Parent Time

One of the joys of getting ready to welcome a baby is choosing the sweetest sleepers, the coziest crib, the gentlest soap. Environmentalists encourage you to think green as you prepare for your baby’s arrival:

Use some cloth diapers. Even when you tally up water use, cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly. Disposables contain harmful chemicals in the plastic lining and the absorbent material, and clog landfills, taking generations to break down.

Dispense with wipes. Stock up on inexpensive cotton washcloths for diaper changes. For travel, look for chlorine-free wipes.

Use natural skin care products. A baby’s body absorbs whatever is applied to her skin, so look for all- natural, edible products.

Give new clothes a milk bath. New clothing, bedding and change pads should always be washed before your baby uses them. New dry goods contain fire retardants and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen) as sizing, which stiffens cloth for a tidier display. You can neutralize formaldehyde by soaking fabrics in milk (use powdered) and then washing them.

Shop second-hand. Hand-me-downs that have been through the wash a few times will be cozy and soft for your baby, easy on your pocketbook and free of harmful chemicals.

Think wood. Solid wood is a better choice than vinyl or carpeting on the floor. Scatter mats (with non-slip underpads) can be aired out and thrown in the wash. Yard-sale finds in good condition are a better option than new particleboard furniture that off-gasses formaldehyde. Whether new or gently used, make sure your baby’s crib meets current safety standards.

Green poll

Having a baby can motivate us to green our lifestyle. In a Todaysparent.com poll, 69% of over 650 respondents said they’d made changes in the past six months. Almost 100 people agreed to tell us more about their choices:

88% Have a pesticide-free yard

70% Buy organic or locally grown food

51% Drive less and walk more

47% Use non-toxic cleaning products

Originally published in Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth, Autumn 2007