Question by J: Anyone have any tips for raising children the eco-friendly way?
Hello! I’m 15 weeks pregnant and passionate about the environment.
For some of my pre-baby shopping (I’m waiting to know the baby’s gender before I buy too much) I’ve started picking up the essentials like baby wipes and second hand onsies.
I’ve heard good things about Gdiapers, so I think I’ll pick up some of those when money is available. And dreamsak makes some adorable bamboo baby clothes (although I’m leery about spending so much for them…sustainability is awesome but consumption fever this country has is appaling). The wipes I picked up are biodegradable bamboo, and I’ve been considering getting the degradable poo bags but the package doesn’t say how long it takes for them to decompose so I’m a little leary. I’ve bought the baby gentle formula of Dr. Bronners, I plan to buy target’s BPA-free things like bottles and spoons. I already clean with all natural products (vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, etc), and I plan to get as many things gently used as possible to do my part for the enviroment.
Any tips anyone has would be greatly appreciated 
…I’ll be breastfeeding, and thanks for assuming I’m an idiot.
…and Gdiapers makes cloth, too.
Best answer:
Answer by Dana1985,Masterofignorance
My advice would be to not spread your ignorance to your child. You use vinegar (an acid) to clean rather than a regular household cleaner (which have no negative environmental, you would know this if you researched rather than just going with the trend). And baby wipes??!! Ok Ill give you that they are made with bamboo (which in some ways is sustainable) but if you are so “green” why not a towel and then wash it so your not just throwing things away? I interned at a landfill while finishing an Environmental Science degree, we did core samples and found newspapers from 1952 still not degrading!! So no poo bag or baby wipe is gonna biodegrade in less than several hundred years! I applaud you for trying, I just beg that you actually think about the what it is your are buying and what the impact on the environment really is. The whole “green” thing is mostly a marketing scam so beware!
Add your own answer in the comments!
spare the rod and spoil the child.
I don’t have any kids, but one thing that really irritates me is disposable diapers and using formula when breast milk is available.
Best tip I can give you is get second hand/hand me downs whenever possible. If you know other parents with slightly older babies then this isn’t too hard, if not then look for ‘nearly new’ baby shops – that way you’re also supporting smaller independent business too. Charity shops also are worth a look, and support a good cause too. Baby clothes get so little wear they can be used for many, many babies.
Reusing equipment and clothing is the best way to avoid ‘consumption fever’ – and it means less manufacturing, so less pollution. Pass on what you can once you are done with the stuff, and you’ll know you’ve done your best for the environmental future of your child.
Cloth Diapering
Some statistics say each child creates 2 tons of waste from disposable diapers! Since caring for a baby can be so time consuming, it is easy to see why parents choose the perceived convenience of disposable diapers. They just toss them in the garbage bin and forget them right? Well, eco-friendly parents cannot forget that diapers account for an enormous amount of landfill waste that is not biodegradable.
Luckily cloth diapers have become just as easy and convenient as disposable diapers. Forget the flat diapers you need to fold and pin together (although those are still around if you are so inclined). Cloth diapers today are fitted with elastic, close with pins or Velcro, and are easy to clean. For those that do not have the time or the desire to do diaper laundry, diaper services widely available. Cloth diapers can last for years and be used by more than one child. Flushable diapers, such as gDiapers, are another eco-friendly diapering option.
Feeding Your Baby
Not only is breastfeeding the perfect food for baby, it is also the most planet friendly way to feed your baby. By simply breastfeeding your baby you eliminate the need for formula cans and baby bottles. Breastfeeding is waste free! If however you need to pump milk and bottle feed there are eco-friendly options for that, too. Glass baby bottles are reusable and can be recycled or donated, unlike their plastic counterparts which are prone to breakage and do not biodegrade. Furthermore, plastic baby bottles may contain BPA, a chemical that leaches into the milk and can cause hormone disruption. Helpful products for mom such as wool or cloth breast pads and organic creams are also available.
When your baby is old enough to eat solids you can continue to feed “green” by making your own baby food from organic fruits and vegetables that you are already eating. There is no need to buy boxes of baby cereal or tiny jars of baby food when you can mash or puree family foods and feed them those. They can be frozen inside ice cube trays for later use and convenience. A useful reference is Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. That was my feeding bible for my last two children. A book that I wish had been around when I still had babies is Baby-led Weaning: Helping Your Baby to Love Good Food.
Clothing Your Baby
Farming with chemicals is hazardous for our planet and very unsustainable. When you buy clothing for your baby try to buy clothing made with sustainable fibers. Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool in natural colors or dyed with low impact dyes are all good choices. The absence of chemicals is also better for your baby’s tender skin. Here is one source of natural baby clothes.
Consider buying used clothes instead of new. Buying second hand clothing that someone has recycled is much more sustainable an option than buying brand new. Look for used clothing at thrift stores, on local lists such as Craiglist, eBay, or through family and friends. This option is also much easier on the pocketbook.
When we bring a baby into the world we want that world to be as friendly and hospitable as possible. These are just a few eco-friendly tips for raising babies and ensure that that world remains friendly and hospitable for generations to come.
Mothering magazine is a great resource, they have excellent discussion forums for natural family living and raising babies and children. The web address is http://www.mothering.com and the “community” tab leads to the discussion boards. I can’t think of a family topic that isn’t covered by one of their boards.
GL ! It’s great that you want a greener future for your baby and for the rest of us.