Being a new mom or dad is an exciting and challenging time. You have to cope with the sleepless nights and make tons of important decisions – diapering, feeding, playing and caring for baby. Choosing green and eco-friendly options makes the decision-making a bit easier by helping you to pick the safest, healthiest products for your little one. Here is how you can choose green baby products to make parenting eco-friendly and easy.

Choose the Right Type of Diapers

Diapering starts right when baby is born and continues till he or she starts potty-training, which is usually around 18-24 months of age. Choosing to use cloth diapers is a great way to go green with baby. Not only are cloth diapers best for the environment they’re also safe for baby’s sensitive skin. Better still, choose organic cloth diapers that are free of any chemicals that are used in cultivation of cotton. You can choose from a huge variety of reusable cotton nappies, depending upon your budget and requirements. There are prefolds, fitteds, pocket diapers and all-in-one diapers that new parents can use to keep baby clean and dry.

Going Green with Baby Food

While choosing to breastfeed baby is obviously best for both baby and the planet, when your little one graduates to solid foods, using organic fruits and vegetables to make your own baby food will be a good way to go green. Homemade baby food is not only nutritionally better, it is cheaper and greener too.

Dressing Baby in Organic and Green Clothes

Dressing up a baby is so much fun. The tiny tees, jumpsuits, dresses and more look adorable. Increase the style and adorability quotient by choosing green and organic baby clothes made of natural fibers and materials such as cotton, hemp or bamboo. Better still, go green by using hand-me-down clothes used by older siblings and other children in your friend and family circle. Since, babies outgrow clothes at the speed of light, buying tons of new clothes will only cause a dent in your budget, instead save money when shopping for baby by buying a few good, organic baby outfits and reuse old baby clothes for regular, everyday wear.

Choosing Organic Baby Products

Caring for baby’s sensitive skin and soft hair requires love and the right products. Most commercial baby products are laden with chemicals. Instead, choose natural, organic baby bath and skin care products to keep baby’s skin clean and fresh. Use olive or coconut oil (check for allergies) to massage baby, soaps made of natural ingredients and avoid using talcum powder. Check out Babecology for some great natural baby products.

Green and Eco-friendly Baby Furniture and Furnishings

Fitting out your little one’s nursery can be your best decorating project. Make it a green and eco-friendly one by choosing organic baby furniture, bedding and furnishings made of organic cotton, hemp or bamboo. Pure Beginnings has some great organic mattresses and linen for baby’s crib while A Natural Home offers new moms and dads a range of organic baby cribs, changing tables and dressers.

Raising an organic or green baby can make parenting more fulfilling than ever. Knowing that you’re bringing up baby in a safe, healthy environment with a respect for all things natural makes being an eco-friendly and green parent totally worthwhile.

Photo Credit: gabi menashe