SUNSCREENS

Enjoying the great outdoors, playing on the grass and walking in the woods is a right of every child and a pleasant activity for the whole family. These moments of relaxation have beneficial effects on the mind, the immune system and the whole body, both for adults and children.

Exploring the world is an adventure for babies and a carrier sling can be fundamental to help them when they get tired. It is very comfortable and ideal from the first days of life. It also helps to foster the bond with the baby, who can feel close to the mother while looking around or taking a nap. Carrier slings are definitely a green choice being a simple piece of fabric that can be made at home and can be put to another use when the little one grows up. Choosing an organic cotton carrier sling will have a very low environmental impact

To make the most of these moments, which are positive for the whole family, it is first of all important to protect children’s delicate skin from the sun and unwelcome insect bites. Our sunscreens are free of pollutants that are harmful to the skin and the environment, such as our Sole Baby SPF50+ sunscreen and Dopo Sole Baby aftersun lotion with Neem oil that insects find unpleasant.

These products are dermatologically tested for sensitive skin and offer effective UVB and UVA radiation protection. They are free of parabens, colourings, PEG as well as being Nickel, Chromium and Cobalt tested. They reduce the environmental impact using the Bag on Valve dispensing system that avoids bacterial proliferation, prolongs product life compared to normal sunscreens and avoids waste.

How are you preparing for a green summer? 

COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING

There are many beliefs and prejudices on the subject of weaning/supplementary feeding, often without a scientific foundation and rooted in hard-to-break customs. Here are some tips to make complementary feeding a positive experience for the entire family and especially for the child:

• The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until at least the sixth month of life and starting giving the baby other foods from this age. There is no absolute date. It also depends on the child and the signals they send us, the interest they show in the food they see mum and dad eating.
• Sit down at the table together letting even the youngest babies enjoy the positive experience of sharing a meal. Serve foods with lots of colours and flavours for them to explore.
• Do not underestimate the ability of a six-month-old child to bite, suck, chew many different foods even if their teeth have not grown yet. The food you eat can be adapted to young children by cutting it into small pieces, chopping it coarsely or grating it. This means you do not necessarily have to use a blender.
• Cook the food you put on the table yourself, using fresh, organic and seasonal ingredients. Avoiding ready-made meals and baby food, favouring simple preparations and cooking without too much seasoning. Buying only seasonal fruit and vegetables will reduce the impact on the environment and choose food containing fewer pesticide residues, less processed and more likely to be locally produced.

Never force your child to eat. Trust them and their instincts and let them guide you on the right ingredients and quantities for their needs.

NURSING

Breast milk is unquestionably the most sustainable food. There are no emissions from production, transport, processing and packaging. Breastfeeding is only beneficial for the health and well-being of the baby but also has a protective effect on the mother’s health.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO until the sixth month of life, after which it is advisable to supplement breastfeeding with solid foods at least until the child is two years old, the 1000 days that are so important in determining your child’s health in the years to come and their longevity.

Although breastfeeding is natural, statistics tell us that it cannot be taken for granted that a mother will breastfeed her baby. The world average is 40% of babies who are breastfed beyond the sixth month but this figure drops dramatically in the more industrialised countries.

In Italy, 90% of Italian women start breastfeeding their babies at birth, but by the time they are discharged from the hospital, the percentage drops to 77%. After four months, only 31% of babies are breastfed and over six months only 10% are breastfed (source: Italian Neonatology Society).

Instead of finger-pointing, numbers like these indicate that mothers fail to breastfeed because not enough is being done to inform, assist and support them. All mothers should be allowed to breastfeed their babies at ease and for as long as the baby wants, espousing a philosophy that puts the child’s well-being first.

MASSAGE TIME

Baby massage is first and foremost an attitude, a way to further strengthen the bond and establish deep communication. It is an ancient tradition in the culture of many countries that we are rediscovering because of its many benefits for the development and maturation of the child on a physical, psychological and emotional level.

Massages contribute to developing coordination, self-awareness and body awareness in babies. It improves learning ability, promoting and accelerating neuronal connections. It has beneficial effects on the circulatory, digestive, hormonal, immune and respiratory systems.

Massaging has many benefits and no cost. No accessories, electronic equipment or anything else is needed. Unlike other activities or games, it is a zero-impact activity that can be done every day. All you need is a little time to devote to your baby and high-quality almond oil. LineaMammaBaby^® Cosmos Natural Olio di Mandorle Dolci sweet almond oil is recommended by AIMI (the Italian Infant Massage Association) and certified by Cosmos Natural guaranteeing its organic ingredients and low-environmental-impact production. It is a cold-pressed oil that maintains the natural content of vitamin E and envelopes with a natural scent of almonds.

Massaging your baby correctly is easy. The ideal sequence is to start with the legs and feet and then move on to the arms, tummy, head and back. Long and short massages alike are a moment of pampering for you and your baby, after bath time, when they wake up, before bedtime or whenever you like. Your partner can also be a great masseur so get them involved early on and learn together.

Because your child’s well-being also depends on these small daily gestures.

NAPPIES AND NAPPY CHANGES

Nappy changes are fundamental for the health and well-being of babies and great care is needed to avoid irritations, dermatitis and rashes. The skin of your baby’s bottom is being constantly rubbed by the nappy, and without proper care, this can lead to unpleasant problems.

By using products for delicate skin that are free of harmful substances and contain Cosmos Natural certified organic ingredients, such as Intimo Baby intimate hygiene wash, Cosmos Natural Crema Cambio Baby nappy change cream, with natural extracts of chamomile and calendula, and Cosmos Natural Latte Detergente Baby no-rinse baby cleansing milk, delicate and ideal even when no water is handy, you will protect your child from rashes and perfectly complete the nappy change and intimate cleansing even of newborns.

The environment is a much-underestimated factor of nappy changing and you could forget that this is the activity with the greatest impact on the environment. Here are two practical ideas to reduce your ecological footprint.

• Every child on average uses at least 5000 disposable nappies, which adds up to one tonne of unsorted waste (nappy recycling facilities are still extremely rare) that takes more than 500 years to degrade. If you opt for washable nappies, your baby will be more comfortable and you will only need 20 because they can be reused. The environmental impact is much lower and you will save a lot of money because even taking into account the consumption of water and energy to wash them, they cost half as much. Choose washable, locally sourced nappies. Wash them at 30 degrees centigrade without fabric softener and dry them in the air.
• Unless you already own one, avoid buying a nappy changing table. A simple washable mat or a piece of thick fabric can turn any piece of furniture into a practical changing station. Make sure it is comfortable and that it is close to the water so that you can wash your baby as needed.

BATH TIME

Bath time is a daily ritual for most young kids. It is a moment to relax, play and be pampered. Taking care of your baby’s skin and hands is important, ensuring optimal cleansing and thorough hygiene. At the same time, a few clever choices can make this moment more sustainable for the environment and your child’s future:

• Bathe the baby in a container that is not too big, filling it no more than necessary. This will avoid wasting water and the energy needed to heat it.
• Choose the essential, reducing the use of the packaging as much as possible. Products such as Linea MammaBaby^® Cosmos Natural Doccia Shampoo Baby shower gel and Linea MammaBaby^® Cosmos Natural Crema Viso e Corpo face and body cream have recyclable packaging and come in fully recyclable PET bottles. These products are also of the highest quality and are certified by Cosmos Natural. 
• Use organic cotton towels to top up on loving care. Avoid synthetic materials, such as microfibres, as much as possible, because they release microplastics with every wash.