When you become a parent your whole life changes. Not only do you have this new bundle to take care of but your perspectives also alter. You begin to realise what is important in life and one of those biggest things is your child’s future. Ensuring that we protect the planet for their future is imperative but this can all feel a bit overwhelming especially as being a parent is new to you too. However, I promise you that it doesn’t have to be hard to make some eco-friendly steps. In most cases, you will actually be making life far simpler and saving money at the same time! Sounds great, doesn’t it? Here are my 5 ways you can be a more eco-friendly parent.
Guest post by Emma Reed
Reusable/cloth nappies
Reusable nappies have made a big comeback in recent years. The main reasons we are seeing this is because of the awareness of the damage that disposable nappies are doing to the environment. They have also come a long way in design and simplicity. The shocking facts that disposable nappies take 500 years to breakdown, that they contain plastic and chemicals, as well as bleach and wood pulp, have all come to light. More parents are opting for a safer and more gentle nappy instead.
Cloth/reusable nappies are predominantly made from natural materials. They contain no chemicals, they are soft, they significantly reduce the problem with nappy rash and as you can wash and reuse them, you save money in the long term.
Reusable wipes
So, naturally, the next item to think about are your baby wipes. You may have heard that the majority of disposable baby wipes on the market do actually contain plastic; which again will take hundreds of years to breakdown. Just like disposable nappies, you will also end up spending far more on disposable wipes than if you opted for reusable ones and there’s another big bonus here… They work so much better! For a normal clean up, one wipe is sufficient and even with a poo explosion, you will probably only need to use 2 at most. They grip to the mess and wipe away with such ease that once you make this switch you’ll wonder why you ever used disposables.
Reusable breast pads
Just as with the above, breast pads are available in both disposable and reusable forms. Having used both, I can personally say that reusable breast pads are a game-changer. They are far more comfortable, they don’t make you sweaty. They don’t scrunch up in your bra, they don’t have sticky tabs that leave marks, they don’t contain plastic and they can be washed and reused; preventing more waste going to landfill and keeping your money firmly in your pocket!
Shop secondhand
It can be so easy to get caught up in the adverts. The items we are told we “need” (see below). The cute outfits etc but consumerism is a huge problem for our environment. As more demand is placed upon companies to make more, we increase pollution, carbon emissions and also overwork and underpay staff. Buying secondhand has so often been frowned upon in the past. Happily change has started to happen and many more parents now realise that this is an extremely sustainable way of shopping. You can tend to find all you need in great condition in charity shops, at NCT sales, on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. You will be saving money and helping the planet all at once.
Only buy what you will need and use
One thing we are all told from the moment we are pregnant and through every stage is that we need this latest “must-have”. As I mentioned above, the ads tend to take over and it is so easy to be sucked in. But before you make that purchase do some research. Ask in parent groups to find out what others bought. Read the reviews, see if others thought it was a good buy and, following on from my previous point, see if it is available secondhand rather than brand new.
There will be many companies claiming that their products will make your life easier. However, if you aren’t going to get much use out of it, if it is going to put you out of pocket and it is going to get in the way in your home, it isn’t convenient whatsoever. The best step you can take is to buy less, save your money and help the environment.
About the author
Emma Reed is a Mother and Blogger who lives in Hampshire with her 2 children, Jake (7) and William (3), and her husband, Rob. She began her parenting blog back in 2016 when she self-published a book on baby teething. Her blog is inevitably what led her to begin living a more eco-friendly lifestyle and she now uses her platforms to show others how they can also adapt their own lives to incorporate these changes. You can read her blog over at www.emmareed.net or follow her on Instagram over at @emmareed_writes
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