Eco Tips for Expectants Parents
Many expectant parents spend the months leading up to their child’s birth preparing to bring their child home. What kind of environment do you plan to bring your baby into? Here are some tips for eco conscious parents who want to bring an ecobaby into the world.
Make non-toxic nursery improvements
The nesting instinct that sets in a few months before a new baby arrives runs deep in most expectant mothers and fathers. Home improvement commercials encourage parents to roll on a fresh coat of paint in the nursery or put in new carpets all over the house. These sound like a great way to prepare for your new baby, but they can actually be very toxic.
Pregnant women should not be around the fumes from most paints because it can be harmful to the baby. New carpets also are full of harmful chemicals that take months and even years to off-gas. If you plan to make changes to your home make sure you do them far enough in advance of baby’s arrival so there is time to get rid of the toxins in your home.
A good option for home improvements is to get out of the house while your home or baby room are being updated. Go on a babymoon for a week or more so you are not exposing your unborn child to any harmful fumes! There are also non-toxic paint options to consider and buying area rugs made from natural fibres like wool or hemp are a great alternative to new carpeting.
Get your house clean the eco friendly way
Before baby comes there is also the urge to clean every inch of your home and sanitize all the surfaces that your baby will come into contact with. While this is a good thought, you need to consider the types of cleaners you are using around the house. Most commercial cleaning products contain high concentrations of chemicals and bleach and should always be used in properly ventilated areas.
Pregnant women need to be extra careful to avoid the toxins found in cleaning supplies. Aerosol sprays are especially bad for the environment and should be avoided. Using non toxic eco friendly cleaners will ensure that your home gets clean and you and your baby will be protected from harmful fumes.
Eco friendly baby bedding and clothing
Be conscious of what you surround your baby with during the waking and sleeping hours. Your baby will spend the majority of their first few months sleeping. This means that the crib sheets and bassinet blankets that you choose for your baby are going to be in contact with your baby almost constantly.
There are some great eco friendly baby bedding options as well as soft baby sleepers and towels made from gentle organic materials. Your baby’s sensitive skin can react to certain fabrics and laundry detergents. Try to protect your baby by stocking up on organic bamboo or cotton baby blankets and clothes and use all natural laundry detergents to keep your baby items as baby friendly as possible.
These are just a few tips for bringing home your eco baby into a safe and eco friendly environment. The first step is simply being aware of what things to avoid. This article is intended to give you some green baby options that are good for the environment but especially beneficial to your ecobaby.
