While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. -Angela Schwindt
G Diapers: The Cross Breed Between Cloth and Disposables
G Diapers has offered a third option to it's consumers; a hybrid 100% biodegradable diaper insert. The G stands for Green, and now you can feel good about choosing a disposable diapering system that minimizes the impact to Earth. The set-up is easy. You buy the cloth covers and inserts and whala...you have created the newest cross breed of diapers on the market. To read more about this system, go to www.gdiapers.com.
Green Baby Products
Having a new baby can be overwhelming. Especially when you are tasked to create a baby registry and you don’t even know what you need yet. One step into a large baby retailer can make you want to break out in a cold sweat of overwhelming perspiration. So here’s the thing. You don’t need all that stuff. Remembering to keep it simple can often alleviate the overwhelming sensation and allow you to enjoy the experience of just being a mom. I’ve created a simple checklist of things that I feel are necessities for every new mom wanting to go green. A great source for narrowing down green baby solutions is www.bundlebabyshop.com.
1) Stroller: Next to your baby furniture, the stroller purchase is probably going to be one of your higher end purchases. Because this will be your trusted friend, you will want one that is easy to maneuver, you can take with you where ever you go, and will allow you to enjoy the stroll along any sidewalk or terrain. Therefore, I recommend the Phil and Ted because it is a stroller that grows with your child and can turn into a double stroller with the doubles seat (estimated retail: $395). You only have to buy one stroller for the duration of your parenting years. Resources: www.rightstart.com or www.amazon.com
2) Car seat: Transition car seat (one for all stages)-There are a variety of options and brands that now sell the convertible car seats. It’s a green idea because you don’t have to buy multiple car seats as your child grows; making it more environmental. A high quality brand that I like is Britax. The Diblomat model is particularly ideal for smaller cars and transitions with your child from 5lb to 40lbs. Its compact size makes it ideal for airplane travel (estimated retail: $249). Resources: www.rightstart.com, www.amazon.com, www.babiesrus.com, www.britaxusa.com.
3) Bottles: There’s a lot of discussion about Bisphenol-A (BPA), a component of polycarbonate plastic, often used in plastic products like baby bottles. Research suggests that these harmful chemicals can leak into the substance within the bottle. To read more about BPA, please go to www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=55. To feel better about the whole thing, I’d recommend using Born Free baby bottles or Adiri bottles.
4) Sippy Cups: If BPA concerns you, then consider using a sippy cup that is stainless steal.
5) Baby furniture: Consider buying your baby furniture used. This is a great way to limit your footprint and save money. Some good resources are www.craigslist.org, your local newspaper classified ads, or a children’s consignment store.
6) Bouncy seat, exersaucer, swing, etc: These items can be purchased second hand at a fraction of the cost. Consider going to www.craigslist.org, garage sales or a local consignment store for these items. My friends and I share items amongst each other and in between babies.
7) Organic Sleep Sack: www.babiesrus.com (estimated retail: $24.99)
8) Organic baby bibs
9) Swaddle Blanket: www.babiesrus.com (estimated retail: $15.99)
10) Crib Sheets
11) Cloth diapers: See my section on “cloth diapers.”
12) Newborn disposable diapers: A new mom can get overwhelmed quickly. The idea of moving to cloth diapers is admirable. However you might not have time to do the laundry every two days. Consider buying a pack of newborn, non chlorine diapers to have by your side. Or, if you opt to use just disposables, then Seventh Generation has great diapers. Go to www.seventhgeneration.com.
13) Cloth diaper accessories: wipes, pail, and the pail liner can be purchased at www.babycottonbottoms.com or see my section on cloth diapers for additional resources.
14) Organic hooded bath towel
15) Baby Products: California Baby, Aroma Baby, Earth Momma Angel Baby are lines of baby products that had low scores in relation to harmful ingredients under review at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.
16) Carrier: There are several great carriers. The organic cotton baby carrier is a good solution. Another one is an organic sling.
17) Organic Clothing: I found the kimono style shirts worked great while I was cloth diapering with my newborn. The shirt, combined with the swaddle blanket, worked well. Don’t forget second hand clothing. Here are some resources:
www.lalanatural.com
www.kee-ka.com
www.happygreenbee.com
www.beamingbaby.com
www.underthenile.com
www.babystyle.com/content/greenShop/main.asp?pgmeta=1
18) Natural toys/gifts: Second hand toys work well. For new toys, go to:
United States made toys
Holgate Toy (www.holgatetoy.com)
North Star Toys (www.northstartoys.com, 800-737-0112
Nova Natural (www.novanatural.com)
Organic Gift Shop (www.organicgiftshop.com, 800-895-6045)
Turner Toys (www.turnertoys.com, 802-888-3375)
19) Organic nursing tops: Make it easy on yourself and get a tank top made for nursing. Depending on the season, you can always throw a cardigan over yourself if you are cold.
