MightyNest.com

Aug

24

FAQ: Safe Play Room Flooring: What’s Best?

Filed Under Healthy Home, PVC Free, Product Safety | 15 Comments

I get an email about those foam puzzle piece mats about once a week.  If you have emailed me recently about it and I didn’t respond it’s because I have been rolling this one around in my brain for a while and I don’t have a “best” case scenario to offer you.  But what I can do is talk about what they are made of and whether that fits into your definition of “safe”.  I will also provide some alternative suggestions in a variety of price points.

In general, MOST foam play flooring / mats are made with a material called EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) which is a foam rubber compound.  For a while now it has been viewed as a healthier alternative to PVC and the process of making it excludes the use of chlorine which can produce carcinogenic compounds called dioxins.  This is part of why PVC is something to avoid.  Healthy Child Healthy World discussed EVA in an article back in October of 2008, giving EVA the thumbs up as an alternative.

Despite the fact that EVA foam does emit an “off-gassing” type smell, I cannot find information to disprove EVA’s safety as a material for use with children.  Now, this doesn’t mean I am recommending you run out and buy them. There are three things to consider, I’ve discovered in my investigating:

  1. PVC/Phthalates? Some companies who make these foam mats for kids will only go so far as to say that their product “meets the ASTM standards (American Standards for Toy Manufacturing) and are phthalate compliant.”  Step2 told one of our readers that “Some components that are used with our ‘Playmats’ may contain small traces of pvc.“  I don’t know if that means accessories or components of the mats themselves. But they will not go so far as to say they are phthalate free. I will be following up with them on this as soon as I get a moment to hop on the phone.
  2. Microban. I’ve found a few brands of these play mats that boast they use Microban.  Let’s not forget my position on the use of Microban and the extreme disillusion it creates for parents and caregivers.  Microban does not protect your child from germs or illnesses, it protects the product from mildew and discoloration.  Microban also does not disclose what its made of so the possibility of its use of Triclosan is a possibility.  You can decide whether you want to avoid it or not.
  3. Flame Retardants. Many of the EVA Foam flooring companies use EVA foam that has been treated with flame retardants.  Some have and some haven’t… this is where the information gets a little sketchy and I’m still trying to determine if it’s an issue for all EVA foam matting.  There is some suggestion that EVA Foam in its original state is inherently flame resistant.  What I can’t determine is whether the foam is treated in addition to that.  On the plus side, when EVA foam does burn it doesn’t have the same toxicity as PVC – no chlorine, dioxins, etc.  I’m still looking into this part.

So there you go.  I do believe EVA foam can be recycled and reused but it may be very tricky to find a place to bring it who’ll take it for recycling.  From an environmental standpoint, EVA isn’t going to save the planet.   So this one is up to you.

What Products Are Safe?

This is where your judgment as a consumer and a parent will come in to play.  I’ll provide you with a list of brands that I feel are acceptable as far as safety goes and I’ll give you a few more eco-friendly suggestions if that’s the direction you wish to go.

EVA Foam Options

  • Skip Hop Playspot Interlocking Foam Tiles – These claim to be PVC, Phthalate and BPA free and made of EVA.  They are cute, colorful and moderately stylish compared to most but they do come at a higher price.
  • One Step Ahead Wood Floor Foam Mats – According to One Step Ahead these are PVC and Phthalate free.  They look cool… but they do mention the off-gassing smell that I worry about.  They say in the description “Don’t worry its safe, we tested it” but we have all heard that before.  They make the traditional alphabet puzzle mats too. (Note: I emailed One Step Ahead to confirm the lack of PVC/Phthalates and was told that “Yes, the item meets all US Federal Laws and regulations and has passed all testing. and Yes they are free of PVC and Phthalates.“)
  • Soft Tiles Interlocking Foam Floor Mats – Made of EVA and website claims they do not use any phthalates or BPA.

Alternative Options

  • Wool Rugs – Wool is a safe choice (if you don’t have allergies to it) and eliminates the potential for off gassing carpet materials and padding.
  • FLOR Carpet Tiles – These are modular carpet tiles so its not permanent and you can move it when you need to.  They have stylish colors and patterns.  FLOR carpet tiles are made with renewable and recycled content and are recyclable.
  • Skip It – Save yourself some money and just properly child proof your home. Rhoost your sharp corners and gate off areas that are unsafe for baby and toddlers.  I’ve got 2 boys and never used any type of floor padding other than the area rugs we already have.  They get hurt more outside than anywhere else!

