What Don’t You Need for a New Baby?
Jan 6, 2009 Green Parenting
There’s a lot of stuff that stores will tell you that you need when you’re going to have a new baby. Some of it is very, very necessary. Other things, not so much.
When you look at suggested baby registries, such as this one from Babies R Us, the big thing you will notice is the amount of repetition. So many different kinds of strollers recommended. They list all the car seat sizes you’re going to go through. And accessories, accessories, accessories! Not to mention toys specialized for so many different areas of baby’s life.
It get ridiculous fast.
The decision for what you do and don’t need is pretty personal. However, I think most of us can get by with far less than the stores recommend.
Things I Have Never Needed for Baby
1. Changing table.
I’ve always found a changing pad and a nearby bed, couch or floor to be good enough. Not like you can take the changing table with you wherever you go.
Perhaps the one disadvantage is that none of my kids have ever been comfortable on those changing tables you find in stores and restaurants. I’ve always struggled with diaper changes on those.
2. Crib bedding sets.
Most especially the quilts or comforters, which you can’t use until baby gets older anyhow, and are more likely to end up as a decoration. They’re too heavy for newborns.
That said, I’m also biased because my grandmother makes quilts for my kids, which remain stored until each child is old enough for it. They are well treasured.
I also really don’t do themes or particularly special nursery decorations. Baby won’t notice for quite a while what his or her room looks like in terms of specific decor or if it all matches.
They can look nice if you want the whole room to match a theme, but otherwise I find it makes more sense to just buy the individual parts you’re going to need. So often there will be a mobile or lamp shade or wall decoration that you just aren’t going to use.
3. Nursing covers.
I do cover up if I’m nursing in public, or at least try to, but whatever baby blanket I have on hand is quite sufficient to the job. So far that has worked well enough, although neither of my kids really liked being covered while nursing.
4. Stroller after stroller after stroller…
A stroller is a big help, in my opinion, although a good sling could take its place, I have no doubt. But so many varieties are recommended!
I have two. The basic umbrella stroller and the one that goes with my car seat. That’s plenty.
The umbrella stroller is nice once baby can sit up and space is a consideration. The other is nice if I need to carry more things than just baby, since it has the basket in the bottom. It’s also better for more difficult terrain.
5. Walkers.
Walkers are loads of fun for baby, but they also carry risks. I’ve always stuck with the stationary entertainers. Baby can still bounce for leg exercise, but she’s not getting a false sense of how moving around the house works. Ours has gone through about 5 babies so far, between my sisters and myself.
On the other hand a push toy that encourages walking once baby can actually walk isn’t so bad a thing.
6. A splat mat.
Babies are messy eaters when they start on solids, but a specialized splat mat probably doesn’t need to be bought. Grab a beach towel or a table cloth to slip under the high chair and you’ll get much the same effect with something you already own.
7. Other supplies you may not need.
There are a bunch of things you may not need for baby. Some of it will be because they’re too specialized. Toys for the crib are just as good for the daytime. Car seat toys may work for the stroller. And do you really need a bouncer, door jumper, stationary entertainer, swing and walker? That’s a lot of things that perform similarly enough that you can think about what really goes with the space you have and your needs.
Still more things may be replaced by things you already own. King size pillowcases fit cradle mattresses beautifully, in my experience.
You might decide that you only need a play yard rather than play yard, crib and cradle/bassinet. Or you may prefer to have these separately.
Then there are the things that go by choices you have made. If you’re breastfeeding exclusively, you aren’t going to need so many bottles, but you will certainly want some and a good breast pump if you ever want a break!
While I won’t need much new this time, since most everything is available through family handmedowns, there are a few things I’ll want. But new or used, the best idea is to keep things simple. Cuts down on the clutter and wondering about why you got something in the first place.
Ethical Shopping Help
Dec 18, 2008 Going Green, Green Gift Ideas
Christmas isn’t the only time we need to be thinking about ethical shopping. It’s something to work on for the entire year.
This is a topic I’ve been thinking about a lot, mostly due to the sheer consumerism of this time of year. This year is probably better than most, since so many people are cutting back and even looking at used gift items and thrift stores. It’s a nice change, but so much more can be done.
Going through the books at Amazon, I found The Better World Handbook: Small Changes That Make A Big Difference
The book gets into choosing the right bank, buying the right groceries, alternative transportation and more. Sounds to me like the kind of guide a lot of us need to cut back on the guesswork.
I have no doubt that bits of information in it are already out of date, of course. More and more stores have been adding organic selections, for example. The current economy has put many companies out of business, and others are looking for ways to cut costs, which often comes at the sacrifice of environmental efforts. But even with that I think the information is going to be good.
One reviewer didn’t like all the small changes, but as others have noted, small changes are often what lead to big changes. This looks like a nice way to get moving on more small changes.
It’s going on my wish list. Not quite in the budget yet.
Practical Green Gifts
Dec 17, 2008 Green Gift Ideas
It’s almost Christmas, but there’s still time to find gifts for those you care about. My favorite kind of gift to give combines green with practicality. It’s not always an easy combination, but finding it can be great.
