Aug

29

SAF Baby Interviews Mike Schade on PVC and Phthalates in toys

Filed Under Toy Safety | Comments Off

We’re all aware of phthalates and PVC in toys, but how aware are we about just how hazardous these chemicals really are?  SAFBaby got a really great (and much needed) interview from one of the experts over at Mike Schade over at Center for Health Environment and Justice (CEHJ).  From SAFBaby:

Many parents are concerned about PVC/Vinyl in toys. SafBaby understands these concerns, and we have listened to your questions!

Even though there is a lot of information out there, it can still be confusing about how concerned we as parents really should be.

I don’t think I’ve could have said it better myself.   Go and read the full article here.

Aug

28

Review: Clean George Hand Purifier

Filed Under Award Winning, Eco-Mama, Product Reviews | Comments Off

Many will argue that hand sanitizers do more harm than good, and I tend to agree in terms of preventing illnesses.  Immunity tolerance is an important part of a developing child’s life.  However I can appreciate the need for something in a pinch, say after visiting a rest stop on I-95? Ick.  The ingredients in typical hand sanitizers like Purell are less than desirable.  Just to give you an idea, Purell rates a 7 in the Skin Deep Database.  And there is the whole “it could kill you if swallowed” factor due to the concentrated amount of alcohol.

I came across Clean George and I breathed a sigh of relief that I found something safe and kid-friendly.  Clean George is a hand purifier as opposed to a sanitizer.  Traditional alcohol based sanitizers kill good and bad bacteria alike, which can actually make you susceptible to germs that make you sick.   Clean George uses tea tree oil for its natural antibacterial properties.  One squirt cleans off hands and leaves them feeling soft and moisturized, instead of dried out like some alcohol based ones tend to do.  It’s list of certified organic ingredients aid to clean hands without promoting germ resistance.

Clean George is a very eco-conscious company using 100% post recycled plastic for their containers use only 100% recycled “save a tree” paper with vegetable ink, even for their business cards!  Clean George is not tested on animals and is certified by EcoCert.  It contains no icky synthetic ingredients, which is what I love the most!

Clean George comes in 3 scents Lovin’ Lavender, Mint-alyptus and Grapefruit n’ Sage (Sage not for pregnant mommies though!).  My favorite was the Mint-alyptus which I carry with me in my purse.  The Lovin’ Lavender for those who don’t mind lavender was really nice too… I keep it in our travel bag for day trips to parks.  The scents are a little bit strong so one squirt is plenty… which is rather cost effective!

Award Winner: Clean George’s commitment to creating a safe and environmentally friendly product and company awards them the SafeMama™ Award of Excellence in Safety!  Thank you Clean George for creating such a great product!

Get it Here: Clean George can be purchased right on their website.  Let them know SafeMama sent you!  Bonus: Us promo-code “safemama” for 15% off at checkout online!

Aug

27

Dear SafeMama: Dryer Sheets and Vaseline

Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Skin Care, cleaning products | Comments Off

Q: I have been reading about how fragrances used in a lot of products (candles, air fresheners, etc) are toxic.  I was wondering about the fragrance in dryer sheets.  Are scented dryer sheets safe to use?  Should we be using unscented ones, or should we be using something else all together?

Scented and unscented dryer sheets, and fabric softeners often contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals.  It sounds alarmist to say that but unless you’ve read over a list of possible chemicals contained in them, you may not be aware of the contact and respiratory dangers you could be exposing yourself to.  This short article in the Associated Press covers a quick list of chemicals they contain.

Additionally, the sheet itself is yet another thing sitting in a landfill while the chemicals are one more thing helping ruin the environment.  There are better choices for commercial dryer sheets if you must use them.  Some are more fragrant than others so if you have skin allergies or sensitivities then avoiding them all together is wise.

Mrs Meyers Dryer Sheets, Shaklee Dryer Sheets (recyclable!), and Method (these aren’t the BEST but are better) are a few.

