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Living Greener with Your Baby
Most of us know that living greener is the healthier, more responsible way of life. We know that purchasing organic produce, recycled paper products, and using fabric shopping bags, not only makes us feel better, but also contributes to our overall health and the well-being of our planet. The trouble comes in when you bring home that tiny bundle of joy and all of a sudden, making the ecologically responsible choice is quickly trumped by the lure of those convenient, disposable diapers and drive-thru dining options.
Where you once would have tidied your kitchen and made sure to separate the recycling from the garbage, you now look at pile of things on the table in front of you and, in your sleep-deprived state, are far more likely to trash everything and try to sneak in a few extra minutes for something as luxurious as a shower. Where once, in your pre-parent days, you would have diligently picked out the best-looking organic produce from the market, you find yourself with a screaming baby and grab the first thing that looks like a fruit or vegetable in order to try to get out of the store without too many distasteful looks.
If you are a new parent or a parent to-be, then you know this feeling. If you can't relate, you most certainly will at some point. These are the choices that we guiltily make in order to try to reduce the chaos that we have come to exist in. However, in making these choices, we are taking away from who we claim ourselves to be. Our morals, our integrity, our piece of mind, are all sacrificed for our sanity and our instinct of self-preservation. While spending my day out of the house with strained peas on my shirt apparently hasn't bothered me in the past, this most certainly has.
One thing that being a parent seems to instill, among many things, is our determination to raise our children right. I know, from my own experience, that every single time I put something in the garbage that could be recycled or composted, I think to myself about what I'm teaching my child. Every time that I leave a light on when I leave the room or fill up the tank of my SUV, I feel that pang. It is easy to rationalize that it's just easier, or I'm just one person, or - fill in the blank with one of many excuses. Now, I'm the last person to say that we should all throw out our hairdryers and stop driving our cars. Adding bad hair and being late to work, clearly is not going to contribute to a more pleasant world, trust me on that one. I'm just trying say that making small adjustments in our day-to-day lives can make more of a difference than you might think.
As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our kids are equipped with the necessary tools needed to grow into responsible adults. That's why it is so important to be good role models and do what we can to combat the Styrofoam, non-recyclable, temptations that are waiting for us to cave to convenience. While not all of the options are easy, there are some simple and realistic alternatives that will make it easier to be good examples and feel better about our choices. Consider ways that you can reduce the amount of trash you put out at the curb each week, and the amount of harmful chemicals that you find in your shopping cart during regular trips to the grocery store.
While not all of us are cut out for using cloth diapers, they make a tremendous difference in the landfills, think tens of millions of diapers a day. Another alternative to cloth diapers are flushable diapers, which consist of washable diaper covers and inserts which naturally breakdown once flushed. You can even start simpler, like using a washcloth on your baby's bum instead of baby wipes or purchasing baby washes, creams, and cleaners that use eco-friendly ingredients and are preservative-free.
Making your own baby food with a handy food mill cuts down on packaging and processing. This one is great on many levels. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is wallet friendly too, and much better for your baby's health. Even if you keep a few jars of mashed bananas or pureed prunes in the diaper bag for outings, you will still be making a difference. Think about purchasing organic baby clothes, bedding, toys, and furniture. Made without the use of harmful pesticides and processing chemicals, these items that constantly surround your baby are safer and better for the earth.
Another great tip. Reuse, reuse, reuse! Baby furniture, clothing, toys, and other products can all be handed down, donated, or repurposed. Instead of throwing out an old toy that has been long since forgotten, consider donating it to a women's shelter, taking it to a consignment store, or handing it down to a friend with a little one. There is always a need for baby items and by skipping the trash heap, you can provide a family with things that they might not otherwise be able to afford. However, I would make sure that the item has not been recalled for safety concerns before giving it away.
One little bit at a time, we can contribute to a healthier planet and show our children that it is worth the effort. Just remember that it is not "all or nothing" and that even if you give in to that amazing Chinese restaurant down the road that uses non-recyclable containers for take out, because you're just not making dinner tonight, you can rest a little easier knowing that your baby will be resting comfortably in his or her organic cotton pajamas.