You have to know, of course, what will be welcome. Giving CFLs is green and practical, but not everyone is going to appreciate being given light bulbs, no matter how much money they’ll be saving.
Reusable shopping bags can work. Interest in these has been increasing as cities look at banning or having stores charge for plastic bags.
A composter
Cloth diapers
And of course, many of the ideas I gave in my post on Green Gift Ideas to Give to the Non-Green will work just as well for the enthusiastically green.
The most important key here is to think about what is needed. So many people have much more than they need, but you can probably find something practical and green, rather than something that will sit about, unused. Give it some thought and try not to rush into something just because you need to buy SOMETHING. Think about books
Tags: christmas, green gifts, holidays, shopping
Supporting Smaller Businesses for the Holidays
Dec 1, 2008 Green Gift Ideas
Much as I enjoy going through the huge selection at Amazon
Gifts for All
Great fun for those who love to give handmade gifts. They won’t necessarily be green, but many will be, and you’re buying from the person who made the item most of the time.
Etsy has gift for all ages. Lots of the crafters make toys. Lots of them make home decor, jewelry and so forth.
Merchants at Etsy set their own prices. They pay just 20 cents to list each item, then a 3.5% transaction fee for each sale. That’s a much better deal than what people are getting from eBay these days, where you pay an insertion fee based on your starting auction price, then 8.75% of the closing price for the first $25, less as the price goes up.
You can also of course go to local craft fairs if handmade is what you enjoy giving but want more than what you would make yourself.
This company offers reusable bags and more. They have great shopping bags and lunch bags. You can also find Sigg, Kleen Kanteen and more for family and friends who could use to drop the buying bottled water habit.
Green for all around the house, apparel, pets and so much more.
More products for around the house. Also sells a range of air purifiers and water filters.
Products for your home, pets and family. Very good range in the selection.
Rechargeable batteries make great gifts for parents you know or anyone who really loves their technology. Just think of how many batteries iPods and such can go through! A good recharging system is an excellent gift for most families these days.
Apparel
Ethical fashions for men and women. Prices go from “not bad for eco-fashion” to rather high.
More ethical fashions for women. Also donates at least 1% of sales to non-profit, non-governmental environmental and social welfare organizations
Skin Care
Skin care, bath products and more, with ingredients that include aloe vera and jojoba.
Promises organic skin and body car products that don’t use parabens, phthalates, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or animal testing.
Skin, body and hair care products made from natural ingredients.
Woman owned, family operated. They offer skin and personal care as well as products for cleaning around the house.
For Gardeners
Help to preserve garden biodiversity by giving your favorite gardener heirloom seeds. The selection is delightful.
Green Gifts for Kids
Let’s face it - the younger a child is, the less likely he or she is to understand the fuss about green in the first place. It’s also a bit easier to find green toys for children young enough to enjoy wooden or cloth toys rather than electronics.
This site has a great selection of toys to encourage creative play. You can go through the toy selection by age group, going as far as ages 9 and up. They have play silks, natural fiber dolls, kites and quite a bit more.
Not strictly green, but they have great classics such as LEGO, K’Nex and Lincoln Logs. Great selection of nonelectric toys that should encourage your child’s imagination.
A focus on natural, wooden and organic cotton toys for children. They also donate 1% of each sale to land conservancies right now.
Wooden toys with a focus on quality. They offer toys that encourage imaginative play and will last for years.
Gifts for Pets
For the pet lover in your life. Natural and organic pet foods and toys.
Green supplies for dogs.
Make a Difference
Gifts don’t have to be something just for the person you’re giving them too. There’s a great article on gifts that make a difference over on Eco Child’s Play.
Tags: green business, holidays, shopping
Planning My Avoidance of Black Friday
Nov 26, 2008 Going Green
That’s right, I loathe Black Friday. It strikes me as just another example of excess consumerism, and a chance for people to start overspending early. That and I spent too many years in retail during college to have any appreciation for large shopping crowds.
My husband on the other hand intends to head out. I hope I can get him to call me before making too many decisions about Christmas gifts. He’s not so good on a budget and we need to be good this year. Really, really good since we’re still recovering from his being out of work for 6 months earlier this year.
I don’t mind keeping an eye on the online deals, although I almost never buy anything. It’s mostly stuff beyond what I’d consider for presents.
This is a year we are cutting way back on Christmas anyhow. My sisters and I have discussed options for simplifying things. My inlaws have announced their intention to simplify this year. They were shocked by my highly enthusiastic reaction.
But I figure it should be more about the holiday anyhow. Let’s face it, most adults these days in this country can buy their own needs and an awful lot of wants. That’s a part of why so many people are having trouble with credit now, but nonetheless so many Christmas gifts merely add to the clutter.
We’re looking a lot at gifts of help or fun times together this year. Might paint at my mom’s house. Might take the kids out for mini golf. Things that are fun, but don’t add to the mess.
Tags: black friday, consumerism, holidays, shopping
