Safe Alternatives for Baby and Child

On February 4, 2009 we posted our first version of this article regarding which clothing companies do and do NOT treat their clothing with formaldehyde.  We have received quite a few emails from parents on this one, and even some who have shared helpful information with us!   Additionally, some companies who did not respond in the past to us have finally answered our questions, so we are re-posting this today with many updates and clarifications.

Companies who do not answer with a clear “NO, we don’t use formaldehyde” and say “we are compliant with all CPSC regulations” (for your information there are NONE for formaldehyde!) most likely use Formaldehyde in their children’s clothing.

Please let us know of any other children’s clothing company who possibly uses chemicals in their clothing!

Formaldehyde is a popular “cheap” chemical used  in clothing, shoes, furniture, fertilizer paper, toys, cosmetics and food.

Our recent article on formaldehyde in children’s clothing gave details on how long-term exposure and high concentrations of formaldehyde can lead to cancer.  And to think we cloak our children in this daily!

In our article, we reported about our concern with the USA not having any safety standards in place when it comes to formaldehyde limits in textiles.  Unlike other countries like Japan, Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway, Netherlands and others who are already ahead of us on this issue.

So, in order to help parents make wise shopping choices, we have contacted many of the most popular clothing stores, and manufacturers, to find out if they use formaldehyde in their clothing. Read the rest of this entry »

Most parents are making the switch to from questionably safe plastics made with BPA, to ones that are BPA-free.  Really, it seems to be the craze, but not without reason.  BPA is a  hormone disrupting chemical, it acts like an estrogen in the body and is toxic at even low doses.  A very sensitive time to be exposed to this toxic chemical is during pregnancy and very early in life..

So, if you are looking for the safest alternative in a plastic baby bottle, we think we have found it.  All thinkbaby™ products are free of Bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Melamine, Nitrosamines, and toxic chemicals.

thinkbaby™ has a product line of polypropylene and PES baby bottles, a sippy cup and a wonderful “conversion kit” product that allows parents to easily transform their thinkbaby bottles into trainer cups to continue to the next stage of feeding.  Furthermore, their nipples are made of a high grade silicone and have been specially designed to reduce colic, reduce the risk of mid-ear infections and prevents leaking!  So, let us tell you what the moms and babies who tested these bottles thought….. Read the rest of this entry »

The dangers of BPA, especially for infants, toddlers and fetuses isn’t new news for concerned and conscious parents these days.  It gets real interesting though to see why parents must consistently be on the search for finding the truth and the safest alternatives possible to keep our families healthy.

Elizabeth Borelli, from the online retail store Nubius Organics, submitted this post to us for our readers.  Important New FDA Position on BPA – What you Need to Know to Make Safer Health Choices.  The controversial “baby bottle chemical” is officially deemed unsafe, and the information below will help you and your family make wiser choices in choosing plastics if that is your only option. Read the rest of this entry »

Bummis Organic Cloth Diaper Kit offers a parent everything you need to get started diapering their baby in a more eco-friendly way!   This kit is supreme, stupendous, ingenious and darn right put together with the finest of materials and durability.  The kits come in 2 sizes and includes prefold inserts, 2 different types of diaper covers, flushable diaper liners, fleece liners to wick away moisture, a wet bag for storage of dirty diapers and a user guide!

I personally chose cloth diapers for my baby girl when she was one, and I am so happy I did.  I didn’t do it when she was an infant because I failed miserably my first few attempts and didn’t think I could handle.  The real problem was that I just needed to know a few BASIC things to make diapering in this invaluable way successful.  If I would have had this Bummis Kit, I would have had all the tools I needed. Read the rest of this entry »

Indoor air can be more toxic during the winter months since we don’t get as much fresh airflow through the house with all the windows and doors shut most of the day.

Since young children are most vulnerable to toxic indoor chemicals like formaldehyde, we wanted to find out more about the air purifying benefits of indoor plants.  Investing in a few house plants is probably the most affordable and effective way to improve indoor air, especially in our children’s bedroom, where they spend at least 10 and more hours every night.

