Turn your baby green

Concern about pesticides has given birth to numerous organic baby food outlets. Try Hipp Organic (www.hipp.co.uk) and Organix (www.babyorganix.co.uk).

'Non-processed, fresh food is always going to be healthier,' says Tanyia Maxted-Frost, author of The Organic Baby Book (Green Books). 'Look at what's in season and what's produced locally. The distance food has travelled has an environmental impact too.'

But buying organic is not cheap: 'If you're on a budget, go for the staples: organic milk, potatoes, rice and bread,' says Maxted-Frost.

Clothes

'Because babies grow so incredibly fast, kids will only be in clothes for three months,' says Nicola Baird. 'If you borrow clothes and buy from a secondhand shop, you are not producing a consumer drive.'

The National Childbirth Trust has nearly-new sales; if you have to buy new, check out organic clothing websites such as www.greenfibres.com and www.naturalclothing.co.uk

Toiletries

From Organic Hibiscus Bubble Bath to Natural Red Clover Nappy Care Cream, Earth Friendly Baby (www.healthquest.co.uk ) has a number of natural alternatives to baby toiletries. But it comes at a price: the Natural Camomile Shampoo & Bodywash (251ml) costs £3.99, compared with Johnson's 300ml Baby Camomile Shampoo (£1.89 at Tesco).

Check out the Ethical Consumer Research Association's website, www.ethiscore.org, which rates companies against 15 environmental, animal welfare and human rights issues.

Toys

Organic, natural and fair-trade website www.smilechild.co.uk has a toys section, including an organic play mat (not cheap at £48), a rattle finished with natural oils (£6.99) and recycled stationery products (from £2.50).

Travel

Emma Hiwaizi, co-editor of the natural parenting magazine Juno , suggests using a sling to carry babies until a buggy becomes necessary. Check out the website www.freerangekids.co.uk. It stocks organic cotton adjustable slings at £41.99.

Try to obtain a second-hand buggy from friends, or check www.freecycle.org. Freecycle is an international movement of local recycling networks and allows members to give - and receive - unwanted items.

Children's parties

'Parents spend an absolute fortune on children's parties - and on a lot of tat, to be honest,' says Nicola Baird. She suggests making your own fairy cakes and decorating them at the party. Plastic party bags are a particular concern: 'Bendy plastic has phthalates in it, which [as tests on animals have shown] is associated with hormone change.'

Savings

Banks such as Triodos and the Co-operative Bank offer 'ethical' savings accounts, but interest rates are not the best on the market. The Triodos Young Saver account pays up to 3.78 per cent, plus a bonus of 1 per cent after five, eight and 10 years. It pays an annual 0.25 per cent of account balances to charity. The Triodos Group - of which the bank is part - has financed more than 150 wind farm projects.

The Co-operative Bank's Children's Account pays up to 4.5 per cent, plus an annual bonus of £10. Savers receive free educational gifts and donations are made to conservation charity The Born Free Foundation.

The Ethical Investment Research Service (www.eiris.org) can to direct you to an ethical independent financial adviser.