The safe arrival of a noisy, un-hygienic
addition to the family usually introduces a new consumer, whose seemingly limitless
demands are likely to persist well beyond school age. The first few years are
the most frustrating, when a succession of expensive toys, shoes, clothing and
sundry equipment are rapidly outgrown. Small ads in local newspapers and shop
windows bear ample witness to this problem, but of Government Wealth Warnings
there is no sign!
A specialist type of business is, however, developing in the form of ‘Baby Goods’ dealers. Some fulfil a great social need, since their activities often include trading in good quality used equipment and outgrown clothing. A small sample is listed here.
Nappy clash leaves consumers confused -
but WRAP speaks
see section 63
Also see
Nappies
and personal products (63)
Recycled and natural clothes and textiles (330)
Responsible consumerism (410)
A Lot of Organics
Tel 0118 3759375
Website www.alotoforganics.org.uk
Email contact@alotoforganics.co.uk
Douglas House, 33 Douglas Road, Caversham, READING, Berks RG4 5BH
Organic search engine listing many examples nationwide of websites on:
organic farms and sources of advice about organic farming; suppliers and
manufacturers of organic food and drink; special diets; vegan and
vegetarian. Also: organic products for babies and children; organic
clothes; gardening; gifts; health and beauty; household; pets and farm animals;
toys. (Updated Nov 2005)
Babes Again
Tel 01582 508946
5B Riddy Lane, LUTON, Beds LU3 2AD
Dealer - new and used nursery equipment and baby clothing. Possible purchaser of used items in good condition.
Baby Shop
Tel 01206 824134
Clacton Road, Elmstead, COLCHESTER, Essex CO7
Sale and purchase of good quality used baby equipment.
Nans Nearly New
Tel 01865 559909
51 Sunderland Avenue, OXFORD OX2 8DT
Sale and purchase of good quality reusable baby goods.
Cut4Cloth
Tel 01326 340956
Email info@cut4cloth.co.uk Website
www.cut4cloth.co.uk
4 Fore Street, Constantine, FALMOUTH, Cornwall TR11 5AB
Contact Lucy & Kurt
Childrens clothes designed to fit over cloth nappies. All fairly traded, 100% organic cotton (certified by AGRECO,
Germany www.agrecogmbh.de), handpicked in rural India,
and using environmentally responsible dyes. 'Tailored to give cloth nappy babies
more room to wriggle', as many clothes are designed to cover the smaller un-environmental disposable nappies.
Dyes are free from banned amines, AZO, AOX, formaldehyde, heavy metals and other harmful additives.
The manufacturers in India give importance to working conditions, wages and human rights; no employee under 18 years of age, and the company has a long-term agenda of support for a local tribal school.
(Updated Jan 2005)
Gossypium
Tel 0870 777 0282 / 0800 085 6549 Fax 01273 488 221
Website www.gossypium.co.uk
Abinger Place, LEWES, East Sussex BN7 2QA
Fairly traded organic cotton
baby products. Also men's, women's and children's wear, and home
textiles. Claims to be first company to develop fair trade cotton, from
over 60 farmers. Processing (as near as possible to crop), as well as
route the clothes take, described, with photos, on website. Also size
chart, guarantee and returns policy, and privacy policy. Sourced from
India - all farms visited. Cotton seeds also used for oil, food, cake,
chocolate, cattle food. Office open Mon-Fri 9-530. Shop at 19 High Street,
Lewes (01273 472211) open 930-5 Mon-Fri, 930-530 Sat, or send for free catalogue.
