There are mothers who wear their fingers to the bone making needlepoint pegasus costumes that actually take flight while their kids trick-or-treat. We, on the other hand, advocate a full slacker approach to costuming kids that combines resourcefulness, creativity, and humor. Pictured below are a real life “swimming bear” and “cold weather bandit,” obviously the offspring of genius parents!

If you have spent months crafting a paper mache dinosaur costume for your two year old, more power to you! If you are scrambling around the house for a costume in the few hours before the big event, fear not! We at Green Baby Guide have loads of ideas. Here are some brilliant DIY costume ideas contributed from Rebecca in a past post:

• Hobo. This is a DIY classic, and easy to pull off using Dad’s beloved pilled sweaters and garish ties from 7th grade. With a little ingenuity, “hobo baby” could also be accomplished with the contents of his or her own wardrobe.
• Ragamuffin. Variation of hobo, above.
• Hippie. Another classic. “Hippie baby” would be especially funny if you could find some miniature John Lennon glasses to complete the look. Try tie-dying some baby’s old white onesies using grape juice. (Note: I have not actually tried this, but I am only partially kidding.)
• Swimming bear. All you need for this ensemble is a bear hat and swimming suit, which can be pulled over several layers of warm clothing. My cousin thought this one up herself in her younger years.
• Cold-weather bandit. As you can see from the photo, you will need a parka, some patterned pants, a Zorro mask, and a cape.
• Robot. Dress your child in gray clothes and affix a metal colander or sieve on his head. Voila!
• Glad bag. This same ingenious cousin who invented the “swimming bear” decided to masquerade as a garbage bag one year. In this day and age, it may be better to go as a canvas bag instead.

We also have family costume ideas, Last minute DIY costume ideas for babies and kids, and last minute maternity costume ideas.

But perhaps our favorite green, diaper-less costume of all time is utterly simple, utterly adorable, and utterly impractical. Just toss your naked baby into a carved pumpkin! It’s a compostable diaper that’s really quite festive… Happy Halloween!

We’ve had many brushes with fame in our four years of blogging, but were honored to be quoted in a Huffington Post article on BPA Monday. I was interviewed about the delicate balance between fear and ignorance in the midst of recent BPA studies. (The quote and link are in the last few paragraphs of the article.)

It was also a delight to see that our book, The Eco-nomical Baby Guide, was favorably reviewed in Eugene Magazine. Through all of the three years that we wrote and rewrote that manuscript, we tried to keep the tone educational, humorous, and humble. It was a quite validating that Emily Grosvenor’s review agreed with our intentions. She writes, “The authors tackle some of the hairiest topics of green babying–cloth diapering, making your own baby food, and buying recycled baby furniture and gear–while avoiding the kind of language that can easily turn conversations on these subjects into Mommy Wars.” How lovely to be recognized for writing a book that focuses on green progress instead of perfection.

It may seem a bit arrogant to share all our recent press, but about 99% of our efforts are unheralded. The thousands of hours that we have invested in writing the book and the blog happen during naptime, or with our child tucked into our lap while the laundry spins in the washer and the pumpkin bread burns in the oven. It’s a lot of slogging, with only brief moments of semi-fame. Thanks for celebrating with us when they (very rarely) occur!

Our weekend in photos:

Although I really wanted to cloth diaper, I was haunted my myths that I kept hearing from non-cloth diapering moms. Luckily I had Rebecca, who guided me through the world of cloth diapers and later became my co-author and co-blogger here at Greenbabyguide.com. Now we can support other new parents by dispelling some of those cloth diapering myths that we found to be utterly untrue.

Myth #1: You’ll have to use pins and plastic pants.
When I tell people that I cloth diapered my children, it’s amazing how many of them say they just couldn’t imagine having to use pins with small infants. I show them pictures of the hourglass design and velcro and snap closures and they are amazed.

Myth #2: Cloth Diapering is very expensive in the beginning.
I was worried about spending a few hundred dollars on cloth diapering, only to find out that I couldn’t manage the laundry (another myth) or that the diapers were the wrong fit for my baby. Rebecca helped me clear this hurdle when she took me to a consignment shop where I picked out some gently used super whisper wraps and a half dozen other diaper covers for just one dollar each. I then bought three dozen gently used cotton prefolds from a diaper service and was ready to go with only a thirty dollar investment. (Note: Many of our readers have shared that Jillian’s Drawers allows you a no-risk cloth diaper trial for only ten bucks. They’re also tremendously supportive for trouble shooting.)

Myth #3: Cloth diapering is more complicated and labor intensive than disposable diapering.
Rebecca and I are self-confessed slackers. The diaper laundering systems that we used in our households are not rocket science and require very little effort. (We go over this system in detail in our book, The Eco-nomical Baby Guide.) The very best part of cloth diapering is never having to strap your screaming infant into a car seat to go buy diapers. What a relief to have everything you need at home!

