12 Ways to Keep Your Toy Box Safe and Eco-friendly

by Janelle Sorensen

Toy recalls from reputable brands make headlines almost every day. And, even though recalls are difficult to keep up with, they still only address a limited amount of risks. In fact, there are a wide variety of synthetic chemicals or heavy metals that could be used in your child’s toys - many of which we have limited understanding of potential health and developmental impacts. And, what about the bigger environmental picture of the pollution created when making or disposing of toys? When did playtime become so complicated?

garryknight /
CC BY-SA 2.0

Here are 12 ways you can reclaim the fun and reduce the worries when it comes to playtime. Make your toy box healthier for your child and the planet.

1. Go au natural. Look for toys made of natural materials like solid woods (with no finish or a non-toxic finish) and organic textiles (cotton, wool, felt, etc).
2. Simplify. Buying fewer toys is much better for the planet (and your pocketbook!
3. Re-purpose. Can something you already have be used as a toy? An empty box or set of stainless steel bowls can provide hours of happy play.
4. Look for items that will last. High quality toys may cost a bit more, but they will last much longer and can be handed down to younger children. Likewise, you’re more apt to get money back out of them if you decide to sell.
5. Read labels. What’s this toy made of? Where does it come from? Get to know a toy before you buy it.
6. Look for local. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by buying local. If you’re looking at global supplies, opt for European, Canadian or Japanese imports as other countries may have lax toy regulations.
7. Opt for open-ended toys. Look for items that encourage creativity and are capable of being used for many different types of play. Wooden blocks, colorful scarves, smooth stones, and even cardboard boxes can be the foundation for innumerable creative adventures.
8. Avoid cheap jewelry and kids’ cosmetics. Both of these types of dress-up products are high-risk. Cheap jewelry often has high lead levels and kids’ cosmetics can have any number of questionable chemicals.
9. Purge plastics. Okay, this is near impossible these days, but make your best effort. If you do buy plastic, look for safer plastics like those labeled #1, 2, 4, or 5 in the chasing arrows symbol usually found on the bottom of the product. Not labeled? Call the manufacturer.
10. Text for Healthy Toys. HealthyToys.org is a database to help you find safer toys. You can even access it from your mobile phone. Just text key words and you’ll receive information immediately regarding any testing that’s been done.
11. Print a pocket guide. Download the Healthy Toys Pocket Shopping Guide (PDF file) so you always have tips and safer toy recommendations on hand.
12. Sign-up for recall alerts. The Consumer Product Safety Commission posts recalls online, as does the website recalls.gov. If a toy you own is recalled, take it away immediately and follow the company’s instructions on how to get a safe replacement.

Bonus tip: Have fun! Play time isn’t about what you have, it’s about what you do. Get down and dirty with your kids. Laugh and simply enjoy spending time together.

Related Topics:

• Beware Toxic Toys
• VIDEO: Child-Safe Toys
• 10 Affordable Ways to Make Your House – And the World – Safer and Healthier

10 Tips to Prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy

Healthy Child Healthy World

Bonbon / CC BY 2.0

1. Eat the healthiest, safest foods.

These eight simple steps will help you reduce your exposure to synthetic pesticides and guard against certain cancers and high dioxin intake. Increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes and fiber may help eliminate toxins.

2. Feast on folic acid before conceiving and while pregnant.

Sources include dried beans and peas, citrus fruit, spinach and broccoli. Adequate folic acid early in a baby's development helps prevent neurological defects, such as spina bifida. Note: too much folic acid may pose it's own risks, so talk with your doctor about how much you need.

3. Reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and quit smoking.

Women who smoke during pregnancy (or are exposed to secondhand smoke) are more likely to give birth to small babies with low birth weight. Alcohol and caffeine lower overall health and can negatively impact a fetus.

