Plastic Free July: We Show You How To Choose Plastic Free With A Baby

Walk into any big box baby store and you’ll be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff made from plastic. From baby bottles and sippy cups to high chairs, dummies and baby bath tubs, not to mention all the items packaged in plastic: nappy cream, baby wash, baby lotion, wipes and all that. Is it hard to go plastic free when you have a baby?

Plastic is practically ubiquitous and—unfortunately—is problematic in so many different ways. It’s one of the worst pollutants man has ever made, contributing significantly to plastic pollution.

To start with, the production of plastic is a dirty, wasteful process. Next, it leaches and off-gasses toxic chemicals throughout its lifetime. And when it finally ends up in landfill, it doesn’t biodegrade, which means that every single plastic toy, toothbrush, and bottle cap you ever used is still somewhere out there, sitting underground or floating in the ocean.

You probably already know about BPA (bisphenol-A) in plastics. But do you also know that “BPA free” may not be any better? Experts say that some of the plasticisers that replaced BPA may actually be more dangerous for our children. Knowing all this, it seems to us that one of the best ways to protect our families—and our planet—is simply to avoid buying plastic whenever possible.

And, yes, that includes when you’re about to welcome a new baby into the family. Trust us, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages millions of people worldwide to reduce single-use plastic waste.

Try swapping out common baby items with these non-plastic alternatives:

Zero Waste Baby Products: Cloth Nappies

Did you know that a baby will use about 3,800 disposable nappies in the first 2.5 years of life? This contributes significantly to single-use plastic waste, as each disposable nappy can take as long as 500 years to decompose.

Ditch the disposables and use cloth nappies, even if only part time. Brands like Pea Pods and Baby Beehinds make lovely one size cloth nappies your bub can wear from day 1 up until potty training time, further reducing your baby’s carbon footprint.

While you’re at it, pop your eco nappies into biodegradable nappy bags and choose washing detergents that don’t come in plastic jugs.

Reusable Swim Nappies

Pea Pods also makes lightweight and adjustable swim nappies in fun prints.

Using reusable swim nappies is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste, similar to the use of reusable shopping bags.

Reusable Wipes

Instead of disposable wet wipes that contain plastic fibres (and come in plastic packaging), use reusable cloth wipes or washcloths. They are great alternatives that save you money, protect the environment, and help you avoid harmful chemicals!

Glass Baby Bottles

One of the best ways to reduce your baby’s exposure to BPA, phthalates, and other nasties is by using glass bottles instead of plastic ones.

Glass is good because it doesn’t leach at all. Get one with a silicone or natural rubber sleeve to help prevent breakage. This Hevea borosilicate glass bottle's natural rubber cover provides a secure grip, prevents slipping, and helps prevent breakage.

Stainless Steel Sippy Cups and Silicone Adapters

If, like many of us, you have a kitchen drawer filled with cracked, warped, and leaky plastic sippy cups, it’s time to make the switch to glass or stainless steel. Both of these materials are safer, sturdier, and—let’s face it—look much nicer than plastic.

Lion & Lady has a transition ultimate pack that converts into 4 different styles (feeding bottle, sippy cup, straw cup and open cup) so your child can use them for years. They come in adorable colours and are BPA and phthalate free.

Cherub Baby offers an adapter pack so your little one can continue using their wide neck glass baby bottles as sippy cups. Switching to plastic-free sippy cups can help you establish new habits forever, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Bamboo or Silicone Dishes, Bowls & Cutlery

These won’t be needed right away, but if you’re already stocking up on baby dinnerware, know that you’re not limited to plastic. Nowadays, there’s an absolute wealth of plastic free brands making children’s plates, bowls, and cutlery from bamboo, glass, and stainless steel. Unlike plastic and melamine, these materials are safe and eco friendly.

The Bobo & Boo brand makes bamboo dishware that are sturdy, easy to clean, completely biodegradable, and super stylish. Using bamboo dishes, bowls, and cutlery can help you develop new habits that support a sustainable lifestyle.

But if you're looking for baby feeding items made from silicone, there are plenty of great options from We Might Be Tiny, too.

Silicone and Stainless Steel Food Storage

For storing baby food and toddler snacks, swap out your plastic containers with stainless steel or silicone. These nesting containers from Ever Eco can become part of your child’s lunch kit when he or she starts school. The Weanmeister silicone bowls as well as snack containers from Haakaa and Re-Play are also excellent choices for plastic-free food storage solutions. Making this switch can create a massive difference in reducing single-use plastic waste and positively impacting the environment.

