Becoming a parent is often the catalyst for becoming greener. Suddenly being aware that our children are going to be inhabiting a planet that we’ve helped to ruin could even turn our lives right around. Whether you’re already conscious of the environment, or if you’re new to green, join me for a journey through what it means to be a green parent, and how to be the very greenest parent that you can be.
Pregnancy
Being pregnant is wonderful, beautiful, magical and also downright confusing. Not only do you have bucket-loads of hormones coursing through your veins making you feel up one moment and down the next, you’re also trying to make sense of the changes that are happening to your body and this sudden and incontrovertible responsibility for another, helpless, human being. One of the first things you can do to give your baby a good start in life is to limit the amount of chemicals and pesticides that you expose him (or her) to in-utero by making some lifestyle changes before or during your pregnancy. And you can protect your child’s future by taking care of the environment at the same time. Fathers-to-be can support and encourage pregnant mothers by making these lifestyle changes too.
1. Eat organic
At the mention of organic food most of us think of fruit and vegetables. But during this essential period of your baby’s development, take that even further. Meat, dairy, grains, even tea and breakfast cereals now have readily available organic options. Go for quality and grow your baby with nutrient rich foods that aren’t laced with dodgy chemicals.
2. Clothe your bump in sustainable maternity wear
Trying to find eco-friendly maternity wear may seem tricky at first, but it’s not. Firstly, the greenest maternity wear is second-hand maternity wear. If you have friends or sisters who have had their babies and are happy to pass on their maternity kit, lucky you. If you don’t, stop in at the nearest charity shop or dress agency and see what they have to offer. You could also try eBay. If you can’t find decent used maternity wear, there are some other options. Bamboo Baby sells a range of Big Tummy Mummy bamboo maternity wear including jeans, dresses and tops, and their can’t-do-without belly band that will enable you to wear your pre-pregnancy tops all the way through your pregnancy without getting a chilly belly or feeling exposed. Bamboo makes a wonderfully soft fabric and is sustainable because it grows so fast and uses far less water to grow than cotton. When you do opt for cotton, make sure it’s organic. You can even get organic maternity wear on the high street these days.
3. Pamper yourself
There’s no time in a woman’s life where she deserves more pampering and kindness than during the long months of pregnancy. It’s a tiring business growing a baby and uses up your energy reserves. Recharge yourself by getting plenty of rest, and stay comfortable in bed with a maternity pillow (which will come into its own again once your baby is born for feeding support). My maternity pillow kept me, and then my daughter, comfortable for over three years. It was a great investment.
