Organic Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

Organic Baby Bedding to Welcome a New Baby

July 13th, 2011

Whether you’re shopping for your own baby or a gift for someone else, organic baby bedding is an excellent choice that both babies and toddlers will get plenty of use from. Although there are many cute bedding sets that include a quilt and bumper, all that is needed for a crib is a tight-fitting crib sheet. If you opt for a bumper, a breathable one that is made from mesh material should be used. Stuffed animals, pillows and blankets should also not be placed in the crib.

To choose appropriate organic baby bedding, focus on a mattress protector, crib sheet and breathable bumper, if necessary. Blankets are also a great option for swaddling baby, although they should not be placed with baby to sleep. As safety is the main concern, opting for organics is one of the best ways to create a safe and secure environment for baby to sleep each night. Organic materials have not been treated with harmful pesticides or chemicals, which means you don’t have to worry about toxins leeching into the air.

There are a variety of materials that are used for organic baby bedding such as organic cotton, wool or bamboo. All types of baby bedding can be purchased in an organic form, including the crib mattress, blankets, crib sheet and bumper. The fact that these materials have not been treated also reduces the risk that the bedding will cause irritation or allergic reactions in baby. And without harmful chemicals, baby won’t be breathing in the fumes from plastics that are commonly found in mattresses.

When choosing a type of organic baby bedding, you’ll find that there are differences among each one. Organic cotton is very soft and easy to care for. Since more manufacturers are offering organic cotton products, they have come down in price a bit, making them an economical choice for organic products. Organic cotton is often available in neutral, earthy tones such as green and beige, as the brighter colors have more dyes and therefore, more chemicals.

Wool is also an excellent choice for organic baby bedding, as it’s naturally resistant to mold and mildew and it has moisture wicking properties, keeping baby cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wool is long-lasting and durable as well. Finally, bamboo is an excellent choice for the environmentally-conscious, as it comes from a renewable source and is easy to obtain. Bamboo is resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria, and is exceptionally soft.

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Shopping for the Perfect Organic Baby Gifts

July 5th, 2011

If you have a new baby to shop for, you’ll find that there is an overwhelming amount of baby products on the market. Instead of buying a traditional present, opt for organic baby gifts that are safe for the smallest babies. Organic baby products use organic materials that are not treated with chemicals or pesticides. In place of regular cotton or plastics, organic cotton, bamboo and wool are used. To keep consistent with organic materials, you’ll find that these natural baby products are simple in design, with minimal colors and dyes.

There are many different organic baby gifts to browse through both online and in stores. Organic baby bedding is an excellent option, as babies can use these products from their newborn days and beyond. With options such as organic crib sheets, blankets and mattress protectors, you can rest assured that baby won’t be breathing in any harmful chemicals or toxins. And, organic baby bedding is remarkably soft and easy to care for. Another option is to purchase organic baby clothes. These adorable outfits are soft and cozy, with neutral, earth tones in beige, tan and brown. Onesies with cute phrases are some of the best organic baby gifts!

Toys are always a great gift idea, as kids love toys and can’t get enough of them! Wooden toys that are made with all-natural, untreated wood is best, as these toys are safe to chew on. They are also extra sturdy and durable for little fingers. These wooden toys are much better than plastics, as plastics have a lot of chemicals that are dangerous for infants. To make the gift look its best, arrange the toys in an all-natural wicker basket with rolled up organic blankets.

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, consider all-natural bath products that make the perfect organic baby gifts. These products are safe for children’s skin and use all-natural ingredients, many of which are plant-based. These bath essentials are especially ideal for infants who have skin allergies or irritations. There are many fun scents and products to choose from and these, too, look adorable arranged in a Moses basket with rolled up organic bath towels.

A final option for organic baby gifts is baby feeding supplies. With the recent attention toward the chemicals and toxins found in plastics, it’s best to use organic feeding supplies that are free of PVCs and BPA. In addition to glass bottles, try organic bibs, burp cloths, silverware and stainless steel storage containers.

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Welcome a New Baby with Organic Baby Gifts

June 13th, 2011

Welcoming a new baby is always a joy, but it seems as if every child on the block receives the same assortment of supplies. Instead of sticking to traditional gifts, offer the creativity of organic baby gifts. With more emphasis on the safety and comfort of organic products, companies are offering an assortment of these naturally made products. Interestingly, they are widely available in stores and online and can be purchased for modest costs, making them budget-friendly.

