Category Archives: Products

Healthy Car Seats?

Did you know you can have a safe car seat in more ways than one?  In my quest for the “next step up” from infant car seat to convertible car seat, I discovered a website which tests the seats and rates them based on the level of chemicals such as lead, bromine and chlorine they contain.  I really didn’t know we even had the option to find one with fewer (or no) chemicals, and just assumed we’d be choosing based on safety ratings and friends and family recommendations.   This is one of those areas where I thought- well, even though he’ll be exposed to the plastic off gassing and chemicals in the fabric, this is why we feed him organic food and use only natural skin care on him; the areas we can control help to offset the areas we can’t.  But I don’t have to settle and neither do you!  Check out This Convertible Car Seat.

Now I don’t have to hope he holds his breath or doesn’t chew on the straps every time I put him his seat, which makes for a healthier, more relaxed mommy.

A Day in the Sun

Those of us in the northern part of the country are rejoicing that the sun is shining on us again.  It’s a good idea to let your baby get some direct sunlight on his or her skin for up to 5 minutes everyday so he can make (very important) vitamin D.  After that, cover him up with light clothing and a sun hat for the best protection against sunburn.  If you must use sun block, it is imperative that you use a chemical free brand.  Research has shown that the nasty chemicals in most all conventional sunscreens turn into cancer causing substances when the sun is baking them into the skin.  Seems counterproductive, no?

Avoid these ingredients: Oxybenzone, DMDM Hydantoin, Triethanolamine, dioxanes, parabens, PEGs, propelene glycol, synthetic fragrances  and petroleum based ingredients.  Instead choose a brand with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which act as physical barriers to the sun because they don’t penetrate the skin.  Also check the labels for organic skin protecting ingredients.  Look for these brands:

Badger Balm All Natural Sunscreen for Face and Body

Weleda Children’s Sunscreen

Burts Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen

Erbaviva Natural Children’s Sunscreen

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen

Please leave a comment with your sunscreen experiences or other recommendations.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is one drink that pregnant and nursing moms should always have in their fridge.  During pregnancy it is an ideal rehydrating beverage with it’s perfect electrolyte balance and more potassium than any sports drink.  Coconut water also relieves exhaustion and aids in digestion.  Its great for breastfeeding moms too not only because you need extra liquids during this time, but also because it contains lauric acid which is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral, thus it helps protect babies against various infections.  Great brands to try are Vitacoco and Zico.
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