Interview with Dr. Robert Sears: Green Parenting
Posted by Lisa Carey
Dr. Robert Sears, father, world-renowned pediatrician, and author was recently in Houston as a special guest at the HEB Healthy Baby and Child Expo. He was kind enough to grant me an interview, where we discussed a number of parenting topics, including tips on vaccinations, green parenting, and making your home more environmentally sound and safe. This begins the first in a series of articles based on my interview.
Dr. Sears began our discussion on green parenting, “There are different shades of green; it’s all a process.” “In a nutshell,” Dr. Sears continues, “green parenting is trying to raise your children with as little chemical exposure as possible and raise your child and your family while trying to minimize your carbon footprint.”
When I asked Dr. Sears about his favorite green parenting tips and tools, of course he mentioned his latest book, Happy Baby: The Organic Guide to Baby’s First 24 Months (Paperback). In this book, he provides information on a variety of concepts regarding green parenting for everyone from the beginning, or “light green” parent, to the more experienced, “dark green”, parent. After the introduction of green parenting concepts, he goes on to explain how to accomplish each of the concepts and suggestions made.
While Happy Baby is an excellent resource, I asked Dr. Sears if he could name the three most important green parenting skills to accomplish. He answered, “Organic eating, green cleaning, and cloth diapers.”
Now, we all know that organic eating can be expensive, so Dr. Sears recommends we pay attention to, and eliminate, the “dirty dozen” from our eating habits. The dirty dozen are foods determined to be some of the most pesticide-contaminated foods since 1995, based on statistical analysis of testing conducted by the U.S. Drug Administration and Federal Drug Administration. What are the dirty dozen foods to avoid? They are: Peaches, Apples, Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Kale, Lettuce, Grapes (imported), Carrots, and Pears. However, the news isn’t all bad; there is also a “clean 15″; foods determined to have the least pesticide exposure. So how can you purchase organic foods and still keep to your budget? Find those with the most exposure and purchase organic alternatives. Though not mentioned, I would also add eggs, milk, and meats to the list.
“Why should we eat organic,” I asked Dr. Sears. He replied, “It’s a very important step in eliminating chemicals and pesticides from your body and your child’s. It is especially important for expectant and nursing mothers to be aware of what goes into their body and how it can affect the development of the fetus or their baby.”
Next, Dr. Sears recommends being aware of the cleaning products you are using. There are many green cleaning alternatives available, including products by Seventh Generation® and other manufacturers. He recommends noticing what products in your soaps, cleaners, and laundry detergent you are using and what ingredients they contain. The harmful chemical compounds contained in many of these products touch our skin and are in the air we breathe. Greenjoyment offers you several recipes for green cleaning, as does the book Happy Baby. Dr. Sears recommends using baking soda and vinegar as the basis for many of your homemade cleaning materials.
Lastly, for parents wanting to reduce their carbon footprint, the choice to use cloth diapers over disposable is an important one. According to recent reports, there are an estimated 3.5 million tons of diaper waste in U.S. landfills, not to mention the environmentally unfriendliness use of trees, chemicals involved, environmentally unsound manufacturing production, and gas for transportation so that disposable diapers can be used. The use of cloth diapers vs. disposable has been a debate here at Greenjoyment also. I learned of a product (new to me) that is called a “g-diaper”, which is a combination cloth diaper and biodegradable, flushable insert that absorbs moisture, wetness, and waste. If you haven’t made up your mind yet about diapers, or just want to make a switch, consider this alternative to disposable or cloth.
Most importantly (at least to me), Dr. Sears says that parents need to realize that green parenting sometimes comes with compromises. In Happy Baby, there is an entire section devoted to, “how to make compromises to get what you want and need for green parenting and for your family.”
This is so true–as parents, we need to do what we can whenever we can. Sometimes this means going the extra mile; like making updates to a home to make it more Eco-friendly and energy efficient, and sometimes it means using a disposable diaper because we are on vacation. Whatever the reasons for our decisions, the most environmentally friendly thing we can do for our personal home environment is come to terms with what we can and can’t do and how it will affect us all.
For more information about Dr. Robert Sears, visit AskDrSears.com.
Brief Bio:
Robert W. Sears, MD, is a father of three, board-certified in Pediatrics, and a co-author in the Sears Parenting Library. He earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1995. He did his pediatric internship and residency at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, California, finishing in 1998. Dr. Bob (as his little patients call him) is the proud father of three active boys.
Dr. Bob enjoys a very unique approach to pediatrics by providing a combination of alternative and traditional medical care. He has a passion for healthy natural living and incorporates this knowledge into a style of disease treatment and prevention that you won’t find in most doctors offices.
Dr. Bob has a particular passion for helping parents understand childhood vaccines and the options open to them in choosing the safest possible vaccine schedule for their child. As the solo author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, his in-depth knowledge of vaccines and diseases they prevent helps parents nationwide get a better understanding of this complex and confusing issue.
Dr. Bob has appeared on the Dr. Phil show to offer advice on child behavior and parenting issues. He has also appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show, CNN’s House Calls with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the CBS Early Show, and PBS’s “A Place of Our Own”.
Dr. Bob is a frequent speaker at La Leche League (LLL) conferences in Colorado, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and California/Nevada. He spoke at the International LLL Conference 2007, and speaks at various parenting health expositions. He has written for Contemporary Pediatrics, Newsweek Japan, and dozen’s of regional parenting magazines across the nation. Dr. Bob is co-author of The Updated Baby Book, The Premature Baby Book, The Baby Sleep Book 2005, and Father’s First Steps: 25 Things Every New Dad Should Know, and author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for your Child. He is an active contributor to the content of AskDrSears.com and several other parenting websites, and Working Mother magazine.
If you are interested in any of the items mentioned in this article . . .
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Hey Lisa!
Great job on this article, and great job being aware enough to grab a few minutes of Dr. Sears’ attention, getting his feedback on some really important issues all parents should be aware of.
Warmest,
Jonathan