- in Green Home by Alexis Rodrigo
Raising Baby the Eco-Friendly Way
Having a baby is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have. Sadly, some people have gone to the extreme of saying that they won’t have children because of their impact on the environment. How sad! To be fair, for some, having a baby means accumulating huge amounts of baby stuff for the new little bundle. Having a baby sends some parents (and Grandparents!) into a buying frenzy for new furniture, clothing, toys, and diapers. A baby really has very minimal needs though, so going overboard with baby purchases is neither required nor advantageous. There are so many options available today that are not only baby friendly, but are planet friendly as well. Consider some of these [tag-tec]eco-friendly tips[/tag-tec] for raising a “green” baby – it’s easier than you think.
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Cloth Diapering
Some statistics say each child creates 2 tons of waste from disposable diapers! Since caring for a baby can be so time consuming, it is easy to see why parents choose the perceived convenience of disposable diapers. They just toss them in the garbage bin and forget them right? Well, eco-friendly parents cannot forget that diapers account for an enormous amount of landfill waste that is not biodegradable.
Luckily cloth diapers have become just as easy and convenient as disposable diapers. Forget the flat diapers you need to fold and pin together (although those are still around if you are so inclined). Cloth diapers today are fitted with elastic, close with pins or Velcro, and are easy to clean. For those that do not have the time or the desire to do diaper laundry, diaper services widely available. Cloth diapers can last for years and be used by more than one child. Flushable diapers, such as gDiapers, are another eco-friendly diapering option.
Feeding Your Baby
Not only is breastfeeding the perfect food for baby, it is also the most planet friendly way to feed your baby. By simply breastfeeding your baby you eliminate the need for formula cans and baby bottles. Breastfeeding is waste free! If however you need to pump milk and bottle feed there are eco-friendly options for that, too. Glass baby bottles are reusable and can be recycled or donated, unlike their plastic counterparts which are prone to breakage and do not biodegrade. Furthermore, plastic baby bottles may contain BPA, a chemical that leaches into the milk and can cause hormone disruption. Helpful products for mom such as wool or cloth breast pads and organic creams are also available.
When your baby is old enough to eat solids you can continue to feed “green” by making your own baby food from organic fruits and vegetables that you are already eating. There is no need to buy boxes of baby cereal or tiny jars of baby food when you can mash or puree family foods and feed them those. They can be frozen inside ice cube trays for later use and convenience. A useful reference is Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. That was my feeding bible for my last two children. A book that I wish had been around when I still had babies is Baby-led Weaning: Helping Your Baby to Love Good Food.
Clothing Your Baby
Farming with chemicals is hazardous for our planet and very unsustainable. When you buy clothing for your baby try to buy clothing made with sustainable fibers. Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool in natural colors or dyed with low impact dyes are all good choices. The absence of chemicals is also better for your baby’s tender skin. Here is one source of natural baby clothes.
Consider buying used clothes instead of new. Buying second hand clothing that someone has recycled is much more sustainable an option than buying brand new. Look for used clothing at thrift stores, on local lists such as Craiglist, eBay, or through family and friends. This option is also much easier on the pocketbook.
When we bring a baby into the world we want that world to be as friendly and hospitable as possible. These are just a few eco-friendly tips for raising babies and ensure that that world remains friendly and hospitable for generations to come.
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