4. Cut down your intake of animal fats and fish to reduce dioxin, PCB and mercury exposure.

Trim fat and skin from meats well. Limit consumption of fatty and predatory fish, such as tuna and salmon, to once a month at most; alternatives include flounder and sole. (Use Seafood Watch to learn about which fish are safest to eat.) Broil fish and meat, so that fat drips away from the food. Choose skim dairy products.

5. Drink pure water.

Test drinking water for lead, chlorine byproducts (trihalomethanes) and pesticides. If there are contaminants, install an appropriate water filter and use a stainless steel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated on the go.

6. Test old paint for lead while planning your pregnancy.

Lead is stored in the bones and can be passed to a developing baby through the placenta. The EPA maintains a list of certified labs where you can send paint samples. Removal of lead paint must only be done by a professional and pregnant women should stay away from the area until it is thoroughly cleaned. See Detecting and Removing Lead Paint for more information and resources.

7. Get smart about plastics.

Some plastics cause dangerous pollution during manufacturing and some contain chemicals suspected of causing harm - especially to kids. Avoid those numbered 3, 6, or 7 (PC). These resin codes are typically on the bottom of an item in a triangle of arrows. When using any plastic, be safe by not using in the microwave or with hot food (the heat promotes leaching). Discard or stop using for food and beverages when the product begins to have signs of wear and tear.

8. Use fewer personal care products.

Many personal care products contain chemicals that disrupt hormones your baby will rely on for proper development. And others contain carcinogens and neurotoxicants, among other things. The best thing for you and baby is to reduce how much you use and to use Skin Deep to find the safest products.

9. Clean without toxic chemicals.

You don't need a chemical arsenal to keep your home clean. Basic ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can tackle most household chores. Or, you can look for natural products at the store (don't be fooled by marketing, though. Check the label for ingredients and use Seventh Generation's Label Reading Guide.)

10. Find out what chemicals are in your local air, water and soil.

Start in your backyard, by finding out what's in the soil. Sign up for air quality alerts at AirNow.gov.

Related Topics:

• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• The Best Non-Toxic Ways to Clean Your Home

New Resources to Help You Understand Toxic Flame Retardants

by Christopher Gavigan

There is a major battle underway in the State of California to amend a decades old provision requiring manufacturers to add flame retardants to children's products made using polyurethane foam (car seats, breastfeeding cushions, and much more). California is the only state in the country that requires this and it has led to the use of millions of pounds of halogenated flame retardants (which are the cheapest, but also pose a variety of health risks). Since manufacturers don't like making different products for different states, it means that children's products sold across the continent have flame retardants added to them - even if California is the only state to require it. This issue impacts all of us and many people think the practice is a completely unnecessary risk to children's health and development.

Two new fact sheets developed by the Consumer Federation of California help make the issue clear. Here are some highlights from what they've put together:

Toxic Flame Retardants Endanger Public Health
Halogenated fire retardants - the least expensive and most likely chemicals used to meet this regulation - have been linked to endocrine disruption, neurological and developmental impairments, cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, and a host of other health disorders.

When certain fire retardant chemicals burn, they form highly toxic dioxins and furans. In November 2006, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published an analysis of 32 studies that found that fire fighters have significantly elevated rates of four types of cancer: multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer, likely resulting from chemical exposures. For that reason, many firefighter groups across the nation have been active in support of efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of certain toxic fire retardants in consumer products.

Low-income residents and communities of color are the most likely to be exposed to these chemicals and fall victim to these diseases as they purchase products laden with the toxins at the big box stores. Other communities can opt out by purchasing more expensive imported or toxic-free product lines of baby products. Furthermore older or second-hand products are more likely to have crumbly foam that will escape and cause the greatest health hazard.

As a result of these public health dangers, both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the International Association of Firefighters have also opposed their use in favor of other, less toxic, but fire-safe, alternatives.

