Eco-friendly parenting means making choices that don't harm your children or the planet they will inherit.
That can involve protecting them from harmful chemicals, reducing waste around the home, and teaching them how important it is to live sustainably.
I get it, that's all easier said than done. My experience as a parent taught me how hard sustainable parenting can be.
Did you know the carbon footprint of the average child is 58.6 tonnes CO2-equivalent a year (Seth Wynes and Kimberly A Nicholas, 2017 Environ. Res. Lett). That's more than 25 cars!
When my daughter was a baby, I found myself constantly trying to find the right balance between making eco-conscious choices versus cost, convenience, and what actually worked for our family.
Simple swaps do make a difference. We used cloth diapers instead of disposables, biodegradable wipes instead of plastic, and insisted on organic crib mattresses and baby clothes.
Follow my green parenting tips for a simpler, healthier, and greener start in life for your family.
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The first crucial aspect of sustainable parenting is choosing eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives for children's items, such as diapers, wipes, mattresses, and clothing.
Many of us worry about the dangers of chemical exposure from conventional products, but it's particularly concerning for children whose developing systems are more vulnerable.
At the same time, cheap synthetic and disposable plastic products are doing untold damage to the planet. So switching to eco alternatives is a must.
Eco-friendly diapers are either biodegradable or reusable, but they are never made of plastic! Your choice of diapers matters because your baby can use anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 of them in their first year.
In fact, more than 300,000 single-use diapers are incinerated worldwide every minute, and 20 billion end up in landfills every year ("A circular economy for nappies," Ellen MacArthur Foundation).
That's why the first step to sustainable parenting is to use eco-friendly diapers that don't pollute the environment.
We used reusable cloth diapers because they're cheaper, and there are some great GOTS-certified organic cotton options available. If you prefer disposables, make sure they are certified as compostable or biodegradable, and if possible, FSC and OEKO-TEX certified.
Baby wipes are another essential that any new parent will come to rely on.
The problem, according to the BBC, is that 90% of the wet wipes sold are plastic-based. That means they don't biodegrade, and they frequently end up blocking drains or being found in rivers and oceans. Then they release microplastics that kill marine life and even end up in our drinking water.
Instead, choose either reusable or plant-based biodegradable baby wipes made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp.
Biodegradable wipes are suitable for home or commercial composting. Make sure you never flush your wipes, even if the pack says you can, because they still block drains and sewers.
I insisted on an organic crib mattress to keep my daughter safe in her first few months.
Research from the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas found that synthetic foam crib mattresses emit potentially harmful chemicals known as VOCs at high rates, and most mattress manufacturers still do not disclose the complete list of materials they use.
A certified organic crib mattress doesn't contain any of those added chemicals or flame retardants that can harm your child's health.
Bear in mind that newborns typically spend as much as 18 hours a day in their cribs (according to Stanford Medicine). Ask yourself, do you really want your child to be breathing in potentially toxic air for 3/4 of the day while they're at their most vulnerable?
You should also consider the sustainability of your mattress.
Synthetic crib mattresses may be cheap, but that's because they're made from petroleum-based polyurethane foam, which is an environmental disaster. Going organic costs you more, but this is one area where it's worth every penny.
If you decide your baby needs a pacifier, don't choose a plastic one! Natural rubber is safer (BPA- and paraben-free) and more eco-friendly (biodegradable) than plastic.
Traditional pacifiers suck! They don't biodegrade, and can't be recycled. Worse, they can release potentially hazardous hormone-disrupting parabens into your baby's mouth, according to the American Chemical Society.
Other experts agree. You should avoid plastic pacifiers because "a substantial fraction of their plasticizer will go in the saliva," according to Olivier Jolliet (professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health).
Organic baby clothes are known for being breathable and reducing irritation on sensitive skin, without any of the potential dangers of synthetics.
