Comments on: Green Living: Green Baby http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/ An honest look at family finances Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:06:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Debbie B http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-844 Debbie B Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:58:26 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-844 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! 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!

]]> By: Green Me http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-749 Green Me Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:04:50 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-749 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! 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!

]]> By: Bruce "the tax guy" http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-706 Bruce "the tax guy" Sun, 17 Aug 2008 10:22:58 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-706 Where was all this when mine were young? Where was all this when mine were young?

]]> By: Angie http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-693 Angie Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:16:01 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-693 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. 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.

]]> By: Sue http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-671 Sue Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:04:56 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-671 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. 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.

]]> By: Donna http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-662 Donna Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:56:55 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-662 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!) 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!)

]]> By: Livingalmostlarge http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-659 Livingalmostlarge Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:34:05 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-659 memememe! I am entering again! memememe! I am entering again!

]]> By: Delilah http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/08/green-living-green-baby/#comment-658 Delilah Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:15:52 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=164#comment-658 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. 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.

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