Wow! These important questions such as these have been coming, and we are happy to address this perfect topic with all of our SafBaby readers.

Toys won’t be safer this Christmas than they were last Christmas, SafBaby believes. This new regulation (starting Feb. 10, 2009) doesn’t mean all toys, as midnight strikes, will suddenly be safe either. They will eventually be safer, but it is very important and wise to know what to look for in finding safer alternatives that are still playfully fun and appealing to our children.

Of course, as parents this topic is extremely important to us. In this article we will introduce to you the current toy safety standards, and address the new regulations too. Then, we will give you some simple tips to follow this season to make safe toy shopping easier for you. (You may want to share this one with Grandma and Grandpa.)

The Current ASTM Toy Safety Standards

Currently, complying with the ASTM standards for toy safety is a voluntary process here in the United States. Yep, VOLUNTARY!

Due to these poor mandatory standards, mass recalls have repeatedly been made (as we are all too well aware of).

Thanks to the NEW Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that President Bush signed in August of 2008, (effective February 2009) toys sold in the United States, for children under the age of 12, MUST be tested to the ASTM International F963 toy safety standards. Making our standards (again, not until Feb. 2009) equivalent to those of Europe’s standards. European CE EN71 certification (similar to ASTM) has been mandatory for almost 20 years.

If you read Mothering Magazine’s article this month on toy safety, you may remember the alarming quote from Mark Schapiro. He had stated that manufactures in China currently have 2 different assembly lines for the same product. One of which is has higher safety standards then the other.

The line of toys which are the safest, gets shipped to over Europe. The other line (cheaper to produce, but more dangerous to our children) gets shipped over here to America. We think this is outrageous!

This legislation has been long overdue and is extremely important for long term health of our children, for generations to come!

Current ASTM Testing Procedures

Each toy is submitted to a specially certified lab where it is put through a rigorous series of tests to make sure it complies to the tested standard for that particular type of toy. Most standards include at least the following tests: mechanical hazards test, flammability tests, lead content tests, heavy metals analysis tests, and labeling and age grading requirements.

Currently, ASTM is not testing for phthalates. All levels pass!

The New CPSC Law on Toy Safety

“US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008″ - This law will set higher standards by reducing toxins in our children’s toys. Great! Right? (Lets just say we aren’t getting overexcited yet.)

The new law prohibits lead, beyond minute levels, in products for children 12 or younger. Lead paint was a major factor in the recall of 45 million toys and children’s items last year, many from China. The bill also bans the allowance of phthalates greater than 0.1%, a plastic that is widely used to make plastic products softer and more flexible.

However, SafBaby does not believe that as of February, all of the old inventory will be taken off of shelves at the expensive of those holding onto this stock. So please don’t think that just because the law goes into effect then, that toy purchases are totally safe.

Keeping Toy Safety Simple

The amount of information we could spill out about this topic is, well, overwhelming. And, being parents ourselves, we know that is the last thing parents want: more overwhelming information on toy safety.

So, here are the basics! We believe if you can follow these basic tips this season, you will happily create a safe and wonderfully stimulating, non-toxic, playful environment for your children. This post is our gift to you, as we know it will be a gift that keeps giving!

Not All Wooden Toys Are Created Equal

1. Buy solid wooden toys. Plywood toys are often adhered together with toxic glues. If the toy is made from plywood, look for a label that states it is a formaldehyde-free product. Formaldehydes (found in most glues) in glues will pollute your child’s indoor air, increasing the risk for allergies and asthma.
2. Make sure the label states that all paints/stains are non-toxic. Water-based is best. Give it a sniff test. If it has a strong or undesirable smell, we recommend not buying it!
3. Non-toxic finishes are water based or finished with natural oils such as walnut oil, and beeswax. Unfinished, solid wooden toys are completely non-toxic.
4. Also, look for the FSC Certified Symbol stating that all wood has been harvested in an eco-friendly manner. If it’s not FSC certified, buy preservative-free rubberwood.

Beware of Plastic Toys

Honestly, there is one simple answer to plastic-toy-safety (especially for children under 3): if you buy plastic and it doesn’t clearly state that it’s free of PVC, phthalate and BPA - don’t buy it.

Also, after watching ‘The Story Of Stuff, we stay away from plastic as much as possible. Most toys are made of PVC, which is impossible to recycle and it releases dangerous chemicals such as dioxins when burned. Therefore, they need to be disposed of in hazardous waste land fills.

If you have to buy plastic, go for recycled plastic that is PVC-free! Also, plastic toys are made with petroleum, further increasing our dependence on foreign oil and leaves a greater carbon footprint than natural wooden toys.

Another option is to call the manufacturer and ask, but truly we feel this information should be on their packaging, readily available for all parents to see.

Fire Retardants in Polyurethane Foam and Filling Materials

Toxic fire retardant chemical are hiding everywhere, all around our children! They can escape from polyurethane foam and filling materials in many baby and child products.

These chemicals are doing more harm than good!

If you want to purchase a stuffed animal, activity gym, play pen, etc. for a child , please ask the sales staff or manufacturer’s customer service whether the product contains fire retardants. If he or she doesn’t know, don’t buy it. Sometimes this information is clearly stated on tags, sometimes not.

Stay Informed About Toy Recalls

Recalls.gov has archived recalls, and you can even sign up to receive emails of all new recalls. We are on this list and are surprised at the amount of recalls that go out weekly. Get signed up, with this resource available, there is absolutely no excuse to have recalled and dangerous toys at home!

SafBaby’s List of Recommended Safe Toys

We will continue to help parents find the safest and coolest toys available for this holiday season. Don’t miss our recommended Christmas Toys post which will follow this article real soon! Also, you won’t want to miss our list of PVC-free toy manufacturers coming soon.

We have compiled a great list of all the toy safety symbols (you know, those symbols you sometimes see on toy packaging but have no idea what they stand for), so please read our post “What Do All The Marks and Symbols On Toy Packages Mean?”.

That’s to good, safe FUN! Happy holidays!

Anyone wishing to republish or post any portion of this article must receive written permissions from SafBaby.com. Copyright 2008.

