'Ethical' parents face extra £700

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New parents who choose eco-friendly or ethical goods for their babies can pay as much as £700 a year extra, according to new research.

A survey found environmentally-friendly nappies cost 41p each, while standard nappies were just 19p each.

Fair trade shop owners argue that the higher price is worth it.

But John Reeve of Family Investments, who commissioned the research, said the price of a social conscience can "overwhelm" parents.

More ethical

The research compared the prices of products which were environmentally friendly or guaranteed decent wages for those making them, with ordinary brands.

If prices were reduced, it's something I'd be prepared to do Hannah O'DellMother

It found "ethical" baby food cost 79p a jar compared with 63p for a regular equivalent.

The difference between ordinary and green brands was £1.50 and £4.65 for children's clothes, and £1.75 and £3 for baby products such as baby oil.

To keep their consciences clear, parents would have to pay an extra £700 in the first year of their baby's life, the study concluded.

New mother Hannah O'Dell told BBC Breakfast she wanted to buy more ethical products for three-and-a-half-month old daughter Grace.

But she added: "I would like to do it, but financially I couldn't afford to.

"If prices were reduced, it's something I'd be prepared to do."

'Added pressure'

But Dav Heyra of fair trade shop Cuddle Me Green insisted ethical products were good value.

He said: "It's worth that extra money for humanity in general.

"How would you like it if a five-year-old child was making garments 18 hours a day for your five-year-old child?"

The study said 42% of parents want to use ethical goods when bringing up their children.

It asked parents what they felt their main ethical priorities were in choosing products for their children.

A total of 66% said they were concerned about breastfeeding rather than using formula milk, 51% said using disposable instead of renewable nappies and 42% went for organic versus standard baby food.

John Reeve, Chief Executive of Family Investments said: "The cost of being a parent is growing and the added pressure now of choosing ethical or organic products can overwhelm parents living on stretched budgets, especially as families learn to cope with the cost of a new baby."