Feb

11

Cheat Sheet: Natural Toothpaste & BPA Free Toothbrushes For Kids

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Bisphenol-A, PVC Free, Product Safety | 12 Comments

We get a lot of questions about toothpaste and fluoride and “my Dentist says my son needs fluoride drops”  here and I am still kind of wishy washy about fluoride.  Especially after having read the great articles on SAFBaby regarding Fluoride… it really makes you wonder whether it’s the best thing.  Whether you are anti or pro fluoride, you might also be concerned with the other ingredients in toothpaste such as: sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, artificial colors, and triclosan. Here’s a quickie Cheat Sheet based on the natural toothpastes for kids we have tried or know of that are free of the ingredients in question. I figured a new list of BPA Free toothbrushes was appropriate too.

Last updated: February 16, 2010

Natural Toothpastes

  • Weleda Tooth Gel (Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 3
  • Kiss My Face Kids Toothpaste (Fluoride and Fluoride Free): Sweetened with Stevia – Skin Deep Rating: 3 (w/ Fluoride: 4)
  • Toms of Maine (Fluoride and Fluoride Free): NOTE: The only caveat with this one is that it  contains sodium lauryl sulfate so if that’s a problem for you skip it and try one of the other brands. – Skin Deep Rating: 3 (w/ Fluoride: 4)
  • Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste (Fluoride and Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 1 (old formulation)
  • Green Beaver Natural Toothpaste (Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 2
  • Jason Natural Cosmetics Orange Kids Only Toothpaste: (Fluoride and Fluoride Free)  Certified organic, wheat and gluten free – Skin Deep Rating: N/A
  • Natural Dentist (Fluoride and Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep: 4 – They only have a rating for the kids toothpaste with Fluoride

Make Your Own

Our friends at LuSa Organics (they make awesome soaps and body care… I live for their body scrubs) posted a great blog post and tutorial for making your own toothpaste.  Check it out:

LuSa Organics Homemade Toothpaste

  • 2 tsp Natural Liquid Soap (try unscented Dr. Bronner’s or similar)
  • 4 Tb Coconut Oil
  • 1 Tb Water
  • 2 Tb Xylitol (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp Stevia powder
  • 10-20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 5-10 drops Spearmint or Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Boil a small pan of water. Measure out 1 Tb and stir into it Xylitol (optional). Stir to dissolve. Melt coconut oil and add to water mixture. Measure in soap and stevia and blend (a stick blender works well if you have one. Otherwise use your regular blender or whisk by hand like mad).  Blend while the formula cools enough to stay combined. Add essential oils and transfer to a clean squeeze or pump bottle. Cool completely, shake well.

Read their full post here… make sure to also check out their skincare items…. Looooove!

BPA / PVC / Phthalate Free Toothbrushes

Here’s a quick list of the toothbrushes we know of that are BPA and PVC free from our previous search for safer toothbrushes, FAQ: What’s In My Toddlers Toothbrush, along with a couple new ones.

I *JUST* stumbled onto The Soft Landing’s safer toothbrush finds in their blog. (I should have known Alicia would be on top of this one!)  She says the following are all BPA/PVC/Phthalate Free too:

Dec

23

Infant Carrier Cart Seats Recalled due to Fall Hazard

Filed Under Car Safety, Product Recalls, Product Safety | 1 Comment

I noticed this recall in my email, and as you know, we don’t typically post an article about every recall but when it comes to bigger items and massive recalls like car seats and cribs I try to bring it up.  I  know how busy we all mare being parents or grandparents that sometimes these things go unnoticed, so I wanted to post it before the holiday madness.  This latest recall involves 447,000+ car seats made by Dorel Juvenille Group which includes the following brands: Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Disney branded infant car seat/carriers. You can check your particular seat against the list of model numbers on the CPSC website.

The recall is for infant seats/carriers and involvesthe child restraint handle on the seats which can loosen and come off, posing a fall hazard to infants.  The CPSC suggests not using the seat until receiving a repair kit from the Dorel Juvenille Group.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group at (866) 762-3316 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.djgusa.com/safety_notice

CPSC Official Recall Notice: Dorel Juvenille Group Infant Seat Recall

Dec

10

Teething Bling: Safe for baby, stylish for mommy!

