How To Become The Best Eco Parent

As the climate justice movement grows in global prominence, more of us are asking ourselves how we can do our part for the planet we call home. From composting and reducing plastic waste to eating organic and cycling to work, there are lots of things we can change to reduce our consumption; but what about parents?

Parenting, especially with a newborn, can be hard enough without having to worry about the environmental impact you're having. But what if there was a way to make it easier to be green while your children grow? Well, we've been doing some research into different ways you can be an eco parent and we've gathered it all below.

To find out more about being an eco parent and how a zero-waste lifestyle can be reshaped for parents, keep reading this article!

What is an eco parent?

So, what is an eco parent?

An eco parent is essentially a parent who makes choices about the kind of products they buy for their child based on the impact the product will have on the environment, as well as on the child's health.

Eco parents tend to already be advocates for sustainable living and make the choice for a sustainable future for their child. The zero-waste movement is a huge part of this kind of parenting as eco-products tend to greatly reduce the waste parenting can create.

Along with sustainable products and limiting waste, eco parents may choose to buy organic food for their children and clothe them in ethical fashion options. These small changes can make a huge difference to the environmental impact of parenting.

Changes you can make to become an eco parent

Becoming an eco parent doesn't mean completely overhauling the way you parent, it just means choosing more eco-friendly options when it comes to raising kids. We've had a look at some of the changes you can make to your parenting to make it just that bit greener, and we have listed them below.

Starting in pregnancy

Most eco parents choose to make the change during pregnancy. From eating an organic-only diet to taking natural pregnancy supplements that boost the health of you and your child, pregnancy is a great place to start.

Mothers-to-be can find products like organic tea for pregnancy to a protein that is suitable for those who are pregnant to find ways to boost their health in pregnancy. They could also try out some pregnancy vitamins and mother-to-be massage oil to help them feel good as they grow new life.

There are many ways to stay fit and healthy in pregnancy and if you can, it can be great for the child as well as yourself. Choosing an organic diet full of lots of grains, fruits and vegetables can help to boost your health too.

Breastfeeding

The debate between breastfeeding and formula is always up to the mother but breastfeeding does come with lots of benefits, particularly to the baby but also for the planet as it means reduced waste from formula packaging.

If you are choosing a formula, you can opt for organic formulae, like the formula Holle Organic offers, or look for a formula in recyclable packaging.

Choosing breastfeeding or organic formula means choosing the option with fewer toxins and harmful compounds. Breast milk is natural and so free from harmful substances and organic farming bans the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers that leave behind harmful residue in non-organic products.

Diaper decisions

When it comes to diapers, there are a few options for the budding eco parent. The first is a reusable diaper. Like the kind from the years before plastic, this cotton cloth nappy is washable and can be used over and over to reduce waste.

The other option is an organically made and biodegradable nappy which will break down naturally and not take up space in a landfill for years to come. Look out for nappy options that are free from plastics, bleach, and other toxins to protect your baby from harm.

Toys

Children's toys these days are made entirely of plastic but are likely to be thrown away if broken or no longer used. This means that the toys your child plays with could end up in a landfill, never breaking down, and harming the planet.

When choosing toys for your little one, look out for wooden or cloth options instead. These toys are safer, as they're BPA-free, and they will biodegrade when it comes time for them to be thrown away.

Cleaning

Household cleaning products are made with tonnes of chemicals that are bad for the planets waterways, marine life, and soil as well as being harmful to human health. If you haven't already switched to natural and organic cleaning products, now is the time.

Using natural cleaners that are made from kinder ingredients, like this surface cleaner from Earthwise and this bathroom cleaner from Koala Eco, can help to keep the whole family safer as well as protect the planet from harmful chemicals. You could also opt for more environmentally friendly laundry products like soapberries for a waste-free wash or an organic laundry liquid.

Baby food

There are lots of options when it comes to baby food and being more sustainable. If you would like to simply buy baby food, the organic options are getting better each day. From Bellamy's Organic and their impressive range of oatmeals and other baby food options to Holle Organics extensive puree offering, including this pureed vegetable option and this fruit option - organic baby food is getting more and more interesting.

Choosing organic baby food is a great way to protect your little ones from the harmful chemical residue that can be found in lots of non-organic food, a leftover from the synthetic growth agents used in conventional farming, and it can help promote better farming techniques that preserve the land and make it usable for the generations to come.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can also make your own baby food. You could start by pureeing your own vegetables and fruits, as well as pureeing the food that the rest of the family is eating. Using organic ingredients too means you know exactly what is going into the food you're feeding your child.

Pacifier

Pacifiers are frequently made out of plastics that will not biodegrade and can harbour lots of bacteria in the cracks and joints. Opting for a rubber soother can mean giving your child a safer option that will last longer and will biodegrade when it is no longer used.

Final thoughts

Parenting can be tough and being concerned for the planet is exhausting so changing up some of your parenting products and practices to fit a more sustainable life can really help to ease climate anxiety. There are a few changes that are really easy to make and just require using a different product.

To find more natural and organic baby products, check out our website now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be an eco-conscious parent?

Being eco-conscious parents can mean choosing wooden and cloth toys as well as reusable diapers to ensure that you reduce the waste that comes from parenting. You could opt for more organic produce in your child's diet to protect them from the harmful residue of pesticides as well as support healthier farming methods that are better for the planet. Being an eco-conscious parent means making a few quick swaps to products and practices that have less of an environmental impact than mainstream products.

What is green parenting?

Green parenting is parenting in a way that reduces harm to the planet. This can mean choosing organic food and formula options to support healthier and greener farming methods and choosing more reusable products to reduce the waste you create. Opting for toys that are not plastic and reusable nappies can help to reduce waste and protect your child from BPA, bleach, and other harmful toxins while helping you to be a little more green.

How can parents be more sustainable?

Parents can be more sustainable by reducing the waste produced from baby products. This could mean making your own baby food to reduce packaging and opting for reusable diapers so that they can be washed rather than disposed of. A more sustainable option for a soother is a rubber soother that will last longer than a plastic option and will biodegrade once thrown away.

How do I become a non-waste parent?

Zero waste parenting means making your own baby food and composting any scraps to ensure you're not throwing away any packaging. It can also mean using a reusable diaper so that you don't have any nappy waste and opting for other biodegradable options like wipes and rubber soothers.