Have something to add? Tip? Let me know in the comments or via safemama [at] gmail.com!

Aug

2

Review: Rockin’ Green Laundry Detergent

Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Healthy Home, Product Safety | 6 Comments

We did a Laundry Detergent Cheat Sheet a little while ago and while publishing it, I was introduced to Rockin’ Green by a reader.  Having never tried it I was really curious to and coincidentally I got an email from the lovely Giselle at Granola Babies.  If you haven’t seen their site it’s a great little shop that specializes in baby gear centered around a green lifestyle.  They carry a large variety of cloth diaper systems, baby carriers and baby essentials for your natural baby. They offer great information for new and seasoned moms on cloth diapering and baby wearing.  They also help you in deciding which system is right for you.

Rockin’ Green is no secret to some cloth diapering moms out there, in fact it’s one of the preferred laundry soaps. It’s a simple formula that is designed to just clean and not leave any residues behind like many detergents can.  If you are a cloth diaperer, you know that a residue on your cloth diapers reduces the effectiveness of the diaper. Rockin’ Green comes in 3 formulas that are tailored to your water type or skin sensitivity but they are all gentle and safe for use on baby clothing and diapers.

Granola Babies sent me a bag of their Classic formula in Smashing Watermelons and I got to work trying it out right away.  I should note that I am not an exclusive cloth diaperer.  I’d like to be but it just doesn’t work out that way for us all the time.  However I do use a few and I also use cloth swim diapers as well.  So I tested it out on my stash and also gave it to my husband to test it on his stinky gym clothes. I then tried it out on my kids laundry.  We do a lot of laundry around here and after all my tests I have to give Rockin’ Green a huge thumbs up.  It worked stellar on my cloth diaper stash.  No residues, no smells, just clean clean clean. Same went for my kids laundry.  Everything came out looking great and just smelling totally clean and not masked with fragrance. My husband had some trouble using it on his gym clothes but that’s because he did it wrong and put too much in and (hello! A little patience!) he didn’t have much success.  So I tried it out myself and lo and behold, his gym clothes came out stink free.  Which is nothing short of a miracle since his gym clothes (he’s an avid runner) are really foul.

GET IT! You can pick up Rockin’ Green in all its various scent options from Granola Babies!

Jul

14

Parents New Challenge: Banning Microban?

Filed Under Chemicals, Product Safety | 20 Comments

I’ve been aware of Microban for a while and I have discussed it somewhat briefly with Jennifer McNichols from ZRecommends last month.  With the “back-to-school” posts surely being worked on right now (we are too) I wanted to look into the use of Microban and perhaps raise some awareness about it before school shopping begins.  I noticed that school supplies have shown up in Target here in the south since school starts back on August 9th.  I cruised through there and noticed alarmingly just how many school supplies boast MICROBAN on the labels.  Jennifer and I were commenting on how hard it had been for her to find a pair of kid scissors without Microban recently and while I was not surprised, it really didn’t sink in how big of an issue this might become until I went looking or a simple set of protractors for my son.  All but one set of them had a Microban label on the package.

What Does Microban Do?

I think there is some confusion about what Microban is and isn’t.  If you asked someone randomly what they thought it was they’d probably say something like “It makes things germ resistant”.  (I asked 3 random people the question “What do you think Microban does?” and all three people told me the same thing: That it helps protect us from germs.) Considering it’s used in a lot of kitchen and childrens products you might even assume it helps stop the spread of germs therefore protecting you from getting sick.  Here is the description of what it really does right from the Microban website:

*Microban® antimicrobial product protection is engineered to protect products from bacteria, mold and in some cases algae that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration. Microban protection is not designed to protect users from disease causing microorganisms. … Microban product protection inhibits the growth of microorganisms that can cause stains, odors and product degradation.

Hmm.  So adding Microan to my child’s pencil will keep the pencil from getting bacteria, mold or algae on it.  Because pencils and kid scissors are so prone to getting stained and deteriorating.  The horror.  So its not protecting your child or the product user from spreading or contracting germs, it’s protecting the product from getting discolored or moldy. It protects products from bacteria, yes but the bacteria that causes mold  – not diseases. This is according to Microban.  I’ve read in other articles that Microban does create a resistance to some bacteria that could cause infections but that Microban is very clear not to make that claim.  Microban may be successful in harming good microbes (the ones we need) as well.