Myth #4: You need to choose one cloth diapering system and stick with it.
I agonized over whether to use prefolds or all-in-one diapers, and after careful research, I chose prefolds. (For this reason, we include graphs, cost comparisons, and illustrations in The Eco-nomical Baby Guide for those parents who want to understand their cloth diapering and hybrid diapering options.) Prefolds worked just fine, but when I was sent a batch of FuzziBunz pocket diapers, I fell in love. Then some friends gave me their BumGenius all in ones, and I saw how convenient they were. In short, different types of diapers work best in different situations and it’s perfectly fine to have a mix of diapers. Why limit yourself?

Myth #5: Cloth diapering is less eco-friendly than using disposables.
Intuitively we all know that washing and reusing something is more eco-friendly than tossing it in the landfill. In The Eco-nomical Baby Guide, we take a careful look at recent studies and provide detailed comparisons of cloth and disposables. We also show how using the right washing methods can cut down dramatically on environmental impact and share how hybrid diapers and greener disposables fit into the mix.

Myth #6: You have to choose between cloth or disposable diapers.
Sometimes families shy away from cloth diapering because then they think it requires a total commitment. A good percentage of our readers use cloth diapers exclusively but some families use cloth during the day and disposables at night while others use disposables about half of the time. In truth, using cloth even part of the time saves money and trash. Hybrid diapers such as Grovia Diapers and g-Diapers incorporate both disposable and cloth options, making them an appealing choice as well.

Now that I’m on the other side of cloth diapering apprehension, it’s fun to see how people don’t seem to know how incredibly easy cloth diapering has become. As a result, people look at me with admiration and awe while I perform a cloth diaper change in a public bathroom. I didn’t imagine that cloth diapering would make me appear to be a genius while changing a poopy diaper, but I don’t mind it either.

Have you dispelled any myths while using cloth diapers? Have you found them to be far easier or more challenging than you first imagined?

Cloth Diapering Kits usually help parents save money by buying in bulk, but are they worth it? It depends. I would never recommend buying a kit without the chance to actually hold the diapers and see how they work on your baby. Every brand is unique and each child’s body wears a diaper differently. Still, if you have tried a company’s cloth diapering system and absolutely love it, cloth diapering starter kits are a good way to save money while stocking up.

Bummis Organic Cotton Diaper Kit is currently on sale for $152.10 and comes in either the infant or the baby size. The baby size includes 18 organic cotton prefold diapers, two Super Whisper Wraps and many more handy pieces of cloth diapering gear.

Grovia’s Hybrid Diapering System Starter Kit is about $200 and includes six cloth diapers along with 150 eco-friendly disposable inserts. It’s a nice choice for a family that wants a greener option than disposables but doesn’t want to exclusively use cloth.

The Trend Lab Cloth Diaper Starter Pack for boys comes in at just under a hundred dollars and is one of the top selling cloth diapering kits. It includes five cloth diaper shells with liners along with an additional pack of blue diaper liners, a matching changing pad, and a “dirty duds” zippered pouch.

CuteyBaby’s Modern Cloth Diaper Starter Kit is just $139 and offers diapers that adjust for babies between 20 and 40 pounds. The kit includes six diapers, two rolls of flushable diaper liners, and a magnetic closure to keep velcro tabs safe while you launder the diapers.

The Sprout Change Cloth Diaper Super Saver Starter Kit isn’t exactly a kit, since it just includes one diaper, but it is incredibly reasonable at just 37 bucks. Not a bad baby shower gift! It includes just one diaper that fits babies from five to 40 pounds with an organic cotton sleeve and an organic hemp/cotton fleece insert.

Did you end up investing in a cloth diapering kit? How satisfied were you with the product? Would you do it again?

By the way, if you find yourself completely lost in cloth diaper lingo, check out our book The Eco-nomical Baby Guide. It includes plenty of visuals, cost comparisons, and references to guide you through the vast vocabulary of greener diapering options.

Maybe one of these years I’ll think of a truly creative Halloween costume idea for my child and spend my whole summer putting it together. But not this year. Audrey has decided to be a princess (again). At our favorite consignment store, I found this dress for $4.50. After mending a torn ruffle and safety-pinning a piece of Velcro back in place, it’s ready for some serious trick-or-treating.

Need more of our favorite eco-friendly Halloween costume ideas for babies and kids? Look no further!

Our Favorite DIY Halloween Costumes of 2010

Last-minute DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Babies and Kids

DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids and Babies

What are Your DIY Halloween Costume Ideas?

Family Themed Halloween Costume Ideas

The Saturday Question: What are Your Best DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Baby?

The Two Dollar Halloween Costume

Your infant sleeps for hours on end each day. (Not in a row, but still….) How important is it to choose an organic sleeping surface for baby? And why are there so many concerns about traditional crib mattresses?

In our book, The Eco-nomical Baby Guide, we thoroughly explain why many families opt for organic crib mattresses, despite their extra expense. Although we’re big believers in reducing, repurposing, and buying used baby gear, an organic crib mattress is one of the two items that we recommend parents purchase new. Still, there are some critical questions to consider before you invest in a secure place for baby’s (fleeting) sleep.

Are you going to co-sleep?
If you’re planning on bringing baby to bed with you for the first few months or even years, you may want to think about buying a queen or king sized organic mattress for your bed instead.