SafeMama Tips for less toxic/ eco-friendly laundry:

  • Line dry when possible - saves energy ($$), and whitens whites like no other
  • Don’t over dry in the dryer… take stuff out when its slightly damp, or turn down the heat to squelch static cling
  • Add a shot of white vinegar to the wash cycle or baking soda to the rinse cycle (if you use vinegar, don’t use bleach too - this can be a toxic mixture).
  • Make your own dryer sheets by adding a few drops of essential oil to a damp washcloth added to the load.

Q: I have read mixed messages on if Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is safe to use on babies for diapering.  On the Skin Deep website, it says that it has a rating of 0 (no hazard), but I have also read many other places that refined petroleum is not safe.  Can you help clear this issue up?

Petroleum jelly has been used on infants and adults for many years and is still widely used and recommended by doctors and hospitals.  Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid mix of hydrocarbons which was discovered at oil rigs when it was causing the rigs to malfunction.  It started being used for cuts ans scrapes to protect them from dirt and infection.  While it has a low hazard score of 0, that’s a sketchy assessment and should be taken with a grain of salt.  The popular form of petroleum jelly, usually purchased as Vaseline, is a refined version of pure petrolatum.  The refining process is resource intense and can leave the refined version contaminated with other things… and there isn’t any way of knowing whats in there.  Petrolatum’s only known concern is possible contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are linked to cancer risks.  But it’s a toss up whether the tub of Vaseline you buy at CVS contains it or not.  On top of that, its not a renewable resource.

I would leave it up to every parents discretion on deciding to use it or not.  When I do need something like Vaseline I opt for Un-Petroleum Jelly which works just as well and didn’t come from an oil rig.

Aug

25

SafeMama Review: Munchie Mug

Filed Under Product Reviews, Product Safety | Comments Off

I’ve been on the hunt for a BPA free snack cup for awhile now.  Having two dogs, and a child that likes to dump stuff on the floor, isn’t really conducive to having an open bowl, and I’ve been hard pressed to find something for my son, that isn’t polycarbonate.

When I found the Munchie Mug over at Nature Mom’s Blog, I was pretty stoked.  I was pretty sick and tired of being the resident bowl holder around these parts.  And I tend to baby my son, which just furthers his dependence on me.  This is not really a good thing, as much as I want him to stay my baby forever.

One of the things I like about this mug is the size.  It’s an ample sized cup with a lid that’s toddler proof.  Heck, it’s almost Mama proof too.  Thankfully, they stuck instructions in with the cup, or else I wouldn’t have been able to get it opened.  It also comes with a separate lid, so that if you’re out and about, you can not only fill it with enough to last you, you can keep things fresh.   The snack lid is a neoprene cover that is stretched with an opening to allow for hands to get in and out.   My son is a gross motor skill baby, so he has  weaker fine motor skills because of this.  He had a little bit of a hard time pushing his hand through and then hanging onto the food once he was trying to pull it out.  Once I showed him a few times, he was able to pick grasp the concept, but I think it may take him a little while to really be strong enough in his hand coordination, to use this mug.  It shouldn’t be a problem for most kids if you practice with them.  I really love this mug, because it keeps the crumbs at bay and even thwarts my dogs from thievery.

The Munchie Mug is made from Polypropylene plastic (#5), from plastics that are sourced in America.  The cup itself is also made in the USA.   The entire cup is dishwasher (top rack only) safe, although we recommend hand washing to extend the life.  The cup is appropriate for ages 10 months and up.

Get It: You can order the Munchie Mug direct online.   The cup retails for $12.95

Aug

22

SafeMama Review: Greenbaby Gifts

Filed Under Green Mama, Product Reviews | Comments Off

One of the things that was indispensable to me when I was pregnant was the things that were given to me by my parent friends.   Not typical shower items, but things that were thoughtful, practical and most of all, tried and true favorites of theirs.  Being a new parent is overwhelming and there are so many little things you don’t think about.   Now that I’ve got a little more handle on things and infant-hood is behind me, I like to try and pay it forward and get something that are things that I can’t live without, along with essentials.  And while I try not to push my greener lifestyle on people, I can’t in good conscience give someone something that I wouldn’t use on my own child.  Which means that most of the stuff I do give has to be greener.   And while there’s no doubt that the buzz phrase of 2008 will most likely be eco-friendly, a lot of people still turn to conventional baby products, because organic is either too expensive or hard to find, necessitating several trips or online purchases.