What Is Microban?

Microban is a proprietary mix of chemicals (they call it “technologies”) possibly containing Triclosan.  It is added to a product during manufacturing and becomes part of its molecular structure.  The problem is that we don’t know what is in Microban.  It’s all very secretive and proprietary.  According to the Environmental Working Group:

“Contrary to popular belief, triclosan is not the same as Microban. Triclosan is officially registered under the EPA as “Microban additive B” – that is to say, any given product sold under the Microban trade name does not necessarily contain triclosan. Which antimicrobial agent is being used for those products, however, the company will not disclose: it could quite literally be anything!”

Considering the things we know about Triclosan (Lab studies link triclosan to cancer, developmental defects, and liver and inhalation toxicity), there may be cause for concern.  Triclosan is a  possible hormone disruptor and is basically a pesticide which should be avoided when possible as well.

Should I Avoid Microban?

I’m sure I’ll get some hate mail/comments for posting this and perhaps the Microban knee breakers might get their knickers in a twist but in my opinion (which I can’t stress enough is just my opinion…no I am not a scientist or a doctor or a chemist, so before you crawl up my tucus calling me an alarmist just chill out)… in my opinion, Microban is something to be avoided when possible.  Here are my reasons:

  1. We don’t even know what Microban actually is or whether our kids could ingest it by chewing on items containing it (pencils, pens, rulers – not to mention all of this stuff could possibly contain it).  Does it contain Triclosan?  We don’t know.  Maybe.
  2. Microban is most likely unnecessary.  It is an antimicrobial agent and as stated by the company who creates it say it “ protect products from bacteria, mold and in some cases algae that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration”. I think it just feeds into people’s paranoia about germs and nothing else.  I don’t think we’re all going to die if everything we own isn’t protected by Microban.

What Can I Do Instead?

Look for products without Triclosan or Microban.  This can get tough, especially with the number of items coming on the market containing them.  Stainless steel, bamboo, glass, ceramic are all materials that are usually safe from meddling by Microban.

Instead of focusing on the items in question, focus on practicing good hygiene and hand washing.  Teach kids to wash  their hands and to not put things in their mouth.  They still will but a little dirt and germs aren’t going to kill anyone.  Just do the best you can.  You’ll be fine.  Common sense is all we need… not more chemicals.

If Microban wants me as a consumer to trust their product, they’re going to have to tell me what it’s made of first.

May

2

Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benedry Recalled by McNeil Consumer Healthcare

Filed Under Product Recalls, Product Safety | 8 Comments

Thank you to a reader (Thanks Heather!) for emailing me about this today.  I was busy with my 4 year old at a Chuck E Cheese party and hadn’t even a moment to sit down today. Anyway, McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced a voluntary recall of several brands of Children’s medication including Children and Infant Tylenol, Children and Infant Motrin and a few other liquid childrens medications.

According to the recall statement on McNeil’s website the recall is a precautionary measure that has to do with an inconsistency in their quality control and have said this to be the reason:

Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles.

The company says the potential of any medical events due to taking this medication are “remote” but they are recommending consumers stop using these items immediately, anyway.

To check to see if your items have been named as part of this recall go to the McNeil Consumer Healthcare website and check to see if yours is listed.  They are listing items by NDC Number and NOT by Lot#.  The products NDC Number can be located above the brand name on the product label.

What Do I Do Now?

If you have some of these recalled medications, stop using them immediately.  To get in touch with the company or to report any adverse reactions:

For additional information, including affected NDC numbers, consumers should call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you are in need of any of these medications you should call your Doctor or Pediatrician and they can recommend the right supplemental products.

If you are in dire need of a replacement you can check with Target or CVS for a store brand equivalent – but please check with the pharmacist BEFORE administering any medication to make sure the dosage amounts are the same for your child’s weight/age.

Apr

28

SafeMama Cheat Sheet: Safer Hand Sanitizers

Filed Under Product Safety, Safe Mama Tips, cleaning products | 11 Comments

For the longest time, we were always getting the question, what about sanitizing?  “I want to carry a hand sanitizer!”  “What about sanitizing my toys/baby bottles/pacifiers?”   It seems like these days, it’s so much more prevalent to see some parent slathering Purell or the like on their kid at every turn.   They keep giant warehouse size bottles of it in school classrooms.  Parents want to sanitize their entire life.   Even my washing machine has a sanitizing mode.  Do my kid’s socks really need to be sanitized?

