v 3 issue 32: Make Your Home Safe

With the new reports of phthalates found in nearly all babies, it is time for consumers to demand safer products. These products are safe for your family and cute as well.



Cover by Kellie Anderson




Safe products for baby



1 Thinkbaby bottles address the growing concern over toxic chemicals leaching from plastic baby bottles. They are free of Bisphenol-A, PVC, Lead, Phthalates, and Nitrosamines.

2 Perfect for your toddler, The Safe Sippy stainless steel drinking cup is a non-leaching stainless steel cup that is plastic free (and free from other harmful chemicals) and they topped it with a plastic straw free from Bisphenol A, phthalates and DEHA and a cap made out of Polypropylene plastic (the most stable of plastics). The water has very little contact with these safe plastics to prevent leaching.

3 If you are worried about what plastics may be doing to your baby, the first thing that should go are those old plastic teethers! Baby Vibe has come up with a revolutionary therapeutic teether that vibrates and is non-toxic. This safe teething ring provides a natural solution to baby’s teething aches and pains.

4 Babylife has reintroduced glass baby bottles with a twist…the bottles are covered with a protective sleeve to prevent breakage (and spice them up with a little color!). The sleeves are free of plastics and are 100% non-toxic. All extra parts like the nipple, plastic ring, plug and cap contain no polycarbonates and are recyclable. Babylife baby bottles are bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free.

5 When looking for safe, natural and durable toys Haba is a great choice. This German company creates durable wooden toys that last and are non-toxic. Another great choice are organic cotton plush toys by Kathe Kruse and Lana Organics. All of these great brands can be found at Oompa.com

6 Bundle baby safely in Swaddle Designs organic swaddle blankets. Made from certified organic cotton grown on family farms, the flannel is processed and pre-shrunk in Earth-friendly ways. These blankets are simply the softest swaddle blankets and while they are organic, they are also styled with Swaddle Designs signature edging.

7 The news of Phthalates testing in infants absolutely terrified us and sent us on the hunt to find shampoo’s that are Phthalate-free. Among our favorites is California Baby. California baby products do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or DEA, instead they use a non-invasive and biodegradable cleanser that can be used for hair, face and body. Their products are formulated for sensitive skin and are naturally no-tear formulas.

8 Keep your home safe with non-toxic cleaning products like Shaklee. Shaklee’s Get Clean cleaning line offers you nontoxic and natural cleaning choices that are safe, powerful, green and smart. Their cleaners are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and contain no harmful fumes.

9 With the recent baby bib recall scare, we are happy to let you know that Kiddopotamus has created a bib that is latex, Phthalate and PVC free. This amazing bib is waterproof, wipes clean easily and is stain and crack resistant. Best of all, it is made in the good ol’ USA.




This week's mom tips

Green Tip:

Turning off and unplugging electrical appliances when they are not in use will save a surprising amount of energy. Many appliances enter “passive standby” mode when they are turned off, which allows the appliances to start up quickly when switched on. Other appliances continuously use energy to power clock displays. According to Energy Star, as much as 40 percent of the energy used to power appliances is consumed while they are turned off. Unplugging appliances will help avoid this energy waste.


Financial Tip:

Check your car's tire pressure each month with a good-quality dial-type gauge. Tires that are under inflated will reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. If your tires are under inflated it can also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter life span.


Time Saving Tip:

Teach the kids how to do chores...as kids we were expected to perform daily chores. Have your children learn one chore a day and consider paying allowance for chores, not just good grades. Let them know how much you appreciate their help and that being a part of a family and living in a home requires responsibilities.


Cleaning Tip:

Remove blood from clothing or furniture with hydrogen peroxide (rub gently). Corn Starch can also remove blood stains...rinse the stain in cold water and run with moistened corn starch, then place the item in the sun.




Here Comes Baby...Better Get Ready

As baby planning consultants to expectant parents, our clients constantly ask us our advice on how best to prepare for baby. Of course we can talk for hours (and we do!) about the benefits of one stroller over another, which layette items are essential, and how to "interview" your pediatrician, but in addition to knowing where the baby is going to sleep and whether or not you’ll be using cloth or disposable diapers, here are a few other details to tend to. No they're not quite as exciting as picking a name, but the following "must do's" are always on The Baby Planner’s checklist:

Prepare a birth plan. A birth plan is your roadmap for how you’d like your birth experience to unfold. It’s meant to be a source of comfort and confidence but must remain flexible as no one can predict exactly how it will go. Basically, you should decide before your water breaks, who you’d like in the delivery room with you (parents, in-laws, doula?) to whether or not you’re planning a natural birth (or if you’re open to medication should you need it). Discuss your birth plan with your partner and share it with your Doctor. It’s important that you’re all on the same page now to avoid possible disappointment later.

The Baby Planners also ALWAYS recommend having your infant car seat professionally installed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, up to 80% of car seats in use today are installed incorrectly. That’s a pretty scary statistic. The good news? It’s getting easier and easier to find a professional. Many baby retailers, from the larger chain stores to boutiques, now offer this service, sometimes even for free. There’s a great website we recommend for finding a certified car seat installer in your neighborhood. Simply plug in your zip code and you’re in for a smooth ride: http://www.seatcheck.org.

Lastly, we highly recommend taking an Infant CPR class. This is essential in preparing for your baby’s arrival. The idea behind it is to increase the likelihood of a good outcome in a potential life-threatening situation. A good CPR class not only gives you the basic skills you’ll need but also the confidence to handle even the most unpredictable event. Check with your local hospital, pediatrician, or the Red Cross for class information.

Melissa Gould and Ellie Miller are The Baby Planners™, Los Angeles’ premiere baby planning service, offering nationwide phone and email consultations as well as personal concierge service. They've been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, In The Loop with iVillage and in Pregnancy Magazine. They can be found at www.thebabyplanners.com © 2008 all rights reserved, The Baby Planners™