One thing’s for sure – there is a lot of waste involved in those first 12 months of parenthood. Whether that’s the intense number of disposable nappies and wipes you go through, the ridiculous pace that your baby grows out of clothes, or the number of bottles or dummies that you end up throwing away in time.
However, The Baby Show with Lidl GB, which returns to ExCeL London in March (3rd – 5th) has a number of brilliant exhibitors promoting sustainable parenting, with some ingenious ways to make your parenting journey less wasteful and more economical.
Mallory Reynolds-Trout, Show Manager at The Baby Show says: “Almost every parent wants to make more sustainable choices and today there are more options for baby products than ever before, showing that you can care for your baby and the planet simultaneously. Whether that’s nappy bags made from apples, baby bowls made from bamboo, baby clothes that you hire and swap or completely carbon neutral soothers, there are some fantastic ideas out there that are fast becoming mainstream.”
Here are nine ideas to help you become a more sustainable parent in 2023:
Prams made from old water bottles
Pram brand, Joie has created the new Cycle Collection which uses fabric made from recycled water bottles. Joie takes the discarded plastic debris that flows into the oceans each year and shreds it into flakes which are then melted down and spun into super soft thread which is then knitted into a high-quality durable fabric that’s comfortable and safe for the baby.
First Carbon neutral soothers from MAM
Following years of research, MAM have launched its first carbon-neutral soother, Original Pure. The shield, button and steriliser box are made from bio-renewable material, offering a more sustainable soother for parents compared to current fossil-based soother plastics. The MAM Original Pure Soother has all the same great features as the much-loved MAM Original Soother – including the SkinSoft™ Silicone teat which is easily accepted by 94%* of babies, and the flat, symmetrical shape developed with dentists to support healthy dental development.
OR Collective and Bundlee
Instead of buying clothes as your little one gets bigger and bigger, take advantage of hire services such as OR Collective and Bundlee where you simply subscribe for your baby’s clothes and swap them as your baby grows, ensuring they are used time and time again.
Ethical maternity wear
If you want to look stylish, feel comfortable and know that your maternity clothes are ethically produced then look no further than The Mum Collective and Human Milk. Both social enterprises produce clothes for new and expectant mums with sustainability in mind.
Baby bowls made from bamboo
Eco Rascals have been a popular choice for a while, giving parents a sustainable choice of plates, bowls and cups made from bamboo, a natural material that is organic, recyclable and grown and harvested without the use of pesticides.
Stylish and eco-friendly nappy bags
KeriKit’s amber eco apple leather backpacks are new and use up waste from the apple juice industry. Super stylish, Finnsøn is changing bags that use 100 percent recycled polyester.
Reusable nappies
Reusable nappies have come a long way since the days of terries nappies! These days, reusables are available for every budget in a huge range of designs, available from birth to potty and The Washable Nappy Company is a great choice.
Super Skincare
Oh-Lief creates handmade natural and organic skincare and sun-care products for babies that are both kind to delicate skin and the environment. Their products are free from any harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, petroleum, parabens, artificial colour or nut oils and every purchase made contributes to the Greenpop organisation, where together they plant indigenous trees every month to help restore ecosystems.
Ethical babywear
Take advantage of slow fashion brands like Degiorgis Baby who create all their own products in-house using natural fabrics and materials. Even their buttons are made from natural materials such as wood, coconut and shells. They also design their products so that the clothes grow with babies, for example using tie straps or extra buttons on dungarees to make them adjustable. Any fabric scraps are used to create smaller products such as scratch mittens or hair accessories.
All will be exhibiting at The Baby Show with Lidl GB at ExCeL London from Friday 3rd until Sunday 5th March. Back in its 21st year, it will allow new and expectant parents the opportunity to shop for everything they could ever need for their new arrival.
Tickets cost just £16pp for subscribers to The Baby Show, saving over 35% on tickets on-the-door. You can also purchase an amazing Baby Show goody bag in association with Project Baby for only £5.50, containing products worth over £100 or buy a Tommee Tippee package, where you can purchase all your new-born essentials at a hugely discounted rate including two standard adult tickets. For more information visit thebabyshow.co.uk.
