Posted by Christy on September 10, 2008
It is always a very difficult task to select a gift for a mother-to-be, but unless you follow the trend yourself, it can be especially daunting to find the perfect gift for a soon to be mommy that’s eco-conscious.
Here are some fun ideas to help you out.
1) A cloth diaper cake. If the mommy-to-be is planning to raise a green baby, she is definitely going to be using cloth diapers making a diaper cake a cute and practical gift idea.
2) Create a mommy-to-be gift basket. You could get creative and add a bunch of eco-conscious mommy-to-be nourishing products in a gift basket. Earth Mama Angel Baby offers a variety of eco-friendly products. Everything from natural labor easing products to breastfeeding items and e-gift cards would be welcomed gifts for any mom.
3) An organic cotton baby sling. Baby slings are the hot product of the decade. They provide hands free carrying of your baby giving you more freedom to carry on with your chores or tend to the baby easily at any time if needed.
Additionally, the provide that close contact that both baby and mommy need in the early days of infancy.
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Posted by Christy on September 8, 2008
With that opening title, I am not just referring to getting outdoors and playing with your kids (though that’s a great idea), I am talking about Eco-friendly toys!
Before you scratch your head and say “huh”??? Yes, there is such a thing… Eco-friendly toys, also known as green toys, are made from safe and natural materials and are available everywhere toys are sold. The issue is that they don’t seem to be as widely talked about or advertised as the alternative.
No worries though! Here are a couple examples of eco-friendly toys that your child is sure to love!
Eco-Friendly Stuffed Animals: Eco-friendly stuffed animals are made with 100% organic cotton, pure wool and all dyes are certified to meet strict Oeko-Tex standards. Some stuffed animals may feature a pull-cord music box, while others are simply cuddly soft toys designed to bring out the imagination in your child.
Eco-Friendly Building Blocks: Remember Lincoln Logs? Well, building blocks are back in style. Look for sets made from 100% natural pine wood, and preferably from certified renewable forests. These building blocks are ideal for pre-school builders as well as for older children. They allow for the development of logical thinking skills, building techniques, the ability to follow instructions, hand to eye and spatial coordination and fine motor skills.
These are just a couple examples of what eco-friendly toys that are out there. There are many options to choose from, just do some research before shopping and you should be fine. In general, here are qualities you should look for:
- Buy stuffed animals made from organic cotton and pure wool
- Buy natural wood toys
- Make sure that all dyes used are water-based dyes or otherwise natural or organic
- Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant
- Make sure painted toys are covered with a lead-free paint
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Posted by Christy on September 5, 2008
Throwing away old clothes is something we are all guilty of, especially when it comes to childrens clothes which are grown out of so fast. But, there are other options. Here are a few more eco-friendly alternatives:
1) Hand them down! If you don’t have a younger child in your family that can wear them, hand them down to cousins.
2) Donate them. I’ve brought old clothes to thrift shops and the red cross receptical coutless times. As an added benefit, you can even request a receipt for your donation and write it off on your taxes!
3) Get creative! If your old clothes are simply stained, you could dye them a darker color. If they have small rips in the knees, add some flare with patches. There are so many options to renew the old!
4) Make them into cleaning rags.
There is so much you can do to recycle old clothes and be responsible citizens. All you need is a little imagination and motivation.
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Posted by Christy on September 1, 2008
Of course parent give special attention to the newborn baby since it is a natural desire to provide what is best for your kids. That being said, one major problem that parents may face is whether to choose an organic crib mattress or traditional mattress.
So, is choosing an organic mattress right for your child? Well, let’s weigh the benefits.
Organic Mattresses are less abrasive toward a newborn baby’s skin. Traditional mattresses are often covered with a plastic-like material designed to make it easy to clean, but the problem is that this plastic is made with a variety of synthetic chemicals that have a risk of hurting your baby. Some children have been known to get rashes from exposure and there are even studies suggesting that such synthetics may cause cancer!
Additionally, some experts are of the view that organic crib mattresses also help to pass through the flow of air freely from the mattress and better air circulations help your baby to breathe smoothly leading to less risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Organic crib mattresses are somewhat more expensive than the traditional ones. but don’t let that disuade you. Organic crib mattresses help your child to live in risk free and more comfortable environment.
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