Do you need an easy, clear-cut reason to curb or eliminatejunk food? How about recent reports that foods with lots of High Fructose Corn Syrup may be contaminated with mercury, a potent neurotoxin. Healthy Child Healthy World has cited three studies, which have found mercury contamination in 30-50% of foods that contain High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) as the first or second highest labeled ingredient—including products by Quaker, Hershey’s, Kraft and Smucker’s. Here’s the thing, the average American consumes 12 teaspoons of HFCS per day! If even 1/4 of that is contaminated with mercury, that would be a serious source of poison and could certainly account for all sorts of ill-health, from autism to dementia. So, when grandma asks why you won’t let your children have soda or why you always read labels, tell her you don’t want to fry your kid’s brain. That should work.
Create Your Birth Plan, Earth Mamas! January 29, 2009
If you’re having a hospital or birth center birth, you will have caregivers who have no idea about your desires and plans. A birth plan is WONDERFUL for communicating all the minutae. Minutae? What minutae? Ah, I see you haven’t taken a look at Earth Mama Angel Baby’s free online birth plan system yet. It’s easy-to-use, free, and produces a nice save-able and printable copy of your custom birth plan. And, even more, it’s a great tool to help you think through all of the many choices you’ll face during labor, immediately postpartum and as a new mother.
Secondhand for Baby: What’s Safe & What’s Not January 27, 2009
I’ve saved many a pretty penny by purchasing baby clothes, baby strollers and even a baby carrier secondhand. If you’re pregnant and looking to buy the best, safest products for baby, I’m sure your shopping list is looking a bit pricey. Here are some tips from Healthy Child Healthy World that will help you cut costs where it’s safe to do so:
Bath Products:
Safe: Used baby bathtubs are fine as long as the lining isn’t full of mold or mildew.
Not Safe: If the tub has an odor of either of these, say no thanks because they can be hard to remove. Also, skip secondhand bath seats, bath rings, and inflatable tubs since they have been responsible for many deaths among babies.
Healthy Child Recommendation: In addition to mold and mildew, look for scratches or other signs of wear and tear in the plastic. Old plastics are more apt to leach chemicals and the scratches can also harbor for bacteria.
Car Seats:
Safe: A car seat that has all its original parts and labels, has never been in a crash, and fits your car and child is OK.
Not Safe: Products more than six years old are outdated, and most likely too run down to be considered safe.
Healthy Child Recommendation: It is dangerous (and illegal in some states) to reuse a car seat that has been in an accident. Only accept a hand-me-down from someone you trust. Don’t ever buy one from a yard sale or thrift store.
Cribs:
Safe: Any crib that was manufactured after the year 2000 should be fine, as long as it is not broken or missing any pieces.
Not Safe: Prior to 2000, cribs were held to different safety standards, and will not be acceptable for your baby, even if you slept soundly in them. Any crib with cutouts in the headboard, and corner posts over sixteen inches pose serious risks for a child’s safety.
Healthy Child Recommendation: Use the money you saved on the crib for a nice organic mattress (or at least an organic mattress cover). Your baby will spend most of her daily hours with her face nestled into her mattress. Make it a healthy one!
High Chairs:
Safe: Say yes to a hand-me-down high chair if it has a five-point harness to prevent your child from climbing out and a fixed crotch post that prevents him/her from sliding out the bottom.
Not Safe: Old-fashioned wooden high chairs with removable trays or arms are considered dangerous and uncomfortable for the baby, in addition to not being up to newer product safety standards.
Strollers:
Safe: Strollers made after 2007 when new safety standard were published are safe.
Not Safe: Any stroller made prior to that date, or has missing, loose, or broken
pieces is not.
Healthy Child Recommendation: Accept the stroller, but ditch the PVC rain guard.
Toys:
Safe: Stuffed animals and most children’s books make fine hand-me-downs. In the case of lead in used toys, there are many home lead inspection kits which can be purchased for under twenty dollars which will tell you whether the toys have surface lead contamination.
Unsafe: Avoid any toys that are chipped, as well as any small parts that can fit through a tube of toilet paper, since they present serious choking hazards for small children.