And this is where I get a bit cranky.  When we were younger, our parents weren’t insane about wiping down grocery carts before we sat in them.   We didn’t have cart covers.   If a pacifier dropped on the ground, our parents licked it off with their own spit and popped it back in our mouths.  As much as I eschew religious references, like my mother says (yes, I’m turning into my mother now.  Help me) “God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt!“  Maybe she could use a little polishing on her grammar, but what she says is true. (Kathy thinks dirt is filled with pesticides and PDBE’s…. she’s paranoid like that)

Truth be told, I would LOVE for my house to be hospital sanitized, but that’s my itchy brain hating the fact that there’s dog hair in my life and mud and grass being tracked in, and probably poopy dog paws, and what have you.  Not because I feel the need to be overly sanitized in my life.  Our love with hand sanitizers in this day and age is just not natural.

However, I know that there are times when there is a need for something to sanitize when you’re on the run and you have nothing else available to you.   Like when the only place to go to the bathroom for miles is an old disgusting gas station rest room with no soap (which by the way to avoid such a mishap, shoot on over to Mommy Likes and sign up to win an awesome fold up travel potty from Cool Gear Inc.).

Now that I’ve stepped up on my soapbox, here are some natural sanitizer alternatives:

Looking to kill bacteria or fight germs in your home?   One of our favorite ingredients we’ve recommended time and time again, is vinegar.   Another great ingredient is lemon juice (from a fresh squeezed lemon is best).    Making a mix of the two to clean your counters and other surfaces in your home beats the pants of off those noxious smelling blue multipurpose cleaners any day of the week.

Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

You can easily make your own hand sanitizer.  Essential oils such as thyme, oregano, tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus to name a few are great at killing a host of bacteria.  Here’s an easy recipe from eHow.com

Ingredients

  • 100% pure aloe vera gel (organic is preferred – aloe can be preserved with parabens)
  • Witch hazel
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Peppermint Oil

Directions

  • Place about 1 cup of your pure aloe vera gel into a bowl.
  • Slowly mix in 1-2 teaspoons of Witch Hazel. You do not want the consistency of the gel to become too thin.
  • Add 3-4 drops of Tea Tree essential oil, and 3-4 drops of Peppermint essential oil. Slowly stir ingredients together.
  • If you find the consistency to be too thin, add more aloe vera gel a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Store in a re-purposed container.

Most of the time however, just warm soapy water for 15-20 seconds is more than enough to kill germs.  I have my son sing his ABC’s while washing his hands to get into the practice of washing for long enough.    I save even the natural hand sanitizers for when we’re truly in need.

Apr

16

FAQ: Why Is TruKid Sunny Days Sunscreen Missing From This Years Cheat Sheet?

Filed Under Chemicals, FAQ, Product Safety, Skin Care | 5 Comments

We’ve been getting this question a lot since I released this years Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet so I wanted to clarify my decision to exclude it in this years list.  I want to preface this by saying one statement.  I do not know everything.  See? I’m just like you. But I spend a lot of time trying to learn more and more about the topics I cover here at SafeMama. I care deeply about the safety of products and food.  But this is also a learning process for me too.  Since I published the first cheat sheet I learned a lot about ingredients, chemical processing, possible contamination from that processing, and about green washing. So when I decided to redo all our cheat sheets for 2010 I wanted to carry this new knowledge through.

One of those ingredients is phenoxyethanol.  Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used by many “natural” brands as an alternative to parabens.  So to the novice ingredients reader, they glance at the back and they don’t see the telltale parabens and think they have something much safer.  In some ways they probably do.

In comparison to parabens, trace amounts of phenoxyethanol in a product isn’t too much of a concern.  MY concern however, is that say you use anywhere from 10 – 20 products a day and they all contain phenoxyethanol.  It starts to add up.  All skin care items with the ingredient “water” in them require some kind of preservation method to prevent the growth of bacteria. Phenoxyethanol is one of the preservatives that gets used in lieu of parabens.  Phenoxyethanol is also used as a stabilizer in perfumes.  The ingredient is processed with chemicals that are known carcinogens so there is some concern with contamination.  It is also an irritant to the skin, eyes and lungs as well as restricted from use in cosmetics in Japan and the European Union.

