When your kids don’t sleep, you don’t sleep. Healthy rest for the entire family is essential for a healthy and happy home. So if your midnight hours feel more like the night of the living dead, take comfort in knowing there are solutions out there.
Five Unforgettable Moments at Under the Nile
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1. Becoming Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and National Organic Program (NOP) certified. This is a moment I will never forget. It took an enormous amount of work to...
Reflections: Our First Trade Show (...was a lot smokier than expected)
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Then there was the smoke. T he entire hall was filled with marijuana smoke, from floor to ceiling. Everyone was smoking marijuana in the aisles of the booths. We had no idea what we got ourselves into!
How Under the Nile and our Factory Came Together
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A Mom on a Mission
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25 years ago a mom searched for clothes that wouldn’t irritate her babies’ skin. The more she researched, the more she realized that there was an unfulfilled need. With a background in fashion design and production, she became convinced that she had to start her own organic cotton clothing company that would benefit not only her children, but all children.
Toys named for our Family and Friends
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Since the beginning of Under the Nile I have always enjoyed naming our toys after our family and friends. The very first doll I designed was named after my oldest...
New Bigger Sizes
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At Under the Nile, we are known for our super soft baby layettes, gowns, side snap kimonos, bodysuits and sleep sacs, but what are you to do once your little...
Why You Love Our Reusable Organic Cotton Training Pants
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The very first collection of clothing that I designed for Under the Nile were basics - like undies, undershirts, and pajamas. At the time there were not any other companies who were making cotton...
Giving Back Tuesday x International Institute of St. Louis Interview
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Every year for Giving Back Tuesday I choose an organization that Under the Nile donates to. This year I have chosen the International Institute of St. Louis. With the influx...
Playtime with Lulu | Lovies are for Toddlers too!
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No matter how old your little ones are, our toys can be enjoyed by all ages.
Fresh Organic Produce is for Everyone!
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Located just steps away from our factory in Egypt, in the center of the farm, is a general store where employees, locals, and visitors can purchase staples for the week...
A Solar Powered Farm in the Middle of the Desert
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The Wahat Farm is located in the white desert of the Bahareya Oasis in Northern Egypt. The vision of the Wahat Farm project was to reclaim barren land in the middle of the desert, turning it into fertile soil and a thriving community with sustainable farming. This vision has become a reality: the Wahat farm has been up and running for the past five years!
No More Plastic Swift Tags
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Under the Nile is constantly evolving as a company, and our sustainability practices are no different. Each year we find new ways to improve and set company-wide goals to bring...
Back to Egypt
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After two very long years unable to travel to our partner farm in Egypt, I've missed being on the busy production floor, brainstorming with my amazing team, and developing new products. So - I purchased a ticket, stocked up on face masks and away I went.
Greening the Desert - A Vision Unfolding
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This is the remarkable story of a man by the name of Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, who had a vision to make Egypt sustainable by the year 2057. When he looked...
Why Swaddling Makes for a Happier Baby
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This blog is particularly special to me because writing it was a family affair. Shereen, my oldest daughter, AKA Ya Shoosh, who is a gifted artist and the most compassionate...
Meet our Toymaker | Madame Marienfeld
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Meet Madame Inbegorg Marienfeld, our Mastercrafter Toymaker and Friend for the last 30 years. Pictured: Janice (Founder) & Madame Marienfield Madame Marienfeld didn't set out to be a toymaker. She was...
Under the Nile x Meow Meow Foundation
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Join us as we bring our Under the Nile community up to date on the extraordinary work the Meow Meow Foundation is doing! ___________ When I first met Doug and...
Giving Tuesday with Haven of Grace | Interview
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This year for Giving Tuesday, we're partnering up with the Haven of Grace, right here in St.Louis, Missouri. They're a literal haven for homeless pregnant mothers, providing a safe, nurturing home, educational...
Organic Cotton Harvest Time
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What time is it? No, it’s not daylight savings time... IT’S COTTON HARVEST TIME! In October and November of every year, our dedicated farmers harvest the cotton that they have...
Life at our Farm in Egypt | The Chicken Coop
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Our factory in Egypt is always implementing new projects and programs for the communities of workers and people residing on and around the farm. It's one of the many reasons...
How We're Using Eurythmy for Mind & Body Wellness at our Factory
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Whenever I visit our factory I’m completely energized by the hustle and bustle of the production floors. Sewing machines are humming, people are running up and down five flights of...
Preschool Learning - the Waldorf Way
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Not far from the steps of our textile factory in Egypt is the Sekem school. It’s not unusual to see teachers inside the factory requesting materials for their students’ upcoming...
A Sustainable Egypt in the Year 2057
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Twice a year, I go to our partner farm in Egypt where I design our next season’s collection. The farm, and where the factory is located is in the eastern...
Earth Month | Myths or Facts
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Sustainable. Organic. All natural. These are all terms that are frequently tossed around, even more so now. But do you really know what that means? How does this affect your...
Everything You Need to Know about Biodynamic Farming
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Biodynamic farming is what makes Under the Nile products different from any other organic cotton baby brand.
People often associate the word “organic” with being pure. That is true.
But what if I told you that there is a type of organic farming that is superior?
Organic in its purest form is called “Biodynamic” farming.
This is a type of farming that incorporates a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming. It is a farm that brings humans, animals, soil, and plants together in harmony to sustain the health of the farm and create balance.