Healthy Child Recommendation: Toss stuffed animals in a dryer on high heat or in a freezer for 48 hours to kill any dust mites (especially if your child has dust allergies or asthma). Make sure books don’t smell moldy. Politely decline plastic toys (especially if they are worn or if they are made from PVC (#3), PC (#7) or an unknown plastic).
Used Clothing:
Safe: As long as buttons and snaps are on tight and none of the thread is unraveling from the fabric, the used clothing is fine.
Unsafe: Pass on any article of clothing with drawstrings because they pose a strangulation hazard.
Healthy Child Recommendation: Recently, many children developed rashes and skin burns from children’s tag-less clothing. Watch for these items and monitor your child for any reactions.
Courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World: a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.
Still Not Sure about BPA? January 22, 2009
I am certain that BPA (Bisphenol A) is a danger to human health, and I have worked to eliminate my family’s exposure to this hormone mimicing chemical. But, if you’ve watched the news, the FDA doesn’t seem to agree. In recent months, two governmental agencies issued opposing reports about exposure to BPA-containing plastics. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), reported “some concern” that BPA harms the human brain and reproductive system, especially in little ones and the unborn. While at the same time, the FDA declared that “at current levels of exposure” BPA is safe. In October the FDA’s science board questioned that ruling, but the FDA did not revise it. So, what’s the deal?
If you’re still unsure about the safety or toxicity of BPA, get ALL of the facts in this recent investigative journalism report from Fast Company. The report, titled “The Real Story Behind Bisphenol A” cuts through the clutter to show that the VAST majority of studies (90% of independently-funded experiments) do show that BPA is a danger to human health even in very small doses, AND that those studies concluding that BPA is safe are industry-funded!!! Hmm…
As a parent, I’m not willing to take chances with my children’s health, especially when safe alternatives are available at reasonable prices. I think it’s appalling that the FDA, an organization established to protect public health, has sunk to this level on an issue that effects all Americans. I hope you’ll join me in voting with your dollars by purchasing BPA-free products. Whenever possible, choose products made with glass, metal or wood. These old-time favorites have withstood the test of time and are many times more eco-friendly too.
Update! “Save Handmade Toys from Ridiculous Legislation!” January 19, 2009
I mentioned in an earlier post that those who want to “Save Handmade Toys from Ridiculous Legislation” may want to vote on Change.org to support the measure titled, “Save Small Business from the CPSIA.” The good news is that “Save Small Business from the CPSIA” received so much support that it is now one of the top ten ideas for change in America on change.org! As such, it was presented to President-elect Obama’s change.gov/transition team at a press event in Washington DC this past Friday, January 16th.
Here’s the news from Change.org “With 12,280 votes from supporters, our issue is now part of a campaign to increase national awareness of the lack of provisions for small business in HR4040, the CPSIA, and bring about positive changes to the law. In the upcoming week, we will be working with the chang.org team to engage an appropriate non profit group to help us further our cause.”
Good news for all!
“Failure to Thrive” January 15, 2009
Pediatricians. Ugh… sometimes they can be just awful. Like, when they throw the “failure to thrive” statement at you and suggest supplementing with formula because your 5 month old baby only gained 1 ounce the past month. A dear friend of mind just came home teary-eyed from just such an appointment, and asked me for advice. Here is what I wrote:
“No matter how you feel when at the doctor’s, remember that you know your daughter better and love her more than anyone else. You are educated and can figure out what’s best for her. Go with your gut…
As to only gaining an ounce in a month, I will speak my mind here. So what? Babies do NOT grow in a perfect curve like the graph at the doctor’s office. They’ll grow a lot and then stop for months. A baby can be tiny all through infancy (like Aria, they were always worried about her being too small) and then become “standard” size in preschool years (like Aria has). I say, DON’T LET THEM SCARE YOU! It sounds like your gut tells you that you should let her nurse as long as she wants. This is a good idea. Now that your nipples are broken in, it shouldn’t bother you too much. Yes, getting an herbal tea like this: http://www.euphoriamaternity.com/na-em-milkmaidtea.html may help, and won’t hurt. Also, make sure you’re getting enough rest, drinking tons of water and eating lots of nutritious food and even healthy fats (nuts, meat, beans, veggies). Your emotional perspective on this can make a big difference. Try to be positive and confident that you MADE her with your body and you can sustain her too.
