Eco-Slumber: Organic Bedding Sets

Gone are the days when buying organic baby bedding meant choosing between cream or ecru (you know, the natural colors). These days there is a plethora of options to chose from, so it's an easy decision to go organic for your little one. After all, babies spend the largest portion of their time slumbering in their cribs (hopefully). Here is a sampling of some of our favorite organic crib bedding.

Coyuchi crib bedding is a feel good choice all the way around. Not only is their bedding 100% certified organic, it is also Fair Trade and a portion of the proceeds goes to The Cow Project, a philanthropic project based in Andhra Pradesh, India that helps farmers purchase livestock. Coyuchi crib bedding is all this and cute to boot! I love the woodland creatures embroidered on the Thor collection, and the natural safari colors of the Jingo collection. You can also grab matching towels, rompers and t-shirts. And while you're at it, grab a gorgeous duvet for yourself too, the good stuff shouldn't only be reserved for the wee ones!

Another great choice is offered by Q Collection Junior, whose motto is "People safe. Planet safe." We love their Celestial Parade collection, especially the Roxie set's great watermelon pink color. The fabric and fill is 100% certified cotton, and the set offers more than usual with a reversible bumper, reversible crib skirt, and two different sheet colors so you can change the look of your crib bedding when the spirit moves you! They also have beautiful nursery furniture using locally-sourced wood from responsibly managed forests and non-toxic finishes. In fact, they are the first crib manufacturer to receive Greenguard's 'Children and School's' indoor air qulity certification. Oh, and we shouldn't forget to mention that Q Collection Junior participates in 1% for the Planet in support of Healthy Child Healthy World and the National Resources Defense Council.

Pooka sleeps in a Stokke Sleepi crib (perfect for small spaces), which gave us limited choices for going organic for her bedding (although we do have an organic mattress). Future Stokke Sleepi parents don't have to suffer the same fate with Dwell Studio's recent release of their new Organic Circles oval set. Long since available for conventional cribs, you can now get the same set for the Stokke Sleepi. They have also released a second organic set for conventional cribs, the understated Poppy Blossom bedding.


Despite having the oval crib, I fell in love with the Amenity Organic nursery collection. Featuring a sweet, modern, borderline abstract flower scene replete with bunnies, hummingbirds and insects, the Meadow collection works well in our modern studio apartment. We have the crib blanket with matching stretched canvas wall art. In addition to the Meadow collection, there are collections with fanciful squirrels, deer, ducks, and frogs that would be perfect for boys or girls. And with wall art, floor pillows, and towels you can coordinate the whole nursery. They also sell organic mattresses, making it truly a one stop shop. While you're there make sure to check out the wall art and pillows for adults too!

Still haven't seen something you like? How about the softly colored organic Chick pattern from Egg by Susan Lazar? Too sweet? Try the funky Animal Parade or Abstract Flower crib sets. While you're there, grab some organic footies and onesies with Susan Lazar's egg within an egg design symbolizing mother and baby. Pooka loves the footies and Daddy loves the ease of the full length zipper (snaps are tough sometimes!).

Serena and Lily, maker of one of our favorite organic slings (see the post on Baby Carriers), also launched an organic crib bedding line this past year. My favorite is the Maggie collection with it's fresh green and yellow print! And don't forget to pick up the new Gypsy Tote to match your sling!


As I have said before, it ain't cheap to be eco-chic but choosing organic bedding for your baby doesn't have to break the bank. For an affordable option try Brooklyn-based Argington's new organic bedding line. I absolutely adore the unique Fish and Pebbles bedding. With Koi fish on the bumper and a sheet mimicking pebbles on the bottom of a pool your little one can't help but be soothed to sleep as if in a Zen garden. Coming in at less than $200 for a comforter, bumper, sheet, and skirt this deal can't be beat. Still need a crib to put the bedding in? Argington is best known for their furniture, so take a look at their new Bam collection. For less than $1000 you can outfit your nursery with bassinet/crib and changing table with the clean and modern look of more high end furniture.

You can find the Dwell Studio, Egg by Susan Lazar, and Serena and Lily organic crib bedding sets at our friends Alex & Sam (see post). For a 20% discount for our readers, at checkout apply the code: POOKA

Alex & Sam: Socially conscious gift-giving for baby!

I recently had the opportunity to meet the founder of an innovative website named Alex & Sam: The Art of Giving. What I love about this site is that you can purchase a variety of baby products (as well as jewelry and products for the home) for the same price as you would from another retailer, but a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. Alex & Sam calls this "socially conscious gift-giving" and prides itself on carrying an edited selection of high quality products.

