Including the introduction and epilog, there are nine sections in Dr. Alan Greene’s Raising Baby Green — one for each month of your pregnancy. A coincidence? We think not, especially since each section of the book concentrates on individual rooms of your house the same way each month of pregnancy concentrates on certain developments in your baby’s body. Five months in and Baby is busy growing tooth buds? You can follow along by reading section five, The Kitchen where Dr. Greene expounds on how cooking and serving our families the best available foods is not only better for us, but also reduces greenhouse gases. Ready to pop and looking for something to ease your nerves? The epilog is short enough to get through even if you go into labor, but it’s full of inspiration for families who are ready to make big changes.

The real wisdom in Raising Baby Green, however, is not in the way it cleverly parallels the conception and intrauterine growth of a human baby. The real wisdom is in its accessibility. This book shows you how easy it can be to live a greener lifestyle, and it lays out small changes you can make today that will have a big impact for your children’s tomorrow. We’ll let you read the book to find the answers to these thought-provoking questions:

• How can a healthy diet during pregnancy prevent picky eating in toddlers?
• What are the top five foods a pregnant woman should eat organically or not at all?
• What is the best paint choice for your baby’s nursery? (Hint: it’s not no-VOC paint)
• What are the most important things to splurge on in your baby’s nursery?
• What are the top seven things to choose organically for your baby’s first year?
• Why should pregnant women and families with newborns test their water for nitrates?
• How can you (and why should you) differentiate between the seven kinds of plastic?
• Which method of washing dishes saves more water: washing by hand or using a dishwasher?
• What are the hidden causes of diaper rash?
• What’s one organic product you can buy to replace at least eighteen household, baby, and personal cleaners?
• How can you start and maintain your own organic garden?
• Is it possible for your family to have a power bill of $0?

Fortunately, Raising Baby Green answers questions instead of raising them, and it’s worth adding to your nightstand for the forthcoming nine months. You’ll probably find it’s worth keeping there long after Baby arrives, too!

Birth Source is pleased to offer Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care to our in-store customers.  Stop in today to see the selection of books and products we offer to support your green parenting lifestyle.

From the March 2010 issue of The Source
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