Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

Going Organic for Baby Shower Gifts

March 10th, 2010

When you get an invitation to a baby shower, organic presents may not be the first thing that comes to your mind.  But the truth is that baby shower gifts are the perfect way for you to introduce the mother to be to the benefits of organic living.  Not to mention the fact that you will be making sure that the health of the newborn baby is at the front of your mind, and this is the type of thoughtfulness that will show.  The good news is that with the rising concern over the amount of pesticides that are used in baby clothing and other items, there has been an increased interest in organic baby necessities.  This combined with the internet has made it much easier to access organic baby shower gifts.

You may not even be aware of all of the baby shower gifts that you can buy for someone that have been made organically. For example, you might want to buy the expectant mother a set of organic crib bedding so that they can be sure that their newborn baby is sleeping on completely organic cotton that has not been treated with pesticides or PBDEs that have been linked to cancer and sudden infant death syndrome.  There are a variety of options available, and you can be sure that no harsh chemical dyes were used in the process either.

Or, if you are looking for something a little different, then you might want to pick up a baby yoga gift set.  While this may not seem like a traditional baby shower gift, the truth is that it could be something that the mother and baby both enjoy.  This set would come with a baby yoga DVD, a specialized yoga mat, and a specially made organic yoga suit.  But, the important thing to remember is that this exercise between the mother and child would be something that would help them to bond and would help to teach the young baby healthy exercise habits that can follow them into adulthood.

These are just a few of the options that you will find if you are someone who is looking into buying organic baby shower gifts for that expectant mother.

Tags: baby shower, gifts
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Keeping Your Baby Healthy Using Organic Crib Bedding

March 1st, 2010

When you have your first child, you are probably worried about everything that they interact with and how it will affect their health.  One common thing that many parents do not consider is how the bedding that they choose for their baby can make a difference in one’s health, but the truth is that using organic crib bedding is an important step to maintaining your child’s health and well being.  We go to the store expecting the materials there to be of the highest quality and to be safe for our children, especially where babies are concerned.

The truth is that this may not necessarily be the case because baby bedding and even mattresses are commonly treated with a flame retardant that has been known to have links to cancer and sudden infant death syndrome.  These chemicals are known as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), and they have caused so many problems that they are outlawed in Europe because continuous studies have shown how dangerous they can be to children.  However, they are not outlawed in the United States, which means that your children are exposed to these chemicals every single night while they sleep.

By relying on organic crib bedding instead of the common bedding materials that you can buy at the store you are making sure that your child is sleeping on materials that are one hundred percent organic.  This means that they are free of the pesticides that are used in large farms to treat cotton as well as the PBDEs, so you will not have to sit up at night worrying about whether or not your baby is being unnecessarily exposed to dangerous substances that could cause them problems later in life.

On top of this, organic crib bedding does not rely on harsh dyes to color treat their material.  This is important because many babies have difficulty with chemical dyes and they can have allergic reactions like rashes, as well as other side effects from prolonged exposure to these dyes.  The organic crib bedding is also hypo-allergenic and extremely soft against your baby’s skin, so it will be extremely comfortable to them, and this means that it will help both of you to sleep easier.

Tags: bedding, crib, organic
Posted in Organic Baby Bedding | 1 Comment »

Reasons to Consider Organic Kids Clothing

February 19th, 2010

With the recent awareness in clothing processing and pesticides that are used in the fields where the cotton is grown, more and more people have been considering buying organic kids clothing so that they can make sure that their children are protected.  However, you may be wondering if there really is that big of a difference and if buying organic when it comes to clothes can make a change in your kids’ health.  The truth is that there are several different reasons why you should buy organic clothing that have a direct link to health issues.

You may not realize this, but more than fifty percent of the pesticides that are used to produce and fabricate cotton are based on chemicals that have been shown to have ties to cancer.  This is important because studies have repeatedly shown that in homes where pesticides were used children were up to seven times more likely to have leukemia than those who did not have exposure to pesticides.  Some people believe that if they wash the clothing then the chemicals will come off, but these pesticides are often coated with petroleum so that they can cling to the plants during processing.  This means that when you wash the clothes the chemicals are still clinging to the fabric.

Another reason to use organic kids clothing is the fact that clothing that is manufactured traditionally uses harsh chemicals to dye the cloth.  A lot of children have bad reactions to these chemicals, and they can cause serious skin problems like rashes and other side effects.  So, if you have a kid who has been having difficulty with their skin you might first try to switch to organic clothing before you invest a lot of money in doctors’ visits.

It is also important to consider that organic kids clothing cotton is much more environmentally friendly because of the fact that the farms from which the cotton is processed do not rely on toxins and other chemicals.  When these chemicals are used they create a toxic run off that causes them to leech into the water and soil of the area.  This can not only be detrimental to the environment, but it can also cause problems for the people who live in the area.

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Cutest Baby of 2009 Photo Contest Results

February 9th, 2010

So January has come to a close and we’re excited to announce the results of our “Cutest Baby of 2009 Contest“! We had a lot of great entries and feedback from friends and family. So much so, that we’ve decided to include gift certificates for 2nd and 3rd place winners as well! 2nd runner up will receive a $50 gift certificate and 3rd place will receive a $25 gift certificate. Winners can send us your email address to receive your gift certificates. Thanks to all who participated and we hope you and your cute babies have a wonderful 2010!

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Baby Shower Gift Registry

January 28th, 2010

Many of you have asked about a gift registry for baby showers and we’ve been listening. Organic Baby Wearhouse is proud to announce our new baby shower gift registry to provide all you expecting momma’s with a platform to request all the organic baby products you need most!

