Top 5 Green Cleaning Supplies

from Green Baby Guide

Below is a list of great green cleaning supplies from Green Baby Guide.  I have to add my new favorite green cleaning tool to the list though…THE BONA!



I do love my steam mop for cleaning all floor surfaces (tile, hardwood, etc.), of course because it is completely chemical free,  but there are times when I just need a quick mop up and I don’t have the time to fill up the steam mop and then let it heat up.  The Bona is the perfect solution, and more!  It’s similar to a Swiffer in that you can use it for both dusting and mopping, however, the Bona is not only easier to use, it uses a NON-TOXIC and environmentally friendly cleaning spray designed specifically for your floor type.

The cleaner for the Bona is attached to the mop, so all you do is squeeze the handle and the spray comes out for super easy and super fast mopping! (see photo above).  The microfiber cleaning pad comes off and on with the greatest of ease – just velcro!  I can literally change my pads with one foot.  You can also get other types of pads, such as a dusting pad for dusting your hardwood floors, and they are all machine washable!  Nothing to throw away or waste, just clean floors.

You can get the Bone online at their website or at Home Depot.  I can’t say enough about the Bona, I use it for quick and easy floor cleanups all day long.  I feel like I’ve been searching forever for a green, non-toxic way to clean my floors and I finally found it!

Here’s the list from Green Baby Guide:

In no particular order, here are my top five—and actually only five green cleaning must-haves (excepting laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, and dishwasher detergent, of course. Oh, and a broom and vacuum cleaner).

• Steam cleaner—clean floors, grout, even windows without chemicals.
  
  The Wagner power steam cleaner

• Borax: An eco-friendly, budget-friendly wonder product—Joy turned me onto Borax, which I use to scour the bathtub and clean the toilet.
  

• Baking soda and vinegar—read Joy’s “Thrifty solutions for greener cleaning” for details—I don’t know what I’d do without this cleaning combo. I clean mirrors and windows with vinegar and newspaper and use baking soda and vinegar to clean the kitchen sink.

• Rags—Any green housekeeper worth her salt uses good old rags instead of paper towels! (Note: worn-out prefold diapers make the very best rags!)
  

• Bon Ami—Bon Ami is natural and non-toxic, made from sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate and feldspar. It’s super cheap, and a great alternative to Ajax or Comet, which contain chlorine and other chemicals. I may even prefer it to Borax for scouring the tub.

Chlorine Bleach: Magic or Evil

from Green & Clean Mom



Forever ago I wrote about bleach and eczema and to this very day it is one of my top read posts with a high number of comments. Anytime I seem to talk about chlorine bleach there is uproar on both sides of the fence. Those that inhale the strong scent and like its disinfecting whiting super powers and those that pretty much think the stuff is evil.  I haven’t really found a middle of the road with it comes to chlorine bleach – you either use it or you don’t.

When I talked about carrots and chlorine bleach I was called names and basically told I was stupid (insert heavy sigh and eye roll).  To be honest, I haven’t used chlorine bleach in my home for 4 years and I haven’t missed the stuff so I’m not sure why people swear by it but some do.  I have to agree with Eco Child’s Play, I don’t believe chlorine bleach belongs in our homes or where children play, it just isn’t necessary in my opinion. Soaking my kids bottles, toys and pacifiers in the stuff, diluted or not is just silly – we can clean and disinfect without the harsh toxic and corrosive cleaner. As a past preschool teacher and child care worker, I know it used often for cleaning an disinfecting and I’m guilty for soaking toys, spraying tables and most likely not diluting properly – which is exactly what I suspect many teachers are guilty of but you only know what you know and do what you are told.

Chlorine bleach is highly caustic, meaning it can burn skin and eyes. It can be fatal if swallowed and it can easily aggravate asthma symptoms. With the ultra-concentrated chlorine bleaches sold on the market is easy over use or not dilute appropriately. If you have bleach in your home just look at the warning label. When it comes to the dangers of chlorine bleach and the link to childhood asthma and poising I spell it out here but what I want to now know is what you think.

My Baby’s Green

My Baby’s Green is a fabulous online store for all you green mamas out there!  They sell all organic and natural products for baby, from adorable clothing to cloth diapers, organic baby bedding, bath products, toys and more!  The website was started by a mom who wanted to provide safe products for her baby and hopes that other moms will too!   Tina, the owner of the site, lives right here in Charlotte and I love to support local Mamas. :) 

DISCOUNT!  Take 25% off any order with the promo code SPECIAL25  just for you.  So what are you waiting for?  Check it out!  I do a lot of organic shopping and My Baby’s Green already has low prices, so with the discount it’s quite a deal!  Happy shopping!

Going Green While Saving Green with Baby

article by Abby Stonewall Kapp in the Expectant Mother’s Guide

I’m pretty excited to have published my first article!  It’s currently online and will be in the next Charlotte print edition of the Expectant Mother’s Guide.


The words organic, green, and eco-friendly are often mistakenly associated with the word expensive.  Instead they should be associated with the word HEALTHY.

