By Claire Symonds
Having a baby can often be an ecological epiphany for many women who suddenly realise concerns that the impact of environmental damage may have on their offspring in the future. However being environmentally friendly and ethical when you have small children has historically been difficult, time consuming and expensive.
From countless nappies, to clothes that are too small within weeks and endless toys streaming through the doors from well-wishers, those first years of your child's life arguably produce more waste than any others. And then there are the chemicals to take into consideration. What impact do all the products you use daily on baby's delicate skin actually have? No-one can be sure, but concerns have lead to increasing numbers of parents desperately seeking out clothes, toys and skin care products that will limit their little one's exposure.
These same concerns lead Canadian Jill Barker to found Green Baby, which sells eco-friendly baby products, 8 years ago, after finding it hard to source natural products for her baby in the UK. Her book, 'Caring for your Baby the Eco-Friendly Way' is launched in September and she has given Coutts Woman some of her top tips on having an eco-friendly baby.
"Try washable nappies. they are easier than you think and even using one a day can make a huge difference to the amount of waste you throw away."
1)Try washable instead of disposable nappies. They are easier than you think and even using one a day can make a huge difference to the amount of waste you throw away. If you do use disposables use 'Tushies' which use natural cotton to absorb rather than chemical super absorbers.
2)Use washable baby wipes instead of disposables. Not only do disposables create waste but they also contain perfume and alcohol which your baby's skin can do without.
3)Dress your baby in organic baby clothing. Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed agricultural crops in the world - organic cotton will ensure that there are no pesticide residues which can end up on your baby's garments.
4)Let your baby sleep on organic cotton bedding, which wont have used any chemicals or dyes used in production - all the more important when you consider your baby will sleep for up to 17 hours a day in the first few weeks of its life.
5)Use natural or organic toiletries. There are countless new artificial ingredients that have been developed in recent years, most of which end up in our bathroom products. Skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs almost 60% of what you put on it. Read labels and choose products that you would be happy to put inside your body.
The market is booming and Jill's success with now four stores in the UK in addition to her online shop, is testament to this. For a special Coutts Woman reader offer on purchases from Green Baby, please click here.Below is a list of some of the other top websites where you can find a whole variety of eco-friendly products for your children, and set yourself on that green road.
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Further info |
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Babi Pur |
Babi Pur (Welsh for Pure Baby) sells Fair Trade, Organic and ethical baby clothes, gifts toys & skincare. Its stylish, funky & designer lines include cut4cloth & hug. It also stocks natural skincare products made locally in Wales. |
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Bamboo Baby |
Bamboo clothing for babies and mummies. Organic, sustainable and eco-friendly, Bamboo fabric is gorgeously soft. Choose from cute baby wear made of bamboo, soy and organic cotton. For Big Tummy Mummies there's glamorous bamboo and organic cotton maternity wear. |
www.bamboo-baby.co.uk |
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Easy Peasy Nappies |
Manufacturer and retailer of washable nappies with an emphasis on affordability and quality. They stock a wide range of easy to use washable nappies including the trim Bimble, the birth to potty Bumble and the organic cotton and hemp Harmony. Other items include baby accessories such as Earth Friendly Baby toiletries, nursing pads and Junior Joy paper liners and a range of toys along with free postage and packing. |
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Ecobean |
Cloth nappies, natural baby care and more. Specialists in cloth nappies and natural baby care. Free advice and information is available. |
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Ethical Babe |
Online Shop selling Organic & Fairtrade Essential Products for mums and kids 0-4yrs. It has Earth Friendly nappies, Organic clothes and footwear, Forest Friendly toys, Natural Toiletries and gift ideas for new mums & baby. From pure hand-knitted aplaca bootees to bio-degradable disposable nappies, |
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Green Baby |
Green Baby sells wooden toys, toiletries, maternity wear and baby equipment alongside its core ranges of supersoft organic cotton clothing and nappies - all produced in an environmentally sound, sustainable way. |
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Green Berry's |
An organic & fair trade clothes and accessories store for babies and young children. Big brand names including Cut4Cloth, Green Baby, Tots Bots, Daisy Roots, Burt\'s Bees, Organics for Kids, Pure Potions and many more. Free delivery available. |
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Green Toy Company |
Environmentally Friendly, ethically produced, wooden organic and fair trade toys, for babies and children of all ages. The company donates a percentage of sales to The Woodland Trust. |
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Little Green Angels |
Little Green Angels is an online shop specialising in organic, natural, eco-friendly and fair trade products for babies and children (and mums too!). It stocks biodegradable nappies and baby wipes, organic cotton sleeping bags, organic cot mattresses and bed linen made from 100% organic cotton as well as organic soft toys and wooden toys crafted in Sri Lanka under fair trade conditions. The site also has a resources section for information on baby wearing, baby massage, local classes, and more. |
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Lizzie's Real Nappies |
Lizzie's Real Nappies offers personalised, online advice to parents considering real nappies. Complete an online questionnaire and they will get back to you with personalised advice on the brands best suited to your baby and your lifestyle. They stock washable nappies, nappy accessories, natural baby toiletries and other baby-related goods. |
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Pure Organics |
Pure Organics sells organic cotton baby, children's clothing and toys and organic skincare products for babies, children, women and men. They are committed to selling products, which are free from harmful chemicals and are manufactured to Fair Trade principles. |
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