The site carries everything from baby clothing to bedding, nursery decor, and baby carriers. Some of our favorite brands are represented including Serena and Lily, Dwell Studio, Organic Egg by Susan Lazar, Kissy Kissy, Mia Bossi and Dante Beatrix amongst others. Check out the Egg by Susan Lazar Wool Girl Pea Coat, the Plain Mary "Hunk" onesie, Serena and Lily's beautiful Sausalito Moses Basket, and Dwell Studio's new Paper Doll crib bedding.

Want something personalized? You've come to the right place. You name it, and they can put a name on it! The selection of high quality personalized items is one of the largest I've seen. Choose from albums, burpies, blankets, nursery decor and even clothing. I love the Bon Bon Corduroy Dresses with monogram! How about a personalized yoga mat?

When checking out you can select from a number of non-profit organizations to support, or the donation can be split amongst all the selected charities. These charities include: Baby Buggy, Robin Hood Foundation, St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fund for Public Schools (Shop for Public Schools), Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, New Alternatives for Children, WomenWork!, Friends of Yemin Orde (a youth village in israel), and more. The list is always expanding.

The best part of Alex & Sam is that you can create a baby registry on their site. Let's be honest, if you are having a baby you are going to get plenty of gifts. Wouldn't it be nice to know that other children and families can benefit from your gift too! Already had your little ones? Order holiday cards or thank you notes and spread the holiday cheer to the participating charities. Alex & Sam does personalized stationary, birth announcements, invitations, and holiday cards. We're thinking about ordering the Joyful Flowers holiday card by Stacey Claire Boyd.

Life with Pooka readers can receive a special discount when ordering from Alex & Sam. To receive 20% off any purchase or 30% off any stationary products, when checking out enter code: Pooka

Mama don't sew? The best homemade baby products on Etsy

When I was pregnant with Pooka it was very important for me to make her some baby items with my own two hands. I knit regularly, so it wasn't hard to make her some sweaters and hats. But I wanted to take it one step further and make her a hand stitched quilt. I took a fantastic hand-quilting class at Purl down in Soho, but unfortunately I didn't get in done before Pooka arrived and it sits laguishing away in a bag at the bottom of my closet (some day Pooka!). So if you don't have the time, skill, or interest to make handmade baby products, and neither does anyone else in your extended family, it's Etsy to the rescue! Etsy's motto is "To buy, sell and live handmade" and connects buyers directly to individual sellers of various handmade goods. You can find everything from nursery decor, to clothing, toys and baby carriers. There are also a boatload of sellers creating green and organic products. For today's post I have rounded up a selection of some of the cutest baby items on the site. And the best part is, these products are all reasonably priced, and some are downright bargains compared to what they'd retail for at an NYC baby boutique.

One of my favorite designers on Etsy for nursery decor is Almost Sunday Designs. A friend drew my attention to them when she purchased the adorable Owl Mobile. I'm hoping to order the Butterfly Wall Art and a Birth Date Print. All items are well priced, and it's unlikely that any of your friends will have the same one.

For an alternative to main stream baby carriers check out Lovely Duds 100% organic and Oeko-Tex certified Tie One On baby carriers. They remind me of a Moby carrier, which are fantastic for newborns, but with cute printed panels like the Baby Hawk Mai Tai carrier. They have dozens of colors and fabrics to choose from, and at a cost $45 it's not a huge investment. A mom I know loved this style of carrier for her baby those first weeks when acid reflux was a major problem for her little one and she could nestle the baby against her chest in an upright position.

For quilts with a modern twist, or classic dresses for babies and toddlers in fun hipster fabrics pop over to the All the Numbers store. Check out the Vespa (pictured above) and Reversible dresses, or the beautiful Fresh and Modern Quilt that gives a new take on pastels for baby.

Using cloth or gdiapers? Baby blow out their diaper and wipe out their outfit? You need a wet bag to store the dirty nappies and soiled clothes until you can get home and wash them. They are useful for anything that gets messy while out and about, and I never leave home without one. Sure, you could use a ziploc, but why would you when the wet bags at Monkey Foot Designs are so cute and reusable too! The medium size is perfect for stowing a dirty gdiaper and some soiled clothing. For more than one diaper or larger sized clothing I would recommend the larger bags. Mines been thrown in the washer several times and has held up well. The Icky Bags in the Petunias shop are adorable too!I love the owl applique on this one.

