Jessica Alba Designing Eco-Friendly Diapers
Filed under: Baby Bath Time, Baby Gear, Baby Health, Baby Safety, Parenting, Premier Baby Stores
Celebrity-created or endorsed product lines are often vanity projects, even when it comes to babies. That’s not always the case, however, and Jessica Alba is a recent example of a star with a genuine vision. Not out to build her brand with handbags, clothing, or fragrances, Alba, who has been absent from films for the past few years, debuted Honest.com, a website for eco-friendly diapers, last week. Profiled by the New York Daily News, the Machete actress described her intentions and motivations for her first entrepreneurial endeavor.
Honest.com, the website for Alba’s The Honest Co., offers a line of nontoxic, environmentally friendly diapers, biodegradable wipes, and organic bath and skin care products. Unlike many eco baby products, which frequently are colored beige or green, The Honest Co.’s adds patterns.
Alba explained that, after receiving a rash from a baby-safe detergent, she researched the chemicals in it, only to find that many were, in fact, not organic. Further finding out that flame retardants are added to breast pillows, she sought out truly green baby products, which were difficult to come across. She said:
“It was exhausting. I had a baby, I was working. I didn’t have time to go everywhere. And I get it. Everything has a green leaf on it or brown or beige. I’m like, just because it’s eco why does it have to be brown, beige, or have a green leaf on it?”
The actress developed the brand of eco-diapers in response, determined to offer truly environmentally-friendly baby products that are both affordable and attractive. At the moment, the diapers and other baby products appear to only be available for purchase online.
Finding eco-friendly baby products is a difficult task, but more options can be found on the internet. DadaBabyBoutique.com has a large selection of green baby toys, supplies, and diaper bags, and Rattlecake’s eco diaper cakes are perfect as baby shower gifts.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Brand-Name Baby Products
How safe are your baby’s toys? Not as safe as you think. On December 13, the Environmental Health Strategy Center put out a report identifying 650 brand-name products with hormone-disrupting toxic chemicals, including BPA and NPEs. Not relegated exclusively to baby products, the report reveals that common toys for young children, such as PLAYMOBIL figures and Chicco baby rattles, contain BPA.
BPA, we mentioned before, mimics estrogen, harming brain development and behavior in the process. The report mentions that 18 states have passed 70 laws regulating chemicals in products over the past decade, but a national measure, such as the Safe Chemicals Act, should be in place. Although only in initial stages at the moment, the Safe Chemicals Act would require chemical manufacturers to disclose health information and safety about compounds and restrict the most harmful. The act would replace the current Toxic Substance Control Act, which has had no changes in 35 years.
Although states are already enacting laws, companies found to have potentially-harmful chemicals in baby products are addressing the issue themselves. One is Johnson & Johnson. According to a November Associated Press article, Johnson & Johnson has been working to remove traces of toxic chemicals from baby products. In May 2009, Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo was found to contain two potentially carcinogenic chemicals, and the brand has experienced two-dozen recalls over two years. As far as improving the quality of baby toys, the company has since removed all phthalates from baby products.
Parents shouldn’t have to seek out green products to keep chemicals away from their children – especially those that harm development, like BPA. Enacting a national law regulating chemicals would be one step toward ensuring the greater availability of healthier baby products.
Suggestions for Green Baby Gifts
Going green is becoming essential, going from where electricity and food come from to baby products. If you are looking to go green with Christmas or Chanukah presents for your baby or another’s child, finding such items can be difficult at conventional retailers. For staying away from toxic chemicals, PVC, and BPA, consider these suggestions for green holiday baby gifts:
• A Regal Rocker Moses Basket Stand. Ideal for parents already using Moses baskets as temporary sleeping areas for their children, these stands are made out of all-natural organic wood, with no paint, stains, or toxic finishes added.
• The Lassig Vintage Metro Diaper Bag. Many mothers want stylish diaper bags, and this Lassig model has an eye-catching look, all while being made without PVC, nickel, AZO dyes, and phthalates.
