset (shown) Keeping Dad in Mind Use the generous pockets on the outside to carry essentials or the inside compartment for small changes or to store your laptop when needed. Additional features include three bottle holders, zipper pocket, and adjustable shoulder strap. Measuring 14" wide by 12" high, this tasteful messenger style bag makes the perfect unisex gift for a new dad. Photo Credits: Journey Light