Having a baby is a huge life event, and it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to do everything the "right" way.
One area that you might not have considered yet is how to make your parenting style more sustainable. Or maybe you need some top eco-friendly parenting tips to get you started!
Each child comes into the world with their own special set of needs, but one thing all babies need is love and attention. Unfortunately, they also put a lot of strain on the environment.
Did you know the average newborn emits about 58 tonnes of carbon dioxide in their first year alone? That's more than 25 cars!
As a parent myself, I was able to make several simple swaps to help reduce my daughter's carbon footprint, and now I'm here to help you do the same.
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Your baby can use anywhere between 2000 and 3000 diapers in their first year, so when you buy disposable plastic ones, you're hitting the environment hard.
In fact, more than 300,000 disposable diapers are incinerated worldwide every minute, and 20 billion end up in landfills every year.
That's why the first step to green parenting is to use eco-friendly diapers. There are a number of great disposable and reusable nappies on the market that are made from sustainable materials like bamboo and hemp.
Diapers made from compostable materials are often more expensive than traditional disposable diapers, but they're far better for the environment and your baby's health.
Reusable cloth diapers are not to everyone's taste, but if you don't mind washing them then they are the best zero-waste option.
Estimates vary, but depending on how carefully you use them and how much mess you have to deal with, you can expect to use anywhere between 3500 and 8000 wet wipes in your first year.
What we do know is that 90% of the wet wipes sold are plastic-based and therefore will not biodegrade.
So if you plan to use disposable wipes, make sure to choose biodegradable ones.
There are a number of great compostable baby wipes on the market made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp.
Don't flush your wipes even if the pack says you can. They can still block drains and sewers. You can recycle or compost them instead.
Research has shown that synthetic foam crib mattresses emit potentially harmful chemicals known as VOCs at high rates, and most mattresses still do not disclose the full list of materials and chemicals they use.
This is a concern for parents, considering newborns can spend as much as 18 hours a day in their crib.
Organic crib mattresses don't contain any chemicals or flame retardants that can be harmful to your child's health.
You should also consider the environmental impact of your mattress.
Traditional crib mattresses are made from petroleum-based polyurethane foam, which is non-biodegradable.
Organic crib mattress options are made from sustainable materials like sugarcane, natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton, which don't pollute the environment.
If you're using baby bottles, try to use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic.
Some modern plastic baby bottles can shed microplastics when baby formula is heated. Older ones also contain harmful chemicals like BPA, which can leach into your baby's milk (although the use of this has now been banned).
Personally, I can think of nothing worse than a baby starting life with a stomach full of tiny plastic particles.
Glass bottles are a far better option because they're non-toxic and recyclable when you no longer need them.
Not all babies need pacifiers and not all parents are in favor of them. But if you do decide to use one, consider what they're made from.
Traditional pacifiers suck! They don't biodegrade, can't be recycled, and they can release potentially hazardous hormone-disrupting chemicals and toxins in your baby's mouth.
Do you really want your baby sucking on a pacifier with a plastic shield made from parabens and BPA?
Fortunately, you can now get eco-friendly pacifiers made from natural rubber. They biodegrade and are chemical-free, making them a far better option for both your baby and the planet.
Breastfeeding is not only good for your baby's health, but it's also far better for the environment.
Producing baby formula requires energy, packaging, and shipping - all of which have an environmental overhead.
In fact, studies found that four months of formula feeding had a 35–72% higher environmental impact than breastfeeding over the same period.
Breastfeeding is a completely sustainable process - and it's free! So if you can, you should.
When your baby moves on to solids after about 4-6 months, you can also make your own fresh, organic baby food.
There are several great recipes online that use sustainable ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
I found this video particularly useful, and my little girl loved the taste:
Homemade food is better for your baby's health, and it's also better for the environment.
Commercial baby food is often made with unsustainable ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and unhealthy fats. Yuck.
Remember that one of the key principles of a zero-waste movement is to reuse. So do you really need to buy brand-new toys?
I understand that many parents want to make sure their baby's clothing comes from organic brands, so using second-hand synthetic clothes isn't ideal.
Honestly, I'm not here to preach, but parents that buy brand-new plastic toys and baby products are a real bugbear of mine.
One of the best ways to reduce your baby's environmental impact is to buy second-hand wooden or cloth toys. There are a number of great online marketplaces where you can find gently used items that are just as good as new stuff.
You won't know the difference, and I can promise that neither will your child.