Are you having your first child?
While it’s tough to shell out the extra cash for an organic crib mattress, you may have other children who will benefit from it as well. If you convert it to a toddler bed down the line, you can get several years of use out of it.

Can you afford it?
We should point out that organic crib mattresses have really come down in price. Pictured above are the LA Baby Organic Cotton Crib Mattress on sale for just over a hundred dollars and The Sealy Naturalis Mattress with Organic Cotton also on sale for just under a hundred bucks.

If the expense is still an obstacle, consider using an Organic Waterproof Crib Cover or Naturepedic’s Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad. They will at least provide a natural barrier between baby and the crib mattress.

An organic crib mattress can be expensive is a great item to request for a baby shower or family gift. Everyone can pitch in a bit of cash and you’ll receive a quality organic mattress and maybe a whole cloth diaper kit too! Have you opted to go with an organic mattress? Why or why not?

So you read What’s in your diaper bag? and learned that I survived those early days of motherhood without a diaper bag. Then you stuck around for Retiring the Diaper Bag and Diaper Bag Alternatives and decided you really don’t feel like spending years substituting a Ziploc bag for something, well, nicer. What is a fashion-conscious, eco-conscious new parent to do? Here are some of the most popular eco-diaper bags on the market:

Petunia Pickle Bottom organic cotton diaper bag ($115)

ErgoBaby Organic backpack ($64.55)

OiOi Baby Ikate Diaper bag ($139), made with 100% organic cotton.

Diaper Dude diaper bag ($88)

Amy Butler diaper bag ($250)

DadGear diaper bags (from $78)

If you have a favorite diaper bag, let us know all about it in the comments!

Just what do you need for a green halloween? Very little! Construction paper, lunch bags, and string can quickly transform into jack-o-lanterns, candle-light luminaries, and spider webs. The fruits of fall harvest also provide delightful decoration options with pumpkins, acorns, gourds, and apples.

Not spooky enough for you? Hit up your local thrift store for creepy treasures at cut-rate prices. You’ll be recycling, supporting a local charity, and getting gently used decorations that will work for years.

Are there any eco-friendly Halloween products worth buying? Eco Green Crafts Witchy Halloween Stamps are made from recycled rubber and have a lovely vintage appeal.

You can also use your food to spruce up the atmosphere. Think orange and black items such as carrot sticks and olives or licorice sticks and pumpkin bars.

Or decorate yourself! Become a fashion-forward green advocate by dressing up in a recycling bin costume. (Which could easily be homemade!)

If you’d like to creatively craft your own decorations, check out some of our best Halloween decoration posts:

• How to Make a Simple Paper Spider in its Web: More DIY Halloween Decorations
• A Creepy, Crawly DIY Halloween Craft: Another Paper Spider in Its Web
• The Easiest Halloween Craft in the World: A DIY Paper Jack-o-Lantern
• Thrifty Green Halloween: Enjoying a Fun and Eco-Friendly Holiday

What are you giving for Halloween this year? There are options outside of the traditional candy wrapper and sometimes kids actually prefer them. Our readers have shared time and again that children love having choices.

Some of my favorite ideas are simple and time tested. A bowl of pennies, Halloween stickers, and Halloween pencils is a fun alternative to pure sugar and kids get the chance to choose a few of their favorites. You can even throw in marbles or beads, as long as you make sure to tell the children that they aren’t edible!

I’m tempted to order a 72 pack of Halloween Glitter Tattoos for just $6.50. They’d be a spectacular addition to that bowl of prizes and end up costing less than ten cents each. (And even our teenage trick-or-treaters would love them.)

If you would like to have a few snacks thrown into the mix, there are some healthy options that beat out mainstream treats.

Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks make a nice snack, but they end up costing about 80 cents a bag. Still, if you’re going with the “big bowl of goodies” theme, you can throw a few of these in without breaking the bank.

On the other end of the cost spectrum, Sun-Maid Raisin Mini Snacks cost approximately 5 cents a box when you buy them in bulk on amazon. (A 9 pack of bags with 14 mini-boxes comes in at 21.39, which provides you with 126 mini boxes.)

Stretch Island Summer Strawberry Fruit Leatheris all natural, 100% fruit and costs $12.80 for a 30 pack.

Have I missed any simple Halloween treat options? What are you planning on offering your costumed visitors this year? I’m going to have more trick-or-treators than ever so I’d better start stocking up!

***This post was accidentally published early on Friday before I had finished, but when I read Larisa’s comment I was thrilled. Clean out your kids’ random plastic loot while stocking your goodie bowl! Genius!

I was also thinking of ransacking my huge collection of foreign coins that are currently buried at the bottom of our junk drawer. Kids would be thrilled to get a japanese yen, and since they’re about 100 yen to a dollar, it’s maybe even worth going to a bank to get a few rolls. We could pass out beautiful coins with a hole in the middle to fascinated kids. That would be the treasure they’d cherish most all evening! (Especially once their blood sugar levels out and the candy wrappers all end up in the trash….)