Toxic Flame Retardants and Fire Safety Alternatives
Children's products such as strollers and changing pads do not pose a fire hazard. According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is no evidence that these toxic chemicals actually reduce fire deaths in California; they just slow them for an estimated six to twelve seconds.

Fire deaths declined by 38% in California from 1980 to 1999; but the decline was similar or even greater in other states that don't have standards leading to the use of these toxic chemicals. Considering that most victims of fires die from smoke inhalation and not the actual flames, alternative fire-fighting measures like smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have proven more effective.

In fact, the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association has NEVER been sued by anyone, anywhere, because their "flame retardant free" products were associated with a fire hazard.

Related Topics:

• Video: Safer Bedding for Children
• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

The opinions expressed in the WebMD Blogs are of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of WebMD and they have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance or objectivity. WebMD Blogs are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on WebMD. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Diaper Bag Eco-Makeover

by Janelle Sorensen

When you're the parent to a baby, your diaper bag is your lifeline. Without it, chaos ensues. Try this diaper bag eco-makeover to save your sanity, help your baby stay happy and healthy, and protect the Earth.

First off, start with a good bag. If you buy new, look for Earth-friendly textiles like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled plastic. Check out Pristine Planet or Fleurville for some preferable options. If you're looking to re-use (the Earth-friendliest and most affordable option), avoid PVC which can leach phthalates and lead.

What should you fill it with?

Diaper Bag Must Haves	Look For
Diapers	Chlorine-free, flushable or cloth
Baby wipes	Chlorine-free, unscented, refillable tubs, homemade
Baby lotion	Botanical-based, certified organic
Diaper cream	Botanical-based, certified organic, zinc oxide for rashes
Bottle	BPA-free plastic or glass
Teething biscuits	Whole grains, organic
Snacks	Reusable containers; organic, whole foods
Baby food	Jarred, frozen, or homemade; organic whole foods
Toys & teethers	Natural materials like solid woods or organic textiles
Pacifier	Natural rubber or clear silicone
Burp rag	Organic cotton, reusable plastic bag or container for sanitary storage
Bib	Organic cotton or bamboo textiles
Blanket	Organic cotton, wool, or bamboo
Sunblock	Non-petroleum based, SPF 30 (or higher)
For Mom or Dad:
Water	Reusable, stainless steel bottle
Hand sanitizer	Botanical based options like tea tree oil or Cleanwell

Quick tips:

• Avoid care products with parabens, phthalates, DMDM hydantoin, fragrance, triclosan, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, toluene, formaldehyde, PEGs, anything with "glycol" or "methyl."
• Opt for products that are reusable or recyclable.
• Choose natural materials.
• Look for products with the least packaging.

This is a dream list just to get you thinking about things, so don't feel bad if you can't do everything. You should only be losing sleep because your baby keeps you up, not because you bought the wrong lotion.

Related Topics:

• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• Video: Diaper Baby Safely
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

Moms Need Nutrition, Too!

Our guest blogger is Tara DelloIacono Thies, RD, LUNA Nutrition Strategist at Clif Bar & Company.

Rightfully, moms-to-be are motivated to eat with care and attention to good nutrition and exercise before and during their pregnancies. But what happens when our joyful arrival "arrives"? Well, they simply rock our worlds to say the least. Right?! As if suddenly, our babies are born and we are thrown right into "baby boot camp" and we lose hold of what it means to take care of ourselves. With less sleep and more responsibilities it is easy to forget to adapt a routine for our care.

Maybe you, like some of the moms I've met, have let your good nutrition habits go. Skipping meals, feeding hunger with quick trips to the drive-thru window, and grabbing handfuls of potato chips for snacks can be easy habits to fall into when short on time and energy.

Improve your nutrition and keep the healthy glow you had during pregnancy with this simple reminder telling you to take care of yourself, too. You can't care for your family if you are sick, tired, and malnourished.

