Bringing a new life into the world is a huge decision and it can take a lot of thought and planning. One aspect of parenthood that has been given a lot more attention recently is the environmental impact. Caring for a baby can involve using a lot of disposal products such as nappies and wipes that are non-biodegradable, for example.
Babies grow quickly, and we often buy clothes, toys, prams, highchairs and even items of furniture that are only used for a few months before their needs change. This can generate a lot of waste, and also leave a dent in your finances. Here are some tips to help you raise your family in a more cost-effective and sustainable way.
Eco-friendly baby care products
The vast majority of disposable wipes and nappies are non-recyclable and many take thousands of years to break down in landfills. They can also contain microplastics that leach into the environment, causing pollution and potential health threats. The problem is compounded when wipes are flushed into the drainage system.
There are now plenty of more sustainable alternatives available, such as bamboo wipes that will biodegrade much faster. Reusable cloth nappies and wipes that can be washed in a machine also help to reduce waste. Modern fabrics mean that you don’t need to worry about leaks, and they are designed to feel soft and gentle next to your baby’s skin.
Eco-friendly gift ideas
When your little one arrives, no doubt you will be showered with gifts from friends and family. Shopping for a new baby is a fun and exciting experience, but it can also lead to duplication of items, or products that don’t last very long. Furthermore, some plastic items may contain harmful chemicals and are not biodegradable.
To avoid this scenario, it can be helpful to draw up a wishlist of items that will go the distance. Look for products in sustainable materials such as toys made from wood and soft toys and clothes made from natural cotton or bamboo, which will be genuinely useful.
For a special gift that is both useful for babies and can be treasured for a lifetime, consider a Baltic amber necklace. They are not toys, but are designed to be worn by the baby, who is soothed by the natural analgesic substance that is released when the amber beads are gently warmed next to the skin.
Many parents find that this is helpful to calm a teething or colicky baby. The beads are made from natural raw amber and present no threat to the environment. Furthermore, when the child is older, the necklace can be worn as jewellery or passed down to a younger sibling.
Sustainable baby clothing
It can be tempting to impulse buy piles of cute baby clothing, with so many soft and comfortable looking choices available. However, much of it is produced via resource intensive cotton farming methods that involve the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers.
Synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic may be cheap, but they are not biodegradable and cannot be recycled easily. Many of these products are also deliberately intended to have a short lifespan and do not retain their shape or softness for longer than a few washes.
There are plenty of more eco-friendly and sustainable fabric choices, such as organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp. These can have a higher price tag, but look for second-hand options, as many baby clothes have only been used for a few months and are still in perfectly acceptable condition.
If you are planning to increase your family in the future, it is worth investing in longer-lasting clothing that can be passed on, or given to friends and family members who are starting a family.
Sustainable baby feeding products
Many baby feeding products such as bottles, bowls, cups and so on are made from plastic. Look for more sustainable options such as bamboo, wood, or silicone.
Other sustainable choices
When your baby has grown out of an item, always sell it or give it away wherever possible. Avoid overbuying, as often we can be brainwashed into thinking that we need much more than we actually do to bring up a baby, and recycle as much as possible.
