Green Basics for Baby

There seems to be a lot of buzz about going green these days, whether it’s in efforts to better the environment or protect ourselves from the excessive chemicals and pesticides that surround us daily. Green is a hot topic. While it may seem hip and trendy to eat all organic, use reusable bags or make your own household cleaners, it’s become a way of life for many. 

Being eco-friendly is not all about saving the planet; it’s also about creating a safe and healthy life for you and your children.

“I wanted to bring our new daughter home to the best environment I could provide for her, and making our home green just made sense to us,” says David Arning, Lee’s Summit, MO.

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 will always be a huge decision for mothers, but if a greener lifestyle is what you are after, breastfeeding is the answer. There is no denying the fact that a mother’s breast milk is packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients for her baby and is perfectly formatted by nature without additives or packaging. Breastfeeding has less impact on the environment, is free and healthier for Baby and Mom.

While breastfeeding, try switching over to reusable breast pads. They are more cost efficient and will produce less waste. “I used organic washable breast pads while nursing my son, and not only was it easier on my wallet but softer for my sore nipples,” says Tiffany Brice, Raymore, MO.

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? And while decomposable diapers are made out of plant-based materials, they are not always in decomposable conditions. On the other hand, if you use reusable diapers, you have to consider the water and energy being used to wash them.

Amy Waganer from Liberty, MO, says, “My husband and I would fill a bucket up of hot soapy water and place the soiled diapers in there. When it was full or I was doing a load of laundry, we’d wash them. It helped a lot because I didn’t feel like I had to run the washer every time there was a dirty diaper.”

Reusable diapers have only 53 percent of the ecological footprint of disposable diapers; cloth diapers seem to be the best option not only for those who are concerned about the environment but for their wallets as well. When selecting a reusable diaper brand, consider the material it is made out of. Look for diapers that are made from eco-friendly material such as hemp, bamboo or organic cotton.

Clean Green

A mother can find herself sterilizing and sanitizing her surroundings just as much as she is diapering and feeding her baby. Many typical household cleaners that you buy at your local grocery stores are filled with harsh chemicals that are toxic to breathe and damaging to household possessions. These chemicals can have great impacts on babies’ lives because they do so much of their growing and learning early in life. Green products can be a little pricey, but there are all-natural non-toxic products that most people already have in their homes, such as salt, vinegar and baking soda.

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 their playtime favorites as natural as possible, because everything is entering their mouths at this age. As baby gets older, buy second-hand toys from Craigslist, consignment shops or garage sales.

“I don’t think I have one new toy in our house right now. Everything was given to us by friends or bought on Craigslist,” says Courtney Beck, Olathe, KS.

When it’s time to clean your toys, simply dump them into a vinegar and warm water solution instead of using bleach.

If you decide to raise an eco-friendly baby, you’ll not only make life healthier but also reduce your impact on the environment. An added benefit? If you start off on a green foot, chances are good that your little one will continue to walk in your green footprints.

Jennifer Duxbury is a freelance writer and Belton resident who has committed to making her home as green as possible!