Latex Dummies and Teethers

Plastic dummies and teethers may contain chemical softeners and artificial colours. Choose 100% rubber latex instead. Hevea and Natural Rubber Soothers make wonderful dummies and teethers that are minimally processed, nitrosamine free, and reasonably priced. These products help provide peace of mind by reducing the potential health risks associated with plastic-based products.

Wooden Toys

Avoid all plastic toys. From the latest pricey gizmo to the cheap ones you get with fast food kids’ meals, just say no to them all.

Why? First, because conventional plastic toys can contain BPA, phthalates, and even lead. And we all know how much babies and toddlers love to put toys in their mouths! Second, because plastic toys break almost instantly and inevitably wind up in the trash bin. Also, to us, plastic often doesn’t look or feel very nice. And, of course, we know that plastic is very bad for the planet.

Wood, on the other hand, is safe and better for the environment. It’s durable and, with proper care, will last a really long time. If you get a well made piece, your children’s children (and maybe their children) can still enjoy it. And wood is just beautiful to behold and beautiful to the touch. Choosing wooden toys helps millions by reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives.

Plan Toys, Hape, and EverEarth make gorgeous toys from high quality sustainable wood and nontoxic glues and paints. We also love the ones from Janod, QToys, Hess Spielzeug and Im Toy.

Soft Toys

Aside from good quality wooden toys, stock up on soft toys. These are the perfect comfort toys for babies and toddlers. The best ones are made with organic fabrics and stuffed with natural fibres.

Apple Park makes super soft cuddly toys from organic cotton and low impact eco dyes. Join millions in the global movement to reduce plastic waste this Plastic Free July, in part, by choosing sustainable, plastic free soft toys for your little one.

Non Toxic Bath Toys

Your baby can also go plastic free in the bath. These bath toys from Hevea and Oli & Carol are 100% natural rubber and completely non toxic. No need to panic if bub starts chewing on these. By choosing these nontoxic options, you also support the movement to refuse single-use plastics and reduce plastic waste in your baby's life.

Baby Skincare in Glass Jars or Tins

There are tonnes of natural skincare products available for little ones, but few that come in zero waste packaging. Not only do Badger Balm and Nature’s Child make skincare products that are absolute must haves, they also put them in recyclable glass bottles and tins, helping to reduce single-use plastics.

Eco Friendly Dental Care

Check out the bamboo toothbrushes from Grants of Australia. Grants has ultra soft bristles that are ideal for the first and second teeth. Best part? They all have fully biodegradable, non-plastic handles, helping to reduce plastic waste. Put the handles into the compost when you’re done.

Nonplastic First Aid

You can even go plastic free in your first aid kit! ‘Bandaids'? No, thanks. These nonplastic adhesive strips from Patch are made with 100% organic bamboo fibre and are BPA free, hypoallergenic, and suitable for all skin types.

More Plastic Free Baby Needs For a Zero Waste Baby

Here's some more nonplastic items you might find useful:

• Beautiful hair brush and comb sets from Shellamy Baby
• Wooden or cloth rattles and pram toys

What else you can do to avoid plastic

You can also limit your baby's exposure to plastics by:

• Buying baby food in glass jars (or making your own at home)
• Storing baby food in glass containers (jam jars work perfectly!)
• Saying no to produce and grocery items packaged in plastic
• Using cloth carriers or slings instead of prams
• Whenever possible, choosing natural fibres over synthetics for bub's clothes and beddings
• Choosing wood, natural fabrics, and other non plastic materials for your nursery decor and furniture

Embracing a Plastic-Free Lifestyle for a Sustainable Future

Embracing a plastic-free lifestyle, especially with a baby, can seem daunting at first, but with small, consistent changes, it becomes manageable and rewarding. From opting for cloth nappies to choosing wooden toys and using natural skincare products, every step you take helps reduce plastic pollution. This Plastic Free July, commit to making more sustainable choices for your family and the planet. Remember, every small change adds up, and together, we can make a significant impact. By choosing plastic-free options, you're not only protecting the environment but also ensuring a healthier future for your baby.

To assist you in making the switch and find great alternatives, Hello Charlie is here to help. We have a wide selection of plastic-free products for your baby as well as plastic-free options for the whole family. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest eco-friendly tips and resources. Let's take this journey towards sustainability one step at a time and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can be part of the solution.