If you’ve ever thought about “going green” and living a more planet-friendly lifestyle, the absolute best time to start learning is when you are going to have a baby.  Raising a baby “green” shouldn’t require you to spend a lot of money or make huge changes in your lifestyle.  Every little thing you can do helps not only our environment, but improves the health of your child.  So let’s start small, with baby steps, and work toward creating a healthy environment for all our children.

Green Your Womb

While developing in your belly, your baby is also absorbing chemicals and nutrients from her outside environments, all of which have an impact on her development.  You can control these outside influences by making smart choices in what you eat, drink, breathe, and put on your skin.

Buying organic produce is the best way to avoid harmful pesticides while you are pregnant.  Pesticides have been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, cancer, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders, and compromised brain development.  Although organic produce is more expensive, it is definitely an investment worth making for the health of you and your baby.  Buying frozen organic produce can help save you money.  Another way to save money is to focus your organic purchases on the “dirty dozen” – the twelve fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, peppers, spinach, kale, cherries, potatoes, and grapes.

Cutting back on processed foods also helps eliminate harmful additives that you may pass on to your baby.  Many processed meats are preserved with nitrates, which are often cited as having links to cancer.  Pre-packages meals and snacks typically cost more, so when you can, opt instead for making your own meals at home from fresh produce and meat.

It is especially important for pregnant women to stay hydrated.  The water you drink not only supplies the liquid for your amniotic fluid, it also carries nutrients through your blood to your baby.  You can save money by not buying disposable water bottles.  Instead, buy one reusable non-plastic large water bottle such as the Klean Kanteen (stainless steel) or Life Factory (glass).  Fill your water bottle as often as possible with purified water by simply using a filter with regular tap water.

Green Your Home

One of the best ways to green your home is to learn which common plastics are not safe to have around.  Chemicals such as BPA, PVC, and phthalates are often found in plastics and are all known to be endocrine disrupters linked to negative health effects.  Check the number in the triangle on your plastic dishware items.  Numbers 3, 6 and 7 may contain one or more of these harmful chemicals and should be avoided.  BPA is slowly being phased out of many items like baby bottles, but still be very careful when buying any item for baby such as bottles, teethers, pacifiers or sippy cups that they are clearly labeled free of BPA, PVC, and pthalates.

Babies have faster respiration than adults, so they ingest more chemicals and fumes.  In 1989, the EPA estimated that the fumes produced by common household cleaners were three times more likely to cause cancer than other air pollutants.  Many commercial cleaners contain harmful chemicals, even some labeled “all-natural.”  There are, however, several green brands found readily available in stores such as Seventh Generation and BabyGanics (and you can often find coupons for these products on their websites).  Read labels CAREFULLY as the following terms are not regulated and may contain questionable ingredients: nontoxic, bio-based, chlorine-free, organic, phosphate-free, natural fragrance, and/or biodegradable.


You can also save a lot of money and safely clean your home by making your own cleaning products with white vinegar and baking soda.  When your baby is crawling all over the house and putting everything in her mouth, you want to make sure you are cleaning your home with all-natural products.

Green Your Nursery

Your baby will spend more than half his day sleeping in his crib, so his mattress is a very important place to start.  An organic crib mattress may cost you more, but if there is one best investment for your baby, this would be it.  The chemicals found in the vinyl that composes most regular mattresses have even been linked to causing SIDS.  Most organic crib mattresses, like Naturepedic, are made with organic cotton and provide non-toxic fire protection and food grade waterproofing.

Cloth diapering often intimidates new mothers, but it certainly has come a long way since the days of prefolds and pins.  Using cloth diapers instead of disposables can easily save you over $1,000 for the two years your child is in diapers (and some kids wear diapers a lot longer than that!).  The most popular kinds of cloth diapers are the pocket diaper and the all-in-one diaper (brands like Bum Genius or Bumpkins).  Both styles feature snaps or Velcro on the waterproof outside plus a cotton absorbency layer on the inside, and work just like a regular disposable diaper.  Many brands now make a “one size” diaper where you can adjust the size of the diaper to use it from newborn to toddler.

Don’t feel like you have to make an “all or nothing” commitment when it comes to cloth diapering.  Many new moms like to buy a few cloth diapers to try at first.  Once they realize how easy, economical, and good for their baby (and the environment!) they are, they make the switch.  Some moms take a hybrid approach – part-time cloth and part-time disposable.  Whatever you choose, make sure that it works for your budget and your lifestyle.

Bamboo is a great eco-friendly fabric for use in a baby’s nursery.  Bamboo is not only one of the softest fabrics you will ever put next to your baby’s skin, it is extremely sustainable since it grows in abundance at an amazingly fast rate.  It is also naturally antimicrobial and therefore does not require any pesticides or herbicides throughout its growth process.  There is a wide assortment of bamboo items available for baby:  bedding, clothing, bibs, towels, burp cloths, stuffed animals and more.

Whether it’s eating organic while pregnant or using cloth diapers, making your own cleaners or knowing which chemicals to avoid, any baby steps we can make toward a healthier environment for our babies is a baby step in the right direction!

