Are you pregnant or did you just gave birth? This is often the moment to ‘wake up’. It’s like you are becoming more aware of the environment and health. All of a sudden you realise that it’s hard to buy natural products in the supermarket and lots of products contain toxic materials. Welcome in our Ecomama world!
Healthy food
It all starts with what you eat. Eat nutricious food. That makes sense right? But start reading the packages of the food you buy and try to understand what it all means and where your meal comes from.
Start eating more vegetables and less meat.
If you’re really enthusiastic you should start having a kitchen garden. That’s even possible in an urban window.
Your baby doesn’t need the ready-to-go meals that you see in advertisements. You can make your own baby food: fresh and nutricious.
Nursing
Everything you put on your body will eventually end up in your baby’s body. Now try reading the packages from your -for example -bodylotion. Do you understand what it all means? Most cosmetic and skin products contain phthalates and parabens. The risk of exposure to these ingredients are disruption of the endocrine system and higher risk for liver cancer. An Ecomama will prefer natural products. And there is so much choice! For example the products from Weleda and Lavera. You can also take a look in an online natural cosmetics shop.
Clothes
There are many many (online) shops for ecological baby clothes. In a fashion store you should make sure that the labels says ‘ organic’ or ‘100% biological cotton’. Especially in specialized shops the used dyes are also safe and non toxic. Make sure you tell your family and friends that you want these kind of clothes otherwise your entire closet will be filled with clothes your rather don’t want your baby to wear. You can use wishlists on for example Amazon where you can put all your organic favorites on.
Toys
A baby tends to put everyting in his mouth. But lots of toys contain plasticizers that end up in your baby’s tiny body. The toxins are being saved in the body fat. Off course organisations do check how much toxic materials are in toys and the results are terrible. Although it’s forbidden the results are still not good and apparently the toy companies can do that. Choose toys that have a label that says ‘ BPA free (Bisphenol A free) or ‘does not contain phthalates’.
Diapers
Try to imagine: a baby creates 1000 kilos of disposable diapers in the first years of his life. These all end up on landfills. Nowadays washable diapers can be bought in all kinds of colours. But most of all they’re far more healthy for your baby and the environment. And your wallet will enjoy them too. If you really don’t want to start washing more often you might also consider biodegradable diapers or make them yourself!.
Living environment
Look around. What materials is your baby going to be in contact with? He or she will spend a lot of time travelling, bathing, getting dressed, sleeping etc. So what materials are the bed, mattress, baby sling and bath made off? Most of these products are also for sale in a non-toxic version. And that doesn’t mean that they’re more expensive because the well known brands are often expensive because they’re well-known. Not because the materials are better. Manufacturers of natural products are more aware of the environment and what is really better for your baby.
Cleaning
Detox your house. Start using biodegradable and natural cleaning products.
To wash your clothes you can also try some of the laundry additions with which you need less or no detergent at all. That’s also good news for your wallet.
Paint in the nursery
When you want to start rebuilding the nursery use paint without solvents. In the construction market that paint be recognized by the label ‘category 1′. And ventilate well!
Breastfeeding
Breatsfeeding is the most natural way to feed your newborn. An Ecomama will not wonder whether she is going to breastfeed her baby but how. Never under estimate the organisation it takes to do this right.
Start reading before the baby arrives and go to a local hospital or a volunteer who knows about breastfeeding. They often organise general information meetings where you can learn the breastfeeding basics. It’s also usefull to buy a guide or make sure you’ve got people you can ask specific questions when you’re in need.
Yoga
During and after your pregnancy looking in the mirror can be very strange. To keep your body relaxed and strong, and in the meanwhile prepare your body for the delivery going to yoga can be very helpfull.
If you go for the first time it might feel awkward to be breathing and relaxing between other bums but when you just try you’ll enjoy it.
Personally I enjoyed the time in yoga class also because it was a once a week moment to be completely pregnant and aware of the baby inside me. Working my fulltime job, trying to be dynamic and social I almost forgot sometimes that this baby was growing inside me.
What other people say
It might be that you’re the only mommy to be that wants to be more green. But if you watch the others carefully you’ll see that everybody makes certain green choices for the health of their newborn. Some people just don’t realise that they are being ecolicious too. Trust your intuition and think wisely. Everything you’re aware of will benefit your baby and yourself.
Green is the new black!
Have you always been known for being the most hip girl on the block? That will not change. Remember that ‘green is the new black!’
Interesting books
The book The Complete Organic Pregnancy
The book The Nursing Mother’s Companion: Revised Edition
The book Feeding Baby Green: The Earth Friendly Program for Healthy, Safe Nutrition During Pregnancy, Childhood, and Beyond
Credits:
Katie Lubbers Photography
Three Fish Shop