10 baby steps to help you raise your child in an eco way

Nicola Baird is mum of Lola and Nell, an environmental campaigner and writer of six books. Just out is Homemade Kids: thrifty, creative and eco-friendly ways to raise your child (Vermilion, £10.99). Homemade Kids is ideal for families with 0-3 year olds, helpful for older children, and a perfect gift for pregnant women or anyone watching their budget. Find out more at www.homemadekids.co.uk

Modern living offers convenience, and as parents we need all the help we can get. Food is produced in abundance and clothes are cheap enough for us to use and then discard. But is it necessary to be so wasteful? And is this really how we want to raise our children?

Raising a healthy, happy child doesn't need to be a complicated process that puts a strain on the planet and your wallet. There are three easy-to-remember principles - make less waste, learn with your baby and share the work. You'll find all these suggestions simpler to do if you start valuing your local community more. Walk about, say hello, sort out the things you don't like, or simply celebrate with a summer fete or street party. Here are some more ideas:

1. Ask friends and family what you can borrow, or pick pre-loved items from eBay, freecycle, gumtree or any swap/network sites etc. Go on, bookmark them now. Or get in the habit of making regular visits to the charity shops.

2. Rethink washing. Washable nappies and your own clothes last longer if line dried indoor or out. Can you fit a yacht dryer or lazy Sheila (above the bath/stairwell)? If you've got a garden could you put a cover over an outside line?

3. Organise a proper picnic kit, with water containers, rug etc, to put under your buggy/in the car boot. That way you can zip out of the house for alfresco play/errands whatever the weather. Don't forget to include a waterproof changing mat if your baby is using nappies.

4. Dress for the weather. Find waterproof clothing for everyone in the family so you can do whatever you want whenever you want. Wellies are essential in the UK all year - great for splashing through puddles, dealing with festival mud and taking the chill off bare feet if there's been a heavy summer dew.

5. Get creative and stop spending money on cards and gifts. Think up what your friends and family love and then try and make that happen. Try swapping toys or involving your child in what you do rather than letting your home be swamped by every plastic item in the catalogues/stores.

6 For anyone with under 3s: turn your room into a safe place for family sleeping. If you've got a baby it's easy to fall asleep with them in your arms so make this safer by lowering your bed and thinking up how they can be safe if you nod off when they are out of their cot.

7. Use the train for trips. Research and buy a Family & Friends Railcard as this will enable you to save pounds and book a seat. It's often cheaper to book tickets in advance.

8. Make the room you and your baby will spend most time in more energy efficient. Use draught proofing, triple-thick curtains, shelves above the radiator. It may seem lazy, but doing nothing except insulating your home is the best present you could give your child.

9 Go out more. Try organising a baby sitting swap night with friends on a regular night, perhaps once a month. Or join or set up a babysitting circle with at least eight couples.

10 Be heard: offer solutions not just complaints. Be ready to volunteer and do stuff to improve your neighbourhood. Go to a community event, perhaps meet up with friends there. Worst case scenario: you're forced to buy a delicious cake!

Find out loads more ideas in Homemade Kids, buy the book from Amazon or Homemade Kids.

21 July 2010