Sustainable Baby Gear Swaps You Can Make Today
You don’t have to overhaul your nursery (or spend a fortune) to be an eco-conscious parent. The easiest path? Make one swap at a time.
An eco-friendly gear swap means replacing a conventional baby product with a sustainable alternative. Think: plastic toys for wooden ones, synthetic carriers for organic or a standard crib mattress for a non-toxic option.
Shopping secondhand is also a game-changer, because all secondhand gear is sustainable. Plus, non-toxic baby gear, like organic carriers and wooden toys can cost two to three times more than conventional options, leaving many parents feeling stuck even when making one-off swaps. Fortunately, gently used and open box non-toxic items give you the same health and sustainability benefits at a fraction of the price.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make sustainable parenting feel realistic instead of overwhelming, this guide is for you. Here are the seven baby gear swaps that matter most (and where to find them affordably).
Shop All Sustainable Baby Gear Brands
Plastic Toys → Wooden & Natural Material Toys
Why make this swap: Plastic toys can off-gas chemicals and they often break quickly, whereas the best sustainable toys made of wood and natural materials are durable, safer and built to last through multiple children (and even generations). They also encourage open-ended play, which supports creativity and developmental growth. Check out brands like Lovevery, Piccalio, Tiny Land and Melissa & Doug.
What's the difference:
- Plastic toys are usually colorful, mass-produced and cheaper upfront, but break easily.
- Wooden toys are typically made from higher-quality natural materials, are timeless and resale-friendly.
Certifications to look for:
- FSC certified (sustainable wood sourcing)
- Greenguard Gold (low chemical emissions from paints/finishes)
- ASTM F963 / EN71 (toxic chemicals and heavy metals limits)
- BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free
Trusted Brands
Our favorite sustainable toys:
Conventional Crib Mattress → Non-Toxic Crib Mattress
Why make this swap: Newborns spend 16-17 hours a day sleeping, which makes the crib mattress one of the most important places to reduce chemical exposure. Conventional crib mattresses are typically made with polyurethane foam and may contain chemical flame retardants, both of which can contribute to off-gassing. Non-toxic crib mattresses prioritize natural materials and lower-emission manufacturing, often using organic cotton covers, wool or natural latex instead.
What's the difference:
- Conventional mattresses are typically made of polyurethane foam and contain chemical flame retardants, which may cause off-gassing.
- Non-toxic mattresses are made from natural latex, organic cotton, wool and other low-emission materials designed for healthier sleep environments
Certifications to look for:
- Greenguard Gold certified (strict indoor air quality and low chemical emissions standards)
- GOTS certified (organic cotton fabrics produced with strict environmental standards)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (tests textiles for harmful substances)
- No PBDEs, added flame retardants or heavy metals
Trusted brands:
Important note on used mattresses: For safety and cleanliness reasons, GoodBuy Gear only accepts open box or brand new crib mattresses for resale. For a full breakdown of what we do and do not accept, check out our guide to used baby gear.
Our favorite non-toxic mattresses:
- Avocado Organic Crib Mattress
- Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress
- Organic Dream Cooling Premier 2-Stage Crib and Toddler Mattress
Plastic High Chair → Wooden High Chair
Why make this swap: Little ones use high chairs daily for two to three years, and trays are constantly in contact with food and little hands. Many parents prefer wooden high chairs because they’re made from natural materials and often finished with food-safe coatings. Well-designed options, like the Stokke Tripp Trapp, are also incredibly durable, which makes them ideal for passing down or reselling.
What's the difference:
- Plastic high chairs are lightweight, colorful and cost less upfront, but can stain and wear over time.
- Wooden high chairs are made from natural materials, have a sturdier construction and typically have a timeless design that lasts through multiple kids.
Certifications to look for:
- FSC certified (sustainably sourced wood)
- Greenguard Gold certified (low chemical emissions for indoor air quality)
- Food-safe finishes (tested coatings safe for surfaces that may contact food)
- Non-toxic paints or stains (no heavy metals)
Trusted brands:
Our favorite wooden high chairs:
Shop All Secondhand High Chairs
Synthetic Baby Carriers → Organic Carriers
Why make this swap: Baby carriers sit directly against your baby’s face and skin for hours at a time, which is why many parents prefer natural materials. Organic cotton carriers skip synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon and are often made without harsh dyes or chemical treatments. Many popular brands, including BabyBjörn, LÍLLÉbaby and Boba, offer organic cotton versions designed for comfort, durability and everyday wear.