Meeting your nutrition needs is challenging when you have the added demands of a family. Are you skipping breakfast and reaching for caffeine to keep up? Does lunch get by you only to later send you to the drive-thru? Missing meals means missing nutrients, and missing nutrients can leave you tired and hungry.

Get back on track with three meals and healthy snacks as your guide. Not only will a good daily meal plan improve your health, but you will also have more energy and feel better about yourself.

Boost Energy with Breakfast
In your morning race to get the baby to daycare and yourself to work, or the rest of the family out the door, your breakfast may slip your mind. Skipping out on breakfast can rob you of so much energy that you feel it into the next day. Consider actually sitting down for even five minutes to eat a piece of fruit and have a glass of milk.

Studies have suggested that women who consumed more calcium from dairy were also more successful at weight loss. So, if those extra baby pounds are still taunting you, you may find that 3-4 servings daily of dairy foods such as yogurt, cottage cheese, or milk is just the kick-start your body needs to lose the extra weight.

Do whatever it takes to make sure you are getting something for breakfast that includes a source of calcium. You need 1000-1200 mg of calcium each day and you are more likely to meet that Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) if you start in the morning. Calcium is necessary for building and maintaining bone strength. With your busy schedule you're probably getting less than half the calcium you need.

You can't get by on yogurt and milk alone so instead of grabbing that pastry at the coffee shop on your way to work or while running errands, reach for whole grain foods such as instant oatmeal, LUNA bars, or slice of peanut butter on whole grain toast to compliment your morning dairy selection.

Mastering the Mid-Day Meal
As you continue to build an energizing nutrition plan be sure to include a mid-day meal. The key to healthy lunching is planning ahead. Have lunches in mind during your weekend grocery store trip. If mid-day finds you at work, lunches brought from home can not only energize you, but can also save you time and money. The night before, make yourself a delicious sandwich. Treat yourself to some gourmet touches such as a sun dried tomato spread, hummus, or flavored mustards. Diversify the texture with roasted bell peppers, cucumbers, leaf lettuce, or vine ripened organic tomatoes. You can prepare a turkey-cheese sandwich at home, packing crunchy veggies separately. Right before lunch, zap the sandwich in the toaster oven until the cheese is slightly melted. Then add the cool crisp extras.


Smart Snacking
Smart snacking means being mindful of your portions. It doesn't take a lot of food to satisfy hunger or perk up your energy between meals. Keep it simple by having 2-3 items per snack such as 1 apple, 1 thin slice of cheese, and 6 crackers.

Fruits and veggies are a fabulous portable snack that will help you to meet your daily vitamin and mineral needs. If you are heading out for the day be sure to pack two to three pieces of fresh fruit and some cut-up veggies for healthy snacking. Ants On a Log isn't just for kids; it's a good snack for you too. So spread some peanut butter on that celery stick and top it with a few raisins!

Dried fruits and nuts are also handy snacks to have around. Along with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, adding ¼ cup dried fruit and nut mix can help you reach the 20-35 grams of fiber recommended for each day and is a healthy source of non-animal protein.

Look to the Future with Dinner
When making dinner, why not make twice as much - keeping the extra for lunches the next day. If you are cooking two chicken breasts, you might as well cook four. If you are making salad, pull out a to-go container and throw an extra serving in it for your lunch tomorrow. Voila! You have the makings of a grilled chicken salad.

Water to Glow
The amount of fluid you need to stay hydrated has been the subject of great debate. The validity of the "eight glasses" of water per day recommendation is being scrutinized. Also, hydration needs vary person to person so no health agency wants to put a stake in the ground and say, "you need X ounces of water each day." The National Institute of Health, however, provides a general guideline that equates to about eight, 8-ounce glasses per day of fluid. This may be too much or too little for you depending on your activity level, environment, diet, and body size. The eight-glasses-a-day guideline is a good jumping off point, but you should adapt how much you drink each day based on where you are, what you're doing, and how you feel.

