Want to reduce the carbon footprint of baby’s first steps? In honor of Earth Day this week, I’ve collected seven environmentally friendly ideas for the Earth Mama and her green baby!
Eco-Parenting Tips for Green Mamas
There’s no reason as new mom that you can’t be kind to Mother Nature as you parent your little ones. Here are some easy, earth-friendly tips to turn your parenting into eco-parenting!
Breastfeeding is Earth-Friendly
Sure, there’s the saying that “breast is best” but let’s face it: not only does breastfeeding help save you money, there’s no unnecessary waste generated either. You’ll have less containers of formula to throw out and less bottles to wash, helping to cut down on your water consumption.
Make Your Own Baby Food
Now that spring is here, we’re in the early stages of farmers’ market season. What a perfect time to help support your local farmers by buying fresh, local produce and making your own baby food? By reusing your own storage containers, you help cut down on discarding packaging waste while boosting the health and vitality of your local farming community.
Cloth Diapering
Worried about baby’s diapers ending up in a landfill? Consider cloth diapering as an alternative to disposable diapers. But if it’s too much to invest in the time and effort of cloth diapering, consider earth-friendly biodegradable disposable diapers, like the Pure and Natural line from Huggies.
Take Baby for a Walk
Looking to get out of the house for a little bit? Why take the car when you can take your little one on a walk to enjoy a bit of fresh air and some sunshine! Not only is all that sunshine-y Vitamin D great for you and baby, save yourself the gas and carbon emissions by firing up your stroller instead of your car.
Go Paperless & Start a Family Blog
Who doesn’t love a good family newsletter with updates about baby? Now, in the age of social media and blogging, it’s even easier and faster to share more dynamic versions of your family news! Consider using a free blogging platform like Blogger or WordPress to get started by uploading photos and sharing family stories. By going paperless, you can save yourself the costs of paper, printing and mailing and take your family news online!
Upcycle What You Can
You baby doesn’t need every toy and every gadget that’s out there. Stick to what you and baby need when it comes to essentials. If you can, buy sustainably, such as buying organic or fair-trade products, gear and toys. And if you can repurpose and “upcycle” – like turning an old sock into a cherished sock monkey – you’ll help reduce on waste from packaging and sending old items to the landfill.
Ditch the Harsh Chemicals
While it might seem like there’s a cleaner or scrub for every surface in your home, you can accomplish much of the same tasks with just white vinegar, water, and baking soda. Add a few drops of lemon juice or lavender oil to your homemade cleaning mixtures to freshen up the room without having to worry about all the harsh chemical smells. By keeping household cleaners chemical free, your ground water table will thank you!