As parents of young children, who like to put things in their mouths, we also wanted to know which indoor plants were dangerous if accidentally ingested.

The expert on this topic is Dr. Bill Wolverton, a retired NASA scientist, he has published more than seventy technical papers, has lectured throughout the world and has authored three books. His newest book is called ‘Plants: Why you can’t live without them’.

We are excited to have Dr. Wolverton answer our questions and share the information in this post. Read the rest of this entry »

My son is little over 4 months old and he’s sucking and chewing anything he can get his hands on. I bought him a bunch of wooden rings, cloth toys and safe plastic teethers, but all he wants is his Sophie the Giraffe.

He usually drops toys a few seconds after he chews on them but not Sophie, it is the only toy that stays in his hands for more than 5 minutes!

Mommy also appreciates Sophie’s help to keep  little guy happy in the car, crib and even in the bath tub!

Below are my top 10 reason, why Sophie the Giraffe is so fabulous and simply irresistible! Read the rest of this entry »

We live in a time where it seems that kindness to planet earth and safe surroundings for our children take second priority to money in the pocket for most retailers/manufacturers.  But, thank goodness this is not true 100% of the time!   Every now and then there comes along an online retail store that absolutely blows us away with an integrity that stands alone.  With a huge smiles on our faces and with leaping hearts, we want to lift these businesses up so that parents and all conscious consumers know they are a SAFE ALTERNATIVE when it comes to spending hard earned money responsibly.

We want to know that where we put our money is creating a better environment, and supporting people/families who have a bigger agenda then making money.  We want to purchase QUALITY products that are SAFE and surround our families with beauty that lasts.  Plato said it so poetically in this quote,  “The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.”

Read the rest of this entry »

It can be overwhelming when you begin to learn about all the toxins that surround your child on a daily basis.   We truly believe that making a few small changes will make a profound impact on the short AND long term health and well being of our babies and kids.

If you are looking to make 2010 an even healthier year for you and your family, stick with us!   We are making resolute choices to do just that ourselves.  Our motto here is, “There is always a safer alternative!” We are here to offer those to you today, for a healthier and more vibrant tomorrow!

We totally understand that it isn’t easy, and not even 100%possible, to live completely free of toxins in this day in age.  I mean, we don’t wanna miss out on living and confine ourselves to bubbles, right? As a parent, we just have to make the best choices possible and allow those efforts to settle a sense of peace in our hearts and homes.

We highlight here our personal top 12 picks that your entire family should try to avoid when choosing what to bring into your homes.  Our little ones are especially vulnerable to these toxins because they are so small and their systems are still growing.  Avoiding these 12 toxins will greatly nurture your child’s immune systems, nervous systems, respiratory systems, digestive track and much more.

Read the rest of this entry »

It is insanely mind boggling how many dangerous toxins readily make up many of the mainstream skin care products targeted for our children.  Seriously, if the mass public knew the dangers of rubbing these neuro-toxins and hormone disruptors into the bodies of those we love and cherish the most, major companies would be going out of business fast.  Using a non-toxic moisturizer on our children is incredibly important.  Unfortunately not always affordable.  Not anymore!

Many children these days also suffer from serious skin conditions such as eczema.  So it is so wonderful to find skin care that is safe for the whole family, organic, hydrating, and INCREDIBLY AFFORDABLE!

Not only that, but Fresh Organics uses such amazing green practices in their manufacturing process that we are truly blown away!  We love this product, their Velvety Soft Babee Lotion!

When our skin feels healthy, we feel healthy!  Dry winter air can cause the moisture in the top layer of your skin to evaporate quickly.  Hence, this may be a time you are beginning to look for a rich, organic lotion for you AND your baby.

Read the rest of this entry »

The federal law that should protect us from health-harming chemicals just doesn’t work. Since 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has required safety testing on only 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals on the market. We need a stronger chemical law to keep our families safe and healthy.

