Green Living: Green Baby

Author: Ashley

12 Aug

It’s Friday again, and that means we are going green. Just a reminder that this series has been inspired by David Bach’s latest book, Go Green, Live Rich. And you can enter to win this book by leaving a comment on Green Fridays.

Ahh, babies. They are the whole reason anyone really cares about living green and there are several things we can do to have greener babies.

Buy used clothes: One thing about babies is that they grow fast. So fast in fact that they can’t possibly wear out their clothes. And it is very often that little babies don’t even get a chance to wear all their clothes before they are outgrown. The point is that baby clothes are the perfect thing to buy used. You can save a bundle for your wallet and the environment.

Buy used equipment: Babies need stuff. Tons and tons of stuff. More stuff than you ever thought an 8 pound person could possibly require. And just like clothes, they often outgrow their stuff while it still looks brand new. You can save a ton of money poking around a used baby store. When your finished with your gently used baby gear sell it online, give it to a friend, or consign it at a baby store. I sold my barely used baby swing on ebay and actually got $20 more than I paid.

Breast Feed: In theory breast feeding should be cheaper. I’m sure for some people it is, but for me it wasn’t. After I paid for a pump rental, supplies, creams, pads, special bras, storage bags, and what not I figured it cost me the same as formula feeding. While it may or may not save you a buck, it is better for the environment. When it comes to breast milk there is no manufacturing, packaging, or shipping involved. Getting it straight from the tap saves a ton of energy.

Make your own baby food: I know a few people who did this. It’s better for the environment for the same reasons breast feeding is, no manufacturing, packaging, or shipping. And it’s cheaper than buying 100 little glass jars. Plus you know exactly what is in it and can customize it to be exactly the way your baby likes it. Here is a website that tells you exactly how to do it.

What about cloth diapers?: Turns out after you’ve finished washing the cloth diapers they aren’t better for the environment than disposables. That means I’ve spent 6 years of my life feeling guilty for nothing.

So tell me, do you buy used baby gear? Do you breastfeed and make your baby food? Do you think having babies is for crazy people? (I do!) Leave a comment and let me know. You will get an entry to win with this book with each comment you leave! ***Contest has ended***

8 Responses for "Green Living: Green Baby"

Delilah August 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm 1
I breast feed, make my own baby food, try to buy used gear or just make stuff myself. I like to refurbish furniture items and stuff.
Livingalmostlarge August 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pm 2
memememe! I am entering again!
Donna August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 am 3
I am expecting my first child next month and I am already planning to make her a “green” baby. I’ll be breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and making homemade baby food when she’s ready for it. Thanks for the reminder about buying used stuff, too. I have a feeling I’ll be frequenting Craigslist more often.

(Thanks to Ryan at uncommon-cents.net for sending me this link!)
Sue August 14th, 2008 at 1:04 am 4
The best ‘green baby’ tipI have (apart from the obvious ones you have already mentioned) I got from my grandmother, and now I’m a grandmother, so being green isn’t all that new after all!
If baby gets nappy rash there are two ways to treat it, the first is the summer cure, and the second is the winter cure.
Number one cure; remove nappy and leave babies skin to dry out in the summer sun, (being careful not to let baby burn of course). Number two cure; take one egg, separate the yolk from the white, and coat the effected area with the white of the egg. Allow to dry then put on nappy and clothing to keep baby warm. The white will form a barrier which will prevent the urine from burning the delicate skin.
Now go the whole hog, and use every bit of the egg! With the yolk, if baby is eating solids, boil a potato, mash with a little butter and the yolk, babies love the flavor! If baby is still too young to eat solids, then why not make yourself some mayo? It’s easier than you think!
Then break up the shell and add it to your garden/compost. Hey presto, no waste, no tubes to dispose of, and totally natural.
Angie August 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm 5
I was not a “green” mom because of any actual decision, but just because a lot of things seemed obvious to me. I breastfed my kids because it was healthier and cheaper (and also donated to a milk bank because it just seemed like the right thing to do), my friends and I all used hand-me down clothes because kids outgrow them so fast (I just got a call last week from a friend whose new baby is going to be using my Kindergartener’s baby shoes - he’s the 5th baby to wear them now!), and we passed around our baby equipment as well. I did buy baby food, but that’s just because I was lazy! The jars went to the local preschool to hold paint supplies when I was done though.
Bruce "the tax guy" August 17th, 2008 at 5:22 am 6
Where was all this when mine were young?
Green Me August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm 7
Great tips. However, I have to comment that your last point on cloth diapers is (according to my research) inaccurate. Cloth diapers are better for the environment. Period.

The studies that say the aren’t any better are either (a) funded by the folks who make the diapers or (b) a British study that made a lot of inaccurate assumptions.

If you do any of the following it is likely that your cloth diapers are much “greener” than disposables: wash your diapers with mild detergents; don’t use fabric softener (a big no no anyway, because it reduces absorbency); periodically (or always) line dry (sunshine eliminates poo stains); reuse your diapers for several kids (or re-sell them), and or use organic, hemp or unbleached fabrics.

Most disposables involve the use of chlorine bleaching (dioxins), lots of water to make the pulp, plus they stay in the land fill FOREVER. And, disposables encourage people to dispose of human waste in the regular trash, which is supposed to be illegal! Even poo from sposies should be dumped in the toilet, but have you ever met someone who actually did this!
Debbie B August 24th, 2008 at 3:58 pm 8
This post is right on time, my daughter is due in September. I’m so happy that the disposables aren’t as evil as we thought!