This post is part of a special blogging day in Miami. As part of Miami Cross-Blogination, DayngrGirl of Dayngrous Discourse wrote a post for greenerMIAMI. And, in an odd draw of the names, we will be blogging over at Dayngrous Discourse today. It’s a fun day in the Miami blogosphere! Visit the following link for a full list of today’s Cross-Blogination participants.
No, I’m not talking about the latest headline on one of those tabloids. I’m talking about getting your baby or baby-to-be on the greenScene here at greenerMiami. Babies may be small but they are big consumers so why not try going green or eco-friendly for the environment and for your baby. Here are some tips to get you on your way to having and keeping your beautiful bundle of joy green.
Nursery
Let’s start with the nursery. The most important aspect of green design for a newborn’s environment is to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals as much you possibly can. A non-toxic nursery is especially important because newborns spend most of their life in the nursery about 16 to 17 hours a day.
Painting should be done at least a month before the baby is due, and it can be cured by using a room space heater. If you are pregnant, don’t paint the room yourself. Have someone else do it like your husband, family, friend, or hired hand and be sure to paint with one of the new water-based low-volatile organic compound paints.
Your baby will spend many hours sleeping, and at times will need the room to be dark and peaceful during the day. Consider wooden shutters (with a non-toxic paint or finish) or aluminum mini-blinds that will allow you to adjust the light as needed. Steer clear of PVC blinds and be sure to provide good ventilation and fresh air.
Keep your baby’s crib as pure as possible in every way. Choose real wood, natural finishes, and untreated pure cotton and wool, preferably organically grown.
Most toys sold in major toy stores are made from plastics and or PVC. Plastic is a major contributor to indoor air pollution and PVC products may contain phthalates, lead and cadmium. There are many natural cloth and wood toys available on the internet.
Once you have a non-toxic nursery, keep it safe by using only natural and non-toxic cleaning products like Seventh Generation, grapefruit seed extract and essential oils which are readily available on the internet or products like Method available at Target and Office Depot.
Baby Food
It doesn’t get any more organic than breastfeeding. The AAP recommends that babies should be fed just breast milk for the first six months of life and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months. So if you can, breastfeed your baby. Even the smallest amount is good for your baby. La Leche League has wonderful resources and information as do most hospitals.
Once your baby is ready to move on to foods you can try organic cereals like Earth’s Best or organic baby food and juices. Gerber has a nice line and these are available at stores like Publix and Winn Dixie.
Of course, you can always make your baby’s food yourself using organically grown fruits and veggies bought locally and there are some great resources out there for recipes.
Baby Booty
Who can resist all the great goodies out there for baby (and mama too)? You know you are going to buy tons of stuff so be sure to go green for baby’s announcements, clothes, diapers, accessories, toys, furniture and everything else you can think of. Here are a few good places to start locally:
Then check out some I found online:
Even if you can’t go green for everything, try swapping out some typical buys for greener more environmentally friendly ones. Even a few small changes can make a difference. Remember, every little bit counts.
Resources: Green Home Guide, Healthy Building, Great Green Baby
12 Responses to “Green Babies in Miami”
WHAT?! No comments? How can this be? LOL. Mommies where are you? Let me hear your battle cry “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”.
I’m here to leave a comment & not because you asked either.
You offered great tips!
Dayngr, you write very complete and well researched posts, and this is no exception! Great tips…now I just need the baby!
Great post, it gives me new sites to add to my favorites!
Aw shucks… You make a mamma blush (don’t) stop!
What a great post. It’s almost inspirational. I just have to keep reminding myself that having a cool baby’s room is not proper justification for having a baby!
I wonder if Charles Schultz’s family should sue–because that’s obviously Snoopy!
Just wanted to thank you for pulling together the cross-blogination event. It introduced me to blogs (and bloggers!) that I might never have heard of, otherwise. What a terrific idea! Thank you!
Thanks so much! It was great fun, and we’ll do another one in the future!!
Interesting post covering all the necessary fields.We can move to baby food around the middle of the first year the organic baby food help to the development of the child.We should care the mixing of baby food.Lots of resources available online.Try it before going for the first food for your baby.
Do you want your child in a green school environment? My daughter goes to a Waldorf school – Sunrise School of Miami – where even the paint on the walls is organic. They allow NO plastic toys, all organic yarns (the kids knit) and gardening and composting plus more. The school goes from PreK-8th Grade. They are having open houses monthly now, next ones are Jan. 17th at 2pm and Jan. 31st at 2 pm. at 8795 S.W. 112 St. (on grounds of Kendall Community Church of God).
Wow! Fantastic post Dayngr!! Very informative! Fyi, we have lots of organic and non-toxic products for baby here, and we’re a LOCAL store! Woohoo! We’re in Plantation…you can check us out on the web too at GreenDwellers.com.
Keep up the great work! Cross-blogination rocks!!