• What Do All The Marks and Symbols On Toy Packages Mean?
• Which Toys Are Safe and Non-Toxic for Baby and Child?
• Non-Toxic Wooden Train Set a True Treasure For Children
• Making A Difference Is Easy!
• Non-toxic, Lead-free Painted Wooden Vegetables By Erzi
• Encourage a Greener Daycare and Preschool!
• Gov. Schwarzenegger Recognizes Potential Toxins In Baby Toys!
• A gift guide of safe and non-toxic toys for your baby or toddler
• In Search of PVC-Free Baby Dolls
• How Dangerous Is PVC in Toys? We’ve Got The Answers From THE Expert.
• Just a Few Clicks To Help Ban BPA: Act TODAY
• Save Money! Coupon Codes on Safe Products For Baby and Child
• Wooden and Lead-Free Tea Party Set For Kids is a Safe Toy Worth Cheersing To
• Non-toxic, Formaldehyde-Free, Eco-Friendly Wooden Play Kitchen
• Toxins Released from PVC Shower Curtains, Go PVC-Free!

We have! So we have done some research to define these symbols and believe that knowing a little bit about these standards will help you make wiser toy purchases.

The more safety symbols the toy has, the easier it is for a consumer to trust in the safety of it’s product! Especially if you see voluntary symbols like the Lion or SGS GS, TÜV, RoHS, FSC and more.

If you visit your local toy store such as Toys R Us, Babies R Us, or Target, you will need to dig for toys that have one or more certifications. We know, we have gone to these stores searching for them.

MARKS, SYMBOLS AND LABELS ON TOY PACKAGES AND TOYS

Some you may have seen often, others you may have never seen. If you are a wise toy shopper, you have seen them all! Here we will define those toy symbols for you:

ASTM F963
	ASTM testing used to be voluntary. Starting February 2009, thanks to the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, toys sold in the United States for children under the age of 12 MUST be tested to the ASTM International F963 toy safety standard. The ASTM F963 standards incorporate relevant safety measures already required under federal law and includes additional guidelines and test methods to prevent injuries from choking, sharp edges and other potential hazards. In addition to requiring toy safety standards, the law sets strict limits on lead content in children’s product and all toys need to be phthalate free (not exceeding 0.1%).
CE EN71
	The CE mark is a mandatory conformity and has been in effect since 1990 in the European Union (EU). It ensures the free movement of the product within the EFTA & European Union (EU) market. The EN71 toy safety standard test is similar to the ASTM F963. The toys comply with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation. All toys that carry this mark are phthalate free and a strict limit of lead content has to be met. The 0-3 symbol needs to be added to CE mark, if there are small parts or other characteristic that are unsuitable for children less than 3 years
LION
	The Lion in the Triangle is a symbol of safety and quality, backed by a Code of Practice and developed by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) in 1988. Toys bearing the Lion Mark have been made to the highest standards currently in force in Britain and the European Community (BS 5665/BS EN 71). It is a symbol of toy safety and quality for the consumer.
TüV
	With over 100,000 inspections and tests carried out on toys every year, TÜV Rheinland is one of the world’s leading toy inspection agencies. The tests carried out on toys include chemical, as well as physical inspections. And, the entire production and supply chain can also be tested with regard to sustainable use of resources, labor conditions and social standards.
SGS GS
	The SGS GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) granted by SGS is a well-known and respected voluntary impartial certification mark indicating the GS safety standard and quality of an electrical toy or other product. The SGS GS mark verifies to the consumer that the product is tested and certified according to the German Act GPSG (Geräte- und Produktisicherheitgesetz = Equipment and Product Safety Act).
RoHS COMPLIANT
	The RoHS symbol aims to restrict certain dangerous substances commonly used in electronic and electronic equipment. This symbol bans the placing (in the European Union market) of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.
FSC
	Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.
Der Grüne Punkt
	Der Grüne Punkt is primarily a European (German) recycle symbol. It means that the manufacturer of the packaging has paid a financial amount, as contribution or license fee, to a national recycling effort geared towards full recovery of packaging material and promotion of easy-to-recycle components in packaging.
Crossed-Out Waste Bin
	The crossed-out Waste Bin symbol can be found on batteries and toys using batteries. From September 26, 2008 every battery or product using batteries must be marked with the crossed-out wheeled waste bin symbol. In addition, a marking with the chemical symbol (Hg, Cd, Pb) is required for batteries containing more than 0,0005% mercury (Hg), more than 0,002% cadmium (Cd) and/or more than 0,004% lead (Pb).

We truly hope our research for this article helps to provide you with a little more information you need to shop safely for toys this season. For even more details, read our current post “Helping to Make Safe Toy Shopping Easier This Christmas.”

May this be your safest holiday yet!

Anyone wishing to republish or post any portion of this article must receive written permissions from SafBaby.com. Copyright 2008.

• Helping To Make Safe Toy Shopping Easier This Christmas
• Non-toxic, Lead-free Painted Wooden Vegetables By Erzi
• Which Toys Are Safe and Non-Toxic for Baby and Child?
• Non-Toxic Wooden Train Set a True Treasure For Children
• Retail Giants to phase out toxic PVC plastics
• How Dangerous Is PVC in Toys? We’ve Got The Answers From THE Expert.
• In Search of PVC-Free Baby Dolls
• Gov. Schwarzenegger Recognizes Potential Toxins In Baby Toys!
• Lead and Cadmium in Dinnerware
• Carter’s Tagless Clothing Can Cause Chemical-Like Burns to Babies
• Save Money! Coupon Codes on Safe Products For Baby and Child
• A gift guide of safe and non-toxic toys for your baby or toddler
• Safe Eco-friendly Toy/Teether For Baby
• Lead in Christmas Lights
• Encourage a Greener Daycare and Preschool!

At first I was a little overwhelmed when I took my wrap out of the cotton bag: 5.5 meters of soft stretch cotton cloth. What now?

Because I am a visual learner, I decided to watch the instruction video from Moby™ Wrap. Simple!

Moby™ Wrap’s Classic Hug Hold

The video demonstrates the ‘classic hug hold’! It is incredible easy to follow and a few minutes later - voilà - I had my Moby Wrap perfectly wrapped around my upper body.

I tried it with my friend’s 5 month old baby, and I have to say it is incredibly comfortable and secure. I was worried at first that the baby could fall out easily, but if you follow the instructions, your baby is absolutely safe.
WATCH VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Another great feature about the fit of this baby wearer is that the wrap uses your entire back, as well as your shoulders, to carry the weight of your baby. Good for baby, good for mama too!