Research from the EWG found "concerning levels" of toxic PFAs such as fluorine in well-known commercial baby and toddler clothing brands, including Carter's, Old Navy, Disney, and Columbia. PFAs are known to affect metabolism and have been linked to immune system suppression.
I recommend buying from organic baby clothing brands with GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification for complete confidence that what you're buying is PFA-free.
If you don't have the budget for new organic clothing, there's absolutely nothing wrong with accepting hand-me-downs or buying second-hand. Materials like organic cotton or bamboo are way more durable than synthetics, so you can expect them to last for generations to come.
Remember that one of the key principles of a zero-waste movement is to reuse. With that in mind, do you really need to buy brand-new toys?
One of my favorite sustainable parenting swaps is buying second-hand wooden or cloth toys, most of which are just as good used as they are new.
But where should I look, you might ask? I'd recommend thrift stores (Goodwill and Salvation Army), online marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist), local yard sales, flea markets, dedicated children's consignment shops, community Buy Nothing groups, and toy exchange programs or libraries.
You won't know the difference, and neither will your child.
Whether you're still on milk or formula, or transitioning to solids, sustainable living starts at mealtimes.
Ditch the plastic and try to incorporate the following in your feeding routine.
The most important of these is baby bottles - make sure you use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic.
Some modern plastic baby bottles release microplastics when heated baby formula is used. Older ones may contain harmful chemicals like BPA, which 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.
Green parenting is about changing not only what you do but also what you buy. We decided to make a few simple lifestyle swaps around the home, with the aim of achieving the following.
We gained so much in return: lower utility bills, healthier indoor air quality, less exposure to chemicals, and more meaningful family time spent cooking, gardening, or crafting together.
If this sounds good, this is what you need to do.
Breastfeeding is great for your baby's health and also far better for the environment.
Producing baby formula requires energy, packaging, and shipping, all of which hurt the planet.
Studies found that four months of formula feeding had a 35–72% higher environmental impact than breastfeeding over the same period ("Environmental Impact of Feeding with Infant Formula in Comparison with Breastfeeding," Andersen et al, 2022).
Breastfeeding is a completely sustainable process, and it's free! So, if you can, give it a try.
Don't buy baby food off the shelf when your baby starts eating solids. Instead, make your own fresh, organic baby food.
I found some great recipes on YouTube that use sustainable ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Making your own food is cheaper, creates less waste, and is much better for your baby's health compared to some very well-known store brands.
A US congressional report discovered high levels of toxic heavy metals in commercial baby foods that are dangerous to human health ("Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury," U.S. House of Representatives, 2021).
Kids grow up fast and frequently outgrow clothes, books, and toys. When this happens, don't just throw them away - donate them to friends, family, or a local charity.
Follow our guide to organizations that accept used toys and baby clothes (we donated to Toys for Tots and Stuffed Animals for Emergencies).
The same goes for used books. When your child outgrows them, donate them to friends and family, charity, or your local library.
It feels good to pass on much-loved items, knowing they will help other families or help someone in need. It feels just as good to know your used items aren't going into landfills.
When you become a parent for the first time, be prepared to spend more time than you ever thought possible doing extra laundry!
Conventional laundry detergents contain all sorts of harmful ingredients, from Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE), Phosphates, and Surfactants to artificial fragrances, colors, and dyes. They cause environmental issues such as water pollution, harm to animal and plant life, and some, such as 1,4-dioxane, are probable carcinogens.
So, when you're doing all that laundry, make sure to use eco-friendly detergents and fabric softeners for the good of the environment and your family's health and well-being.
Try to wash full loads to save water and electricity, and if you can, dry your laundry outside. Using your dryer requires a lot of energy, whereas drying them outside doesn't use any, and it's free!
Using less energy lowers your carbon footprint, and it also saves you money on your utility bill - money that's much better spent on your new family.
Another thing they don't tell you about becoming a parent is that you'll find yourself cleaning a whole lot more often. That's unavoidable, but what you can change is your choice of cleaning product.
