Going green is growing in popularity and, according to Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu, authors of “The Complete Organic Pregnancy,” there’s no better time to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle than when you have a baby on the way. “It’s about having the purest pregnancy possible,” says Zissu of the impetus behind the book. “Think of yourself as your baby’s first environment, and make it the cleanest possible one for them.”
Whether it’s embarking on a whole-food diet, filling your linen closet with organic bedding, or swapping out standard cleaning supplies for non-toxic alternatives you can buy or make at home, Dolan and Zissu advocate a variety of steps one can take before, during and after pregnancy to ensure the environment her baby experiences is toxin-free. Here, they share the key tips they think pregnant women should know. Most important is that it’s never too late to go organic. “Whatever amount you do is great,” Dolan said. “You shouldn’t think of it as an all-or-nothing thing. That’s too hard a way to live.” No one said it was easy being green!
How do you define an organic pregnancy?
The big things are what you inhale, eat and drink, and what actually touches your skin. We say to think of yourself as your baby’s first environment, but you also want to have the cleanest environment for your baby to come into once she’s born.
What are the most common misconceptions about organic living?
A huge one is that it’s expensive. When you really commit yourself to it, though, you end up downsizing enormously. You actually wind up buying less; the more you bring into your home, the more chemicals that come in also. If you’re not buying packaged foods, for example, you’re not spending as much money. It’s about becoming a knowledgeable consumer, and then you find that you really don’t need that much stuff. What are five tips you have for readers who want to make their kitchen more organic for pregnancy?
1. Buy whole foods. Have less in the pantry and more in the fridge that is not canned or boxed.
2. Buy organic and local when possible.
3. Avoid non-stick cooking pans. We prefer cast iron, enameled (like Le Creuset) or glass because they are non-reactive and don’t leak into your food.
4. %uFFFDStore everything in glass, including breast milk and baby food.
5 Don’t ever microwave in plastic.
What about the cleaning products we use?
The number one way to drastically reduce air pollution is to get rid of every conventional cleaner that you have and replace it with an environmentally friendly one. You can also make your own cleaners. A simple combination of liquid soap, baking soda and vinegar can take care of almost everything you need to clean, and these can be stored in the kitchen because they’re practically edible.
Nesting and pregnancy almost go hand in hand, but you say to avoid renovations because they can be potentially harmful. Is there a more “green” way that pregnant women can indulge the nesting bug?
Sure. Decorate instead of renovating. Buy organic cotton sheets to give a bedroom a facelift, or organic cotton towels and a non-vinyl shower curtain for the bathroom. Spiff up the kitchen with new dishtowels. If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item, replace an old mattress with a flame retardant–free one, buy an organic couch, or replace an item made with particleboard for a solid wood version.Everything for the nursery can be purchased in organic versions.
How do you tell friends and family to get on board with your decision and throw you an “organic” baby shower?
Say it loud! Say it proud! If you’re having a baby shower, register somewhere with organic options (we have a huge list of Web site resources in the book), and put this registry on your party invite. That way, everyone who is coming to the shower will know you’d prefer not to have plastic everything. If you’re not, have your parents spread the word to their well-meaning friends who might be sending you something. Chances are that if you’ve had an organic pregnancy, your closest friends will know you’re not in the market for conventional goodies. Also, don’t feel bad about returning things you know you’ll never use for things you will.
How would you explain how to give birth organically?
A best-case scenario for organic birth is that it goes how you want it to go. For many people interested in non-toxic living, this means natural childbirth. Some people might want to do this at home or in a bath or at a birthing center or with a midwife, and with or without doulas. Others might want to have this happen in a hospital with an OB/GYN. We suggest parents think about how they want things to go before choosing a care professional.
What are the issues to consider?
Take the time to find someone you really mesh well with. And, continue to educate yourself about the kind of birth you want during your 40 (or more) weeks or pregnancy. In the end, you never know how your body and your baby will react. You might have an extensive birth plan and have packed the soothing music you want to listen to, prepared the snacks you want to nourish you as you labor and invited all of the right people to be around you, but your baby might have other plans. We have friends who tried homebirths and wound up with Cesarean delivery, and other friends who wanted nothing more than painkillers at the first contraction but wound up pushing in the back of their cars on the way to the hospital. If things don’t go as planned, being able to let go of the original plan is crucial. It’s easier said than done. The ultimate goal of any organic birth remains the same: a healthy baby.
Where to shop
For eco-friendly baby and parenting products all in one place, check out Bump-to-Baby. The store features breastfeeding supplies, mother and infant care products, newborn and baby layettes, slings and infant carriers and more, all with an organic focus. You can create a registry at the store, plus take workshops that teach the basics of everything from slings to strollers. The store is located at Real Birth, a pregnancy and parent education center with two locations: 54 West 22nd Street, 2nd Floor, 212-367-9006; and 715 Ninth Avenue, 212-245-0796
