From the Lily Pad

The Verdling Blog

Research-backed reads on organic baby products, certifications, nursery safety, and how to cut through the marketing noise.

Newborn Essentials

The Only Newborn Essentials List You Actually Need

The baby industry wants you to buy everything. Here's the short, research-backed list, focused on what has the most contact with your baby's body.

Research

Organic vs. Conventional: What the Research Actually Says

From pesticide metabolites in urine to 94% fewer CO₂ emissions from organic cotton, the data behind the organic vs. conventional debate.

Labels & Certifications

GOTS, OEKO-TEX, MADE SAFE: What Certifications Actually Mean

There are a lot of logos on baby products. Some are real. Some are internal marketing badges designed to look like them. Here's how to tell the difference.

Nursery

How to Set Up a Non-Toxic Nursery

VOCs from furniture, PFAS in mattress covers, and which houseplants are actually safe, a practical guide to your baby's room.

Skincare

Baby Skincare 101: What to Skip and What to Use Instead

Parabens, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, oxybenzone. Here's a plain-language guide to the ingredients worth avoiding in baby products.

Consumer Smarts

How to Spot Greenwashing in Baby Products

Five tactics brands use to appear eco-friendly without actually being it, including red herrings, vague language, fake badges, and more.

Diapering

Cloth vs. Eco-Disposable Diapers: How to Actually Choose

Your baby will go through roughly 8,000 diapers. Here's the honest breakdown on costs, environmental tradeoffs, PFAS concerns, and the hybrid approach most families land on.

Diapering

How to Actually Do Cloth Diapers at Home

The practical setup nobody walks you through: which fabrics to use, the diaper sprayer, dry pail storage, cloth-safe detergent, and which balms won't ruin your diapers.

Research

"Forever Chemicals" and Your Baby: What You Need to Know in 2026

A 2026 study found 42 different PFAS chemicals in umbilical cord blood. Here's where PFAS show up in baby products and what you can do about it.

Research

Why Preemies Absorb More Toxins Than Full-Term Babies

Before 34 weeks, the skin barrier that limits chemical absorption is incomplete or absent. Here's the science behind why every product decision matters more for a preemie.

Preemie

The Organic NICU Checklist: What to Pack for Your Preemie

GOTS-certified clothing specs, organic oils proven to reduce sepsis by 41%, and the exact questions to ask your care team about DEHP-free equipment.