(Updated Dec 2004)
Green Choices
www.greenchoices.org/baby.html Email info@greenchoices.org
PO Box 31617, London SW2 4FF
Free, independent, not-for-profit web guide to greener living. Like THE WASTEBOOK, it has no products to sell or promote, only ideas and information to help people make greener choices in their day-to-day lives. The section of the website given above has helpful advice on nappies, baby clothes, food, toys and other items. (Updated May 2005)
Natural Child
Tel 01242 620988 Fax 01242 620988
Website www.naturalchild.co.uk
Email info@naturalchild.co.uk
Natural Family Health, Lower Stanley Farm, Gretton, CHELTENHAM, Glos GL54 5HQ
Wide range of natural products by mail order. Own brand and other toiletries mostly organic and fairly traded - sources given. Some organic clothing, nappies, liners, blankets and bed protectors, toothpaste, shampoo; some hemp products. Also well-sourced pregnancy and labour items and advice, baby slings, health products, oils, remedies, Each product carefully chosen and ingredients checked. Full ingredient list provided, so you can tell at a glance if suitable. Only deals with ethical companies. Recycled packaging wherever possible. Postage £1.50 up to £15, £3 for £15-40, free over £40. Privacy - no details passed on (reduces junk mail). Useful advice as well as products on excellent website. Old nappies can be sent to charity "Blythswood Care", M. Smith, Timbukthree, New Tolsta, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0NN, which go for use by poor people in Moldova. Excellent and useful links page. (Updated Jan 2005)
Natural Collection Catalogue
Tel 0870 331 3335 (queries) 0870 331 3333 (orders) Fax 0870 331 3334
Website www.naturalcollection.com
Email sales@naturalcollection.com
PO Box 135, SOUTHAMPTON, Hants SO14 0FQ
Mail order shopping to contribute to a sustainable future, including many products with recycled content. Over 500 products chosen with the environment in mind, and helpful advice by phone. Includes flushable and biodegradable personal products; also organic clothing for adults and children. Published by Green Dot Guides and supported by Friends of the Earth, The Vegetarian Society, World Development Movement etc. Delivery free over £100. (Updated Jan 2005)
Naturally for Baby
Tel / Fax 0141 773 3241
8 Finlarig Street, South Rogerfield, GLASGOW G34 0AD
Mail order supply of goods such as reusable nappies, natural fibre clothing, toiletries, toys and books. Personal and friendly family-run ethical business. A5 SAE for catalogue. (Updated Jan 2005)
Nursery Shop
Tel 01280 700998
7 Halse Road, BRACKLEY, Northants NN13 6DZ
Sale and purchase of good quality reusable baby goods.
Recap Swap and Sell
Website swapandsell.recap.co.uk
Swap & Sell is a FREE online domestic exchange service operating over Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, where you can find details about unwanted or surplus items, and view requests for wanted goods. No telephone, but linked to Cambridgeshire Materials exchange (see section 120). Its main aim is to help you to get rid of your unwanted items or help you to find goods that others no longer need, at minimal cost - some items free. Categories include baby and toddler, toys, books and magazines, clothing and textiles, computing, electrical, furniture, garden, home, music, TV and video, sport and leisure, photography, and wanted items. (Updated Nov 2003)
Schmidt Natural Clothing
Tel 0845 3450498 Fax 01825 714676
Email glenn@naturalclothing.co.uk
Website www.naturalclothing.co.uk
Corbiere, Nursery Lane, Nutley, East Sussex TN22 3NS
Contact Glenn Kositzki-Metzner
Mail order sale of garments and accessories made in an ecologically and socially responsible way for babies, children and adults (undergarments only for adults). Materials include organic cotton and wool, and natural silk. Many garments suitable for sensitive skin, including sleep suit for eczema. Full range of organic baby clothing, organic bedding and lambskins, including natural woolover pants. Nappy range includes soft organic wrap-around cotton for absorbency, comfort and health; microfibre wraps and quick release fitted cotton nappies; raw silk liners promoting healing of nappy rash; get outfitted for £3.15 per week, trial packs from £8.20, six month starter pack £99. Other items include bedding, soft toys, underwear, socks, tights, slippers, nightwear, and seasonal outer wear. Free catalogue. Free six month credit plan for any items. (Updated Jan 2005)
Simply Outgrown
Tel 0208 801 0568
360 Lordship Lane, LONDON N17 7QX
Sale and purchase of good quality baby equipment.
Smilechild
Website www.smilechild.co.uk
Email customerservices@smilechild.co.uk
Freephone 0800 1956 982 (including orders) Tel/Fax 01579 383050
Unit 3, Callington Business Park, Tinners Way, Moss Side Industrial Est,
CALLINGTON, Cornwall PL17 7SH
Mail order and online supplies including cloth nappies, liners and accessories, wipes and creams, clearance items and extras.
Fairtrade and organic including clothes for children and adults, and playmats.
Other items include toy sack made of jute which is 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and recyclable like paper and cotton;
also strong, heat and fire resistant, and a natural fibre preventing soil erosion, saving seed and nurturing new vegetation. Tiny Toes gift certificate - 2 trees planted and maintained in a specially designated UK wood. Organic gardening kits and accessories.
Online magazine for parents and children with sections and items including education, home working, natural birth, and Radio 4 interview.
Sells Juno magazine (see 640 Magazines and periodicals) and New Consumer UK fair trade magazine
(see 410 Responsible Consumerism).
Low-allergen latex bottle teats with anti-colic ventilation valve.
Cosmetics and toddler accessories. Discussion area and suppliers' info including fair trade and organic.
Ethical Junction member. Order by phone or fax, 24hrs, 365 days a year (credit/debit cards).
(Updated Oct 2004)
Trade-In
Tel 0118 942 3479
266 Kentwood Hill, Tilehurst, READING, Berks RG31 6DR
Sale and purchase of quality used baby goods and clothing.