Becoming a mom has made me super conscious of the amount of waste we create, especially because little kids go through so much stuff in their first couple of years. I want to make sure that we, as a family, are as responsible as we can be, so that our son can have a comfortable Earth experience.
I know, you’re probably thinking I’m super green and hippie for recommending eco-friendly baby products, but actually, these are all super convenient alternatives to things we use every day.
Glass bottles
We had to bottle feed Ozzy for a number of reasons, so we tried A LOT of bottles until we landed on these (because you know, babies have preferences.) I wished I had found them earlier because they were such a hit! Not only were they super easy to clean—you can boil them, you can put them in the dishwasher, you can leave them sitting with soap, and unlike plastic, they don’t start smelling funky if you don’t tend to them quickly— their shape also helped Ozzy to pick up the bottles by himself.
If you are wondering if they are fragile, let me tell you, I’m mega clumsy and lost count of how many times I dropped these and NONE have ever even scratched. So, to sum up: durable, easy to clean, will last forever. That’s a win.
Reusable swim diapers
I’ll admit that one of my biggest pet peeves are disposable swim diapers. They make no sense to me. They fill up with water, don’t look super comfortable, and they have to be thrown out immediately after they are out of the water, even if your kid never peed in them. Such a wasteful product!
That’s why I’m pro-reusable swim diapers. The downside is that they only hold poop, so you can’t really put them on hours before your kid starts splashing in the water, or you’ll have a very wet and cranky child on your hands. They also come with SPF protection, so you don’t have to worry about their little cute butts getting sunburnt. There are a lot of options out there, but the i play brand is my favorite because they’re easy to put on, hold super well, and come in very cute prints.
Metal Straws
Think about the turtles! But really, single use plastic is just about the worst thing for our planet, and straws fall under that category. So if you are out and about with your kid, and know that you always forget their sippy cup, or if they are too old to have one, consider buying these stainless steel straws and keeping them in your bag or stroller at all times. You can easily pop in any glass or container, and since these particular straws are shorter than average, they’re better for kids to use. Seriously, the turtles will thank you (and so will I!)
Reusable Food Pouches
Food pouches are in heavy rotation in kids’ lives for a while, but the ones you buy in the supermarket are incredibly wasteful. They have different plastic parts that can’t be recycled, and they’re only meant for a single use anyway. These reusable pouches are great for two reasons: you can keep using them over and over without causing more waste (obviously). But they also encourage you to make your own baby food, so you know exactly what your children are eating. Sure, it requires a little more work because you need to make your own purees, but in the long run, it’s worth it.
Bamboo Plates
Once your kiddo moves onto plates, and away from bottles and pouches, this bamboo set is the way to go. Bamboo is more durable than wood, and also non-toxic and resistant to stains. The rubber suction cup bases and silverware included in the set are BPA, PVC, Lead, and Phthalate free, so you can let your little one chew on the spoon as they wait for food to be served without worrying. The suction bottom prevents them from tossing the plate around and making a huge mess... or, an even bigger mess than they’d otherwise make, anyway.
Bambo Diapers
Our son went through SO many diapers a day when he was a newborn, and I cringed every time we took the garbage to be sent to a landfill. Thankfully I found that bamboo diapers are a thing, and that not only are they biodegradable (yay!), but they’re also softer and better for those sensitive butts because they have less chemicals (double yay!). Honestly, reusable diapers are probably the best option for the planet, but not everyone can commit to—or stomach—doing laundry constantly, so these are the best disposable alternatives.
Wooden Teethers
These wooden teethers are not only cute AF, but also better for the environment and your kid. Since they’re not plastic, there’s no need to rinse them often, because wood doesn’t attract as much dust. Their design also makes them super easy to clip onto carriers or strollers to always have handy when baby needs to chew on something. They also happen to be the perfect baby shower gift, so you are welcome!
What are your earth-friendly favorite baby products? Let us know in the comments!