You can raise a “zero-waste baby” by making shopping and other choices that reduce the amount of waste bringing a baby into the world causes you and your family to send to landfill. For transparency, we must point out that the “zero” element of this description is aspirational rather than prescriptive. There is likely at least some waste involved in raising any baby.

It is natural to want to do more to reduce your negative impact on the environment when you are about to become a parent. Doing your bit to reduce the waste you send to landfills is an investment in the health of future generations that merits the extra work and (sometimes) expense. Avoiding throwaway wipes, nappies, and single-used plastic food containers when you’re sleep deprived and stressed is just the beginning. However, the best laid plans of expectant parents can prove difficult to follow when a baby arrives.

Before we begin, Unii wants to stress that you should not be too hard on yourself if you don’t manage to implement every environmentally friendly change we suggest here. All new parents are doing the best they can within their own economic, health, and social constraints. So-called “green” options can come with luxury price points, impractical compositions, or time and labour requirements you simply cannot sustain when you are caring for a new baby, especially when you are dealing with health or development issues that you did not expect. Unii always advocates practicing self-compassion and empowering yourself to make the best possible choices through education.

What is a zero-waste baby?

A zero-waste baby is one born to parents maintaining a zero-waste lifestyle, or at least one in which they attempt to minimise their household waste and do not want their newborn to add to what they’re throwing away any more than absolutely necessary. Parents pursue this lifestyle to different extents. For example, some zero-waste mums start their parenting journey by eating their placenta (which is usually hospital waste rather than household waste), while others will begin with the product choices they make for their hospital bag. Breastfeeding your baby exclusively is usually zero-waste, provided you don’t use wasteful accessories like disposable pads, and as many women start doing it straight after birth, this could also be considered your first zero-waste act as a parent.

Are cloth nappies and reusable wipes really that eco-friendly?

The comparison with disposable alternatives alone makes them eco-friendlier. Disposable nappies can take between 400 and 500 years to biodegrade. They are a massive contributor to global plastic pollution, with some eight million thrown away in the UK daily. According to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, single-use wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which can be harmful to human health and disrupt our ecosystems, with a 2015-2020 survey showing an average of 20 wet wipes were found per 100 metres of beach surveyed across the UK. However, the energy you use when you wash and tumble dry these things matters to your carbon footprint. Wash them cold and line or air-cupboard dry them if possible. Biodegradable disposables do exist, but, as these can take up to 50 years to decompose, your child will be middle-aged by the time they stop contributing to landfill waste.

Should I mix my own baby skincare and haircare products to avoid waste?

We understand the attraction of keeping your plastic baby oil and petroleum jelly packaging out of the bin. DIYing your babycare products really depends on the product. Applying pure coconut oil or almond oil you might use for cooking to your baby’s skin, for example, is usually fine, but some substances are unsuitable for use on a baby’s skin and may cause adverse reactions or aggravate nappy rash, eczema, and other dermatological problems in babies. It is best to consult your GP or paediatrician before trying anything you’ve mixed at home. In addition, while your baby probably won’t have much hair in the beginning, making an effective baby shampoo at home can be challenging, and the scalp is vulnerable to skincare problems too. You may like to look for gently sustainable options like paper or card-wrapped shampoo bars for babies instead.

Should I engage in extended breastfeeding to avoid waste?

As we’ve mentioned, exclusively breastfeeding is essentially a zero-waste activity as long as you are not using disposable accessories. Even expressing and storing breastmilk can be considered less wasteful than the alternative, especially if you use reusable storage bags, nipple pads, reusable teats, and silicone pumps where possible. Extended breastfeeding is nursing for longer than is considered typical in your culture. In the US, nursing after your child is 12 months is considered extended. According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed beyond six months, alongside giving solid food. The college also recommends that mothers should be supported to continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish, stating that “in countries such as the UK, evidence is lacking to recommend any particular duration of breastfeeding.”

According to Unii’s Baby Feeding Expert Wendy Lever IBCLC, a breastfeeding relationship should end whenever one party wants out. Put simply, if you want to continue breastfeeding until your child starts school, you have the capacity to do this, and your child is not resistant to it, you should go for it. Reduction of waste may be an added bonus, but your personal circumstances and the relationship you have with your child are greater priorities. You shouldn’t feel environmental guilt if you cannot or do not want to engage in extended breastfeeding.

Are second-hand baby clothes, swaddling, and blankets safe?

Wash any clothes or blankets you buy secondhand and tumble dry, iron, or steam them to sterilise them further. In the UK, the Lullaby Trust recommends that any secondhand baby products you buy are British Standards compliant. As labels may not always be attached to baby clothes and blankets (many parents remove them to ensure a baby’s comfort), you should check them yourself for potential allergens or stroking or strangulation hazards. Ensure any clothing stored for a current or future baby is kept clear of smokers, allergens, and pets.

Should I make my own baby food?

Yes, if you have the time! Wendy Lever, our baby feeding expert, recommends making your own baby food to avoid the processed options in the shops, and keeping their packaging out of your home is an added benefit. It’s important to practice impeccable hygiene and safety when preparing, storing, heating, or thawing any food you want to give your baby. Watch Unii’s Baby Nutrition Journey with NHS community paediatrician and registered nutritional therapist Dr. Venita Patel. Dr. Patel also believes that homemade is best, as you can be certain of exactly what your child is eating. She also points out that it tends to work out cheaper for most parents in the long run and can be a great way to introduce a baby to the family’s diet.

Should I have fewer children to avoid waste?

Unii will never tell anyone to have fewer children! Environmental concerns may be a reason some couples choose to have fewer children or are childless by choice. However, your family size is a deeply personal matter that is likely to be based on a combination of financial, biological, emotional, and other factors that it’s normal to deem more important than waste avoidance.

Can I raise a zero-waste baby?