LOOKING FOR DETAILS ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL FARMING?  Read More Here…

When it comes to your child’s health, the environment that you create and the environment around you go hand in hand. I am not your usual green activist, but when I became pregnant my nesting instinct went into overdrive. My need to create a healthy and safe environment took over and what I found is that a clean environment, goes hand in hand with a safe environment and is a must for baby.

I am sorry to say that while I thought I was doing everything right during my pregnancy I later found out that there were many other steps I could have taken to be healthier, and there were many other resources available to me to prepare for baby that I was not aware of.

In an age where there is scary things like arsenic, lead and mercury in our toys, cosmetics, water etc. I thought what other things are out there? Unfortunately the bad news is that we live in a world filled with chemicals, toxins and preservatives that can do harm to our bodies, the good news is, is that once you get the hang of “Greening Up” it’s simple, efficient and less expensive! Not to mention healthy for the whole family. So lets get started from the top down.

Greening “the vessel”…you!
When it comes to giving your child a healthy start, it all begins with you and the environment you create in utero. We have all heard the buzz about “organic” foods, but why are they supposedly so great, and why are they so expensive?
Organic Foods are:

* Inspected and approved by USDA independent certifier
* Grown with no synthetic Pesticides, synthetic Herbicides or genetically modified organisms GMO’s
* Grown without fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge.
* Specific labeling and record keeping to ensure organic integrity.
* Grown with buffer standards between organic field and nearby conventional farms.
* No use of ionizing radiation .
* Mandated 3-year transition period for fields that were previously farmed conventionally.
* Long-term soil management plans in place.

Essentially these are pure foods. In the past harmful pesticides were used to prevent famine, however in killing the pests, the essential nutrients in the soil is killed as well producing foods with far less flavor and nutritional value, not to mention harmful pesticides. If these chemicals that are put on food are strong enough to kill pests and sustain nutritionally depleted crops, what are they doing to our bodies over time?
On that note, Organic should not be confused with Natural Foods. According to Wikipedia Natural Foods are:

“ Foods that are minimally processed. Natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, sweeteners, food colors or flavorings.”

So while Natural Foods are a step in the right direction, the stringent guidelines and the entire process that defines Organic Foods are ideal for you and your growing baby.

While it is worthwhile to try to eat an exclusively organic diet, some foods are OK to eat conventionally, these include:

Onions
Avocado.
Pineapple
Mango
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Eggplant

Some of the foods that should always be organic are as follows. NOTE: These foods may be even more expensive because they are much harder to grow without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

Don’t see your pregnancy craving here but want to check out it’s pesticide content? Check out The List.

Dairy products (especially Milk) are another MUST on the organic list. In order to produce more milk, conventional methods pump the cows up with a steroid called Bovine Somatotropin or rBGH, however they run the risk of complications such as infection (mastitis or infection of the udder) and pus in the milk so that is followed by an anti-biotic; rBGH otherwise known as rBST.
Now any woman who has nursed before can imagine how painful it must be for these poor cows, and with all of those unnatural additives in the milk it changes the composition completely.
Milk in its natural state is a great form of Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and essential minerals like Magnesium. However when you add in all of the harmful drugs it becomes a concern. So while dairy products such as milk, cottage cheese, and yogurt are all ideal snacks for pregnant and nursing mothers, make sure you get only the good stuff and go organic. Look for labels that state “organic” or “no “rBST.”

For the same reasons listed above try to choose “organic” or “free range” meat as well. Chickens, cattle etc. who are allowed to roam, cows who are grass fed, and animals in general who are in a more natural state provide healthier meat products.

At the end of the day, eating organically and better yet locally is a socially important thing to do as well. Every year hundreds and thousands of workers are hospitalized for pesticide related poisoning. Farmers who choose to grow organically do not get supplementation from the government and so they are often forced to use harmful pesticides on their crops to provide for their own families.
Finally the soil that is farmed is compromised and becomes depleted which could be threatening for the food supply for future generations.

There is a huge organic “movement” in this country. The rate of organic food growth is approximately 20% each year and is expected to continue to rise. Large corporations such as Wal-Mart, Costco and Safeway are now making organic products less expensive and more highly available, so try to:
* GO ORGANIC whenever you can.
* Make sure that all your baby food (solids) are organic.
* Use this guide to make the healthiest choices for you, your growing baby and your family.

For more in depth information on why organic food is better check out this site courtesy of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Beware of “Greenwashing”:
Greenwashing: Is defined as:

“The act of misleading purchasers regarding environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.”

