Babies need a lot of stuff, and that stuff adds up. The idea of living sustainably with a newborn may feel impossible – especially when you’re already overwhelmed with becoming a new parent – but it can be done.
There are plenty of sustainable parenting options out there that are easy to incorporate into your busy new life. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re helping to create a healthier world for your baby to grow up in.
6 Ways to Be Eco-Friendly with a Newborn
- Have an eco-friendly baby shower.
- Send e-invites instead of paper invitations. Or if you want to send a regular invitation, be sure to use recyclable materials.
- Avoid single-use decorations and opt for fresh plants and flowers instead. You can gift small plants as party favors to your guests.
- Serve local organic food and drinks.
- Compost leftovers and waste when the party’s done.
- Accept hand-me-downs or buy second-hand.
- Use sustainable bottles.
- Opt for reusable versions of typically disposable items.
- Teach your kids about sustainability.
- Purchase from companies that make sustainability a priority.
Sustainability with a newborn can begin before they even arrive! Turn a normal baby shower into an eco-friendly event with these tips:
Sure, it’s nice to have brand new things, but babies grow quickly. You’ll find that a lot of their clothing will only be worn a few times before they’ve outgrown them. (And they’ll still look great!) Consider accepting hand-me-downs from friends and family or try scoping out yard sales or consignment shops for affordable second-hand options.
Consider using bottles that can grow with your baby through their feeding milestones. Dr. Brown’s® Anti-Colic Options+™ Baby Bottles, available in plastic or glass, are recyclable and designed to provide the most comfortable feeding experience as your baby grows from newborn to toddler.
There’s no need for multiple bottles at every stage. Simply switch out the nipple as your baby grows. When they’re ready, they can take baby steps into new sippy skills. Swap the nipple out for a soft sippy spout or straw and slip on the easy-grip silicone handles to encourage independent drinking as baby graduates from bottle to cup. Once they’ve moved out of the bottle and sippy stage, you can recycle the bottles and parts and help us with our mission to create a sustainable future for growing families.
When stocking up on all those must-have baby items, reach for reusable options when possible. Consider things like cloth diapers, washable breast pads, cloth bibs and burp cloths, reusable baby food pouches and snack containers, and a wet bag for soiled items on the go.
The best way to reduce your impact on the environment is to raise your kiddo with an understanding of why it’s important. They may be too young to understand the choices you’re making today, but you are leading by example. They will pay attention as they get older and be more likely to adopt the same practices.
As you try and create a more eco-friendly lifestyle, though, remember to go easy on yourself. Being a new parent is tough, so don’t feel guilty if you lack the time or mental energy to check off all the boxes all the time. Do what you can when you can because every little bit makes a difference. We are all working toward a better planet together!
More and more companies are providing solutions that make sustainable parenting easier. And buying from businesses with values and priorities that align with yours can offer up some peace of mind.
At Dr. Brown’s, sustainability is a top priority from product design, to packaging choices, to manufacturing decisions. In addition to our recyclable bottles, we are also committed to doing our part to rid our oceans of plastic. Every Dr. Brown’s bath product is certified plastic neutral by Plastic Bank – a global leader in stopping ocean-bound plastic. This means for every ounce of plastic sold an ounce of ocean-bound plastic is collected and recycled. Learn more about our sustainability efforts here.