Choose Baby Lotions and Shampoo CAREFULLY!!!

With all of the baby lotions and creams on the market, its hard to know which ones are best. My choice is safety first. Many of the popular brands have been around for years containing ingredients that are hazardous to young babies. This guide from Environmental Working Group is extremely helpful in choosing the safe shampoos, lotions and creams for your baby. You will be surprised to see the rankings for safety.


Parents Guide to safe baby cosmetics


Some of the items which are paraben free, fragrance free and non-toxic that I use and thought were the safest, are not at the top of the list. It turns out that some of the safe brands may have a product in their line that isn't as safe as another brand. Read carefully and choose the safest for your baby.

Also remember to choose a safe sunscreen and bug repellent if you are worried about mosquitoes. The main ingredient, Deet, in most bug repellents isn't safe. Babies have such sensitive skin as it is which is why choosing the safest products is so important.


You also must consider a safe toothpaste once your baby gets teeth. If you have a girl, play makeup can be a concern. The show "Toddlers and Tiaras" should be scolded. These parents have no idea what harm they are doing to their children by putting harmful makeup on them. I would be shocked if it is all natural and free of hazardous ingredients.

As parents we have many choices in baby products. The skin is our largest organ which is why putting the safest ingredients on your babies skin should be the number one priority. Most of the safe products can be found at Target, Diapers.com, Whole Foods, Babies R Us or online.

BPA in baby food jar lids, acidic baby food????

First of all, I am making homemade baby food. Second, who had any idea that certain foods were too acidic and could cause reflux in babies??? When I read this article, I was surprised to learn that canned jars contained BPA in the lids and that the acids used as preservatives could cause reflux. I was planning on using canned baby food if we travel or are on the go. Now I guess I will think twice and look for a different brand.
Read the inhabitots article to find out more: http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/04/27/acid-added-to-baby-food-jars-contributes-to-infant-acid-reflux-issues/


Here are the results of testing done in Canada on baby food BPA levels. This is very disturbing since we now know the effects of BPA. It has been banned from baby bottles because of safety. Why is it allowed in the lid of baby food jars?? The food touches the lid!!! http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/securit/bpa_survey-enquete-eng.php#a5

I looked on Diapers.com and did find organic baby food which claims to have BPA free packaging, Plum Organics as well as Sprout brand and Happy Baby. I guess I will give those a try in case of emergency. I do have Happy Bellies Rice Cereal which says it is BPA free.
http://www.diapers.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=24303

For now I will have a cooking marathon and freeze as much baby food as I can.
The best thing you can do as a parent if you can't make homemade food is buy the BPA free brands or call the companies you do like and demand they change their packaging to be BPA free.

New Pampers Diaper causing burns!! Switch brands!!!

As a new Mom, I was shocked when I saw the report on the news last night that a new Pampers Diaper with Dry Max technology(thinner diaper) was causing burns!! Proctor and Gamble claims that safety tests were done. Now how thorough the tests were is a question in my mind. Every baby is different and while some may be OK with the diapers, others may not and have sensitive skin.

Typical diapers use chlorine bleach to get the diapers white. "What is the problem with CHLORINE?
"The pulp and paper industry's practice of bleaching pulp 'whiter than white' with chlorine produces a large class of chemicals known as organochlorines, some extremely persistent and toxic, which include the infamous dioxins and furans."
". . . their effects are particularly threatening to the most vulnerable of us all: developing infants and children."

Source: Liz Armstrong & Adrienne Scott: "Whitewash; Exposing the health and environmental dangers of women's sanitary products and disposable diapers - what you can do about it."

An article from World News Online states:

"Cathy Valentine, for one, says she may never buy a P&G product ever again.

Her four-month old daughter had been in Pampers Swaddlers diapers since the day she was born. Earlier this month the Michigan mom started to use a box of the newest P&G diapers with "Dry Max" technology that is touted as thinner and more absorbent.

Soon, her daughter's skin in the diaper area turned pink. By the next day, blisters had formed.

Nothing in baby Alexis's routine had changed except that the family started using the new Pampers Swaddlers, Valentine said. A pediatrician diagnosed it as a chemical burn and one week later the area was still bleeding when touched, she said.

Valentine's story of rashes and burns after using the new Pampers is one of several quickly making the rounds on social networking sites such as Facebook, where a group calling on the company to reinstate the old diapers had grown to 1,053 members as of Monday.