Just about any baby product can be purchased in an organic form. Some of the most popular organic baby gifts are infant clothes that are made from 100 percent organic cotton. The cotton is not treated with harmful pesticides and is especially soft. Since organic clothes use fewer dyes, many of the outfits feature earth tones and simple details. Not only are there organic clothing, but bibs, towels and blankets. For an added touch, consider having the name and birth date of the child embroidered on the towel or blanket.

Another option for unique organic baby gifts is organic plush toys. Every child loves stuffed animals and since they spend so much time holding them close, it’s best to find toys made from organic materials. These organic plush toys are easy to care for and don’t contain harmful chemicals, making them safe to tuck in the bed with kids at night. Even better, they rely on simple, basic details that grasp a child’s attention such as rattling and crinkling noises.

Along the same lines are organic baby teethers. These organic baby gifts are free of chemicals and toxins, which means they are 100 percent safe to put in baby’s mouth. They make great add-ons as well, and parents will love having a steady supply on hand. Recycled toys are another option and made from recycled components. They make ideal baby gifts because they can be used well into the childhood years. Examples include recycled blocks and Eco-friendly wooden toys.

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Parents Should Use Organic Crib Sheets In Their Nursery

June 3rd, 2011

Infants spend a large portion of their day sleeping in cribs, which is why it’s important for parents to make this space as safe and comfortable as possible. The majority of parents spend their time ensuring that the crib is free of toys and stuffed animals, contain breathable bumpers and well-secured crib mobiles. However, many don’t consider that the sheets and crib bedding that contain an overwhelming amount of toxins and chemicals.

In fact, a leading cause of eczema and skin rashes in children is due to the chemical agents in crib bedding. This is because the bedding is often made from cotton blends, and the cotton crops are treated with a large amount of chemicals and pesticides. These toxins leech into the air and babies’ skin while they are sleeping. Fortunately, the answer is simple: organic crib sheets.

While many parents have heard about organic crib sheets, many are misled about the importance of these products. Parents also know these products are more costly, which can add to the financial burden of setting up a nursery. Yet organic bedding is readily available and offered both online and in stores, with a large selection at affordable prices. More importantly, there are many health benefits to choosing organic bedding, which is the very best for young infants.

First, organic crib sheets come from organic cotton that is grown in crops free of pesticides and contaminants. This means no harmful agents will make it into the organic products and leech into the child’s bedroom. There are other organic materials that crib sheets can be made of, including wool, bamboo or flannel. These materials are naturally warm and soft, perfect for a newborn’s sleeping space. And, since these organic materials have no irritating chemicals added, they don’t cause allergic skin reactions or difficulty breathing.

Parents who use organic crib sheets also enjoy the natural properties of this type of bedding. For example, natural fabrics are absorbent and moisture-wicking, which means they keep the body cool during warm weather and warm during cold weather. This means that the child won’t be left feeling overly hot and humid or cold and damp. Finally, organic crib sheets don’t produce excess dust and are safer for children who have asthma symptoms or are at risk for SIDS.

When buying organic products, make sure that they are 100 percent certified organic. This ensures that the baby bedding is made entirely of organic fabrics instead of just some. Unfortunately, there are many baby products on the market that slip by as “organic”, when really they only contain a small portion of natural materials. Organic crib sheets are available in a warm color palette, including pastel greens, pinks and blues.

Tags: bedding, crib, sheets, SIDS
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Seven Month Old Baby Development

May 17th, 2011

Your baby will be able to take some weight on her legs now and she may even be able to stand while you hold her in an upright position. Over the next couple of months she will probably learn to pull herself up from sitting, and then she will practice standing alone.

Dexterity

Your baby may start to show a preference for using her right or left hand at this age. Offer her a baby toy held straight in front of her and see which hand she uses to reach for it. If your baby regularly uses the same hand she is beginning to show a preference, but this is by no means a final choice. Very often the hand she uses at seven months is not the same as the one she prefers at nine months or a war. Once your baby is able to use two hands in a coordinated way, give her something which needs one hand to hold it and another to make it work – a pot with a lid that comes off is ideal — and see which hand she uses tor which action. This will give you a better idea of whether your baby is likely to be left- or right-handed, although her final choice may not be made until she reaches two years of age.

You may notice that your baby no longer grasps things in the centre of her palm to hold them. She now uses her fingers and thumb so that her grip has become very much more refined. Now that she can operate her fingers and thumb independently, rather than using them as a rake, she can pick up an object as small as a raisin to examine it.

