Attachment Parenting

Natural Baby Care

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One of the basic principles of attachment parenting is to ignore mainstream advice and “get back to nature” with our babies. We learn that we do not need all the products that advertisers push and in addition to saving tons of money, we are actually creating healthier, happier babies and reducing our impact on the environment. Eco babies are a win-win!

Author: Davinos Greeno

When babies are born they are unable to make decisions for themselves and it is our responsibility to ensure that we give them a natural and healthy environment to grow in. There are a number of steps you can take that are safer and healthier for both your baby and the environment.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Food
Organic baby food has been around for decades and fairtrade baby food has only recently been launched. Why feed your baby chemicals, additives and possibly genetically modified ingredients when you can feed them fresh, organic and healthy food? By buying fairtrade it also enables you to put something back into local communities where the ingredients originated from, so that they can look after their families better due to being paid a fair price for their food and hence they are able to reinvest the funds into their community and families.

Organic and Eco Friendly Baby Care
Babies have extremely sensitive skin that requires a mild and gentle touch - which is why it makes sense to treat them with products made from the purest ingredients. The skin is the largest part of the baby’s body and is often prone to sores and diaper rash in the early days. Minimize the amount of chemicals coming into contact with the babies skin by buying organic or natural baby care products.

Make sure to research your baby care products to see if they are really organic. Most baby shampoos, body washes and lotions are swimming in chemicals. Since newborns are not playing in the dirt, you can clean them with plain water and a washcloth but if you really want to use a soap, then choose Dr.Bronners or some other soap that rates a “zero” at CosmeticsDatabase.org.

Don’t forget to install a water filter either, unless you want you baby soaking in a tepid pool of chlorine, fluoride and pesticides!

Organic Baby Clothing
A baby’s skin is thinner than that of an adult, so make sure the clothes against their bodies are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals by buying clothing which are made from organic or hemp fibers which are made with the minimum or no chemicals in the production and processing. By buying Fairtrade or ethical baby clothes from companies such as HUG ensures that other babies in developing countries may benefit as well from the clothes that you buy. Cheap, brand new clothes are often made in China in low cost production facilities where workers are paid the minimum wage and where the term sweatshops originated from. Buying second hand or using donated clothes is the ultimate form of recycling and is cheaper too at this expensive time of life.

Environmentally Friendly Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers can be washed and reused hundreds of times. Millions of disposable diapers are used throughout the country and you can imagine what size of landfill is needed to bury them all! Cloth diapers can reduce diaper rash and have no suspect chemicals. By washing them with your normal clothes, you again minimize your babies impact on the environment.

Breastfeeding
Breast milk is very economical, constantly available at the right temperature and if your diet is organic then so is your milk which is therefore better for your baby. If you have to buy formula be wary of buying Nestle as an International Nestle Boycott is in effect in 20 countries. The boycott will continue until Nestle ends its irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes world-wide and abides by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent Resolutions in policy and practice.

Sheryl’s comment:
There are even more ways to eco-parent. Cosleeping eliminates the need for a crib and its toxic, chemical soaked crib mattress. Elimination communication eliminates the need for disposable diapers or cloth diapers which use a great deal of water to launder. (G-diapers are a nice happy medium if you are unwilling or unable to try EC). Using a sling or baby carrier eliminates the need for a stroller.

Lastly, I believe the whole “baby food” industry is a scam otherwise all babies without access to bottled food would die. Why can’t your baby eat whatever you eat as long as its soft enough and/or in small enough pieces? Pre chew your babies food for them or if that grosses you out, then use a food processor or baby blender.

Ironically, attachment parenting is about losing your attachment to what you grew up believing was necessary to raise children. Once you let go of the idea of cribs, strollers and all all the other odds and ends that you will find at your local Babies-R-Us, you can stop and focus on what your baby really needs…you.

About the author:
Davinos Greeno works for the organic and ethical directories that lists 100s of Organic and Ethical Companies and we also haveOrganic Articles for you to read.

Buy the Book: Natural Baby Care

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/kton25/473611645/

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