By Joy Harkins

During pregnancy, turning “green” may be another way to describe an oncoming bout of morning sickness. But “going green” has become another way of saying you are committed to a way of living that improves or sustains the health of the environment. It also means meeting your own needs without compromising the quality of life for future generations. 

Pregnancy is an ideal time to adopt a green(er) lifestyle. Having a baby creates a natural change or shift. The future suddenly holds more possibility and meaning. By necessity, you’re getting rid of things to make room for baby, and bringing new items into your home. Pregnancy is also the perfect time because the period after the baby arrives can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. Prepare your home and adopt new habits in advance to ease the transition. 

1. Eat organic food. Your diet has perhaps the greatest impact on your baby. By cutting out pesticides and junk food, you can give your baby a great start. This is also a good time to start a new habit of healthy eating that you will share with you baby over many more meals.

2. Have a green baby shower.

• Register for eco-friendly products, organic baby clothes, cloth diapers and non-toxic toys from dozens of companies such as Nayla Natural Care or Go Green Baby Shop.
• Consider a themed shower, such as a cloth diaper shower, book shower or CD/music shower. Use an online service such as Wishpot to register for gifts from multiple stores.
• Create a blog where you list items for your friends and families to view (when they purchase an item ask them to leave a note in the comments).

3. Paint the nursery with no-VOC paint. Paints and finishes, which are among the leading causes of indoor air pollution, release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. One source of these toxins is VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Most paint stores, including Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot, carry low or no-VOC paint alternatives. These paints release significantly fewer polluting toxins.

The author in her green nursery

4. Shop for second-hand baby clothes. Search out your local thrift stores and recycled children’s clothing stores. Get to know the owners and find out their buying hours. This will help you when you are looking for a specific item or when it is time to sell back your baby clothes (which will be sooner than you think).

5. Borrow big items, such as a car seat and high chair. If you know other moms, don’t hesitate to ask if you can borrow from them. If a family plans to have more children, they may be happy to clear out their storage for a period of time. If you do not know any moms, post a wanted ad on Craigslist or a community bulletin board.  [Note: Keep in mind that a car seat "expires" after five years.  Also, if a car seat has been in an accident, it must be thrown out.]

6. Shop locally for used gear such as a crib and baby furniture. Craigslist and Freecycle are great places to find larger items in your local area. Garage sales and thrift stores are also good places to find what you need. Also, consider repurposing regular furniture with environmentally friendly paint or stain. If you do buy a second-hand crib, be sure it meets safety standards.

7. Switch to biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products. It can take a while to change shopping patterns. Try new products now to see which ones you would like to implement in your home. There are several companies that make eco-friendly cleaning products, such as Seventh Generation and Method. Also, experiment with home-made cleaners such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon.

8. Invest in a water bottle. It is important to stay hydrated throughout pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Avoid buying bottled water altogether, and purchase a fun stainless steel water bottle that will last for years. My favorite is the Klean Kanteen.

9. Research eco-friendly personal care products. There are tons of eco-friendly facial cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, moisturizers, and perfumes on the market. Personal care products not only touch our skin, but they have chemicals and fragrances that penetrate through our pores and into our bodies. A few companies that offer natural personal care products are Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bees, and Aveda.

10. Consider purchasing a organic crib mattress. Conventional crib mattresses can contain PVC (one of the most toxic plastics), phthalates (which is considered a carcinogen), toxic fire-retardant chemicals, and polyurethane foam (which can include formaldehyde). Organic crib mattresses are made of organic wool (which is naturally mold resistant) and organic cotton (which is not treated with any pesticides). Green Organic crib mattresses vary widely in price. I chose the L.A. Baby Organic Cotton Mattress from Costco.

11. Invest in organic cotton bedding. Your baby will spend hours sleeping in and on blankets and bedding. Choose natural fibers and organic materials to protect your infant from pesticides and other chemicals. There are many companies that sell these products, such as Nature’s Baby Blankets.