I love the soft cotton feel and how easy it is to wash! I also like the simplicity of this wrap. No buckles, snaps or other fasteners. It is easy to adjust the fit by varying how tightly you wrap yourself and your baby. Your baby’s head can also be secured under the stretchy cotton fabric for added safety.

There are many ways to wear your Moby™ Wrap. You can wear your baby facing you, facing the world, sideways or on your back. To view instruction on other wraps, please visit Mobywrap.com

Watch Out For Fire Retardant In Many Other Baby Carriers

The Moby™ Wrap does NOT contain fire retardants but many other baby carriers do! So do strollers! So, here at SafBaby we feel that wearing your baby in a fire-retardant-free baby wearer is a safe alternative to being surrounded in unnecessary and harmful chemicals!

Fire retardants have been linked to serious health disorders such as cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, neurological and reproductive dysfunction and learning disabilities such as ADHD, mental retardation, and hyperactivity.¹ So, we’d rather this toxic additive not come near our babies and children!

Benefits Of Babywearing

• Bonding with your Baby

• Baby feels safe and secure

• More convenient and mobile than strollers

• Sooths and comforts a fussy baby

• Frees both hand of parents to do something else

• Extra weight = burn more calories (Say bye-bye to that extra pregnancy weight!)

Moby™ Wrap For Infants And Toddlers

The Moby™ Wrap is an optimal baby carrier for premature infants and is still comfortable carrying a child up to 35 lbs. This weight range is great!

I also like that you can use the Moby™ Wrap as a blanket, pillow, sun shad on your stroller, or anything else that comes to mind, when not being used as a carrier!

You can machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry low. There may be a slight shrinkage after washing but once you start wearing your Moby™ again, it will stretch out.

The Moby™ Wrap is available many different colors and patterns including 3 different EKO certified Organic Cotton and ranges from $ 39.95 - 69.95. You can purchase Moby Wraps through their website here.

SafBaby Moby™ Wrap Give Away

Share your birth story with us here (comment below) and enter your chance to win our next GIVE AWAY: A Moby Wrap (a $39.95 value!).

Story does not need to be lengthy, we would just love to hear what you wished for, and what the outcome was. If you wish to share more, great! A random winner will be pick on Dec. 15.

Thanks for sharing!

HAPPY BABYWEARING WEEK!

Links

MobyWrap Website

Babywearing Week

1 Birnbaum L., Staskal D. (2004). “Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?” Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 112; Gundersen Y, Vaagenes P, Reistad T, Opstad PK (2005). “Brominated Flame Retardants May Cause Brain Injuries In The Fetus And The Newborn” Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 17125(22):3098- 100; Eriksson P., Jakobsson E., Fredrikson A. (2001). “Brominated fl ame-retardants: a novel class of developmental neurotoxicants in our environment?” Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 109, No. 9, pp 903-908.

• Product Review: Baby Ergo Carrier
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We know there are many things to consider when choosing a midwife. We wanted to address things that are most important and acknowledge that this is a really important decision. Truth be told, most parents spend more time researching a computer purchase than they do their birthing options, so we wanted to support the study.

Just sleepwalking into your birthing experience can potentially lead to a drastic outcome. On the other hand, making the right birthing choice for you, a well educated and researched choice, can have a profoundly empowering and extraordinary results.

Interviewing Ricki and Abby About Educated Birth Options

What important factors should one consider in researching birth options?

We are just finished up our new book called “Your Best Birth” which deals with exactly that question! The book will be out in May 2009. But I think you need to spend time educating yourself about delivery options and then deciding where you would feel most comfortable.

If you are interested in seeking out a midwife or a birth center, you need to make sure that you are a good candidate for that type of birth and that your insurance will cover it. For a hospital birth, you should check out all the options in your area and find out the hospitals intervention statistics and the C-section rate of the practice your are using.

Most importantly, make sure that you know what kind of birth you want early on - not at 36 weeks when it’s too late to change providers.

How should a couple choose a midwife? What are the most important things to consider?

First you should chose a location, as midwives practice in hospitals, birth centers and, in some states, in private homes. Once you sort through those options, then find out which midwives will be covered under your insurance plan.

When interviewing the midwife, make sure that you feel comfortable with her and that the personal chemistry is good. If she practices in a group, try to meet all the other midwives in the practice since you may end up with any one of them for your labor and birth. Your criteria should be the same as choosing an obstetrician or any healthcare provider.

How does one go about finding a skilled, experienced and certified mid-wife?

All midwives are certified either as nurse-midwives or professional midwives. The difference is that nurse-midwives went to an additional year of nursing school and can practice in hospitals.

Professional midwives normally only attend births outside of hospitals in homes or freestanding birth centers. Both types of midwives are trained, skilled and certified. You can find listings at mana.org or acnm.org. You can also find listings through your insurance company.

What is the difference between a birthing center and a hospital?

Some hospitals have a birthing center on a separate floor or in a separate building near the hospitals grounds. Normally, these birthing centers are staffed with midwives and nurses who are experts at supporting low-risk, natural deliveries. Some obstetricians also deliver in hospital-based birthing centers.

Generally, the protocols are more flexible than the hospital’s regular Labor and Delivery floor so that patients can eat and drink, move around, labor in water and do not need to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring.

Anesthesiologists do not work in birth centers, so you won’t be able to get an epidural there. If you need any drugs, interventions or a C-section then you would be transferred to the hospital’s regular Labor and Delivery floor.

The other type of birth center is called a “freestanding” birth center which would not be physically connected to the hospital. Most of the freestanding birth centers are within a few miles of a nearby hospital and have a relationship or affiliation with the hospital in the event of a transfer. They are often more homey and have kitchens, courtyards and common rooms for laboring women and their families to relax. The are staffed by midwives.

Most women who have had a c-section are told that a 2nd vaginal birth is too risky, especially to try at home with a mid-wife. Is that true? Is it illegal in some states to even try?

Having a vaginal birth after a C-section is called VBAC. (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.) Depending on the reasons for the primary C-section, a VBAC normally carries very little risk.

In past decades, VBAC’s were preferred over mandatory repeat C-sections. But what has changed is that insurance companies are refusing to cover VBAC’s in some places because they can get away with it. Sometimes they will only cover a VBAC if anesthesia and surgery are “immediately” available, but a lot of hospitals cannot afford to have OR on standby 24/7.