You can hydrate by consuming a variety of fluids, from plain water to iced tea. Food such as fruit, soup, and yogurt also contribute to your water tank. In fact, water alone isn't the best hydrator for all occasions. While water should always be part of your daily mix, a flavor- enhanced water such those infused with mint or citrus are or a sports drink may provide you with better hydrating power if you are losing a lot of sweat.

A well-hydrated body can better disperse nutrients to where they need to go, leaving you feeling less hungry and satisfied longer. If you are hungry and it is not mealtime, all it might take is a glass of water to satisfy you.

Living Happily Ever After
Once you begin planning meals, making healthier food choices and snacking smarter, you will find that you have more energy to meet your daily demands, more stamina at the end of the day, and being sick less often.

Keeping your baby or toddler well fed and cared for is important, but you need to be healthy yourself in order to be able to keep up with him or her. By paying attention to your nutrition needs - not skipping meals and choosing healthier foods - you too can feel better about yourself and have more energy to attend to your little one.

Related Topics:

• 12 Foods for New Moms
• Health eHome
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health newsletter

Healthy Spoonfuls: 3 Ways to Feed Your Baby the Best

by Christopher Gavigan

Photo: LilySusie

A baby's first bites of solid foods are thoroughly entertaining to watch. New flavors and textures provoke faces that are both adorable and incredibly funny. What's not so funny is that in some instances, there are invisible contaminants, fillers, and unhealthy ingredients hiding in those tiny spoonfuls of food. And if your baby is eating non-organic food, he's also eating pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and synthetic preservatives and additives.

While traces of contaminants are tiny, they build up quickly in a child's diet as children eat more food pound for pound than adults. In fact, children one through five years of age eat three to four (or more) times as much food per pound of body weight as an average American adult. In addition, their developing bodies are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify.

Because there is a growing body of evidence showing these toxins can impair child health and development, common sense compels us to minimize exposure whenever possible. Especially during pregnancy and infancy when their bodies are most vulnerable, we need to take precautionary action - a "better safe than sorry" approach and choose an organic diet for our little ones. Not only does an organic diet reduce exposure to contaminants and synthetic additives, some studies also show that organic foods are healthier and have more antioxidants and added nutrition.

There are a variety of options and many opportunities to take toxins off the menu. Here are some easy ideas for feeding your baby an organic, safe and healthy diet:

1. Store bought. With the growing interest in organic foods, there is also an increase in availability of pre-made organic baby foods. Some are on the shelf right next to their conventional counterparts and other can be found in the refrigerated or frozen food sections. Look for names like Plum Organics, Happy Baby, Homemade Baby, Tasty Baby, or Sprout Baby Food.

2. Delivered. Referred to as "baby food catering", home delivery services are the pinnacle of convenience. Service providers include Bohemian Baby and Pomme Bebe.

3. Homemade. Not nearly as intimidating as it sounds, homemade baby food is the freshest and most inexpensive option (with the added benefit of having the least impact on the environment). My wife makes all of our son's food and has been super charged with how easy and enjoyable it's been. She uses fruits and veggies with a variety of colors and tastes then adds in probiotics and flax seed oil for additional nutritional benefit.

To make your own, pick one time a week to cook and puree selected foods and then freeze in an ice cube tray for handy serving sizes. WholesomeBabyFood.com offers age appropriate recipes, as well as tips for cooking and storing food. You can also get a handy, portable food grinder and freezer storage trays at Fresh Baby. Find local, organic food in your neighborhood using the Eat Well Guide, which lists not only grocery stores, but also co-ops, farmer's markets, and CSAs (where you buy a share of food from a local farm).

Photo: LilySusie

Organic on a Budget: For many parents, buying all organic all the time is a financial impossibility, so keep this in mind: certain foods have higher levels of chemical residues including meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, as well as apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries - so focus on getting the organic versions of these items. Some foods typically have very low levels of residues and are okay to purchase conventionally grown, including avocados, frozen sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, kiwis, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and eggplant.

