Having a green baby

Having a green baby

Unfortunately, climate change is a problem that our children will inherit. However, there are ways to limit the impact on the planet the moment your little bundle of joy is born. Here are some useful tips on how to protect the environment for future generations.
Instant food Breastfeeding is the most eco-friendly way to feed your newborn. Breast milk is always at the right temperature, it's free and it's healthier for your baby. There is no packaging, no bottles and no heating or storage required. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies are breastfed for the first six months. If you are not able to breastfeed, there are organic baby milk formulas available.

At six months, it is time to introduce other foods to your baby's diet. If you can, buy organic food that is free from chemicals and pesticides. Organic food minimises the damage to the environment these substances cause.

You could try making your own baby food like pureed banana or carrot. By making it yourself, you eliminate the waste from the packaging.

A clean, green bum The biggest impact babies have on the environment is the massive number of disposable nappies used to keep them clean and dry. Almost 8 million disposable nappies are tossed in the bin in the UK every day. 90% of these nappies are dumped at landfill sites where they can take hundreds of years to decompose (source: Women's Environmental Network). That means that every single disposable nappy every sent to a landfill site is still sitting there.

A solution to the mounting nappy problem is to use reusable nappies. They are not only better for the planet but they could also cost you less especially if you reuse them as your family grows. A report released by the Environment Agency a few years ago provided evidence that washable nappies were just as damaging to the environment as disposable nappies(source: BBC News). The report revealed that it was not so much that the reusable nappy itself that was bad for the environment, but rather the wasteful habits of the users. So, if you do go the reusable nappy route, instead of using the tumble dryer, hang them out to dry, avoid ironing them if possible and wash them at 60 ºC and not 90 ºC.

Reusable nappies are not everyone's cup of tea. If the thought of washing a mountain of dirty nappies brings tears to your eyes, then go for a green disposable nappy. For a little bit extra you can buy greener disposable nappies that biodegrade faster in landfill sites.

On the other hand, if you feel that even reusable nappies impact the environment too much, you could try a technique widely used in China and parts of Africa. It means ditching the nappy altogether. Not for the faint of heart, the no nappy route requires you to watch and learn from your baby in the first few weeks when he/she needs to go. Then you take him/her to the toilet to do its business. In the west it is called Elimination Communication and you can find more information about it on a number of websites.

Wood is good Where there is a baby, you will almost certainly find toys. Sadly though, many toys are made of plastic. Plastic toys are petroleum-based and not all are made to last. Some plastic toys are poorly made and break when banged about as most babies do when they are playing.

If you spend a little more on good quality wooden toys, not only will they last longer, you can pass them on to younger siblings or friends or sell them on the web. If they get played to death, at least they are carbon neutral and will biodegrade.

When shopping for wooden toys, look for the FSC-certified label. This label ensures that the toy is not made from illegally logged timber - an industry responsible for the destruction of some of the world's most valuable forests.

Doesn't include batteries Toys with bright flashing lights and catchy tunes attract children like magnets. But once the batteries wear out, the glitz and glamour quickly fade and the toy ends up gathering dust under their bed. Batteries are made with harmful toxins and as there is no safe way of disposing of batteries, these toxins can pollute the ecosystem.

Growing up green Our children will inherit the future we create and all its problems. Start as you mean to go on. By making green choices, you can limit the impact your baby has on climate change from the day he/she is born.

Baby Pottying or Elimination Communication Can Reduce Your Diaper Use

Baby Pottying or Elimination Communication Can Reduce Your Diaper Use


Your diaper pail can take twice as long to fill simply by offering your baby 'potty breaks' each day!
Use one less diaper today simply by giving your baby some diaper-free time on a towel from your bathroom rail. It's there, perhaps it has been used once and dried ready for another use before going into the wash. It can catch a wee from your baby as they roll about. You were going to wash it anyway, so there is no 'extra' washing - you'll save a diaper each day - saving money and pollution.

