Today I’m going to be sharing my baby registry must-haves—specifically for the health-conscious mama.
If you consider yourself someone who leans toward a more natural or “crunchy” lifestyle, and you’re wondering what should I really be looking for when preparing for a new baby?—this is for you.
We already know how important it is to reduce toxic and chemical exposure in adults. These substances affect our hormones, our endocrine systems, and overall well-being. But for a newborn—fresh out of the womb, with an undeveloped immune system—it’s even more crucial to be mindful of what we’re exposing them to. We don’t want to bombard their tiny bodies with harmful chemicals we already know are problematic.
That’s exactly why I put together this list.
It’s based on research I did when I was pregnant with my first baby. I spent so much time researching everything (honestly, it drove me a little crazy), but I’m glad I did it. It was a one-time deep dive, and now I have what I need—and I don’t have to do it all over again.
So I hope this post will be super helpful for other health-conscious mamas out there.
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Will You Spend A Fortune On Healthy Products?
The first thing that came to my mind when I started researching healthier products for babies was, I’m going to have to spend a fortune on this stuff. A lot of people think that choosing more health-conscious products automatically means spending a lot more money. And yes, in some cases that might be true—but not always. Sometimes it’s literally just $1 more for a better diaper cream.
The good news is, because we’re all becoming so much more aware of these things, there are way more options on the market now. And with more products comes more competition, which means better pricing for us. So definitely keep that in mind.
And remember—the goal here is to put these items on your baby registry so that family and friends can help out by gifting them to you!
Lastly, I want to say: just do your best. This isn’t about being perfect. You do what you can, with what you have, and within your means. And honestly, a lot of these healthier swaps aren’t that much more expensive.
Alright, let’s get into it!
1. VOC-Free Nursery Furniture For Better Indoor Air Quality.
So the first thing is VOC-free nursery furniture. Furniture in your nursery isn’t always something we think about whenVOC-Free Nursery Furniture For Better Indoor Air Quality it comes to products that could contain harmful chemicals for our baby, but a lot of nursery furniture contains something called volatile organic compounds—and don’t be misled by the word organic in the name.
Exposure to VOCs can cause various health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and in some cases, serious health problems like damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. VOCs affect indoor air quality because things off-gas over time, and this can cause neurological issues. Long-term exposure can reduce IQ, cause learning difficulties, and even lead to disease.
A lot of baby furniture—and just furniture in general—contains VOCs and other harmful substances like flame retardants, parabens, and PCBs. So we want to reduce our baby’s exposure to these things as much as possible.
Here’s a tip: when you buy your baby furniture—your rocking chair, your crib, your dresser that you’ll use as a changing table—it’s good to let those items air out in the baby’s room for a while before the baby arrives. If you can do this in advance, even better.
You want to look for something called GreenGuard Gold Certified. This is a certification you’ll often find on nursery furniture. The GreenGuard Gold Certification is a license that indicates the furniture promotes excellent indoor air quality. Especially in a nursery, this means you don’t have to worry about things like lead-based paint. If a crib has this certification, you can feel confident it’s been tested and is safer.
Lead-based paint is obviously not good for anyone. In fact, I recently received an email from Amazon telling me to immediately dispose of a toy I had bought because they found it had high levels of lead due to the paint. This is why we want to be especially careful with cribs—our babies eventually get teeth and will often gnaw on the crib rails. If your crib is painted, you want to be sure it’s safe to ingest.
GreenGuard Gold Certification gives parents insight into a company’s manufacturing practices. Products with this stamp of approval have been tested for more than 10,000 chemicals and over 360 different VOCs. That’s why it’s so valuable to look for this certification.
A lot of well-known retailers offer furniture with GreenGuard Gold Certification. Personally, I got most of my baby furniture from West Elm and Pottery Barn. But even places like Target offer GreenGuard Gold Certified cribs and other nursery pieces. Crate & Barrel also carries options, and Babyletto is a great brand that sells certified nursery furniture as well.
Some of the most important pieces to look for this label on are: your rocking chair, crib, and changing table.
One more thing to keep in mind—if you’re painting your nursery, go for zero VOC paint. Again, I don’t think it’s even more expensive than regular paint. A VOC-free can of paint will often be advertised as “no smell” or “odor-free,” which is a good sign. This type of paint is much safer for you to inhale while painting—and also for your baby, as paint continues to off-gas over time.
Brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer zero VOC paint, and honestly, almost every paint store now has VOC-free options available.
2. Organic Newborn Outfits For Their Precious Skin.
Okay, next up is organic newborn outfits. I totally understand if you don’t want to buy organic clothes for your child for their entire life—it can definitely get expensive. But I really prioritize those newborn outfits, especially that newborn size and maybe one size up from that. I try to focus on getting organic for those early days because, again, they are fresh out of the womb. I’ve seen firsthand how some babies develop rashes or eczema, and I really think that can sometimes be linked to the clothing they’re wearing—because of the chemicals used in conventional fabrics.