For one stop gift shopping check out the SewnNatural shop, filled with all natural and organic baby products ranging from quilts and burpies to toys and bags. I love the Retro Elephant Toy and Upcycled Duck Baby. The Modern Dandelion Summer 5 piece set would make you the toast of any baby shower, or try the organic quilts.

While searching for an alternative to the satin and tulle style headbands that seem to abound in baby stores I found this one from Billie Brand. I love the simplicity of the design and the incorporation of a covered button in the center of the flower. They even have some made from organic fabrics. If your baby is blessed with plenty of hair (alas Pooka is not) you can try their flower clips. Choosing a color is the difficult part, but I'm leaning towards the Roxie!

The designers listed here are just a fraction of what you can find on Etsy. Pick a search term like "organic baby" and hundreds of products will show up. Or be more specific by searching terms such as "baby sling" or "baby quilt." You may not have Martha in your blood, but if she is in your spirit than look no further than Etsy. There is no better source for handmade goods for the crafting challenged.

Strap 'em on: A Review of Baby Carriers

It's been about 4 1/2 months since Pooka was born and I have to come clean: we now own 5 different baby carriers! Why so many? Well, one reason is a logistical one. Our family splits our time between NYC and CT and we got tired of lugging all Pooka's gear back and forth every weekend. Also, the first sling I had purchased ended up being too large for me and I had to purchase a smaller one. Each purchase became an opportunity to try out a different model of baby carrier, and we actually use them all regularly.

Slings: We currently have three brands of sling. Our first purchase was a gorgeous, organic Serena and Lily Market Sling. It is a fixed length with padded rails that make Pooka feel secure in the sling. Unfortunately I sized the sling while pregnant, and the medium ended up being too large. It fits my husband perfectly and Pooka spent hours in the first weeks nestled in the soft organic flannel while he worked on the computer or did housework (he's a good man!). She would sleep in the cradle position, and it was perfect for taking her out in public because she was hidden from curious bystanders. We even took her to a cocktail party when she was two weeks old and she slept right through it! Similar fixed length slings that are popular are Hotslings, Peanut Shell, and there are dozens more.

I needed a smaller sling, so I decided to try out a different style and settled on a Zolo Wear ring sling. While I found adjusting the rings daunting at first, I watched the instructional video that came with the sling and then a few more videos on youtube to help me get comfortable. Pooka and I fell in love with the Tummy-to-tummy hold. It keeps Pooka in an upright position (helpful if your baby has reflux or gas) and mimics holding her tight in my arms. For a while it was her Kryptonite, she couldn't fight falling asleep. When she was really tiny I would roll up a burpie and place it behind her head so she had extra support in this position (when they are little their heads are almost below the edge of the sling). Now we switch between the kangaroo hold, which allows her to face forward and enjoy the view, and the tummy-to-tummy when she is tired. When she gets bigger I can wear her on my hip or on my back. I like the Zolo because it has a pocket in the front where I can keep my keys, wallet, phone and burpie when we are running errands in the neighborhood. This sling folds down small enough to fit in the bottom of Pooka's stroller, and I always have it with me in case she gets fussy and needs a change of scene. You can also use a ring sling to nurse the baby, but I haven't treaded that path yet! I would not recommend using a sling for a long jaunt: despite their comfort they don't distribute the weight evenly because they are worn over one shoulder. There are dozens of other ring slings out there that you can try. Maya Wraps have a padded shoulder (Zolo's are lightly padded as well), or try P-slings New York for a more lux option (their fabrics are gorgeous, check out the Avant Gradation style). Both these lines have organic options.

We also purchased a Roundhouse Sling that is adjustable but uses a buckle closure rather than rings. I really like the styling, and it also has a pocket and a nicely padded shoulder. The rails of the sling are also adjustable to make the pocket larger or smaller. This was the sling we had bought to leave in CT to use on the weekends. We've used this carrier the least because it seemed to have too much fabric for Pooka when she was small, and when she got larger she didn't want to be in cradle position anymore. We haven't tried the kangaroo position in this sling yet, but I think it will be a nice option when she is larger and will be great for the toddler years.