Filed Under Product Reviews, Product Safety | 9 Comments

BabyBling0044When I have a new baby around, like many, I tend to focus more on the baby than on myself and my appearance is well… lacking in polish.  I run out the door to drop one kid off at preschool while I rush off to the grocery store to get shopping done before I have to pick him up again, then rush home to shower, squeeze in some work while the baby naps (if you call 20 minutes a nap… sheesh) and then supervise the kids until dinner time relief.  Did you see any time in that schedule for primping?  Yeah, me either.  I’m lucky if I slap on some mascara and lip balm.  During this time of m life I rely on smoke and mirrors to appear I have my ish together so I’m always on the lookout for things that can add to my personal style without requiring time.

I heard of Teething Bling a while ago, before I was even pregnant with my second son, and I knew I wanted to get one.  They look like a super stylish piece of jewelry… and well , they are.  The disc on their fabulous pendants are about 2 inches wide so they make a proper statement.  But the beauty of it is that they’re made of food-safe, phthalate-free, federally-approved silicone so they double as a safe teether for baby.

I wasn’t sure how effective they’d be but for he price I knew I’d give it a try.  I am so glad I bought one because baby loves it, he always has something to chew on and I am never without something to give him.  He’s yet to get his first tooth so he’s constantly jamming everything in his mouth.  I’ve gotten several compliments on my bling and a few moms have said “what a great idea!”.  And it is!

Ive taken to wearing it everyday to boost my appearance, while having a handy teether around.  No digging in the diaper bag, no searching the house for something, its just there ready for baby.  I bought a round donut pendant in a pretty turqoise (called Jade), but I have my eye on the Mother of Pearl too.  They come on a black cord with a breakaway safety clasp.  I know what will be in my stocking this year… Teething Bling!

Get It: I bought my bling at my favorite spot The Soft Landing!

Nov

10

Dear SafeMama: What’s TPR and Is It Safe? Answer from The Soft Landing!

Filed Under Dear SafeMama, PVC Free, Product Safety | Comments Off

dear safemamaQuestion: Do you know the identity of the soft, non-skid “rubbery” parts that are often included on Sassy or Munchkin products? These seem a lot like PVC to me, but might be silicone. I know they are BPA free and SAY they are PVC free, but then what exactly is the material and is it safe?

Answer: It’s a pain not knowing what’s what, so we reached out to our favorite expert Alicia from The Soft Landing to get the skinny on this mystery material so often found on baby toys and teethers. She knew exactly what it was of course! Here’s what she had to say:

“While PVC is sometimes used in various parts of teethers, the dense “rubbery” areas on teethers (and even non-skid bowls and such) are usually made from either silicone or thermoplasticized rubber (TPR).  TPR is a great choice because it doesn’t require the use of BPA and is made without PVC (and thus phthalates).  Thermos uses it for their Foogo sippy spouts.  PVC is typically found in hollow, squeeky bath toys or dense, plastic baby dolls with a harder feel (less rubbery) and is hardly ever used in eating gear.  Silicone and TPR are both usually BPA-free, because they simply don’t require the use of a hardening/strengthening agent like polycarbonate plastic does.

If a manufacturer goes the extra trouble of actually labeling a product as BPA or PVC-free, you can usually assume that it’s true.  They are not required by law to label their products with materials used (or not used in some cases), so if they do, they are laying their reputation on the line.”

Thanks Alicia!  As always, if you’re ever in doubt about a product or material… do your shopping at The Soft Landing. There you are sure to get non-toxic safe feeding and baby gear.  Be sure to check out her great holiday specials too!  Alicia also runs the The Soft Landing Blog where you can find great information on a bevy of other children’s feeding and toy gear… check it out!

Sep

4

Review: Bumboosa Wipes

Filed Under Product Safety | 3 Comments

bumboosa I have to admit, since having my daughter, I’ve been a bit lazy (read: frazzled and learning to balance life and being a mom of two) about using the cloth wipes, like I was using for my son.   I don’t like that I’m using more of my share of disposable diapers and wipes these days, but right now, getting through a day unscathed is my ultimate goal.

So, I’m glad that there’s another bamboo wipe option out there for me to take advantage of, making me feel less guilty about my impact on the environment.

Enter Bumboosa.  Bumboosa wipes are great because they’re made of bamboo, which is is not only naturally sustainable, but the wipes themselves are biodegradable.   No trees are harmed in the making of these wipes.  They’re soft, with a nice orange smell to them and they don’t seem to dry out the way regular wipes do.  I mean, yes, they dry out, but it seems to be a slower process.  This is nice, because do you know how many times I’ve left half a wipe hanging out of the package?

Overall, they’re not a bad wipe, but if I to make a short wish list of things I’d like to see in these wipes, it would be:

A slightly bigger and thicker wipe.  Kids make big messes.  My daughter saves up the poop and then unleashes it in one diaper, resulting in me using practically an entire package of wipes.   Sustainable or not, I don’t want to use a package of wipes every time I see the tell tale signs of the arrival of a dirty diaper.