When you see them do a wee, cheer with them in a bright way to draw their attention to the sensations they are feeling. This helps them to recognise their needs in time. Often parents will use a cue sound such as 'sss, pss' or a cue word such as 'pee pee!' when their baby goes. This 'cue' can then be used as an invitation at a time you feel your baby may need to go potty - such as when they wake up from a sleep.

Have you heard about 'Baby Pottying' somewhere? Probably - it's the leading edge in environmentally friendly diapering practices, especially when combined with reusable, washable 'modern' cloth diapers.

Baby Pottying is commonly known as Infant Potty Training, Natural Infant Hygiene or 'Elimination Communication' (EC) - as it is a cooperative activity between you and your baby in which you are both striving to be more aware of, and helping your baby develop skills to communicate about their elimination needs: when they need to wee or poo!

You know, it's an activity within the reach of many families - if your baby has some regular diaper free time you are already on your way! Your baby is staying aware of their bodily functions. You are probably becoming unconsciously aware of when they are about to go, too. Baby steps...

"Practicing" baby pottying means you will use diapers less - so they will stay dry and clean for longer longer. The reduction in diaper use won't be immediate, yet with daily opportunities you WILL discover simple skills and strategies which will help you to use one less diaper today, one less diaper tomorrow - and that really adds up!

If you 'save' one diaper a day - a simple goal - over two and a half to three years that will mean an average of 1004 fewer nappies to either go into landfill or through the wash - WOW!

EC is practiced in countries all over the world, and that includes 'modern' cultures with cream carpets and busy lives (all parents have busy lives!). EC is all about the traditional 'art' fostering a unique dance between Mom, Dad and Baby to enhance their communication and bond via the everyday activity of toiletting.

Yes, part time EC is alive and well in the suburbs. Catch a poop in a potty and skip the messy diaper change - today! You'll feel great, and so will your baby.

How Can Elimination Communication Reduce Your Nappy Cost?

How Can Elimination Communication Reduce Your Nappy Cost?

How can you reduce the impact of your baby on the environment and save money on your nappy budget?
Good News! By doing one, you are also doing the other.

Being Green Saves Money and the Earth!

Considering the Earth is high in our collective consciousness these days; it is great to know that helping the environment and saving on your spending on nappies are mutually beneficial.

Your baby wears nappies everyday, and may until they are 3 or even 4 at nights! That is a lot of waste going into landfill. By taking a broader approach to nappies, you can reduce the impact on the environment of your nappy choices at the same time as you reduce your spending.

4 Simple Strategies to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Nappies Your Baby Uses:

1. Buy Your Disposable Nappies in Bulk - This is called 'precycling' as it prevents potential waste from even coming into your home. We know buying in bulk is cheaper price-wise, but also, less packaging, transport, trips to the shop and advertising also means reducing 'costs' to the environment. Look into 'Bulk Disposable Nappies' online, aiming to find a local supplier for least transportation needs.

2. Use Cloth Nappies - Using Modern Cloth is Cheaper - Yes, you need to buy them in the first place, but do it gradually - one nappy at a time. Each time your a baby wears a soft, waterproofed modern cloth nappy a disposable is prevented from ending up in landfill. Look into 'Pocket' nappies as they dry quickly on the clothesline, and can be easily 'stuffed' with home-made absorbency such as inserts made from old towels or flannels.

3. Give Your Baby Regular Nappy Free Time - Time outside in nature, in the shade of a tree gives your baby that free-wheeling enjoyment of kicking their legs unhindered by a bulky nappy. They can do a wee on the grass rather than in a nappy - it helps the grass grow!

4. Practice Elimination Communication (EC) - do it part time to reduce your overall use of nappies... - By offering your baby the opportunity to go on a potty at nappy changes, before a bath and when they wake up, you'll 'save' the use of some nappies. EC is really the leading edge in environmentally sustainable practices for nappy use! Each nappy that stays drier for longer, that is saved as baby uses the potty, helps the environment.

