Category Archives: Eco Friendly Parenting

How Green Has My Pregnancy Been?

Here I am, on the homestretch of this whole pregnancy thing. I’m pretty pleased with how the whole thing has gone.

First of all, I bought very few new clothes. Total costs for new clothes for this pregnancy was probably under $100, with the largest piece being my maternity girdle – a must as new since I wanted very good elastic. It really helped me get through some of the horrendous hip pain.

Aside from that, just some maternity jeans and shorts when I couldn’t find used. That’s it. I still had enough shirts from either past pregnancies or that were old enough already that stretching them out didn’t matter. Plus a couple larger shirts handed down from my sister for just in case I needed to go larger.

Drove my mother-in-law nuts. She had been thinking about taking me shopping.

We even have an infant car seat promised. My oldest sister doesn’t need her old one, and while you aren’t supposed to buy them used for safety reasons, I have no problem with a used one with a known history. My mother just called last night to point out that she has a reversible car seat that she wants to keep on hand in general, but she can loan us until my sister can dig hers out of storage when they move into their new house. I love not having to buy things!

My goal is to have this baby as naturally as possible. I keep getting the “you’re nuts” response from people, but I really believe I can do this. My husband is supportive if occasionally clueless. I think he finally understands that HE is not to talk about “and if it’s too painful…”

I need him more positive than that.

Quite possibly the least green thing we’ve had to do is shop for a minivan. I keep saying sedan, but I don’t seem to be winning that debate. It would be tight with 3 kids in the backseat, but doable. I grew up that way, although I will concede that car seats were used far less back then. But since the current car is not up to the job, a second vehicle must come to be. SOON!

No choice but to get used; we don’t have the budget for new, although I would love the added flexibility on gas mileage. I always prefer to keep a vehicle as long as possible anyhow, typically until it’s not worth the money to me to repair it.

A plus is our ability to reuse so many handmedowns. Selene won’t be getting much new stuff, but babies don’t really need that anyhow. They don’t know the difference, and they can learn to appreciate whatever you give them if you don’t make it a big deal.

And of course, cloth diapers, as I’ve said before.

All in all, I feel pretty good about the pregnancy, and how we have things planned to start out for baby.

What Not to Buy Used for Your Baby

Lots of things that you can buy for your baby are just fine being purchased used. Clothes are perhaps the prime example. Babies outgrow them so fast that many baby clothes are barely used by the time they become handmedowns or hit the thrift or resale shops. They’re hardly worth buying new.

Some things should absolutely not be bought used for baby. Others should be bought used only with caution.

1. Car seats.

Did you know that car seats come with an expiration date? Generally this is after about 6 years. The plastic in them does get old!

This has actually lead my husband and I to look into new car seats for the baby coming soon. Perhaps not, as my sister has a newer one. But our old one was past its expiration date, and there’s just no compromising on safety.

The other problem is that you don’t know if someone is selling a car seat that has been in an accident. Even after a minor accident, car seats are supposed to be replaced and disposed of. And of course there’s the issue of recalls.

2. Breast pumps.

This especially goes for mechanical ones. Hand operated units are cheaper, and you could boil enough of the parts that I suppose they could be safe enough if bought used. But the financial savings may not be enough.

Consumer Reports has a post with people debating this one a little. The question comes down to whether or not you can sterilize enough parts for it to be safe. La Leche League International also has some good information on why you should not share a pump. The risks of cross contamination are quite small, but most do not find it worth the risk.

A good pump is a bit pricey, up to $400 or so, and vital for anyone working outside the home while trying to breastfeed. But the money it saves in avoiding formula is well worth the cost and trouble.

Rental units are presumably made to be completely sterilized before being rented to someone else.

3. Cribs.

Slightly used may be fine. Made before 2000, and it may not meet current safety standards. The CPSC offers a checklist for crib safety that you can consider if you decide to shop for a used crib.

4. Play yards.

Essentially, recalls and changing standards are the big reason for this one. Add these to issues with how play yards can be used or damaged in regular use, and an older one may just not be safe enough.

5. Slings and carriers.

Another case of recalls and aging issues. The materials can be damaged with normal use, and so a used sling may not be as safe as you think.