As your gut is telling you, don’t supplement. It’s only a temporary fix and will lead to weaning earlier than you want. I truly believe that slightly less breastmilk is better than going more and more to formula, which almost always happens when people supplement. If you hold on and do what only you can do (breastfeed) your body will ramp up milk production, if that’s what she needs. She’ll gain when she’s ready.
“Failure to Thrive” is a ridiculous term for your daughter’s situation. They don’t know how much she SHOULD grow in a month, they’re only making a statement based on averages. I know that you’re feeding her, cuddling her, singing to her, wrapping her, smiling at her, carrying her, talking to her - these are things that make a baby thrive. She IS thriving, because you love her.”
Beauty Treatment No-no’s during Pregnancy January 10, 2009
Pregnancy & Newborn magazine just ran a helpful article on what’s safe and what’s not during pregnancy when it comes to beauty treatments. Here’s a quick rundown:
Definitely NOT Safe:
- Laser Hair Removal
- Salicylic Acid (skin treatments)
- Retinoids (Vitamin A skin treatments)
- Dentist office teeth whitening
- Tanning Beds
Probably NOT Safe:
- Depilatories
- Electrolysis
- Hair Coloring
- Hair perming/straightening
- At-home teeth whitening
- Self-tanners & spray tan
This information is based on commonly accepted medical studies and recommendations from OB’s. In my opinion, these beauty practices are also suspect for safety during pregnancy and otherwise:
- Polishing nails with conventional nail polishes. Instead, use something odorless and non-toxic, like Polished Mama products found at EuphoriaMaternity.com.
- Using perfumes (and air fresheners or candles) which utilize synthetic fragrances. Instead, choose products made only with pure essential oils.
- Using soaps, lotions, facial care products, shampoos, make-up, etc made with conventional harsh chemicals. If you haven’t already done so, check the products in your cabinets at www.CosmeticDatabase.com to see how they are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 for toxicity. For more info, click the “cosmetics” tag to the right.
- Frequenting smelly salons! If you smell fumes, you’re very likely to be inhaling potent toxins. Think twice about being present in a nail salon or hair salon that has a strong odor. If you get a headache from being there, take that as clear message that your body is under stress. Instead, search out eco-friendly salons or those that cater to pregnant women. Or, treat yourself at home with safe products.
- Applying chemical-based sunscreens. You don’t want to go there, mama! Choose one with active ingredients of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide ONLY. For more info, click the “sunscreen” tag to the right .
The Waldorf Doll January 8, 2009
Chloe has arrived! No, I didn’t have a baby… Aria’s handmade Waldorf doll arrived! She’s the sweetest doll, and Aria is just thrilled. She named this little redhead and has been sleeping with and toting her around ever since. Now, I know she’s just a doll, but I’m getting attached to her too. Her woolen hair is incredibly soft and she’s so pleasantly huggable and sweet all over. Yesterday I crocheted her a shoe. Let’s hope that tonight I can recreate my pattern to make a matching one!
What constitutes a “Waldorf” doll? Waldorf theory recommends that we surround a child with open-ended, beautiful and natural playthings. As this pertains to a doll, they suggest that he or she be made of natural fibers like cotton and wool. Unlike hard plastic or clammy synthetic fabrics, a doll made like this will be soft, cuddly and warm to the touch. Another key feature of the Waldorf doll is a fairly neutral facial expression. Why not a big smile? We want the child’s imagination to be free to impart the doll with many emotions, from happy to sad to angry. This type of play can help a child work through current issues and try out a multitude of behaviors in an appropriate way.
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Rainbow Baby Teether
I don’t remember becoming attached to a doll as child. In fact, I used an incredibly tame and patient cat in the place of a doll. My cat, Speckles, would let me dress her in clothes, lay her on her back in a crib and even give her an empty bottle – I know, crazy! But, I digress… The point is, I can see why a child is so much more likely to fall in love with a soft, natural doll in the Waldorf style. They’re so much more cuddly than mainstream hard plastic (vinyl!), blank-staring versions. Plus, they look more like a child. While it’s wonderful for a child to practice nurturing play with a baby doll, a childlike Waldorf doll is more like a friend. For a little girl of 4, she’s a safe, ever present companion with whom she can share her adventures, feelings and even her bed.
