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How to have an green/ethical baby?
SusanCarter
Posts: 781 Forumite
Hi, just wondering if people have any tips onhow to be green/ethical when having a baby?
I don't think it's worth discussing nappies as there's already plenty threads on that but what else can one do?
Things I've thought of so far are:
- try to minimise the amount of babystuff you have
- try not to have too many plastic things
- make your own baby food
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I don't think it's worth discussing nappies as there's already plenty threads on that but what else can one do?
Things I've thought of so far are:
- try to minimise the amount of babystuff you have
- try not to have too many plastic things
- make your own baby food
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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Comments
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It's funny. I have a fairly wide ranging social circle when it comes to affluence, and the rule of thumb seems to be that the more cash someone has, the less 'stuff' the baby has.
Cod psychology would probably probably say that's because the wealthier ones can afford to have one full time parent (one's a house husband), and as we all know, kids would rather have time and attention than 'stuff'.
My advice would be to do whatever feels natural to you.0 -
Anybody? :question:0
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I suppose breast feeding would be the most green, ethical method. I actually enjoyed breast feeding, thouh was fed up with the "you're not giving baby enough milk" from well meaning relatives.
I have so many toys it is a disgrace, but at least I give them all to Charity when I have finished with them.
Home made, cheap toys to make.
Empty plastic bottle filled with rice or dried beans makes excellent "rain maker" Babies love the noise.
Give them a wooden spoon and let them bang on pans - mine loved doing that.
Regards
AnneMoney SPENDING Expert0 -
Buy (or get given!) second-hand. They are in clothes / using toys for such a short amount of time that it seems daft to buy new - everyone else will do that for you anyway.
We are 'comfortable' but I never said no to secondhand things - apart from carseats really. My little girl has just had her cotbed converted into a bed, it's been used 3 times now, my two and my niece. I just bought a new mattress.0 -
I hadn't thought of the fact that excess "stuff" isn't wasteful as long as you pass it on to charity or someone else. (Not that I would intentionally get too much stuff but I get the impression that it tends to happen quite easily even when you try not to.)bluenose1 wrote:I have so many toys it is a disgrace, but at least I give them all to Charity when I have finished with them.0 -
As far as I can tell, the only things one shouldn't get second hand are car seats and cot mattresses.
I like the idea of using things you have already rather than buy special things (e.g. bluenose1's wooden spoon and pan idea). Does anyone have tips of everyday things you can use instead of buying special things? The only thing I've thought of so far is that if I did need to bottle feed, I would use our vegetable steamer rather than buying a special steriliser or sterilising solution.0 -
SusanCarter wrote:As far as I can tell, the only things one shouldn't get second hand are car seats and cot mattresses.
Exactly! I did just buy one mattress for my two though, I bought the best one I could find and reused it as it was still in excellent condition, however the rules on this changes so much.
To be honest, I think a lot of the ethical issues with having a baby tie in completely with the money saving ones, so that's probably your best bet! There is a thread - will try and find the link.0 -
The mattress thing is to do with risk of cot death and (according to what I've read) it is ok to reuse for siblings - the risk is when reusing from someone else. (I don't think they know why but they've found it makes a difference.)0
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Yes, that's my understanding, but I still had to triple (!) check with my HV that the matress would be OK for my second child. Its OK (or it was!) for siblings if its in good condition, hence me paying a bit more for it.0
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Yes, I also reused my cot bed and mattress for all 3 of mine but did buy best sprung mattress first time around. All 3 are close in age so first 2 were into single beds by the time they were around 15 months old. Youngest still using cot bed as bed but usually sleeps in with 3yr old. Expecting number 4 and bought new crib with mattress had cot off friend but no mattress, going to buy a new one when baby 4 comes out of crib.
Can't think of anything else green as such apart from breastfeeding and real nappies! Have breastfed others so will do again. Not sure about nappies, I fancy trying it but DH dead set against idea.
Only other thing is about baby wipes, I used to use wipes for faces, fingers, everything. But soon realised how many wipes I was going through unnecessarily. So now use clean flannels and just shove them straight into washing machine.0
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