Of course, anything where recalls may be the issue you can do your research and see if any used item you’re considering has been recalled. That goes for toys and clothing as well as any of these items that are generally not recommended for buying used.

If there aren’t any recalls, look into what makes an item safe to use if you’re still shopping used. But be very, very sure of what you’re doing. Reusing is a great idea, so long as it doesn’t endanger anyone.

Finding Your Kids’ Favorite Healthy Foods

My kids have some interesting favorite foods. Sugar snap peas probably lead the pack. They are perhaps not the greenest thing to buy, as I have no doubt that we’re getting them out of season, etc., but it’s hard to complain when your children are begging for something so good for them.

I’ve met a lot of parents who are quite envious that my kids like such things. Here’s some of how I figure out which healthy foods make great snacks.

1. Start early.

The sooner, the better. Pediatricians debate whether it works or not, but we started our kids on vegetables before fruits when they were babies. All I know is that we started on pureed green beans, and they’re also still a favorite. Grow them in the garden, and my kids will react as though we’re growing candy.

But even if they don’t like such snacks right away, you can work toward the goal of your kids preferring healthy snacks.

2. Stop keeping junk food around the house.

It may take time to cut things down. Good eating habits take time to develop. But it’s absolutely worth it.

Some unhealthy snacks can be switched out for healthy ones very easily. Make smoothies instead of serving fruit juice or sodas, and pour any excess into popsicle molds. There are tons of smoothie recipes out there, from ones that only use fruit to green smoothies.

Others are more challenging. We haven’t entirely given up candy in our household, although it’s mostly bought for holidays now, and eaten at the rate of 1-2 small pieces a day. It takes forever to get rid of even a small quantity that way, but also satisfies the urges.

3. Start a garden.

Kids generally love eating the foods they have harvested themselves from the garden. We teach our kids which plants they can snack freely from, and which they have to ask permission. Cherry tomatoes and other small varieties are a big hit around here. Sugar snap peas are also popular. Green beans fresh off the vine can be another amazing treat.

Our garden has always had a few simple rules. We point out which plants the kids can eat from freely. Others they have to ask, mostly to make sure that the plants aren’t damaged by overenthusiastic harvesting or to be sure everything can ripen before being eaten.

My kids and most of their friends get pretty much hooked on sweet basil most summers. Always good to be sure they know which leaves can be eaten safely. They’re taught down to the specific plant, so that anything that looks similar elsewhere is still off limits.

4. Buy healthy foods.

You would not believe how furious my kids were when apple prices went up too high for me to buy them apples for a time. It was great. Frustrating, but great.

It’s not easy keeping all the healthy foods local or in season, but do what you can. If you slip on this, at least the foods are better for your kids and quite possibly the environment than any processed snack could be.

5. Don’t give up.

It’s frustrating trying to change anyone’s eating habits. It is not going to happen after a single shopping trip. Take it a day at a time and even a food at a time as needed. Try foods raw as well as cooked in different ways. If something isn’t appealing, put it to the side for a time. Something else may work better.

Forcing a change of habit doesn’t generally work nearly as well as steadily making a change. Keep it up and things will work out.

What Don’t You Need for a New Baby?

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.

Buying Cloth Diapers at Last

Here I am, in the final stretch. 8 months pregnant. Time to get those cloth diapers I keep wanting.

bumgenius 3.0

We’re keeping it simple at first; just a 3 pack of bumGenius 3.0 diapers. I want to try them out before committing to a full supply, just in case it turns out that some other brand actually works out better for me. It’s such a switch from before I’m feeling probably more cautious than I need to be.

My husband and I are pretty excited about this, if a little doubtful about how certain family members will view it at first. But I just look at all the reviews explaining how easy it all is, and I feel much reassured.

If nothing else, the cash savings should catch his parents’ attention. They’re not green most ways, but they certainly respect trying to save money.

I’m also getting cloth wipes. They’ll be an interesting switch from the convenience of disposable wipes, but as I pointed out to my husband, once you have cloth diapers, cloth wipes are sensible too. They all fit into the same load of laundry.