Eco Baby

by Sally J. Hall

Eco Baby shows new parents how to make ethical decisions about the products they buy, as well as giving them an easy route to greening their baby s life. Sally Hall looks at every aspect of a new baby's life in the first year, Baby gear from cot to car seat; The pros and cons of disposable versus washable nappies; Decorating the nursery; Paints, varnishes and furnishing materials; Clothing - the best organic sources that are non-allergenic and free from chemicals; Food - the benefits and advantages of breast feeding, a guide to formula milks, dairy intolerances and natural alternatives; Toiletries - some of our most famous toiletry brands, even those aimed at babies, contain artificial ingredients, fragrances and colours that raise health concerns; Toys and educational items you can make your child's toy box more ethical by choosing wisely from sustainably managed materials and fair-traded products. Packed with helpful tips, and with a comprehensive index of companies, products and services, Eco Baby is an essential guide for all parents concerned about the health of their baby and the world their children will inherit.

142 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2008

About the author

Sally J Hall is editor of a popular nationwide parenting magazine and a journalist who has written for parenting titles and websites for many years. She has a keen interest in helping new parents make ethical choices. She has been a vegetarian for many years and decided to choose a plant-based diet six years ago. She is author of Eco Baby, A Guide To Green Parenting, published by Green Books and a contributing editor to Watch My Baby Grow, published by Dorling Kindersley. @PlantBasedBaby_uk on Instagram has recently been launched. She lives in North London with her husband, two kids and eight cats.

Reviews

[Betty Macdonald Saudemont · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝘌𝘤𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 is an easy read which is great if you are relatively new to the idea of sustainability and want to start your journey of eco child-rearing. ⁣
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Although I learnt a few things (especially on the history of reusable nappies), it felt pretty simplistic to me. That’s just very personal though. ⁣
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One thing that I realised while reading is that I won’t be able to apply all the tips Sally provides and I would have to be happy with it. Being 100% earth friendly is very hard in our current society and even if you do only a little bit, it’s better than nothing.⁣

[Racheblue Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very well laid out guide to help us minimise consumption of products and goods when having a baby. Sally demonstrates that much of what we are told or think we need when a new life enters is unecessary at best and can be dangerous at worst. For those items that are healthy, useful and essential, Sally provides great references and links to organisations that supply more sustainable products than mainstream.

Eco Baby is easy to read and very useful for anyone wanting to stick to or take on green principles when contemplating pregnancy, birth and beyond. I have given it 3 rather than 4 stars simply because I would have liked a bit more in-depth information about sustainable practices that make consumption even less necessary. For readers relatively new to ideas of ethics and sustainability though, this book will provide a great starting point for eco child-rearing.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much pseudo-science and not enough logic. Heavy on the guilt.