You can encourage the baby by allowing her to feed herself. Give her a bowl and spoon and let her get on with it. At first it is a good idea for you to have a spoon too, so that you can give her the occasional mouthful while she is still working out how to get the food from the bowl, onto the spoon and into her mouth. Finger foods will help your baby learn how to get food into her mouth using her fingers.

At around the time your baby starts to show hand preference her language also starts to become more fully developed and she will babble a lot more using both vowel sounds and consonants. Her cries also change to include both low- and high-pitched sounds and she will start to make different movements with her tongue and mouth.

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Twin Babies Discuss The Finer Things In Life

May 12th, 2011

Tags: baby, funny, humor, video
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Crib Mattresses For A Healthy Start

March 4th, 2011

When you have a new baby you are constantly worrying over any and everything. You worry that they will grow up correctly, that they will meet their developmental milestones at the appropriate ages, and that they will sleep through the night. You wonder about every choice you make—breastfeeding or formula, babysitter or daycare, and even about the items you buy for them. With all that is going on in a family with a new child, the last thing you need to worry about is whether the baby’s mattress is harming them.

A newborn baby spends most of its day in bed. Aside from eating and a brief time playing, he is usually napping (or supposed to be napping!). This is why it is imperative that a baby’s mattress be the best it can be—which means buying an organic crib mattress.

Organic crib mattresses are usually more expensive, it’s true, but with good reason. The natural fibers they are made of and the reduced treatments in chemicals they undergo result in softer material for your baby and stronger fibers that mean the mattress lasts longer, making it a good deal.

Organic crib mattresses also have proven to reduce dust and allergens, protecting your baby’s new airways and reducing the chance of respiratory problems, including asthma. Regular mattresses are treated with numerous harmful substances including dyes, chemicals, and flame retardants. In fact, some flame retardant chemicals used in baby mattresses in the United States have been outlawed in Europe because of studies showing links to SIDS and even cancer. A mattress made with polyurethane, which is a mix of organic compounds used today, is believed to cause breathing and skin problems.

The only way to avoid these in today’s mass-produced crib mattress market is to buy an organic crib mattress for your child. Although the initial cost may be more compared to other mattresses, organic crib mattresses offer a much better deal, as they are safer, softer, stronger, and more durable than other mattresses. Make the right choice for your family and buy organic.

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Going Organic For Baby Shower Gifts

February 7th, 2011

Recently news all over the Internet is suggesting plastics could be related to some of the world’s most deadly and prevalent diseases. Diabetes and Heart Disease have been linked to the plastics that many companies use to package foods.

These deadly plastics are also in many items that we use as parents. Baby bottles, teething rings, spoons, bowls, the list goes on and on. It is now more important than ever that we use only baby items that are 100% organic.

It’s tragic to think that while we are feeding our children the highest quality organic food, it’s packaging could be putting those chemicals right into their system.

These new facts can make preparing for a baby shower a bit more complicated. For starters it is necessary to make sure the food packaging is not poisoning the pregnant mother, other children, or any of the guests. Then you need to pay special attention to the ‘ingredients’ in any gift you buy.

Buying organic baby items and organic baby gifts doesn’t have to be a nightmare or give you a headache. Research online a bit before going out to find what stores in your area are dedicated to true organic products and then go forth with courage. Ask a lot of questions and don’t be afraid to be persistent.

Websites such as Organic Baby Wearhouse can also, of course, provide you with totally organic products for both food and gifts. They are committed to safety and sell only items that are certain to be perfect for your gift buying needs.

It is important to simply pay attention and be aware of these dangerous chemicals in our everyday products, while not becoming paranoid. The best way to go about this process is to find websites and stores that you trust enabling you to enjoy your shopping experience without the stress of trying to ‘catch’ every little detail.

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Is Your Baby’s Blanket Organic?

February 1st, 2011

When buying a new baby blanket the first thing you should do is bring it to your nose and smell it. A great organic baby blanket will already remind you of the smell of a perfect new baby. It should smell clean, feel soft, and look like it will be comfortable for years to come.

However, if you are purchasing a baby blanket without an organic label, you’ll find that the smell and feel are very different. Many fabrics are treated with chemicals said to make them more fire retardant, yes even baby items, but these chemicals can have serious side effects.

Telltale signs of the presence of these chemicals can include a strange or unpleasant ‘chemical’ smell, a roughness or stiffness in the fabric itself, and a general dulling of color. Of course there are some who have only one or even none of these signs, so reading the label is so important.

