Raising a family is not the easiest job in the world to begin with, and then you still have to think of another responsibility: the environment. But remember that this is the earth that your children are bound to inherit, so protect it while you can! Every little effort counts — including your baby product choices.
There are so many baby products within our access; unfortunately, many of these products are disposable. Products like baby diapers, baby wipes, even milk bottles and storage pouches are all designed to be used once and thrown away after. Because these single-use plastic items are generally non-biodegradable, they cause a lot of damage on the environment.
The good news is that you have a choice! Instead of buying disposable baby products, choose instead eco-friendly products that are better for the environment.
3 Reasons to Choose Eco-Friendly Baby Products
Aside from being the better choice for protecting the earth, there are more reasons why you should be buying eco-friendly baby products. Here are some benefits to consider:
1. Eco-friendly baby products cost you less in the long run.
When you compare them one against one, disposable baby products are cheaper. One piece of disposable diaper, for example, costs a lot less than one piece of cloth diaper. However, consider that because they are single use, you have to keep buying disposable products. This is in contrast to eco-friendly products that are meant to be reused. This means that you save money when you buy eco-friendly!
2. Eco-friendly baby products are better for your baby’s health.
Due to their nature, disposable baby products usually contain chemicals that may be harsh against your newborn baby’s delicate skin. It’s also possible that these chemicals may cause long-term health problems like eczema and asthma. On the contrary, eco-friendly baby products are usually made with organic and natural materials, materials that are gentler for babies.
3. Eco-friendly baby products are, for the most part, more durable and long-lasting.
Disposable products are not exactly the most durable options out there because, as their name states, they are meant to be thrown away after one use. However, eco-friendly baby products are made with durable materials as they are meant to be used again and again. In other words, they are designed to last!
5 Eco-Friendly Baby Product Alternatives
So how do you make the switch from disposable plastic products to eco-friendly products? Here are a few ideas, all ranging from store-bought to homemade!
1. Switch from disposable diapers to cloth diapers.
If convenience is the issue, the good news is that modern cloth diapers are now made to be almost as absorbent as disposable diapers! Check out this article to know more about the benefits of using cloth diapers.
2. Make your own baby wipes.
It’s dangerously easy to go through boxes and boxes of wet wipes without even thinking twice about it! A friendlier alternative to disposable wipes are homemade cloth wipes. Check out this link for instructions.
3. Choose durable cotton baby blankets.
Another easy thing you can do to create an eco-friendlier household is to swap low-quality baby blankets for high-quality cotton ones. Cotton is a sustainable and biodegradable fabric, which makes it the better alternative against synthetic fibers. Cotton blankets last a lot longer, and they can be reused and repurposed even when your baby has grown up!
4. Use reusable milk bottles and milk storage containers.
Instead of using disposable plastic containers to store your milk, consider other options like glass bottles and silicone milk storage bags. Not only are they reusable, they don’t contain the harmful chemicals and fumes of plastic bottles, too.
5. Look for reusable trash bags and diaper wet bags.
Finally, explore your options beyond single use plastic bags! There are many reusable trash bags and diaper wet bags that are available for an affordable price. As a bonus, they usually come in adorable prints and patterns!
You don’t have to buy these eco-friendly products all at once! Don’t overwhelm yourself and start from the basics. For example, you can begin this month by building your own cloth diaper stash while you go through your last box of diapers. Then, next month, start swapping your polyester blankets for cotton ones. Small progress matters, especially if it’s for a good cause!
Check out livingtextiles.com for eco-friendly, high-quality baby essentials.