Most of us are eco savvy. We know every decision we make as a consumer affects the continued sustainability of the planet. But what about your new baby? Well before the new baby comes along you’ll need to make some big decisions about what to buy — from nursery furniture, to soft furnishings, clothing, bath products and more. As parents, you want what’s best for your baby, and making sound environmental choices is critical. After all, who are we really saving the planet for?

Eco-friendly nursery décor

You can create a safe, healthy, non-toxic haven for your baby starting with decorating the new nursery. After all, nothing brightens a room more than a fresh lick of paint. But not all paints are environmentally friendly — in fact, some contain dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are emitted by a plethora of chemicals that can worsen asthma symptoms, cause headaches, convulsions and respiratory problems, according to Good Environmental Choice Australia Ltd, the group that administers the Australian Environmental Certification Program. When choosing paints for your baby’s nursery, opt for those that are low-VOC or no-VOC — most paint suppliers will have these on their shelves.

Consider removing carpeting in baby’s nursery. Carpets can trap mould, dustmites and other known allergens. Choose timber flooring made from sustainably managed forests and finish it with a natural sealant. Soften timber floors by adding a natural rug made from wool, organic fibres or hemp.

Source furniture made from natural products for your baby’s nursery. If you can, avoid furniture made with plywood and particle board because they often contain formaldehyde in their glues.

Timber cots and other furniture are both timeless and durable. The chest of drawers you buy for your baby’s clothing will still be OK to use as your child grows into their teens. When buying timber furniture, buy eco-smart. Timber sourced by ravaging native rainforests or old-growth forests is not a good choice. According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, it’s estimated that $400 million (9 per cent) of timber products imported into Australia are suspected of being illegally sourced.

So how do you know what you’re buying? Ask the retailer where it came from and then check that it has a green tick of approval. There are two green certified logos. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a worldwide group promoting sustainable forestry practices, and the Australian Forestry Standard (AFC) is a not-for-profit company promoting sustainable management of Australian forests and timber products. If the retailer is uncertain, or can’t verify the product’s authenticity, look for a similar product that is certified.

Pram power

Instead of strapping baby into the car to run errands nearby, go for a spin in the pram. Not only will you and bub get some fresh air, you’ll be exercising and you’ll both be helping the planet. According to Origin Australia, there’s good reason to leave the car at home when you can. Average cars produce over 2.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

You could also consider getting a group of mums together to exercise outdoors. It’s great for both mothers ands bubs, according to Tennille Jones who runs Healthy Mums Happy Bubs, a mother and child fitness-based group. The group exercises in a park with their babies in prams, and the bubs can also get involved when they are old enough. “It’s a wonderful bonding thing for mums and their bubs to share,” says Tennille. “It’s also a very healthy environment and kids see at an early age that exercise can be a way of life,” she says.

Keep your cool, baby

When planning your baby’s nursery, you might be tempted to install an air-conditioner to keep baby comfortable, but if your home is designed to capture natural cooling breezes, fans can often be effective enough to keep your baby cool in summer. Fans circulate air and are relatively inexpensive to run. They cost around one cent per hour compared to 30–40 cents per hour to run an air-conditioner, according to EnergyAustralia.

If you do decide to go with an air-conditioner, check the star rating before you buy. Each extra star equates to about 10 per cent lower running costs and greenhouse gas emissions, says Paul Myors, Energy Efficiency Expert, EnergyAustralia. When you’re running your air-conditioner, set the thermostat between 23 and 26 degrees, he suggests. “For each degree of cooling your costs increase by around 10 per cent.”

Breastfeeding baby

It’s almost universally accepted that breastfeeding is the best source of baby’s nutrition early in life. Your baby receives antibodies to help build natural immunities against illnesses and breastmilk is protective against allergies, ear infections and a host of other things. It also aids in the development of eyesight, speech and intelligence, according to the Australian Breastfeeding Association. But there are even more good reasons to pop baby on the breast instead of reaching for a bottle: you’ll be saving precious food miles, according to Carey Wood, National Spokesperson Australian Breastfeeding Association.

“If you’re breastfeeding, all you’re doing is picking up baby and putting them to your breast, so food miles are at most a few metres as opposed to potentially many hundreds of kilometres or more,” she says.

But for some mums, breastfeeding isn’t easy. To improve your chances of success it’s important to be informed well before baby comes along, says Carey. “Don’t wait until they hand you your baby in hospital; go to breastfeeding education classes and read books. And if you do need support, call our counsellors on 1800 MUM 2 MUM,” she advises.

If you choose not to breastfeed, or you’re unable to, opt for glass bottles instead of plastic, as they’re better for the environment.

Tucker time

As baby grows and begins to eat solids, consider choosing organic baby food, says Miriam Raleigh, paediatric dietitian. Look for the bud logo that gives baby food the Australian Certified Organic green tick of approval, she says. “This identifies that the manufacturer has met the strict and rigorous standards set out by the ACO. The baby food is pesticide-free and manufactured in an environmentally friendly way,” she says.

But not all baby foods are created equal — even if they are organic, cautions Miriam. “Organic doesn’t always mean low in sugar and salt. Often people think they’re jam-packed with more nutrition, but they aren’t, so read the labels carefully,” she says.

As an alternative, why not get creative and make your own baby food? Source fresh fruit and vegetables, puree and freeze in small containers or ice cube trays. “Make a big batch and then freeze and thaw at room temperature for an instant healthy meal,” suggests Miriam.