Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/139497
When this mom spoke of using conventional laundry detergent with as much remorse as my husband uses when apologizing for eating the last slice of cheesecake, I knew this green thing had gone too far. Among new moms these days, it seems to be a competition to see who's raising their baby 'greenest'. Mommy points - or guilt - are doled out depending on how you diaper, feed and dress your baby. But are we taking it too far? Every mom wants to provide the best and safest products for her baby, but we also have finite resources when it comes to money, time and energy. "Whether or not to buy green products has more to do with one's philosophy and wealth than with what is better for one's baby," says Dr. Jay Rabinowitz, a pediatrician at Parker Pediatrics and Adolescents and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. "Too often, parents are guilted into buying products that offer little or no advantage for their baby." Here, experts weigh in on diapers, feeding, clothes, baby toiletries and the aforementioned detergents – to see which green things matter most and which are just a waste of green. Diapers Inevitably, your baby will go through thousands of diapers. (Yes, thousands.) And since she'll be wearing them 24 hours a day, whether you choose to use cloth or disposable diapers is a big decision. In terms of the environment, it comes down to water vs. trees. Whereas disposable diapers use more trees and plastics in their production (and take up more space in landfills), cloth diapers aren't exactly innocent. The amount of water and energy used to clean them is significant. Some studies have suggested that disposable diapers release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can have negative health effects when ingested, but it's up in the air as to the effect they have on baby's long-term health. The issue: Expert weighs in: "There are definitely fewer diaper rashes with the newer disposable diapers than with cloth ones," says Rabinowitz. "That does not mean that parents should choose these just for that reason, as cost and one's environmental views are also important." The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, cautioning cloth diapering parents to change their babies more frequently to avoid diaper rash. Is it worth it? With the cost of disposable and cloth diapers being fairly equal when you factor in cleaning costs, it really comes down to personal preferences and environmental concerns. Feeding And you thought the tough decisions concerning your baby's nourishment ended at whether or not to breastfeed. Many conventional baby foods are made from produce sprayed with pesticides. Apples and peaches, for example, top the Dirty Dozen – the Environmental Working Group's list of the twelve fruits and veggies with the most pesticide residue. The issue: Expert weighs in: "Baby foods, whether organic or not, have the same nutritional value. It comes down to one's ability to afford alternate options," says Rabinowitz. The AAP says that it's more important that parents offer their children a diet rich in fruits and vegetables – organic or not. You may want to choose organic when it comes to foods made from the Dirty Dozen, but ensuring that everything that goes into your baby's mouth is organic is just unnecessary stress – and dollars. Is it worth it? Health & Wellness Magazine • 25