So if you can find more organic materials, I think that’s a great way to go. What you want to look for are things labeled with GOTS Certification (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX Certification. These are really helpful to make sure the fabric is truly non-toxic and safer for delicate baby skin.
You can actually find a ton of organic options on Amazon. One really affordable and reliable brand is Burt’s Bees. You can stock up on a ton of their onesies—they’re super soft, organic, and honestly, when you’re a first-time mom, trust me, you’ll be changing your baby constantly because of all the spit-up, blowouts, and everything in between. So just getting basic white t-shirt onesies, and lots of them, is such a good move. And Burt’s Bees makes that easy without breaking the bank. I still buy a ton of their clothes for my baby. It’s organic, and price-wise it’s very similar to places like Carter’s.
Now, if you’re looking for something more high-end, Finn + Emma is a great brand. Their quality is amazing, but again, it doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton. Another fantastic option is Parade Organics. They’re a Canadian company, but they do sell in the U.S. too. I’d say for the price and the quality of the fabric they use, they’re one of the best. Their pajamas, for example, are thick and durable—the kind of fabric that holds up wash after wash and still looks vibrant.
So those are some of my favorite go-to brands. But yeah, I would really encourage you to prioritize organic for your newborn—the first outfit you put on them, the blankets they’re wrapped in—try to go organic whenever you can.
3. Flame Retardant-Free Car Seat.
Okay, next thing is a flame retardant-free car seat. This is actually a big one, because your child is going to be spending a lot of time in their car seat. They’ll fall asleep in it, their head will rest against it, and they’ll be breathing in whatever materials it’s made from. What many people don’t realize is that flame retardants are often used because of outdated fire safety standards. Fortunately, many car seat brands are now recognizing this and switching to naturally flame-resistant materials like wool.
So a lot of car seats today are being made flame retardant-free by using these higher quality, naturally resistant materials. That said, they do often come with a higher price tag—but for good reason.
To give you a little context, there’s been some significant concern about flame retardants, especially due to studies on gymnasts. Female gymnasts, in particular, have been exposed to flame retardants for years through foam pits—those soft cubes were treated to meet old fire safety codes.
A landmark study led by Courtney Carignan at the Dartmouth Center for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Research found that the blood of 11 female gymnasts, ages 18 to 22, contained potentially hazardous flame retardants known as Penta BDE—at levels 4 to 6.5 times higher than the average American. Exposure to even small amounts of these chemicals can permanently alter brain development, disrupt hormone signaling, and possibly lead to cancer. So yes, avoiding flame retardants where we can really matters.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of brands offering flame retardant-free car seats—you just have to look for that information. Personally, I’ve purchased two Nuna RAVA car seats. I think they’re an excellent choice—they meet very high safety and quality standards. They are more expensive, but they’re worth the peace of mind.
Other brands like Britax, Chicco, and Maxi-Cosi also offer flame retardant-free versions of their car seats, so you do have options at different price points.
One quick side note: infant car seats are usually designed in that bucket shape, which isn’t always ideal for babies who suffer from reflux. That curled position can be really uncomfortable for them. When I switched to a convertible car seat—which you can actually use from birth—it made a big difference. It has a more upright position, and my baby was finally able to tolerate longer car rides. Plus, convertible car seats grow with your child, so you won’t need to upgrade so soon.
4. Organic Crib Mattress For a Healthy Baby.
The next thing is an organic crib mattress. Just like you want your crib to be VOC-free, you also want to make sure the materials inside the mattress—where your baby will be resting their precious little head, sleeping for hours, and breathing in everything around them—are free of dangerous chemicals.
You want to look for mattresses that are chemical-free, flame retardant-free, fiberglass-free, and don’t contain polyurethane foams. Instead, go for ones that are GOTS-certified, have the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label, and ideally meet EWG verification standards as well.
There are plenty of brands offering safe, organic crib mattresses. Personally, I’ve purchased from Avocado, which I really love—I think their mattresses are some of the best. I even recently bought a toddler pillow from them, and we’ve also switched our own pillows to Avocado. You might even want to consider getting an organic pillow for yourself too, since your face is pressed up against it all night long.
Another great brand is Essentia—that’s actually the brand my husband and I sleep on now. So definitely do your research, but those are two excellent options for crib (and adult) organic mattresses.
And of course, if you’re getting an organic crib mattress, you’ll also want to pair it with an organic crib sheet. Many of these companies offer water-resistant covers that are free of harmful chemicals, unlike conventional waterproof covers that often contain toxic substances. So it’s worth making sure that layer is safe too.
