We all know that babies don’t come with a manual. It’s a live and learn process for most of the child’s life. Although each baby is different, I knew after I gave birth to my second child that I wanted to continue the natural parenting route. “Natural” parenting is really a broad term, but to me, this term means: using non-toxic personal care products, making my own herbal tincture and remedies, breastfeeding and using eco-minded products that don’t pollute the earth.
Non-Toxic Personal Care
When choosing a non-toxic personal care product, I always look at the ingredients, read reviews and read about the company’s mission. I tend to gravitate toward fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, pediatrician approved and paraben-free products that don’t have a shelf life of 3+ years. Baby’s skin is an organ and readily soaks up everything put on it, so it’s important to find products that don’t include any yucky chemicals or preservatives.
Check out Co-op Market’s selection of natural personal care products for babies:
DIY Herbal Remedies
I don’t always have time for do-it-yourself, but I do make time for a few cabinet staples, especially during the winter illness season. I make my own elderberry syrup which has immune-boosting properties, stock up on honey and tea to soothe coughs and sore throats, make my own toy cleaner with essential oils and castile soap and also bottle garlic oil for earaches. Of course, we still go to the doctor for serious illnesses and diagnoses, but it’s nice to have prevention measures and natural alternatives on hand.
Check out Co-op Market’s bulk section for elderberries, garlic, herbs and more:
Breast Feeding
I nursed my first child for 14 months. We struggled a lot but got the hang of it after a few months of trial and error. In the early months, it’s important to find relief and take supplements to boost milk production (like fenugreek). We sell a great brand called Rumina that offers postnatal (and prenatal) support as well as various teas to help boost milk supply. These products are natural, eco-friendly and trustworthy enough to put on/in my body to feed my child.
Check out Co-op Market’s selection of post-pregnancy and nursing products:
Eco-Minded Products
It’s important to me to find products that are reusable, recyclable and biodegradable whenever possible. Our landfills fill up fast with disposable diapers and wipes and other plastics that don’t break down. It affects wildlife, our water supply and so much more. When I buy disposable, I aim to find products that are compostable, biodegradable, septic safe yet still get the job done. These include but aren’t limited to laundry, body care, toys, diapers, wipes, paper products and food products.
