How can I go green with raising my infant?

Question

Glass bottles instead of plastic,

organic and petro free baby lotion, soap, etc

organic clothing and bedding,

wood floors in nursery,

cloth diapers.......WHAT ELSE? Thank you for your ideas!

Answer 1

Buying local products can help too.  I used to California Baby products for my kids, but we live in NC, so I've switched to Burt's Bees which is manufactured a few miles away.  

Walk or take public transportation as much as you can.  Invest in a good stroller, buy it used to save to some money, and/or sling or carrier.  I've found that through two kids you get what you pay for when it comes to baby gear.  It really frustrates me to buy a lower priced item and have it fall apart and end up in a landfill.  

As your baby grows teach him or her about the importance of the environmental decisions you make.  My 4yo has been helping with the recycling since she was 2.  In fact she used to pick up trash at local parks and pitch and give people lectures about dropping it.  She's since moved on to lecturing people about composting.  

Another thing we do is buy some items used.  When the kids are looking for new books we go to the used bookstore first.  That way we're not using resources to create new ones.  We did splurge on Earth Day and buy a new copy of The Lorax printed on recycled paper with eco friendly inks.

Answer 2

I just read a book (am 8 months pregnant) and I am starting small, I am phasing out all of my cleaning supplies and instead using a 1/4 vinegar and water solution.

For air freshener you can add a little baking soda or essential oils.  

I am still looking into more "recipes" for cleaning products I know some people use glycerin and other natural items.

I am also phasing out all of my shampoos & lotions.  They are filled with chemicals.  In the european nations 1100 products are banned, we only ban 9.  Anything that has parabin is a chemical that is not good.  It is not linked yet to cancer but I am just going to try and cut back on chemicals in general.

Answer 3

A healthy appreciation for an organic diet.

Answer 4

Go as natural, pesticide and chemical free as possible. A couple good websites for purchasing items are www.gdiapers.com, they have compostable diapers and www.biggreenpurse.com they can help you locate vendors.

Going green is easy, there are so many great resources about the subject. My personal favorite is "The Green Book" which has parts of its book online as well at www.readthegreenbook.com.

As I have been striving to "Go Green" I realize it is like stepping back in time without getting rid of my modern conveniences. I'm doing many things I learned as a child, like line drying my clothes, sweeping instead of vacuuming, opening the windows in the morning to catch the cool breeze, only buying what I need instead of everything that looks cool, growing some of my own food, and canning what I can't eat now.

To me "going Green" is a frame of mind. Do what fits your lifestyle and do the easy things first, it is a process and like dieting if you go to radical to soon, you are more likely to go back to bad habits. I also believe there are good, better, best choices in most things. If you aren't ready to start a home garden, then try finding a farmers market, until you locate one look for produce grown as close to home as possible and go organic when available.

Many people think "going green" is expensive, I disagree. Some changes may take an initial investment, but they usually have a short payoff time. Things like weatherstiping and insulation cost, but the energy savings will add up quickly. You may need to purchase reusable bags, but most stores give you a 5 or 10 cent credit, so you are paid back within a few months.

My top tips are make your home more energy efficient, that also means using natural light, cooling and heating.

Reduce your packaging, if you eat more fresh food you will generally reduce packaging, it's the same thing they tell dieters, shop the perimiter, that is where all the meat, dairy and produce are located. Only buy what you will use, many Americans throw away a lot of unused food. Buy in bulk, that doesn't just mean large packages, but that area with the bins that you buy only what you plan on using.

Replace disposable items with durable items, if you eat outside often and use disposable paper or plastic plates, it is a wise investment to purchase a set of reusable plastic plates. Replace disposable razors, diapers and cleaning products like swiffer. Avoid bottled water, get a home filter like Pur or Brita.

Recycle, www.earth911.org will help you locate the nearest recycle center. I try to only purchase plastics that are #1 or #2, they are more easily recycled. I also buy recycled products when available, that includes paper towels, napkings, toilet paper, tissue, school/office supplies and clothing.

Detox your cleaning, vinegar and baking soda clean almost anything, they can even losen a hair clog. Seventh Generation and Method are a couple mainstream brands that are very earth friendly.

Just start small and build from there, don't get overwhelmed.