 Review by
Richard SumrallOne important viewpoint within the green
revolution is the "green baby movement." In his new book, "Raising Baby
Green," pediatrician and green advocate Dr. Alan Greene writes, "I've been a
champion and early pioneer in the green baby movement, joining with other
pediatricians and professionals … who want to provide healthier food, more
effective medicine, and safer everyday products that have no known harm for
babies."
What does a "green baby" mean to parents and expectant mothers? It begins
with the book's definition of the word "green." Basically the word is used
to represent "a way of living in which we strive, with conscious awareness,
to do things each day to … improve the quality of our environment by
preserving forests, cleaning air, husbanding soil, protecting wildlife,
valuing dwindling resources, and maintain our climate and our planet's
crucial resources." It is this belief that Greene applies to the green baby
philosophy and every part of a baby's surroundings -- the womb, the labor,
the delivery room, the nursery and the important rooms in the entire house.
"The Womb, the Labor, and the Delivery Room"
What's the greatest room on the planet? According to Greene, it's the
womb. The womb is a "warm and comforting place … it supplies with natural
efficiency the food, water, oxygen, hormones, vitamins, and minerals …
needed by every body." The nutrients and proteins pass from mother to baby
through the umbilical cord; you can take advantage of this to enrich your
baby's prebirth health by carefully selecting the right organic foods and
healthy beverages to consume.
Since the labor and delivery room is the location of your baby's first
breaths, parents should consider developing a birth plan. A birth plan helps
the expectant parents choose the best options for where the baby will be
delivered, the members of the health care provider team, the method of
delivery (natural, medicated, etc.), the delivery specifications and the
baby's first meal.
One growing trend is the decision to give birth at a free-standing
birthing center. These facilities offer services for the mother that fall
between the complete medical environment of a hospital and the nonmedical
environment of home birthing. These birthing centers are more accommodating
to green delivery options and techniques and make the comfort of the
expectant mother their top priority. Couples looking at birthing centers
should also consider factors such as state licensing compliance, health
insurance coverage and the potential for medical emergencies.
"The Nursery, the Kitchen, and the Bathroom"
When you bring your newborn baby home, you will begin spending most of
your time in three distinct areas -- the nursery, kitchen and bathroom.
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A green nursery is a room where careful consideration has been
given to the composition of the construction materials, especially
paint, wall coverings, flooring, furniture and bedding. A
well-thought-out nursery will have green products and materials that
are free from toxic substances and emissions, conserve natural
resources and use recycled materials that are made to last.
The impact of a green kitchen on a baby's health is almost
immeasurable. According to Greene, "Every bite of food you and your
baby take is an investment in your bodies' future." This means that
Mom's diet is equally important, especially if the baby is being
breast-fed. A green diet includes the consumption of organic foods,
milks, baby formulas, cereals and juices.
Don't forget the most important part of the green kitchen --
pure, clean water. Foods, formulas, cleaning and bathing will all be
affected by clean water.
The bathroom should be adequately supplied with green products
for body care, medicine, water purity and cleaners. As Greene points
out, a new baby in the house means that "the number of cleansing and
soothing products in your bathroom will expand dramatically."
Keeping the baby clean through natural methods is a good example
of how to practice good health and hygiene. Since a baby's skin is
very permeable and sensitive, they usually may not need a complete
daily bath, may not need numerous washings with soaps, may not need
constant applications of diaper lotions and may not need repeated
dousing with baby talc powder. These prudent measures may also
reduce the need for an overstocked medicine cabinet.
Many natural home remedies work as well as their commercially
manufactured counterparts. A good example is diaper rash. According
to Greene, a good remedy is to expose the baby's bottom to fresh air
during diaper-free time and frequently change the diaper to keep the
skin dry.
Maintaining a clean, sanitary bathroom is essential to a baby's
health. Commercial cleaners that contain phosphates and residues can
be replaced by natural, less toxic cleaning agents. Some examples
include isopropyl alcohol as a disinfectant, lemon juice as a
porcelain and glass cleaner, borax and lemon juice as a toilet bowl
cleaner, and baking soda as a tub and tile cleaner.
"Raising Baby Green" is an excellent guide for expectant parents
who are seeking a more natural and less chemically intrusive
approach to their baby's health. In the introduction, Dr. Greene
states, "Raising Baby Green is … a guide for parents to the
techniques, foods, and new kinds of baby care products, equipment,
furniture, and toys that are safer for babies and promote a
sustainable environment." This book is recommended to everyone
looking to raise his or her child in a healthy, natural manner that
helps reduce our environmental impact on planet Earth.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