Much to my dismay, TruKid’s Sunny Days Sunscreen contains phenoxyethanol.  Does that mean I hate TruKid? No, of course not.  I’ve raved about them in the past and still think this and all their products are much better alternatives to most mainstream kids products.  TruKids brand is free of parabens, phthalates, dioxanes, SLS and is rated well in Skin Deep.  But I’ve come to learn that just because Skin Deep rates it well, doesn’t mean I do.  I can’t help but want the best for all of us.  Perhaps TruKid will reformulate some day and they’ll be back in my good graces. But until then, I’ll stick with their Sunny Days Sun Stick which has a better ingredients list.

Apr

12

FDA Re-evaluating Triclosan

Filed Under Chemicals, Healthy Home, Product Safety | 1 Comment

Last Thursday the FDA updated their website regarding Triclosan and whether it should be a safety concern.  Since Triclosan was last evaluated by the FDA it had “no harmful effects” on humans and they deemed it safe.  However, new research has popped up that suggests that Triclosan can alter hormone regulation as well as make bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Tricosan is found in a lot of household products like toothpaste, soaps, cutting boards, shower curtains, clothing as an additive to make an item or product bacteria resistant.  The FDA isn’t suggesting anyone stop using products containing Triclosan but in a very non-alarmist way they are trying to educate people on how to look for it and avoid it.  Read the FDA try to cover their butt right on FDA.gov:

Triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans. But several scientific studies have come out since the last time FDA reviewed this ingredient that merit further review.

Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don’t always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

In light of these studies, FDA is engaged in an ongoing scientific and regulatory review of this ingredient. FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time.

Of course, they wont publish their findings until Spring of 2011 so you can either avoid it or wait until the FDA releases another wishy washy statement about a chemical that is not really beneficial to humans or the environment.

Mar

29

2010 Infant Formula Cheat Sheet

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Food Safety, Product Safety | 9 Comments

This one was really hard to write.   It was a bit of phone calling, a lot of digging and a lot of reading. I had no real intention of doing a baby formula cheat sheet but Healthy Child Healthy World asked me to help out and then I became so engrossed in it that I compiled all this information.  So I’m going to share it with you. I want to preface this by saying I am a big supporter of breastfeeding.  I breastfed both my children, but I know people use or supplement with formula… that’s just the way it is and I do not judge anyone for the choices they make.  Now let’s brush up on what I was looking for:

BPA in Packaging:  Back when I began this site, there was BPA in practically everything and before any real big buzz started.  My first phone calls to Enfamil in November of 2007 went something along the lines of “There is BPA in the can lining and its approved by the FDA so don’t worry your pretty little head over it.” As time went on an the news and research piled up, companies started to investigate BPA free packaging to cover their butts.  I’m happy to report that the majority of powdered baby formula is now packaged in BPA Free packaging.

DHA/ARA: The majority of formula on the market, including organic, contains added DHA and ARA for brain and eye development.  Most of the formula companies use a DHA product from a company called Martek BioScience (life DHA – you can see the logo on most formula labels).  The controversy, if you can call it that, is that the method of extraction uses hexane, acid and bleach to extract the oils.  All the companies I spoke to that use life DHA told me that it’s the “only FDA approved method of DHA extraction” and that there are no detectable levels of hexane in the formula.  Only one company that we found uses an alternative method of DHA extraction, and that’s Nature’s One.  Their DHA and  ARA are derived from egg phospholipids using a water process. (Please not that Nature’s One does not put DHA/ARA supplements in their formulas.  It comes as a separate powder parents may add themselves) Nature’s One says this method is also FDA approved.

Added Carbohydrate: I didn’t get into specifics of every brand but when I learned that Similac Organic uses Organic Sugar Cane (sucrose) as opposed to Organic Lactose, I wanted to check and see what other brands used. In Europe they instituted a ban on sucrose in infant formula due to its link to childhood obesity (except for babies with allergies). The European Union adopted the new rules based on the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Food, which found that sucrose provided no real nutritional benefits, and could bring about a fatal metabolic disorder, and contribute to overfeeding. The FDA does not  regulate what sugars can be used (or how much per serving), as long as they are safe. I’m not saying Similac Organic is a bad choice, but if you are concerned about the use of sucrose I looked into what other brands used for easy comparison.  Every other brand I looked into uses Organic Lactose or Lactose. You will have to consult with your pediatrician on this one.