• A Yellow Label Pink Cuddle Doll. With many baby toys, you don’t know if the item was made in the United States or overseas with child labor. Yellow Label Pink Cuddle Dolls, on the other hand, are made entirely by hand – no machines are used – in accordance with Fair Trade Practices.
• Cotton Monkey Crib Bedding. With a bright appearance, Cotton Monkey crib bedding is made out of organic cotton and wool, which has natural antimicrobial properties and is resistant to dust and mites.
• A Naturepedic Mattress. Baby mattresses are often made with foam containing fire-retardant chemicals, which leach out and get into a child’s environment. Because a baby sleeps for 70 percent of its first year, having a space free of chemicals is crucial. Naturepedic baby mattresses, which are also available in sizes for toddlers, are made with organic cotton, without harmful chemicals or allergens.
• An Eco-friendly diaper cake. There’s no such thing as too many diapers. For parents with a new baby, go green with one of these Rattlecake diaper cakes, which include toys made out of organic cotton and Seventh Generation diapers.
Baby Gifts for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is approaching, and no matter if you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, you might find yourself looking for baby gifts – for your own child or a friend’s. If you are unsure about what to get, consider these pointers below.
• A child can never have too many toys. Yet, the usefulness of the toy counts. While friends, particularly, may be tempted to purchase just any toy, infants and toddlers have specific needs in play, which assists with building sensory, gross and fine motor, critical-thinking, and creative skills. In this case, look out for baby toys in black, red, and white, which visually stimulate a child, or those that have various textures, patterns, or sounds. Toddlers, on the other hand, need to work on gross motor skills, and for such a child, you should be on the lookout for blocks, riding toys, or dolls, all of which should be soft.
• Parents always need baby clothes, especially as young children quickly go through garments. No matter if you are shopping for your own child or someone else’s, stay practical with this gift. However, know the child’s age or size before purchasing any onesies, pants, footies, or t-shirts beforehand.
• Generally, veer away from larger presents, such as furniture, strollers, and car seats. Parents with babies or young children likely have these items already. However, if you know a parent in need of any of these items, consider purchasing one as a useful present.
• Go a practical route but dress up your gift. While basic, holiday diaper cakes are perfect for parents with babies and toddlers. Designed with a holiday theme, such diaper cakes contain 80 to 150 diapers, as well as various baby products on the outside. Overall, such a present helps new parents cut down on their diaper budget.
• Consider the parent. Do you know a mother looking for a larger or more stylish diaper bag? Find one that looks similar to a high-end handbag but has all the components a parent needs for taking a child out.
Renting Baby Clothes?
What’s better than accepting hand-me-down baby clothes? Renting them. New parents find out, if they don’t know already, that babies go through clothing quickly. T-shirts and onesies that fit just a few weeks ago become too big in the near future. While a baby shower or receiving hand-me-downs can be helpful for getting infant-size clothing, the parents often end up purchasing new onesies, pants, and shirts every few weeks.
Plumgear, a new site for renting baby clothes, wants to change that. Reported by Consumer Reports, Plumgear was set up by Caroline O’Connor, a new mother who found that hand-me-downs and baby shower gifts provided limited options for new parents. Much like Netflix, Plumgear is a subscription service for parents to rent outfits for their baby. Once the child outgrows the clothing in a few weeks, they send it back to Plumgear for the next size up.
The website offers sizes 0-3 months through 2T, and clothing is purchased wholesale from quality brands like Rabbit Moon, Petit Bateau, Angel Dear, Soy Baby, Le Top, and Mini Muffin. Parents, when using the service, can order clothing in packs of five, 10, or 15, and a typical order includes tops, pants, and onesies; for a girl, a dress, leggings, and tights may also be added.
The cost of subscription covers the return of clothing, and all garments are laundered with fragrance-free Seven Generation detergent. If clothing ends up getting stained or damaged, the parents are not charged, and the garment is donated.
