Sustainability + conscious brands - a 2025 approach to Prepping for baby
Before we get into my Denver baby photographer focused recommendations, I want to share that this post comes from a place of connection and zero judgement. I am excited by the fact that we have options of how to vote with our dollars, what we support/allow and how the folks I’m commissioning and buying from align with my values. I value and make my livelihood as a Denver newborn photographer celebrating life - I choose to invest my money in spaces that honor human life and the planet.
This is part of a bigger practice for me — embodying integrity. In my Denver Newborn and Maternity Photo business and in the way I move through the world personally. My work as a Denver Newborn and maternity photographer is all about celebrating new life, this offering is about deep self care for you and your baby. A natural extension of what I do behind the camera: honoring the beauty, the tenderness, and the responsibility that comes with welcoming a baby.
No one is perfect. No one ever will be. I still shop on Amazon, use Charmin toilet paper, and buy beauty products that aren’t as clean as I’d like. Options are everything in my world, I’m here to spread awareness that you have options of how you spend, where you buy and perhaps even what you value.
Preparing for baby’s arrival bring this wild new perspective of over researching a billion topics and boom - the overwhelm hits and suddenly every decision feels bigger than it used to. I believe we vote with our dollar every time we add something to a cart, build a registry or choose which companies to trust with our newborn babies. The ethics, sustainability, integrity of the design, even the values of the people leading the brand-these elements matter to me.
The products we put on baby’s skin, their clothes, diapers, wipes, swaddles, skincare — I’m celebrating the information available and see it as a creative invitation to dive into a deeper investigation of what works best for me.
The magic of being able to make an informed decision on what I find most exciting - resources like the Environmental Working Group offer an entire section dedicated to baby safety.
Denver Newborn Lifestyle Photographer, Denver Baby Photographer, maternity photos Denver, preparing for your newborn and maternity session in Denver
Local goodness first! I love supporting other female entrepreneurs in my city. Isn’t that what it’s all about? sometimes the most meaningful finds are just down the street.
Urban Baby Co.
Denver-based, woman-owned brand with a strong focus on sustainability.
Broomtail Kids
Neighborhood shop on Gaylord in Denver carrying a mix of clothing, toys, accessories, and books for babies and children. It has a community-centered vibe-great spot to find eco-friendly baby goods.
Wholesome Linen
Organic flax linen for babies, Wash Park eco-friendly, non-toxic bedding and nursery pieces.
Wild West Baby Co.
Tennyson Street boutique offering everyday vibe goods for kids and babies and oh so cuuuute.
Little Bird Denver
Near Cherry Creek North, Little Bird Denver offers sustainable, neighborhood-like atmosphere. It’s a great spot for both everyday essentials and photo-worthy wardrobe elements.
baby booty care and skincare for denver moms & babies
Yes to leaning into EWG-verified, plant-based diaper creams like Earth Mama Organics Diaper Balm or Weleda Calendula Diaper Cream. Pair them with compostable wipes like Eco by Naty or WaterWipes for a low-tox, eco-conscious routine that’s good for baby and the Mother Earth.
Diapers: Coterie - soft, absorbent, responsibly sourced or Dyper compostable with their REDYPER program.
Wipes: WaterWipes - 99.9% water, biodegradable or Eco by Naty - plant-based, compostable.
Baby staples: Earth Mama Organics - woman-founded, EWG verified — their diaper balm and body wash could be your next favorite eco friendly fav.
For moms: Erbaviva - organic belly oils and butters and Weleda - Skin Food for dry postpartum skin & their gentle calendula baby line.
Baby wash, diaper balms, shampoos, washes, creams. Earth Mama Organics is woman-founded, EWG verified gentle baby wash, diaper balm, calendula lotion. Babo Botanicals creates plant-based shampoos and washes, many EWG rated low hazard. California Baby offers woman-founded, family-run non-toxic, allergy-tested washes and creams. Gosh its so nice to have options.
feeding & nursing denver babies
Let’s be honest, hydration is self care with Denver’s mile high desert status. Babies dehydrate faster vs sea level and nursing mamas need extra hydration love, too!
Nursing pads: Kindred Bravely - women-founded organic cotton, washable and comfortable.
Bottles: Lifefactory - glass with silicone sleeves or Pura -stainless steel, no plastic. Hevea – Natural glass bottles with 100% natural rubber nipples; eco-friendly.
clothing & textiles for denver moms and brand new mile high natives
Denver weather is the best AND loves to keep us guessing. You know the vibes - multiple seasons can hit all in one day. One second it’s sunny and 70° F and you wake up to snow flurries the next day.
Baby basics: Monica + Andy - woman-founded, organic cotton and Burt’s Bees Baby.
Swaddles & blankets: Coyuchi - organic, Fair Trade or Aden + Anais.
For moms: Boob Design -sustainable maternity/nursing wear, women-owned, and Pact - organic cotton basics, Fair Trade.
home & wellness for your mile high native denver newborn
Cleaning: Branch Basics - women-founded, refillable system to reduce plastic use.
Laundry: Molly’s Suds or Attitude.
Cycle care: Saalt -women-owned, period care that gives back globally — handy to have once your cycle returns postpartum.
baby sunscreen
Denver sun is potent. Baby skin is extra delicate. Take a peek at a clean, mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide that are fragrance-free and EWG-approved.
Thinkbaby is well loved by EWG
Badger Balm is a long time favorite of mine! Mineral, reef-safe, organic.
pacifiers & teethers
I love having a pacifier at a Denver Newborn Photo Session. Even if they don’y typically use it, it can aid in sooting baby during a session. We’re often shifting them many times during our time together which may interrupt their sleep, burn more calories than usual. I much prefer the pacifier to the parent’s finger which always seems to be the next thing offered. Natural rubber pacifiers and teethers :
Natursutten - natural rubber pacifiers & teethers.
Hevea - biodegradable natural rubber pacifiers & teethers.
toys & stuffies
Everything offered to a baby will go straight into their mouth without discrimination. Organic cotton stuffies and sustainable wooden toys:
Under the Nile is a beautiful source for organic cotton stuffed animals & loveys, Fair Trade, women-owned.
Apple Park –great spot to find organic cotton plush animals, dolls, and rattles; safe dyes, sustainable farming.
Pebble by Hathay Bunano brings hand-knit rattles & dolls made by women in rural Bangladesh; Fair Trade certified.
PlanToys OMG the cute!!! Wooden toys made from sustainably harvested rubber trees, non-toxic finishes.
Grimm’s These iconic, colorful German-made wooden toys like rainbow stackers and blocks from FSC-certified wood.
books with eco + diverse voices
Barefoot Books is an independent publisher with diverse, inclusive, eco-conscious stories.
Little Feminist Book Club offers subscription boxes with diverse + inclusive baby/toddler board books.
Leah Gilbert is a favorite, long-time client of mine is a talented, published children’s book author AND illustrator. She’s the sweetest human - her son is one of the most positive, radiant 7 year olds I’ve met. So wild to see them grow over the years!
Extras to Consider
Play Mats: Toki Mats – Non-toxic, organic foam play mats, woman-founded.
Rattles / Teethers: Oli & Carol – 100% natural rubber teethers and bath toys, biodegradable.
Celebrating the option to get creative with how we vote for your baby’s health, for ethical labor, and for sustainable practices with every brand we choose to support.
Do you have eco newborn products or postpartum goods that you used and loved? Share in the comments :)
