Tips for sustainable parenting
Raising kids is one of the most exciting and often crazy things we can do. Along with this comes lots of messes, outgrown clothes, single-use wipes, and toys that eventually get thrown away. As we learn more about our impact on the earth, it’s so important to be as sustainable as we can, especially when it comes to parenting.
Although it might seem almost impossible to be eco-friendly while raising little ones, it’s easier than you think! With just a few simple swaps, we can all be kinder to our earth, and teach our kids the importance of sustainability, too. Here are a few of our favorite sustainability tips for parents.
Go second-hand
If you’re a parent, you know that baby clothes don’t last long! With our little ones growing so fast, they won’t be able to fit into some of their clothes in a matter of weeks. This leads to the need to purchase so many clothes, just to keep up with their growing bodies and their messes. Instead of buying brand new clothes, go second-hand instead! Buying used clothing is much more sustainable, and it saves you money, too. If you’ve got family or friends with little ones who are growing, try doing a trade, or ask for hand-me-downs they would be getting rid of anyways. The same goes for your Doona Car Seat & Stroller - renewing your Doona with new spare parts is the perfect solution.
Switch to reusable items
There are so many simple changes you can make that will reduce your waste. One of the easiest things you can do is to start using reusable water bottles. Get one for you and a few for your little ones, and you won’t have to buy (and throw away) all of that plastic. Plus, it will help your whole family stay more hydrated. Another great way to reduce how much you throw away is opting for cloth diapers. This may seem daunting, but actually can save you tons of money, and isn’t as hard as it seems. Simply throw the diaper in the wash when it gets dirty, and use it again!
Recycle what you can
As a parent, you cycle through so many things! Bottles, toys, baby accessories — you name it, you’ll probably have them at some point, and then need to get rid of them. Instead of just throwing things out, recycle them! So many things like baby bottles are now recyclable. Just be sure to read the label of packaging or even toys, and if it can be recycled, do it! Alternatively, opt to donate them to a friend who could use them.
Don't overbuy
This is a difficult one — especially for new parents. You often don’t know what you’ll need and actually use until your little one has arrived. Try to avoid buying too much up front! Instead, stick to the basics like a car seat, stroller, bottles, etc. This also includes things your family and friends buy for you. When accepting gifts, be sure to provide a registry or list, and let them know you’d prefer to stick to it. This way you won’t end up with lots of things that will just turn into waste.
Make your own food
When you have kids, you need to buy a lot of food. Unfortunately, this creates a ton of waste. One simple way to reduce this is to start making your own food! Making baby food at home saves you lots of money, and is much healthier for your little one than anything bought from the store. Plus, it requires zero waste, because there is no packaging involved. If you’ve got older kids, consider gardening! This will help you have herbs or veggies on hand without needing to buy them, and also teaches little ones about the outdoors and the importance of giving back to our earth.
Walk, stroll, or trike!
Opting to walk instead of drive is one of the best ways to reduce your emissions and help out the earth. If you’re headed somewhere closeby, consider walking! This will help you and your kids get some much-needed fresh air, and some light exercise. If you’ve got a baby, be sure to bring along an easy-to-maneuver stroller that will keep them comfortable, like the Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller. It can convert from a car seat to a stroller in seconds, so you won’t have to purchase both products separately, which is also beneficial for the earth! For toddlers, make sure to pick up Liki Trike, the most compact folding trike on the market, that transforms with your growing baby which saves you from buying multiple trikes, and helps to reduce waste even further!
Eco-friendly parenting is getting more and more popular each year, which is a great thing for the earth! By just changing a few small things, you’ll be able to do your part, plus save money along the way. The earth gives us so much — it’s time for us to start giving back!