If you’re a parent tired of purchasing new baby clothing every few weeks, would renting the basics appeal to you? Clothing won’t sit around your home used and outgrown after several weeks, you only need to pay the subscription fee, and all garments are wearable, unlike questionable hand-me-downs. If you’re looking to save money with a new baby, would you opt to rent baby clothing, or purchase it secondhand and accept hand-me-downs?
Reconsidering Childproofing Around the Home
Babies and toddlers, when left alone for a moment, get into everything. Although out of pure curiosity, this need to touch and explore everything is best done when a parent is present and alert. But if a parent isn’t paying attention every single second, how can a child stay out of trouble? A home needs to be childproofed.
Yet, the childproofing methods of yore, including outlet covers and baby gates, just aren’t enough, according to a parenting advice piece from the New York Times. According to the experts cited, homes have changing hazards and childproofing methods need to stay updated with them.
What new hazards should parents now think about?
• Cords are now considered strangulation hazards. Parents, in response, need to make sure their home is as cord-free as possible. Baby monitors, power tools, and even blinds need to be cord-free. Otherwise, the child can grab it and end up choking.
• Outlet covers are outdated, and parents removing them may forget to put them back in. Instead, experts recommend putting a horizontal slide plate over every outlet.
• Televisions and furniture can fall on babies and toddlers. Parents, to prevent any injuries, need to secure all such objects in their home.
• Homes have many small objects. As you look around your home for hazards, examine each small object and see if it can move through a toilet paper tube. If it can, it poses a choking hazard to a young child and needs to be kept out of reach.
As far as checking your home is concerned, examine it from a child’s level and make any necessary changes. But because each home has its own individual hazards, the experts suggest having a consultant come in to survey your home. All childproofing, as well, should be done before the baby arrives.
If you have childproofed your home, what advice do you have for new parents?
FDA Warns Against SIDS-Preventing Baby Products
No parent wants to find a child dead from SIDS, yet products that make claims to prevent the condition are not safe, according to a recent statement issued by the FDA. In general, the government agency tells parents to avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce risks for SIDS.
Most parents have likely come across such products. Regardless of brands, however, typical SIDS-preventing baby products come as wedges, sleep positioners, mattresses, sleep surfaces, bedding, pillows, or tents. Such products, in concept, position a baby to prevent rolling over and suffocating during sleep. Yet, the baby itself can slip out of such products, which may in fact end up suffocating the child. The FDA reports that 13 deaths from SIDS-preventing products have occurred over the past 13 years.
In its statement, the FDA goes on to say that such baby products are unnecessary and, based on the evidence, may be dangerous to a child. Additionally, manufacturers of these SIDS-preventing products, some of which state medical claims, are urged to remove all statements from packaging. As the agency has never approved a product to be SIDS-reducing or preventing, the FDA wants all manufacturers to wait until their products receive clearance or approval to put such claims on packaging.
But, if a parent is looking to reduce risks of SIDS, what are his or her options? Although a study indicated that some babies may be predisposed to SIDS because of serotonin levels, general rules of thumb for putting a baby to sleep are clear the crib of any object and put the baby on its back. SIDS-reducing products aside, a crib should not contain any stuffed animals, toys, or crib bumpers, as a baby could roll over and end up suffocating on one of these surfaces. Additionally, cords from baby monitors, lamps, or other devices should not be within reaching distance of the crib.
Recall of Bugaboo Bee Strollers
A brand associated with luxury baby products, Bugaboo introduced the $1,500 Donkey stroller earlier this year. Yet, just recently, the high-end stroller brand experienced a recall of its Bee model.
The Bugaboo Bee presents a tipping danger, resulting from a front wheel that sticks when swiveling. Because of an earlier shimmying problem for the same part, the brand switched a metal bearing with a plastic one.
All recalled models were sold from January to September 2011. In terms of what to do, Bugaboo has provided directions for parents. To sum up the major points:
• Parents can continue using the stroller as long as the front swivel wheels are locked for the time being.
• A repair kit is being issued to those who registered with the brand.
• Those who did not register, however, can fill out a request form online for a repair kit.
