When I had my son in 2023, I was already deep into sustainability education running Zero Waste NYC, teaching workshops, making content about low-waste living. So naturally, people assumed I had the most perfectly curated, plastic-free, toxin-free nursery ever assembled.

I did not.

What I did have was a closet full of hand-me-downs, a Rebel cart full of open-box gear, and a very practical approach to sustainable baby stuff that I'm using again now with baby number two on the way.

Here's what I actually did, and what I'd do again.

Rule #1: You can buy almost ANYTHING secondhand

*Facebook Marketplace is overflowing with baby gear!*

Baby gear is one of the easiest categories to buy secondhand, and I genuinely mean that. Most big-ticket baby items like strollers, swings, bouncers and high chairs are used for only a few months before babies outgrow them. They're often in near-perfect condition and resold for a fraction of the retail price.

Before you buy anything new for a baby, check these first:

Rebel (formerly Rebelstork): This is my absolute favorite. They specialize in open-box and overstock baby gear from major brands. Think: a $400 stroller for $180, brand new in a damaged box. I shop here for gifts for other parents too. If someone has an Amazon registry, I am still getting them something from Rebel, ha!
GoodBuy Gear: Similar to Rebel, focused on secondhand and gently used baby gear. Great selection.
Facebook Marketplace: Honestly so underrated for big items. Local pickup means no shipping, and you can often negotiate. I buy (and sell) SO MUCH on FB Marketplace for my son and for our home.
Buy Nothing Groups: Your neighborhood Buy Nothing group on Facebook is a goldmine. I've seen full nursery sets given away for free.
Friends and family: Don't sleep on this one! Most parents have bags of baby clothes and gear sitting in their closets just waiting to be passed along. All you have to do is ask!

For clothing specifically, babies grow so fast that secondhand is almost always the move:

Poshmark: great for specific brands or styles
ThredUp: large online resale platform, easy to shop by size
Depop: great for unique or vintage baby finds
Local thrift stores/consignment shops: especially good if you want to shop in person
Carousel: A local Brooklyn business! Jessica curates secondhand baby and kids clothes.

I stocked nearly my entire son's wardrobe secondhand before he was born and spent a fraction of what I would have at retail. Doing the same thing again this time.

What About Safety?

I get this question a lot. The general guidance is:

Car seats: buy new or open box. We’ve always bought our car seats open box so we know they are not used, but no judgements if this is something you want brand new. Safety first, always.
Cribs: check recalls. If buying secondhand, verify the model hasn't been recalled. The CPSC website has a searchable recall database.
Everything else: secondhand is generally fine. Use your judgment and inspect items carefully before buying.

Diapers & Consumables: Where Sustainable Gets A Little Trickier

Okay, so gear is easy. Consumables are where it gets more complicated because the most eco-friendly option (cloth diapers) is also the most labor-intensive, and I want to be real with you about that.

Diapers

I used a mix with my son and plan to do the same this time. Here's my honest take:

Cloth diapers are the most sustainable option by far. Less waste, no single-use plastics, cost-effective over time. But they require a laundry routine and some learning curve. If you have the bandwidth, they're worth it. If you don't, that's okay too.

We used a local delivery service in NYC called Diaperkind. They made it incredible easy to cloth diaper and I would highly recommend them if you are in the NYC or Austin areas. Unfortunately, when we moved out to Long Island we could no longer use the service.

Disposable diapers: if you're going that route, look for options that are:

Free of chlorine bleaching, fragrances, and lotions
From brands with some level of transparency about ingredients

Brands worth looking into: Andy Pandy, Coterie, Dyper (they have a composting program but it’s pretty widely debated).

My pick: HealthyBaby. They are non-toxic, EWG VERIFIED® (the first and only diaper!), a certified B-Corp, and made in Europe at a carbon neutral facility.

Wipes

‍ This is actually one of the easiest swaps. Reusable cloth wipes are simple, cheap, and you can make them yourself from old t-shirts or flannel. If you prefer disposable, look for fragrance-free, unbleached options. HealthyBaby has their own line of wipes as well.

Skincare & Personal Care

Babies have sensitive skin and what goes on their body matters. I like to keep it simple:‍ ‍

Earth Mama Organics: my go-to for baby skincare. Certified organic, really clean ingredients, and products I actually trust.
Thinkbaby for sunscreen specifically. One of the only baby sunscreens I feel good about. EWG verified and actually works.

‍ ‍The general rule: fewer ingredients = better for a baby's skin. You don't need a 10-step baby skincare routine.‍ ‍

Food Storage‍ ‍

Once you hit the solid food stage, this is where reusables really shine.‍ ‍

Stasher Bags: I use these constantly for my son's snacks. I label them with his name and send them to school. They last forever and replace hundreds of zip lock bags over time.
Stasher Stretch Lids: Haven't tried these yet but they're on my list!
Glass containers: for storing purées and leftovers. I got a set from Costco years ago and we still use them.
Mason jars and sauce/jam jars: honestly just as good and way cheaper.

What I'd Tell a New Parent Who Wants to be More Sustainable

Don't try to do everything perfectly. The most sustainable thing you can do for a new baby is:

Accept hand-me-downs gratefully
Shop secondhand before buying new
Skip the gadgets that sound cool but won't get used
Choose a few consumable swaps that actually fit your lifestyle

You don't need a perfectly curated nursery. You need practical, durable things that work; ideally ones that can be passed along to the next family when you're done.

That's always been my approach, and it's what I'm doing again with baby number two!

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