Editorial provided by Abby Stonewall Kapp, baby planner and owner of Little Miracles Baby Planning in Charlotte, NC.

A Greener Home For Your Baby

from Parenting



Choose a few of these easy, eco-friendly changes (no need to drive yourself crazy making over your whole home!) and know that you're helping your peanut -- and the planet -- to grow up healthy.

Airing Out
Keep the air you and your family breathe fresh and clean. Jerome Poulson, M.D., a Washington, DC, pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics's Committee on Environmental Health, advises watching out for these three serious indoor pollutants:

Tobacco smoke. You know not to smoke around your baby, but "third-hand smoke," toxic residue that sticks to skin and clothing, can be a risk, too. Ask smokers to wash their hands before holding your baby to minimize the danger.

Radon. Check your home's level of this odorless, carcinogenic gas (which emits from the ground) with a simple hardware-store kit.

Lead. If your home was built before 1978, contact your state or local health department to have it tested for this toxic metal. No matter what, your child's blood should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2.

Good Eats
You can feel assured that the food made for babies is the safest -- and greenest -- around.

Breast milk and formula. Breast milk offers superior nutrition and, of course, is very green: straight from Mom, no processing involved. If you nurse for any length of time, then kudos to you. If you want to spring for organic formula, go ahead, but it's not mandatory, says Tanya Altmann, M.D., a pediatrician and author of Mommy Calls. "The major formulas all have the right combination of vitamins, protein, and fat," she explains.

Solids. Organic fruits and vegetables, grown without pesticides, are definitely good for the earth, but if you go with conventional baby foods, you can be confident that those jarred meals are also strictly regulated and supersafe. If you do make your own baby food, just be careful of ingredients from small local farmers, whose produce might not be checked for contamination, Dr. Altmann warns.

Bottles and dishware. Some hard plastics are made with BPA (the chemical bisphenol-A, an endocrine disrupter linked to negative health effects), which can leach into food. Check the bottom of plastic containers for the number in the triangle: a "7" usually indicates BPA. There are many BPA-free plastic bottles on the market, as well as glass ones with sleeves to minimize breakage.

A Clean Sweep
Babies have faster respiration than adults, which means they ingest chemicals and fumes at a higher rate. Some commercial cleaners may contain harmful additives, so be aware of the following when it comes to keeping house:

"All-natural" claims. The phrase "all-natural" doesn't really tell you how eco-conscious a product is, so seek out these green terms instead: "readily biodegradable," "plant-based," or "dye-" and "synthetic-free." You can also look for the "DfE" symbol (Design for the Environment), which the EPA assigns to safer, greener cleaners.

Lemon scents. The biggest cleaning myth out there is what clean is supposed to smell like, says Jenn Berman, Psy.D., author of SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Baby a Head Start in the First 3 Years. "It's not lemony, piney, or rose-scented." In fact, these odors often come from potentially dangerous chemicals, so try to use products that are fragrance-free.

Air "fresheners." For the same reason Berman advises steering clear of scented cleaners, Dr. Poulson suggests skipping air fresheners, including sprays and plug-in products. If you need to remove odors, try sprinkling a layer of baking soda on your carpets and then vacuuming it up.

Homemade cleaners. Green products on the market are great options, but you can also mix some up at home. Linda Mason Hunter, coauthor of Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home, relies on distilled white vinegar (mix it with water for an effective surface cleaner) and baking soda (combine it with water to make an oven cleaner).

A word about floors. Simply take your shoes off when you come in and you won't have to clean them as much.

Room to Grow
Greening the nursery is next on the agenda, because your baby will spend many hours playing, getting her diapers changed, and snoozing (let's hope!) in it:

Crib mattress. An organic mattress made with chemical-free cotton and/or wool may cost a bit more, but it's money well spent considering your baby will be in her crib for up to 16 hours each day. If you're going non-organic, try to buy your mattress a month or so before the baby arrives. Unwrap it and let it air out in an unused room (or at Grandma's house!) until you need it so that the flame retardant, glues, and other additives can dissipate.

Paint. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are a group of possibly harmful chemicals found in paint, sealants, and adhesives that become a gas at room temperature. VOCs may cause health problems, including nausea and headaches, so choose low- or even zero-VOC paint. (Once the paint is dry, however, the risk is minimal.) Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Glidden all make low- or no-VOC lines.

Carpet. If you have a strong family history of allergies or asthma, it's a good idea to avoid wall-to-wall carpeting in your baby's room. It can trap dirt, dust mites, and other allergens, which may exacerbate these conditions. New carpeting can also emit toxic fumes, so let it air out for a couple of weeks before your baby spends any time there. A hardwood floor softened by area rugs made of natural fibers is the ideal green nursery flooring.

Five Great Books for Moms (Green and Other)

Here is my “must read” list for any green mom out there, or any mom who is wanting to learn more about child development, nutrition, or living and avoiding chemicals in today’s environment. 

Click on the links to read editorial and customer reviews on Amazon.

