How to have an green/ethical baby?

ailuro2

I agree breastfeeding is a great place to start- don't let ANYONE tell you their horror stories- remember something in the region of 97% of Scandinavian women breastfeed successfully, and tell people this frequently beforehand so they will be supportive rather than negative (many women seem to be embarassed by another woman breastfeeding their baby- very wierd, it's what they are designed for, after all) Keep an eye out for a vee pillow in the charity shops, friends houses etc. to borrow, they come in handy for feeding, and for propping baby up when they try to sit up.
Breastfeeding saves plastic for bottles, energy for sterilisation, more plastic and metal for the sterilisation unit...not to mention spending around an hour a day to wash, rinse,sterilise the bottles, use more energy to boil water,wait till it's cool, then finally make up the bottles.Only to warm them again for baby.And you have to pay lots of money for formula milk. Much better to relax for half an hour a few times a day with your cherub snuggled into you:D

Second hand clothes are great, especially small sizes which are never worn for long enough to wear out. Get grannies to look out their wool bags and start knitting multicoloured hats, cardis etc. Very green and funky looking too.

Baby wipes can be rinsed and reused too, remember, wash top half first,then bottom half, since they are a bit gentler than facecloths for newborns.
Talking of washing, most babies can be bathed in the kitchen sink, a much better height than leaning over a baby bath that's hanging over your own bath. When they are a bit bigger you just share the bathwater with them.(Still sharing mine with my 7 y.o.!)

Keep an eye out at car boot sales now...people getting rid of their baby stuff may give you a bit of a reduction if they see your bump.Congratulations on the impending arrival too.:D

SusanCarter

Thanks for the tips.

BTW I'm not actually expecting (yet).

ailuro2

I'm sure you're in the right place to find the best deal on folic acid tablets then....

Liney_2

SusanCarter wrote:

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.

Empty margarine tubs make great boats in the bath!

Liney_2

Don't bother buying a big plastic baby bath, my premature baby was really tiny when I brought him home (5lb) so I bathed him in my washing up bowl, now he's 9lb and I just support him in the adult bath, he loves it.

Also you can use a tiny amount of olive oil as a barrier cream for their bottoms rather than buying expensive creams to prevent nappy rash.

Lillibet_2

Don't use baby wipes, use cotton wool & water when out, use washable cloths & water at home & chuck in wash with washable nappies.

Easiest way to bath a baby is in with you, saves water too!

The "not too much stuff" theory is great. In practice it looks like a branch of toys r us exploded in my house at the end of every day:rolleyes: But 90% of the toys are 2nd or 3rd hand & will get passed on again when we're done with them. Same with clothes and even the furniture in Spuds room (I don't see the point of buying new furniture for a boistrous toodler who potentially could run riot with a magic marker at any time!) Acutally that applies to a lot of our furniture anyway but that's a seperate issue.

Don't use chemicals to clean baby, just water & a spot of shampoo when needed (which isn't every day). Only use nappy cream when necessary, not as a precuation.


HTH;)

conradmum

Get a GOOD QUALITY sling rather than a pram. This doesn't mean run of the mill ones such as Baby Bjorn (most conventional slings are medieval torture devices). With all three of my children I used a sling until they were about 5 months old so missed out the pram stage and only had to buy a comfy pushchair. They're also excellent for helping windy babies to sleep. Something like a hugabub would do, but do your research.
EBay is your friend.

Julysea

Definitely breastfeeding saves so much time, money and enviornmentally - I have 2 children, fed the first to age 20 months and am still feeding the 2nd at 17 months, never bought formula, bottles, sterilisers etc. PLus, cloth nappies, definitely cheaper and greener when using for more than one child. And sling instead of pram definitely. I used a Coorie pouch sling when my babies were small (about 10-15 quid) then a Kozy carrier between ages 4 months and about 15 months (about 35 quid), then a cheapie pushchair. Much cheaper and greener for 2 children than expensive travel systems and then different pushchairs for different stages. And may I also suggest co-sleeping? Easier to breastfeed at night, safe as long as you observe safety rules (in fact some studies suggest safer than a cot), and saves on buying cot too. Both our kids sleep with us in a super kingsize bed. And don;'t fall for all the 'stuff' you're told you need - special spoons and bowls, and wipes and shampoos and whatnot. Wash them with water, flannels, use tea spoons and ordinary bowls.

martinpike

And breastfeeding must save loads on alcohol and curries, cos you can't have them. And then taxi's, cos you can drive home...

And before you go mad at me -I'm teasing!

skylight

I have found an Eco-Crib in Mothercare!

Basically a cardboard crib, so when baby is grown up, you tell her/him that mummy and daddy really did make them sleep in a cardboard box!

http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lz3103&bklist=

It also comes apart and flat packs, so makes it an ideal travel cot too!
Only up to 3 months though.