You can also invest selectively. We have committed to trying to feed our son 100% organic for at least his first year (yes, I said "trying," no one's perfect). When they get older, choose the foods they eat the most of. If they eat a ton of apples, make sure you're buying them organic even if you can't buy everything organic. Overall, just do the best you can and concentrate on consistently providing a healthy, fresh, well-balanced diet for baby and family. Bon Appetit!

Sources:

• Consumer Reports. Better for Baby? Our analysis finds organic food is safer for children. January 2006.
• Landrigan, P. et al. Children's Health and the Environment: A New Agenda for Prevention Research. Environmental Health Perspectives. June 1998, 106, 3, 787-794.
• Virginia Worthington. Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 1, 2001, 7(2): 161-173.
• Lombardi-Boccia, G. et al. Nutrients and Antioxidant Molecules in Yellow Plums from Conventional and Organic Productions: A Comparative Study. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2004, 52, 90-94.
• Asami, D. et al. Comparison of the Total Phenolic and Ascorbic Acid Content of Freeze-Dried and Air-Dried Marionberry, Strawberry, and Corn Grown Using Conventional, Organic, and Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003, 51, 1237-1241.

Related Topics:

• Starter Guide to Baby Food and Nutrition
• Health eHome
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

The Eco-Layette: Safer Fabrics for Your Baby and the Planet

by Christopher Gavigan

Dressing newborn babies is a fine art. Getting tiny flailing limbs to shimmy down a long sleeve. Easing a floppy little head through a neck hole. Keeping their infinitesimal socks from falling off their feet. Just when you get it figured out, new tests begin; including the mastery of stain removal and the miraculous feat of keeping a toddler clothed at all. No matter which skill you are perfecting, you will always need to know how to select the safest fabrics.

Many new parents assume that cotton is the best fabric for their baby's clothes and bedding because it's a natural fiber, but conventionally grown cotton is one of the most pesticide intensive crops grown in the US. After the cotton is picked and milled into fabric, a soup of chemicals that are known to harm human health are used to dye and finish the fabric. Chemicals like formaldehyde and urea resins are used to increase stain resistance, wrinkle-proofing, and even disinfecting. Most "finishing" chemicals contain volatile organic compounds that are often sensitizers and suspected carcinogens. Often, the clippings from fabric mills are so loaded with chemicals they are handled like toxic waste, while the products made from these materials are considered safe to bring into our homes.

Now take a deep breath and relax - your baby is okay. There are safer options and solutions other than immediately ripping the onesie off your baby. Residues on baby clothing and bedding are minimal and have only been shown to cause contact dermatitis (generally in people with sensitive skin). Still, we really don't know what long term health impacts may arise from the subtle, but constant exposure to chemicals in clothing and bedding.

Luckily, we don't have to wait to find out. We can select safer fabrics today:

Organic Cotton: Perhaps the most obvious choice is organic cotton, grown without the use of pesticides. Look for options that are not only grown organically, but are also untreated (i.e. they are finished and dyed using natural, non-toxic processes). You can also look for organic, untreated wool which is naturally fire-resistant and a good choice for children's sleepwear.

Bamboo: Another fabric increasing in popularity is made from bamboo, which has a natural softness and sheen similar to silk or cashmere. Bamboo is completely biodegradable and can be grown without pesticides or chemicals. Look for fabrics certified by Oeko-Tex which ensures that fabric made from bamboo fibers is chemical-free.

Hemp: Surprising to some, hemp is another option and is naturally pest resistant so requires few, if any, of the pesticides used on conventional cotton. Still, there's no certification process, so you can't be sure that the hemp has been grown pesticide-free.

More options: Other choices include linen, soy, inego (corn-based), and even recycled plastic (which Patagonia has been using in their fleece for quite some time). Given the textile industry's penchant for pollution and people's growing concern over the health of the planet, new eco-fabrics are popping up everywhere. You just need to do a little research.

