As a pediatrician, and as a mother of three boys I’ve seen the world change into an environmentally friendly place for children to grow up. As a pediatrician and a parent of three boys, I have seen products change, as well as the world evolve into a more environmentally friendly place to raise children.
Since becoming a more eco-friendly mother, I give the same advice to all my patients and help them become greener both inside and outside of their homes. Here are 6 tips to create a sustainable home, and teach your children to be environmentally conscious.
Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteering in environmentally-friendly projects will show your children the importance of protecting the Earth.
Select organic food. These foods are non-gmo because they are not grown with fertilizers, GM foods, synthetic pesticides or radiation. It’s never been easier to choose organic food for your entire family. Use organic ingredients for your baby’s first food to start them off on the right foot. When making your baby’s food, use organic ingredients. There are many organic options available for buying baby/kids food. Brands like Ella’s Kitchen offer a wide range of tasty products that will expose your child to different tastes and textures.
Create a sustainable nursery. Make sure you choose furniture and paint for your child’s room that are free from harmful chemicals. Open the windows and look for VOC-free products. You should make the same thoughtful choices for your crib mattress as you would for other items in the room. It is more important to choose a mattress that breathes than one that’s organic as babies roll over and grow. The waterproof covers on conventional mattresses and organic mattresses contain PVCs. Your child will breathe in these PVCs. It is therefore important to select a mattress which does not emit any harmful chemicals. Choose a mattress made of
The Wovenaire Crib Mattress from Newton is made of 90% air and food-grade polymers, and it’s 100% washable and sustainable.
When cleaning your house, avoid harsh chemicals. Cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause respiratory toxicants, allergies, neurotoxins, and cancer. Regularly breathing in chemicals is not good for your health or that of your children. Select products that contain plant-based ingredients, and disclose their full list of ingredients. Do you like to do things yourself? Fill a sprayer with equal parts of water and white vinegar. Non-toxic, but effective! There are many safe options available from brands such as Seventh Generation and dapple.
When choosing soaps, lotions and detergents, be careful. When washing your child’s clothes, choose fragrance-free products. Many products contain chemicals that can irritate the skin of your child. The new line of bath and body products from giggle uses plant-based ingredients that are safe for your skin. If the scent seems to irritate your baby’s sensitive skin, then you may want to choose a fragrance-free product. If you are concerned, talk to your pediatrician.
Avoid plastics. Plastic bottles and food storage containers (both disposable and reusable) contain toxic chemicals like BPA. Choose glass or stainless-steel containers for storing or purchasing baby food. Both do not emit chemicals or gasses. You can use pouches if you’re on the move. Some of them are recyclable. Ella’s Kitchen, among other brands, works with Terracycle, a program that recycles baby food pouches. By not using disposable plastic containers, you are protecting the environment, saving money, and helping your children.
In terms of my son’s health – and that of my patients – I am always more concerned with safety than regret. Toxins in food, cleaning products and other areas may have long-term impacts on a developing child. Scientists don’t fully understand the impact of these chemicals but by taking these simple steps, you can protect your family.
Original illustration by Talia H. Handler for Well Rounded NY.