As the “Green” movement has started to grow, companies have jumped on the bandwagon by making false claims (i.e. Tyson Chicken promotes “all natural” even though they treat their chickens with antibiotics) or by misleading the purchaser into believing that the products that they are advertising are “natural” or “green”. Unfortunately this is not the case and the corporation is often inflating the environmental benefits for marketing purposes.
Beware of “creative advertising.” Again, read the labels, make sure that there are no parabens, parfum(e), fragrance, phthalates. Etc. The brands listed above are safe choices.

For more in depth information on “Greenwashing” check out a great article HERE

Finally, avoid all canned foods if possible. The metal cans contain a plastic lining with can contain BPA’s that may leach into food. This includes infant formula as well..

What is “pesticide/herbacide?”
For a more in depth look at pesticide/herbicide check out our article that takes a more in depth look at weed and lawn care and how you can create a healthy yard environment for your family. www.beyondpesticides.org they have so much great information and forums. In the meantime see these 5 reasons why not to use Weed and Feed.

As you can see there are many reasons to eat organically wherever possible.
Remember that you are a powerful consumer. Us parents account for a lot of U.S. dollars, so although it may be a bit more of a challenge to find all the products we need at our fingertips, if we demand them the government and corporations will respond.

Please let me know your thoughts and questions anytime by contacting us at:
pregnancyandbabyinformation@gmail.com

Looking for an Organic crib mattress for your Pack n’ Play (porta crib) or Co-Sleeper product?  See our full list of resources below:

Recently I have received a few emails about where to find an Organic Cotton crib mattress specifically for the pack n’ play or the co-sleeper.  I have yet to find either product that is manufactured with an Organic Crib Mattress so here are some resources for replacements. 

My favorite Organic Cotton Mattress manufacturer Naturpedic, now has a new addition to their collection which includes Porta Crib (pack n’ play) mattresses (Naturpedic Pack n’ Play (Porta Crib) Mattresses Available Here).

If you do not want to spend a bunch of money to replace the mattress but want added protection you can also purchase an Organic Cotton Mattress Pad from Naturpedic as an alternative. (Organic Cotton Mattress Pad Available Here)

Dax Stores (www.daxstores.com) is a huge online eco retailer that carries all sorts of eco friendly products for the home.  They also carry an actual porta crib (pack n’ play) mattress replacement.  (Porta Crib Mattress Insert Available Here)
Dax Stores also has an insert for the Co-sleeper (Co-Sleeper Mattress Available Here)and the Mini Co- Sleeper (Mini Co-Sleeper Mattress Available Here).

There are a number of reasons why this is important.  Traditional play yards are made of polyurethane (a byproduct of petroleum), which is a plasticizer and therefore most likely contains Phthalates among other things.
Just be sure to check the measurements on your individual Pack n’ Play or Porta Crib.
Dax Stores has just one size available, but Naturpedic can customize your Pack n’ Play mattress for and additional $25 if you have the proper measurement.

The next best option is the,  Baby Bjorn Travel Crib for a number of reasons.  The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib mattress cover and all fabric parts that come into contact with your child have been approved in accordance with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1, eco-certification, so as far as I can see it’s the safest standard porta crib on the market. 

Hopefully this guide gives you some options and some peace of mind as to how to create a healthier sleeping environment for your baby.

Are you pregnant and looking for a safe, effective and natural way to reduce swelling associated with pregnancy? Read more here…

Although pregnancy is a wonderful time in so many ways, one of the not so wondrous changes that occur in our body is swelling. Mainly in our ankles and wrists which can make for a lot of discomfort for Mom. One way that you can naturally reduce swelling is by drinking unsweetened cherry juice.

Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and are even used for patients suffering from disorders such as gout and arthritis. A compound called anthocyanins specific to cherries is responsible for this ability to help the body reduce swelling and inflammation. An added bonus, these compounds called anthocyanins may also reduce your risk for cancers such as colon cancer.

While you get the same benefits from eating fresh cherries as drinking cherry juice you would have to eat A LOT of cherries to reap the benefits, hence unsweetened cherry juice is the most effective way to go.

TRY THIS:

Mix 1 cup of Unsweetened Cherry Juice
1 cup of 7-Up (Hansen’s natural soda etc.)
Pour over Ice

Voila! An anti-swelling, delicious, cherry cocktail!

LOOKING FOR A NATURAL AND SAFE WAY TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR HAIR DURING PREGNANCY?  See our tips below…

Most hair color treatments are made with Harsh Chemicals such as:
*  Ammonia
*  PPD (p-Phenylenediamine)
*  diaminobenzene
 And even Heavy Metals such as:
*  Lead 
*  Mercury
*  Coal Tar 

While research indicates that HIGHLIGHTING in particular is “safe” during pregnancy, there are some that feel more comfortable looking for more natural alternatives.  

