Eco Friendly Tips for Families

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Eco Friendly Tips for Families
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, July 2009, Issue 82 - Article 1

These days it's hip to care about the environment. You can't turn on the television without seeing a show like Carbon Cops or a government-sponsored commercial reminding us to turn off our lights. It seems caring for the planet has become a mainstream pastime. New mums are no exception, with a wave of eco mums (and dad's too!) demanding more planet-friendly options when it comes to raising a little one.

Almost all new mums are shocked by the sheer amount of paraphernalia needed to comfortably care for a baby. We might start out with ideas of keeping it simple and not getting seduced into excess consumerism on behalf of our growing family - but after a while we can become convinced that the myriad gadgets and gizmos avail-able to us will not only make life more convenient but could even lead to more sleep and less crying - both phenomenon most mothers of little babies find very appealing.

Cutting Back & Recycling
Perhaps the very first thing a new mum who cares about the environment can do is to reduce her need for "stuff". We are all familiar by now with the environmentalist mantra of "reduce, reuse, recycle" - or if not will definitely know it after too many episodes of Bob the Builder!

So where can we cut back? A good start is to not buy too much before you have your bub (especially for first-time parents). It's easy in the later stages of pregnancy to while away the days shop-ping but lots of those last-minute purchases may never be used when bub comes along. Getting to know your baby and the lifestyle changes that come with her will help you figure out what you really need to care for a little one.

Many new parents aren't keen on the idea of reusing hand-me-downs for their baby but this is a great way to save money and the planet. Most big items are easily reusable and necessities such as car seats, prams and even baby bouncers all have washable covers these days. Well-produced items such as a wooden cot can last for generations (but always get a new mattress for each baby). I was delighted when my mother-in-law gave me a selection of knitted baby clothes that had formerly belonged to my husband!

The thrifty reuse of clothing and linen harks back to an era where waste was much less acceptable than it is in today's disposable culture. If you are not keen on buying second hand and you plan on having more than one baby, certainly consider keeping essentials for baby number two onwards. You might even reuse washable nappies among siblings. Other ways that you can recycle include utilising toy libraries and using charity shops (giving to them and buying from them).

If you can't do without it, buy it second hand or pass it on - lots of baby stuff can be recycled. Often in our frenzied rush as new mums it's tricky to find time to recycle as much as we could. Try getting some really efficient systems in place for sorting your household waste and reusing water. Saving grey water from washing (and even baby's bath) and using it on the garden is one way.

There are many areas in which we can become a little more eco-aware as new mums. But why would we want to start at a time in our lives when we are probably low in energy and motivation for new projects? As new parents perhaps we become more aware of the world that we are raising our children in. It's one thing to think of the state of the planet our hypothetical children's children will inherit and quite another to look into the eyes of your newborn and reflect on what kind of job we are doing of preserving the world she will one day raise her little ones in.

Being Eco-Chic is Hip
If you associate eco with hard work and low style, think again; being eco-chic is possible. It doesn't matter what it is that motivates you to make more planet-friendly choices either - beautifully made and aesthetically pleasing things may just be the inspiration, and why not? Eco-conscious doesn't have to mean homemade or ugly.

I remember when my son was born, I was given a lovely cream-coloured baby blanket by a close friend. Made from the most luxurious, delicate fabric I've ever seen, it made me want to snuggle up and sleep just looking at it! In addition I was delighted to find it was made from organic non-bleached cotton.

You may not become a fully-fledged eco mum overnight but there is so much we can all do to help raise a generation of greenies - here are some of the options.

Eating
It's not only adults who have to eat on the go these days. Parents of babies and toddlers often find themselves packing a lunch box for little ones to use whilst out and about too. Try using reusable containers as much as possible. Good, old-fashioned Tupperware has been largely replaced by gladwrap and foil but a container that can be washed is much kinder for the planet. Thermos do a great range of drink flasks and for an eco alternative to gladwrap, wrap your sandwiches in the Velcro-fastened 4MyEarth pockets and wraps or the Wrap-n-mat, or a snack wrap. Where you can, choose wooden or stainless steel utensils over plastic throwaways and cloth napkins over paper. For the same reasons, eat in rather than taking food away if possible.

Of course, eating organic is a great start for any environment- and health-conscious parent but how about trying your hand at planting a vegie garden or window box? With even a small space you can grow tomatoes and strawberries as well as delicious herbs and salad leaves. Home-grown food cuts food miles (the carbon emissions used to transport food) and gardening is a wonderful (if messy) hobby for mum and a little helper!

