People + Planet Friendly Postpartum

There’s something about the freshness and vulnerability of a newborn baby that makes us want to do absolutely all we can to protect both their physical bodies and earthly home to give them the best future possible. Bringing new life into the world can be a catalyst for families to begin living in a way that treads a bit lighter and moves in harmony with the natural world. 

Paradoxically, I’ve also noticed that the childbearing years can be chock full of plastic, disposable, and straight up toxic products thanks to the fairly insidious mom-marketing sector and ever changing “trends” of childrearing. The truth is, having a baby requires far less ‘stuff’ than most people think, and many of the essentials can be easily swapped out for a more earth, body, and baby friendly postpartum experience. 

So, with the help of my wise client-turned-friend Alison Hayward, I’ve compiled some guidelines and product swaps to help craft a postpartum that feels less overwhelming and gentler on baby + planet. 

Firstly, and most importantly, do you really need it? I would say 75% of the time, the answer is no. Your baby is probably going to live primarily on your chest, be most content to bathe with you, and be thoroughly entertained by your face, the sound of your voice, and the feeling of morning light on their chubby cheeks. Multiple bassinets, bathtubs, and baby-engagement toys  will likely sit unused (and certainly aren’t necessary). 

Secondly, can you get it pre-loved? Especially when it comes to things that you aren’t totally sure about but just want to try or items that are only really useful for a short season of baby’s life. I’m consistently amazed by some of the things my clients find via mom groups, F**ebook marketplace, and Craigslist. I also had a birthworker colleague and mom score some incredible finds on second hand clothing sites like Poshmark. 

Finally, if you do need it, and you can’t find it used, is there a version that is gentler on people+planet? Some swaps that I frequently recommend are below:

• Organic food grade sesame or coconut oil instead of lotion - cheap, simple, nourishing 

• Unscented castile soap - babies don’t need to (and shouldn’t) smell like roses. They have the sweetest scent all on their own. Swap out all of your house soap (body + hand) for this casile soap for extra simplicity, and protect your little ones (and yourself!) from natural or artificial fragrances. 

• Meliora Unscented Laundry Powder - simple ingredients, no shady fragrances, refillable, effective (I use it myself!), and safe for the whole family. 

• Consider using period underwear once bleeding slows. So much more comfortable than mesh undies and something you can use beyond your postpartum period! It will change your cycling life, I swear. 

• The easiest cloth diapers - live in a drier climate and worried about water usage? Consider compostable diapers below. 

• Compostable Diapers with Dyper or TinyTots

• Natural fibers for baby -  if you’re able to, prioritize organic cotton baby clothing, swaddles, and blankets. Plus, I recommend families only really get about 10 sleepers, 10 footed onesies, and 5ish pairs of footed pants. You’re going to be doing so much laundry anyways, you don’t need a hundred outfits.  And, accessories like hair bands and socks will pretty much always drive you crazy with how much they fall off. Be sure to check for second hand! 

• Glass Bottles - plastic has a place and can be such a useful tool. However, if you’re planning on heating up milk in bottles, prioritize glass or silicone. 

• Alison used the Ceres Chill system for zero waste breast milk storage. 

Have any bits of wisdom or favorite products from your postpartum time? Send me an email, I’d love to hear from you! You can find me at clara@portalbirthwork.com.