We’ve seen all sorts of clever companies redesign the standard baby bottle — but these silicoe versions from Prince Lionheart are truly different.

Obviously, it’s got the bottle shape — but this is probably one of the first to replicate the tactile experience of breastfeeding. Additionally, they’re BPA, Phthalate, PVC latex and lead free — as well as unbreakable, microwave and dishwasher safe. They’re almost the perfect bottle. Here’s a bit more from the site:

Our silicone nipples have a one-way venting system reducing the incidence of these symptoms and have also been shown to reduce risk of middle ear infections. How it works: Most bottles with venting holes allow air into bottles as babies drink. Prince Lionheart‘s SILICONE bottle collapses as air is released giving baby a bubble-free bottle feeding, reducing the likelihood of colic reflux and spit-up.

You can pick up a 4oz pack of three here for $28.

We previously profiled Dandelion for their cool, new John Lennon stuffed animals collection. Now the company has caught our attention again with the release of a line of tableware products made entirely from corn. Instead of being derived from petroleum, these products are instead made using a corn bio-plastic that’s BPA-free, biodegradable and compostable. The creation of the corn-based utensils, plates, and bowls also takes less energy and creates less greenhouse gases than standard plastics.

Simply wash by hand and reuse — though we imagine throwing these things in the dishwasher probably wouldn’t be the best move. You can pick up a pack of 2 over at Dandelion for $7. Looks like there’s even a cool corn-based sippy cup in the works! Nice!

Want to turn that stainless steel water bottle into a sippy cup for your toddler? The folks over at Klean Kanteen are offering up some adapters from Avent that will convert your water bottle to a spill-proof, BPA-free, toddler-friendly version. The total package costs about $9. We love it just because it’s one more use for all those water bottles you might have lying around. Check it out here.

via re-nest

Flush with new seed funding, the popular Babylife brand has also undergone a name change to Lifefactory (which is a bit too industrial for us, but c’est la vie.). Alarm:Clock broke the news that the company raised $750K in additional funding — something that in this economy means good news for the green baby industry. Apparently, the company plans to diversify their current lineup beyond their bottle offerings — with an eye on products that are “are based on organic materials.”

I have one of Lifefactory’s “silicon sleeve” bottles at home and absolutely love it. It’s easy to grip, contains no toxins, and is less likely to shatter when dropped. In fact, the one time I did lose it (at 3:30AM, no less), it just bounced around the floor. So, it’s great to see that the company is surviving the tough times — and forging ahead with some potential new products. Maybe too they’ll drop the price of their $18 9oz bottles?

Check out the official site here.

The website for the Tilty Sippy Cup claims that their product is a “better sippy cup” — and checking out product testimonials and specs, the overwhelming opinion is that it’s true. We like Tilty from a health point of view because they’ve made sure their product is DYE Free, BPA Free, PVC Free, Pthalate Free, pure polypropylene, and is dishwasher safe. Quite a mouthful of unnecessary chemicals, right?

In terms of the actual design, Tilty says that theirs is the best sippy cup ever. How come? A recent blog post on the official site gives us some insight:

Tilty’s patent pending angled wall makes the amount of tilt required to drink or finish the fluids much less. A Tilty™ can be finished without tipping the cup past half way. The mechanics (the hand to the mouth and the raising the arm/hand to tilt the cup to drink) is totally different. Little ones with Tilty’s don’t tip their heads back all the way, they finish their drink completely more often, and they can use it in a stroller or car seat with ease. When they graduate to big cups they don’t make as much of a mess (hard to measure, but we have had testimonies to it).

I haven’t had any experiences with Tilty (my infant is only 4 months old) — but most people seem to like it. The only exception I can find is a recent comment on OhdeeOh from a mom that disputes the “best ever” claim. She writes,

“I really thought these would be the BEST sippy cups, but I personally can’t stand them. I have issues with leaking if i don’t close them correctly, which happens a ton, especially when there’s a toddler who’s positively DYING of thirst [sarcasm] and I’m frazzled. They also hold very little liquid, and if you’ve got a thirsty bean like I do, you’ll be making quite a few cups during the day.”

Anyone else have experiences with Tilty? Check out their official website here — or pick up a pack for $6 here.

