Babies"R"Us Identifies Growing Trend in Creating 'Green' Baby Registries

WAYNE, N.J., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- As more and more new moms make the choice to be environmentally-friendly, Babies"R"Us, the nation's premier baby products retailer, has identified a growing trend in baby registry influenced by today's eco-conscious lifestyles. In addition to the basics, such as bottles, bibs and bouncers, more moms are choosing to register for "green" items that are good for baby and the environment, including bedding and apparel made with organic cotton and dyes, a mattress made with organic cotton fill, organic food and environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies.

As the authority on baby products, Babies"R"Us maintains an ongoing dialogue with new and expectant moms to identify and stay at the forefront of trends. These unique insights into the shopping preferences of millions of parents have revealed that the momentum behind natural lifestyle choices has inspired a growth in the creation of "green" baby registries or registries populated with organic items. More than half of all first-time moms register with Babies"R"Us or Toys"R"Us when creating their "wish list" of everything they want and need for their baby.

"Setting up a baby registry is the first step new and expectant parents take when establishing their baby's environment. In the past, color and pattern were key determining factors, but now, parents are increasingly interested in ensuring that their baby's world is healthy and clean," said Tori Binau, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Babies"R"Us. "This has translated into a trend of creating 'green' registries featuring natural and organic items that are good for both baby and the planet."

Babies"R"Us has been at the forefront in bringing natural and organic items to the juvenile marketplace. The company's eco-smart offerings for baby have dramatically increased over the past two years to meet the needs of environmentally-conscious parents. Initially introduced in response to parents' requests for hypo-allergenic baby products, Babies"R"Us has expanded its "green" assortment to more than 300 items that today includes apparel, bedding, food, health and beauty aids, and cleaning products. These natural and organic items are offered in Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online at www.Babiesrus.com.

Below are examples of some of the most popular natural and organic products chosen by moms when building a "green" baby registry:

    -- Organic-certified baby/toddler food.  Organic food offered at
       Babies"R"Us, including pureed jar food, toddler snacks, milk and juice,
       from brands such as Gerber(R), Earth's Best(R), Horizon Organic(R) and
       Healthy Handfuls(R), is certified by the U.S. Department of
       Agriculture.  Mothers who choose to breastfeed to provide their babies
       with the most natural source of nutrition can find breastfeeding
       accessories at Babies"R"Us, including breast pumps for purchase and
       hospital-grade breast pumps by Medela(R) for rent from select stores.
    -- Organic cotton apparel.  Parents can choose to dress their baby in
       layette, one piece underwear, bodysuits, shirt and pant sets, caps,
       socks and sleep sacks made with cottons that are naturally grown and
       certified organic.  Featured brands include Koala Baby, which is
       exclusive to Babies"R"Us, Gerber(R) and Halo(R).
    -- Natural bedding.  Earth-friendly products provide a peaceful, gentle
       sleeping environment.  Offerings in this category include the Serta(R)
       Perfect Balance Mattress made with organic cotton fill and bedding made
       from organic cotton, such as the Nature's Purest(TM) "Hug Me"
       collection by Summer Infant(R) and the Bunny Meadow collection by Kids
       Line(TM).
    -- Environmentally-friendly cleaners for the nursery and home.  Cleaning
       products that don't contain toxins are gentle on the planet and safe
       for people, pets and the environment.  Babies"R"Us carries cleaning
       products that can be used for dishes, laundry, surfaces and bathrooms
       from brands such as Seventh Generation(R), Method(R) Home, Clorox(R)
       GreenWorks(TM), BabyGanics and Mrs. Meyers Clean Day(R).
    -- Eco-smart gear.  Whether eating in a high chair or relaxing in a swing,
       these products embrace baby in eco-smart gear.  The Nature's Purest(TM)
       "Hug Me" collection by Summer Infant(R), which includes a playard,
       bouncer and bassinet as well as a high chair and swing, features cotton
       produced without harmful pesticides, chemicals or dyes.
    -- Natural skin care.  Pure and natural personal care products such as
       lotions, balms and ointments from brands like Avalon Organics(R),
       Earth's Best(R), MethodBaby(TM), MethodKid(TM) and Weleda Baby keep
       baby's skin soft and clean.
    -- Chlorine-free diapers and wipes.  Parents can keep babies dry with
       hypo-allergenic diapers that are free of chlorine, fragrance and latex,
       as well as wipes moistened with natural aloe vera, vitamin E and water
       to cleanse gently and naturally, both from Seventh Generation(R).
    -- Organic baby care items.  Bath time, feeding time or bedtime, keep
       baby's environment natural with hooded towels, washcloths, bibs, burp
       cloths, blankets, infant wraps and a slipcover for the Boppy(R) pillow,
       all made with organically-grown cotton.  Babies"R"Us offers organic
       baby care items from Gerber(R), Bumkins(R) and Kiddopotamus(R).

Whether creating a "green" baby registry or populating one with organic items, signage in Babies"R"Us stores and online at www.Babiesrus.com helps parents easily identify products that will create an eco-friendly environment for their baby. Additionally, knowledgeable employees are available to guide registrants through the product assortment.

About Babies"R"Us

Babies"R"Us is the nation's premier baby products retailer and specialty store chain and a leader in the juvenile industry. Since opening its first store in Westbury, NY in early 1996, the company has grown to 260 locations nationwide. Babies"R"Us features a wide selection of products for newborns and infants, including cribs and furniture, car seats, strollers, formula, diapers, health and beauty aids, bedding, clothing for preemies through size 48 months, toys, and plenty of gift ideas in store and online at www.Babiesrus.com.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1500 stores, including 584 Toys"R"Us stores and 260 Babies"R"Us stores in the U.S., more than 680 international stores in 33 countries, which includes licensed and franchise stores, and through its Internet site at www.Toysrus.com.