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Green Basics for Baby

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There seems to have been a lot of buzz about “going green” in the past few years, and many of us have jumped on the bandwagon to protect our families from harsh chemicals and pesticides. Since 2002, the sales of organic food, cleaning and beauty products have nearly tripled.

Being eco-friendly is not just about saving the planet; it’s about creating a safe and healthy life for you and your children. If you are considering the eco way, no better time to start than with a new addition to the family. Here are a few steps to creating a greener home.

Breastfeed If Possible

Breast or bottle?—always a huge question for mothers. But if a greener lifestyle is what you are after, breastfeeding would be the answer. The American Pediatrics Association recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby’s life. You also will be conserving water by not washing bottles and eliminating filling landfills with formula containers. “I always try to up-cycle my formula containers,” says Amber Norman, Gardner “There are so many projects we use them for.” When breastfeeding, try switching over to reusable breast pads. They are more cost efficient and will make less waste. If you are not able to breastfeed for long or are unable to at all, try an all-organic formula, such as Earth’s Best, Similac Organic or Nature’s One.

Wash It or Toss It?

Did you know that your little one could use up to 6,000 diapers from birth to being potty trained, and it takes 400-500 years for one diaper to decompose? Reusable diapers have only 53 percent the ecological footprint of disposable diapers, so cloth diapers seem to be the best option for those who are concerned about the environment.

You might think, well, what about the energy and water it will take to clean the diapers? Here are a few conservation tips: Always wash full loads for efficiency, wash in cold water, use a dry pail instead of soaking, hang your diapers instead of using a dryer, do not iron and save them for your next baby. 

Clean Green

A mother can find herself sterilizing and sanitizing her surroundings just as much as she is diapering and feeding her baby. Many of your typical household cleaners are filled with harsh chemicals that are toxic to breathe in and damaging to household possessions. These chemicals will have great impacts on babies’ lives since they do so much of their growing and learning early in life. Green products can be a little pricey, but there are all-natural products that most people already have in their homes, like salt, vinegar and baking soda. “We make all of our own cleaning products; they work great and are safer and cheaper!” says Nikki Jordon from Olathe.

Play Time Is Green Time

Let’s get back to the basics with babies’ toys and introduce wooden or cotton-filled plush toys. Try to make playtime favorites as natural as possible because everything goes into the mouth at this age. As Baby gets older, buy second-hand toys from Craigslist, VarageSale.com, consignment shops or garage sales. “I find so many great gently used baby items through consignment sales and VarageSale.com,” says Laura Bishop, Overland Park. When it’s time to clean your toys, simply dump them into a vinegar and warm water solution, instead of using bleach.

Deciding to raise an eco-friendly baby can both make things safer for your little one and reduce the impact on the environment. Another plus? If you start off on a green foot, chances are your little one will continue to walk in your green footprints.

Ways to Encourage Your Toddler to Be Green

Jennifer Duxbury is a freelance writer and Olathe resident who has committed to making her home as green as possible for her two little ones!

 

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