Staying Green And Natural With A Baby

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Taking care of a baby produces a lot of waste. Like a whole lot. If you think about the fact that they go through anywhere from 6-14 diapers a day, and of course you’ve got to use wipes every time you change them, as well as diaper cream…it really adds up. Then there are the plethora of lotions and potions meant to make your baby clean, soft and heavenly smelling.

As someone who almost has their beauty products down to about three items, I just didn’t see myself approaching our baby’s skin care any differently. Sometimes less is more, at least for me. So for now here is what we’ve been using.

DIAPERING
We cloth diaper. I understand how it can be a bit intimidating, as well as a little gross in perception, but in reality after using disposables for the two weeks we were in Germany, and now having used cloth for just over a week, I’m an even bigger advocate for the cloth.

Pros:

  • The cotton feels and breathes much better on baby’s bum, AND lessens the likelihood of diaper rash.
  • You never really run out of diapers – they are just a load of laundry away from being restocked.
  • They save money. I think we (well the people who gifted them to us) initially invested around $300 to start off with 18 pre-fold size 1 diapers, 18 pre-fold size 2 diapers, 3 size 1 one covers, 3 size 2 covers, 2 all-in-one one size fits all diapers, a 3 pack of snappis, 2 10 packs of cotton wipes, and a wet bag. This should last us until she is about 30-35 lbs, or potty training time. Considering we were paying $9-10 for around 30 disposable diapers (if you’re doing the math, that’s only about 5-6 days worth), in the long run they pay off…and they can be used for future siblings. 
Cons:
  • You have to do laundry every other day – which does use water, and thus also creates waste and uses resources.
  • There are times when you have to carry around poopy diapers until you can get home and wash them.
  • They’re not ideal for travel.

I feel like using cloth diapers has been really easy, and not as much work as it would seem. I’ve also been drying most of them in the sun instead of using the dryer, which not only saves electricity, but also “bleaches” any residual stains out in the process (I am amazed at the power of the sun for bleaching!).

We also use reusable cloth wipes. I just throw them in the wash with the diapers. I made a diaper spray to use with them that I have also learned makes a great “treatment” for baby acne (I just wipe her face down before I clean her bottom, and then rub on some coconut oil).
Pre-folds we use here.
Diaper covers we use here.
Snappis we use here.
All-In-One Diapers we use here.
Reusuable cloth wipes we use here.
Diaper Spray Recipe:
  • 1 capful Witch Hazel (optional)
  • 1 tsp. body wash (recipe below)
  • Water (to fill bottle)
  1. Combine all ingredients in a small spray bottle (I used a 4 oz bottle for this recipe). 
  2. Spray on cloth wipe and use.
CREAMS & LOTIONS
This is a case of the K.I.S.S. motto (keep it simple stupid). We use coconut oil. End of story. It’s the perfect lotion, and it’s antibacterial and antifungal making it a great diaper cream (that won’t clog the fabric of the cloth diapers). I also use almond oil from time to time, which is what I use personally for a moisturizer. 
BATH TIME
I made a body wash a while ago for Will and I to use, and because it’s made from all natural ingredients that are great for sensitive skin, it now works beautifully as a body wash for Aubrey. We only use a very small amount, and sort of dilute it in the bath water since newborns don’t exactly require a great deal of soap and scrubbing. 
Body Wash Recipe:
  • 1 c. Sweet Almond Oil (what I use)
  • 1 c. Coconut Oil, melted (what I use)
  • 2 c. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (I like to use the lavender scent, but I also have the unscented to use – you could also use the unscented and your favorite combo of essential oils)
  1. Combine all ingredients in a glass container and shake to combine. 
And that about wraps it up. The only other product we’ve used was the Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray. I bought it for myself for postpartum recovery (HIGHLY recommend!), but learned from our doula that it is great for spraying on baby’s cord stump to help it heal. 

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