12. Install a water softener. Soft water is good for your skin and the environment. It also increases the longevity of your clothing, makes cleaning easier by reducing water spots and soapy build-up, lowers water heating costs, and extends the life of your water heater and plumbing.

13. Install a water purifier. Tap water generally meets a minimum standard quality; however, you may want to purchase a home water purifier to increase the purity of your tap water. There are many types of purifiers, including reverse osmosis, distillers, filter pitchers, and point-of-use devices. To test your own water, call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/sco.html.

14. Switch to eco-friendly laundry detergent. Preparing for baby means sorting, washing, and organizing tiny and adorable clothing. Wash all baby clothes in a gentle eco-friendly detergent to protect your baby’s skin. Try Seventh Generation’s Baby Laundry Detergent. Also, do not use dryer sheets, as these can be extremely irritating on soft skin.

15. Build your “mommy” wardrobe. Start shopping for organic nursing tanks, soft t-shirts, and slip on shoes made of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. You will appreciate having a few simple and reliable pieces of clothing that make you feel fabulous in the early days after labor and delivery.

16. Make a run to the recycling center. Dispose of old chemicals and electronics before baby arrives. It will feel good to get them out of your house, and you will not have to worry about little fingers getting to them in the future. Find your local recycling center by visiting Earth911.com.

17. Invest in a sturdy stroller. Walking is an excellent way to burn off the baby weight, alleviate postpartum depression, and sooth a fussy baby. And, depending on where you live, leaving the car at home and walking can be a great way to run errands and avoid hauling baby in and out of the car seat, which is good for baby and the environment. I chose the BOB Revolution, available from retailers nationwide.

18.  Find a baby carrier that suits you. Babywearing isn’t just a fad, it’s an amazingly effective way to cut down on crying and bond with your baby. I loved the Moby Wrap and wore my baby in it several hours a day.

19. Have a garage sale. Babies take up space. This is a good time to switch out plastic storage containers, plastic cutting boards, and plastic dinnerware and replace them with glass, wood, bamboo or ceramic.

20. Take a trip to the library. I read every baby book I could get my hands on during my pregnancy. Even if you don’t plan to do a lot of reading about pregnancy and parenting, there are lots of great books on greening your lifestyle. My favorite book, which satisfied my appetite for green living and preparing for childbirth, is Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care.

21. Start a garden. Squatting down in the garden is an excellent way to build muscles needed for birthing. Plus, you will reap (literally) the benefits of healthy, organic, homegrown produce in the months ahead. Planting a garden can also be a therapeutic process for preparing for a new beginning. If you do not have space for your own garden, contact your local city or county parks agency.

22. Visit your local farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local, healthy, organic produce. Start getting to know your local vendors now, and when you come by toting your new bundle of joy they will likely throw in an extra vegetable or two!

23. Shop for indoor plants. Your baby will spend the majority of time indoors. According to the EPA, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air. Plants recycle oxygen and break down pollutants. One six-inch houseplant per one hundred square feet of living area will filter out pollutants. For more information, check out How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants to Purify Your Home or Office by B.C. Wolverton.

24. Purchase a scanner. Cut through a pile of paperwork by scanning your documents. This works great for articles, invoices, receipts, and brochures. Babies generate lots of paperwork, and while you have to hold on to your baby’s birth certificate and social security card, you can create space by whittling down your existing mass of papers.

25. Install energy efficient light bulbs, dimmers, timers, and light-sensors. These products will reduce your energy bill, save electricity, and put your mind at ease. Using light sensors and timers will help rid you of the bad habit of leaving lights on when they’re not in use. If you want to take this tip to the extreme – install solar tubes, skylights, or larger windows. Or, even better, install solar panels – you’ll break even before your baby’s out of elementary school!

Greening your pregnancy is a great way to feel good about the choices you are making in preparation for your baby’s arrival. By implementing these tips during your pregnancy, you will have more time and energy to enjoy your baby in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Joy Harkins is a new mom living in a small community in California. She blogs about simple [clutter-free, debt-free, organized, green] living at www.JustPlainJoy.blogspot.com. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Education and works as a Volunteer Coordinator at a state university.