You feel the magnetic pull of your baby, right? But what about all the junk that gets drawn into your new family's orbit — disposable diapers, plastic toys that break almost as soon as you get them, heaps of clothing?  Being kind to the earth is on most people's minds these days — new parents, grandparents and friends. We invited the good folks at TreeHugger.com to write about their favorite green baby items at Etsy for this week's special Featured Buyer. TreeHugger is an environmental web magazine featuring all things green and environmental, and contributor Bonnie Alter found some great items for the Handmade Kids series.

As the mother of an overgrown child, I love the chance to look at, admire, feel, touch and maybe buy baby clothes and toys. Perhaps some day I will even have a grandchild (don't tell my son that I said that!). While it is true that charity shops are a major resource for finding good recycled clothing and toys, Etsy also has handmade options. There are so many adorable things made out of recycled and reused products on the market. So here is one hopeful-grandmother-to-be's personal list of things she would choose for a wonderful gift.


There is something about soft floppy toys that makes my maternal instincts go all sentimental. This recycled and irresistible animal is Sam, made by pogoshop, who sports a blue striped wool pullover. He is made out of soft angora which is gentle to baby's cheek. By pogoshop, $30.



I love this Veggie Power shirt. The images are taken from '70s vintage towels. So cute.  By kinchi, $20.


And to politicize them early: a Che Guevara t-shirt, to match daddy's tattered one.  By youngpunks, $17.


Diaper bags used to be oversized horrible looking things, usually pink and white with ribbons and bows. Now there are chic bags, well designed and made out of interesting and sophisticated fabrics. (At last!) The hemp messenger bag is one that the husband could carry without embarrassment; made out of Romanian hemp, it has 9 pockets, of all sizes.  By infusion, $120.


For the exhausted mother; these Sleep Angel pillows are just the answer: they are filled with lavender from Provence. Lavender smells so wonderful and is supposed to make you sleep better and deeper (how about just sleep?). By lapomme, $16.50.


Where to shop? I'm a Canadian but I'm living in England, so I used Shop Local to find sellers here.  I was intrigued by the felt creations by eikumpel who is based in England. The Kumpel doll is a jolly looking red doll for boys or girls to hug. By eikumpel, $22.


As a Canadian, Shop Local Canada turned up rikrak, who caught my eye. She does a very chic bib (what!) quilted from vintage fabrics, and reversible as well.  By rikrak, $21.


From Kingston, MadaboutColour sells hand-knit baby hats which are striped and brightly-coloured.  By MadAboutColour, $22.

There are the most adorable cotton diapers around now, unlike the old days when they came in white only. The diaper above is made of bamboo and is adjustable in size. By GreenWayBabywear, $14.75.

Only the best for your little one: these hand crocheted wash cloths/baby wipes are made with 100% certified organic cotton and free from dyes and other chemicals, and they come in sage and cream colours. By Knittles $9.

Combining necessity and a bit of fun, these fabric nursing pads are wash and wear. They are a fashion statement, as well as being soft and made of natural antibacterial bamboo and organic cottons. By southernbellesandbow, $4.

Walking versus driving with the little one?  Walking wins out for so many good environmental reasons.  I was a confirmed stroller mother and pushed it all over the city, day and night.  However many new mothers (and fathers) are using slings now, especially for newborns.  If your back can take it, there are a lot of benefits: free hands, close to your heart and so comfie for sleeping infants.  The solid coloured organic cotton sack comes in a range of soft colours. By slingsandsacks, $70.

TreeHugger has compiled a pretty extensive guide to "How to Green Your Baby", which is a good source of information and starting place for mothers and fathers considering the green route for their children's upbringing. It outlines hot topics such as diapers, breast or bottle, toys, furniture and wipes.

Bonnie Alter is a Canadian living in the UK who writes for www.treehugger.com. Her interests are gardens, design, fashion and culture which she writes about on a daily basis. London and all of England is a real hive of activity and creativity when it comes to green products and issues. For her, "It's a delight and privilege to try and pass on these ideas to interested readers in North America and elsewhere."