As colder weather approaches, our thoughts turn to how we can keep our families warm and cosy during the winter. We all know how important it is to make sure our babies stay warm in winter, and as eco-friendly parents, we want to keep them snug in as sustainable a way as possible.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at environmentally friendly winter baby care, from organic cold-weather wear to eco baby skin products. Here are our top sustainable baby tips for a snug and comfy winter.
Sustainable Clothing Choices
The obvious first way to keep your baby snug is with cosy winter clothes. Layering works well, because you can easily add or remove a layer as the temperature changes (babies can still get too warm in the winter).
If you’re looking for eco-friendly baby winter gear, look out for organic cotton or wool, which are naturally temperature regulating. Sustainably sourced bamboo makes a wonderfully soft and comfy fabric for little ones. Shopping for those winter essentials, wellies? Look out for pairs made from 100% natural rubber rather than plastic.
Babies and young children grow so quickly that there’s always a great market for second-hand coats and pramsuits. Don’t pay a premium for outerwear that will fit for a few months max, but instead pick up something on your local Marketplace or Freecycle, and pass it on again when your baby outgrows it.
If you’re saving baby’s winter clothes for a potential younger sibling or to pass on at a later date, store them carefully to protect them. Always wash and dry them first, then store them in something secure but breathable, like natural canvas boxes. Label the outside for easy sorting.
Eco-friendly Home Heating
You may already have heat pumps or solar installed - in which case, your energy-efficient heating is sorted! Otherwise, electric heaters are pretty eco-friendly (especially if you have a green energy supplier), but this isn’t necessarily the cheapest way to keep you and your family cosy. Look into what energy grants are available to upgrade your heating system to something more sustainable - you could be in for a pleasant surprise.
- Switch your curtains for thermal versions, which help stop draughts from the windows.
- Use the curtains! Open them to let in the sun for natural warmth, then close them when the sun goes in to create an insulating layer.
- Place old-fashioned draught excluders at the bottom of doors to keep heat in. Upcycle old cushions by using the filling to stuff a sausage-shaped piece of fabric. Get the kids involved as a fun craft project, and make snakes, sausage dogs and caterpillars.
- Get a letter box and keyhole covers. Honestly, they make such a difference to the hallway temperature!
- Close doors, because smaller spaces warm up faster.
Babies don’t need to sleep in a super-hot bedroom: 16 to 20 degrees C is fine. Several layers of blankets are easy to adjust for temperature. Go for lovely soft organic ones like this blanket from Little Green Radicals.
Sustainable Baby Skin Care in Winter
Cold weather can dry delicate skin, so it’s worth investing in some lovely organic baby skin care before the cold weather sets in. Made from natural ingredients, organic and biodynamic skin products are gentle for both the planet and young skin.
What’s the best baby skincare to prevent rough and itchy skin? Moisturising face cream, made from naturally effective ingredients such as beeswax, calendula and almond oil, protects the skin from those chilly winter breezes. Snot and saliva (sorry!) combine to make the area around the mouth and nose especially sore in winter. Try Weleda's Skin Protection Balm.
In the winter, it’s especially important to take care of soggy bottoms, so use a rich organic barrier cream after nappy changes.
Outdoor Baby Adventures
Heading out for a wintry adventure in the great outdoors? Wrap your little explorer up in their pre-loved snow/rain suit, and stride out for a bracing walk. There are plenty of simple outdoor winter activities for babies, such as gentle introductions to snow and feeding the local ducks.
Don’t forget to take along a warming drink for yourself in a thermal cup, and if you’re packing your baby’s bottle, you can keep it nice and snug in our home-made eco-friendly bottle warmer. If your baby’s at the weaning plus stage, add a few healthy organic snacks.
Reducing Waste In Winter
- If your baby wears reusable nappies or potty training pants, invest in a heated airer for winter air drying - they use less energy than a tumble dryer.
- Weaning your little one? Batch cooking and freezing their meals saves cooking energy and cuts down on food waste.
- Choose eco-friendly baby toys, which are made from more natural and sustainable materials.
- Set up toy libraries among your friends, so your little ones can play with a variety of toys and try different books. You’ll need more entertainment on hand if the weather turns too wet or cold for outdoor play!
- Try making home-made natural baby remedies. Organic sunflower oil massages and organic camomile infusions in the bath are both good for dry skin.
Talk To The Eco-Friendly Baby Care Experts
If you have any questions (or suggestions), please contact us at Ulula. Because we chat with so many other eco-friendly parents, we always have plenty of tips to share!