After hearing about this, it has reaffirmed my decision to use Nature Babycare diapers and wipes. They are CHLORINE FREE, compostable, fragrance free and I have NEVER had a diaper rash on my baby from using them. Other brands which are chlorine free have sometimes exposed some type of gelatinous material in the diaper. That has never happened with Nature Babycare and won't happen with cloth diapers either. I am a Green Mom, but with 3 dogs and a baby, disposables are easy for me. If you have the patience, go for the cloth diaper, otherwise, my vote is for Nature Babycare!!!
You can get them at Diapers.com

NEW LEAD PAINT LAWS, be aware.

Beginning April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency requires any contractors who might disturb lead paint in homes, schools and child care facilities built before 1978 to be trained and accredited in proper lead safety techniques.


Lead is an extreme danger to young children. The toxins from lead paint chips and dust can lead to irreversible brain and nervous system damage. Paint can be disturbed by remodeling, interior painting and exterior painting. It is also a danger to adults as well. A simple act of opening a window can disturb lead paint making it a danger.


Make sure your contractor is certified in lead-safe work practices. The contractor should have the documentation to back it up. Walk away from any contractor who says it may not be a problem. A certified contractor should tell you that they will follow the new lead-safe work practices which include isolating the areas lead paint will be disturbed with plastic sheeting, cleaning up thoroughly every day, and avoiding the now-banned removal techniques.

According to the EPA:
Health Effects of Lead
Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States.

People can get lead in their body if they:
Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.
Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead.
Breathe in lead dust, especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces.


Lead is more dangerous to children because:
Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
Children's growing bodies absorb more lead.
Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.


If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
Damage to the brain and nervous system
Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Headaches


Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:
Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
High blood pressure and hypertension
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pain

Where lead is found
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:

In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
Inside and outside of the house.
In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.

Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.

Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:

Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.
The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.

Old painted toys and furniture.

Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.

Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.

Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.

Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.



Where lead is likely to be a hazard
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can't always see, can be serious hazards.

Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include:
Windows and window sills.
Doors and door frames.
Stairs, railings, and banisters.
Porches and fences.
Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.


Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.

For more on this go to epa.gov

BPA in plastics, bad, bad, bad!!

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA is found in plastics. It has been suspected of being hazardous since the 1930s but has only recently been banned in baby bottles.
This is disturbing because it is also found in the lining of soup cans, dental fillings, water bottles, thermal paper(receipts), and the list goes on. For a more detailed report read on...wikepedia.com

As a breastfeeding Mom, what I am ingesting is going to my baby. Therefore, I have been extremely careful with what I eat and drink. NO water bottles and eat only canned food from Eden Organics. They are the only company I have found which has been using BPA free cans, Eden Organics. They are at Whole Foods or online at Vitacost.com or the Eden Organics website. I am also very cautious to buy food in glass containers if an option.

According to recent studies the risk seems to mostly affect infants, fetuses, and small children. My guess is that it won't be long before they find its a risk to us all. If its an endocrine disruptor, why wouldn't it affect us all???? The fact that Mercury dental fillings are now found to be hazardous and now BPA is in the newer dental fillings is worrisome. I had a small cavity that a dentist wanted to fill when I was pregnant and I refused. I'm looking into "Holistic" Dentists to see my options. Luckily, it isn't urgent.

As far as it being in thermal receipts like those from the grocery store, throw them away if they aren't needed. Just keep them away from your children and wash your hands after you have touched them. You are probably thinking, what else is hazardous!!! So am I!!!!

The water bottle issue is an easy fix. Don't buy plastic water bottles. They are bad for the environment. Also, if you leave them in your car and they heat up, the BPA leaches out even more!!! Get a stainless steel water bottle and refill from your tap. People think bottled water is better, but the fact is that there are NO REGULATIONS for the water quality in bottled water. There are stricter regulations for city water. Surprising huh??? When I'm out and about and forget my stainless bottle, I try to buy an iced tea in a glass bottle or something in glass. If plastic is my only option, I guess once in a blue moon won't hurt. Actually, that has yet to be determined doesn't it??????

Go Organic for you and your children!!

There is nothing better than fresh vegetables from your garden! Conventional fruits and vegetables are laden with harmful pesticides, can be less nutritious and contain GMOs(genetically modified organisms) which have been banned in parts of Europe. The way food is grown now has made "superbugs" which in turn require stronger and stronger pesticides. We are ingesting these harmful chemicals. More importantly our children are as well. If you haven't seen Food Inc, YOU MUST SEE IT!. It will change the way you think about where you get your food. Go on the website and sign the petition to get healthier food into schools as well.