To protect your family, it's important to avoid using commercial cleaners that contain toxic or harsh chemicals that you don't want your new baby to breathe in.
Fortunately, there are some great green cleaning products on the market that use only natural ingredients.
If you have the time, you can save money by making your own natural cleaners using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
Rethinking how your family gets around offers one of the biggest opportunities to reduce your environmental impact.
I would encourage all parents to make sustainable transport choices and try walking, cycling, or using public transit whenever possible.
If you need a new (possibly larger) vehicle to accommodate your new arrival, consider electric or hybrid options to reduce pollution and fossil fuel consumption.
Getting out of the car more often transforms family life in ways that go beyond environmental benefits.
We decided to walk or cycle to kindergarten instead of driving, and we kept that habit going when it was time to start school.
The physical benefits are impossible to ignore. We're all sleeping better, and I've stopped needing that afternoon coffee. My daughter can burn off some energy before school, and that helps her focus better, according to the teachers.
If you're a new mom, it'll also help you lose any weight you may have gained during pregnancy, if that's important to you.
Even if you have nowhere to go, take some time out of your day to take a nature walk or visit your local park. Your child will benefit from the fresh air, and so will you.
There are times when there's no choice but to drive. If you can't reduce your mileage, consider upgrading to an electric vehicle (EV) instead of a gas-guzzler.
EVs aren't cheap, but they are the future, and the environmental benefits speak for themselves. No more exhaust emissions, and my daughter isn't breathing in fumes during school pickup.
My daughter gets excited about plugging the car in. It's become her special job, and she loves explaining to their friends how we're "keeping the air clean."
The best part is that I don't feel like a hypocrite anymore when I talk about climate change with her. And honestly, not planning our budget around unpredictable gas prices has been an enormous relief.
Kids who grow up with sustainability as part of daily life are far more likely to make decisions with future generations in mind.
Get them into good habits from a young age, set a good example, and encourage them not to be wasteful. That way, they'll naturally turn off lights, sort recycling, and care about nature. It's so much easier than trying to change ingrained behavior later.
My daughter now reminds ME to bring reusable bags to the store. Kids of today are facing a different world than we did, and giving them these skills is honestly one of the most important gifts we can offer as parents.
Children see how adults act and imitate them. So if you want your child to be environmentally conscious, then you need to set a good example and practice what you preach.
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.
Zero Waste parenting means reducing the amount of waste you and your family produce, and reusing or recycling as much as possible.
It sounds daunting, but going zero waste on a budget is just about incorporating sustainability into your lifestyle one step at a time.
Think about what you can do to help your child reduce their waste. For example, why not start by teaching children to bring their own reusable water bottles and snack containers to school?
By teaching your child about waste reduction, you're helping them learn how to take care of our planet.
Getting your kids outside regularly creates natural environmental stewards through direct experience - they protect what they love.
One of the best gifts you can give your kids is to get them to spend less time on electronics like TV, cellphones, tablets, and video games and more time playing outdoors.
When children splash in streams, climb trees, and watch wildlife in the park, they develop a genuine connection to nature that no screen can replicate.
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 massive problem in the United States, and it's something we need to address if we want to reduce our environmental impact.
The average American family throws away $2,000 worth of food every year. That's a lot of wasted money and resources.
To help your child reduce waste, start by teaching them about the benefits of composting food scraps.
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 educate your child about the environment is to get them 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 a 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 an excellent 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 several activities you can do together to celebrate Earth Day, such as visiting a local park, going on a nature walk, or planting a tree.
You could also make a 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.
Sustainable parenting brings meaningful benefits, but there are also some obstacles that you may be worried about at first.
Here are the most common challenges and practical solutions.
An eco-friendly lifestyle isn't as expensive, time-consuming, or difficult as the naysayers would have you believe. Our reviews and guides are here to give you support whenever you need it.
To secure our kids' and the planet's future, we need to start making a difference today.
