Earth Day seems like it should be an intuitive celebration for moms. It’s a day to celebrate sustainability, life, and building a better future for our children.
You might not throw an Earth Day party (though we bet your kids would love that!), but you can celebrate our home planet every day in the actions you take, the decisions you make, and the examples you set for your children. It may seem daunting at first, but we believe even the busiest, most sleep-deprived mom can make a positive impact by remembering why it’s worth it and making simple changes that won’t require a lot of thought in the long-run, but will make a difference over time.
Keeping Earth clean when you don’t even have energy to clean your home
When there’s a newborn in your home (or toddler, or small child, or teen…), the last thing on your mind is keeping your house in tip-top shape. So how are you supposed to help keep the Earth clean for your little one’s future? Let’s start by looking at what sustainability really means and why it’s important – especially to moms like you.
Sustainability is all about maintaining the natural environment in a way that supports humanity while preserving enough resources to continue to support the future of humanity. We rely on the Earth’s resources for both our basic survival and for comforts and items we don’t necessarily need but enjoy. Essentially, sustainability is about choosing resources that are either renewable or can be recycled and repurposed to make the most of them.
Making a lot out of a little is kind of a mom superpower, isn’t it? As moms, we understand the value in investing in something durable and in avoiding or limiting items that we’ll only use once or twice. The basic principle behind sustainability is second-nature for many of us. So even if you’re up to your droopy eyeballs in breastmilk, burp cloths, and poopy diapers, chances are you can find at least one way to live your life in a more eco-friendly way.
By following sustainable practices at all levels – from individuals to businesses to communities to entire nations – we can help ensure that our children and future generations have what they need throughout their lifetimes.
A sustainable fabric: the “bamboo” in Bamboobies
At Bamboobies, sustainability is core to our existence. We stock your cabinets with natural and organic balms made with simple ingredients, and the apparel you love for its comfort and durability is crafted from rayon made from bamboo.
You probably like bamboo-derived fabric because it keeps you comfortable with its breathability (which is also helpful in blocking unwanted smells – like dried breastmilk or spit up!). But bamboo can also benefit the planet. Unlike cotton, bamboo doesn’t need to be replanted each year; it regenerates after it’s been harvested. Not only that, but it requires only a third of the water cotton does, and it can grow in many environments – and quickly!
Using bamboo for our apparel is one simple step we can take to maintain a healthy planet for the future. After all, isn’t that what every mom wants for her children?
Back to basics: easy sustainability steps for moms
When you’re in the thick of motherhood, you might not have the energy – or brain space – to keep sustainability top of mind. But there are plenty of simple, everyday steps you can take to take care of Earth while you take care of your littles.
- Let’s start with reusable nursing pads. With many new moms changing their nursing pads as often as every 2-3 hours, using washable nursing pads is a great way to keep single-use garbage out of landfills. While disposable nursing pads aren’t inherently bad and can be convenient in certain situations, a reusable option is more sustainable and a better bang for your buck if you leak fairly regularly. As an extra layer of sustainability, using washable laundry bags when washing your nursing pads can help extend their use by protecting these small fabric pieces from the mechanisms of the washing machine.
- Look for opportunities to replace one-time-use items in your home with reusable options. Swap out paper towels for washcloths (burp cloths are great for this once your little one is done spitting up!), throw reusable water bottles in the diaper bag to keep you and bigger kids hydrated, and opt for reusable snack bags or containers. You might have a few extra dishes to wash, but you’ll save money over time, save trips to the store, and do your part to help the planet.
- Conserve energy – especially before your baby becomes a light switch-loving toddler. Set timers on white noise machines, and try to avoid turning on lights each time you get up in the middle of the night for feedings, if you can maneuver safely. (As a bonus, this might also help get your baby back to sleep quicker after you’re done!)
- You might want to consider washable fabric diapers, perhaps once your baby gets a little older and you’ve gotten into a bit of a routine. This option isn’t for everyone, but it can certainly help reduce waste in landfills and might save you some money too; on average, you can expect to go through about 240 diapers each month after the first month! That estimate remains approximately the same for the whole first year!
We know you’re busy and tired, mama, but even the smallest positive change can add up to have a noticeable impact. This Earth Day, let’s all pledge to do our part to ensure our children have the resources they need to live long, prosperous lives.
References:
United States Environmental Protection Agency: Learn About Sustainability
https://www.epa.gov/sustainability/learn-about-sustainability
Keeping Our Planet Alive: Bamboo VS. Cotton: An Environmental Comparison
https://keepingourplanetalive.ca/blogs/blog/bamboo-vs-cotton-an-environmental-comparison
One Tree Planted: 8 Amazing Bamboo Facts
https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/bamboo
Mom Informed: How Often Should You Change Nursing Pads
https://mominformed.com/how-often-should-you-change-nursing-pads/
First Cry Parenting: Diapers Usage – How Many Will Your Baby Need
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/diapers-usage-how-many-will-your-baby-need/