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It’s the start of a new year, and a lot of us are thinking about how we’ll be getting through the next through weeks, let alone the next few months. Unpredictable though things are, it’s important to have goals to aim towards. No matter how small, we can all make a difference.
Amongst other things, the pandemic and the whirlwind of a year we’ve had has left a lot of people thinking of the kind of world we’ll be leaving behind for younger generations. With this responsibility weighing more heavily on the collective consciousness, a lot of parents have begun to make a connection between their environmental concerns and the decisions they make as parents. So, what can be done?
Small gestures like batch cooking baby food when you can are a great way to save money, and save the planet. Whether you’re pureeing fruit and veg, mashing up leftovers, or going the mix and match route with shop-bought and homemade for a change of (meal) plan if you’re strapped for time, this is a small yet simple way of doing your bit when weaning your baby. You’ll know exactly what’s gone into anything you make, and can get your partner involved too to take some of the pressure off when it comes to feeding.
Equally, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, why not make a family hobby out of growing your own veggies? A lot of people found themselves getting back into gardening throughout the pandemic, and it’s a great hobby to get the family involved in outdoors.
Whether you’ve got space for a full-blown patch or just a couple of gardening troughs, if you’ve got some space to spare, consider planting some easy greens to get started like spinach, spring onions, tomatoes, or peas. You don’t have to become the next Alan Titchmarsh, even growing the smallest handful of greens from patch to plate can do wonders for your motivation!
Parents are nothing if not resourceful, and playtime is one of the best ways you can experiment with crafts and your little one. Get crafty and creative with some of our fun sensory play ideas, or take a glance at our guide to creating an indoor play den for fun ways to encourage their imagination that don’t cost the earth.
Although we don’t advise reusing your baby’s mattresses unless you have no other alternative, we are on board with reusing items like maternity clothes, baby blankets, and clothing. Maternity clothing, much like some of your baby’s wardrobe staples often only get wear for a few months before things change again. So, why not give these items a new lease of life by gifting them to friends and family who might need them? Give everything a thorough check-over and wash, and save yourself a trip to the charity shop. This is a great way to do a favour for anyone you know who’s expecting, and saves wasting beautiful, comfy clothes that will surely benefit from a bit of extra use.
Equally, why not ask around and bulk out yours and baby’s wardrobe by reaching out to friends and loved ones who may have items they’d be happy to lend or part with.
Be sure to check out Close Parent’s reusable cloth nappies for more sustainable options. These are a great investment that help reduce landfill waste, as well as a great way to save money, particularly if you’re planning on having more than one child.
Baby products made from natural materials are often kinder to your little one due to being more gentle on sensitive skin. It’s why all of our bedding is made using only the finest organic materials. Our range of bedding features organic cotton sheets, as well as luxury linen and cotton blends for enhanced breathability and comfort.
As for the knock-on effects of buying natural products for your baby, there are many green initiatives and processes that go into making our products. For example, any fabric cuttings in the production of our bedding aren’t wasted, but instead reused for regenerated yarn production. Our suppliers work with wastewater companies to prevent contamination and to ensure responsible waste disposal in the production process. Carbon filters are also used to reduce emissions from our factories, and our factory is heated by renewable solar energy generated from panels on the factory roof.
The most important thing in all this is to do what you can. These suggestions will come more easily to some families than others, and putting extra pressure on yourself for not being a superhero whilst also being the best parent you can be is exhausting. So, celebrate the small wins. Every little bit helps, whether you’re just doing your bit with recycling, or ticking off all of the above. Keep these suggestions in mind year-round, and challenge yourself. Being more mindful of positive changes that do good for the environment is not only a step in the right direction for you and your family, but for mother nature, too.
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