Dirty diapers: they’re an inevitable part of the parental landscape for at least the first two years of your little charmer’s existence, but is there a way to contain such a mess that’s clean-n-green? More than one, in fact. Here’s a quick rundown of local eco-options:

Option 1: Disposable but Decent. Yes, they clog the landfill just like Huggies, but for travel or daycare, several brands of unscented, unbleached, and chlorine-free disposables do the trick. Readily available at New Seasons and Fred Meyer is the Seventh Generation range; another line to look for is Tushies, which bears the distinction of no sodium polyacrylate (aka: those little absorbent gel beads).

Option 2: The Hybrid Model. Created by a local (by way of Australia) family, gDiapers ($2 off coupon in the Chinook Book) are an innovative cross between disposables and more traditional cloth. How they work: you invest in a breathable, reusable cloth pant with a snap-in liner, and then add biodegradable inserts to contain the messy stuff – which you can compost, or simply flush after a brief swish in the toilet with what looks like a giant swizzle stick. A bit pricey compared to the totally disposable route, but easy to find at New Seasons, Wild Oats, and Fred Meyer.

Option 3: Full Service. Portland is one of a handful of cities in the US lucky enough to still have a diaper service in operation. Sign up with Tidee Didee, and each week they’ll bring you freshly-laundered cloth diapers and pick up your pail of … err, fragrant, ones. You’ll need to purchase your own covers, but the service has economical package deals.

Option 4: DIY (Diaper It Yourself). This choice can be either the most money-saving, or the least, depending on how much you indulge in the coveting of “fluff,” as cloth addicts call it. Either way, buying a custom diaper layette and washing at home is rapidly-growing in popularity amongst eco-minded. Here again, Portland is amazingly fortunate in that it has not one, but four, stores in the area.

Babyworks in NW is the matriarch of the bunch, having been in business since the 1980s, way before cloth diapering got trendy, and while their storefront hours are limited, their catalog remains a treasure trove of information. Mother Nature’s in SE has harder-to-find items like BumGenius one-size diapers, while NE-based Milagros offers gently used diapers on at reduced prices for budget-minded parents, as well as a thoughtful selection of products from WAHM-owned local businesses. One such business, which recently branched out from selling at Milagros into its own North Portland retail space, is Zoom Baby Gear, which offers hand-stitched diapers and covers in funky fabrics.

From the first moment that little hand reaches for a bite off mama or daddy’s plate, health- and planet-conscious parents must face the question: What now? Sure, it’s fairly easy to steam and mash an extra pint-size portion of carrots if they’re handy, but how about when you’re traveling, or when tonight’s dinner is allergy-causing, peanut-laden pad thai?

Thankfully, organic, sugar/salt/preservative-free options abound – and they don’t require busy, hard-working parents to spend hours in the kitchen grinding grains and pureeing root veggies a la the masochist’s pablum bible, Super Baby Food. A sampling of what’s on the menu:

Option 1: Jarred and at the Ready. Okay, purists may scoff at this one, but a great choice to toss in the diaper bag while on the road. Earth’s Best (see www.earthsbest.com for coupon offers) is the oldest (20 years strong) and most widely-available organic jarred food manufacturer, both in terms of selection and presence on supermarket shelves, but other brands at New Seasons include Organic Baby and Healthy Times. On a budget? Fred Meyer stocks a similar range in its Naturally Preferred line of organic products, at super-competitive prices (especially on sale).

Option 2: Freshly Frozen. Wish you had the time to do the mash-and-stash routine? This new-to-the-market concept is for you. Basically, you buy pre-frozen, kiddo-portioned cubes of fruit, veggie, and lentil blends, then defrost as you need. Options available at New Seasons include locally-owned Nice Cubes and Happy Baby-- or, if you’re a Whole Foods fan, check out similar offerings from Plum.

Option 3: Straight to Your Door, Baby. Gaia Baby Food is a slick new service from a local mom that offers the best of all possible worlds – organic baby food that’s fresh, local, seasonal, and delivered. Online ordering allows you to select up to two deliveries a week, and the service range covers the majority of the Portland metro area (or, alternately, you can pick up your little darling’s gourmet broccoli gratin from the company’s Tigard kitchen).

With that trifecta of conscientious and convenient options, there’s no need to sweat it in your own kitchen anymore – at least not for Junior – but should your inner domestic goddess decide to give the grain mill a spin, www.superbabyfood.com has everything you ever wanted to know. And then some. More...