Gear For Parents | Inhabitots

Itzy Ritzy Limited Edition World Hunger Relief Snack Bags

by Jennifer Chait, 01/15/11

We’re already fans of Itzy Ritzy and their handy reusable products, such as reusable Wet Happened bags and soft Bamboo Nursing Pads. Now there’s even more to love about this cool eco-minded company. Itzy Ritzy recently partnered with Yum! Brands for their World Hunger Relief Campaign, so now you can quit using icky plastic baggies and help feed hungry children all at the same time. Each purchase of one set of limited edition World Hunger Relief Snack Happened Snack Bags (two bags per set) helps feed 40 children in a school feeding program. That’s a big impact. You keep plastic out of the landfill plus support children in need.

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Pretty Stainless Steel Cups and Bowls

by Jennifer Chait, 12/15/10

These stainless steel dishes are safe enough for your toddler or young child, yet the graceful bird design is so pretty, you’ll be compelled to steal them for your own juice and cereal. Made with food grade stainless steel and hand painted by Kashmeri Fair Trade artisans, the Eva Bowls and Lolita Cups look work great for foods and beverages but work equally well as tiny pieces of art. Place flowers in them or small treasures, or use them to liven up a picnic or a spot on a shelf. Not dishwasher safe, but so darn cute you won’t mind hand washing them.

+ Eva Bowls $12.00

+ Lolita Cups $12.00

+ Sprout Home

Solar Beetle Electronics Charger Concept from the IIDA Contest

by Desmond Williams, 11/13/10

If this new cute, yet functional, concept by Bora Kim, Kimhyelyn and Park Jong Duck, makes it to production, it’s sure to get kids interested in the idea of alternative energy. Entered in the IIDA contest organized by designboom, the Solar Beetle “featuring small solar panels on its surface, is a way for nature lovers to recharge their electronic devices.” If I had this solar charger, I would run my iPhone battery to nil, then when my kid requests a game, I can have him watch as the Beetle charges the mobile… Mean? Hey, it’s a learning experience!

SNEAK PEEK: Joya Rocker by Monte Design Group

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 10/12/10

There’s nothing grannyish or prissy about Monte’s rocking chair, which was formally unveiled at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas this week. One cool, collected customer—everything you want to be when you’re soothing a recalcitrant newborn for the umpteenth time—the fully upholstered Joya Rocker sits on a solid base crafted from Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwood. For padding, Monte opted for CFC- and PBDE-free soybean-based foam. And like all of the company’s furniture, the rocking chair is handmade in Canada. Pricing will start at $895 and go up to $1,295 for the bonded leather, solid walnut option.

+ Monte Design Group

Oshi Mat Non-Toxic, Recyclable Foam Mats Keep Baby Clean & Cozy in Mommy & Me Classes

How many times have you taken your precious bundle to a mommy & me class, only to find puddles of drool strewn across a dirty gym mat, or a dingy, hard carpet as the surface on which you’re supposed to poise her little tush? With the dawn of the new Oshi Mat, you can now take a clean, comfy, not to mention cute, pad for your child to chill upon. Designed specifically as a sanitary sidekick for taking your baby and toddler to classes and activities, the Oshi Mat is lightweight, water repellent and moisture-free to stave off bacteria. Oshi Mats are made of eco-friendly, non-toxic, recyclable foam, and they 100% PVC and latex free. Read on to learn more about this ingenious, mom-invented product!

bioserie Introduces the World’s First ‘Made of Plants’ iPhone 4 Cover

The iPhone is a helpful tool for many busy parents and teens love them, too. However, plastic protective cases, made with non-renewable oil are less than friendly for the planet. Protect your iPhone in eco-friendly style instead with bioserie. bioserie offers a cool line of iPhone 4 covers, along with others made special for the iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod touch and iPod nano, that give earth-conscious Apple device owners the protection they need while using only plant-based renewable resources for production. bioserie’s unique use of bioplastics technology results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing and helps prevent environmental toxic pollution once the cover is discarded.

Eco-Friendly Instinctive Bags for Green Kids and Parents

From diaper bags to toddler backpacks, Instinctive‘s new line of recycled bags delivers on design, price and functionality. The eco-friendly bags are made from 100% recycled polyester, hardware and webbing, saving many plastic bottles from landfills. For parents, we love the Diaper Backpack. It comes with a padded changing mat, and it’s equipped with insulated bottle holders and a rubberized non-toxic waterproof coating to protect the bag from spills.

5 Eco-Friendly Rockers & Gliders for Baby’s Nursery

If you've ever had a fussy, colicky baby on your hands, you know the value of a gentle rocking or bouncing motion when it comes to calming and soothing your unhappy, gassy little bundle. Rockers and gliders are a nice addition to baby's nursery, giving you a special place to breastfeed, cradle and cajole your babe -- and they come in handy well into toddlerhood as a place for tots to climb in your lap and read a good book, or to cozy up with mom or dad for a bonding session. Here are five eco-friendly rocking chairs and gliders that will help you deliver many a lullaby to your bambino.

