Susannah Marriott is a writer who specializes in green issues, pregnancy and babycare and has been bringing up her babies the green way for ten years: she had natural home births, used washable nappies (diapers) and carried her babies everywhere in a sling. She grows and cooks her own organic food, and is restoring her farmhouse overlooking the sea using reclaimed materials, solar panels and sheep’s wool insulation.

Susannah started her professional life as editor of the pregnancy and babycare gurus Zita West, Sheila Kitzinger and Penelope Leach, and is now author in her own right of 18 books, which have been translated into ten languages. They include Your Non-Toxic Pregnancy, Natural Pregnancy, The Art of Motherhood and Green Babycare, as well as titles on yoga, relaxation and natural living. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines including The Guardian, The Times, Junior, Zest, Shape, Top Sante and Healthy, and she has broadcast on BBC Radio 4. She lives in Cornwall – one of the most eco-forward places in Europe – with her husband and three daughters.

Guest Blogger Susannah Marriott--

Having a baby turns your world upside down – traveling, eating, sleeping, even washing are never the same again. So it’s the perfect time to make changes in the way you live. And making your life greener now can even make it simpler! Here’s how:

1. Avoid baby skincare products. Stop buying shampoo, baby lotion, moisturizer and bath products and everyone wins: you have one less shopping aisle to visit, our water courses and marine environment are protected from polluting petroleum-derived products, and, perhaps most importantly, your baby’s delicate skin and respiratory system doesn’t have to deal with extra toxins. One study found the highest levels of phthalates – man-made chemicals linked with reproductive disorders – in babies exposed to most babycare products. Instead use plain water, olive oil and a little pure Castille soap now and then.

2. Try washable nappies or diapers. Using ‘real‘ nappies can reduce your climate-change impact by a quarter, so the planet benefits, but so do you: the average family using washables saves £500 or $992.76 even after laundry costs, plus you cut the size of your weekly shopping. You’re likely to need nappies for fewer months, too: babies who wear washables tend to potty-train earlier. When it’s not practical to use a washable, look for completely biodegradable disposables.

3. Eat as a family. Food and drink production is thought to be responsible for about a third of a family’s environmental impact. Reduce your food miles by buying less processed food and cooking up dishes from local ingredients where possible. Try to eat together and to share the same home-cooked food, rather than preparing separate dishes for babies, toddlers and grown-ups. Studies suggest that children who grow up eating with their parents tend to eat more vegetables and fruit, have a higher nutrient intake and are less likely to become overweight.

4. Explore your region. Travel with a baby or toddler is stressful, so put long journeys on hold for a while and explore your local area. Can you socialize, shop and take baby classes nearer home to cut your car use? Motor vehicles are the largest source of global atmospheric pollution, and research suggests that children who travel by car seem more likely to develop into car-dependent adults. A sling is the greenest form of transport. Need more convincing? In studies, carried babies seem to cry less and spend more time quiet and alert.

Related: Diet Contributes to Global Warming More Than Your Car

              The Best Breakfast Foods

Update on Apr 25, 2008 by Editor

Seen At Reuters!