When you become a parent, preserving the world your child—and future generations—will grow up in takes on a whole new importance. Even with a strong desire to protect the environment and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, it can be a real challenge, especially when the arrival of a newborn often goes hand in hand with overconsumption. However, nothing is impossible! Discover our eco-friendly tips to help your little team adopt a more environmentally respectful way of life.

1. Wash your laundry in an eco-friendly way

Bibs, pajamas, and the like: with a baby, laundry piles can quickly reach previously unknown heights, and the washing machine seems to run nonstop. By choosing the right programs, you can save a significant amount of energy and water with each wash. If possible, prioritize air drying rather than using an energy-hungry tumble dryer. Take advantage of warm summer temperatures to hang laundry outside. Washing programs below 60 °C also help save energy. Did you know? Washing at 30 °C instead of 60 °C could save you 60% of energy. This is especially helpful since, for most textiles, it is recommended to wash at 30 or 40 °C . However, take the opportunity to wash dishcloths and mattress protectors at 60 °C—or even 90 °C—at least once a month. Low-temperature programs are economical, but they can encourage bacterial growth.
Furthermore, prioritize eco-friendly laundry detergents , as their natural ingredients are less harmful to the environment. You can also make your own detergent by mixing baking soda, washing soda, Marseille soap, and water. Have you heard of soapnuts? As a natural alternative, simply add a few soapnuts in a cotton bag. When they come into contact with hot water, the nuts release saponin, a natural soap.

If you want to go further and make all your homemade cleaning products, discover all our tips in our article: "".

2. Set up an eco-friendly nursery for your baby

Over the next few years, your little adventurer will spend many hours in their room. That’s why it’s essential to create a truly healthy little cocoon. Several factors should be considered when designing a healthy, eco-friendly, and substance-free room. You can discover all our tips in our article: « ».

3. Equip your changing table

At home, opt for an eco-friendly diaper-changing routine. First, equip your changing table with a removable mattress cover that you can easily machine-wash. For changes, consider reusable cotton wipes; with a little warm water, you can gently clean your baby's bottom. If you prefer to use a care product, why not make your own? Simply mix a little of our with lime water. Add a bit of wax for a creamier texture, and you're all set!

The choice of diapers also matters! If you want to use more eco-friendly diapers, our line is a great alternative. As comfortable and effective as usual, they come in innovative paper packaging to reduce plastic waste. The remaining amount of plastic is offset through a partnership with Plastic Bank® which removes much more plastic from the environment than our diapers contain. This makes it the first plastic-neutral diaper line in France. Additionally, the absorbent core is made of natural cellulose, meaning it is unbleached. You can upgrade your existing subscription with the LILLYDOO green line, or combine it with other diaper lines. ;)

4. Give a second life to items

Many baby products are only used for a short period of time—especially clothing, developmental toys, and even nursery equipment. Consider second-hand options, which are a great ecological alternative and easier on your wallet! ;) Whether you're looking for an item or want to pass on clothes that are too small, check out platforms designed for this purpose: , , etc. Thrift stores or flea markets are also great opportunities to find awesome deals or sell what you no longer use.

5. Limit car usage and adopt economical driving

According to recent studies, we in France are still just as addicted to our cars. Why not leave yours in the garage a bit more and choose cycling or walking instead? Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or dropping off your little ones at daycare or nursery, take advantage of short trips (less than 2 km) to get some fresh air. Your health, your wallet, and the planet will thank you.

If, for several reasons, it’s impossible for you to leave your car, try to drive in a more eco-friendly way. To adopt a more ecological, less fuel-consuming driving style, all you need to do is:

• choose a smoother driving style by reducing your speed,

• avoid cold starts,

• cut off your engine during prolonged stops,

• change gears smoothly and shift up quickly

• avoid using the air conditioning.

Also, remember to plan your trips in advance and check the route to choose the shortest one. Finally, maintain your vehicle regularly and check your tire pressure.

6. Offer sustainable toys and activities

Babies and toddlers don’t need much to keep themselves entertained. Baloo’s famous motto, « it takes little to be happy », has never been more true—often, little ones spend more time playing with the cardboard box than with the toy itself. For this reason, prioritize high-quality toys made from durable materials like wood and, if possible, produced locally. Around the age of 18 months, you can move on to eco-friendly craft activities: with a bit of water-based paint, a few toilet paper rolls, and some stickers, you can create wonders. ;)

One of the simplest eco-friendly activities is heading outside with your little adventurer to enjoy the fresh air and explore nature. Leaves rustling underfoot, wide-open natural spaces, jumping in puddles—all of it is entertaining and helps raise your child's awareness of nature. By exploring their environment with your budding adventurer, your child will learn to appreciate and understand the diversity and value of their habitat.

7. Involve your child in daily shopping

Depending on your child's age, you can actively involve them in daily shopping. Together, think about meals for the coming days, make the shopping list, or even let them put groceries in the cart when you shop. By including them in decisions from the very beginning, you reduce the temptation to buy unnecessary products. It’s also more sustainable to shop at the market, from local artisans, and from producers. This way, you can enjoy delicious regional and seasonal products while supporting the local economy. You also avoid the excessive packaging often found in hypermarkets. At your local producers' stalls, for example, you can show your child fruits and vegetables that come directly from your region. This helps them understand from a young age that not everything is available all year round—like strawberries and tomatoes in winter.

8. Homemade cooking

Baby jars and other ready-to-eat meals are certainly convenient, but they also generate more waste and often travel long distances before ending up on your baby's plate. By cooking at home, you know exactly what goes into your little one's food and can prioritize local products. Do you sometimes lack time to cook? Consider "meal prep," a trend that involves preparing your weekly meals on the weekend so you only have to take them out when needed. You can also freeze a few portions; this way, you'll always have something ready for the days when your little adventurer is hungry and can’t wait. You will regularly find recipes on our .

9. Avoid food waste

It’s hard to believe, but each year in France, households, restaurants, and supermarkets throw away about 10 million tons of food. This is even more regrettable given that an estimated 20 kg of food waste per person could be avoided by adopting good habits. Try using leftovers creatively instead of throwing them away. If you’re not quite sure what to do with leftovers, the app can help by offering recipes based on your preferences and what’s in your fridge. The app also lets you enjoy unsold items from restaurants and local shops by purchasing baskets at reduced prices. It’s a great way to help fight food waste while enjoying delicious meals.

10. Raise your child's awareness of the environment

For your child, you are a role model; your behavior therefore influences your little one. The more you incorporate small eco-friendly gestures into your daily life, the more your child will imitate them and adopt them naturally. Start with small actions, such as repairing broken objects instead of throwing them away, or turning old T-shirts into cleaning rags. For fruit and vegetable shopping, consider using cloth bags instead of plastic bags. When you're on the go, pack your little one's snack in a metal box rather than aluminum foil. A fun way to raise your child's awareness of ecology and sustainable development from a young age is gardening—especially growing your own fruits and vegetables in the garden or on the balcony. Even if a few strawberries or cherry tomatoes won’t feed the whole family, it will show little ones how much time and care it takes to grow fresh fruit. If you want to learn more, take a look at our article « Raising your child awareness of sustainable development ».

With busy parent lives, you may sometimes wonder how it’s possible to adopt such a sustainable lifestyle with one or more young children. In reality, small gestures can easily become part of your family routine—you just need to take it step by step. Don’t put pressure on yourself, because every little action is already a step toward a greener world! ;)