As a new mom, we have enough on our plate and the last thing we want to think about is sustainable products and being kind to our environment. Our priorities are our cute and cuddly newborn and catching up on our beauty sleep. That is not to say that we don’t think about it but sometimes we just don’t have the time to make it happen. So how do we incorporate sustainability into our daily life as a new mom? Well, no worries, we have curated the five most awesome sustainable products and tips to help you.
Sustainable Style for Babies
Image: Verte Mode Brand, Gentle and Joyful
Baby clothing and sustainability is becoming a common thing and new moms don’t have to search high and low to find them. There are many companies out there that are using fabrics and production processes that are safe not only for their babies but also safe for the environment. When choosing clothes for their babies, new moms also have to think about the type of chemicals used when producing these clothes. There are companies that make sustainable products for babies that have to meet certain standards, this means that the fabrics are not made from harmful chemicals and are eco-friendly. If you think the term hypo-allergenic can only apply to those little cute fur balls (think cats and dogs) well you are mistaken! This can also mean that the fabrics we bundle our bundle of joy have to also be hypo-allergenic and breathable. At Verte Mode we have baby clothing that is sustainable but also super cute!
Verte Sustainability Rating: We rate Gentle and Joyful 6 on the scale of 1-6 on meeting sustainability criteria such environmentally safe fabric and production processes, chemical-free, hypo-allergenic etc......
Compostable Diapers
Image: Honest
Diapers often don’t get the respect they deserve. The mere mention of diapers is enough to make people run as fast as possible for many reasons. But diapers are a new mom’s best friend and are a very important part of your everyday life. Did you know that babies can go through a total of 2,200 to 3,000 diapers in the first year of their life? And did you know that single-use diapers can take about 500 years to decompose? That’s a lot of years! There are two ways to consider when buying diapers. If cloth diapers are not your thing, compostable disposable can be a great option plus it's eco-friendly. Oh one more thing, at Verte Mode, we have baby Baby Salve that soothes those cute tiny tushes, rolls and folds. They are made of natural ingredients and will help with those pesky diaper irritations.
Baby Food
Image: Beaba
We know that babies are not the only ones that eat baby food. Adults eat them too! So how do new moms know what is good for their babies and yet still be sustainable and delicious. According to the USDA, there are about 100 billion pounds of food wasted in the United States. That is a ton of food wasted! So what can we do to make sure that we are not part of the wasteful problem? You may want to consider cooking your baby’s food, it’s healthier, environmentally friendly, and cheaper too! Okay so sometimes you must make the hard choice of either cooking your baby’s food or getting some sleep. That’s a tough one but there are many options out there to make these decisions easier. There are kitchen devices that make steaming fresh vegetables and blending fresh fruits easy breezy. Your freezer becomes the go to for preserving the freshness and more importantly to avoid having to cook every single day so now you can get that much needed sleep!
Baby Toys That are Non-Toxic and Safe
Image: Zeki Learning
Playtime is fun but how can you make it safe and sustainable? That’s a simple one, buy toys that are eco-friendly and non-toxic. Let’s face it, babies love to eat anything that they can get their hands on and put things in their mouth. For a new mom, this becomes a challenge (as if you don’t have enough challenges!) What is safe for your baby and how do you make the right choice? Well, you are in luck, there are many options to choose from and Verte Mode has one of those options you may want to consider. When choosing toys for your baby, avoid chemicals such as:
- Formaldehyde
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Bisphenol S (BPS)
- Heavy metals (including lead),
- Azo dyes,
- Pesticides,
- Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
- Phthalates.
And for materials, stay away from single-use plastic, PVC/Vinyl and Polyurethane foam. So, the next time you go shopping, think about sustainable shopping that can take up to 500 years to decompose and make the right choice so you can be a super sustainable mom!
Nursing Pads
Image: KeaBabies
For those new moms that are all about DIY and would rather sew then get that extra sleep, why not consider making your own nursing pads. All you need is to find those old t-shirts or scraps of fabrics, a circular pattern and a little bit of sewing talent. We are not talking about Project Runway here, just be able to sew two fabrics together shaped like a circle and you have yourself a reusable nursing pads. One other thing while we are talking about nursing pads, it's common to experience irritation around the nipple area. Verte Mode offers Lizush All Natural Nipple Balm. A balm that is made of natural ingredients to help sooth and keep moist those sensitive areas. You should check it out, your nipples will thank you for it!
In conclusion, there are many ways to be a super sustainable mom. You just have to find the time to search what is the best option out there for you and your cute bundle of joy!