If you know someone who’s pregnant or just gave birth, you might be wondering what would make the best gift for your loved one. If they’re pregnant, they could need soothing pain-relief products, body pillows, and pregnancy clothes. If they just gave birth, nursing bras, heat and cold packs, or other lactation care might be in order. No matter what stage they’re in, ask them what they want first. You can honor your loved one and the planet while you’re at it by choosing less-toxic, plastic-free products that were made with human health, and sustainability, in mind. 

Clothes

The textile industry is awash in chemicals, so when it comes to giving clothes as a gift, choose wisely. The good news is you can size up with locally grown, plant-dyed, plastic-free brands of clothes. Sustain by Kat is one of my favorites.

Nursing bras

The Very Good Nursing Bra is the only one I could find made with no toxic bleach or dyes. It’s also plastic-free, including the elastic, so it has no Spandex, Lycra, or elastane, and comes with plastic-free thread. If the straps need repair, you can buy their replacement bra straps. They claim that all materials (except metal) are home-compostable. 

Heat and cold packs

Hot and cold packs can bring some welcome relief to those aches and pains. The problem here is that most gel packs you find at drug and other stores (even those marketed as “biodegradable,” “plant food,” “drain-safe,” or “nontoxic") contain nonbiodegradable ingredients from fossil fuels (and produce significant polluting greenhouse gas emissions). 

For a new purchase, try Earth Mama Booby Tubes, which are filled with organic flax seeds in an organic cotton shell. They come in recycled cardboard with no bleach, dyes, or glue. 

You can also ask around to see if someone you know has a gel pack sitting around in a freezer that can be reused. People are often giving them away on Facebook Buy Nothing groups. 

Rent breast pumps 

Medela rents hospital-grade breast pumping machines nationwide. 

Nursing cups to prevent chafing

Silverette might be the only FDA-registered brand of reusable silver nursing cups. They’ll take back your cups when done, or better yet, donate them to someone else who’s lactating.  

Nipple shields for nursing

If your baby has issues feeding, check with your lactation health-care provider. You can ask them if Hevea natural latex nipple shields might help. Unlike some lactation products, they’re made of 100 percent natural rubber with no plastic, silicone, BPA, PVC, or phthalates.

Nursing absorbent pads for leakage

I spent many hours determined to find nursing pads made of undyed and unbleached GOTS-certified organic cotton that’s packaged plastic-free. I finally found them at GladRags.

Nipple and belly balms

Skin-care products can have toxic ingredients, such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Fragrance, such as “fragrance oils,” can have toxic phthalates, which are linked to cancer, asthma, reduced testosterone, and damaged sperm. 

I searched for a phthalate- and PFAS-free, vegan, plastic-free (including shipping) product that is certified by Leaping Bunny as animal-cruelty-free and came up with Taylor’s Natural’s organic Nipple Soother balm and Belly Balm. 

Body pillows

Pillows filled with soft, shredded natural latex can turn into dry, hard pebbles over time. The least-toxic and most affordable body pillow I could find is the Futon Shop organic body pillow. It’s filled with USDA-certified-organic cotton batting in GOTS-certified-organic cotton fabric. And it’s free of toxic flame-retardant chemicals.

Nursing pillows

Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow is filled with pesticide-free buckwheat hulls in GOTS-certified-organic cotton fabric. It’s also free of toxic flame-retardant chemicals.