Even if the physician feels the risk is low and would prefer that the mother have a VBAC, they may not be able to offer it because of insurance restrictions. It’s a tragic loss of choice for the mother. Many midwives will attend VBAC’s at home because they feel the risk is minimal. Most obstetricians would agree that midwives can deliver VBAC’s but would prefer they do this in the hospital since there is a slight increase in the risk of uterine rupture.

In Abby’s situation, she had a medical doctor that was willing to be on call if she needed him for emergency. That is not typical. How can a woman encourage that type of support from her OB/GYN, to receive that security if needed?

Abby’s situation actually was very typical in the sense that ALL midwives working at home have a collaborating OB/GYN as back-up. If you are going to work with a home birth midwife you can normally meet their back-up OB/GYN when you go to the hospital for your sonogram or prenatal testing.

“Most OB/GYN’s have no interest in backing up midwives, because it can raise their malpractice premiums..”

It just happened that Abby’s OB/GYN had worked with her midwife for years at the hospital and knew her well enough to offer his back-up. But had he not, Abby would have been transferred to her midwife’s regular back-up OB/GYN and hospital which was only a few blocks away.

Most OB/GYN’s have no interest in backing up midwives, because it can raise their malpractice premiums and add extra work and liability since they only see the midwife’s patients who develop complications or get transferred. There’s not much in it for OB/GYN’s to back up midwives and many are extremely opposed to any type of birth outside a hospital because they have no experience with it. The midwife should have a team in place that provides all the security you need.

If you don’t feel like she has a solid back-up OB/GYN that you can meet or transfer plan, then find a different midwife.

What are the benefits of water births? How about water hygiene?

There are many benefits of water births, but none have been scientifically documented that we know of. One benefit is of course, pain relief for the mother and some say the water is more gentle on the perineum so there is less tearing. Some also say the birth is more gentle for the baby and give them a transition from water to water, instead of hitting the air.

They don’t start breathing on their own until they come out of the water. The water does not need to be purified and can be regular tap water. Sometimes, the mom and baby get out of the water after the delivery of the placenta but there is no rush for hygienic purposes. Often the parents will sit in the tub and breastfeed after the birth, keeping the baby warm in the water.

Do any insurance companies cover using a midwife?

Yes, most insurance companies will cover midwives but you might have to pay a small fee out of pocket since some insurance companies reimburse midwives only 60% of what they pay OB’s for the same care. This makes no sense as midwives generally give MUCH longer prenatal visits and are with you throughout your entire labor, unlike the OB’s who only come in when you are ready to push. Many insurance companies cover home birth as well.

Thanks for you time and expertise answering our questions here at SafBaby.com. Keep up the great work Ricki and Abby! We are also excited for your new book, “Your Best Birth.”

Please visit The Business of Being Born website for a wealth of information and read about their personal birthing stories.

• Does Being “Too Posh To Push” Have It’s Consequences?

All of these questions and so many different products to choose from. There is an overwhelming selection of vitamins, minerals, and immune boosting support supplements on the market. So, I decided to ask my pediatrician for her recommendation. She suggested Childlife® Essentials Vitamins and also added that it was one of the best supplement companies on the market.

Then we read the survey done by the FDA that found elevated levels of lead in many supplements available for children, and we really wanted to dig deeper.

We wanted to know more about Childlife®. So, we contacted the founder, Dr. Murray Clarke. He was kind enough to share his expertise, and answer our many questions. The answers gave us more insight than we expected, and third party test results on their products that we greatly respect.

ChildLife® Founder and Homeopathic Doctor

ChildLife® provides a complete line of nutritional supplements designed specifically for infants and children. Their experience with infants and children’s healthcare is extensive. Dr. Murray Clarke, who founded the company and developed the product line, has been specializing in pediatrics in his homeopathic and nutritional clinic in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, for the past twenty years.

Many Children’s Supplements Contain Heavy Metals

Here is how our email conversations began with ChildLife®:

We were so delighted to try your supplements and are amazed at how much our little girls love to take them! We are also concerned with this survey, done by the FDA, which states that there are high levels of lead in many children’s supplements. Can you please comment on the survey.

Dr. Murray Clarke responded:

We are pleased to hear that your daughters are enjoying the supplements. Thanks for forwarding over the link to the FDA survey on the Children’s, Pre-Natals and Women’s Formulas.

Overall, this study and survey highlights the reality of today’s world. That the last 100 years of industrial pursuits have contaminated the earth’s water, air and soil. Not even the south or north poles are immune from contamination.

“Twenty five per cent of the pollutants in our Los Angeles air each day comes over from China.”

The air we breathe in Los Angeles contains particulate matter, including lead and mercury. Twenty five per cent of the pollutants in our Los Angeles air each day comes over from China. No matter how cleanly we try to live it is almost impossible to completely avoid exposure to chemicals and metals.

Over the past 20 years in my clinic, I have conducted thousands of Hair Analysis on children and adults to screen for all the heavy metals. The results show that no-one is completely clean and my conclusion is that we have to look at how we can reduce exposure where ever possible, and take supplements that can help our bodies and our children’s bodies detoxify and eliminate these contaminants on an ongoing basis.

Then we need to look at the results and amounts of the lead in each of these products and determine what is acceptable.

For a child I would suggest that it would be good to keep the acceptable level below 0.25 mcg.
From the results you can see that there are about 20 or so products that are above this amount in the Children’s category.

At Childlife® we also periodically test our products for heavy metals with an independent third party laboratory analysis. The panel tests for total amounts of Lead, Mercury and Cadmium. I have enclosed a copy of these test results for you. We always look for these results to be below 10 ppm (parts per million), which is at the lowest end for detectable amounts.

I trust that this helps to clarify the subject and once again appreciate your interest in our Childlife® formulas.

Best regards,
Dr. Murray Clarke

Why supplementing our babies and children is important

Safbaby.com:
You state, “We have to look at how we can reduce exposure where ever possible, and take supplements that can help our bodies and our children’s bodies detoxify and eliminate these contaminants on an ongoing basis.” What products of yours help detoxify and eliminate contaminants from children’s bodies?

Dr. Murray Clarke:
The anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals are the body’s first line of defense against all environmental pollutants. Vitamins A, E, C, and the minerals zinc and selenium are actively involved in neutralizing toxins and assisting their elimination and removal. This is why taking a Multi Vitamin/Mineral and additional Vitamin C on a daily basis is so important.

What contaminants are being detoxed?

