By Emily Brittingham
Not only does breastfeeding have amazing benefits for you and your baby, it’s also great for the planet.
In addition to breast milk being a sustainable and renewable food source, breastfeeding itself produces no carbon emissions, has zero (or little) waste, preserves natural wildlife habitats and wilderness, and saves water.
By breastfeeding for as long as possible, you’re setting the paving stones for a life of good health for your child, as well as a healthy planet for future generations to enjoy.
If you’re really passionate about reducing your carbon footprint, there are ways you can make your breastfeeding journey as eco-friendly as possible.
By breastfeeding for as long as possible, you’re setting the paving stones for a life of good health for your child, as well as a healthy planet for future generations to enjoy.
#1. Ditch the disposables
A yearlong breastfeeding journey can use up to 1000 pairs of disposable breast pads. Not only do these pads end up in landfill, but the plastic and adhesive backing can take more than 500 years to decompose.
Aside from being bad for the environment, disposable breast pads contain chemicals for maximum absorbency that can cause irritation to the skin. The plastic backing does not allow for air circulation, which can cause itching or discomfort.
Reusable breast pads are an economical, eco-friendly alternative to disposables. They are made from natural, breathable and sustainable materials like bamboo. Their absorbency increases with each wash, so instead of deteriorating over time, they become more effective. This guarantees that reusable breast pads will last your entire breastfeeding journey and beyond.
In addition, they come in a variety of colours and prints, making them a fun alternative to basic white disposables. Shop reusable breast pads online here.
Join the global movement of ditching single use plastics for good and invest in silicone reusable milk storage bags for your expressed breast milk instead. Although the initial cost may be slightly more than disposable milk storage bags, reusable bags are an environmentally friendly investment that can be used over and over again.
Join the global movement of ditching single use plastics for good and invest in silicone reusable milk storage bags for your expressed breast milk instead.
Reusable milk storage bags are guaranteed to outlive your breastfeeding journey and can be used as food storage bags when your baby start solids. They are built to last well beyond your child’s infancy, so get creative with their use! Think yogurt / snack pouches for lunchboxes, freezing and storing kids sized portions for your next meal prep, or they can even be used as piping bags for icing cakes!
And just like most reusable items, they look a lot nicer than the disposable option! Shop reusable breast milk storage bags online here.
#2. Choose certified cruelty-free products
Recent studies suggest the production of animal products generates up to 78 percent of total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, whereas brands committed to creating cruelty-free and vegan products use far fewer resources and often utilise sustainable ingredients and materials.