5. Baby Formula for the Best Nutrients.
The next thing is baby formula. Even if you’re planning to breastfeed—as many first-time moms do—I still recommend having just one can of formula on hand. You never know if you’ll face challenges with breastfeeding, and you might not want to rely on the formula that the hospital offers.
Personally, I went deep into researching baby formula, and I was honestly appalled by what I found. I felt so strongly about it—because if there’s anything that truly triggers me, it’s injustice done to our most vulnerable. And babies are exactly that: voiceless, defenseless, and fully reliant on us to advocate for their health. Unfortunately, in the U.S., I believe a huge disservice has been done to babies and mothers when it comes to what’s allowed in infant formula.
Of course, not every U.S. formula brand is bad, but many contain questionable ingredients. That’s why I always recommend choosing a European brand if you’re going to use formula. Europe has much higher standards overall. In fact, you might be shocked to learn this: the same company can sell a product in both the U.S. and Europe—but use completely different ingredients. Why? Because they can get away with using cheaper, lower-quality ingredients in the U.S.
Take, for example, Subway bread in the U.S.—it has been found to contain an ingredient used in the production of yoga mats. That ingredient would never be allowed in the European version. And many of us have experienced this firsthand. You go to Europe, you eat all the bread and pasta, and feel fine. Then you come back to the U.S., eat the same types of food, and suddenly feel bloated or unwell. It’s the same product, but different standards.
So if you plan to formula feed—or even just want a can on hand as a backup—I strongly suggest going with a European brand. Let me share why.
European formulas, whether organic or not, must be free from detectable levels of pesticide residue. They also ban more ingredients than the U.S., including guar gum, pectins, fructans, and carrageenan.
European organic formulas require that at least 30% of carbohydrates come from lactose, which mimics breast milk. The U.S. has no such requirement. Even when it comes to sucrose (sugar), European regulations only allow it in very small amounts and only for specific medical conditions.
When you see certifications like Demeter and Bioland, you can trust they come from biodynamic, non-GMO farms that also prioritize animal welfare, sustainability, and ecosystem preservation.
European formulas are also free from GMOs, artificial colors, preservatives, and synthetic sweeteners—some of which are still permitted in U.S. formulas. They also have fewer recalls and are generally considered safer and more nutritionally sound.
Now yes, European formulas tend to cost more, especially if you’re importing them. But the good news? Target carries Kendamil, a fantastic European formula you can just pick up in-store. It’s a great option for U.S.-based parents who want a high-quality, European formula without the hassle of importing.
Here are the top three brands from my research that I personally feel comfortable giving to my baby:
- Kendamil
- HiPP Organic
- Holle
One thing I always look for in formula is that it’s soy-free. Many formulas contain soy or soybean oil, and I personally prefer to avoid those ingredients—especially for newborns.
6. Baby Bottles Made Out of Healthy Materials.
Okay, here’s another super easy swap to add to your baby registry: when asking for baby bottles, ask specifically for glass baby bottles instead of plastic ones.
We all know by now—this isn’t exactly breaking news—that plastic isn’t ideal. Over time, plastic can leach chemicals into what you’re drinking, especially when it’s exposed to heat. That’s not something we want for ourselves, and it’s definitely not something we want for our babies.
So just like you might be drinking out of stainless steel or glass for your own health, it’s even more important for your baby. Especially if you’re warming up milk using a bottle warmer—you do not want to be heating anything in plastic. Ever. Same rule goes for microwaving: never heat plastic.
Look for glass baby bottles, and one brand I personally love and use is Dr. Brown’s. They make great glass options, and it’s an easy item to add to your registry.
7. Natural Baby Diapers.
Okay, so diapers are a great item to put on your registry—because let’s be real, everyone is going to give you diapers whether you ask for them or not. And you’re gonna want them, you’re gonna need them! But since these are gifts, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask for healthier versions of diapers—ones that are gentler on your baby’s delicate skin.
For me, here’s how I think about it: for the newborn stage and the first couple sizes after, I really try to get the best quality I can. A newborn’s skin, especially in that diaper area, is so thin and vulnerable. So anything those diapers are made with—the chemicals, the fragrances—can get absorbed into your baby’s bloodstream. That’s why I prioritize clean, non-toxic diapers early on.
Later, as baby gets older and their skin becomes less sensitive, I’m okay with switching to more affordable, generic brands. You do what you can, right? But personally, I’d rather invest in safe diapers for a newborn than spend a ton of money on, say, a really fancy bassinet.
Here’s what you want to look for when choosing natural diapers:
- Total chlorine-free (many diapers use chlorine in processing)
- Fragrance-free (the term “fragrance” can hide up to 1,000 different chemicals)
- Phthalate-free (we avoid them in shampoos for a reason!)