When your child outgrows their clothes and toys, don't just throw them away - donate them to a local charity. There are a number of organizations that accept used toys and baby clothes.
The same goes for used books. When your child outgrows them, donate them to friends and family, charity, or to your local library.
Not only will this help someone in need, but it will also help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.
When you're doing laundry, make sure to use eco-friendly detergents and fabric softeners.
There are a number of great detergents on the market that are made from sustainable ingredients like plant-based enzymes and essential oils.
You can also use natural fabric softeners, like vinegar or wool dryer balls. This guide on softening clothes naturally will show you how.
If you can, try to dry your laundry outside. Drying clothes inside requires a lot of energy, while drying them outside doesn't use any, and it's free.
Ditching the tumble dryer is obviously better for the environment, and it also saves you money on your energy bill which you can then spend on your new family.
As a new parent, you'll find yourself cleaning a lot more often. To protect your family, it's important to avoid using toxic or harsh chemicals.
Fortunately, there are a number of great green cleaning products on the market that don't contain any harmful chemicals.
You can also make your own natural cleaners using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
These cleaners are safe for your family and they're also better for the environment.
You'll end up doing plenty of trips to the local store, to baby and toddler groups, or to visit friends and relatives to show off your new bundle of joy.
If you can, try to walk instead of driving. You'll improve your health, and reduce your environmental impact at the same time.
A petrol or diesel car emits pollutants that contribute to climate change, while walking doesn't produce any emissions at all. It'll also help you lose any weight you may have gained during pregnancy.
Even if you have nowhere to go, take some time out of your day to take a nature walk or just visit your local park. Your child will benefit from the fresh air, and so will you.
One of the best things you can do for your child is to set a good example.
Your child will see the way you act and imitate it. So if you want your child to be environmentally conscious, then you need to be too.
Make sure to recycle and compost as much as you can. Try to buy sustainable products, like Fair Trade Certified coffee and organic produce.
If there's something your child wants that isn't environmentally friendly, talk to them about the reasons why you don't think it's a good choice.
One of the most important things you can do for the environment is to encourage your child to have an eco-friendly lifestyle. The best place to start is at home, by going as close to zero waste as you reasonably can.
Zero Waste parenting means reducing the amount of waste you and your family produce, reusing and recycling as much as possible, and composting their food scraps.
There are a number of ways you can help your child reduce their waste. You can start by teaching children to bring their own reusable water bottles and snack containers to school.
You can also help them compost their food scraps, and teach them about the benefits of recycling.
By teaching your child about waste reduction, you're helping them learn how to take care of our planet.
When your baby is ready to move on to solid foods, it can sometimes be upsetting to see how much goes to waste.
Food waste is a huge problem in the United States, and it's something we need to address if we want to make a dent in our environmental impact.
The average American family throws away $2000 worth of food every year. That's a lot of wasted money and resources.
There are a number of ways you can help your child to reduce waste. You can start by teaching them about the benefits of composting.
You can also help them plan their meals and only buy what they need. Meal planning helps reduce waste because you're not buying things that will go bad before you have a chance to eat them.
Another way to reduce food waste is to cook from scratch. Pre-packaged foods tend to have a lot of waste, while cooking from scratch allows you to use every last bit of the ingredients.
One of the best ways to teach your child about the environment is to get your kids involved in green activities. Kids tend to learn better when they're playing, so go green activities are a fun way for your child to learn about their world.
You can take your child hiking, biking, or camping. Or you could visit a nature center or take a walk in the park.
If you're feeling creative, you can make your own nature journal and have your child track the things they see on their walks.
No matter what activity you choose, it's a great way to spend time with your child and teach them about the environment.
Every year, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. This is a great opportunity for you and your child to learn more about the planet we live on and what we can do to protect it.
There are a number of activities you can do together to celebrate Earth Day. You could visit a local park, go for a nature walk, or plant a tree.
You could also make your own recycled art project or have a picnic in your backyard.
No matter what you do, make sure to talk to your child about why you're celebrating Earth Day and what they can do to help the planet.
Raising kids is the most important and most enjoyable job in the world. By teaching them about sustainable living, we can also help to make sure there will be a habitable world left for their own children to inherit.
Eco-friendly parenting is a great way to teach your child about how they can help the environment and make sustainable choices.
We also offer a range of sustainable product buying guides and eco-friendly tips to help you reduce waste at home (and save money).
No matter what you do, make sure to talk to your child about why you're doing it and how they can help. Teaching your child about the environment is one of the most important things you can do for them, and for the planet.
