Babies are miraculous things to behold, especially when you’re a parent. Now, while having a baby is a responsibility in of itself, not many parents think about how they can be more eco-friendly in their parenting. 

Wait! Eco-friendliness in parenting? You heard right! 

In this article, we’ll show you 7 tips on how to be an eco-friendlier parent, where both you and baby are not only happy together, but are also doing a world of good on the environment. Read on!

1. Start At Pregnancy

If you’re an expecting mother, then chances are, you’ll be preparing for your child’s arrival. Guess what! That’s where eco-friendliness can come in!

As you prepare for your baby’s arrival during pregnancy, be sure to invest in plant-based and or nontoxic household products that are labeled as safe for household use. Toxic substances like pesticide can affect pregnancy in the following ways:

• Cause miscarriage
• Result in low birth weight
• Cause birth defects, etc.

So, choose the best household products that prevent exposure to harsh chemicals like pesticide.

2. Use Eco-Friendly Diapers

Diapers are not only costly, but they’re also wasteful when it comes to the environment. Instead, opt for diaper alternatives like cloth and eco-friendly diapers. “With cloth diapers, all you have to do is use them, and then wash them. However, if you don’t like having to wash dirty cloth diapers, then opt for eco-friendly diapers made to minimize their impact in landfills” says Una Carroll, a lifestyle writer at Revieweal and Essay Roo.

3. Consider Homemade Baby Food

If you’re into pureeing food, then making your own baby food should be easy for you. With store-bought brands, you might be exposing your baby to salt, sugars, and preservatives. But if you feed your baby something that you make naturally from mashing fruits and vegetables together, you’ll find it very easy to avoid adding excess preservatives, salt, and sugar. 

4. Be Eco-Friendly At Bath Time

First, consider conserving water by bathing your child only a few times a week. This also prevents your baby’s skin from drying due to obsessive bathing and using scented products. 

Also, avoid shampoos, lotions, plastics, and powders that are made without phthalates or added fragrances, which can lead to health problems.

5. Be Eco-Smart With Laundry

Now, when it comes to your baby’s laundry, there will be tons of it. However, you’ll need to keep in mind the following:

• Avoid using detergents that have harsh chemicals. Instead, opt for more plant-based (or eco-friendly) detergent.
• Be sure to wash full loads, so that you’re not wasting water and energy washing little loads. If you HAVE to wash a onesie right away, consider handwashing them, rather than sticking them in the washing machine.
• Use cold water when washing, since hot water uses more energy than cold.

6. Remember The 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle

Reducing is to cut back on certain stuff, especially when it comes to your baby. Too much things can be overwhelming for both you and baby. So, don’t be afraid to get rid of clothes, toys, etc. that your baby doesn’t wear or use anymore.

Also, don’t be afraid to reuse things. Look into secondhand clothes and books (i.e. things from thrift stores), or asking your friends or relatives if they have any hand-me-downs that they can give to you. 

“You can also recycle things, and make them into other things. For example, you can turn a t-shirt into a cloth diaper for your child, instead of buying diapers from the store. Or, you can turn an old jar into a container to place your child’s building blocks in” says Domingo Heller, a lifestyle blogger at Academized and Boomessays. 

7. Enjoy The Outdoors

Finally, don’t be afraid to take your child outside with you. While it’s great to enjoy nature for a while, it’s also beneficial in certain areas:

• Going outside allows your baby to experience what it’s like to be around the natural world.
• Going outside requires no electricity. While there’s no television or toys outside (unless you bring them), you’ll be glad to know that going outdoors won’t harm your electric bill, when you leave the electronics inside.
• Opt for walking – instead of driving – to the local park with your baby in a stroller or carrier.

Conclusion

As you learn to accept more eco-friendlier option when caring for your baby, you’ll soon be a great eco-friendly parent to them. And, as an added bonus, you’ll be teaching your child to adapt to better habits that allow them to be friendlier to the environment.

Author Bio:
Elizabeth Hines is a writer and editor at Top Essay Writing Services and Simple Grad. She is also a contributing writer for Top Canadian Writers. As a content writer, she writes articles about the latest tech and marketing trends, innovations, and strategies.