Front Carrier: Our front carrier of choice is the Belle Baby Carrier. We have the organic carrier in black. It was created by two dads who were rock climbers and engineers and the design of the carrier reflects that. The hip belt is very similar to a rock climbing harness with a padded belt and d-ring style closure. The Belle also has comfortable padded shoulder straps and buckles easily at your sides (rather than in the back like some carriers). The carrier portion is a simple piece of fabric lined with a soft flannel against the babies skin. I love that the baby is held directly against you with no fabric to separate you. There was a period in time when Pooka's head reached above the top of the carrier but she wasn't quite strong enough to hold her head up on her own. During that time we used our other types of carriers, but I imagine if you have an extremely long baby (Pooka was 50-75% for height during this time) it may be more of a problem. Now we use the carrier with Pooka facing forward and she loves it. The Belle is completely adjustable and Daddy also likes using this carrier (it was created by two dads, so it has a clean aesthetic). Similar carriers in this category are old favorites like the Bjorn and the popular Ergo Baby. The Bjorn allows tummy-to-tummy and forward facing babies, the Ergo does tummy-to-tummy or the baby can ride on your back (no front facing).

Mai Tai Carrier: A Mai Tai is an Asian style carrier and looks similar to other front loaders like the Belle or Bjorn, but uses ties rather than buckles. We have a Baby Hawk Mai Tai and it is is a favorite right now. It distributes the weight evenly with padded shoulder straps, has a padded headrest and you can choose from custom fabrics. They even have organic fabric options. I choose custom fabrics for Pooka's and added a pocket and toy loop. While these were additional costs I find them invaluable. I leave a toy attached at all times and a spare diaper and burpie in the pocket so I can just grab the carrier and go. You can also purchase a minkee liner insert and an attachable hood for cold weather. I liked that when Pooka was small she could ride in the carrier with her legs tucked under her rather than having them dangle like in some other front carriers. Once she was bigger her legs straddled me in a more ergonomic way then most carriers on the market. This carrier looks darned cute with the ties and is more unique than other carriers on the market. Pooka can ride tummy-to-tummy, or on my hip or back when she gets larger. Unfortunately she can't face forward in the Baby Hawk. Similar carriers are offered by Mai Tai Baby, or you could try a hybrid carrier like the Becco Baby Butterfly which is Mai Tai style but uses buckles instead of ties.

Just like a stroller, you may never get one carrier to cover all your needs. If you live in a urban environment you may choose to have more than one in order to cover all the bases. Trust me, I'm not the only mama to have a closetful of carriers! If you are in a suburban or rural area you may not have as much cause for schlepping the baby and can more easily find one that suits all your needs. There are tons of fantastic carriers out there, and I hope to to try more of them in the future and share the results. If you have had good or bad luck with a particular carrier please share your insights in the comments area!

Photo credit for the first picture of Pooka and I in her ZoloWear sling goes to Hannah Hardaway Photography

Don't forget to pack...Last minute items you might need on vacation

What do you bring on your first vacation with the new addition? I always wanted to be one of those parents who traveled light. The idea of filling the whole cargo space of the car with baby gear made me cringe. And yet here I am, wondering how will I possibly be able to see out the rearview mirror over the pile of junk stacked in the back? Of course there is the obvious like diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, pacifiers, and blankets. Don't forget to add the towels, wash clothes, bath gear (we are bringing one of those blow up tubs) and burp clothes. There's also the baby wash, diaper cream, baby lotion, sunscreen, and bug spray. We need some toys and books too, and we will be bringing the play gym and bouncy chair (it's 10 days at a rental cottage by the beach and we're driving there). Pooka will be sleeping in a portable crib by night (the Phil and Ted's Traveller), and lounging in the Kwik Cabana by day. And then there is Pooka's transportation, which means car seat and stroller (luckily the Orbit Baby is both), and her Baby Hawk Mei-Tai carrier. Oh, and we can't go anywhere without the breast pump. OK, we are probably overdoing it, but that's easy to do when you are traveling by car. Now I understand why people put those pods on the roof!

There are, however, a few things you might not think to pack until you need them. We will be vacationing on an island, and while there is a grocery store there are some things we can't rely on them to have. We have packed our MedBasics Infant Safety Travel Pack for quick reference, as well as the nasal aspirator and saline drops, a thermometer, a medicine dispensing pacifier, Infant Tylenol drops, and alcohol swabs and gauze for minor cuts and scrapes (or when I cut her finger with the nail clippers again). And don't forget the grooming gear like nail clippers and files. Pooka's nails grow like gangbusters, and she just entered the phase where she likes to pinch. And I'm also including baby laundry detergent , and stain remover because poop happens even if it is vacation. These items may be difficult to find where you are staying, particularly if you need them in the middle of the night.

