27
Jan, 2023

6 Tips for Reducing Your Child’s Carbon Footprint

As a mom or dad, you often stop and think about the state of the world, because your little one deserves to grow up on a clean planet, right? That’s why it’s essential to reduce your little one’s carbon footprint as much as possible, for example, by not buying too many things. Marketing experts have led people to believe that children need lots of stuff. But, in fact, this is not necessary. A little love and a functional bust can go a long way. Here are some ways you can help reduce your child’s carbon footprint!

1) Be Careful Not to Overbuy

To quickly show that we are serious and not just talking the talk, don’t overbuy in advance. If you need something (e.g., clothes): consider whether you can borrow it or buy it used. If you still want to buy something new, you can definitely find a list of eco-friendly and sustainable items locally or online. After use, put everything in a recycle store or fair, or give it away to someone around you who could use it.

2) Breastfeeding

Of course, we know this is easier said than done, and not everyone can do it. However, breastfeeding is the most climate-independent way to feed your baby; it takes about 10 liters of milk to produce 1 kilogram of formula. This means a lot of CO2 emissions. There are basically no requirements for breastfeeding, but of course, there are many useful aids that make breastfeeding easier.

3) Eco-friendly Diapers

As you will soon realize, if you have just had a baby, disposable diapers create a lot of waste (about 1000 kg per child!). And even though they require more washing, washable diapers are more environmentally friendly. It may seem like a hassle, but it is not that much of a hassle. Moreover, they are adorable. For example, even if you only use the type of diapers that you wash at home, they can still help a little. Not your thing? Then choose eco-friendly diapers.

4) Ecological Products for the Home

With children, hygiene becomes even more critical. Without exaggeration, children should not grow up in sterile conditions. This is to the detriment of their natural resistance. However, as babies begin to crawl and put things in their mouths, cleanliness must still be maintained. Using safe and environmentally friendly products is at least as important as hygiene. Contribute to your baby’s health and ecology by choosing environmentally friendly products to help you keep your home hygienic.

5) Open Toys

So-called “open” toys have no set pattern of play. Therefore, the “purpose” of the toy is not immediately obvious, but the children usually know immediately what to do with it. The sustainable aspect of this type of toy is that the child does not get bored quickly. This is because children are always thinking of different things to play with. That’s why they last longer. Also, choose good quality toys that are not easily broken. Wooden toys such as Grimm, Stapelstein, Wobbel, and Bilibo are good examples.

6) Ecological Baby Care

You are often burdened with many non-ecological baby care items if you give birth in a hospital. To avoid this, bring environmentally friendly items, such as washable diapers, eco-friendly wipes and or a jar of coconut oil. Simple, pure, multi-functional. Coconut oil can be used as a butt cream, bath, or massage.

Everyone is doing what they can. It is a feasible idea and worth trying. Plus, what’s good for nature is also good for your baby’s health and usually (in the long run) good for your wallet. In any case, whether you try all the tips or apply one, every little bit helps.

What are you doing to reduce your child’s carbon footprint?

All About Eco-Friendly Diapers

Degradable products have cornered the market for some years. We find more and more articles with this label, and the products in the children’s section are no exception. Let’s have a look at the different characteristics and main benefits of biodegradable ecological diapers.

 

Alarming Figures on Diapers and Contamination

Disposable diapers are made from materials that take years to decompose in nature. However, when mentioning “years,” you could think of two or three, but the truth is that it can take from 100 to 300 years to disappear completely. If the above figure seems alarming, think for a moment about the number of diapers that your baby uses daily. Now, multiply it by the number of children in your country.

Nine hundred thousand tons per year is the approximate quantity of diapers that reach a single country’s waste treatment plants. Of course, this amount varies according to the child’s age and the country, since there are territories where the birth rate is higher than in others. Due to the previous results, which have brought serious environmental problems to the nations, the companies belonging to the infantile sector have proposed to innovate in the market, achieving it with success and others with resounding failure.

 

Types of Diapers

Over the years, and the worsening of the environmental situation caused by the waste of these infant hygiene products, different types of diapers have been created, among which we find:

 

Disposable Diapers

They are the most popular diapers and, at the same time, the most polluting. The disposables are a great source of contamination, and the case of disposable diapers is no stranger. These infant hygiene items’ mass-production generates significant polluting gases that damage the environment since both natural and chemical agents are used during their production. Due to the above, the market for disposable diapers has expanded to creating ecological disposable diapers, which have in their composition elements extracted from nature, such as bamboo fibres, which reduces the damage to nature during their production.

 

Cloth Diapers

Among the cloth diapers’ opinions, there are a couple of variants. Some consider them an ecological alternative to the disposable diapers discussed above. They are considered the best solution for your baby, the environment and your pocket. However, some experts affirm that cloth diapers are also harmful to Mother Nature, according to the type of cloth they are made. Despite this, it must be borne in mind that they are reusable diapers, so they are considered ecological since they comply with the 5 R’s of ecology: reuse.

 

Biodegradable Ecological Diapers

Reusable ecological diapers, or recyclable diapers, are a type of diaper that could be placed within the category of cloth diapers. However, its differential factor is found in the fabric with which they are manufactured: the PUL. PUL fabric is a variant of polyester located in the diaper’s outer area to facilitate its impermeability and allow the baby’s skin to breathe normally. Also, it is characterized by being elastic, soft and very durable.

Unlike other ecological cloth diapers, biodegradable ones, as their name indicates, can disappear from nature in less time than other children’s products for this use. Biodegradable, eco-friendly diapers are believed to be able to disappear from Earth in at least four years. In short, biodegradable diapers have significant benefits that not only you or your baby can enjoy, but also nature. Let’s get to know them:

 

Advantages of Biodegradable Ecological Diapers

  • The fabric with which they make this type of eco-friendly diaper is easy to wash.
  • Biodegradable ecological diapers save money since they do not imply continuous purchases of the product.
  • They do not generate as much environmental pollution as they are reusable diapers.
  • Today there are countless designs, textures and colours to choose from.
  • The baby’s skin will remain soft, healthy and protected against possible diseases, such as diaper rash.

 

Do They Have Disadvantages?

Yes, according to reusable diapers opinions, these also have some disadvantages that you should know:

  • Continuous washing of these products (by hand or in the washing machine) can be tedious for some parents.
  • Due to the materials with which they are made, eco-friendly cloth diapers are expensive.

 

As you can see, the children’s products that we usually buy for our children can generate significant environmental impacts without us noticing. Therefore, it is best to inform us before making a purchase and select those that are made respecting the environment in the case of reusable ecological diapers. So, as parents, would you dare to buy an ecological diaper for your baby?