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Eco-Friendly Money Hacks for New Parents
Eco-Friendly Money Hacks for New Parents

Having a baby will have a big effect on your lifestyle, but if you want to continue living sustainably here are some things to think about.

Updated over a week ago

Having a baby will have a massive effect on your lifestyle, but if you want to continue living sustainably here are some things to think about.

Becoming a parent comes with many amazing new experiences but it can also come with plenty of new expenses. Babies require a lot of things, which can not only be incredibly taxing on your wallet but can also make it difficult to even imagine living sustainably.

While leading a zero-waste lifestyle with a newborn is difficult, there are things you can do to minimise your environmental impact as a parent. Here we talk you through some of the biggest expenses you will face and how you can make them eco-friendly and pocket-friendly.

A cot

One of the first things you’ll need is somewhere for your baby to sleep. Non-toxic, eco-friendly cribs can be expensive to buy new so it’s worth asking friends and family whether they have a secondhand cot, cot bed or Moses basket they can lend you. Alternatively, you could try looking in your local charity shop or nearby car boot sales.

You can also buy second-hand cots online from websites like Gumtree and Preloved. If the seller lives locally it may be worth arranging to see the cot in person before you commit. This way you can ensure that it’s in good condition and safe for your baby to use. Look out for BSEN716 written somewhere on the cot, as this shows that it conforms to British safety standards.

One item you may want to buy new is the cot mattress to ensure it’s hygienic. If you want something that is more sustainable, look out for eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, organic wool and 100% natural latex. It’s worth doing some research to find out what’s available for your budget and bear in mind that newborns spend an average of 14 hours a day sleeping so buying something cheap is not always going to be the most cost-effective in the long run. If you’re given a hand-me-down mattress from family or friends always check that it’s clean, dry and free from cracks or tears before using it.

A pushchair

When it comes to pushchairs, parents spend an average of £340.32 - with some makes and models costing thousands.

As with cots, ask friends and family for hand-me-downs or look for secondhand models at charity shops, car boot sales or online to save them from going to landfill. As a rule of thumb, you should never pay more than a third of the full price on secondhand items so do your research first to make sure you know what it costs brand new.

And as pushchairs are often such a big investment it’s worth keeping yours in good condition, so when you no longer need it you can do your bit for the environment and other parents-to-be by selling it on or giving it away.

Toys

Toys play a massive part in any infant’s life. They’re a great way for kids to learn about the world and can be a good way to keep them occupied, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. In fact, people typically spend more than £365 on toys in a baby’s first two years alone, according to the NPD Group.

Toys made from plastic are usually the cheapest option, but they also often have a short lifespan and may soon end up in the bin. Buying second-hand from charity shops and car boot sales will help you to keep the costs down and save these items from going to landfill, but make sure they are in good shape before purchasing them.

Children have short attention spans and often become bored with toys quickly (which is why they can end up with so many!). By buying toys that have multiple uses or form part of a collection, it’s likely that your kid won’t tire of them so easily and will want to play with them for longer, making them a more cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

You could also look into toy subscription services. Depending on where you live you may have access to a mobile toy library. These usually work by asking for an upfront fee of around £5, which allows you to borrow up to two toys for four weeks for free. To find out more, contact your local Sure Start Centre.

There are also some online companies that work along similar lines. They offer you access to a number of different toys for a set monthly fee, which can range between £10 and £35. Before signing up, work out how much you are currently spending on toys over the course of a year to see whether you would be making a saving.

Nappies and wipes

Two of the items you will need most often (and which are therefore among the most wasteful) are nappies and baby wipes.

Rather than buying disposable nappies, try reusable ones. You may have to pay more for them upfront but you will save money over the long term. Some reusable nappy companies will offer trial versions. By signing up for a few trials you can get them at a reduced price and work out which ones are worth investing more of your money in later on if you need to. Or, if you’re handy with a needle and thread you could try making your own nappies.

Instead of throwaway baby wipes, try ones that can be put in the washing machine. You can either buy these or make them yourself. Simply cut up old flannels, terry clothes, cloth napkins or any other absorbent material that can be machine washed. Try soaking them in a home-made cleaning solution made from baby oil and chamomile tea to soothe your baby’s skin and help clean up any mess.

Baby food

Once your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, one of the easiest ways to cut down on costs (and food packaging) is to make your own. Of course, it can be hard juggling everything you have going on as a new parent so making baby food may not be top of your priority list but there are a few hacks to make it more manageable.

  • A really cheap and easy transition to finger foods is simply grating an apple using the small slots on the grater (or any other fruit or vegetable with a similar texture)

  • Making separate meals for your little one can be exhausting (and will add an extra expense to your household budget). Instead, try cooking things like roasted veggies which can be eaten by the adults and quickly pureed or mashed for anyone in a highchair.

  • When you have a small mouth to feed, batch cooking and freezing can be great. But, before cooking a big batch of something test it on your child a few time to make sure they like it - otherwise it's a waste of time, freezer space and ingredients!

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