While the availability of safer fabrics is increasing, you may find that your baby budget needs to increase in order to purchase them. Unfortunately, green garments typically are more expensive than their conventional counterparts. For example, a conventional cotton onesie costs about $2; an organic cotton onesie is about $15-$20 (although through some persistent hunting I did find some for $5); and a bamboo onesie will cost you about $20 - $25.

The good news: Eco-fabrics, in addition to being safer for your baby and the planet, are also more durable, meaning they'll last longer (if you master stain removal). Still, babies grow out of clothes extremely fast, so what good is durability? Hold on to them for potential siblings, trade with friends and family, sell them at consignment shops or on-line. They are beautiful, high-quality garments meant to last, and healthier for the planet, which our children will inherit.

If you can't afford organic, natural fibers, don't fret. The big rule is to always wash all fabrics, stuffed toys, linens before they come in contact with your little one - preferably in a non-toxic laundry soap. Also, the greenest option is also the cheapest option: buy second hand. Gently used clothing has typically been washed enough times already to eliminate any fears of chemical residues. So don your green-halo and hit the thrift stores, Craigslist, Freecycle, or Ebay. With the money you save, treat your baby to a luxurious untreated, organic cotton blanket that he'll use for years.

You can start your eco-layette today by visiting the following sites: CottonMonkey.com, Babysoyusa.com, Bamboosa.com, Ecowise.com, Greenbabies.com, Kee-ka.com, KidBean.com, Nuiorganics.com, Positively-organic.com, Purebeginnings.com, Sagecreeknaturals.com, Speesees.com, Underthenile.com.

Sources:
Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry Transforming the Textile Industry Health and Environmental Impacts in Finishing Industry (RTF) Chemicals and Textiles Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Children

Related Topics:

• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• Health eHome
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

The ABC's of a Healthy and Green Baby Shower

by Christopher Gavigan

Especially during pregnancy, it's usually best to keep it simple, healthy, and pure. Here's our simple approach - with help from the ABC's - to plan a baby shower that celebrates the life and health of the baby, as well as the Earth she'll be living on.

Ask everyone to forgo fragrance. Avoid exposure to phthalates by making it clear in your invitations that this event is scent-free.

Buy eco-friendly decorations. Use potted plants, artfully arranged twigs, rocks and shells or even crystal bowls filled with seasonal fruit (a la Martha Stewart) for lovely, natural decorations.
Clean up using eco-friendly supplies. Look for natural products or use kitchen ingredients like baking soda and vinegar.

Dish up food on compostable or reusable dishware. Use your good china to really make the day feel special (and reduce an enormous amount of waste). Or go second best by using eco-friendly disposables. Check out the Biodegradable Store, EarthShell, or Royal Chinet.

E-vite your guests. Using email invitations (like evite.com) is a great way to quickly get the word out and track RSVPs. It's also better for the environment (no paper, no waste, no fuel emissions from sending invites, etc).

Find the most natural setting. If you can have it outside, great! If not, at least choose a venue that will respect your green ideas.

Get your green game on. Choose waste-free games and provide green prizes like natural personal care products or soy candles.

Have a good time. This goes without saying, but really - after all this planning - just enjoy yourself during the party.

Inform your guests that this is a green shower. Make sure your requests are clear, so none of your guests feel awkward from missing the memo.

Judge not. Make sure that no matter what shade of green a guest is, she feels welcome and appreciated.

Know your guests. Some may take a little more cajoling to make the green jump.

Look for local. Whether it's food or flowers, try to find all of the products you need from local vendors.

Make it a learning experience. You've taken all this time to make it green, share your newfound knowledge with your guests.

Need help? Ask! Hosting a green baby shower can take a lot of preparation. Have a team to help.

Opt for organic. Look for foods and beverages with the USDA Certified Organic seal.