We have been cautioning our readers for quite some time now of the unregulated terms that many companies use to wrongly influence buyers to purchase their product, thinking it is safe and non-toxic.   This “greenwashing” in happens when advertisers use words like “natural”, “safe”, “eco-friendly” etc., listed right on the labels of cleaning products, and even foods.

My Uncle came home one day thinking he had a safe dish soap for me because it was marketed as being “green.”  But, sodium laurel sulfate was one of the major ingredients listed!  Beware readers, we must really know what we are being sold and what we are being lead to falsely believe.

Have you heard about the Million Baby Crawl?  It is an opportunity for ALL PEOPLE to become PROACTIVE and DEMAND CHANGE, reforming the toxic chemical policy that is negatively impacting our children and their future!  Babies everywhere are crawling to Washington and saying “no” to toxic chemicals found in household products. Join the crawl and help Seventh Generation, maker of naturally safe and effective household products, demand change!

We are so excited to have Margie Kelly, Communications Director from Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families answer our questions about Million Baby Craw, and the dangers of all these unregulated chemicals that surround our babies.  She gives us hope for a healthier future, and we are happy to share our interview with her today! Read the rest of this entry »

Is holiday crafting making your home feel a little more creative and festive right about now?  It is in our home.  One of my favorite crafts that me and my 3 year old daughter are working on is a JOY JAR.  A very special and heart felt gift idea that we were inspired to create from Amanda Blake Soule’s AMAZING book, The Creative Family.

The Creative Family has 100% encouraged heightened imagination and craftier bonding time between me and my little darling.  This book is so amazing that you will NOT be able to put it down once you have opened it.  Not only are there sweet, simple projects and activities for you and your children (of all ages), but Amanda’s gift of being an inspirationally creative earth mama literally jumps off of the pages.  I have read the book twice, and I am just as inspired the second time around to have more fun with fewer toys and look at life with my young girl with new eyes. Read the rest of this entry »

Every single person I know with an Ergo Baby Carrier absolutely LOVES it, me included!   Do you have a baby/toddler?  Do you support an organic lifestyle?  If you are on our site, you probably do, or at least know someone who does.  Today we are happy to highlight a really unique and organic line of baby carriers from Ergo Baby.

Not only does Ergobaby Organic baby wearer fit absolutely comfortably for adult and baby, but this organic line helps families personally contribute to the shift in awareness for strong environmental responsibility.   From material to dyes, this baby carrier is supporting our babies, our active lifestyles AND mama earth with loving kindness!

Ergobaby Organics does come in a few simple colors for those mamas or daddys who wish to keep in basic.  But, our personal favorites are the organic carriers that are styled out sweetly with w/embroidery and applique .  The feel of the 100% organic cotton twill with 100% organic cotton sateen lining is absolutely luxurious.  Soft and delicious to the touch!  The inside cotton batting is 100% conventional cotton. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for natural ways to boost your family’s immune systems? Our most popular article right now is our Boosting Baby’s and Toddler’s Immune System, NATURALLY! With all the frenzy and fear surrounding the H1N1, swine flu “epidemic,” conscious parents everywhere are looking for positive ways to keep their families healthy.

As a parent, we should do our best to help nurture those strengthening systems by caring for our kids in natural ways whenever possible.

This article highlights natural ways to boost your child and baby’s immune systems, and build an active immune system. We offer natural/herbal remedies for the common cold and other common ailments along with mention some of our personal favorite (safe alternative) products you can buy over the counter too. Read the rest of this entry »

One of my favorite articles here on SAFbaby is one in which we interviewed Kimberely Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT (the “Go-To-Mom”) on the benefits of outdoor play for our children! So, when she asked to interview US for her newest book, the Internet Mommy, we were excited.  What an honor for us to be such an inspiration to this amazing mom, child development expert, author, and executive producer of www.TheGoToMom.TV.   What an honor to be amongst so many incredible women in this book!