Smart Mama's Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child's Toxic Chemical Exposure

Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children

Feeding Baby Green: The Earth Friendly Program for Healthy, Safe Nutrition During Pregnancy, Childhood, and Beyond

Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood

Green Your Toddlers: Lessons From The Diva Home

from Pure Natural Diva



Children are little sponges – jumping at the bit to learn everything we have to teach them. If we start teaching them to live greener lives – it will be the only way they know (unless their friends are living differently – but that is a conversation for another article!).

For now I want to share the techniques that I find work in our home. In real life.

1. Water Conservation:
When they are washing their hands and have the water on full blast – teach them to turn it down.
When they want to keep flushing the toilet over and over again.
When playing with water – we try to fill containers and then turn the water off.
When brushing teeth, water doesn’t need to be on while they are brushing. They can rinse at the end.
When using water – we share. We talk about examples from the world.

I ask them to:
– Think about all the fish that need water to swim in, if we use all the water flushing the toilet, they won’t have water to swim in
– Think about all the pretty flowers, if we use more water than we need the plants will be too thirsty to make any flowers
– Think about the trees – if they don’t have water then we won’t have trees and all their beautiful shade to play under (we live in CA – shade is a big deal for us).

Once you’ve been having discussions like this with your toddlers, you can move to the next step.
When they are using too much water ask them why they shouldn’t use too much, let them show you that they are learning the lesson. It won’t happen overnight.  And water play is so much fun for toddlers!

They will grow out of some of the water play, but the lifestyle habits they learn now will last a lot longer.

2. Recycling
We haven’t had to do too much in this area, we live in Los Angeles and don’t have to sort our recycling, so it’s not much more than teaching what goes in the garbage, and teaching them what goes in which receptacle. My almost four year old will ask me – is this recycling, is this garbage?

In areas that require sorting – kids love sorting games.  So if you turn the sorting into a game the kids learn while they have fun.

3. Don’t be Wasteful
This is an area where I feel as though I’m in a constant dance with cliche’s.
Who wants to be touting children in Africa – feeling like your own parents. Yet, I’m guilty, I do it.

Food Waste

• When they ask for more milk, they have to finish it. If they don’t they are told they won’t get milk next time. There have been next times when they have gone without milk. Now they almost always finish their milk.
• Often for breakfast we’ll have a cereal with a toast, bagel or something. I noticed they were asking for toast, but not eating it. I starting cutting the amount I gave them in half or not giving them toast. When they asked, I told them, you haven’t been eating your toast, so none today. After promising they would eat the toast I prepared it for them with a caveat. “What happens if you don’t eat all the toast?” – and they’ll tell me “no toast tomorrow”.
• None of this is to have them stuffing their faces to avoid waste – but I believe in teaching my children to finish what they ask for… eat what they take… eat their crusts… the skins off the apple.

Other areas we talk about waste:

• When my children don’t take care of something properly, we talk about other children who don’t have toys and how grateful they would be to have a toy like that one
• Repair books or toys, when possible, rather than throwing them away. My daughter was pretty rough on her books early on, I became a book surgeon – I just couldn’t throw them away.

4. Buy Quality and take care of what they have.
Some toys are better than others.

When buying toys, make choices that are going to last and will have a life after your children are done with them. We love wooden toys by Plan Toys, Sprig, Green Toys and Melissa and Doug.

When children break a toy due to carelessness, consider not replacing it. They quickly learn to take care of what they have if they know it won’t be received with, it’s OK – we’ll get another one. When a toy breaks in our home, typically it’s a lesson, I hope next time you’ll remember to take care of your toys, so they don’t get broken. I’m sorry you won’t have this toy to play with anymore.

5. Litter
We started working on this pretty young. Children aren’t born knowing that dropping something on the ground and leaving it their is littering.

They had to be told – that’s littering, we don’t do that. And they had to be taught to pick it up. IMO – If you pick it up for them they aren’t learning as much. For the really young you can take them and place your hand over theirs and use your hands to close over theirs and ensure the item is picked up.

Let your children see you picking up other people’s litter, mine have seen me do it at the park. They’ll ask what you are doing and then you have another teaching opportunity. Another family we know – before they play at the park they pick up 5 pieces of litter.

6. Drinking water.
Every time we pass a water cooler my children want to take a cup and get a drink. I’ll let them have a drink, but they need to put it in their own water container. We have metal water containers for them and they are labeled their names to help prevent loss. My son has lied down on the ground crying because he wanted a cup, so there are some days this isn’t easy, but why waste a cup just to let a toddler have their way. The way I see if they win now they run the show forever!

7. Turn off the lights.
If my daughter had her way she’d sleep with all the lights in her room on as dim as they go. Instead she has a nightlight. I’m sure lights off will be a lifetime of training, if they are anything like we were when we were younger. Only we have 2 green reasons for turning them off.

8. Donate – when you are done with something
My sister had a baby. Now when we’re done with something it goes to “the baby”. I’m sure this technique will work with any baby that your child identifies with. My daughter now randomly comes up with things for “the baby”. Some of this will actually go to the baby and the rest will go to a charity. The idea is to get children used to moving things on to their next home when we’re finished with them.

