Going Green for your Baby
five tips to a greener, healthier pregnancy


In light of my sister-in-law recently giving birth to her first child I thought I’d throw some ideas out there for moms and moms-to-be to go green. And there’s nothing like pregnancy to motivate you to make some healthy lifestyle changes, clean up your environment, and make choices that are best for you, your baby as well as the earth.




Choose Organic Foods
I know, I know, I’ve beaten this into the ground but its worth saying it again: eat organic foods. This not only supports the efforts to clean up the water, soil, and air, it also reduces you and your babies exposure to chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics, nitrates, and a host of others. It’s important to remember that a developing fetus is far more sensitive to chemicals and toxins than adults.

Choosing organic also provides the both of you with more of the super nutrients that fruits and veggies have to offer because of the mineral rich soil that they were grown in.

The down side is that embracing a totally organic lifestyle can be on the pricy side. So to get the most for your money buy the organic versions of the foods you eat the most. And remember to buy organic versions of the “top twelve.” These are the guys with the highest loads of insecticides. And in no particular order they are: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes.

Getting Pretty Without the Chemicals
Although our skin protects us from pathogens and is our external defense system, it also is capable of absorbing much of what it’s exposed to, whether its lotion, sun, fabric softener, makeup, or the water in your bath. So it’s important to choose products that do not contain noxious chemicals, such as phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects. An easy was to avoid phthalate exposure: pass on the products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.

It’s a good idea to be wary of hair dyes and nail polish as well. Formaldehyde-releasing ingredients are found in nearly all brands of skin, body, hair care products, nail polish, and antiperspirants.

Also sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a good one to avoid because it has a degenerative action on cell membranes and is mixed with triethanomlamine (TEA), which may be contaminated with the potent carcinogen, nitrosamines. It also may be damaging to the immune system. SLS is used in nearly all shampoo, cleanser, and toothpaste so just be aware.

Instead, choose green products at your local coop or natural food store, look for brands like Burts Bees, Aubrey Organics, Jason, Dr. Hauschk, to name a few. But if you’re not sure just read the ingredients, and remember, you’re doing this for you and your baby.

Make it Organic Cotton

It’s known that conventional cotton accounts for 16 percent of global chemical pesticide use, more than any other single crop and almost 25 percent of the insecticide use, making it one of the most toxic crops on earth. So help clean up the earth by choosing organic cotton linens, blankets, towels, and clothing when you can. The demand for organic is growing and prices for these items is coming down and they’re showing up on shelves everywhere.

Green Cleaning

Honestly baking soda and white vinegar can do 99 percent of the household cleaning, cost you nothing, and help reduce your exposure to toxins found in common household cleaning products. But if you’re not into making your own, try nontoxic cleaners such as Vermont Soapworks Liquid Sunshine Spray & Wipe (vermont soap.com), Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner (seventhgeneration.com), Howard Naturals Kitchen Cabinet Cleaner & Polish (howardnaturals.com) and Sun &Earth Glass Cleaner (sunandearth.com).


Avoid Mercury

Fish contain important omega-3 fatty acids, an important nutrient for you and your baby. But unfortunately many of our fish are contaminated with mercury, toxic industrial compounds (such as PCBs) and pesticides. These substances can cause problems ranging from brain and nervous system damage to cancer. Tuna is one of the most contaminated fish and pregnant moms shouldn’t eat more than once or twice a month. Safe choices are wild Alaskan salmon and halibut. But if you’re a tuna fan check out vitalchoice.com, they only buy get 6-8 lb tunas because the smaller the fish the less mercury content. And if you don’t eat fish, a good source of the omega 3s are walnuts and ground flaxseeds; sprinkle some on a salad or put them in your smoothie.