Nursing pillow: Transition this pillow from pregnancy, to nursing, to baby play.
1) Stroller: Next to your baby furniture, the stroller purchase is probably going to be one of your higher end purchases. Because this will be your trusted friend, you will want one that is easy to maneuver, you can take with you where ever you go, and will allow you to enjoy the stroll along any sidewalk or terrain. Therefore, I recommend the Phil and Ted because it is a stroller that grows with your child and can turn into a double stroller with the doubles seat (estimated retail: $395). You only have to buy one stroller for the duration of your parenting years. Resources: www.rightstart.com or www.amazon.com
2) Car seat: Transition car seat (one for all stages)-There are a variety of options and brands that now sell the convertible car seats. It’s a green idea because you don’t have to buy multiple car seats as your child grows; making it more environmental. A high quality brand that I like is Britax. The Diblomat model is particularly ideal for smaller cars and transitions with your child from 5lb to 40lbs. Its compact size makes it ideal for airplane travel (estimated retail: $249). Resources: www.rightstart.com, www.amazon.com, www.babiesrus.com, www.britaxusa.com.
3) Bottles: There’s a lot of discussion about Bisphenol-A (BPA), a component of polycarbonate plastic, often used in plastic products like baby bottles. Research suggests that these harmful chemicals can leak into the substance within the bottle. To read more about BPA, please go to www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=55. To feel better about the whole thing, I’d recommend using Born Free baby bottles or Adiri bottles.
4) Sippy Cups: If BPA concerns you, then consider using a sippy cup that is stainless steal.
5) Baby furniture: Consider buying your baby furniture used. This is a great way to limit your footprint and save money. Some good resources are www.craigslist.org, your local newspaper classified ads, or a children’s consignment store.
6) Bouncy seat, exersaucer, swing, etc: These items can be purchased second hand at a fraction of the cost. Consider going to www.craigslist.org, garage sales or a local consignment store for these items. My friends and I share items amongst each other and in between babies.
7) Organic Sleep Sack: www.babiesrus.com (estimated retail: $24.99)
8) Organic baby bibs
9) Swaddle Blanket: www.babiesrus.com (estimated retail: $15.99)
10) Crib Sheets
11) Cloth diapers: See my section on “cloth diapers.”
12) Newborn disposable diapers: A new mom can get overwhelmed quickly. The idea of moving to cloth diapers is admirable. However you might not have time to do the laundry every two days. Consider buying a pack of newborn, non chlorine diapers to have by your side. Or, if you opt to use just disposables, then Seventh Generation has great diapers. Go to www.seventhgeneration.com.
13) Cloth diaper accessories: wipes, pail, and the pail liner can be purchased at www.babycottonbottoms.com or see my section on cloth diapers for additional resources.
14) Organic hooded bath towel
15) Baby Products: California Baby, Aroma Baby, Earth Momma Angel Baby are lines of baby products that had low scores in relation to harmful ingredients under review at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.
16) Carrier: There are several great carriers. The organic cotton baby carrier is a good solution. Another one is an organic sling.
17) Organic Clothing: I found the kimono style shirts worked great while I was cloth diapering with my newborn. The shirt, combined with the swaddle blanket, worked well. Don’t forget second hand clothing. Here are some resources:
www.lalanatural.com
www.kee-ka.com
www.happygreenbee.com
www.beamingbaby.com
www.underthenile.com
www.babystyle.com/content/greenShop/main.asp?pgmeta=1
18) Natural toys/gifts: Second hand toys work well. For new toys, go to:
United States made toys
Holgate Toy (www.holgatetoy.com)
North Star Toys (www.northstartoys.com, 800-737-0112
Nova Natural (www.novanatural.com)
Organic Gift Shop (www.organicgiftshop.com, 800-895-6045)
Turner Toys (www.turnertoys.com, 802-888-3375)
19) Organic nursing tops: Make it easy on yourself and get a tank top made for nursing. Depending on the season, you can always throw a cardigan over yourself if you are cold.
Nursing pillow: Transition this pillow from pregnancy, to nursing, to baby play.
Safest Green Baby Products
After reviewing the different baby care products, I have decided to list out a cheat sheet that summarizes the safest baby products. I referenced http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to help create this list below.