The main pollutants and toxins that we are all exposed to these days are metals such as mercury, aluminum and lead, the petrochemicals which include phthalates, bisphenol-a, and PBDE’s ( polybrominated biphenyl ethers) and the insecticides and herbicides that are used in agriculture and consequently end up in the food chain. These are the primary contaminants that need to be neutralized and eliminated on a daily basis.

“Researchers found an average total of 287 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of each baby.”

Are there ever any side effects to detoxifying with these supplements?

No, if your child is taking the correct dosages on an ongoing basis then it is a gentle process of neutralizing and eliminating these pollutants as exposure occurs.

What is the number one way children’s bodies are being contaminated with heavy metals?

From the air, the water and food. They are all number one in this day and age. There are some outstanding individual sources such as the mercury content in shark, swordfish and tuna but it is really the combined effect and impact of our entire environment that we should be aware of. A benchmark investigation of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies in America was conducted and published by the Environmental Working Group in 2005. Researchers found an average total of 287 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of each baby. This is where children are starting from, the exposure only continues to accumulate from there. Parents have a choice, help your child’s body detoxify and eliminate these contaminants.

Do children, who live in larger cities, where there is generally more pollution, need more supplements? Any other suggestions to parents about what they should do to make sure their children stay healthy.

Studies conducted by the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, have documented that children who are born and grow up in larger cities have a higher degree of pollution exposure which directly contributes to an increase in allergies, asthma, skin conditions, immune conditions and even reduces the overall size that a child’s lungs will grow to. When the environment is unable to be avoided then the only wise action you can take as parents is to take the steps that counter-act and neutralize the negative exposure.

• Keep your homes clean and green with all non-toxic cleaners, materials and furniture where ever possible.
  
• When you can control your child’s diet, always provide organic foods.
  
• Always use clean, pure water.
  
• Provide your child with the daily supplements that help their body’s and brains cope with the exposure that they are unable to avoid.

The Childlife MultiVitamin/Mineral, Vitamin C and Cod Liver Oil are the fundamental supplements that all children will benefit from taking on an ongoing basis.

Immune System Booster

We love your First Defense. It works like magic! After how many days should you stop giving this product to your child before taking a break from it?

The First Defense can be used when symptoms arise and also preventively through-out the cold and flu season. When needed the First Defense can be given 3-4x daily for up to 10 days. Preventively it can be given 1x daily on an ongoing basis through the winter months.

Do you recommend, to boost my child’s immune system during cold season, to give him/her First Defense or Echinacea or both?

The First Defense and Echinacea work a little differently. Because the First Defense is a formula with five ingredients it is stronger in action than the Echinacea. They can both be utilized to boost and protect your child’s immune system.

• If your child is relatively healthy and doesn’t catch things too easily then the Echinacea may be enough and can be given 1x daily to boost and protect.
• If your child is catching things too often and too easily then the First Defense would be a better choice, 1x daily for boosting and prevention.

It makes sense to supplement if my child is a picky eater, but what if my child gets plenty of vegetables and fruits, aren’t supplements a waste of money?

If your child eats well and you can provide 100% organic foods all the time then your child can obtain all the nutrients they require for their growth and development. Then you need to consider supplementing to provide the additional nutrients and anti-oxidants that your child requires to neutralize, detoxify and eliminate the additional toxins and pollutants they are exposed to from the environment.

I like to give the analogy that if you are living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, growing all your own foods and gathering pure rainwater to drink, then you don’t need to provide your child with supplements. However if you are living in or near any major city in the world then supplements become essential to protect and nourish your child’s health and growth from the environment they are being exposed to.

Iron missing in Multivitamin

I noticed that you do not include Iron in your multivitamins, why not? Isn’t iron extremely important for a young child for proper brain function?

Iron is an important mineral for children. It is also the one mineral that has the highest degree of consequences and toxicity if over given. In a liquid formula like the Childlife Multi, iron also compromises the stability and integrity of the other vitamins and minerals. To ensure the quality of the formula and to ensure that iron is not over-dosed we leave it out of our Multivitamin.

If a child is vegan or vegetarian, do I need to supplement him/her with iron or does cooking in cast iron a few times a week provide enough iron?

For a vegan or vegetarian child, iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 should all be carefully monitored. The only sure way you can be certain that your child is receiving enough of these nutrients is with a blood test. Cooking in cast iron may provide enough iron for some children but not enough for all children depending on their individual metabolism and needs. The folic acid and B12 need to be monitored as well.

When is the best time to give the vitamins, calcium, essential fatty acids? Never know if I should give it to my child one after the other or together and before, during or after a meal.

Generally in the morning, with breakfast is the best time to give these supplements. They can all be given together, and this way your child’s body is able to absorb, metabolize and utilize these nutrients through-out the day when they are the most active and utilize the most energy.

What is Omega3, Omega6, DHA and EPA?

What is the difference between Omega3, Omega6, DHA and EPA, and why are they so important for children?

The Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids are all important and essential for a child’s health. It is primarily a matter of the right amounts and balance.

Omega 3 oils supply DHA and EPA. DHA is the primary fatty acid that is found in the brain and every brain cell requires DHA to grow and function properly. EPA is primarily involved in regulating the body’s anti-inflammatory immune response.

Omega 6 oils supply GLA which is also considered an essential fatty acid and works with EPA to maintain balance in the anti-inflammatory/inflammatory immune response system.

Childlife provides three products that supply these essential fatty acids; a vegetarian Essential Fatty Acid complex, Cod Liver Oil in liquid form and Pure DHA in a softgel chewable capsule.

1. ChildLife Essential Fatty Acids provides the Omega 3 oils from all vegetarian sources: flaxseed, sunflower, olive and pumpkin seed. This will provide your child with the essential omega 3 fatty acids, primarily in the form of EPA. However, your child’s body will then need to convert some of these fatty acids into DHA, which is the fatty acid so involved and important for brain function.
   
2. ChildLife Cod Liver Oil provides the omega 3 oils derived from the liver of Cod fish. The difference here is that Cod Liver Oil contains EPA and DHA in a form that is ready for immediate absorption and does not need to be converted as with the Essential Fatty Acid formula.
   
3. ChildLife Pure DHA provides the same Cod Liver Oil as in our liquid formula, with the EPA and DHA immediately ready for absorption, but in a flavored chewable soft-gel capsule for those children who prefer to take their Cod Liver Oil in this form.

