Green Babies
Reported September 16, 2008
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — At some point during pregnancy, most parents-to-be will worry about the world they’re bringing their child into. That often leads to a desire to learn about more eco-friendly options for raising a baby. Here are some steps to get you started on a greener parenting path.
Gerrit and Maura Bulman are trying to raise their son Quin in an eco-friendly world.
“I think when you are bringing a new person into the world, you want to do it in a way that’s going to have the least impact on the environment as possible” Gerrit told Ivanhoe.
One green step they’ve taken — cloth diapers. About 27 million disposable diapers are used every year. More than 90 percent end up in landfills — where they take up to 500 years to decompose!
“The only additional time it really takes is to wash the diapers,” Maura told Ivanhoe.
Kathy Williams teaches a cloth diaper class, and says cloth is better for the earth and your baby.
“Disposable diapers contain all sorts of chemicals, dioxins, carcinogens that everybody seems to accept,” Williams, the owner of Baby’s Abode in Hollywood, Fla., told Ivanhoe.
When her boys were young, Williams also made her own wipes.
She recommends a combination of baby oil, tea tree oil, essential oil, lavender fragrance and baby soap to make a spray for fabric wipes. Williams says breastfeeding is also green.
“It just seems nonsensical when you look at it, to purchase something that your body makes for free,” Williams said.
Other green steps: buy organic clothing, wash clothes with baking soda and vinegar, and use olive oil as a chemical-free lotion for baby.
The Bulmans also make their own organic baby food. Simply blend fruits and veggies and fill your freezer with a week’s worth of food.
“Environmentally, it felt better,” Gerrit said. “You’re not recycling all the glass jars — you just don’t have to use them at all.”
For the Bulman’s, it’s healthier living — but also guilt-free living.
While you’ll still have to use energy such as water to clean cloth diapers, consider this: in the compete diaper period from baby to toddler, disposable diapers will cost you about $3,000. If you go with simple, pre-folded cloth diapers, it will only cost about $300. Even if you go for the more expensive, all-in-one cloth diapers, the cost will still be under $1,000.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Babys Abode
Hollywood, FL
(866) 422-2263
http://www.babysabode.com
http://www.realdiaperassociation.org