Let us know what you think! We want your shopping experience to be as smooth as possible so feel free to give us feedback and let us know what you like and where we can improve.

Tags: baby shower, gifts, organic
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FDA Warns of Infant Exposure to BPA

January 18th, 2010

The Food and Drug Administration is encouraging families to limit their children’s exposure to a chemical found in thousands of household products.

CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports that, for years, concerned mothers, environmental groups and some scientists have been warning that Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is unsafe, and can lead to cancers, diabetes and other diseases.

Tags: bottles, BPA, recalls, safety, video
Posted in Baby Product Safety | 1 Comment »

The Cutest Baby of 2009 Photo Contest

January 9th, 2010

For the rest of the month proud parents and grandparents are invited to upload their cutest baby pictures onto the Organic Baby Wearhouse Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

This contest is a great way to share your cutest baby pics with the whole Organic Baby Wearhouse community.  Joining the fun is easy.  Just go to the Organic Baby Wearhouse Facebook page and attach your favorite, most adorable picture of your baby, you know the one.  Oh, and while your at it, why not become a fan of Organic Baby Wearhouse (if you’re not already).

At the end of the month the picture with the most comments and “likes” will win a $100 gift certificate to Organic Baby Wearhouse!

That’s all there is to it, just hop on over to the Organic Baby Wearhouse Facebook page, show off your special little one, and have a chance at some free great organic baby products.

Tags: baby, clothes, organic
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Why Buy Organic Baby Onesies?

December 29th, 2009

One of the articles of clothing many new parents receive at baby showers are onesies.  These little one-piece outfits are great for babies under a year old, and new parents often dress their kids in them, especially in the summer.  However, some onesies are safer for babies than others.  Organic baby onesies contain no harsh chemicals or dyes, making them much better for babies than onesies made in more traditional ways.

When a child is very young, they haven’t developed the necessary protective measures that help them fight off disease and illness.  Their bodies are very sensitive, especially their skin.  This is one reason why babies tend to develop rashes and other skin irritations.  To help prevent some of these rashes, dress your baby in organic baby onesies.  These onesies are made from 100% organic cotton, and there are no chemicals or dyes used in the manufacturing process.  Even the bright designs and colors are created using organic dyes that won’t harm your baby.

Some parents, especially those who shopped for organic baby clothing years ago, might wonder about the selection.  The good news is that organic baby onesies and other articles of clothing have become much more popular in recent years, and they now come in many different sizes, styles, colors, and designs.  You’ll find everything from rompers and thermal onesies to jumpers and onesies designs to resemble kimonos.  Your baby will be able to go out in style while avoiding many of the skin irritations and allergies that have been associated with chemicals used in clothing.

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Shopping for Eco-Friendly Baby Clothes

December 21st, 2009

The health of your baby is one of the things parents are most concerned about, especially new parents.  With every little cough or sneeze, they immediately start to worry that their baby has the flu or is having an allergic reaction.  While nothing can protect children from every little virus or illness except putting them in a bubble, purchasing eco-friendly baby clothes can help cut down on the number of allergic reactions children have.

Eco-friendly baby clothes are created out of certified organic cotton that has not been exposed to any sort of chemicals or pesticides.  The manufacturing process does not involve any chemicals, either, and the organic cotton is dyed using only natural, eco-friendly dyes.  What does this mean for your children?  It means they will be wearing clothing that is safer than any other product out there.  There are no chemicals to cause harsh allergic reactions.  Your children’s skin is quite sensitive when they are young, so the fewer chemicals used in their clothing, the better.

Organic doesn’t mean scratchy or uncomfortable—instead, these eco-friendly baby clothes are soft, warm, and look amazing.  The corduroy hooded jackets, for example, are very fashionable.  They feature a very warm hood that will keep your baby’s head nice and warm without causing any sniffles or coughs.  For indoor play, there’s the organic cotton romper.  It comes in three different designs and is completely made from organic cotton.  Eco-friendly baby clothes come in many other designs, too, including dresses, yoga tops and pants, and shorts.  You’ll find them in many colors and designs, too.

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Organic Baby Skin Products Protect Baby’s Skin from Rashes

December 4th, 2009

A baby’s skin is very sensitive to chemicals, and they are also quite susceptible to many different rashes, skin irritations, and more.  The problem is that many of the powders, creams, and other baby skin products are made with chemicals and other artificial ingredients, and often, these ingredients can be just as damaging as the rash or irritation that they are designed to soothe.  However, there are some organic baby skin products out there that can help soothe rashes and, at the same time, are made from completely natural ingredients that will not hurt babies at all.

Cleaning your baby’s skin using proper, all natural soaps is just as important as making sure they get enough nutrients and are raised in a healthy, clean environment.  All of these natural products are, however, just as effective as those made with artificial ingredients.  The lullaby wash, for example, is an incredibly relaxing body wash that features lavender and chamomile.  It makes a gentle lather that keeps the skin hydrated and won’t deplete any of its natural oils.  It will help soothe your baby’s skin while cleaning it.

The organic castile soap is another great baby soap that is made with organic, natural ingredients like saponified extra virgin olive oil.  This organic castile soap is made with a cold-process method, which helps to seal in all of the nutrients and vitamins found in the olive oil.  The soap is then cured for up to four weeks to make certain that it will last for quite some long.

Finally, the organic baby bottom balm can be applied to your baby’s bottom to help prevent rash that comes from the chaffing of diapers.  Simply apply the balm, which contains olive oil, vitamin E, and calendula, to your baby’s bottom when changing diapers to keep them rash-free and help their skin heal from any irritation.

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