Overview
Seattle, Wash. (Sept. 14, 2021) – Navigating parenthood sometimes can feel like being
dropped in the middle of a maze with so many different options and responsibilities
pulling caregivers in every direction. Whether it’s cleaning, organizing, or saving a buck,
bringing a new baby into the home can be as overwhelming as it is joyous.
That’s why the Responsible Flushing Alliance, a consumer education non-profit with a
mission to provide information on what not to flush, offers tried-and-true hacks to help
new parents stay organized and ahead of the parenting game.
“Today’s parents are busier than ever and we want to help make things a bit easier with
these 5 easy-to-implement tips so parents can spend less time worrying and more time
making memories as a family,” said Lara Wyss, president of the Responsible Flushing
Alliance. “As a mom of two, I know all too well the importance of parenting hacks and I
used all of these tips and I’m happy to share them with other parents.”
The Key 5 Parenting Hacks –
- Try buying second-hand items:
Even after being showered with gifts from a registry, the cost of caring for a new baby
can really add up. And all parents know the never-ending churn with children’s clothes,
especially in the early months when the baby is growing fast. One fashion industry
report estimates parents use 280 items of clothing per child by their second birthday.
Perhaps this is why 72 percent of parents would buy second-hand baby clothes.
Whether shopping for apparel or strollers, online exchanges, consignment stores, thrift
shops and garage sales are lifesavers for new parents looking to save money. Just
make sure to clean and sanitize items before using, and check online for age
appropriateness, recalls and warnings.
- Consider having no shoes in the house:
This one might seem strange, but what if we told you that 400,000 units of bacteria are
found on the outside of shoes (yikes!). With babies crawling around the floor and putting
anything within reach into their mouths, it’s a good idea to consider a “no shoes in the
house” policy.
Simply, set up a shoe rack or washable rug next to the front and back doorways to help
keep your floors clean for those little wanderers.
- Look into baby food delivery options:
Grocery shopping, cooking and washing dishes already take up so much time and
energy. Add baby bottles, purees, and sanitizing kitchenware to that routine, and you’re
basically living in the kitchen.
Budget-friendly delivery services may just be the solution you need. Remove the stress
of preparing healthy options for your little one by having the meals delivered right to
your door. With a variety of options available today from organically grown foods to
allergy-free meals, feeding your baby has never been easier (and faster!). Just make
sure to consult your pediatrician on how and when to introduce foods.
- Optimize your storage space:
It may be quite challenging to lead a minimalist lifestyle once a baby enters the picture.
A baby may be small, but all the items parents need to take care of the baby sure do
take up a lot more space. But, did you know that on average, 80% of all the items we
keep in general are never used? Which means it’s time to declutter our home.
Reducing clutter and organizing your storage space can also reduce the stress for new
parents. Try maximizing hanging space by using stackable bins or hanging bins on the
closet door. You’ll be surprised at how much baby clothes can fit in a small bin! As an
added bonus, save some money by being on the lookout for items that can be reused
as “bins”—like baby wipe containers or large zippered bags that comforters come in.
- Keep baby wipes on hand:
Any parent you ask will tell you that baby wipes are essential to have on hand at all
times. In fact, approximately 40 wipes are used per day for each baby. That’s 1,110
wipes per month and 3,330 wipes for the first 90 days! So, stock up on those wipes and
be sure to place them, with diapers, around the house, so that you’re prepared when
the moment strikes.
Just remember to not flush baby wipes down the toilet. Always keep a dedicated diaper
pail or trash bin handy for quick disposal. Baby wipes are made to be gentle on delicate
skin while also being durable enough to keep baby clean, so they do lead to major
sewage clogs.
“Being able to rely on baby wipes to do their intended job is super important,” Wyss
added. “However, unlike flushable wipes made for adult toileting, baby wipes are not
intended to be flushed as they are made of stronger fibers meant for cleaning up big
messes from teeny, tiny people.”
Flushing non-flushable wipes can cause clogs that cost $300-$450 to unclog, or
thousands more for a full-home repiping. Avoid this disaster by checking for the “Do Not
Flush” symbol on packaging to see if wipes are flushable or not, and if it’s non-flushable,
toss it in the trash instead of the toilet.
Remember— when in doubt, throw it out!
What Not to Flush:
- Baby Wipes or household cleaning wipes
- Disposable Diapers
- Paper Towels, Facial Tissue, Plastic Bags
- Fats, Oils, and Grease
- Food, Trash
- Cleaning Products, Chemicals
- Pads, Rags, Cloth, Disposable Gloves
- Cotton Balls, Cotton Swabs, Dental Floss
- Feminine Products
- Hair/Hair Weaves
- Medications/Syringes
Check out the Responsible Flushing Alliance’s fun infographic on the 5 Essential Hacks
for New Parents, and spread awareness by sharing it with all the new parents you know.
#FlushSmart is not only a way of life but it’s also the Responsible Flushing Alliance’s national effort to educate and promote responsible flushing habits. Each year non-flushable items combine with fats/oils/grease (FOG) to create cement sewer clogs that cost municipalities millions of dollars to repair and then contribute to overflows of sewage into waterways.
For more information, go to www.flushsmart.org or @flushsmart on Twitter or Facebook.
About Responsible Flushing Alliance
The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization
dedicated to consumer education focused on what should and should not be flushed.
RFA’s goal is to change consumer behavior to help reduce damage to our nation’s
sewage systems caused by objects and materials not designed to be flushed.
Responsible Flushing Alliance Coalition Members
Albaad, ANDRITZ, DUDE Products, Essity, First Quality, Georgia Pacific, Johnson &
Johnson, Jacob Holm, Kelheim Fibres, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Nehemiah
Manufacturing, Nice-Pak, Procter & Gamble, Rockline Industries, Sellars Nonwovens,
and Suominen Corp.