Photo: Om Baby Center
Holly Keich
I’m so excited to be embarking on my first school project as a parent of an elementary school student. Delving into research and learning more than I’d ever even cared to know about my son’s chosen topic, the poison dart frog. Of course, I’m a little more overzealous than he and the teacher did remind us that this is just first grade and she just wants him to get the experience of being an “information finder”. But as I read more about this endangered species (on my own time of course so as not to overwhelm my son who was already a little underwhelmed by my enthusiasm for the little critter), it brought me to a very chilling realization just how much all beings are effected by the actions of others. I knew this already, but began to experience it in a new way. As I became more knowledgeable, I wondered what I could do to help, to make a difference.
Then, I realized, it’s Spring. Spring is a time of renewal. We see tenacity and wisdom in the rhythms of the earth. It allows us the opportunity to return anew ourselves and begin to work in rhythm with the natural world. As stewards of the earth for generations to come, what are some tangible steps we can take as parents to make a difference? for our children, for their children, and for the poison dart frog that lives in the rainforests of Central and South America.
First, we to act locally:
1. Cloth Diapering: Disposables have become synonymous with diapers, but cloth is making a comeback! Modern cloth diapers aren’t what they used to be and word is spreading as more parents find out just how easy it is to take the plunge. Cloth diapers keep nearly 2 tons of disposables out of landfills and reduces the waste of packaging and production of diapers & diaper products. It’s the natural choice. When laundering, be sure to use eco-friendly detergents and save energy by line drying (plus it looks and even sun bleaches the diapers). If you want to learn more, sign up for our Natural Baby Workshop which gives you all the details you need to get started with cloth diapers. Or go completely Diaper Free and learn all about Elimination Communication in our new workshop with Rachael McCormack this month.
2. Breastfeeding: Not only do you save money when you breastfeed, but you also reduce waste, less formula cans to throw away, and save energy, less bottles to wash. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and breastfeeding for up to a year or longer. If you choose not to breastfeed, then consider organic formula made without the use of certain pesticides and milk-based formulas from cows that aren’t given hormones, antibiotics or other chemicals. Consider using glass bottles which are better for the environment. Om Baby’s Breastfeeding Class offers more info to help you be successful with your nursing experience or be sure to stop in to our monthly La Leche League meetings as well!
3. Homemade Baby Food: Making your own baby food is economical and good for the environment. Better yet, try Baby Led Weaning and offer baby foods that are already part of what you’re making for dinner. A well cooked broccoli stem makes a great exploratory experience and is easily held for simple eating by baby. Make sure baby’s foods are organic as the acceptable toxic load of pesticides is based on adult consumption, not little ones. If you can’t see spending the extra to buy all organic fruits and vegetables, you can lower your child’s pesticide consumption by nearly 80% by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce, according to the Environmental Working Group. Check out the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides for more details. Do you have more questions about how to make your own foods and what to introduce first? Om Baby’s got your back! Sign-Up for our next Baby Food 101or Food Introduction Workshop to make an easy to transition to solids.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: It’s commonplace by now to recycle our cans and bottles, but what about all that baby stuff? First, marketing has done a wonderful job making us think that we need all sorts of gadgets for baby, when really there is very little that is truly essential. So throw away the baby registry guides that you’ve received and talk with a friend about what was truly useful and needed. You’ll cut your list by more than 1/2 by doing this. If your friend’s wonder that they can get you, let them know a truly useful baby shower gift, a gift certificate to a postpartum doula! Now, look at the remainder of your list and see what you can borrow from someone else or buy at the many second-hand stores or sales in the area. Then, consider passing it on to others when your baby is done with it. Babies rarely wear out any clothing, toys or accessories, so they will be in good shape for the next baby either in your family or someone else’s.
And then to act globally:
5. Donate to a Charity: With all the money you’ve saved from being more eco-conscious at home, you may consider donating to environmental programs such as the the World Wildlife Fund and The Rainforest Alliance who are working to fight deforestation and provide economically viable alternatives to forest destruction that will in turn help the health of the land which is inextricably connected to the wellbeing of those who depend on it for their livelihoods (as well as the life of the poison dart frog residing within it’s habitat).
Om Baby Pregnancy & Parenting Center 