Plan far in advance. Coordinating any type of party takes time. When you're trying to make it as healthy and green as possible, you should start even earlier.

Quench your thirst with pure beverages. Keep mom and all her adoring guests healthily hydrated with filtered water (not bottled). Have a pitcher and plenty of glassware available.

Register for green gifts. Make it easy for your guests to find the perfect green gift by having the mom-to-be register at on-line stores such as Maple Grace, Our Green House, or Better for Babies.

Strive for zero-waste. Use dishware instead of disposables. Look for products and packaging that are recyclable or compostable.

Try not to get neurotic. Do what you can and let go of what you can't.

Unwrap. Encourage guests to rethink wrapping. Use a baby blanket, a pretty silk scarf, or a recycled paper gift bag.

Ventilate. Keep fresh air flowing by opening a window (even just a crack, for a few minutes if it's winter.)

Write eco-friendly thank yous. Use e-cards to send your thank yous. Some services will even allow you to embed a video. (Your guests would love to see your new baby!)

eXamine gifts. I know you're never supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth, but after your guests leave, decide which gifts are keepers. Just because your Aunt Mary gave you a bottle of expensive baby lotion (with risky chemical ingredients) doesn't mean you should slather your new baby in it for sentiment's sake.

Yank some plugs. (Hey, there aren't many verbs that start with "y".) Save some energy by unplugging unnecessary electronics and appliances.

Zip your memories. Have everyone email you their images and video and then zip them into a file to send to everyone else. You'll save the memories of the day and save paper and chemicals by allowing everyone to only print what they love.

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A Baby-Making Story (Rated E for Everyone)

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Photo Credit: Guido

Peruse pregnancy books from the past and you'll find a wide array of ridiculous advice like avoiding automobile travel and sewing machines and even sporting events (the excitement was not suitable according to a 1950 publication called The Canadian Mother and Child). Just as our understanding of the physical capacities of a pregnant woman has changed drastically over the past century, so too has our understanding of the biological development of the baby.

Photo Credit: Guido

For example, the placenta used to be considered a powerhouse of protection against fetal damage, screening out anything bad in the mother's bloodstream and even independently generating necessary nutrients if mom fell short. Now we know the placenta is not an impermeable barrier and that the developing fetus is extremely vulnerable. We know we have a heightened responsibility during pregnancy to protect the miracle happening within the womb. Dr. Theo Colburn, President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange and Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, Gainesville, writes in Healthy Child Healthy World about the magic and fragility of those nine months of development.

The making of a baby is like a fairy tale in some ways. Fairy tales are about giants and broken eggs and interesting animals, and things that no one will ever see. The story of the construction of a baby is about infinitesimally small things, so small that it is hard to believe, which makes it like a fairy tale. Instead of an egg breaking in the baby-making story, an egg, a single cell, begins to split over and over again until it forms a hollow ball of cells, at which time the cells begin to move about to form buds that become hands, feet, fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eventually organs and bones and muscle, and even a heart and a brain, which are all very real. That part of the story can be seen with microscopes and has been described with pictures in hundreds of textbooks in many languages.

When one asks, "What caused that single cell to split and keep splitting until it morphed into a baby?" the baby-making story begins to read like a real fairy tale. It is hard to believe that in the invisible universe where the egg is developing, there are hormones operating in the part-per-trillion range. And that each hormone is programmed to exert its influence on the construction of the baby only during rigid windows of time. No other period in the baby's life is as fragile as during those early days when its organs and brains are being constructed and programmed. And just as there are fairy-tale villains, there are many modern chemicals that can enter the womb environment and disturb its sacred hormonal balance.

As the body of research linking chemicals in everyday products to developmental disruption increases, it becomes clearer and clearer that a healthy pregnancy starts with a healthy environment. Start (or continue) making yours cleaner, greener and safer by picking up a copy of our book and visiting the Health eHome.

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• Health eHome
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health newsletter