Is there mercury in the ChildLife Cod Liver Oil that the DHA is derived from?

There are many different grades of Cod Liver Oil available and being sold in the marketplace today. Childlife always uses the highest grade of Cod Liver Oil available in the world, which provides the cleanest, freshest oil. Each and every batch of Cod Liver Oil is tested and certified to be free of any detectable amounts of Mercury, PCB’s and dioxins.

Why don’t you offer a vegetarian DHA supplement? DHA-rich marine algal oil is as effective as Cod Liver Oil and contains less environmental contaminants?

Cod Liver Oil was the world’s first and original nutritional supplement. So many parents in so many countries around the world have historically given their children Cod Liver Oil. We now know that Cod Liver Oil contains and provides DHA, EPA, Vit E, Vit A and Vit D.

This combination provides the perfect blend of the most important nutrients for growing children. DHA for the brain, EPA for the immune system, Vit E as an anti-oxidant, Vit A for the eyes, and Vit D for the bones. The perfect food supplement. That is why I prefer Cod Liver Oil as a source of DHA, rather than the algae, because Cod Liver Oil provides the full spectrum of all these nutrients to work together.

Is it true, that if we eat too much Omega 6, the conversion from Omega 3 to DHA is hindered?

This depends on a lot of variables and will differ from child to child based on their nutritional status.
Vegetarian sources of Omega 3 oils, like flaxseed and pumpkin contain EPA which then needs to be converted into DHA with the help of co-factors which include Vitamins B3, B6, C, E, A, and the minerals magnesium and zinc.

If a child does not have enough of these particular vitamins or minerals on any particular day then the conversion of EPA to DHA can be compromised and diminished.

Cod Liver Oil already contains EPA and DHA complete and ready for immediate absorption. No conversion needed. This is why Cod Liver Oil is the preferred way to give your child their Omega 3 oil.

Colostrum More Effective Than Flu Vaccine?

When should I give my child colostrum supplements?

Colostrum is rapidly being understood and appreciated as nature’s finest food for strengthening, balancing and regulating the entire immune system.

If your child suffers from any type of recurrent infection, or seems to catch things too easily and too often, then consider supplementing with the Childlife Colostrum with Probiotics formula on a daily basis for 2-3 months. Colostrum can also be used preventively through-out the winter months of the cold and flu season to help protect your child.

A well conducted study published in the Italian medical journals in June 2007 demonstrated that the daily intake of Colostrum can be 3x more effective than the flu vaccine for providing protection.

(This study is of much interest to us here at SafBaby.com. Stay tuned for more information on this study!)

Why Childlife Is A Safer Alternative

Why do you think you stand apart from the other supplement products for children on the market?

Childlife’s complete focus and specialty is nutritional supplements specifically for children. My experience as a homeopathic pediatrician has allowed me to see what works and what nutrients are most important for children growing up in today’s world. All of the products that we provide are formulated from this experience and are made from the highest quality ingredients available.

The ChildLife® Essentials line is literally the product of this experience. The ten products we offer are those, which have proven to be the most important, and the most effective in supporting healthy development and promoting natural immune strength in infants and children. We are very proud of this product line and are deeply committed to promoting improved nutrition for children as a foundation for good health and well-being.

ChildLife® Essentials Quality

ChildLife® Essentials are made from the highest quality natural ingredients for infant and children (Age 6 months - 12 years). There are no artificial additives in any of the products. No artificial flavorings, no artificial sweeteners, and no added colorings. The great taste of the products makes taking nutritional supplements an easy part of a child’s daily routine. (No, seriously! When my daughter takes this stuff, she ALWAYS says, “Oh, Yummmmmy!”)

Here is a short description of each of their products with comments and tips by us (in blue). Following this list is a wealth of information on how vitamins, mineral, immune boosting supplements and essential fatty acids work to support a healthy, happy child! This is information every parent should know!

Essential Daily Nutrients for Children

	Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Childlife’s Multivitamin provides essential vitamins and minerals. Giving your child a daily doses ensures that all nutritional needs are fulfilled.* Contains no milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts or wheat. No corn, yeast or alcohol. No artificial colorings. No artificial sweeteners. Gluten and Casein free. Vegan. “Our girls love the orange/mango flavor. We feel great to give it to them especially on days when they’re not eating as healthy as they should.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 9.84 (8oz)
	Liquid Calcium/Magnesium Childlife’s liquid Calcium/Magnesium supplement provides these two essential mineral combines with Vitamin D and Zinc in a balanced, very absorbable, great tasting formula. These are the primary nutrients required for supporting your child’s healthy bone growth and development.* Contains no gluten, casein, dairy, egg, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, artificial colorings, and sweeteners. “This supplement with a natural orange flavor is one of our kids favorites to take!” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 13.35 (16 oz)
	Essential Fatty Acids ChildLife’s Essential Fatty Acids supplies the optimum balance of vegetable based Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These nutrients are necessary on a daily basis and cannot be manufactured by the body. EFAs are especially necessary in growing children for healthy skin, intelligence and immune function.* Contains no dairy, eggs, yeast, wheat, corn, or alcohol. No artificial colorings. No sweeteners or preservatives. Gluten and Casein free. “The natural Butterscotch favor is tasty enough to give directly with a spoon. We also put it into smoothies, yogurt, or juice and they’ll eat or drink it right up!” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 7.75 (8 oz)
	Pure DHA DHA plays a vital role in how well a child’s brain can grow and function. Up to 60% of the human brain is built from, runs on, and is constructed by the Omega 3 family oils. DHA continues to be the vital nutrient within this family for supporting healthy brain function and development. Attention, focus, intelligence, and growth, create a healthy state of mind.* Each and every batch of this Childlife’s Cod Liver Oil is tested and certified to be free of any detectable amounts of Mercury, PCB’s and dioxins. Contains no dairy, eggs, yeast, wheat, corn, or alcohol. No artificial flavorings. No artificial sweeteners or preservatives.Gluten and Casein free. “We all remember how horrible cod liver oil tasted when we were kids! No more of this! It comes in a berry flavor soft cap, so children think it’s candy! We had to try it ourselves, and it is tasty!” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 8.35 (90 softgels)
	Cod Liver Oil For many generations among many different cultures, families have given their children Cod Liver oil. Folklore tells us that this was because families observed how children raised with Cod Liver Oil grew healthier and smarter. Modern research now confirms this historical wisdom.* Each and every batch of this Childlife’s Cod Liver Oil is tested and certified to be free of any detectable amounts of Mercury, PCB’s and dioxins. Contains no dairy, gluten, eggs, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, artificial color, sweetener and preservatives. “The ‘traditional’ cod liver oil with natural strawberry flavor” for better taste. Just add it right into your baby’s yogurt or smoothie for picky eaters.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 12.85 (8 oz)
	Colostrum ChildLife’s Colostrum with Probiotics provides Nature’s ultimate formula for enhancing your child’s health vitality, immune and digestive strength. ChildLife uses the finest bovine Colostrum that has been naturally harvested and especially prepared with Probiotics to enhance the health and vitality of your child’s immune and digestive system. A safe alternative to the flu vaccine!* Contains no soy, egg, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, artificial color, sweeteners, or preservatives. “We use it during or after our girls have a cold, tummy ache or immune support before/during cold and flu season.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 15.40 (50 grams)
	Vitamin C For immune support and environmental protection, another great tasting supplement from Childlife that can be taken daily as fundamental nourishment.* Contains no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, color or artificial sweeteners. “We use it as an extra immune boost with Childlife’s First Defense and Childlife’s Echinacea.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 5.15 (4 oz)