9. Send Lunches without Waste
This sounds harder than it is. When I look around there are so many single serving pouches, easy conveniences.

What we use regularly are individual serving sized containers. I keep them in my pantry next to the “snackables” so I’m not running around my kitchen putting it together last minute. Every mom needs a system, snacks are sent in an insulated “little mermaid” lunch bag (a birthday party favor) with her “water bottle”. When they get older and might have hot lunches – I’ll use the metal thermos options now available and the reusable to go cutlery.

For more lunch tips – Check out Diva tips for a greener school year.

10. Recycling
Batteries leach toxic metals and acid into the environment so be sure to take them to a recycling depot. They can be found at many grocery stores and at radio shack.

Rechargeable batteries are next on my list of green changes to implement in our home, I’ve started a list of everything that needs batteries, quantity and size so I have a starting point of how many batteries we need. I’ve been keeping a coffee tub of batteries that we take to recycle, but it’s time to step it up.

There you have it, 10 ways to be greener with some of our real life experiences on how we’ve
Don’t be surprised when they start lecturing you or a younger sibling on the “green way” to do things.

Budget Green (and Safe): Baby & Kid Products

from Smart Family Tips



Last week I posted a list of low-hazard personal care products based on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. You can read more about the database and search products here, or use the permanent button in the sidebar. My goal was to highlight products that are relatively inexpensive, but readily available in drugstores, grocery stores, and places like Target.

This week, I’ve created a similar list; this one consists exclusively of baby and kid personal care products.
According to EWG, the hazard ratings are

0-2 Low Hazard
3-6 Moderate Hazard
7-10 High Hazard


Baby & Kid Products
Shampoo
1 California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash Super Sensitive; Tea Tree & Lavender; Swimmer’s Defense
2 Tom’s of Maine Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Jasmine
2 Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo, Lightly Scented
2 California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Calming
3 Huggies Baby Wash Extra Sensitive, Fragrance Free
3 Huggies Tear-Free Baby Shampoo, Extra Sensitive
3 Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Natural Lavender
4 Johnson & Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Wash, Originial
4 J & J Buddies Instant-Foam, Easy Rinse Shampoo
4 J & J Softwash Shampoo
4 J & J Baby Shampoo, Original; Honey & Vitamin E; 2-in-1 Detangler; with Natural Chamomile; 2-in1 Extra Conditioning
4 Huggies Natural Care Wash
4 Huggies Baby Shampoo, Extra Gentle; Nourishing with Mango, Coconut & Aloe
4 Huggies Naturally Refreshing Hair & Body Wash
4 CVS Baby Wash, Regular and Tear-Free
4 Walgreen’s Tear-Free Baby Shampoo
4 Aveeno Body Wash & Shampoo
4 Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash; also, Shampoo Bar
The worst offenders (those with the highest hazard ratings) in this category are Baby Magic products, Huggies Toddler 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, Bubblin’ Berry, Johnson & Johnson Soothing Naturals Gift Set, which all rated a 7.

Bubble Bath
0 Aveeno Baby Soothing Bath Treatment
2 California Baby Bubble Bath (all fragrances)
4 Johnson & Johnson Soothing Vapor Bath
4 Rite Aid Night Time Baby Bath, Tearless with Lavender & Chamomile
4 CVS Baby Bath, Lavender & Chamomile
4 Johnson & Johnson Bedtime Bath
The highest rated products in this category, again, belong to Baby Magic with a 7.

Diaper Cream
0 Rite Aid Zinc Oxide Ointment
0 Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly Jar for Baby, Creamy Formula, Enriched with Vit. E
1 Aquaphor Hydrophor Baby Diaper Rash Ointment
1 Badger Diaper Cream
2 Balmex Extra Protective Clear Ointment
2 Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (I used this with my daughters and it was great for getting rid of diaper rash, fast!)
2 Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment (This was the other product I used; it works really well on chapped skin.)
2 California Baby Diaper Rash Cream
2 Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
3 Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream
4 Walgreens Zinc Oxide Ointment
4 Balmex Diaper Rash Ointment (Zinc Oxide) with Aloe & Vit. E
4 A+D Diaper Rash Cream, Original; and with Zinc Oxide
4 Aveeno Diaper Rash Cream, Fragrance-Free
4 Desitin Clear Ointment
4 Johnson & Johnson Baby Diaper Rash Cream

Baby Lotion
0 Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly Jar for Baby, Creamy Formula, Enriched with Vit. E
1 Badger Baby Balm, Certified Organic
2 Aveeno Daily Baby Moisturizing Lotion
2 California Baby Every Day Lotion, Calming; and Super Sensitive
3 CVS Petroleum Jelly, Lavender & Chamomile
4 Aveeno Calming Comfort Baby Lotion
4 Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Skin Cream; and Buttermilk Lotion
5 Huggies Baby Lotion, Extra Sensitive
The worst in this category are most Johnson & Johnson lotions and some Huggies lotions with ratings from 7-9.

