An additional preparatory step you might take is practicing the conversational version of the list. When your immediate family starts asking what you need, or when your buddy starts planning the shower, say what you want in a few brief sentences.

Tell them you will want organic/used/sustainable stuff, give them a succinct reason or two why, and thank them (in advance) for helping you raise your child as a kooky tree hugger. Or something to that effect. Have I told you that my mom hugs trees?

We'll be on a walk, and she will wander off to literally hug a tree. So you may very well raise another kooky tree hugger, and best of luck to you.

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try).

Please environment -- but first !
this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author or safe.

Please use this column at your own risk. "I don't have any kids and don't know what it's really like." Tell people you will only use organic cotton on the baby, and 90% will give polyester soaked in flame-retardant chemicals.

Say, "I want organic cotton pajamas from Hannah-Anderson," and they will only remember "pajamas." If you give a catalog, they will look at it and remember how expensive everything was and imagine how happy you will be to get a three-pack from Wal-mart instead. Say you want only wood toys, and you will get mostly plastic push-button ones that take several batteries.

If one person honors your requests, consider it a blessing. Normally the only way to get what you want is to buy it yourself. At least that's my experience.

As a mom myself we buy a lot of cotton, but as a hand spinner I make the sweaters for my sons socks and blankets too. I do a ton of "hand me downs" and you could always "register" baby shower wise with a shop or place that understands your preferences. I myself am designing a new line of all natural baby clothes.

the harshest chemical on them will be vinegar, and the colors added to the clothes would be in "stages" just like foods. I will begin with things like wool diaper covers, socks , booties, blankets and hats hoping to expand into sweaters and more within the next year..

but all the items are hand spun from my own sheep, and also hand knitted. so the going is not as fast as I wish. I also dont know about the interest level in the things I want to do.

But commentary on availability of these items to moms who hope for more it is a great thread. and if we want to get into just how green? my spinning wheel is all powered by me, my wool is dried on my trampoline and washed the first few times in sun warmed water.

.but as far as the baby line, thanks so much ! Melissa176 first of all, make it clear that you'll breastfeed the kid and will therefore need none of the paraphernalia associated with bottles.

You would, however, love a breast pump (unless you have a college roommate who owns one who is willing to share -- one breast pump can serve many families if you all space your children handily!) Find a website or two with gorgeous slings in all price ranges. You can survive quite nicely with one sling.

Two or even three -- in different weights and warmths -- would still be better for the environment than one plastic, non-recyclable stroller. And shelters for mamas and babies without anywhere else to call home will usually gladly take all your extra receiving blankets. I think I got twenty or so and used about three.