• The repair kit sent out will include a wheel replacement set with metal bearing wheels to prevent sticking.
Bugaboo also has a newer Bee model available, but this, too, still may have a shimmying problem. If you have the newer Bugaboo Bee stroller and the front wheel still shimmies, contact the brand for a washer ring set and instructions for correcting the issue.
In regards to the recall, Bugaboo issued a statement. They wrote:
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and their children is paramount to Bugaboo. Previously this year we found that, although non-swiveling wheels affect the driving experience, we believed it did not affect the safety of the stroller.
“However, the latest safety assessment by an independent expert concluded, following further tests, that there is a small chance that the stroller’s front wheels could jam, which could make the stroller tip over.
“In light of this we believe that the safety profile of this product is inadequate and not up to our quality standard. We take this very seriously and therefore we immediately stop shipment and sales of the Bugaboo Bee.
[…]
“We believe that these metal bearing swivel wheels will be the solution to the non-swiveling issues some Bugaboo Bee customers are experiencing and remove any potential for tip-over and the risks associated with tip-over.”
California May Include Flame Retardant on List of Carcinogens
In recent news, California may decide to include a common flame retardant chemical on its list of carcinogens. How, exactly does this apply to baby products? While the chemical, chlorinated Tris, was once added to babies’ and children’s pajamas but removed in the 1970s, it is still present in crib mattresses.
Chlorinated Tris is the most common flame retardant added to furniture foam and baby products in the United States, but the EPA and CPSC have declared it a carcinogen. Worse, the flame retardant leaches out of furniture and ends up in dust, and you and your child end up inhaling and ingesting it unwittingly. The chemical, as well, has been associated with cancer in factory workers and lab animals, although manufacturers state that not enough evidence supports such claims.
California, if you are unaware, has the strictest flammability standards in the country and recently banned BPA. The state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65, is in place to protect residents from chemicals in drinking water that could cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and the governor yearly publishes a list of chemicals that meet Proposition 65’s requirements for cancer-causing or reproductive toxicity. Chlorinated Tris may end up on that list.
If the chemical does, it won’t be banned from furniture and baby products outright. Rather, products that do contain it will come with a warning label, much in the way that cigarettes and alcohol do.
Such an initiative will make identifying baby products with carcinogenic flame retardants easier. Because a baby spends about 70 percent of its first year sleeping, it could be highly exposed to chlorinated Tris and its effects. Parents looking to create a chemical-free sleeping area, as a result, have turned to products like Naturepedic organic cotton crib mattresses to stay away from toxic and artificial flame retardants.
B.O.B. Stroller Recall in U.S. and Canada
A recall of B.O.B. strollers was announced yesterday in the United States and Canada. 439,000 B.O.B. Trailers, Inc. jogging strollers are being recalled for choking hazards in both countries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.
More specifically, this model of stroller, manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010, has an embroidered logo patch for Ironman® or Stroller Strides® on the canopy that detaches. The patch, if loose, poses a choking hazard to the child in the stroller, and so far, six instances of children putting these patches in their mouths were reported. Two out of these includes gagging or choking, although no injuries occurred. The patch can be found on all single and double jogging strollers by B.O.B.
This recall isn’t the first for B.O.B. this year, however. 357,000 units were recalled back in February because the canopy drawstring also posed a choking hazard.
According to the CPSC website, consumers should stop using these strollers immediately, until the canopy patch is removed. CPSC also states that the company will be supplying kits for removing said patch. For additional information, CPSC suggests contacting B.O.B. directly (contact information is on the CPSC site).
For concerned or confused parents, B.O.B. has its own website with visuals of the recalled features. This particular model will no longer be available through stores and selling it, as of the recall, is illegal.
If you fall into either category, you have two options – waiting for the kit to remove the patch or purchasing a new stroller. Considering this particular model by B.O.B. has been recalled twice this year, purchasing another jogging stroller may be the best option. Rather, if you like this particular stroller, wait until the company offers repair kits and, in the meantime, use any other stroller you have at home.