While I don’t think that delivery gowns are the next big “it” thing, Pretty Pusher’s organic delivery gown maybe on to something when it comes to the world of maternity fashion. The gown, which also comes with a matching headband, is compostable.

I try to shy away from covering too many clothing/fashion stories, as for both expectant mother and baby, each of their bodies change so rapidly that the concept of spending money on new garments is inefficient. I mostly recommend using bellybands, friend’s clothing, or purchasing garments from thrift shops during pregnancy and for rapidly growing babies. Fashionistas, don’t worry though, you can find several fashionable pieces via this method. Even if a garment is not made with organic materials, if you buy it from a second hand vendor or borrow it from a friend, you are still doing your part when it comes to protecting the environment by extending the garment’s lifecycle.

If more maternity garments and infant clothing pieces were as fashionable (as is this gown, which can easily be used as a sexy night gown as well) organic and compostable as this Pretty Pusher’s piece, it would definitely be an incentive for the the ecoconsumer to purchase. This niche(yet popular) maternity industry can benefit by adapting more from the cradle-to-cradle mentality.

I just discovered the baby carrier brand, Boba, who is based out of Boulder, Colorado. What struck me most about Boba, aside from their passion to provide the means for parent to raise confident, joyful, compassionate children, is their attention to ergonomics. The parents and founders of Boba choose to run their green business in their hometown of Boulder with the help of local mountaineering professionals. Together, Boba manufactures ergonomically correct well-designed handmade carriers for toddlers 15lbs to 45lbs.

To enable a healthy sitting position for child, the carriers were design with foot straps. These straps help to anchor the toddler’s weight and alignment while it is being carried. Ultimately, the toddler is guided into a natural position, which naturally tilts the pelvis, fills out the hip sockets, and aligns the spine.

Here are more of its benefits:

*the more leg support the less pressure absorbed by the spine
*takes the pressure off of the hamstrings
*reduces the leg dangle
*gives feet a place to rest
*ensures complete blood flow throughout legs
*no pinching of the major nerve behind the thigh
*envelops the whole back while securing your toddler
*gives them the option to put arms in or out
*pulls them closer to you
*prevents the “leaning away from you” feeling
*reduces shoulder strap pressure
*allows you to stand straight as you should
*brings your center of gravity toward your body

The organic Boba carriers are made with 100% soft brushed GOTS certified organic cotton straps and trim, 100% certified organic cotton canvas panel and consist of no buttons or snaps for added soft comfort. The organic carriers range from $118- $125 and you can purchase them online or at your local retailer.

Boba 2G on the Today Show from Brad Young on Vimeo.

In addition to having a wonderful product collection, Boba’s parent company, Nap, Inc. has strong CSR virtues. Management commits to using bicycles for at least 50% of their local transportation needs, the company uses only virtual business cards, packaging supplies are either recycled or donated for re-use and the company supports several organizations.

10 years ago, when I first started design school, there were two things that never crossed my mind. One, I would eventually become a doula and a designer and two; one of my design idols Karim Rashid would design baby bottles. People, anything and everything is possible.

The world’s leading industrial designer, Karim Rashid has partnered up with the team at iiamo, founded by Rasmus Schmiegelow and Nikolaj Leonhard-Hjorth, to design a new self-warming feeding bottle. Based in Denmark, iiamo’s product, iiamo go, is the only feeding bottle in the world which will warm up 180 ml milk to the recommended 37°C (body temperature) in only about 4 minutes – without the use of electricity. No power, no cord, no limitations. It’s secret element, the iiamo warm, contains only salt (CaCl2) and water and causes a natural heating reaction.

All iiamo products are without BPA, parabens, phthalates, perfume and other harmful substances. As where as I believe the concept of this bottle is so close to being a brilliant design, I do hope that the iiamo team arrives at a reusable version of the iiamo warm. The disposable warmers are only good for a one time use. Perhaps, if the warmer evolves to incorporate cradle-to-cradle principles, and then one can just toss the warmer into one’s garden, this will truly be a phenomenal design.

The founders at iiamo have great intentions as they are both parents as well. They adapted the philosophy into their design practice “happy mom = happy baby”. “They discovered that it is important – really important – to have a Life After Birth.” I will be checking in on this new company often.

$50 for the bottle $12 for the warming cartridges(six a pack)

Amazon.com has just launched its new eco-friendly on-line , The Little Seed. It is in partnership with Soliel Moon Frye, co-owner of LA based baby boutique,The Little Seed. The on-line store specializes in all things eco-friendly for babies and moms.

Here are a few of my favorite picks from the on-line store. I do want to note the major popoularity of this launch. Many of the stock quantities are running low already. Hopefully they’ll be replenished by next week.

The Swedish based company, IKEA, just announced its commitment to donate $48 million to the U.N. Children’s Fund initiatives in India. The U.N. reports that one woman dies every seven minutes from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth and nearly 1 million newborn babies die annually in India.

The money donated will go towards developing critical long-term programs that seek to improve child survival, development and protection in some of India’s most deprived areas. India is home to 40% of the world’s malnourished children. The funds will also provide clean water and nutritional supplements for India’s children. IKEA is already UNICEF’s biggest corporate partner. The company has guaranteed its total commitment more than $180 million to the organization. They have been honoring their commitment since 2000 and will continue to payout their organization till 2015.

As well, this affordable retailer has a solid environmental commitment and offers consumers a range of affordable home accessories that can spruce up your baby’s nursery or Kids room.

One does not have to sacrifice great design for the sake of the environment. New boutique, Tiny Décor, just launched its on-line eco-friendly boutique for nurseries and playrooms. With a modern and broad range of furniture, art, wallpaper, bedding, rugs, and accessories, Tiny Décor carries an array of the best products from “green” forward thinking companies. As well, the boutique has it’s own line of exclusive, handmade, organic accessories for the nursery.

All products at Tiny Décor are eco-friendly as defined by having one of several attributes. These attributes include use of natural fibers, sustainable materials, non-toxic finishes, handmade goods, and a company’s commitment to philanthropy, among others. Products at Tiny Décor exemplify these attributes with 100% organic cotton fabrics, FSC-certified wood, flat-pack shipping, bamboo and corn-based fiber pillow inserts, and Oeko-tex certified manufacturing processes.

With growing concerns over leaching chemicals in plastic baby bottles, Babylife has created a simple design soultion for parents feeding their infants and toddlers. The glass bottle is covered with a modern silicone sleeve (patent pending & 100% non-toxic) that will help protect the bottle from breakage and also prevent bumping into other articles in your diaper bag. The bottle and the sleeve can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together. The silicone nipple is latex-free and non-toxic and the bottle itself is bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free. The plastic ring, plug and cap contain no polycarbonates and are food grade, FDA approved and recyclable. The sleeve provides a good gripping surface during feeding and also a great tactile experience for your baby.

The team behind Babylife is made up of a former pediatric physical therapist and an interactive designer.Babylife conducts background checks on the factories that manufacture their products to ensure they meet ISO 9000 or 14000 standards and try to use organic and/or sweatshop free fabrics whenever possible. As part of their mission to educate parents and caretakers or infant development and safety concerns, Babylife provides articles of research on each of their products online. The rigorous testing of their products are conducted by distinguished international consumer agency named Bureau Veritas. The results, CE marks for safety in Europe , no harmful known chemicals, strength-tested for durability and have met the criteria of ASTM and EN 71.