A little less fragrant:  This is just a personal choice.  They don’t smell bad, but the smell is strong.

Get it: You can order Bumboosa by the case at Amazon.com.

Aug

29

Booster Seat Safety and the Britax Parkway SG

Filed Under Car Safety, Product Reviews, Product Safety | Comments Off

britax-parkwaysg-sesameI’m at the point where I started wondering when it was appropriate and safe to graduate my 3 1/2 year old to a booster seat.  Turns out, not yet.  I started to think about it because it’s become increasingly difficult for him to climb in an out of the Britax Advocate he’s using.  While I’m content with his comfort and safety in it, I thought the time was approaching to move up.  But he doesn’t fit the requirements just yet in weight so we’ll have to wait.  However, not that long.

With booster seats you need to pay close attention to the weight/height/age requirements set forth on the seats instructions.  In the new Britax Parkway SG’s case its a minimum of 40 lbs and 38 inches tall.  The nice thing about the Parkway is it accommodates our child up to 120lbs and 63 inches tall which in most cases will cover your booster seat needs until your child is large enough to be in a regular seat belt.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children should stay in a booster seat until adult belts fit correctly (usually when a child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height, 57 inches tall, and is between 8 and 12 years of age).

When choosing any booster seat, make sure to select one that works with a shoulder AND lap belt for optimum safety.  A while back, a study revealed that booster seats may be potentially unsafe due to putting comfort over proper belt positioning.  The IIHS named 13 booster seats as “Best Bets” when it comes to choosing a seat and Britax Parkway made that list.  The Parkway features True Side Impact Protection with an easily adjustable head piece to ensure comfort and fit.  (The top of the child’s ears are below the top of the head restraint.) It also has SecureGuard clip which works with the lap belt to make sure the child doesn’t slip through under the lap belt risking abdominal injury during a crash.  The SecureGuard clip and its strap connect the seat base to the lap-belt portion of the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt between the child’s legs to effectively create a four-point harness.

Britax provided a seat for us to check out and I was greatly impressed as I am with their other seats.  The narrow width allows for fitting 3 across the backseat.  What I also loved is that the back restraint is removable to convert the seat into a backless booster when you need to while keeping the safety of the lap and shoulder belt in tact.

Just a refresher on booster safety:

Your child needs to be in a proper height/weight restraint.  PERIOD. The government recommends car seats for children up to 40 pounds and booster seats for children over 40 pounds until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. All children should ride in the back seat until age 13. It’s about the fit with a booster seat.  Boosters act as a way to safely position seat belts on your child’s body and should abide by the following:

  • The seat belt is meant to be routed across a child’s lower hips and mid-shoulders instead of the abdomen because the liver and spleen are more vulnerable to injuries.
  • Seat should be properly installed.  Call your local Fire Department or log on to SeatCheck.org to find out how to have the installation checked. by a certified car seat technician.

We loved the Britax Parkway and we think you will too.  Find Britax Parkway on Amazon.com!

Aug

28

Your SIGG Bottle May Contain BPA

Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Product Safety | Comments Off

siggIt’s come to light that some older models of SIGG reusable aluminum water bottles contain BPA in the epoxy lining inside the bottle.  As you may already know, the lining on the interior of SIGG’s has been questioned for some time and many skeptics thought that the epoxy may contain BPA… turns out they were right.  The SIGG company “took to heart” the controversy over BPA and went to work on a new lining that was BPA free.  However there were many SIGG bottles on the market since they developed their new lining, called EcoCare. 

Any SIGG Bottle on the market prior to August 2008 has the old epoxy lining, and should BPA be a concern to you then you should replace it with an alternative or a new SIGG with their new EcoCare lining. This inclides the kiddies!   SIGG still maintains that their older models are still “safe” but they spent a lot of money on changing it.  I’d advise anyone with an older SIGG to check it against their website and contact them about a replacement.  They aren’t doing a voluntary recall but we saw a letter from the company on The Consumerist stating they would be handling replacements.

Needless to say, we’re disappointed after having supported them in the past that they weren’t forthcoming in the beginning about their materials.  We recommend you try some other alternatives to SIGG reusable bottles as there are many great ones on the market.  We adore the ThinkSport, Thermos Intak and the Klean Kanteen but there are a ton to choose from.  Check out The Soft Landing for a huge selection of reusable water bottles.