High chairs are an absolute must for every parent, but rare is the design that can actually adapt with the years. Thankfully, the Tripp Trapp from Stokke solves this problem with a modern take on the high chair that is not only eco-friendly, but can withstand years of abuse (and thrown food.) It’s so versatile that your child may actually go to using it for their first meals to using it for studying for college exams! Some additional details from the site:

Designed with sustainability in mind, the Tripp Trapp can support up to 300 pounds. The key to the Stokke Tripp Trapp’s utility is its adjustable seat and footrest. Adults naturally rest their feet on the ground when sitting, but child-sized legs dangle from seats, resulting in a lack of balance and support. The Tripp Trapp’s adjustable footrest provides stability and allows children to shift their weight to promote good posture and optimal comfort. To seat teens and adults, simply remove the footrest and adjust the seat for proper positioning.

A brilliant design — and one that truly embraces the idea that as a society we should look to waste less and invest in long-lasting, quality products. On the green front, the Tripp Trapp is made out of eco-friendly cultivated beech wood and contains formaldehyde free varnish and recyclable plastic. For more information — or to purchase — jump here.

via SAFBaby

I spied this great product today and thought it worth mentioning for all the parents out there just getting started with breastfeeding. When our child first started breastfeeding, he wasn’t that great at it — and we were concerned he might start preferring the nipple of a bottle over that of mom. Thankfully, he’s managed both just fine, but with the Adiri Natural Nurser, you might avoid such confusion altogether.

According to the site, this different type of bottle was developed with the help of “doctors, moms and lactation consultants”. Not only does the design help reduce air-ingestion, but the bottle itself is also made from 100% polycarbonate-free and BPA-free materials. “I breastfeed my baby and recently tried giving her a bottle so when I leave my mother can still feed her,” said one reviewer on the Earth Baby site. “I tried so many other bottles, but this is the only one that worked! She took right to it. Its great for breastfeeding babies because of its unique shape. Love it!”

Although, sometimes ingenuity can get the best of us, as one mom mentioned. “Those bottles are very cute and really similar to mother’s breast. But the way of using it is really different, you have to pour the milk in from the bottom, and sometime I forgot this especially at middle of the night.” Sleep-deprived moms and dads — take note!

You can purchase an Adiri Natural Nurser (80z) here for $11.99 each.

If you’re looking for a great alternative to plastic forks and spoons, the bamboo kid’s cutlery from Bambu Boutique is a great place to start. They have some nice sets of spoons, forks, cooking utensils — and even sporks — for little hands of all ages.

All of the items are harvested from sustainably grown bamboo in China and finished with a food safe oil. Bambu Boutique does a nice job explaining the entire process in a photo essay on their site. For mom and dad, there are also some great adult-bamboo kitchen items to help move things along with the little ones.

Have a look at their full line here.

via lilsugar

My kid is still on formula and breast, so this list from Babble of the Top 5 Organic Baby Foods has yet to make an impression. However, if you’re in the midst of a feeding jarred baby food frenzy, this list is sure to help decide which organic brands to try.

Coming out on top was the Healthy Times brand — which Babble described as “convenient, flavorful and well-priced”. Right behind was Homemade Baby which comes in handy “tubs” but “takes up valuable fridge space and cost twice as much as some jarred food.”

Jump here to check out the full list. Have a favorite brand that didn’t make it? Let us know below!

Much as we try to reuse our plastic zip snack bags, my family is generally guilty of chucking them after two uses. We’re trying to get better — but the reusable cloth bags from Plum Creek Mercantile might be the way to get us there faster.

The great thing about their line of cotton bags is that a.) they come in various sizes and b.) they can be washed and reused. Now, you can save money (and reduce your impact) by putting Junior’s cookies in a cloth snack bag rather than a plastic one. From their website,

These bags are made of 100% cotton denim. These bags can be machine washed and dried or handwashed with the dinner dishes and hung to dry for use the next morning. Each bag has a strong and secure hook and loop closure, yet easy enough for even the littlest of hands to open.

Plum Creek Mercantile also carries a line of laundry bags and complete lunch box sets. Have a look at the website here.

via Inhabitots