Wipes
*See Update at Bottom of Post*

2 Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes; also, Unscented with Aloe & Vit. E
3 Pampers Wipes, Natural Aloe, Unscented
4 CVS Ultra Soft Cloths
4 Pampers Sensitive Wipes
4 Huggies Supreme; also, Natural Care Wipes

Toothpaste (baby)
3 Gerber Toddler Tooth & Gum Cleanser, Natural Mixed Berry Flavor
3 Spiffies Tooth Wipes
3 Oral-B Stages 1 Baby Tooth & Gum Cleanser
3 Gerber Grins & Giggles Infant Tooth & Gum Cleanser

Toothpaste (kids)
1 Tom’s of Maine Goofy Grape Liquid Toothpaste, Fluoride-Free
1 Burt’s Bees Doctor Burt’s Children’s Toothpaste
2 Tom’s of Maine Natural, Fluoride-Free Toothpaste for Kids
3 Kiss My Face Kids Toothpaste
4 Crest Kids Spider-Man Super Action Liquid Gel
4 Crest Wild Expressions Fluoride, Anti-cavity Toothpaste Liquid
4 Crest Neat Squeeze Toothpaste for Kids
4 Oral-B Stages Mickey Mouse Toothpaste
4 Aquafresh Kids Fluoride Toothpaste with Triple Protection
4 Aquafresh Mary Kate & Ashley Toothpaste
4 Colgate Children’s Anti-cavity Fluoride Toothpaste
4 REACH Anti-cavity Fluoride Toothpaste
4 Tom’s of Maine Natural Anti-cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Children
If you haven’t already, please see the post on Budget Green (and Safe): Personal Care for adults.

I’d like to reiterate that you should be careful not to go with an entire product line because they have a few low-rated items. Check the list first. I’ve found a wide range of ratings in different products within the same line.

If you have experience with any of these products and would like to let the rest of us know how effective you think they are, please write about them in the comments.

Update (4/7/09): After reading a comment from Elena, I’ve learned about Tushies Baby Wipes. They, too, are very safe (rating a 1) as long as you go with the unscented version. Scented varieties rate a 4. I’ve not seen them in my local stores, but they may be available in your area. They are available on Amazon.com, too.
Photo Credit: BigTallGuy

Eco-Me Baby Kit Product Review and Giveaway!

Eco-Me specializes in 100% natural products that are good for you and the environment.  They make everything from these cool baby kits to cleaning products, body products, and even pet products!  I received their baby kit last week and I have to say I wasn’t sure how much I would like using products that have “some assembly required.”  However, the directions were very easy to follow and it only requires you to add a little white vinegar and baking powder to make homemade baby wipes, room spray, and diaper pail deodorizer…how easy is that?!

We have both a cloth diaper pail and disposable diaper pail in our baby’s room and it seems like all it takes is one dirty diaper for his room to smell not-so-great.  So I was definitely the most excited to try the diaper pail deodorizer and room spray.  I put a little powder in both diaper pails and after the next dirty diaper I gave the room a quick spray and I swear for the first time his room actually smelled GOOD.  And it stayed that way all day!  Pretty cool.  Much better than any air freshener I’ve tried.  My husband always comments on how stinky our baby’s room usually is and how wonderful it smells now! 

The essential oil mix that goes in each product is very potent, and I thought it would be too strong but the smell has really grown on me (I’m generally not into the flowery smells).  I really love the way our nursery smells now!  I like that the essential oil mix is a blend of several oils that I would probably never go buy on my own and mix.  This kit definitely made it easy for a novice who has never used oils. :)

I have several friends who make their own baby wipes but I was never quite sure what oils to use to make them, although I have saved tons of recipes (and even posted a few on this blog!).  I loved how easy it was to use make and use these wipes.  Of course it would be better to use reusable wipes with the mix, so I think I will try that next time. 

Conclusion:
This is a fabulous kit to jump start your desire to make your life a little more eco-friendly for your baby.  I love the naturalness of just using some oils, vinegar, and baking soda to keep my baby’s room smelling fresh.  And if you’ve wanted to try making your own baby wipes then this is definitely a good place to start.  I forgot to mention that the kit also comes with a super soft organic hooded towel for baby, which is a very nice addition to the kit.  There is also enough oil to use several times so I can see this kit will last me for awhile.

And the best is yet to come!  We have a discount just for Little Miracles readers! You can get 15% off any order at http://www.eco-me.com/ by entering the coupon code "emblreview" at checkout.  Happy shopping!

