Vegan families looking for lifestyle friendly ways to take care of their children have many resources to look to in the 21st Century. Many brands and blogs are producing products that vegan families love. These products include baby formula, wipes, soap, lotion, bedsheets, and hand sanitizer. Below are six vegan-friendly ways to take care of your baby:
Biodegradable baby cleansing wipes
Vegan families are often very conscious about their impact on the environment and typically opt for products made of biodegradable natural fibers. Ensure your baby is clean after diaper changes with vegan-friendly, plant-based baby wipes. The best quality baby wipes are free of plastics, fragrance, latex, rubber, dyes, heavy metals, parabens, and chlorine bleaching. It’s always a bonus to support companies that test their products using third-party (as long as they’re not animal tested) by independent labs. Another green flag when shopping for baby wipes is looking for a seal from the National Eczema Association. This wildly recognized symbol proves that the product will be gentle on your baby’s tender skin.
All-natural baby bathing soap
All parents and caregivers will likely agree that nothing smells better than their freshly washed baby. Take pride in knowing what goes into your child’s shampoo by making it yourself with common and natural ingredients. One recipe suggests you take ¼ cup Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and add 2 tablespoons of Sweet Almond Oil, 1 tablespoon of pure, organic aloe vera gel, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil and mix with 1 cup of water. If you or your child is sensitive to the scents of essential oils, you can omit that step, and the gentle hydrating shampoo will turn out just fine. This recipe is non-toxic, sulfate, paraben-free, and safe for use on brand new skin, but moms & dads are also welcome to use this formulation as a body wash.
Moisturizing DIY baby lotion
And why stop at making your baby wash? There’s also a straightforward recipe to make a homemade baby lotion. To make a silky smooth moisturizer, all you need to do is mix ½ cup of coconut oil with ½ cup of aloe vera gel and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Again, you can omit the crucial oil step if your baby is susceptible to the scent of certain oils. Many parents enjoy making their lotion because it is healthier and cost-effective, which can help families save for significant life events down the road.
Use organic cotton bed sheets
One easy way to incorporate vegan-friendly practices while caring for your child is using organic cotton bed sheets in their crib. Incorporating plant-based and organic fibers into your nursery will comfort your child during naps and bedtime. Cotton bed sheets are safe and natural, free from any toxins. They are also quite comfortable, with some thread counts as high as 400 single-ply weave. Be sure to choose a linen company that ethically sources their organic cotton. Organic cotton is preferred over conventional cotton because it is grown without pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Doing your research will pay off in the long run by benefiting you, family farmers, and the planet.
DIY hand wash before holding baby
Although hand sanitizer is no longer facing a supply shortage, it’s still a good idea to make your own at home because it is customizable and inexpensive. A great recipe to follow is ⅔ cup rubbing alcohol (70% or higher), ⅓ cup pure Aloe Vera gel, and 8 – 10 drops of essential oil (germ destroying, eucalyptus, or tea tree are best, but you can use whatever is on hand or add in your favorite scent if desired. Hand sanitizer is great for cleaning hands in a pinch, but it’s still recommended to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Here is a good, all-natural hand wash recipe: ½ cup distilled water, ½ cup liquid castile soap, 2 tablespoons nourishing oil, same or one tablespoon of 2 different ones – like Vitamin E Oil, Jojoba, Olive, Sweet Almond – 15 drops tea tree essential oil and 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil. Guests can use this hand soap and sanitizer in tandem before holding their newborn or playing with their toddler.
Vegan baby formula
All families, vegan and non-vegan, face the nationwide baby formula shortage. Many people rely on friends in different cities and states to find their preferred brand. What happens if you don’t have the formula and have weaned off of breastfeeding? A plant-based recipe to supplement baby formula may be necessary if there is no alternative. Speak with your doctor and only use it temporarily for older babies (a day or two, not a week or two).
- Maple syrup (1 tbsp)
- Probiotics (Dairy-free, ¼ tsp)
- Yeast (1 tsp)
- Sacha Inchi Oil (1 tbsp)
- Baby DHA (10 drops)
- Spirulina (1 tsp)
- Organic coconut oil (1 tbsp)
- Coconut oil (powdered)
- Almond milk (2 cups)