Using these strategies will help reduce waste going into the environment, and help prevent our natural resources being wasted on disposables worn a few hours before going into landfill. Think small: if you do one little thing each day, it will add up.

Think about it: even ONE less nappy a day will means 1095 fewer disposable nappies used in the next three years - that's a lot of waste prevented from ending up in landfill, our environment.

One last thing. All that experience without a nappy on will help your baby to retain their natural awareness of their body, making eventual toilet training a much smoother and natural transition.

Why Does Baby Wearing Make Elimination Communication Easier?

Why Does Baby Wearing Make Elimination Communication Easier?

Wearing your baby helps to turn on your 'baby radar', making you more aware of the subtle body language of your precious baby.
You can use this awareness to gradually reduce your use of diapers or nappies by practicing a little baby pottying, called commonly called elimination communication (EC) or Infant Potty Training (IPT).

When your baby is held close, cuddled to your body in a baby carrier they are relaxed, they signal strongly and they can naturally hold on easier when upright. Though EC is about helping your baby to have elimination 'comfort' by releasing their pee and poos consciously, not 'holding on' like with conventional toilet training. Being upright in a sling helps them become more aware of and in tune with the rhythms of their body, just as it helps you as their mother or father.

Consider These 3 Insights into Why Baby Wearing Makes Practicing EC Easier:

1. As we are a 'carrying' species babies easily relax when held. As they are close to you, it is easy to notice their subtle body language changes that may indicate it's time to pop them out for a wee opportunity.

2. As baby is close and calm, you can go about your activities with more ease. When their demeanor changes suddenly, they start squirming or staining at the fabric, perhaps pulling their legs up or squeezing them together, your 'baby radar' can turn on naturally with their closeness, and you can pop them out for a potty break.

3. Physiologically, babies can hold on much more easily when upright in a sling- it's just how our bodies work. Ever jumped up and down while waiting in a queue for the toilet? Same thing. Thus, the signs your baby needs to go will be stronger, as they don't simply wee without warning like they often do when they are lying down flat on their back or belly.

Baby wearing. A traditional baby care technique. A great Baby Pottying tool!

Practiced world wide as a way to keep baby close, happy and warm while you do your needed tasks while meeting the cuddle needs of your baby.

Now you know why mothers in counties traditionally practicing elimination communication can wear their baby without getting wet!

Wearing your baby in a sling, pouch, wrap or soft carrier will help you to discover your EC confidence as it turns on your baby radar. Give this idea a go. I do it now with my second baby son, just as I did with my first. Have your baby in a diaper or nappy and practice when at home. You might just use one less diaper or nappy each day! That's good for the environment too.

How Does Practicing Part Time Elimination Communication Help?

How Does Practicing Part Time Elimination Communication Help?

Practicing EC has considerable potential to reduce the environmental impact of your daily.
Communication Part-time Disposal (EC) has reduced simply to use all aspects of the level, improving your skills of observation and knowledge of basic physical needs of the child. This understanding has rapidly expanded to other areas of your relationship.

Unable to perform Translation:invalid textEvery day, you can restart the child tries to jump at least one layer of a day. Basic level of consistency will help the baby's body and use a potty for potty training is easier to be informed.
Unable to perform Translation:invalid textLet's look at three ways to practice part-time child pottying reduce the environmental impact of your child:
Unable to perform Translation:invalid text1. Reduce the use of layers Throw Away - You consumer and objects necessarily less available, including a potty break every day. Please create a new layer of your baby before a nap. You still dry after the usual clock (the need for WEEE is one) for the children after a deep sleep. You pop on her potty, sing a song and make a pot of wee! Then her warm and dry layer can efficiently re "Save" layer ...

Unable to perform Translation:invalid text2. Reduce the load of washing cloth diapers modern. - Some days, your child will be the usual number of layers. The other day, barely. Overall, this means that the layers must be less dry pailed, washed and dried in a row is ideal. The levels will take longer to maximize their resale value.

