My journey to greener parenting as a sustainability professional and mom
When I became a parent, being eco-friendly honestly wasn't my first priority with navigating a whole new world with its challenges and unknowns. But as Bugaboo's Sustainability Manager and a mother of three, I've learned that a few simple switches can really make a difference. Here's what I discovered about raising kids in a more environmentally conscious way.
Why I started thinking about eco-conscious parenting
With each baby's arrival, I found myself thinking more deeply about the world we were welcoming them into. I wanted to protect the planet so my kids, and future generations, could inherit a world where they can truly thrive.
That's why I knew I needed to plant the seed early, teaching our children that we're all part of nature and responsible for caring for our shared home. And I've discovered that nothing works better than leading by example.
But my work in sustainability has also shown me how complicated it can be. There's often a downside or unintended consequence to consider with every "sustainable" choice. So my golden rule became: Don't be too hard on yourself or others. Do what you can, in ways that fit your lifestyle.
I focused on small actions that felt both achievable and meaningful: Buy less, buy better (which for me meant choosing quality products or buying second-hand), and care for what I have so I can eventually pass it on to someone else.
How I created a more sustainable set-up: Less is more
When I was expecting, I thought carefully about what I would actually need once the baby arrived. To save money and reduce waste, I reached out to my parent friends to ask what items were truly essential and what was just hype or would end up as clutter. Their honest answers helped me curate a minimalist nursery that had everything we needed and nothing we didn't.
How I approached furniture: Renting, sharing, and shopping smarter
I realized most baby furniture is only useful for a few months. We bought a lot second-hand; but nowadays, there are also a lot of rental companies out there that can loan everything from cribs to carriers. Here in the Netherlands, the parental company Tiny Library is a great example.
I also leaned on my community — by borrowing pieces from friends that they no longer needed or were storing up for a future baby.
When I did buy, I looked for pieces that could grow with my baby. I'm biased, of course, but the Bugaboo Giraffe chair is a great example — it adapts through every stage, from a baby’s high chair to a dining chair for an older toddler.
My approach to toys: Feeding imagination, not just keeping them busy
From my experience, I found that my babies and toddlers were infinitely more interested in what I was doing than any of their toys. My kids liked — and still do — to join in on whatever I was up to, so I let them help out instead of distracting them with flashy toys. Even though it can be inconvenient and tiring at times, involving them really supports their learning and development! When I did want a new addition for their toybox, I tried toy-lending schemes to mix things up and take pressure off my wallet.
When buying new, I looked for natural materials like wood, and went for the best quality I could afford. I also chose versatile toys with open-ended possibilities to expand their imagination.
How I found clothes that don't cost the earth
My babies grew so fast, especially as newborns. In the blink of an eye, they outgrew every piece of clothing I’ve got for them.
I looked for second-hand baby clothes and found some great brands on apps like Vinted for a fraction of the price. I embraced hand-me-downs and passed items along to my friends whenever my kids outgrew something.
If I had to buy new, I looked for high-quality pieces made from comfortable natural fibers (like cotton and wool) that were less irritating for my baby's skin, and I shopped for mono-materials, which are easier to recycle when they're no longer needed.
I also kept an eye out for trusted trademarks to help me spot more ethically made clothing, like B Corp™, OEKO-TEX®, EU Ecolabel, and BCI Cotton™ (Better Cotton Initiative).
How I let nature into our family’s routine
In the Netherlands, we have what is called “The Scouts’ Law” (Scoutingwet), similar to the rules used by the Girls Scouts and Boys Scouts in the US. It’s all about caring for nature and taking responsibility from a young age, and in our family we really have embraced it.
One of the guiding ideas that stuck with me is: “Leave a place the same or better than when you found it”. I try to live by that every day, by looking after our things, fixing and reusing instead of throwing away, and showing my kids how small actions can make a big difference.
We try to spend as much time outside together as we can. It doesn’t have to be a big adventure; sometimes it’s just a camping weekend or a walk through a nature park, but it always helps us slow down and de-stress. Most importantly, being outdoors helps us feel connected to nature and reminds us why it’s worth caring for.
Why I picked a Bugaboo stroller: A leader in sustainability
Of course, I am very biased when it comes to strollers, but Bugaboo is, and always will be, my first choice — and for good reasons.
Our product designers and engineers build upon more than two decades of experience to create timeless designs that last. We design our strollers so that single parts can be repaired, replaced, and recycled, helping them stay on the road for as long as possible. Seeing a first-generation Bugaboo still in use, which happens often, always makes me proud.
We’re committed to using materials with the lowest possible environmental impact, from bio-based materials to recycled fabrics and aluminum, and we maintain strict chemical standards to ensure everything is safe for your baby and better for the planet.
Sustainability is also about how we care about our people. We uphold high standards for health and safety in our award-winning factory and ensure fair, living wages for our workers — because that's how it should be.
All of this comes without compromising on performance or style. My Bugaboo stroller is still the smoothest ride out there, and it looks great, too!
Final thoughts
Becoming a parent changes everything, and with so much already on your mind, you don’t need extra pressure to “do it all perfectly”. Our goal at Bugaboo is to make sustainable parenting feel realistic, supportive, and truly helpful in everyday life. By focusing on long-lasting quality, responsible materials, and caring for the people behind every product, we’re committed to creating meaningful change. It’s about making choices today that support your family now, while also protecting the world your children will grow up in.