Sure it would be wonderful to feel like you were wrapping your child in a blanket that may help to protect them from a tragedy like fire, but those who know will tell you what you are really wrapping them in.

Many people are very allergic to the chemicals used on fabrics, and even those who aren’t have attributed long term lung and skin problems to chemicals used on everyday fabrics.

In this economy it is often difficult to buy all the items needed for a new baby. Things can be expensive and it is tempting to buy items that aren’t as safe as they should be. But knowing the dangers will make any parent buy organic baby items only.

You and your baby will both sleep peacefully knowing that you have made an educated and responsible choice in buying the perfect organic baby blanket.

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Immunizations for Children – Keep Kids Healthy

January 3rd, 2011

Diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, rubella (German measles), diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB) – a cause of meningitis – can be very serious and, in very young children, even fatal. Immunization offers long-lasting protection against these diseases. If you are concerned about the immunizations, or are worried about allergic reactions, or if there is a family history of convulsions, don’t just decide not to have your child immunized, talk to your doctor.

The five-in-one vaccination, which immunizes against diphtheria, whooping cough (Pertussis – the medical name for whooping cough), tetanus, polio and Hib is usually given in one injection, at two months, three months, and four months of age. In addition, a new pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal infections has been introduced at two, four and 13 months. The menC vaccine that protects against meningiitis C is given at three and four months, and then as a combined injection with HiB at 12 months. With all of these it is important to complete the course to ensure the maximum immunity. MMR immunizes against measles, mumps, and rubella and is given in one injection at 13 months.

Your newborn baby may also be offered immunization against tuberculosis (IB) with a BCG vaccine it you are in or from a high-risk area, or it you come from a family that has a history of TB.

Immunization Side-effects
Any side-effects from the five-in-one vaccine are usually mild. Your baby may become slightly feverish and appear unhappy for up to 24 hours after the injection. Very occasionally a convulsion occurs as a result of the fever, but this is over very quickly and has no lasting effect.

The MMR immunization has no immediate side-effects, although some children develop a mild fever and rash seven to 10 days after the injection, while others sometimes get a very mild form of mumps. It either of these reactions occur they are not infectious.

If your baby is feverish or acutely unwell, or has had a severe reaction to an earlier immunization, you should not have her immunized again without talking first to your doctor. Always tell the doctor who is doing the immunization if your baby is taking medication or it she has a severe allergic reaction to eggs. It the baby is vomiting or has diarrhoea it may be better to put off having the vaccination until she is better.

Other Complications
Many parents worry about the possibility of more serious effects from these vaccines, especially from the MMR and whooping cough vaccines.

The whooping cough part of the five-in-one vaccination is the one that has in the past been linked to brain damage, but research has shown that there is no link between this and the vaccine.

Parents may be concerned about the suggested link between the MMR vaccine and autism, or the vaccines possible link to the increase in Crohn’s disease, but recent research has shown that there is no evidence to support these fears.

The Diseases
Immunizations have developed over the years and many diseases th.it were formerly feared are no longer threats. This is the result of a sound immunization programme which has been applied to virtually all children.

Often parents are vague about the actual disease themselves, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the conditions and their symptoms.

Diphtheria starts with a sore throat and then quickly develops into a serious illness which blocks the nose and throat, making it difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for a child to breathe. It can last for weeks and can often be fatal.

Tetanus is caused by germs from dirt or soil getting into an open wound or burn. It attacks the nervous system, causing painful muscle Spasms. Immunization has made it rare, but there is still a real chance of getting it and it can be fatal.

Bacterial meningitis develops rapidly and can cause serious illness within a few hours. If left untreated seizures can occur, followed by loss of consciousness leading to coma, and in some cases it can be fatal. Even when children recover there is a risk of long-term problems such as deafness and epilepsy.

Pneumococcal infection can lead to meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia if it enters the blood stream it.

Polio attacks the nervous system and causes muscle paralysis. It it affects the breathing the sufferer will need help to breathe and could even die. Thankfully, polio is rare in most Western countries because of immunization, but there is still a risk of contact with the disease through foreign travel, which is why immunization is still important. Adults should check to see if they need a polio booster when they take their baby tor immunization.

Tuberculosis (TB) usually affects the Kings; symptoms include a cough, fever, or night sweats. Children are vulnerable and develop TB meningitis more often than adults.

Measles can be much more serious than people think because it is the disease most likely to cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It begins like a bad cold with a fever and then a rash appears, which is often accompanied by a bad cough.

Tags: immunization, vaccines
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