Enter Greenbaby Gifts.  Oh how I wish I would have known about this even just a few short months ago when I was on the hunt for a more natural and organic gift basket.  Owner Cynthia McGregor just wanted what was best for her baby and much like myself, found herself frustrated when she couldn’t find something affordable all in one spot.

Green baby gifts has incredible looking gift baskets for any budget and all of the items are either organic or made from sustainable eco-friendly fabrics.   All items are hand picked and thoroughly researched and then packaged in a beautiful reusable recycled box that is perfect for keeping baby momentos.   These boxes are gorgeous and the products inside are equally as gorgeous and well made.   When I first opened the box I was awestruck.  I’m definitely keeping these on my list of SafeMama approved products.

Get It: Order your Greenbaby Gift Box direct from their website and enjoy 10% off your purchase from now until September 30th.  Just enter the code safemama at checkout!

Aug

20

California’s Landmark Bill, SB 1713 BPA Ban in Trouble

Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Take Action | Comments Off

Ok parents, we were notified this morning that California’s landmark bill, SB 1713, the bill that would ban Bisphenol-A from baby bottles and sippy cups, could be up for a vote as early as this afternoon.

Action time Californians! If you want to see this bill passed head over to the EWG Action Fund and find your assembly member and write to them, call them, beg them to Vote YES on SB 1713 to Ban BPA & on SB 1313 to ban PFCs from food containers.

Tell your friends!

Aug

20

Dear SafeMama: More Car Seats and Pediasure

Filed Under Car Safety, Dear SafeMama, Product Safety | Comments Off

Dear SafeMama, I have been looking all over the net for an answer with no luck, we have always placed our son since he was born in the center of the back seat, we think is the safest place(because of the side impact problems)on the other hand I know is a bigger hassle as the kid grows. We believe is the safest place but I keep seeing people placing their car seats on the sides of the back seat, what is the safest location to place the car seat lateral sides of back seat or middle (center)?

This is a tough one, but in general, the middle is the safest spot for your child. Followed second by behind the driver’s side. I still have my son in the middle at nearly 18 months and you’re right, as they get older, it gets to be more of a hassle because of the sheer weight. I would recommend leaving them in the middle for as long as you can stand it. Maybe he’ll learn to climb in himself and you won’t have to catapult him in there much longer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a list of car safety guidelines to check out as well. Most importantly, the seat should be properly installed and the child buckled in correctly to reduce chances of injury.

Edited to Add: A lot of SafeMama readers have also mentioned that they’ve been advised against placing the car seat in the middle if they have an arm rest, which could possibly dislodge during an accident, possibly causing further injury.   In this case, we advise against placing your seat in the middle.

My son just turned one, and is suspected of having a metabolic disorder that causes him to not gain weight properly. My pedi has suggested putting him on Pediasure, but I wanted to know your thoughts on the safety of the packaging, and if you knew of any organic/ greener such as a protein powder that’s safe for toddlers, etc. Thank you for your time and dedication to helping mothers!

While my son hasn’t had the same problem, we have come to a screeching halt in the eating vegetables category, so I know your concern. I have to try and sneak things into foods now to make sure he gets enough nutrients. While Pediasure would be an easy fix, his body can’t tolerate all the additives and preservatives in a conventional nutritional supplement.

You can easily make something yourself with simple ingredients like whole milk kefir and blending in fruits (and a couple of stealthy veggies too if possible) that are high in protein, such as figs, apricots, honeydew and prunes (easy on the prunes, obviously). You can also blend in some flax seed oil or flax seed meal. The oil might be easier to blend into a drink. I’m a personal fan of Barlean’s in the black bottle. I actually love the taste of it and so does my son. We add it to his oatmeal every morning. Flax seed is also really rich in omegas, which as we all know is vital to baby’s brain and eye development. Another good fruit is avocados. They’re extremely high in protein, and they’re usually bland enough that a lot of kids seem to like them.

