Living Green is Cool: Green Your Baby by Tamara Raseberry

POSTED ON OCTOBER 26TH, 2011 BY TAMARA RASBERRY

Parenthood is an important responsibility. It is from the parents that children learn their initial lessons about everything, including being environmentally responsible. You will set the example for your children when it comes to actions such as recycling, re-use of materials and lessening your carbon footprint. No need to wait until your offspring are old enough to sort recyclables from the trash before you start putting them on the pathway to greener living. Start them off early! From food to clothes to diapers to toys, there are several options available that will help you and your baby go green.

Diapers - Instead of using ordinary disposable diapers, consider reusable options. Back in the day parents used the boring, bulky cloth diapers with the huge safety pins. You can go that route or you can opt for an updated version made from organic cotton and designed to be super absorbent.

Food - Optimally you would have the time (and energy) to puree organic fruits and vegetables for your little one, but for many new parents, time is of the essence. Thankfully, there are certified organic options available to save you time and take the guesswork out of “what can I feed my baby?”

Skincare - Your baby needs to be clean. Your baby needs his/her skin moisturized and protected. Your baby does NOT need a lot of extra dyes and fragrances poured into environmentally irresponsible packaging. Look for hypoallergenic, paraben-free versions of body wash, shampoo, lotion etc. – preferably in recycled/recyclable packaging.

Clothes – You have similar options for eco-friendly clothing for children as for adults. Seek out organic materials and when it comes to children’s clothing, hand-me-downs and thrift stores are your best friends.

Toys - Opt for toys made from natural materials (cotton, rubber, etc.) and that use non-toxic paint. Babies love to put things in their mouths! Confirm that the product is PVC, BPA and Phthalate free – it should say this on the (optimally recycled) packaging.

Your baby won’t quite realize or understand the importance of the choices that you are making but as he/she gets older, you can explain it to them. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.