Plastic-free July special: How to practice plastic-free parenting with a baby

1. Mealtime

For newborns and young babies, consider investing in glass milk bottles. They are long-lasting, BPA-free, and do not turn cloudy after months of being used. Plus, it's also easier to clean oily milk residue from glass bottles than plastic ones. 

For babies who have started on solids, serve their food in stainless steel kids tray instead of plastic containers. They are made of high-quality 304 stainless steel, easily recyclable, and last a very long time. The best thing is, sticky food can wash right off making it much easier to wash pasta sauce off your kid's bowl. 

When you're out with your little one, packed lunches and snacks are more nutritious than store-bought meals. The packaging is zero waste and reusable. Homemade sandwiches, veggie sticks, dips and fruits. Just pack everything up in your stainless steel lunch box.

2. Bath time

Switch to bar soap instead of liquid soap for your little one. Choose bar soaps that do not contain nasties such as SLS, SLES, EDTA, parabens, and fragrance.

Most bath toys that we find in stores are made of plastic. Substitute some of the plastic with natural things like natural rubber toys, colanders, natural sponges, and beeswax bath crayons.  

3. Toilet time

Do you know that most baby wipes are made of plastic? It's a surprise to many parents and you think why wouldn't the major manufacturers make biodegradable ones. Only baby wipes that are specifically marked as biodegradable exclude plastic and they are typically made from bamboo viscose. 

Instead, for home use, you can substitute by placing some washcloths in a container and add some water. For cleaning poop, just run your baby's bum under running water. This is best for newborn skin and for babies with eczema, nappy rash, and sensitive skin. 

When you are ready, you can also give cloth nappies a go. Start with 1 or 2 cloth nappies and see how you go. 

4. Playtime 

We're all guilty of buying plastic toys for our kids. They are cheap and interactive. But you know what we can avoid - the last-minute stocking fillers and the toys that come in or with food. Your little one will probably have lost interest by the time you get home, and some will end up as single-use.

For sensory play, opt for activities that do not use glitter or plastic zip-lock bags. Instead, you can use natural objects such as twigs, pebbles, and leaves. Place everything in a container and let them explore each item. 

Or you can get different types of fresh herbs (such as basil, rosemary, and mint) and let your baby play with the different textures. It also exposes your baby to new smells and they are completely edible. 

We know that parenting is hard, busy, and tiring. We want to make plastic-free parenting achievable for modern parents. Try it out, see how you go, and all the best in your eco-parenting journey.