Thanks for all the questions and be sure to keep them coming!

Aug

19

Review: Britax Boulevard CS Car Seat

Filed Under Car Safety, Product Reviews | Comments Off

When my son was too big for his infant seat, I went crazy trying to find the safest car seat to graduate him to. I scoured Consumer Reports and tried to pry information out of Babies R Us sales people (they aren’t allowed to disclose what seat is the best) and interviewed friends with bigger kids. I eventually settled on a Britax Marathon. It rated well and would have him taken care of until 65 lbs came. Lucky for me they rate fairly well on HealthyCar.org.

I was pleased with the Britax Marathon… until I had the opportunity to test run a new Britax Boulevard CS which just became available at Babies R Us in July. Britax has gone a step further to improve the safety of their car seats to address the harness latch system and beef up the side impact protection. Britax has implemented their Click & Safe™ snug harness indicator, which is supposed to reduce the common misuses of the tightening mechanism of the harness belts. On older seats, like the one I had (Britax Marathon) you buckle the child in and then pull a strap between the legs to make the whole system fit snug. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 59 percent of all harness straps to be dangerously loose… many times due to operator error. I can’t tell you how many times I looked back to notice my son sitting upright rather than snug on the chair… forcing me to pull over and readjust so he’s be in tighter. The Click & Safe ™ snug harness indicator is now the solution to help reduce that.

Now, once the child is buckled in, pulling the Click & Safe harness strap, you hear a brief “click click” indicating the strap is secured tight and will remain so. From a personal standpoint, this is a little tougher to pull than the older models but it does secure a bit tighter and doesn’t loosen as the child wiggles around.

The other feature they’ve added is Britax’s revolutionary True Side Impact Protection™ with deep side walls and head support to provide advanced protection in side impact collisions. One in four of all motor vehicle crashes that involve children occur from the side, and these crashes result in a significantly higher injury rate than front or rear crashes.

Again, from a personal use standpoint, I like the fact that there is more head protection with this seat, and frivolously, my son likes to rest his head on them so car trips are a little more comfortable for him.

The feature my husband loves is its easy-turn knob adjusts the headrest and harness height without having to remove the seat from the vehicle. No more taking the seat out and rethreading the straps for 20 minutes. The headrest and strap height adjust in a quick knob turn.

Britax Demo from Kathy Scoleri on Vimeo

I really love the quality and safety performance of this car seat and it just looks cool… not to mention it’s made in the USA and Britax rates well in HealthyCar.org so it’s a seat I can stand behind.

Get it here: Babies R Us: Britax Boulevard CS Click n Safe Car Seat

Aug

17

FDA Says BPA Safe, Some Disagree, Including Us

Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A | Comments Off

I’m sure you have all heard by now that the FDA recently deemed Bisphenol-a safe, and poses no threat to humans at the levels contained in consumer products. I can’t say I am surprised. In a draft ruling on Friday the document concluded that an “adequate margin of safety exists for BPA at current levels of exposure from food contact uses”. I wish I was more excited about that ruling but I can’t really throw my weight behind their decision for a few reasons.

I have a hard time believing that all the independent (i.e. not funded by pro-plastic advocates) studies done this year indicating there was reason to question BPA in the first place are all wrong. As we know, babies are far more sensitive to chemical exposure than adults and could prove to have more intense effects from repeated and cumulative exposure. Still, groups who stick their head in the sand in regards to BPA’s safety will stand behind it and fight tooth and nail, doing whatever it takes to convince consumers otherwise. Unfortunately for the rest of us, there isn’t much we can do about it besides choose alternatives. Luckily, companies recognize we want safer choices and are making them available to us.