Alas, the days of traveling light seem to have disappeared for a while, but I am confident they will return. Each trip I will hone my skills at choosing exactly what is needed and what is extraneous. And some day I may just achieve this goal. Until then I will have to use the side-view mirrors when driving!

Things we couldn't live without the first 3 months with Pooka

My expectant mom friends love to ask this question, and I'm sure the answer is different for every new mom, but I thought I would share some of the things my husband and I couldn't live without those first few weeks and months.

1) Itzbeen Baby Care Timer: We used the timer to mark the end of each feeding and the last diaper change. When things were crazy and sleep-deprived it helped to keep track of the time between feedings, as Pooka ate every 2 hours in the early days. It's much simpler than marking a log or trying to remember the exact time of the last feeding. I also used the timer to keep track of how long she fed on each side, and there is a helpful button to remember which side you last fed on. Also useful is the button that lights up the timer so you can check the time in the middle of the night without turning on the lights.

2) Aden and Anais Muslin Wraps: Pooka has been swaddled in these wraps from day one. They are a little large at first, but if you fold in two of the adjoining sides in a few inches they work for even the teeniest baby (Pooka was 5 lbs 12 oz when she was born). They are nice and light too, so you don't have to worry about the baby overheating.

3) Sling: My husband would work on his computer while the baby slept in our Serena and Lily Prague Market Sling. It's organic and has padded rails, not to mention beautiful embroidery. Not super manly, but that's because I purchased it for myself, only to discover the size was too large for me. Pooka would sleep in the cradle position for hours, we even took her to a cocktail party when she was two weeks old and she slept right through it. Slings are also useful for protecting your newborn from prying eyes and germy hands. After purchasing a Zolowear Ring Sling for myself, I would carry Pooka in the tummy-to-tummy position which worked like a charm to put her out. It's so easy to carry them this way and be hands free when they are so little.

4) Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump and Hands Free Bra: Double electric, that's all I've got to say! My milk took a few days to come in, and pumping after every feeding the first week made a huge difference. I eventually had more milk than I knew what to do with, but I'll save those issues for another post. A few days into the pumping extravaganza I got a hands-free bra and it totally changed my world. It is a NECESSITY if you are going to pump regularly! I used the time with my free hands to catch up on some reading.

5) Lullabies: We started playing lullabies before Pooka was born so she would recognize them once she was out in the world. We definitely have our favorites: any of the Rockabye Baby albums that do lullaby renditions of famous bands such as U2, Bob Marley, AC/DC, etc. (available on itunes, we actually only downloaded the specific songs we wanted from each artist and made a playlist); the Putamayo Dreamland albums, we have Africa and Asia; Jewel's new album Lullaby. We play them each night starting during the final feeding.

6) White Noise Machine: Living in NYC I already slept with one of these on at night and we have continued to do so with Pooka. We use a Marpac Sleepmate.

7) Exercise Ball: We have both a rocking chair and an exercise/birth ball (ours is a Gaim, but you can get them anywhere), and have found that bouncing a fussy Pooka on the exercise ball works like a charm every time. It take a fraction of the time of a rocking chair to quickly calm her and put her to sleep. Plus its great for exercises both pre and post baby.

8) Maclaren Rocker Seat: Pooka sat in this chair from her first week, although the safety straps were much too large for her at the time. To be honest, they seemed unnecessary when she was so small and not moving around much. If she was fussy or wouldn't go back down after an early morning feeding we would put her in her "Magic Chair." Magic, you ask? It was all about flipping the switch and turning on the vibrations which usually knocked her out cold so mom and dad could get another hour or two of shuteye. We did make a promise to only use the vibrations during extreme situations so she would not get desensitized to their magic calming effect!

9) Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners: So the books will advise you to get two changing pad covers. But what about the night you ruin two in less than an hour? If you are blessed with a baby like Pooka, one of her favorite pastimes was to pee on Daddy during diaper changes. At first we just used the changing mats from our diaper bags to keep the cover dry, until I found these Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners. They seriously reduced the number of times we had to wrestle off a wet or poopy changing pad cover. I also have friends who put disposable changing pads down on their tables over the real cover so they can just toss them when they get dirty.

10) Eurobath Bath Seat: If space is a premium, as it is for most NYC parents, this bath seat may just do the trick. It fits in both a large sink or bath tub, but stows away more easily than a traditional baby bath tub. It is only designed for the first six months, which is fine by us as we plan to have Pooka sit up in the tub once she is comfortable and stable on her own. And in the overpriced world of baby gear, you can't beat the price at $12.00!