From the Eco-Me Website:
BABY & NURSERY CARE BOX SET:
-100% Natural & Chemical-Free
-No Dyes
-No Parabens
-No Preservatives
-No SLS, SLES, ALS
-No Synthetic Fragrances
GREEN RATING: ***** (5 out of 5) * Save your Baby's Health with chemical-free products.
* Save your Money, re-usable products save you over $100/year.
* Save your Time, mixing products takes seconds. * Save your Environment, products are re-usable/recyclable.
* Save your Waterways, no toxins going down your drain.
BAG CONTENTS:
1 Bottle with Sprayer to mix Eco-Me Baby Room Spray
1 Jar & Lid to mix Eco-Me Baby Wipes (35 soft wipes on a roll)
1 Jar & Lid to mix Eco-Me Baby Diaper Pail Deodorizer
1 Bottle of Eco-Me Baby blend essential oil mix
1 Mixer
1 Scooper
1 Eco-Me cotton Baby Towel
3 STEPS TO A HEALTHY NURSERY & BABY:
Room Spray:
* Freshen room with calming essential oils, water & vinegar (deodorizes naturally)
Diaper Pail Powder:
* Sprinkle baking soda/essential oil blend right into pail for clean fresh nursery.
* Pre-treats cloth diapers.
Wipes:
* Use vinegar or witch hazel for fresh baby clean wipes, great for sensitive skin.
FACTS: Vinegar kills up to 98% bacteria, germs & odors and won't dry out skin.
Witch Hazel is a great substitute for white vinegar, best to use on sensitive skin.
Baking Soda aka Sodium Bicarbonate is a natural powder great for absorbing odors.
Save a minimum of $100 a year with Eco-Me's simple baby care routine.
Eco-Me products are testing for safety and effectiveness.
Eco-Me Baby Blend Essential Oil is a proprietary blend of Chamomile, Lavender, Calendula & Petitgrain.
Eco-Me Baby Box Set is Made in the USA.
Eco-Me is a proud partner of the NPA (Natural Products Association).
Eco-Me does not test on animals or use animal bi-products (PETA & LEAPING BUNNY APPROVED)

TO ENTER FOR A FREE ECO-ME BABY KIT!
Just send an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with the subject “Eco-Me” and you’ll be entered to win!  If you’ve won previously or entered other contests with us you can still enter to win.  Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.  Contest ends Friday Feb. 19th at 9pm est.

Product Review - Dandelion Reusables

What mom wouldn’t be happy to find an alternative to plastic utensils and feeding sets?  I know I am!  There are several non-plastic options on the market right now and Dandelion is one great option.  All their products are made from corn (that's right, corn) PLA formula which requires less fossil resources and generates fewer green house gases than conventional plastic.  The best part is they are light and non-breakable like regular plastic, so your little one won’t even know the difference…but you will!
Check out their products online at http://www.dandelionforbaby.com.  Dandelion tableware includes divided plates, bowls, and utensils and can be purchased at specialty baby stores or retailers online such as http://www.amazon.com. 

FDA Finally Says BPA is Harmful but Continues to Ride the Fence

By Alicia from http://www.thesoftlanding.com/
To read the entire article click HERE.

1. FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply – - but the FDA is “not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk from BPA exposure.”
2. FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA – - but they won’t be able to impose a ban or any strict regulations because:  “Current BPA food contact uses were approved under food additive regulations issued more than 40 years ago.  This regulatory structure limits the oversight and flexibility of FDA.  Furthermore, if FDA were to decide to revoke one or more approved uses, FDA would need to undertake what could be a lengthy process of rulemaking to accomplish this goal.”
3. FDA is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA – - even though the FDA agrees that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children, they also believe that “substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of these studies and their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure.”

In other words, the FDA will continue to ride the fence.  They gave a little pat on the head to the environmental groups and scientists who are convinced of BPA’s dangers, then turned around and told the chemical industry they agree that there just isn’t enough research to support more than just “some concern” – - so go ahead and continue using BPA at your discretion, just being sure to keep looking for other alternatives.

Natural Baby Wipes

These are the typical ingredients in big-brand traditional baby wipes – wood pulp, rayon, polyester, plastic, parabens and other various chemicals.  Thankfully, there are alternatives to putting more natural ingredients on your baby’s bum.
Elements  naturals baby wipes are chemical, fragrance, and chlorine free.  They are non-allergenic and made from Ingeo fibers, a natural material.  And you might think they are not as effective as the wipes you are used to, but these wipes are very soft, durable, and quite large in size!  They are available at select Whole Foods and online at http://www.diapers.com/ and http://www.moms4life.com/.
Other makers of natural baby wipes include Seventh Generation, Earth’s Best, Nature Babycare, and Tushieswipes.
You can also make your own baby wipe solution!  Not only is this healthier for baby, but it’s healthier for your wallet as well.  Just make and pour the following solution into a spray bottle or soak your washcloths or old cloth diaper squares in it and use like a regular wipe.
Recipes for 100% natural baby wipes solution:
(from http://www.naturalbabyworld.com/)
In a measuring cup, combine
· ¼ C warm, purified water
· ¼ C Aloe Vera Juice
· 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
· 1 teaspoon grated, unscented soap
Stir until dissolved.
Add:
· 2 Tablespoons Carrier Oil (Calendula, Jojoba, Apricot Kernel)
· Optional: Add up to 4 drops of either or both of Lavender Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential oil.
For a more simple solution try the following:
Basic Wipe Solution
This basic recipe can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil.
1/2 cup baby oil
1/2 cup baby wash
2 cups water

Got A New Years Resolution to Be Green? Here Are Five Easy Ways to Start!