Fluoride: Whether you are pro-or anti- fluoride, there are some who may not know that it is present in infant formula.  So now there is fluoride in your water, in your infant formula and you’ve possibly got the kid on fluoride drops and you’re kid could be at risk of fluorosis? The Journal of American Dental Association recommends breastmilk of course, but for those using formula, they recommend using ready-made (we disagree due to the BPA content of some of the packaging). Their secondary recommendation for powdered formula is to use fluoride free or low fluoride water (purified, demineralized, deionized or distilled, as well as reverse-osmosis filtered water). The JADA published some test results last October of fluoride levels in popular infant formulas.  I picked out the numbers for you so you may cross reference on our spreadsheet yourself.  But you can download the report here as well to see the full report: Assessing a Potential Risk Factor for Enamel Fluorosis: A Preliminary Evaluation of Fluoride Content in Infant Formulas (PDF).  Optimal fluoride level in drinking water is 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. (I should mention that I learned a lot about fluoride and about the JADA report from SAFBaby.com.  They have a great deal of thoughtful and thorough information so please check them out.)

Perchlorate: Also known as rocket fuel. Stories broke on the news last April that trace amounts of rocket fuel was detected in infant formulas. The CDC tested formula for perchlorate because of concerns that it can damage thyroid function. The did 3 tests on a sampling of baby formula brands including Enfamil, Similac,  Publix and Kroger brands. To sum it up, formulas with lactose tested highest (Similac topping the results with the highest detected).  You can see the full range of results in the CDC’s document: CDC: Table of Perchlorate Levels in Powdered Infant Formula (PDF). Let it not be said that perchlorate is found in just about everything, including breastmilk.  So unfortunately there is no way to avoid it all together.  Natures One offers this information regarding perchlorate in their formula.

Now that you know all this (aside from hating me for bringing it up) you can take a look at this information in our cheat sheet which makes this all more at-a-glance. Healthy Child Healthy World will be publishing some pocket shoppers guides too which I’ll link up when they are ready to go.

DOWNLOAD IT! (PDF) (Last updated: April 3, 2010)

Quick SafeMama™ Formula Feeding Recommendations

  • Choose Powdered over liquid (BPA in can lining)
  • Choose organic formulas over non-organic (pesticides and hormones in cow’s milk)
  • Use spring/distilled or filtered water for preparing formula
  • Choose glass, silicone, BPA-Free bottles
  • Do not microwave water or formula in plastic (It’s not recommended to microwave formula at all – heating water in glass is ok)
  • Wash plastic bottles with mild detergent by hand to prevent leaching over time, replace when they become worn

*Disclaimer: I feel I should remind you that it’s important to discuss this information and any dietary changes you plan to make with your Pediatrician before doing so.  We always recommend breastfeeding when and if possible for the first 12 months.Additionally, if you have any concerns or questions about any of the formula we mention, feel free to call the company and ask them.  They were all relatively helpful.

Mar

15

SafeMama’s 2010 Safer Baby Skin Care Cheat Sheet

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Product Safety, Skin Care | 1 Comment

SafeMama 2010 Skin Care Cheat SheetWelcome to the next generation of our 2010 Safer Baby Skin Care Cheat Sheet! As we’ve grown and learned, we have become more aware of other ingredients, aside from parabens and phthalates, we wish to avoid. We also realize that there are different trains of thought (how many chemicals you’ll tolerate) and budgets to consider so we decided to simplify this list and split it up. For more detailed information on why we avoid certain ingredients please check our glossary. Below is a listing of brands we recommend. (Last Updated July 23, 2010)

Notice: Please do not redistribute this list anywhere without our prior written consent. If you would like to share this information with your readers, please use the handy little button we created for doing just that and link back here. We spent time away from our kids, pouring over ingredients lists, digging in the Skin Deep Database and learning about chemicals and processes. Please help us make that worth our time and energy by not copy/pasting our work on other websites, communities, forums or blogs without permission. Thank you!

Want to know about skin care & beauty products? Check out LovelyMama for product reviews and recommendations.  Us Mommies need safe skin care too!

BEST CHOICES: SafeMama’s Top Picks

The following brands are, according to the latest ingredient information, 100% chemical free. They also rate well in the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics database and are responsible companies. These are listed in alphabetical order for each rating group and not in a preferential manner. [Key: Brand Name, (Skin Deep rating range for baby items only, if available - Skin Deep ratings start at 0 being the best and goes up to 10 being the most hazardous)]

BETTER CHOICES

These are also really GREAT Choices: All baby care items are free of Parabens, Phthalates, PEG’s, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, SLS and a bevy of other chemicals I won’t bother listing. Brands exhibit a very respectable ingredients list. (Note: In some brands cases they carry several products that are chemical free however have one or two items that were not.) I personally use many items from brands in this section.