Sleeping
It's not only organic food that's better for bub. Organic cotton bedwear and clothing is a gentle and breathable option for your little one. Non-organic cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world, negatively affecting water run-off and the fragile eco-systems where it is grown. The demand for cotton worldwide is enormous. Do your bit by choosing pesticide-free organics.

Washing
Whether it's your baby, your home, your laundry or even nappies, new mums certainly do a great deal of washing. First up, bathing your kids with products that have been organically produced, whether it be bath wash, shampoo or massage oil, not only helps the environment but also your bub's skin, especially if it is sensitive or eczema-prone.

As far as washable nappies go, we've come a long way since the days of terry towelling and sharp safety pins! And for all that washing, try switching to the eco brands of detergent and fabric conditioner that are available in most major supermarkets and health-food stores. If you are organised enough some outlets even offer refill options so save those old containers.

Holidays
Travelling with children? Virgin Blue is the first Australian airline to offer a carbon emissions offset scheme where you pay a fee to help offset the emissions of your flight. It doesn't have to cost a fortune, for example a return flight from Sydney to Adelaide incurs an offset fee of just under $4.

Closer to home, why not try carpooling with other mums (depending on the car seat set-up for little ones)? Keeping it local keeps the carbon footprint down too. Plus you can always cycle! I just bought a baby attachment for my bike and my little boy loves it. You may not feel altogether safe in busy urban areas but it's great for a blast of fresh air in the park or short, local journeys.

Disposable Culture
Nappies aren't the only things that are disposable these days. From wet wipes to bibs and change mats there are a myriad of individually wrapped and throw-away items tailored for cleaning up in every way. Start by becoming aware of how many times you reach for a wet wipe, tissue or napkin, and use washable cloths and flannels instead.

Where you do use disposables for your convenience, there are recycled and environmentally friendly brands available. There is a great line of baby disposables available on the market that are up to 100 percent biodegradable and compostable.

Decorating & Cleaning
We are a nation of people who have become sterile paranoid. Every other ad is for some toxic, germ-blasting cleaning product. Remember, kids do need to be exposed to some germs in order to build healthy immune systems, and that a consistently sterile environment may play a role in the increasing number of cases of childhood asthma and allergies. So whilst we do need to keep our homes clean for baby's health, traditional wisdom tells us you can go a long way with simple bicarbonate of soda and vinegar as cleaning products.

Quick Fix Environmental Action
'I started natureschild.com.au with the motto "change the world one purchase at a time",' says Jannine Barron, and it's great advice. When I asked Barron for her top tip as an eco mum she said, 'I still believe that one thing a month that you change in your house means that within a year, you could transform your home into an eco-friendly paradise. It's important to do it slowly - that way it seems achievable and realistic.' So instead of falling into the all-too-easy trap of doing nothing because you feel overwhelmed, take Barron's advice and begin today. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Avoid tumble drying
Make use of the sun and wind to dry your washing. If you don't have much space for an outside line try the hideaway bathroom lines that hang over the bath and retract when not in use. Even if you can't air dry it all, remember that each time you ditch the dryer you're making a contribution to reducing your carbon emissions.

Switch nappy types
If using washable nappies seems too hard, combine washable and disposable types to suit your lifestyle - and if you can afford to, choose eco disposables. Remember you're saving money every time you wash a nappy. With my little one I found washables when I was at home were easy - but when I was out and about, or at night when I would change his nappy less often (and therefore needed the greater absorbency of a disposable), I used eco disposables.

Support small, local businesses
Skip the supermarket where you can. If you shop locally you generally buy less unnecessary stuff, especially if you are carrying it home. Shopping locally supports small business and reduces the carbon footprint of food and consumables. If you avoid multinationals and opt for smaller businesses you're also helping to add variety and a sense of community to your local shopping area.

Walk instead of drive
Tempting as it so often is, avoid taking your bub for a drive to help him sleep - walk instead. A stroller is always a good option and I've found carrying my baby in a sling when he is tired is often a great sleep inducer.

Teach about the environment
Turning off lights and saving water can become a fun game for a little one as young as two. We all know that habits formed in childhood tend to stick and as parents we can be responsible for helping our children to care for the planet from a young age.

This article was kindly supplied by My Child magazine. The Bub Hub is proud to be working closely with Australia's best pregnancy and parenting publication, My Child, and we look forward to delivering exceptional parenting articles on a monthly basis.

To read more great features, be sure to pick up a copy of the Winter issue, on sale May 20 at all good newsagents. And visit their My Style weblog to find out what's hot for bubs, kids and parents. It's the place to go for furniture, fashion, art, ideas and more. If it’s stylish, you'll find it at My Style!

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website: www.mychildmagazine.com.au