- Paraben-free
- Latex-free
- Dye-free (usually means no colorful designs—totally fine)
- Preferably: lotion-free, biodegradable, and bamboo top/back sheets
Some great diaper brands to look into:
- Eco by Naty
- Honest (though a note here: they’ve changed ingredients in some products, so I’m a bit more cautious with them now)
- Bambo Nature – I used them for the longest time
- DYPER
- Nateen
Looking for these safer ingredients can help with things like diaper rash, and it gives you peace of mind knowing your baby’s most sensitive areas aren’t being exposed to harsh chemicals or endocrine disruptors.
And again—these diapers don’t have to break the bank. I did the math: prices really vary. Some brands are 30 cents per diaper, others are 44 cents, and some are over $1 per diaper. So yes, do a little comparison shopping, but hopefully, this gives you a solid starting point.
8. Diaper Cream For Healthy Skin.
Next up: diaper creams and baby wipes. Just like with diapers, we want to be extremely mindful of what we put on our baby’s skin. Honestly, I believe less is more when it comes to newborns. Their skin is so soft, so sensitive—almost like it’s too perfect to be messed with! And we wish we could keep that flawless skin forever, right? But because it’s so delicate, we need to be careful not to disrupt the natural bacteria that inhabits their skin or strip it of its essential oils.
When we apply too many products, or clean them too much, we can actually damage their skin’s natural barrier. That’s why, for me, diaper creams are an easy switch from heavily chemical-laden products to more natural ones with safer ingredients.
Some great brands to consider are Motherlove and Earth Mama. But, honestly, one of my favorite things to use is beef tallow—and I’m not kidding when I say it’s like a magical cream. I personally switched entirely to beef tallow for my baby. I used to think I had to moisturize his skin every night and give him a little massage, but I’ve learned that it’s just not necessary.
Many lotions on the market contain fragrances, and honestly, they tend to do more harm than good. Beef tallow, on the other hand, is super nourishing and works wonders for both my baby’s skin and mine. It’s been getting a lot of attention lately, so I don’t need to oversell it, but if you’re open to it, it’s definitely worth trying as a natural baby cream.
9. Natural Baby Wipes.
Next, let’s talk about baby wipes. It’s important to be cautious here, too. Recently, even the Kirkland brand of baby wipes from Costco was recalled, and I know so many mamas rely on them. So when you’re choosing baby wipes, be sure to look for ones made with more natural ingredients. Brands like DYPER, Caboo, and Mustela offer safer, more natural options.
My advice? Stock up on these wipes ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about them for a while. That way, you’ll be prepared without the stress of last-minute decisions!
10. Low EMF Baby Camera.
Lastly, let’s talk about baby cameras. You’re probably going to get one because, as a first-time mom, it’s natural to want to check in on your little one. We all want to make sure they’re safe and sound, especially when they’re so tiny. But while baby cameras are great for peace of mind, we also need to consider EMF exposure.
Many people don’t realize how high the EMF levels can be on these cameras. They often have significant exposure, and they’re sometimes placed just a few feet from your baby’s crib. This can be concerning over time, as we don’t fully understand the long-term effects of EMF exposure, especially on babies who are more vulnerable.
To reduce this risk, it’s a good idea to choose a low EMF baby camera. After doing some research, I found Bebcare, which claims to offer one of the lowest EMF exposures on the market. However, it’s important to remember that there will always be some level of EMF exposure when using a video monitor. So, the goal is to place the camera as far away from the crib as possible. For instance, I keep mine on the opposite side of the room. This way, I can still hear and see when my baby moves, but the camera is not directly next to him.
As my baby gets older and I feel less need for constant monitoring, I decided to switch out the video monitor for an analog audio monitor. I picked up the VTech audio analog monitor from Amazon for just $19. It has great range, and it significantly reduces EMF exposure. When my baby wakes up or calls for me, I hear him, and I simply go to his room. It’s a simple, no-frills way to stay connected, just like parents did before video monitors became so common.
It’s also worth noting that EMF exposure isn’t just about the baby camera. Many baby products on the market these days track your baby’s heart rate, breathing, and other metrics. These can attach to your baby’s foot or even go under their mattress. Some bassinets even rock and monitor your baby’s movements. While these may seem helpful, they all add more technology—and more EMF exposure. For me, I chose to avoid these extra gadgets. I just have a simple bassinet, and I monitor my baby the old-fashioned way—by being present.
Conclusion.
These are just a few items that I found important to consider, whether you’re a first-time mom or expecting your fourth child! As parents, we’re always doing our best, and it’s important to keep learning and making choices that feel right for our families.
I also want to emphasize that while I’ve shared what I believe to be helpful, don’t take my words as the ultimate truth. Do your own research, and make decisions that align with what you feel is best for you and your baby. At the end of the day, you are the one responsible for the health and future of your child.
Thank you for reading, and I wish you all the best on your parenting journey!