Being eco-friendly began as a trend, but has now become a way of life for many, with the increasing evidence of waste’s ill effects on planet earth. While being environmentally conscious has become mainstream in other industries, it has yet to find a stronger footing in parenting. There’s so much to think about in motherhood and now you have to consider your child’s wastes, too?
See, a zero-waste lifestyle is more than just eliminating as much trash as you can. It’s about the choices you make as a family. Here are some ways you can lessen your family’s carbon footprint.
Go for reusable instead of disposable
Look into the trash bins of every household with a newborn and you’ll see the usual waste suspects: diapers and wipes. The use of these disposables is a no-brainer—they’re readily available and so convenient to use. The catch is they pile up in the landfills quickly and take decades to break down. The eco-friendly alternatives are cloth diapers and washcloths with homemade wipes solution. You’ll cut down not just on trash but, in the long run, on cost as well.
Try plastic-free feeding
Breastfeeding is the more natural way to nourish a newborn. Besides the vital nutrients present in mama’s milk, you can actually do without any accessories for the milk to go from mama to baby especially if you direct latch. But it’s more practical to have breastfeeding paraphernalia, such as breast pads and milk storage containers. Earth-friendly alternatives use less packaging. If you are bottle feeding, use glass bottles instead of plastic ones. They are easier to produce and recycle. Also, use maternity and nursing clothes that can go beyond their initial purpose.
Feed your baby homemade food
The attraction of convenience has led to the plethora of store-bought baby food. That also means the rise of pouches, jars, and packaging in the trash. You can achieve both a sustainable and healthy menu for your child by going homemade, if possible. Baby food is actually simple to make since recipes usually call for only one ingredient and involve the easier methods of steaming, boiling, and mashing. You can also freeze leftovers so it can go a long way. Add this local book to your kitchen library for your baby’s nutritional needs.
Try pre-loved things
The truth is, babies only need a handful of things. Think about it: for the first few months, they are on a cycle of eat-sleep-wake-repeat. Many baby essential lists contain many not-so-essential things. Stick to the core items of diapers, wipes, bottles, crib, carrier, and a capsule wardrobe. Also, try to go secondhand where you can. Babies outgrow gear and clothes really quickly so it makes more sense to borrow from mamas whose babies have outgrown their things. Check out Facebook groups such as Buhay Zero Waste or Declutter MNL for more tips and secondhand items.
Make nature a part of your baby’s life
Get into the habit of taking your baby outdoors, even if it’s just in your own backyard or through your neighborhood’s streets. When continued well into childhood and beyond, this habit will cultivate a deep connection to nature. Hopefully, this will then drive your child to take care of the earth and make more eco-friendly decisions as they grow up. By doing this, you make sure that the sustainable living principle doesn’t stop with you but continues on with your child.
Adapting a zero-waste lifestyle can be challenging. But fear not, fret not, mama. Start with one tip, one day at a time. Those small acts will build up into a future where your child will thank you for giving them the inheritance of a lifetime: an earth that is still livable, thriving, and beautiful. Now doesn’t that far outweigh all the challenges of a zero-waste lifestyle?
ALSO READ: 5 Less Waste Tips for New Mamas