‘LEAF’ Eco Baby Seat Sways & Soothes with a Single Push

If the answer, my friend, really is “blowing in the wind,” then the LEAF baby seat designed by Dutch company Nuna, provides an eco-savvy and stylish solution for where to place baby to keep him calm and happy when your tired arms need a break! Ergonomically shaped like a leaf, this green baby seat, which requires no motor, batteries or electricity, is powered by a single push which results in two minutes of a gentle swaying back and forth motion to lull baby to sleep.

Inhabitots Green Father’s Day Gift Guide

Dads have come a long way since the days of the stereotypical cigar chomping, garage tinkering, newspaper-at-the-breakfast-table men of the recent past. Nowadays more and more dads are becoming nurturing, early adapting, fashion forward, artistic, eco-responsible individuals. In other words, we’re not our dads dads. So on this Fathers Day let’s celebrate with green-minded, stylish, thoughtful gifts that fit the bill. From recycled necktie wallets to wooden harddrives, here are a few of our favorite eco gifts for the modern dad.

Felt Alphabet Necklace by Tonky Designs For ABCs on the Go

When was the last time a stack of flash cards or an alphabet book made you feel purdy? Laser-cut from wool felt and strung up on a sterling-silver chain, the alphabet necklace by Tonky Designs offers all 26 letters in the fetching Gil Sans font. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to pack light without neglecting your toddler’s education. At least that’s …

Vegan, Eco-Friendly Mommy-and-Me Bags by Pansy Maiden

While we can’t all sport matching Valentino purses with our ankle-biters à la Angelina Jolie and Zahara, Pansy Maiden has a new Mommy-and-Me collection that will shock and aww just the same, while preserving Junior’s college fund. “Little Birds” offers downsized versions of Pansy Maiden’s popular vegan styles—the Vagabond messenger, Lady Day bag, and Weekender—in a selection of colors and sustainable fabrics.

Go Gaga’s Recycled Gondola Bag for Green Moms and Dads

Even though Go Gaga’s The Gondola Bag is Fair Trade Certified and made from nearly 75 percent post-consumer recycled fabric, the coolest thing about this diaper bag is the mom-friendly shoulder strap. …

REVIEW: ERGObaby Organic Baby Carriers

My firstborn basically lived on me in an infant sling for the first 18 months of her life — due to her severe acid reflux issues and my decision to practice attachment parenting. I’m now pregnant with my second child, and due to the onslaught of recent baby sling recalls, I have decided to go the route of a more ergonomically correct option for babywearing. Enter the impeccably crafted ERGObaby Organic Baby Carrier. “ERGO” is short for the ergonomic design inherent in this cream de la creme of all baby carriers. The ERGObaby carrier totes tiny newborns to toddlers weighing up to 40 pounds in pure comfort for both wearer and passenger — and it may be worn with ease in a variety of ways including front, back and hip positions. If babywearing is the route you’re taking with your child, read on to see why an ERGObaby organic carrier should become part of your daily repertoire.

Green Diaper Bags made from Recycled Seat Belts!

The strength and durability inherent in seat belts are qualities that are put to good use by Maggie Bags to construct eco-friendly diaper bags! Available in baby blue and pink as well as gender neutral tan, silvery …

Sterling Silver Eco Teething Bracelet from Momma’s Jewels

It’s a rare occasion that you find a baby essential that’s just as much for you as it is for the baby, but the Sterling Silver Bracelet from Momma’s Jewels is just that. The simple, shiny bauble is made to fit around your …

Sikker Baby Monitor Alarm Clock Monitors Baby’s Health, Plays Lullabies

Baby-monitor manufacturers can relax… for now. Although the Sikker Intercommunication System is only a concept at this point, we’re betting that the baby monitor/radio/alarm clock/watch hybrid will be at the top of every parent-to-be’s baby registry if it ever comes to fruition. Featuring a pair of bracelets — one for baby and one for Mom or Dad — the Sikker (Danish for “safety”) works together with a base …

Green Nursing Gear: 5 Eco-Friendly Essentials for Breastfeeding Moms

If you're committed to breastfeeding there are plenty of helpful, eco-friendly items you should have on hand. From breastfeeding tanks to nursing pads to discreet cover-ups like the stylish Itzy Ritzy eco-friendly nursing cover shown above, and more -- there's a lot of gear to choose from. Take it from us and aim for eco-friendly materials, casually pretty, but not overly lacy and fancy nursing bras and tanks. Also get one or two great nursing cover-ups, because frankly, while we are breastfeeding advocates we're not into showcasing the goods, you know? Following are five of our favorite eco-friendly breastfeeding essentials that will help make nursing more convenient and comfortable for both you and your baby!