Those cute little feet sure do make a big carbon footprint.

The mountains of disposable diapers, the piles of swiftly outgrown clothing, the bins of last year's toys. So many resources consumed, so much energy burned. Modern parenthood often feels like an exercise in excess — even an assault on the environment.

What, then, is an eco-conscious mommy or daddy to do?

Just a glance at the price tags on the various organic baby products suggests that going green could very well mean going broke. A two-pack of organic onesies from Gerber costs $11.99, three times as much as their conventional counterparts.

But less-expensive environmental alternatives are available for parents who look beyond brand-name organic products, and take a hard look at their lifestyles. The old "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" can help in more ways than one.

"Part of the whole green movement is that we need to cut down on all the products that are headed to our landfills," said Trish Riley, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Living" and the mother of two grown children.

Organic and "natural" baby products are increasingly lining store shelves. Store chains including Safeway are rolling out their own organic store brands.

If you feel passionately about the environment, don't let all the marketing — or the higher prices — scare you from making greener choices, Riley said. "It's not nearly as expensive as it seems."

NURSERY FURNITURE

Those color-coordinated nursery sets look so soothing — until you look at the price tags. A matching crib, dresser and changing table can easily top $1,000.

This is another situation in which "used" should be your mantra, both for environmental and financial reasons.

Liz Pulliam Weston, a personal finance columnist for MSN and contributor to "The Experts' Guide to the Baby Years," said she advises new parents to think hard about what they actually need to buy new.

Take the money you save on furniture and buy an organic mattress and bedding, both of which are getting cheaper and more widely available.

If others insist on buying you new nursery furniture, direct them toward retailers that specialize in pieces made of sustainable wood and that use paints and stains that are low in volatile organic compounds.

And no matter where the crib comes from, check out its safety history. Used cribs are frequently implicated in serious accidents, often involving improper assembly. Don't buy one unless you have the manufacturer's instructions and are certain you have all the pieces. If your secondhand crib turns up on a recall list, send it to the dump, not another unsuspecting parent on Craigslist.

CAR SEATS, CARRIERS

A car seat is one item you should not buy used, child-safety experts say. There's no way to know whether it's been in an accident or otherwise damaged.

But you can hang on to it for siblings, as long as the seat's expiration date hasn't passed. Read the instructions closely; most seats expire within four to six years as the plastic degrades and other components wear out.

There's nothing green about the hardware in a car seat, but concerned parents can replace the cover with an organic one.

Most new parents buy a stroller, often as part of a "travel system" that includes an infant car seat. If you decide to get a separate stroller, it can be borrowed or bought secondhand.

Also, look for baby carriers and strollers that have a long life span. Front-pack carriers are ubiquitous, but some parents find their children quickly outgrow them. Other carriers offer more flexibility, including ring slings, pouches and mei tais. Even the organic versions are often cheaper than name-brand front-pack carriers.

For things you do buy new, comparison-shop, looking at both small and big retailers. The small companies often offer discounts. Before dropping money on any of these items, though, test them to see if they fit your baby (not to mention your back). Call your local La Leche League or Attachment Parenting International chapters and ask about any free babywearing workshops.

NOURISHMENT

Health experts agree that breastfeeding is usually best for both moms and babies. It's also the least expensive way to feed an infant and the most environmentally friendly. There's no manufacturing process to fuel, no transportation cost and no packaging. In a child's first year, breastfeeding saves $1,500 over most name-brand formulas. Even after factoring in the cost of a breast pump and a couple of visits to a lactation consultant if you need one, breastfeeding still usually comes out cheaper.