I do admit it is possible that the levels adults are exposed to could be less harmful, so banning it from products we don’t eat from like CD cases and sunglasses isn’t totally necessary…. but when you think about the amount of that stuff that ends up in a landfill seeping into our water system, I can’t with good conscious support it in any way shape or form. When it comes to our babies and kids drinking from that plastic day in and day out, as a parent, I’d like to see the chemical at the very least, banned from childrens products entirely.

The President just signed a law banning phthalates from children’s products last week… it’s time to add BPA to the list. In the past the FDA has stated with gumption that phthalates are safe and now they have been banned from childrens products. The inconsistencies are just too ridiculous to give them any weight. “It’s safe, ok not safe for kids, no its safe… ok maybe not… wellllll yeah its kind of safe.” That’s just not good enough for me.

For now, SafeMama™ stands behind the independent research findings and will always recommend choosing safer, non-toxic and when possible non-plastic alternatives for kids and babies.

Aug

15

Review: Clean Kids Naturally Hair & Body Products

Filed Under Award Winning, Product Reviews, Skin Care | Comments Off

I recently was contacted by the people at Gabriel Cosmetics to check out their line of Kids products. They carry a line called Clean Kids Naturally made up of organic botanical extracts to create a gentle and pleasant smelling hair and body care line. I’ve thoroughly tested all four of their products on myself and my 2 year old and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at 1) how great all the products smell and 2) how well they work.

The Tropical Orange Burst shampoo lathers great, a little goes a long way, and it smells unbelievable. Like others I am pretty much over the scent of lavender and I am a little leery of using too much of it, so this is a GREAT alternative. The smell is so fresh - edible fresh, with hints of lime and orange without being too strong. A nice plus, it’s tearless which is not always an easy find with natural shampoos. They also carry a Banana Smoothie Detangler which people are buying by the case.

The banana scent comes from banana oil so no worries on some synthetic banana smell. My sons hair looks all shiny and soft and I think this would work great on longer hair for girls.. it’s a thicker creamy detangler so a little dab will comb through perfectly. Your kids hair won’t reek of banana afterwards.. just a nice gentle light banana scent lingers.

Gabriel Cosmetics carries two other bath products for kids, a Tiny Bubbles Foaming Bath with a light sweet Linden Blossom scent… its a girly smell, but I still used the entire bottle and my son didn’t seem to mind. Lastly there is a Germ Busting Soap for hands which I kind of stole for myself. This soap smells exactly like fresh fennel, and if you have ever eaten fresh fennel (drizzled with a little olive oil and balsamic reduction.. oh yeah) it’s heavenly. If you like that sort of thing. And I DO. This soap smells so yummy and unique. It’s mine. Mine mine mine. My only beef with it is that it’s a little bit drying to the hands so I need to follow up with some hand lotion afterwards. But the smell… I just can’t resist it.

I really liked this line and the criteria surpasses my usual list of things: no synthetic ingredients including dyes and fragrances, no parabens, not tested on animals, organic, safe for the environment, and made in the USA. This is a line I can definitely stand behind. These are reasonably priced compared to others I’ve tried for a generous 8oz bottle… I have had these for a few months and I have only used 1/4 of the shampoo and detangler so they go a long way. I’ll be reordering for sure.

Award Winner: We’re proud to award Gabriel Cosmetics the the SafeMama™ Award of Excellence in Safety for their kids line Clean Kids Naturally!

Where to get it: Gabriel Cosmetics Inc., Clean Kids Shop right on their website and from now until September 30th enjoy 10% off with the coupon code SAFEMAMA! Find this and more deals in the SafeMama™ Shopping Mall!

Next Page →

  • RSS US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Recent Child-Related Product Recalls

  • RSS FDA Recalls

  • RSS Canada Recalls and Advisories

  • RSS US FDA/CFSAN Food & Cosmetic Announcements

  • Popular Topics

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

    • Popular Articles

    SafeMama Approved Vendors















    SafeMama Elsewhere

    SafeMama MySpace!
    Join our Facebook Group
    Follow Us on Twitter
    We Squidoo