Now, I should point out, that Waldorf would recommend that a child’s doll match the child’s developmental stage. For example, a baby will relate to only the face of a doll. They will be best served by something as simple as the Rainbow Baby teether. A toddler, who is beginning to recognize his or her body as separate from others, is suited to a very simple, soft doll shape like the Nicki Baby.
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Nicki Baby
After two, the child may be ready for a more traditionally shaped baby doll, and only in the later preschool years on through 6-7 would a child doll like Chloe be appropriate. In general, the shape and detail-level of the doll reflects back to the child his understanding of himself. At ever stage, we want to affirm the child with a beautiful toy, full of natural beauty and made with love.
P.S. Waldorf dolls can be quite expensive. You can buy the materials and instructions to make your own doll here or contact Amy of BabyRobots, who made our Chloe at a very reasonable price.
Hot Topic: Private Cord Blood Banking? January 4, 2009
Read any pregnancy magazine and you’ll see it, that huge 4 page ad for Viacord and maybe another for CBR too. Has it occurred to you yet that these companies are making quite a profit on private cord blood banking? Because, let me tell you, those ads are NOT cheap!!! Well, they are making a killing. Parents pay $1500 – 2000 to have their child’s cord blood collected and another $100 per year to keep it in storage for use at their discretion.
Many parents don’t have a spare $2000 when baby is born, so why are they banking cord blood? I think it’s the angle these companies take. Banking that cord blood is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy a precious substance that might save the life of one that you love. Given parent’s intense feelings of protectiveness at the time of pregnancy and birth, it’s no wonder many feel compelled to private banking.
It’s true that cord blood can be used to treat many diseases, and it’s true that in the future it may become even more useful as science advances. It’s also true that a parent or sibling is more likely to be a match to that new baby than anyone else, but does that really mean that private banking is the answer? I say, “NO”!
Did you know that there are public, not-for-profit cord blood banks? These organizations are taking cord blood donations and making them available to those in need NOW. If everyone used public cord blood banks, we could save lives today, while at the same time making it likely that in 2050 some new baby’s cord blood will be available should the need arise in your family. It’s much more efficient to see that cord blood used this year, instead of saving it for 50 years for some unkown, possibly non-existent use. Unfortunately, public cord blood banks are not available everywhere. But, if we start asking for them and stop private banking, they will be available in time.
In my opinion, private cord blood banking is not the right choice for a healthy family with no forseeable need for that blood. I suggest parent’s use that $2000 to eat healthy, make non-toxic lifestyle choices and pursue good health today. Give away that cord blood, just as you would give away your blood to the Red Cross, and help someone who needs it now.
In the Spirit of the New Year January 2, 2009
It’s 2009, a fresh new year. My daughter, Aria, was thrilled to be told yesterday that it was the first day of the whole year. A change of month, plus a change of year was just so much fun for her. She kept saying, ”It’s January, the coldest month of the year!” with great enthusiasm. Perhaps it helped that we baked a chocolate raspberry New Years cake together… but really, she just loves to mark the days.
I don’t like resolutions. They always seem birthed from the negative as in “I’ll eat better,” “I’ll exercise more,” or “I won’t neglect the garden.” But, in the spirit of the New Year, I’m reflecting on some goals for 2009.
- Build a set of compost bins and start composting
- Start dancing again for exercise (and therapy… oh, what an hour of ballet can do for my soul!)
- Get a flock of egg-laying chickens
- Research and plan our vegetable garden for 2010
- Develop my cooking skills with an eye towards economics and health. Specifically, I hope to learn to cook our sandwich bread and salad dressings, buy/cook beans in bulk, and find our way into a weekly dinner rhythm that allows our afternoons to fall together without stress and with savings!
- Enrich our lives with more Waldorf inspired ways – more simple traditions, more seasonal festivals, more time outside, more crafting, more beauty in our home. A lifestyle of togetherness, spirituality, and less is more mentality.
- Worship and honor God in all that we do.