Unable to perform Translation:invalid text3. Reducing the need for other disposable items - the typical household spent $ 300 - $ 400 on disposable wipes, and more layers of plastic bags once again, clean pants and dermatitis disposable diapers, barrier creams. In practice, the EC is to progressively reduce the need for this small financial drain! You'll see you saving options for reuse, more money than you make from recycled materials. Strive to help the child to wear diapers less per day, a simple objective can be reached on how to eradicate the practice of communication. A lower level, on average, every day more than 1,000 beds in more than 3 years used, though probably earn more! At the same time, you have a fun new play with your child.
Unable to perform Translation:invalid textElimination of amateurism in communication, there are many ways to progressively reduce the environmental impact of your child.

Unable to perform Translation:invalid textPracticing EC provides a way to focus efforts on communicating with your child, giving the example of a layer of environmentally friendly flexible choice for the future with friends and family. Learn more about this time the ancient practice Nappy free.
Unable to perform Translation:invalid textA lower level daily. It seems a little effort, but to go from little things big. Start with what you can save! Enter a child Pottying go way to connect with your child every day for the connection.

Elimination Communication Method

Observation

The ancestor places the babyish in a comfortable, balmy and safe abode after a childhood on. The ancestor have to observe:

timing if and how generally in affiliation to agriculture and sleeping/waking or artlessly by the clock.

body accent baby’s physique movements that may arresting a bowel movement (such as agee or grimacing while defecating)

sounds vocalization, grunting, noises babyish makes if making

Awareness and Anticipation

The ancestor learns to ahead if their babyish needs to go. If the ancestor expects that Babyish is ready, they accomplish a complete such as "pshhhhhh." If the babyish starts to go during observation, the ancestor makes the, “pshhhhhhh” sound. The babyish learns to chronicle the complete with elimination… appropriately the term, Elimination Communication.

The Toilet

When the parent thinks their baby needs to go, they gently hold their baby over a potty, toilet, sink, or whatever and make the chosen “potty sound”.

Elimination Communication Method- Baby Wearing

Elimination Communication Method- Baby Wearing

Elimination Communication is the care-giving adjustment activated to a adolescent by application timing, intuition, cues and signals to abstain the use of diapers. Abolishment Communication Adjustment requires abutting alternation amid a mother / caregiver and a child. EC is applicative at any age and aswell for aboriginal babyish absurd training.

Most moms at home or at plan are accepting problems in traveling diaper-free for their babies. The use of childhood amount money and the decay afterwards use is absolutely chancy to the environment. Abolishment Communication Adjustment (EC) is the best way to jump alpha your kids on a new akin of interaction.


Elimination Communication (EC) can be auspiciously acclimatized by timing, signals, cueing, and intuition.

A mother should pay absorption to the accustomed timing if elimination. This should be simple for newborns as they tend to defecate every 10-20 min. Timing for earlier babies alter from the endure eat and sleep.

While signals of a babyish differ, caregivers and moms should pay absorption to facial expression, squirming, crying, fuss and a part of added signals that babies tend to act anon like potty.

A caregiver / mother can aswell use cueing or authoritative sounds if a babyish charge to defecate in a accurate place. Cueing should be consistently activated if a babyish is in an adapted absurd place.

Intuition artlessly a anticipation of a mother or a caregiver that the babyish charge to eliminate. Mothers should apperceive best.

Elimination Communication is a abundant way to access a diaper-free baby. This adjustment will crave a bit-by-bit alteration but and patience. Diapers are bad to baby’s derma afterwards the wastes are ashore in it for hours. This adjustment keeps your babyish chargeless from rashes and any derma infection.

Elimination Communication Method: Infant Potty Training

Elimination Communication Method: Infant Potty Training

Elimination Advice is the babies absurd training adjustment that allows babies to go diaper-free. Working moms, which a lot of individual moms are, may accept agitation traveling absolutely diaper-free as they aren’t home with the babyish all the time.

