Eco-Friendly Baby Products: Tips & DIY Ideas
Ecological baby products are more in demand than ever. After all, topics like waste reduction, natural ingredients, and sustainability are currently very popular. Especially when it comes to baby care, you should inform yourself carefully. Baby skin is very sensitive and should therefore be treated gently. However, many products contain a lot of chemicals. Fragrances, colorants, preservatives & co. – are these really necessary, especially in toddlerhood? We’ll show you how to easily avoid these chemicals. Plus, we have some helpful tips on waste reduction. This not only benefits the environment but also saves you money.
Disposable Diaper vs. Cloth Diaper vs. Eco Disposable Diaper
A baby/toddler needs on average over 6,000 diapers until they are "dry." As expected, this results in a huge pile of diaper waste. Of course, disposable diapers are much easier, faster, and thus time-saving. After all, they go straight into the trash after use. Especially on the go, this is probably the only sensible diapering method? Not quite. We have two ecological baby products as possible alternatives for you:
1. The Organic Disposable Diaper
Nowadays, diaper systems are also available that allow you to enjoy the advantages of a disposable diaper while still doing something good for the environment. Organic disposable diapers, for example, are made from renewable raw materials. Some variants can simply be disposed of in the home compost heap or organic waste bin after use. Furthermore, organic diapers are free of chemicals, whereas many disposable diapers are bleached or contain fragrances and latex. If you are interested in organic disposable diapers, you can take a closer look at the following providers:
2. The Cloth Diaper
What was considered an outdated diapering method until recently is now making a comeback: the cloth diaper. Since ecological baby products can be washed repeatedly, the advantage is obvious: a lot of waste is avoided. Cloth diapers are available in various versions. Some already have an inner diaper integrated. Others allow an insert to be added depending on the desired absorbency. Also, children who are diapered with cloth diapers are usually dry after about two years. This is mainly because conventional disposable diapers are optimized so that the little ones don’t even notice when they are wet. Interested in sustainable alternatives for baby care? Then check out the following brands:
- Popolini
- gDiapers
- bambino mio (available at dm)
DIY Wet Wipes for On the Go – Make Your Own Ecological Baby Products
Wet wipes are a must, especially when changing diapers. But conventional disposable wipes from the drugstore often contain skin-irritating ingredients and, of course, produce a lot of waste. At home, a damp washcloth with some coconut oil serves the same purpose. But many parents don’t want to do without these practical helpers when out and about. So here’s our tip: simply make your own reusable wet wipes. You can often make ecological baby products yourself, and they are gentler on sensitive baby skin. Here’s what you need:
- A piece of soft, absorbent fabric (old T-shirt, towel, etc.)
- 500 ml boiled water
- 1 tsp sunflower oil / calendula oil
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Optional: aloe vera gel
Instructions: Make Your Own Baby Wet Wipes
1. First, heat the water in a pot to about 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.
2. Next, add the coconut oil to the liquid until it dissolves.
3. Then you can add other nourishing oils or substances. We recommend some sunflower oil or alternatively calendula oil. If you have aloe vera gel at home, this is also a great ingredient for the wet wipes. Stir again until all ingredients are completely dissolved.
4. Now dip the fabric wipes one by one into the cleaning liquid. Then squeeze them out briefly and preferably put them in a screw-top jar. This is perfect for taking with you on the go! Our tip: to store used wipes, you should also bring a separate container.
Ecological Baby Products: Simple DIY Wound and Healing Ointment
After changing, it’s time for cream for the baby’s bottom. There are also great ecological baby products here, as wound creams often contain questionable ingredients. Natural cosmetics, on the other hand, are usually expensive. We therefore recommend a calendula ointment that you can easily make yourself. Here’s what you need:
- 250 ml olive oil
- 25 g beeswax (available at pharmacies/health food stores)
- 1-2 cups calendula flowers
- A linen cloth
- 2 large pots
- Boiled jars with screw caps
How to Make Wound & Healing Ointment Yourself:
1. First, cut the calendula flowers into small pieces. Then put them into the olive oil and heat everything together for about 15 minutes. Caution: do not let the oil get too hot!
2. Now take the linen cloth and strain the liquid into the second pot.
3. Then add the beeswax. Heat everything again until the wax is completely melted. It is important to stir well during this process.
4. Now pour the finished calendula ointment into the boiled jars. Leave the lid open at first until the ointment has completely cooled. Voilà: your DIY baby care cream is ready.
Conclusion on Ecological Baby Products: Healthy and Sustainable
Our conclusion: ecological baby products are not only environmentally friendly but can also benefit sensitive baby skin! If you are interested in how you can also act ecologically when it comes to children’s clothing, check out our older blog post.
Image credits: © iStock / pamela_d_mcadams, © iStock / ozgurcankaya