Two alternatives to traditional bottled hightlights are:
1)  Making an at home treatment
2)  Seek out and Organic salon that uses organic products

At home:
*  Boil 1 1/2 water and steep 2 chamomile tea bags in the water for about 20 minutes.
*  Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons into the tea.
*  Pour over your head (or use a spray bottle to cover) and sit in the sun for the desired effect.

This is a slow but very safe process.  By simply using the chamomile tea over your hair you can naturally bring out the gold highlights in your hair.

In The Salon:
Seek out an organic salon.  One product that is very safe and uses no ammonia and only chemical grade peroxide is: Organic Salon Systems (www.organiccolorsystems.com)

One thing to note, PPD is what seems to cause the most reactions in sensitive individuals, thus many products tout that they do not contain PPD.  However, even if your bottled hair color or colorist says that your hair color contains no PPD etc. it probably does contain the metals (such as Ammoniated Mercury) to give the desired effect. So, read the labels and check out the ingredients prior to coloring.

NOTE:  HIGHLIGHTING seems to be considered “safer” than ALL OVER COLOR since the dye touches only the hair (which is dead) and not the skin (scalp) itself.  So, if you are taking precautions stick with highlighting if possible. 

In short, the answer is no.  There is no BPA in Silicone (not to be confused with Silicon).  Silicone is a man made rubberlike material that, so far, has proven to be non-toxic and safe to use in everything from baby bottles and nipples, pacifiers and toys, to cookware and even sealers.  
It is a safer alternative to latex and is highly durable.   

Bottom line, all evidence points to the safety and confidence of silicone when it comes to your household and baby products.

V.O.C’s IN THE HOME AND YOUR HEALTH:
A highly toxic chemical found most notably in nail polish, nail polish remover, household products (cleaning and disinfecting), paints (varnishes), fuels and pesticides (to name a few) are V.O.C’s (Volatile Organic Compounds).  The EPA states that V.O.C’s are: “suspected of causing, or are known to cause cancer in humans.”

LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF TRULY SAFE PAINTS?  Click HERE.

 Click Here to see a more complete list of products containing V.O.C’s, as well as the EPA’s statementsabout V.O.C’s. 

V.O.C’s can have short and long term adverse effects on health.  Some are as mild as headache, dizziness, nausea etc. all the way as sever as asthma and cancer. 
Not surprisingly, the EPA states that pollutants can be 2-5 times higher indoors vs. outdoors because of the number of household items that give off pollutants such as V.O.C’s.
So remember to air out the house by opening the doors and windows whenever possible.  Look for “green services” such as natural cleaning and home care services like carpet cleaning. 

NO/LOW V.O.C. PAINTS

Like most new parents you may want to paint the nursery a fresh shade of pink, or blue (or yellow, green or white) and traditional paints contain high amounts of V.O.C’s that are neither healthy for you, or your growing baby.  Thanks to Andrew Pace founder of “Safe Building Solutions”, he has provided us some insight from his website “www.degreeofgreen.com” regarding how to avoid ”Greenwashing” by picking a paint that is truly eco-friendly and safe for you, your children, family and growing baby:

Note; the VOC’s are most toxic in the first 48-72 hours so if you do choose to go with a synthetic carpet (vs. a Natural Carpet such as WOOL), give yourself a few days away to let the air quality return to a better state of clean. 


*  One of the most chemically laden parts of the carpeting is the backing, which is necessary to give the carpet structure.  The most common adhesive is Polypropylene which can carry with it chemicals such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) to name a few.  
Instead, look for an adhesive made of Natural Rubber.  

If you are looking for a Green Resource check out local Seattle Green Home Improvement Store:
Ecohaus at: www.ecohaus.com 

TRY AN OATMEAL BATH:
Oatmeal has been used for hundreds of years to heal dry skin.  Even commercial companies such have AVEENO have included oatmeal for its healing properties, however making your own homemade oatmeal bath is even more effective.

Ingredients:
*  1 cup Steel Cut Oats
*  Cheese Cloth
*  Rubber Band

Simply bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Add in 1/2 cup of whole steel cut oats bring to a boil
Turn stove off and let oats soak for a few hours
When ready for the bath, wrap in cheese cloth and secure with a rubber band
Use the oatmeal filled cloth directly against babies dry skin or as a “bath ball” and let the good stuff from the oatmeal seep into the water.  Let baby soak.
Immediately follow with body lotion while the skin is still moist to lock in the moisture.