Part-time Childhood Free allows you to do abolishment communication, while application diapers as a back-up. “You will gradually use beneath diapers - in a accustomed alteration from full-time diapers to .. no added diapers if they become inconvenient. (Yes, that happen!)”

The website encourages you to just alpha by application one beneath childhood a day. They aswell animate the use of assurance accent to advice your babyish acquaint with you. Sing accent is an absurd way to acquaint with your babyish for everything, not just for absurd training.

What is elimination communication Method?

What is elimination communication Method?

Elimination Communication, aswell accepted as Natural Babyish Hygiene, Babyish Absurd Training, and Abolishment Timing, is a action that parents can use to abode their baby’s abolishment needs. Clashing relying alone on the cue of a evil-smelling diaper, Abolishment Advice utilizes timing, signals, and cueing to actuate if a babyish has to defecate or defecate. This anatomy of absurd training is absolute clashing the accepted method, area it is about not until about eighteen months of age at the ancient that training begins. This adjustment originated in beneath automated countries, and in actuality diaperless babyish affliction has been a attitude in abounding locations of the apple for centuries. However, abounding avant-garde parents are absorbed in Abolishment Advice because it involves spending beneath money on diapers, abbreviation the accident of childhood rash, and developing a band and access of advice with your adolescent from infancy.

The action of Abolishment Advice should activate amid bearing and six months of age. While it can be started afterwards on, up to a year or older, it is abundant harder to advise an earlier babyish to apprentice the adjustment than it is to advise it to a bairn baby. Earlier babies become “diaper trained,” and they advise themselves to avoid their bodies’ cues back they accept a childhood on anyhow and there’s no absolute acumen for them to anticipate about it. Babies who activate the Abolishment Advice adjustment afterwards six months of age are referred to as “late starters.” Not alone is it harder for the babies who alpha late, but parents of backward starters will aswell accept to plan abundant harder to accomplish the action work. Expecting parents should adjudge afore their baby’s bearing if they wish to use Natural Babyish Hygiene rather than the added acceptable absurd training adjustment so that they can analysis the techniques complex and get started adapted from the day their babyish is born.
The timing basic of Abolishment Advice refers to parent’s affability into the times of day that their babyish urinates. Typically, newborns defecate every ten to twenty minutes, and as they get to about six months old, the amplitude of time amid urinations lengthens to about already an hour. Back defecations can’t be predicted through timing, parents accept to apprehend their baby’s signals to actuate if defecation is occurring or about to occur. Some signals are added attenuate than others, and all babies are different, so parents just accept to pay abutting absorption to the signals that their babyish gives, such as grunting, a assertive facial expression, or squirming. The cueing aspect of Abolishment Advice is the a lot of important facet. Parents should accomplish a accurate babble while their babyish eliminates so that the babyish develops an affiliation amid that complete and the adapted time and abode to eliminate. For example, for urination, abounding parents use a swishing sound, and for defecation, a grunting complete is about used.

There are altered means to access the Abolishment Advice method. Some parents leave their babyish diaperless, while others use a bolt diaper. The important affair is that if the babyish “goes,” the ancestor can feel it and accomplish the adapted cueing sound. Already a ancestor has accustomed the timing pattern, they can accomplish that complete if they wish the babyish to urinate, captivation the babyish deeply over whatever is getting acclimated as the toilet. Until six months of age, a babyish is about too babyish to be captivated over the absolute toilet, so instead, abounding parents use either a basin, sink, or the outdoors (certainly depending on area you reside and what the altitude is like).

The action of Abolishment Advice is not for everyone. In fact, some parents are absolutely disgusted by the angle of a diaperless babyish bottom. If both parents plan full-time jobs, award a assistant or aide who can finer assassinate the Abolishment Advice action will assuredly prove to be absolute challenging. However, if you accept the time and backbone as a mother or ancestor to appropriately use this method, it can absolutely plan absolute well. Plus, babies that are aloft on this adjustment can around bypass the absurd training appearance altogether because they will already be able to apprehend and accept the signals that their physique sends them if they charge to eliminate.