Immune Support Formulas

	First Defense For stimulating natural immune responses and defending the body. Childlife’s First Defense can be used as a preventative, and as an immune boost at an onset of a cold.* Contains no dairy, gluten, soy, egg, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, artificial color, sweeteners or preservatives. “We had amazing results with this product. Cold symptoms seem to be shortened. We like to use it to boost immune system before and during travels. Great to use if you child is at a daycare/preschool during cold season” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 14.15 (4 oz)
	Aller Care ChildLife’s Aller-Care provides seasonal support for children.* It is an all-natural formula with nutrients to regulate hyper-immune response, anti-oxidants to reduce environmental irritation*, and herbs to support the immune system.* This formula provides seasonal support for children. For optimal benefit, use with ChildLife Vitamin C.* Contains no dairy, soy, egg, yeast, wheat, corn, or alcohol. No artificial colorings. No artificial sweeteners. Gluten and Casein free. “We just started to give this yummy grape flavored supplement to our toddlers, to boost their immune system for this coming cold season.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 10.90 (4 oz)
	Vitamin C For immune support and environmental protection, another great tasting supplement from Childlife that can be taken daily as fundamental nourishment.* Contains no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, yeast, wheat, corn, alcohol, color or artificial sweeteners. “We use it as an extra immune boost with Childlife’s First Defense and Childlife’s Echinacea.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 5.15 (4 oz)
	Echinacea Echinacea is known and respected as a primary immune stimulating and strengthening herb.* ChildLife’s Echinacea is made especially for infants and children - alcohol free, organically grown, and flavored with natural sweet orange essential oil.Used to protect a healthy immune system. Contains no eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, or wheat. No corn, yeast or alcohol. No artificial colorings. No artificial sweeteners. Gluten and Casein free. “We like the convenience of having a small bottle tincture to take with us when we travel. That way we know our toddler’s immune system are nourished when we are in airports, traveling, experiencing weather changes, and more.” Buy at our Amazon store for $ 6.30 (1 oz)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
*For scientific studies and research supporting detoxifying with antioxidants and above supplements, read comments below.

You can download Supplemental Facts of all of Childlife’s products here!

Childlife® products are sold in natural stores, health food stores and pharmacies throughout America. Internationally, they are distributed in Taiwan. Singapore, China, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Ireland, Croatia, Poland, Romania and New Zealand.

• Product Review: Eldertussin Elderberry Syrup (Herbs for Kids)
• Autism and Nutrition
• Government Asks Flu Shots For ALL Children
• Boosting Baby’s and Toddler’s Immune System, NATURALLY!
• Important Nutrition Do’s and Don’t for Baby and Child
• Anti-bacterials hiding in everyday products are toxic to our children!
• Celebrate Breastfeeding Week With Us and WIN Our Give Away!
• Why Outdoor Play Boosts your Baby’s and Toddler’s Brain Cells and More….
• Safe, Non-toxic, and Really Natural Hand Soap for Baby and Child
• Part 2: Why Babies and Children are Most Vulnerable to GMO
• Understanding Infection and Your Baby: How Treatment Today Effects Their Long Term Health
• Milk: Does It Really Do a Body Good?
• Dehydration - Children Need More Fluids Than Adults!
• Natural Treatments For Baby’s Ear Infections
• Product Review: Olbas Oil

Director Abby Epstein, and Executive Producer Ricki Lake’s film takes a closer look at: hospital births, why we have so many C-sections in the USA, and why midwifes are so important and (sadly) disrespected.

Sound like just another boring documentary? Not at all! This film is insightful, entertaining, fun, touching and eye-opening. We think every couple that wants to have a baby, or had one, should watch this.

To begin, we thought it would be fitting to share a little bit about the Safbaby.com mama’s Samantha & Sandra’s birthing experience. We both had done lots of research on our birthing options and both truly wanted a natural birth.

Our Birth Experiences

Samantha: “I really wanted a home birth. We interviewed a midwife and a couple homeopathic doctors and chose a homeopathic doctor (very experienced in home-births) because it made my husband feel more comfortable (he thought home-births were unsafe). My water broke, and after over 24 hours I had still not gone into labor. To make a longer story short, I ended up going to the hospital, (which I dreaded because I KNEW what the outcome would be from there) and eventually had a c-section.”

Sandra: “I took hypno-birthing classes hoping these techniques would help me deliver naturally without an epidural, and ended up getting one anyway. I wish I would have known about midwives and feel that the combo of my hypno-birthing classes for relaxation, and the vibe of a midwife would have really supported having a natural birth.”

Do our stories sound familiar to any of yours?

Amazing Statistics on Birthing in the US, From BOBB

According to BOBB, in 1900 95% of women birthed at home. Today, here is US, that number has plummeted to LESS THAN 1%!

Hospitals are businesses! And, although we are birthing mostly in hospitals (and this is becoming just as true in European countries now too), 1 in every 3 births are done c-section here in America.

70% of the births in Japan and Europe are with a mid-wife. Here in the USA, less than 8% are.

Ironically enough, US has SECOND WORST newborn death rate in the world! (Shouldn’t that be a red flag that something is not right here?)