Aug

18

Review: Spa Baby Bathing Tub

Filed Under PVC Free, Product Reviews, Product Safety, product finds | 3 Comments

spababyWith my new addition to the family I’ve been reconsidering a lot of things I used the first time around, including our baby tub.  I had a basic blue baby tub with the infant sling attachment and my son always screamed through baths as a little baby.  Only did he start liking being bathed when I put him in a bigger tub with more water.  I’ve since recycled my old baby tub to someone else who needed one so when I went looking for a new tub I wanted something better.

I discovered Spa Baby in one of my late night Internet searches and was in awe of this genius idea.  The Spa Baby tub is basically a European style bathing tub that allows the baby to sit in an upright position as opposed to laying down so the baby is somewhat submerged up to their shoulders.  This keeps the baby warm and comfy, whereas in traditional tubs the baby is wet and can get cold easier -hence all that crying!

You can set the tub on a low flat surface, or in a regular tub – anywhere safe and sturdy so you can bathe and rinse easily.  The nice part about this is it’s made of #5 plastic (is totally recyclable once you’re done with it) and doesn’t contain anything like BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead or flame retardant foam inserts or slings.  The tub is much larger than I imagined and can fit a baby up to 6+ months old.  You could also use this later to keep toys (in or out of the tub) organized, or use it to store extra towels in the bathroom when baby gets too big for it.

I’m really quite smitten with this tub and I think it would make a great baby shower gift for that mom-to-be.   I always seem to struggle finding a unique gift and this is definitely perfect for that.  I gave it a go and I have to admit, there is a bit of a learning curve with this tub as I felt pretty awkward and nervous about using it with a newborn who can’t hold his head up.  He wasn’t too happy about it but I think it was mostly because it was one of his first bath experiences and he felt my awkwardness.  With a little practice this is a great tub, although I think I’ll wait until he’s a little bit bigger before I try it again.  Once you get yourself comfortable with this tub I think it would be a great alternative. 

Get A Spa Baby: You can purchase Spa Baby tubs on their website SpaBabyTubs.com!

Jul

13

Another SafeMama Baby is born!

Filed Under Product Safety | 10 Comments

Statia here, letting everyone know that Kathy had her baby this afternoon. Let’s all welcome Carter. A healthy 7lbs 9oz and 19 1/2 inches long via scheduled C-section. Everyone is doing great, though Mama is pretty sore, which is to be expected. He’s gorgeous of course, just like his big brother. Congrats Mama!

Jun

29

Control Pests Safely with EcoSMART (Giveaway!)

Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Safety | 67 Comments

ecosmartOne of the questions we get often around here is “What is a safe way to control bugs?” and up until now I only had home remedies and natural tricks to share.  I discovered EcoSMART online and ordered myself a few products to try out.  They carry a full line of pesticides that are based solely on essential oils and the natural oils plants use to defend themselves against pests.  I admit to being skeptical.  So far my home remedies were, at best, mediocre in preventing or controlling pests in my house and in my garden.

My real first test came when we had a lovely patio put in with tumbled pavers.  This patio changed my life… we spend hours out there playing and eating, especially during our Florida winters.  But with that came small weeds that wedged in between and ruined my patio chi.  My husband of course wanted to go on a rampage with a bottle of weed killer.  Instead I tried EcoSMART’s Weed and Grass Killer.  In a day all those pesky weeds were shriveled brown nothings that were swept away with a broom.  I felt so victorious!  When the box arrived I was immediately aware of the strong scent these products have but since thats the only “drawback” I’ll take that over chemical pesticides any day.

EcoSMART has a ton of products utilizing organic plant oils to control and tame pests and weeds, safe for use around kids and pets, which put me at ease.  I’ve since used the ant and roach killer with perfect success as well.  Totally impressed with EcoSMART!

Win It!

EcoSMART is giving away a can of EcoSMART Organic Ant Killer,  a great product to kill ants and all types of household bugs, to TWO lucky winners.  To enter:

  1. Visit EcoSmart.com and tell us which product you would love to try in a comment on this post.
  2. For an extra entry, follow us on Twitter.com and tweet our giveaway “Win EcoSMART Organic Ant Killer on SafeMama.com @safemama” (or something of that nature).  Leave a comment here so your extra entry will get counted!

Giveaway open to US residents.  2 Winners will be chosen at random.  Entries accepted until Midnight on Friday July 3rd 2009!  Good luck!

Congratulations to Kristen and Becca for picking up a can of EcoSMART Organic Ant Killer.  Thank you EcoSmart for the giveaway and thanks readers for entering and participating.  More to come!

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