This book is a colorful bouquet of interviews and short stories, drawn from a diverse group of moms who are spending personal and business time on their computers.  There is delightful humor, potent business sense, and MOMMY POWER alive in every section, making for an uplifting and easy read.  If you are a mommy reading this post now (spending time on the computer), I am SURE you will find yourself laughing aloud and fully inspired to follow your dreams,  while reading this book.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you use a detangler on your child’s hair you must ask yourself what toxic chemicals you are spraying on her/his head daily.  What is typically in leading brand’s detanglers for our children is alarming!  And in my house we have to use a detangler anytime I am running a brush through my 3 year olds wet hair.  Otherwise it is not a pretty situation.

I have never used a hair product that I love SO much! This certified organic spray-on detangler by Intelligent Nutrients™ is made from 100% non toxic plant chemistry and is safe for everyone in your home.  After finding Intelligent Nutrients™ Detangler I now use this ONE product on both mine and my little girls hair!  For use on my daughter I love the ease of spraying this product into her hair, and I love that after spraying her hair down I can easily run my fingers through her hair.  Wonderful!  Sure takes the struggle out of getting her pigtails in.

My hair looks fuller, shinier and healthier too since I started using this detangler! Honestly, this product is like pure organic magic;  it leaves our hair smelling so good that I am bathed in the blissful smell of my own hair as I go on with my day.

Wanna know why we would never buy a detangler in a big box store?

Read the rest of this entry »

We are so happy to bring this Gift Guide for kids to you this year.  We have hand selected only the finest products made from conscious companies with the highest standards in toy safety.  All of these products are eco-friendly, non-toxic, green, or a safe alternative to other similar products readily available at big box stores.

We were looking for toys and games that enliven our children’s imaginations, that bring about a feeling of magical play, AND that are healthy!  Santa would be proud to deliver ANY of these gifts and all gifts fit in Santa’s budget too. All gifts are under $100, and we even have a great coupon code from Maukilo too!  Enjoy!

Read the rest of this entry »

Alright mamas, we have happily made your man’s holiday shopping a little more stress free this season!  We have hand picked our most favorite eco-friendly, green, organic and natural products that any woman would LOVE to receive.  Not only is this Gift Guide ideal for moms, but you are certain to find something in here for any special woman in your family’s lives.  Please share this Guide with those you love and cherish! Read the rest of this entry »

We greatly admire all of the companies that you see highlighted on our Approved Vendor page through out the year.  Below are some great gift ideas from these respectable web-retailers that provide healthy and safe products free of dangerous toxins such as PVC, BPA, fire retardant chemicals and more. Not only are these gifts special, but almost all of the websites have offered us an exclusive COUPON CODE for their store too!

Whether you are an expecting parent, an couple wishing to conceive, or a conscious parent of a child age 0-6, this list will have something unique and safe for you!   Santa would be proud to give any of these eco-friendly, healthy, and fun gifts.  Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »

Consuming Kids is an hour message that is incredibly eye-opening and positively influential!  This documentary helps us recognize who we are permitting to teach our children about values, where happiness comes from, and on what truly makes them important and worthy individuals.  I use to think that since my child didn’t watch cable television, she was safe from media influence.   Boy were my eyes opened.  Consuming Kids is a MUST see for ALL parents!

Who is telling you what is appropriate for your children to watch, to consume, and how to behave?  Who is telling your kids what holds value?  The truth of the matter is that our children become targets to the multi-billion dollar marketing machine trying to sell them things, and instill in their minds what is “cool”,  in the very first year of their lives.  Our children deserve consideration and respect as miraculous beings.  They DON’T deserve to be convinced at a very early age that life is about getting/buying things.  They don’t deserve to be a target as a life long consumer!

Consuming Kids took me, and will take you, on a journey into the selfish intentions and huge  impact that advertising has on our kids. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you rely like most of us on Non-stick Teflon cookware? You probably know that they contain Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), which has  been linked to cancer, low birth weight and suppressed immune system in lab animals. It’s also been found in most American’s blood including newborns.

We have tested a few safe alternative and PFOA-free non-stick cookware for Safbaby.com but weren’t satisfied enough to rave about them on our blog.

If you own a cast iron skillet and rarely use it because food sticks to it, try the following tip, it works!! No need to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive cookware! Read the rest of this entry »