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Be By Baby1654 W. Roscoe St., Chicago, 773-404-2229 bebybaby.com *Gift registry *Classes and events
Be By Baby sees mothers through pregnancy to their baby’s toddler years. Many items are organic, and the shop is dedicated to advocating breastfeeding, attachment parenting, and supporting parents who are navigating both. Maternity clothing is carried from Japanese Weekend and Maternal America, as well as organic skincare products aimed toward pregnant moms. Practical merch includes nursing bras, diaper bags, and slings (the staff will provide instruction because they can be tricky for beginners). The rest of the shop is dedicated to baby—organic clothing, wooden toys, Think Baby bottles, and a huge selection of cloth diapers. A classroom space in the back plays host to many events, including babywearing classes, attachment parenting meetings, and breastfeeding clinics.
Bellybum Boutique 4347 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 773-868-0944 bellybumboutique.com *Gift registry *Free gift wrap *Classes and eventsBellybum caters to expectant and new moms with its mix of maternity wear, baby clothing and gear, and classes and resources for parents—all with an eco-friendly bent. Expectant moms can shop maternity wear from Ingrid & Isabel, Japanese Weekend, and Maternal America, as well as transition wear for those first months pre- and post-pregnancy. (The Yummie Mummie Tank with smoothing panels is a godsend.) Baby clothing is bright and graphic, such as Babylegs tights and Angel Dear dresses. Also shop nursing bras, Earth Mama skincare, cloth diapers, diaper bags, slings, and iCandy strollers. Take advantage of the classes and resources for pregnancy, parenting, breastfeeding, and green living.
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Comfy Bummy Diapers
231 S. Washington St., Naperville, 630-428-7900
comfybummy.com
*Gift registry
A cloth diaper boutique that stocks a superstore variety of covers including fitted diapers, all-in-ones, eco-disposable, and cloth diapers from brands like Fuzzi Bunz, bumGenius, Happy Heiny’s, and Tushis, among others, as well as accessories like diaper inserts, sprayers, and pails. The in-store selection also includes diaper bags, slings, swaddling blankets, bibs, and wooden toys.
Cutie Poops and Bottoms 14910 S. Lagrange Rd., Orland Park, 708-873-4588 cutiepoopsandbottoms.com *Gift registry *Classes and eventsThe south suburban cloth diapering experts. Cutie Poops carries all varieties of cloth diapers and allows newbies a 21-day diaper trial—take several styles home and see what works best. The rest of the selection is earth-friendly and organic including detergent, swim diapers, slings, natural skincare, bottles, nursing accessories, organic layette, Haba baby toys, and organic plush toys. A classroom space in the rear of the store plays host to classes on cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and other special events, and is available to rent for showers. Private diaper parties, belly casting parties, and custom gift baskets also available.
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Fluff Envy 1345 N. LaFox, South Elgin, 847-931-9105 fluffenvy.com *Gift registry *Classes and eventsA huge selection of cloth diapers and hybrid diapers from bumGenius, Rumparooz, FuzziBunz, Happy Heinys, among others, with different styles of closures. Also in store are cloth diaper accessories, natural laundry detergent, slings and carriers, swaddling blankets, and other fun gifts. Check online for a schedule of cloth diapering and babywearing classes.
Fly Right Gifts 6902 Windsor Ave., Berwyn, 708-484-7899 flyrightgifts.comAn eco-friendly gift shop that carries natural home cleaners, natural bath and body products like Nature Baby Organics, Melissa and Doug toys, and even organic lollipops.
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Green Genes 5111 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-944-9250 green-genes.com *Free gift wrapGreen Genes is not only green, but one of the city’s best baby and kid stores to boot. Everything in store has passed an eco-friendly test: organic swaddle suits and soft soy T-shirts, bamboo forks, knives, and plates, LifeFactory glass bottles, Ergo carriers, flushable gDiapers, and environmentally-safe cleaning products. On the fun side, wooden blocks, Plan Toys dollhouses, Green Toys trucks, and a line of plushies—Sweater Gal and Sweater Dude, hand sewn by co-owner Heather Muenstermann from repurposed wool sweaters. Another bonus? The wonderful artwork, including a unique service that will turn your kid’s drawing into a sewed appliqué piece of art.
Green Home Experts 811 South Blvd., Oak Park, 708-660-1443 ghexperts.comThe specialty here is eco-friendly building and home products, like flooring, low VOC paint, mattresses, and Meyer’s cleaning supplies. The children selection includes Bambu feeding supplies, bleach-free natural diapers, and Green Toys.
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Sprout San Francisco 1943 W. Divison St., Chicago, 773-489-0009 sproutsanfrancisco.com *Gift registry *Nursery design servicesWicker Park’s one-stop for non-toxic and organic products, stocking only merchandise that meets exacting green criteria. The Chicago location is the third nationwide spot after San Francisco and New York, and the mini-chain is the brainchild of founder Suzanne Price, a former equity research analyst who worked in the green living sector. Once she started her own family, she used her expertise to open a San Francisco shop that brought together organic consumer products for parents who wanted to create a nontoxic environment for children. Stop by to shop for solid wood furniture from Kalon, organic mattresses, crib bedding, super soft organic clothing, Orbit strollers, Lifefactory glass bottles, and wooden toys. As a bonus for neighborhood parents, the store has a play area in the back (adorably separated with a picket fence and adorned with a chalkboard wall) that plays host to music classes and story time.