Ten ways to raise your baby in an eco-friendly way

Having a baby can be the perfect opportunity to make practical changes that are good for you and that avoid damaging the planet. If we can resist buying everything new, learn to adapt what we’ve got and enjoy and appreciate the world around us, then there’s a good chance that our babies will grow up with real respect for the planet and an understanding that co-operation is a vital – and life-enhancing – skill. It should not feel worthy: green baby care is hands-on and fun. For some parents the clincher in these financially challenging times might be that many eco-friendly choices also suit those of us watching our spending.

There are three easy-to-remember principles – make less waste, learn with your baby and share the work. You’ll find these suggestions happen naturally the more you use shops and facilities in your local neighbourhood. Push your buggy around, say hello, sort out the things you don’t like, or simply enjoy your widening-circle of friends. Here are some more ideas:

Only buy what you need

1. Make shopping lists so you only buy what you need. And use what you’ve got – little babies grow so fast that if you save something for special they’ll have outgrown it!

Borrow when you can

2. Before you shop ask friends and family what you can borrow, or pick pre-loved items from eBay, freecycle, gumtree or any swap/network sites etc. Go on, bookmark them now. Or get in the habit of making regular visits to the charity shops.

Rethink washing

3. Rethink washing. Washable nappies, babygrows (and your own clothes) last longer if line dried indoor or out. Can you fit a yacht dryer or lazy Sheila (above the bath/stairwell)? If you’ve got a garden could you put a cover over an outside line?

Get outdoors

4. Enjoy the great outdoors, whatever the weather – get a waterproof cover for your buggy and a showerproof coat for you (toddlers stay driest in an all-in-one) so you can do whatever you want whenever you want. Wellies are essential in the UK all year – great for splashing through puddles, dealing with festival mud and taking the chill off bare feet if there’s been a heavy summer dew.

Have a picnic

5. Organise a proper picnic kit, with water containers, rug etc, to put under your buggy/in the car boot. That way you can zip out of the house to the park/errands and stay for as long as you want. Pack a waterproof changing mat if your baby is using nappies.

Toy story

6. Try swapping toys with friends or pack away a few for a fortnight so your baby is delighted to see old favourites reappear. Avoid battery toys if possible.
7 Wondering what baby and you can do? Find a cardboard box and use as a pirate ship, shop, castle or even dolls’ house.

Be more energy efficient

8. Make the room you and your baby will spend most time in more energy efficient. Use draught proofing, triple-thick curtains, shelves above the radiator. It may seem lazy, but doing nothing except insulating your home is the best present you could give your child.

Go out more

9. As your child gets bigger could you and a friend with a similar aged child take turns minding the kids for a couple of hours each week? Or try organising a baby sitting swap night with friends on a regular night, perhaps once a month. Or join or set up a babysitting circle with at least eight couples.

Last word on nappies

10. switching from disposables to washables can be done any time, and lots of families make the change once they feel confident about dealing with a baby. If you use disposables pick the most biodegradable offer and when it’s dirty throw into the bin (don’t also seal in a plastic bag). If you use washables it is more eco-friendly to line dry (tumble dryers eat energy!). The best option can be a nappy laundry service – look at www.goreal.org.uk to see if there’s one near you.

Nicola Baird is mum of Lola and Nell, an environmental campaigner and writer of six books. Just out is Homemade Kids: thrifty, creative and eco-friendly ways to raise your child (Vermilion, £10.99). Homemade Kids is ideal for families with 0-3 year olds, helpful for older children, and a perfect gift for pregnant women or anyone watching their budget. Find out more at www.homemadekids.co.uk

Last Modified: 29/07/2010

Send to a friend

raise your baby eco-friendly way damaging the planet respect for the planet Nicola Baird Homemade Kids: thrifty creative and eco-friendly ways to raise your child