This is how that Under the Nile farms our cotton. Biodynamically.
Zero Waste | How We Upcycle at Under the Nile
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Our mission is to create products that not only make a difference in our communities but are created sustainably. This means wastefulness is simply not in our nature. Which is why, we've taken our zero waste initiatives one step further - turning leftover scraps from our production into some of your favorite organic baby and home products.
All About GOTS
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You might have seen on our website or product hangtags that all Under the Nile products are certified to GOTS. But what exactly does that mean?
Fair Trade October
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Working in the clothing manufacturing for 22 years before starting Under the Nile, I have seen more people working in horrid working conditions than I wish to. I remembered working...
Sometimes a Face Tells the Story
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When you go into a store and see Under the Nile clothes on the rack, it’s easy to immediately think “Oh that is cute” or “That is sooo soft.” The...
Children's Sleepwear Regulations 101
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In the end, parents have the final say as to what kind of pajama’s their children wear - chemical laced or chemical free.
Make informed decisions by doing your research!
Textile Dyes and What You Need to Know
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A CNN report revealed that young babies and children actually do have increases levels of chemical in their bloodstream and skin because clothing comes into prolonged contact with one’s skin, toxic chemicals are often absorbed into the skin, especially when one’s body is warm and skin pores have opened to allow perspiration.
What's in Your Rug?
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Whether they’re new or old, carpets have chemicals that continuously off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the lifespan of the rug. Even if it’s a carpet that has been laid for a long period of time, you may not smell them, and you certainly can’ see them, but they’re there...exposing everyone in the family to concentrations of VOC in the air.
Plastic Free July!
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Plastic free July is a great way to reflect and do some self evaluation about how much plastic is used in your daily life. This month encourages you to find alternatives to eliminate the use of single use plastic - a process that will hopefully change your habits forever, so you can live a more sustainable lifestyle while setting a good example for your family, friends, and co-workers.
The POWER of Helping People
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I learned very early on, that income translates into empowerment, when I started working with the 13 Villages Project. Women who had never earned their own income, found themselves with money to contribute to their family in a way they never had before.
What's the Scoop on Laundry Detergent?
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Parents are always asking us about a laundry detergent for their baby, but they should really be looking into a detergent for the entire family. Laundry detergents leave a residue on clothing, so when you’re holding your baby next to you, your baby can absorb the chemical residue, potentially causing ill effects like skin rashes and eye irritation.
Here are a few tips when choosing a natural laundry detergent...
If the Label Says “Egyptian Cotton,” It Must Be Egyptian Cotton. Not So Fast.
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It was almost three years ago when the scandal involving Egyptian Cotton hit the headlines. As part of the organic industry for more than 20 years, we think of the organic...
Everyday Green: Ramadan
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Sustainability starts with small everyday choices, and is possible for any community. This is how Sarah, our founder Janice Masoud's daughter, practices sustainability in her local community - her...
Natural Parenting A Series: Skin
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My daughters are all grown up, and no grandbabies as of yet...(hoping) In preparation for future grandma-hood I have been researching and compiling a list of green, baby safe products...
Natural Parenting A Series: Toys
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I’m sure as parents and grandparents, you are inundated with millions of choices for toys. Babies usually choose their favorite lovey toys pretty fast and you'll find out soon enough...
Why Green?
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Green matters. We have a finite amount of resources and if we want our children and future families to have access to the same standard of living, we need to...
A Busy Mom's Guide to Green
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A mom’s life can be hectic enough without having to worry about being the best eco-friendly mom we can be. But, there are many easy eco-friendly tips that even the...
Don’t Get Bamboo-zled
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Being one of the first companies here in the U.S. to sell organic baby clothing (before it became widely known) we’ve seen it all. People often throw around the words “green” and “organic” so much without backing it up, that there’s a term for it—greenwashing.
So when we first heard that bamboo fabric was making its way into the conversation regarding the best eco friendly textiles with its luxurious softness, we approached the subject with a healthy amount of skepticism.
We’ve heard a lot of great things about bamboo - but we wanted to do our homework first, and here’s the run-down of what we found.
Protecting Babies Skin in Summer
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Nothing is sweeter than long summer days with your baby. Your baby will get to discover the magic of playing at the park, lounging on the beach and going on...
Mom Moments - Journey of a First-Time Mom
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New Mom Moments is a new series where we feature real stories from new moms. We sat down with Lo Schwei to discuss becoming a mom for the first time....
All About Baby’s First Bath
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In most hospitals, newborns are washed soon after birth, but there are lots of reasons why you may want to wait. The World Health Organization suggests waiting at least 24...
Meet the Founder: An Interview with Janice Masoud
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We are best known for our organic Egyptian cotton baby clothing and toys here at Under the Nile and this month we’re celebrating our twentieth anniversary! Reflecting back on the past...
Celebrating 20 Years of Organic Parenting
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This year we’re turning 20, and we’re celebrating our big anniversary all month long! Under the Nile has been creating Organic Egyptian Cotton clothing for more than two decades. We’ve...
Mom Moments: Raising Kids & Being a Doula
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New Mom Moments is a new series where we feature real stories from new moms. We sat down with Kim Borchurt, a doula, to discuss navigating motherhood, raising a large...
Organic Baby Clothing Care 101
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You’ve spent months researching the best products for your new baby, and loading up on organic essentials. Then the baby comes, the laundry piles up and you want to make...