What's the difference:
- Synthetic carriers are typically made with polyester or nylon blends, but are durable and often cheaper upfront.
- Organic carriers are made with organic cotton fabrics that are softer, breathable and produced with stricter material standards, which is ideal for something that stays in close contact with baby’s skin.
Certifications to look for:
- GOTS certified (strict standard for organic textiles and dyes)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (tests fabrics for harmful substances)
- No added flame retardants
- Heavy metal–free dyes (as verified by OEKO-TEX or GOTS standards)
Trusted Brands
Our favorite organic carriers:
Chemical-Heavy Teethers → Organic/Silicone Teethers
Why make this swap: Unsurprisingly, teethers spend a lot of time in your baby’s mouth. Some conventional teethers may contain plastics like PVC or additives such as BPA or phthalates, while organic rubber, wood and food-grade silicone alternatives are designed specifically for safer use. These materials are also durable and easy to clean, making them a quick and affordable eco-friendly parenting swap.
What's the difference:
- Conventional plastic teethers are often made with plastic materials that may contain additives and can wear down over time.
- Organic or silicone teethers are made from natural rubber, sustainably sourced wood or food-grade silicone designed for safe, repeated chewing.
Certifications to look for:
- BPA-free (baseline safety standard for baby products)
- Phthalate-free (avoids plasticizers sometimes used in flexible plastics)
- Food-grade silicone (safe material designed for food and mouthing contact)
- FSC certified (sustainably sourced wood, if the teether includes wooden elements)
- Greenguard certified (low chemical emissions, when applicable)
Trusted brands:
- Lovevery
- Chew Chew Lab
- Mushie
Our favorite organic teethers:
Conventional Changing Pad Cover → Organic Cotton Changing Pad Cover
Why make this swap: Your baby’s bare skin spends a lot of time on the changing pad. Many conventional changing pad covers are made with synthetic fabrics like polyester, while organic cotton covers use simpler materials designed to be soft, breathable and gentle on sensitive skin. The best part: This is one of the easiest eco-friendly parenting swaps to make, since simply replacing the cover can make a noticeable improvement.
What's the difference:
- Synthetic covers are generally polyester blends and are sometimes treated with stain-resistant finishes that may cause off-gassing.
- Organic covers are made with organic cotton that’s naturally breathable and absorbent.
Certifications to look for:
- GOTS certified (organic cotton produced under strict environmental standards)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (tests textiles for harmful substances)
- No added flame retardants or heavy metals
Trusted brands:
- Babyletto
- Naturepedic
- Organic cotton universal pads from indie makers
Our favorite organic changing pad covers:
Plastic Diaper Pail → Stainless Steel or Ceramic Options
Why make this swap: Plastic diaper pails can trap odors and may off-gas when in contact with warm, wet diapers (ew!). Stainless steel or other non-plastic options like ceramic are durable, non-porous and easier to clean, making them a long-lasting choice. While swapping your diaper pail is a small change, it contributes to reducing chemical exposure, cutting waste and extending the life of your nursery products.
What's the difference:
- Plastic diaper pails can trap odors and may off-gas over time. They’re also more prone to scratches and wear.
- Stainless steel or ceramic pails are durable, easy to sanitize, chemical-free and long-lasting.
Certifications to look for:
- Greenguard Gold certified (low chemical emissions, safer indoor air)
- BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free (for any non-metal components like lids or liners)
- Food-grade stainless steel (safe, non-reactive metal)
Trusted brands:
Our favorite stainless steel diaper pails:
Start Small, Shop Secondhand
Being an eco-conscious parent doesn’t mean you need a giant (and expensive) overhaul. Sustainability can start small with just one thoughtful gear swap at a time.
The easiest eco-friendly swaps are the ones that fit your budget. With open box and gently used non-toxic items on GoodBuy Gear, you can save an average of 50% off retail. That way, you get the health benefits, sustainability wins and cost savings all at once.
Even a single swap you take, whether it’s wooden toys, an organic crib mattress or a stainless steel diaper pail, reduces your family’s chemical exposure and shrinks your environmental footprint.
Here’s a simple way to get started:
- Pick one category from this guide that matters most to you
- Explore open box and gently used options on GoodBuy Gear
- Make the swap, and then tell us which one you chose!
Every item on GoodBuy Gear passes quality and safety checks, so you’re not just buying gently used, you’re buying sustainable gear with confidence. And remember: all secondhand gear is sustainable. Happy shopping!