Six great ways to raise a green baby
When it comes to babies, eco-minded care is not only healthy for the planet, but healthier for your baby’s body, and many times less expensive than conventional baby care options because green baby care assumes a mindset of less is more. Off the top of my head I can think of hundreds of ways to green your baby care, but we don’t really have the time or space for that, so here are six of the best tips for raising a green baby.
- Breastfeed: Breastfeeding is one of the greenest baby care choices you can commit to. Not only is it free from supplies and waste (bottles, formula, nipples, etc) but it’s the healthiest way to feed your baby and it’s practically free!
- Co-sleep: Co-sleeping is controversial for sure. In fact Consumer Reports recently bashed it, much to the chagrin of attachment parents everywhere. If you’re not totally on board you should consider that co-sleeping is also green. You eliminate extra temporary furniture (the crib) and bedding plus co-sleeping can really help facilitate green choice number 1 – breastfeeding. If you co-sleep one item that can help is the organic Humanity Family Bed.
- Go organic: There are so many organic baby care choices available nowadays. From organic baby clothing to organic toys to organic baby shampoo and more. Organics cut out pesticides that are released into our air, water, and soil plus keep harmful chemicals and pesticides off your baby’s skin.
- Make homemade baby food: Once your little one starts munching, organic homemade baby food is the freshest, least wasteful, healthiest way to go. In fact, a recent study shows that even store bought organic baby food can’t beat homemade health wise. Note that it’s super easy too – not complicated at all once you get the hang of it.
- Try cloth diapers: The cloth diaper debate is always raging on. Is it really greener if you have to wash all those diapers? YES. Cloth diapers can be used over and over and don’t languish in a landfill. The newest and best cloth diapers come with handy reusable and changeable inserts which cut down on laundry time. PLUS yes, you can wash diapers on cold with good results then line dry. If you’re not ready to totally go non-disposable try gDiapers which are a hybrid of sorts – breathable, waterproof, plastic free, and 100% biodegradable. For a shock see what’s inside a plastic disposable diaper – you don’t want this stuff on your baby’s bum.
- Teach green early: Help develop a life-long love of nature in your baby. Babies grow into kids who grow into teens who grow into adults – and these adults will be in charge of keeping our plant green and healthy. Kids who get outside often learn to love this planet. I sound like a broken record about this, but seriously, if your tots don’t learn to love nature do you really think they’ll give a hoot about preserving it? Get your baby outside early and often. Talk to her about green issues from the start – she may not understand now, but she will one day.
BONUS LINK: I recently read this awesome piece at the SF Gate – Is Your Pediatrician Green? 5 Questions to Ask
[image via stock.xchng]
Post from: Blisstree
Six great ways to raise a green baby