Baby Lotion
L’Occitane Mom and Baby Balm
Aromababy lotion
Baby Oil
Aromababy massage oil
Earth Mama Angel Baby oil
Baby Powder
Aromababy powder
Bath Products
Earth Mama Angel Baby bath blossoms
Aveeno Baby Soothing Bath Treatment
Diaper Ointment
Rite Aid Zinc Oxide
Baby Wash
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap for babies
Baby Wipes
Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free baby wipes
Sun Block
California Baby sunblocks
Safest Products Overall
Aromababy
California Baby
Baby Lotion
L’Occitane Mom and Baby Balm
Aromababy lotion
Baby Oil
Aromababy massage oil
Earth Mama Angel Baby oil
Baby Powder
Aromababy powder
Bath Products
Earth Mama Angel Baby bath blossoms
Aveeno Baby Soothing Bath Treatment
Diaper Ointment
Rite Aid Zinc Oxide
Baby Wash
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap for babies
Baby Wipes
Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free baby wipes
Sun Block
California Baby sunblocks
Safest Products Overall
Aromababy
California Baby
Green Baby Must Have List
□ Phil and Ted Sport Stroller
□ Britax Diblomat car seat
□ 4 Born Free baby bottles or Adiri bottles
□ 2 stainless steal sippy cups
□ 2 organic sleep sacs
□ 3-5 Organic baby bibs
□ 2 organic swaddle blankets
□ 2 organic Crib Sheets
□ 24 Cloth diapers
□ 12 Cloth diapers covers
□ 1 pack newborn disposable diapers
□ 16 cloth baby wipes
□ 1 diaper pail
□ 1 diaper liner
□ 1 organic hooded bath towel
□ Misc. baby care products
□ 1 organic cotton baby carrier or organic sling
□ Organic Clothing- kimono style shirts, baby socks, etc.
□ Natural toys/gifts
□ Organic nursing tops
□ Organic nursing pillow
□ Britax Diblomat car seat
□ 4 Born Free baby bottles or Adiri bottles
□ 2 stainless steal sippy cups
□ 2 organic sleep sacs
□ 3-5 Organic baby bibs
□ 2 organic swaddle blankets
□ 2 organic Crib Sheets
□ 24 Cloth diapers
□ 12 Cloth diapers covers
□ 1 pack newborn disposable diapers
□ 16 cloth baby wipes
□ 1 diaper pail
□ 1 diaper liner
□ 1 organic hooded bath towel
□ Misc. baby care products
□ 1 organic cotton baby carrier or organic sling
□ Organic Clothing- kimono style shirts, baby socks, etc.
□ Natural toys/gifts
□ Organic nursing tops
□ Organic nursing pillow
Choosing a Green Baby Bottle
What should I know about when choosing the right baby bottle?
Many consumers have been hearing about the Bisphenol-A (or often referred to as BPA) used in plastics and the potential harmful effects of this product. It is often in many of the main stream baby bottles and plastic products we use today. New parents seeking to buy baby bottles should be aware of this additive in many plastics and consider choosing a bottle brand that doesn’t use BPA in the production of their bottles.
What is BPA?
BPA was created in the 1930’s as a synthetic estrogen that is now used as an ingredient to make polycarbonate plastic. Because of its original purpose, it acts as estrogen when ingested in the body. Several tests have shown developmental toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity, according to the dailygreen.com. You can read more about BPA through the referenced websites found in this article.
What are some recent press releases on BPA?
There have been several articles written in regards to the harm of BPA in our plastics. To read more, go to:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-01-29-plastic-chemical_N.htm
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/bpa.html
What bottles are BPA free?
Many baby bottle manufacturers are creating BPA free bottles. Some brands like Gerber and Evenflo carry glass bottles, as well. Here is a retailer for finding a bottle made without the use of BPA: www.ourgreenhouse.com.
Many consumers have been hearing about the Bisphenol-A (or often referred to as BPA) used in plastics and the potential harmful effects of this product. It is often in many of the main stream baby bottles and plastic products we use today. New parents seeking to buy baby bottles should be aware of this additive in many plastics and consider choosing a bottle brand that doesn’t use BPA in the production of their bottles.
What is BPA?
BPA was created in the 1930’s as a synthetic estrogen that is now used as an ingredient to make polycarbonate plastic. Because of its original purpose, it acts as estrogen when ingested in the body. Several tests have shown developmental toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity, according to the dailygreen.com. You can read more about BPA through the referenced websites found in this article.
What are some recent press releases on BPA?
There have been several articles written in regards to the harm of BPA in our plastics. To read more, go to:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-01-29-plastic-chemical_N.htm
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/bpa.html
What bottles are BPA free?
Many baby bottle manufacturers are creating BPA free bottles. Some brands like Gerber and Evenflo carry glass bottles, as well. Here is a retailer for finding a bottle made without the use of BPA: www.ourgreenhouse.com.