GOOD CHOICES

Brands are Paraben, Phthalate, Propylene Glycol, PEG, Propylene Glycol Free though had one or more products containing cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate, dimethicone, and/or phenoxyethanol. Some of these brands had traces of just one questionable ingredient and others had several, or contained more chemically processed ingredients than we were comfortable with. These are still far better choices than most mainstream baby products and would recommend them. You will need to investigate the products yourself and make a judgment call.

Gluten Free Brands

These brands are gluten free according to their informational materials, for those needing to avoid gluten in their skin care. (Not comprehensive)

  • 100% Pure Kids
  • California Baby
  • Episencial
  • Nature’s Paradise Organics
  • TruKid Skin Care

Basic Skin Care Tips:

Read labels carefully. Beware of the basics -paraben, fragrance, PEG’s, and propylene glycol. Use our list as a guide.

Shopping at a “natural” store doesn’t mean everything is paraben and phthalate free. Read labels, know how to decipher the ingredients and don’t be fooled by the word “natural” or “organic” on the label. These words are not regulated the way food is… just because it says natural/organic doesn’t always mean it is.

Be wary of the term “fragrance”. Synthetic fragrances are a phthalate culprit so if you can, try to use products with organic or natural essential oils only if you are unsure. Unscented products can also contain phthalates by using a fragrance masking agent.

Use less products. This seems like a no-brainer but many people use way more than they need. Babies are born with the most perfect skin (usually) and it will never again be as perfect as it is when they’re babies.  Their sin is also sensitive and susceptible.  They don’t need to be slathered in lotions and powders. A little warm water and a washcloth is all they really need. When kids get older and grimier (like mine) a little soap and warm water does the trick and you can spot treat any dry skin problems or rashes.

Make Your Own: Some Castille Soap and water goes a long way!

Note: We support all the brands listed above regardless of what rating they have received.  We also realize everyone has their own standard of “greenness” and feel that there is a product to suit the needs of every child.  Experiment and mix and match until you find which brands work best for you, your family and your budget.  If there is a brand you think is missing from this list, please contact us and let us know and we would be happy to review it for inclusion.

When my son was first born, I probably got sixty bottles of different types of Johnson’s Baby Wash. They had one for every day, one for calming, one for colds. It seemed like they had just about everything I needed. Not having any idea what a paraben or a phthalate was, it was my staple. Once I started doing research (you would think that I would have done this prior to having my baby, but then again, you wouldn’t think they would make a baby shampoo that was laden with chemicals. Fool me once…), I was horrified to learn that I was using something harmful on my son’s delicate skin. I stopped using it immediately and sought other alternatives. I will admit though, I became so used to the smell of the Johnson’s calming baby wash, that I kept a bottle, just for the tactile memory. Every now and then, I’ll give it a little sniff, and it transforms me back to those early days of his newborn baby head. Since then, I’ve done A LOT of research on baby shampoo, and have tried many brands. When my daughter was born, I even brought my own body wash to the hospital and refused to let them use what they had on hand (most likely Johnson’s). Between Kathy and I, I’m pretty confident that we’ve tried just about every brand that’s out there. We’ve pored over ingredients and compared lathering capabilities. And here’s what we’ve come up with.

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: July 18, 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: 2 (w/ Fluoride: N/A)
  • Natural Dentist (Fluoride and Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep: 4 – They only have a rating for the kids toothpaste with Fluoride
  • Miessence Organics Toothpaste (Fluoride Free) - Skin Deep Rating (0-1)
  • Toothsoap (Fluoride Free)

(Note: It was just pointed out to me that some aluminum toothpaste tubes may contain BPA so depending on whether recyclable vs possible traces of BPA is your concern, you can make that call.

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:

Dental Sealants

many people worry about BPA in dental sealants and it’s a real concern, especially for kids.  Our pediatric dentist uses UltraSeal XT Plus (Made by UltraDent Products. Inc.) which contains no BPA according to the company.  So if your dentist tells you it doesn’t exist, educate them or find a dentist that is up to speed on issues like BPA in dentistry.

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