From http://mightynest.com

Want to create a non-toxic home but don’t know where to start? That’s what we’re here for! MightyNest has compiled five simple things you can do right now. Remember..small changes can equal mighty impact.

1.

Buy a Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Stylish stainless steel water bottles seem to be creeping up everywhere these days! Find one you love and carry it with you for a simple way to positively impact your health…and the earth

2.

Use Greener Cleaners

You have to clean, so why not go green?! If replacing your whole cleaning supply collection makes you cringe, how about trying one at a time? When you run out, replace that product with a healthier alternative.

3.

Use Reusable Shopping Bags

At MightyNest, we’re huge fans of reusable bags! They’re convenient, responsible and well, they just have much more personality than plastic. Grab a few and keep them in your car so you’re less tempted to go for plastic the next time you’re in the checkout lane.

4.

Choose Safer Body Care Products

Diaper creams, sunscreens, moisturizers, soaps… everything we slather onto our bodies gets absorbed into our bodies and can have a big impact on our health and the health of our little ones. Do some experimenting with new products the next time you run out of your favorite lotion. There are so many products available that provide safer alternatives for skin care. You just might find something you can’t live without!

5.

Buy Non-Toxic Toys

No, we’re not saying you have to dump the whole toy box and start over. But if your little one has a birthday party coming up, challenge yourself to skip the plastic battery-operated toys and instead buy toys made with wood (free from toxic paints and adhesives) or organic cotton. And slowly sneak out any questionable items from the toy shelf. We promise he won’t know the difference – but you will.

Product Spotlight - Kinderville

Kinderville makes a fabulous line of dishware for babies and children that are free of toxins, BPA, Phthalates, and lead. Not only that, but they are completely microwave and dishwasher safe! And the best part is still to come – they are unbreakable. Made of silicone so they are soft and rubbery, so unlike other non-plastic alternatives, they won’t break when Junior throws them on the floor. http://www.kinder-ville.com/

10 Tips for the Natural Parent-to-Be

from www.seventhgeneration.com

1. Naturally healthy babies come from naturally healthy mamas! Take good care of yourself.

2. Newborns don't need a lot of gadgets. Get the basics and add as your baby grows.

3. Breastfeeding can be a lot harder than you'd think. Not all babies, nor all moms, are "naturals." It often takes work, and in some cases, doesn't work at all. So don't beat yourself up if it just isn't happening.

4. If you do breastfeed, don't worry about working in some feedings of bottled formula. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition, especially if you'd like a little time to yourself. You can also pump and freeze breast milk.

5. Feed your baby veggies, and he or she will grow up to be a good veggie eater.

6. Trust your instincts.

7. Stick to your guns! Lots of people will tell you that natural doesn't matter.

8. Instead of off-the-shelf teething gels, find a local aromatherapy shop to create a blend of essential oils for baby's sore gums.

9. Make your own baby food and freeze it in ice cube trays.

10. You don't have to be Super Mom. Let your husband, your parents, and your friends take care of you.

Which Prepared Baby Food Containers are BPA Free?

Here is some very useful and interesting information from http://thesoftlandingbaby.com/ regarding which jarred baby food do or do not contain BPA:
February 2, 2009 by Alicia
Concern about the harmful affects of bisphenol-a (BPA) in polycarbonate plastic baby feeding gear is spreading quickly. Unfortunately, BPA is also commonly found in epoxy resins used for protective linings in canned food, ready-to-feed infant formula and metal lids of baby food jars. A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found such widespread exposure to BPA may result in levels of up to 11 times higher in infants than in adults. Research has suggested that young children are more susceptible to the harmful affects of environmental toxins and scientists are calling for more sensitive testing methods to determine what a safe level would be, specifically for children. And to top it all off, a recent UK study raised the concern that BPA may remain in the body longer than previously suspected.
Lowering our children’s exposure to environmental toxins is a necessity, but avoiding BPA can be difficult because it lurks in so many unsuspecting products. We have to wonder where it will show up next when the chemical industry is pumping out more than 7 billion pounds of the stuff per year.
We’ve started the search for BPA-free baby food containers to help you out. If you need information on baby formula, please review the Environmental Working Group’s helpful list here.
Commercially Prepared Baby Food in BPA-free Containers
■Sprout Baby (brand new – just announced by Healthy Child 2/3/09)
■Yummy Spoonfuls
■Happy Baby
■Plum Organics
■Homemade Baby
■Tasty Baby
■Fifi Bear’s
■Maddy’s Organic Meals
■Parent’s Choice (they don’t make baby food in glass jars)
■Gerber (all baby food products except glass baby food jars are BPA-free)
■Beechnut (plastic containers used for juices, Stage 2 fruits, Good Morning, Good Evening and DHA plus+ juices are BPA-free; glass baby food jars do contain BPA)
Baby Food Containers using BPA
■Earth’s Best (they told us that BPA is used in minute amounts in the glass jar lids, but that independent testing showed no BPA contamination in the baby food. Use your own discretion here)
■Beechnut (they told us that their glass baby food jars contain trace amounts of BPA)
■Gerber (glass baby food jars only)
■Nature’s Goodness