Ways to Go Green Part 2: Parenthood
Maybe you are considering going green or making more natural lifestyle choices and you don’t know how. There are really so many ways to go green and some don’t apply to some as readily as they do to others. This is the second post on ten ways that I eased into going green. These were what launched me into a leave-no-trace mentality and what inspire me everyday to be better at being sustainable, eco-friendly, and healthy.
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5. I breastfeed.– It is what God and nature intended for my baby to have and in order for my child to have proper nutrition, I must also be good to myself. It is a “no excuses” mentality. Why would I want to give my precious baby anything else and why no give her the best and me benefit as well? This breastfeeding
My breastfeeding goal for each child is until age 2. What this also means is that I am not buying something that is manufactured and takes resources to both make, produce, and ship… not to mention resources to use on my end. Breastfeeding was one of those things that sealed the deal on me being green. No turning back. There are so many ways to go green and this one is one of my favorite. I have now been breastfeeding since October 2012.
6. We bedshare – This is how women and babies have interacted for thousands of years. This is how the animal kingdom raises their young. Therefore, why would I want to place my child in another room, away from me? It was so unnatural for me to send my child away from me and keep her isolated. On top of that, it’s expensive. No need to buy cribs, mattresses, sheets, and all sorts of other gear. Cribs are also not supposed to be something that is shared because there are safety concerns, making them an even less sustainable option.
7. I never bought an infant car seat– Yes, read that again, you read it right. May you’re thinking “That’s illegal!” But no, no it is not. I still had a car seat, just not an infant car seat/carrier. There are several reasons behind this.
- REASON ONE: It, like so many other things, is so unnecessary. For thousands of years women have lived without carrying their babies in little car seats. Why do I need to follow a trend that is at best 50 years old? (And by this I mean carrying them outside of the car)
- REASON TWO: I like to conserve resources. This means both in my pocket book and for the planet. If I buy an infant car seat, my child will use if for at most a year. If I buy it, the company will be signaled to make yet another one, which I do not want. AND car seats are another item that because of safety concerns are not supposed to be bought and sold secondhand.
- REASON THREE: I wear my baby. Studies show that babies that are worn are less fussy and better adapted to their environments. This means they cry less, are disrupted less, and can be nursed easier. Also, because of all this bonding time, women who baby wear are often less likely to struggle with PPD. Furthermore, I found that my child was more alert than her counterparts and engaged more in the world around her especially when she was younger.
My solution was to find a great car seat that was highly rated and safe for both small babies and older toddlers and even children. We actually have two Clek Fllo seats now!
8. We Cloth Diaper
.– disposable diapers and trainers? You mean they get one use and sit in a land fill for hundreds of years? And they sit there for so long because they are filled with chemicals? Ok. No, that is not the option for me. As you know by now, I don’t like chemicals. Especially not on my sweet little baby’s bottom. Those chemicals can suck all the moisture out of a baby’s butt and leave a diaper rash, and how do you fix that? With diaper cream you say? Oh no… Ok, so cloth diapering means less diaper rash (which can actually be fixed with breast milk and other natural means), less waste, and more money in our pockets. It can be quite an investment upfront, but they last! And maybe for all the multiple babies you want to have. In fact, buy them used which is even better.
9. We practice Baby Led Weaning – Weaning in this sense is just about introducing solids and not ceasing to breastfeed. The reason this has helped us be more green is because it means we don’t buy baby food or have expensive machines that make our own baby food. We have less waste, healthier food, and we never forced any food on our daughter. While so many are ready to give their kids food as soon as possible, we waited for as long as possible and even then she JUST started getting truly interested at 16 months. It’s saved money and resources in the long run and I find that if I eat healthy and have healthy options, that’s all she has too.
IN SUMMARY:
Ok, that is not an exhaustive list and each item is as brief as I could make it and still explain adequately. These five ways to go green as a parent are the ways that reaffirmed my decisions for our family. Finding ways to go green, no matter how small or large, can truly benefit both your family and the planet.
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 6 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