This is a delicious, non-toxic, affordable and easy way to improve your babies skin.  Try it on your own as well!

Other Options:
You can also try adding 2 cups of Whole Milk to the bath.  Milk has a natural lactic acid which will slough away dry skin and also helps with softening.

Wear Natural Fiber and/or Breathable Clothing:
Using natural fibers (such at cotton) for a babies sleeper and everyday clothes is a great option.  
These days, a  very popular sleeping option is the blanket sleepers or blanket pajamas.  While these keep baby warm at night, they are made of synthetic material and not breathable, which can exacerbate the dry skin or even cause it in the first place.
Try using a “sleep sack” over their cotton pajamas or if your child is over 12 months cotton sleepers and a blanket should do the trick.  
 
Use a Humidifier:
Regular use of a humidifier will keep the moisture in the air.  Especially during the winter months when heaters are running on high.  This will also help keep babies nasal passages moist and clear.  Just be sure to clean the humidifier on a daily basis to avoid mold and mildew.  

If All Else Fails:
You can use a hydrocortisone 1% cream (such as Cortaid) to spot treat the eczema.  Just be sure to check with your Doctor first and to read the directions.  Most advise not to use the product beyond 7 days.  If the rash continues, visit your pediatrician for other options.

Phthalates are also identified as a key ingredient in:
-  Solvents (i.e. conventional paints, adhesives, paint strippers, nail polish remover etc.)
-  Synthetic “Fragrance”, otherwise known as Diethyl Phthalate or DEP (i.e. air fresheners, scented candles, cosmetic “fragrance”, household “fragrance”)
-  Plastics  (Can leach out of plastic dishes, bottles etc. when microwaved or put through the dishwasher.)
-  PVC or Vinyl (i.e. “Rubber Duckie”, shower curtains, bath toys etc.).
Phthalates are added to plastics to make them soft and flexible.  
Phthalates have been identified by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) as a “cause of concern”, and studies have identified Phthalatesto:
*  Endocrine Disrupters
*  Genital Abnormalities in Baby Boys
*  Asthma and Allergies

While we cannot avoid Phthalates altogether, we can reduce our exposure to them.  Click HERE to see suggestions from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

“Fragrance”
 There is another culprit in our cosmetic and household products called “fragrance”. If you turn over your (insert cosmetic name here) you will most likely see an ingredient “fragrance”.  But what exactly is“fragrance”?

Essentially “fragrance” is a preserving chemical or masking chemical that can be any chemical or additive that the product manufacturer would like. By law companies are supposed to list all ingredients on their product, but because that would be disclosing trade secrets “fragrance” is a loophole that allows manufacturers to put almost any ingredient in their formula without disclosing it.  
“Fragrance” is often times one of the following ingredients:
-  Formaldehyde 
-  Diethylhexyl Phthalate
-  Coal Tar
-  Toluene

Unfortunately “fragrance”, similar to chemicals such as parabens, are linked to:
-  Cancer
-  Reproductive Harm (such as Birth Defects)
-  Asthma

“Fragrance” is also found in many of the household items we use everyday such as:
-  Laundry detergents
-  Synthetic household cleaners
-  Air Freshener
-  Scented Candles 
to name a few.
 
Don’t be fooled by labels either, if it says “unscented” that does not necessarily mean that it is free of “fragrance” it often means there is just another additive in the formulation to mask the fragrant smell.


Cosmetics database has a great video, which is short but gives a detailed look on the topic of fragrance titles “What is Fragrance”?

Why is this so important during Pregnancy and Lactation? There are a couple of reasons.

-  Many of the studies cited above found the presence of these chemicals in Breast milk.
-  These chemicals can cross the placenta to the fetus.
-  Children under the age of 5 are more susceptible to the effects of chemicals.
-  Because these products are found in high levels in long-wear cosmetics (i.e. moisturizer, shampoo, nail polish, makeup etc.) exposure levels remain consistently higher in women.

What’s more, baby and children’s products contain these ingredients as well. Click HERE to see our complete list of recommendations for baby skincare products

So what should you know about latex?  Some pacifiers and bottle nipples are made with latex (synthetic rubber) which is indicated by a yellow nipple.  Some children are allergic to latex, and studies indicate that long term exposure my increase a childs sensitivity to latex.  Best to avoid it when possible. 

Look for pacifiers and/or bottles etc. with a food grade silicone nipple.  
The other option is the Natursutten Pacifier (which can be found and purchased on this website) which is a natural rubber pacifier.  However, if a child has a known latex allergy it is recommended that the Natursutten pacifier be avoided as well.