10 Tips For Raising Baby Green On A Budget

With the ongoing credit crunch, and fears of a looming recession, you may be worried about continuing to afford an organic lifestyle for baby. It is no secret that organic clothing, and organic food cost a bit more than their regular counterparts. However, it is possible to maintain a green lifestyle even when cash strapped. Here are some useful tips for raising baby green on a budget:

1. Make your own organic baby food. It’s far cheaper to make your own organic baby food. There are countless recipes you can find online for scrumptious, healthy meals. Once you get started you’ll find it’s easy to create your own recipes based on what you know your baby likes. You’ll save quite a bit by doing this, and you’ll be reassured in knowing exactly what’s in your baby’s food. I found this site very helpful when I started making my own baby food: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

2. Use Washable Nappies. They may seem to cost a fortune, but once you invest in a good washable nappy system, you’ll save hundreds of pounds in the long run. I never liked washing nappies myself, but there are so many great options out there that I actually think that washable nappies are much better. They’re trendier, comfortable for baby, and of course good for the environment.

3. Use Cloth Wipes. Disposable wipes may not seem to cost much, but they’re a significant investment in the long run. It’s so amazingly cheaper to use cloth wipes, and there are some great options available. Bamboo wipes for instance are very absorbent and anti-bacterial. Plus cloth wipes won’t expose your baby to any nasty chemicals.

4. Line Dry or Rack Dry Baby’s Clothes. Air drying rather than using a dryer will of course help you save on your utility bills. In addition baby’s clothes will last longer, as using a dryer causes clothes to wear out quicker, and causes stains to set in more easily. Air drying will prolong the life of your baby’s clothes and help you save on clothing costs.

5. Breastfeed for as long as you can. The obvious benefit is the tremendous savings on buying formula. In addition, your baby will be less prone to illness as breast milk serves as natural immunisation. This adds up to alot of savings both in the short and long run.

6. Wash Baby’s clothes in cold water. This will save on your heating bill, and baby’s clothes will be just as clean.

7. Replace the light in baby’s nursery with a CFL or LED low energy consuming light, and save on your electric bills. Better yet, do this all over your home, and you’ll see a significant reduction in your energy consumption.

8. Use Baking Soda as an all purpose cleaner. It is very effective. You can use baking soda and water as a natural cleaning agent all over your home. It’s very useful for soaking and washing nappies, cleaning baby’s bottles, washing organic fruit and vegetables, and for cleaning the surfaces that baby is exposed to.

9. For mothers who use formula, try using a water filter instead of bottled water to make baby’s bottles.

10. Consider second hand baby clothing. There is no shame in being thrifty by buying second hand baby clothes, or using clothes from a friend or relative who recently had a baby. These are normally in very good condition, and normally used just a few times by the previous owner.

Hope you found something here to help you save money while still raising baby green. If you have any more tips that you’d like to share post it in the comments section, we’ll be glad to read and share them.

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