Too Posh Too Push

These days many moms are scheduling their births! “Too Posh too push” is a common phrase referring to celebrity parents scheduling c-sections, supporting a convenient schedule and more, but creating a huge disconnect from recognizing the powerful transformation of birth.

An infant, brand-new to the world, connects to her mom more effectively with a vaginal birth. Breastfeeding is more successful and who knows what the long term effects of all those drugs truly do to the up-and-coming generations.

Are we loosing natural birth? Are women responsible for birth, or is the doctor? Do women know HOW to birth?

Watch The Trailer

How Do You Feel About Birth?

Have you ever thought about these questions:

• Would you ever consider using a mid-wife?
• What type of person uses a mid-wife?
• What type of woman births in a hospital?
• Do I really need to ’schedule’ my baby’s birth?
• Did I inform myself about all the options?

If you have never thought of these questions we think you should. Then, watch the insightful and empowering documentary, The Business of Being Born, to have your prior ideals of birth be infused with educated truth!

Grab your friends, or your partner and be ready to enjoy this amazing documentary! We guarantee it will open your eyes to the business of being born!

DVD is available directly through The Business of Being Born website for $ 27.95 (85 min). The documentary can also be rented through Netflix!

NEXT ARTICLE: FAQ (about making educated birth choices) WITH RICKI LAKE AND ABBY EPSTEIN, THE MAKERS OF ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’.

• A Safe Birth, Making Educated Choices: An Interview with Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
• Product Review: Children’s Homeopathic Remedy Kit
• Natural Treatments For Baby’s Ear Infections
• Safe, Non-toxic, and Really Natural Hand Soap for Baby and Child
• Understanding Infection and Your Baby: How Treatment Today Effects Their Long Term Health
• Why Our Children Need Supplements & Natural Immune Boosting Support
• Why Outdoor Play Boosts your Baby’s and Toddler’s Brain Cells and More….
• Nursing is more than breastfeeding and every mother can do it!
• Understanding and Eliminating Colic - Naturally!
• Milk: Does It Really Do a Body Good?
• Dehydration - Children Need More Fluids Than Adults!
• Government Asks Flu Shots For ALL Children
• Anti-bacterials hiding in everyday products are toxic to our children!
• Boosting Baby’s and Toddler’s Immune System, NATURALLY!
• Celebrate Breastfeeding Week With Us and WIN Our Give Away!

Most nail polishes contain harmful ingredients such as: formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone. So finding a safer alternative is a smart choice!

Now that my daughter has gotten her piggy’s painted, she is a little addicted to it. She even wants to paint daddy’s toenails! It hasn’t gone that far yet, but for our toddler, “pink fingernails” and “pink piggies” are becoming a common color scheme around our here.

Thank goodness for Piggy Paint™, my little one can enjoy her colorful nails and I keep peace of mind that we are making a safe alternative nail polish choice.

What Makes Piggy Paint™ A Safe Alternative

Piggy Paint™ is a water-based nail polish. There are no toxic chemicals. The resins are polyacrylic and polyurethane latexes with residual monomers well below 100 parts per million.

The acrylic and polyurethane resins are present in the polish in the form of latexes-emulsions in water-very similar in form and function to milk. The term “resin” is quite generic and refers to any polymer which can form a film as it dries. In this sense, proteins, celluloses, sugars, and DNA, to name a few “natural” polymers, are resins and none of these are any less harmful than the resins we use in our polish.

The only co-solvent is a diglycol ether. All colorants are FDA-certified for cosmetic use. Not only is it manufactured in the United States, but all of the raw materials come from United States suppliers as well.

Having Fun With Colorful Piggies

Honestly, I didn’t think it would be so enjoyable to paint our nails together. I also thought that blow drying her nails dry would be a big hassle. But, she really really likes it! (Without the additional chemicals added to this polish, it is recommended to blow dry nails for 1 minute on low heat.)

The color choices are bright and vivid which sets the mood for fun.

“This little blue piggy went to the beach, this little red piggy went to the market…..” has also been quite the playful snuggle hit since we found Piggy Paint™.

Last but not least, when we paint our nails we talk about the colors and it becomes another creative way to learn those too.

Q&A With Piggy Paint™

We still had a few more questions for piggy paints, and are happy to share their answers.

Can you give us a detailed description of each ingredient?

Ingredients: Water, water-miscible acrylic and polyurethane film formers and thickeners, glycol ethers. May contain mica, D&C red lake, ultramarine blue and chromium, iron and titanium oxide pigments.

How is Piggy Paint™ as “Natural as Mud”?

Piggy Paint is as “Natural as Mud” in the sense that every ingredient in the polish is biodegradable with no traces or residues left behind, thus it would make an excellent addition to your mulch pile or as a feed for farm animals.

Our water-based nail polish is non-toxic, environmentally safe, hypoallergenic, with an odor that is extremely low, nearly nonexistent. It has the same look and durability performance as traditional kid polishes, but without the drawbacks of foul odors, toxicity, and damage to our environment and to your little ones’ nails.

Getting Festive With Piggy Paint™

Piggy Paint™ come in many individual colors, and they also come in some really cool gift packs too. Each gift pack is bagged sweetly in threes.

How cute is this Holiday one? Add some holiday cheer with the “Mistle Toes” gift pack. A festive Red pouch unveils the fanciest gift a little girl’s piggies could ever ask Santa for… a set of three Piggy Paint™ Nail Polishes in Red, Green, and Clear Sparkle Topcoat. Who needs mistletoe when you have “Mistle Toes”?

Piggy Paint™ Natural as Mud polish is available in a wide array of fun, vibrant colors and there is FREE shipping on orders over $25.

Piggy Paint Nail Polish -$9.99
Piggy Paint Remover -$10.50
3 Polish Gift Packs - $26.50
2 Polish/1 Remover Gift Packs - $27.50

Oh the places your colorful piggies will go! Vist Piggy Paint’s online store here.

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You will find yourself amazed at where GMO hides. And after reading this article, you will understand why our babies and children are developing allergies, a resistance to antibiotics, and what is negatively influencing their sexual development! You’ll never shop the same after reading this article!

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are a threat to our babies health and future. In Part 1 (The Truth About GMO) of this 2 part article, we gave an overview of what GMOs are, and why it is here. If you happened to miss Part 1, we suggest you read that first.

This continuat