Last updated: 3rd October 2019
Here at Boody, we believe in raising an eco-friendly baby. After all, our kids are the future of the planet!
It’s important that each parent acts as a great role model for their little ones, so we decided to take a look at some green parenting tips. From switching to cloth diapers to getting bub outside and close to nature, we’re bringing you some top eco-friendly parenting tips.
1. Switch to cloth nappies
According to the South Australian government’s Zero Waste SA, roughly 800 million disposable nappies end up in Australian landfills every year! This is not okay. And although cloth nappies don’t come without their own environmental issues, it’s still widely agreed that disposable nappies are more detrimental to the planet.
If you aren’t quite ready to switch to cloth nappies, why not at least cut-down or cut out your reliance on baby wipes? Much like disposable nappies, baby wipes are another key offender on landfills. Try cutting soft cotton fabric into squares for washable wipes, or use just half a disposable wipe.
2. Reuse and recycle
New parents often want their baby to have the best of everything. Whether it’s a stylish stroller, crib or toys, it’s planted into our minds that brand-new is best. But these parents will soon learn that bub grows out of these things very quickly, often faster than you’ve even paid them off!
Adopt sustainability into your parenting skills (while saving money) by borrowing or purchasing slightly-used items whenever you can. It’s obviously important to check a used item is safe, but you’ll find that so many second-hand baby items are close to brand-new condition. Reusing is just as important as recycling, if not more so!
3. Get bub outside
It's important to get outside and expose bub to nature. The idea that newborns should be kept inside is an old wives’ tale – getting fresh air and natural sunlight is great for both you and your baby, no matter how recently your little one was born. There are obviously just some things to consider when heading outside with your newborn, especially for the first few weeks after they’re born.
Things to consider before introducing your newborn to nature are whether there will be large crowds and whether they are dressed appropriately to face the elements. Large crowds are of course a germ haven, but if you want to introduce bub to Mother Nature, you’ll most probably be heading for a peaceful park or quiet patch of country.
To ensure bub is dressed for the elements, dress them in baby clothing that keeps them snug when it’s cold – such as a onesie – and cooler pieces when it’s hot outside.
Spending time with bub in nature is also great for your parent-child relationship. Young children are put in front of the television or tablets at such as young age these days, missing out on the bond they can have with both you as their parent and the environment that surrounds them. Quality time with bub outside is great for child development, as well as your own mental health.
4. Make bathtime shorter
Another misconception about babies is that they need daily baths. Unless bub has got into a food fight with themselves, they will probably be fine with two or three baths per week. The average bath uses 35 to 50 gallons of water, so even if you’re only filling the bath halfway for baby, that’s still a lot of water to be used on a daily basis.
If you have more than one rugrat, why not get them to share bathwater? Siblings are in close contact all the time, so there shouldn’t be any hygiene concerns unless one of them is sick. But if you’d really rather they bathe separately, at least space baths out to only a few times a week.
Remember, a bit of dirt might actually boost bub’s immune system. We need healthy bacteria to fight the bad bacteria!
5. Make your own baby food
Sometimes it’s hard to believe what food companies charge for putting puréed food in a jar and calling it ‘baby food’. As long as what bub’s eating is easy for them to eat and nutritional, there’s really no reason to be wasting your money on off-the-shelf baby food. It’s usually full of additives and preservatives anyway.
Make your own baby food with seasonal fruit and veggies. Not only do they taste much better when they’re fresh, but they’re richer in nutrients too (not to mention seasonal produce is cheaper).
6. Use natural baby skin care
We all know how delicate a newborn baby’s skin is. And, just how we must take care of what we’re feeding them, we must also take care of what we’re putting on baby’s skin. It’s best to choose organic and natural baby products that are free from nasty chemicals and toxins.
Babies often have sensitive skin and using the wrong skin care can lead to eczema and other skin conditions, so it’s important to avoid overly perfumed cosmetics.
7. Choose sustainable babywear
Organic baby products are always best, and the same can be said for what you dress your little eco-warrior in. Natural and organic baby clothing tends to be high quality and much better for the planet, making them not only essential for babies and younger children – but people of all ages.
We highly recommend investing in sustainable babywear for bub. Not only will it feel good on their delicate skin, but you will be helping the planet too. Our organically-grown bamboo babywear has everything you need to be kind to bub and the environment. Holistic parenting at its best.
