More than half of parents would like to reduce their use of plastic, but that can be easier said than done [1]. Here are five easy ideas that can help you be “greener”.
Use reusable diapers
Experts say that disposable diapers can take up 100 years to decompose [2], and that knowledge alone can be enough to make parents want to switch to cloth diapers. It can be unpractical to switch completely, but using them at home or occasionally could be an attainable goal.
Reduce amount of toys
This is especially true for plastic toys, you can replace some of them with wooden options such as pyramids, rattles, busy boards, cubes, sorters, mazes, and teethers. It’s also wise not to overwhelm your baby with too many toys. An experiment found that children that where given just a few toys interacted with them longer and more creatively than those that where offered up to sixteen [3].
Sharing toys with other children
Using pre-used toys is generally safe (we have an article about second-hand stuff here ). Here are a few ways you can obtain them:
- arrange exchanges with Moms you know;
- use sharing services, where parents give away unwanted toys for free;
- shop at thrift stores.
Do not overdo it with baby hygiene products
Advertising gives the impression that children need a dozen different products. In reality, you only need about three:
- A two-in-one wash (for body and hair);
- diaper cream;
- body lotion if your baby has dry skin.
Massage oils, foams, powders, and other creams are optional.
Cooking at home
When it comes to complementary foods for your baby, try making them yourself. That not only reduces waste, it can also help you save some money. An older baby will also appreciate that their food comes from the same kitchen as the food the rest of the family enjoys [4].