Buying organic may be a little more expensive and hard to find in some areas of the country. What you can do is grow your own garden and find organic seeds at most local nurseries or online. I really like Seeds of Change. If you don't have a yard to garden, you can grow veggies in pots. When my husband and I moved from NYC to California, we had quite a garden on our patio, all in pots. You can also grow an herb garden near a window. There are simple ways to go organic and limit your exposure to pesticides. These are links from Environmental Working Group on which fruits and vegetables contain the least amount of pesticides and the ones you should definitely buy organic to protect your family. foodnews.org
food list

As far as baby food, I highly recommend organic food which Gerber now makes or Earth's Best., Plum Organics, or others. If you can't find it at your market, try Diapers.com.
If you have time, make your own baby food with organic produce. Somehow I have managed to do this with the help of a Beaba baby cook and freeze the leftovers so I am not always making baby food from scratch. My husband is the chef in the family, not me. Besides, it is more cost effective and better for the environment if you have the time to cook.

By doing just one of these things, it can make a huge difference. You will notice the taste difference as well. So get out this weekend and plant your garden!!

Happy Earth Day! By using reusable shopping bags you can make a difference!

More and more stores are selling or giving away reusable bags for groceries. Other retailers are following their lead as well such as Macys. Or better yet, make your own bag with your old favorite shirt (if you are handy with the sewing machine) and take your green step a little further. This You Tube video says it all. Click on the GREEN title to view the video. I never realized the impact of a shopping bag! Also, your household garbage bags pose a threat as well. I have been using Biobags and Green Genius Bags which are BIODEGRADABLE. I have found them at www.vitacost.com and Whole Foods.
The next time you go shopping bring you own bag.

Happy Earth Day!

Paint and What is a VOC???

With Spring finally here many of us want to fix up the house and paint. When it comes to choosing paint options, you should be aware that there are environmentally friendly options out there which are now readily available to EVERYONE and AFFORDABLE.
Several years ago when I was looking for NO VOC paints there were few options like AFM Safecoat which I could only find online and Frazee Paint on the West Coast. One day my husband and I were walking through Lowes and saw that they carried Olympic NO VOC Paint, I was overjoyed that the once trend was now going mainstream. Other paint companies such as Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Glidden sold at Home Depot as well as Freshaire have all jumped on the bandwagon to offer NO VOC paints.
You may be wondering why this is so important. I obtained this info from the EPA about VOCS:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.

EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed
Health Effects

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.

How many of you were aware of this?????I certainly wasn't until I started to do my own research on paints. Now maybe you will choose the NO VOC option for your next project. Questions? Comments? Tell me what you think, have you ever felt ill after using regular paint??

Welcome!!! Today its DIAPERS!!!!!

Hello!!! I want to start with a topic that has consumed my everyday life for the past 7 months and 3 days, DIAPERS!!! Did you know that diapers are a major contributor to landfills??? They take hundreds of years to biodegrade, use petroleum and trees to be manufactured, and once they are in the landfill they contribute to methane gas and greenhouse gas emissions. Cloth reusable diapers are an option but then your water usage goes up. So what is a new mom to do and be Eco-Friendly??? I've done my research and tried several brands. Coming home from the hospital we used brands which are not chlorine-free that the hospital provided and quickly switched to Seventh Generation, Earth's Best, and FINALLY decided on NATURE BABYCARE. They biodegrade, are chlorine-free and my baby loves them!! I am positive they biodegrade because I accidentally threw one in the laundry basket instead of the diaper pail. I was extremely sleep deprived, laughed at it, told my husband and thought he took it out of the laundry. He didn't, so when I found what may have been a diaper in my washing machine, I knew I made the right choice. There is also the flushable brand gDiapers and Tushies but I opted for NATURE BABYCARE. It is so important to protect your baby and what better way to do it than use a diaper that is Chlorine Free, Biodegradable and has less impact on the environment than other brands. You can find them online at www.diapers.com, target.com, babiesrus.com, or greendepot.com. They also have baby wipes which are fragrance free. Some people believe that the smell good/perfumy diapers and wipes are nice, but most contain harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances which can pose risks to babies and adults alike. With Earth Day this Thursday, April 22, 2010 hopefully you will spread the word on Earth Friendly diaper options!