What does “Organic” mean?

When purchasing organic produce, organic clothing, organic bedding, have you ever wanted to know what requirements were met for that item to be labeld ‘organic’?  Often, ‘organic’ & ‘natural’ are tossed around as if they meant the same thing.  Natural simply means “existing in or formed by nature”, as opposed to artificial.  Organic, however is governed by strict requirements and only applies to certain production methods.

In the US, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) sets forth stringent standards that must be met before a product can be considered organic.   The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations ensure that organically labeled products meet consistent national standards.  A third party, approved by the USDA, certifies farms that meet these NOP regulations.

Organic farming begins with soil that has had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop.  Seeds used in organic farming must be natural, untreated, non GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds.  No toxic fertilizers are needed because organic farming employs tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials, along with allowed synthetic materials.

Time honored farming techniques keeps soil healthy and fertile and maintain biologically diverse ecosystems.  As a result, a healthy balance is maintained between pests & their natural predators, eliminating the need for pesticides.  Beneficial insects are introduced to further minimize pest populations.

Organic farming results in improved water rention and thereby decrease the amount of water required to grow crops.  Toxic herbicides & pesticides are also avoided, as crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls.  The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.

Any product that contains 95% to 100% organic ingredients, with remaining ingredients allowed for use in organic products may carry the “Organic” label.  Products containing 70% to 95% organic ingredients may not bear an “Organic” seal, but can list their organic ingredients on the ingredients label.

Organic means:
- No genetically modified organism (GMO)
- No toxic fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
- No antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering
- No ionizing radiation, sewage sludge
- No cloned animals or animal products
- No chlorine bleach
- No artificial ingredients or preservatives

We can have a positive impact on our environment by demanding organic alternatives to the things that fill our lives.  Organic farming ensures a healthier world for us, our children and all other living creatures that share this planet with us.  Thank you for supporting organic farming!

Cloth Diaper Washing Instructions

Please follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions for your diapers. Washing at least every other day may be the best schedule for avoiding smelly messes and running out of diapers. We recommend using a dry pail as opposed to a wet pail (filled with water). Wet pails are heavy and pose a safety concern with little ones around.

Dry pail method for non-wool items:

• Dispose of all solids in the toilet
• Dump diaper and insert into diaper pail
• We suggest you keep diapers and covers separate
• Cover diaper pail with the lid
• If diaper covers are not soiled, they can be used more than once between washes. When you do wash covers, make sure Velcro tabs are fastened to avoid snagging other items in the wash

On laundry day:

• Dump the pail’s contents into washer
• Run a cold rinse cycle
• Then, run a warm wash cycle with laundry detergent
• Next, run an extra wash cycle with no detergent
• To dry, you can use a low heat setting or even better, line dry them whenever possible. Dryers are energy hogs & shorten the life of cloth diapers
• We strongly advise against the use of chlorine bleach and fabric softeners

• If you plan to use dryer sheets, we recommend Sun & Earth Unscented Dryer Sheets or Static Eliminator Re-Usable Dryer Sheets

Wool diaper covers have natural odor fighting agents and can be air dried after many diaper changes before needing to be washed (unless soiled, of course). To preserve the life and durability of the wool cover, you should lanolize wool covers on a regular basis. Lanolizing will give your wool diaper covers back their natural quality to wick away moisture and keep your baby’s bottom and clothing dry. Before lanolizing, it is best to wash the wool in a detergent designed especially for wool. You may use a gentle baby shampoo, but make certain it is free of any harmful agents that may harm baby’s skin or damage wool.

Washing wool covers:

• Fill the sink or pail with tepid water
• Add wool shampoo & stir well to ensure it is well distributed
• Add wool and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes
• Scrub covers well & make sure they are clean inside, as well
• For stubborn stains, use a wool stain remover especially designed for this task, like wash away stain soap
• Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water & gently squeeze out excess water

Lanolizing wool covers:

• To condition wool items, dissolve 1 oz wool cure in hot water
• Before dropping in wool products, make sure water is cooled off to about 85 degrees F
• Leave wool to soak overnight
• Rinse in cold water and add a teaspoon of vinegar
• Leave for 10 minutes
• Squeeze out excess water, gently roll covers in a towel
• Lay flat to dry

** Please keep in mind that there are no absolute rules for washing cloth diapers. Factors like water quality, washing machine, baby’s diet play an important role in determining the most effective cloth diaper washing method. Like most things, with trial and error, you will settle on a method that works best for you. What is certain is that a few things should be avoided: bleach, fabric softeners and detergents with “brighteners” and “whiteners”. We recommend a fragrance free, biodegradable laundry soap like Charlie’s Soap.

It is important to remember that due to the nature of natural fibers, slight irregularities in color, texture, shape and size are to be expected, especially after a wash. It is absolutely normal and adds to the charm of the natural fiber.

Fluoride or Fluoride Free?

If you have ever taken the time to read the label of your tube of toothpaste, you may have seen the following:

“WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age.  If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

It is a little surprising since toothpaste is commonly thought to be one of the safest things we use.  It is also alarming because children’s toothpastes are available in tasty flavors like bubble gum, strawberry and watermelon; and as a result, much of it is swallowed.  The warning appears because as of April 7th, 1997, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has required that all fluoride toothpastes sold in the U.S. carry a poison warning on the label.

The Journal of Dental Research has determined that 5 mg of fluoride per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of bodyweight is a potentially fatal dose*.  This is “the minimum dose that could cause toxic signs and symptoms, including death, and that should trigger immediate therapeutic intervention and hospitalization… This does not mean that doses lower than 5.0 mg F/kg should be regarded as innocuous.”  For the average two year old weighing 26 pounds, that would be 60mg of fluoride (found in about two ounces of toothpaste.)  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) points out that “If not monitored, children may easily swallow over four times the recommended daily amount of fluoride in toothpaste.”

For adherants of the “precautionary principal”, we respect your commitment to fluoride free products.  We also understand that some may benefit from the use of fluoridated products.  Therefore, we offer oral hygiene products with and without fluoride so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.

* Journal of Dental Research 1987; 66:1056-1060

Why SLS/SLES Free?

Since many of the skin care products at babyecotrends.com tout their Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) free and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) free formulations, we have received more than a few requests for more information about the benefit of SLS/SLES free skin care. Let’s start by pointing out the obvious: there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the safety of SLS/SLES. Unfortunately, a few who stand to financially gain from misinformation have exaggerated the concerns and even fabricated falsehoods surrounding SLS/SLES. There is cause for concern, but not for alarm.

SLS is a surfactant that is commonly used in toothpaste, shampoo, shaving foam and bubble bath for its thickening effect and lathering properties. SLES is a detergent and surfactant found in shampoo, toothpaste and soap. SLES has been linked to increased frequency of canker sores among people with frequent recurring sores. And although Sodium lauryl sulfate is a skin and eye irritant and can cause dermatitis with prolonged contact, but is not a known carcinogen. Given the irritating potential of SLS/SLES, we recommend avoiding them whenever possibly, especially for newborns and young children.

Other than the effects SLS/SLES may have on humans, it is important to consider their environmental effect. The impurities present in the production of SLS (even when produced from plant sources such as palm/coconut) end up in our water and soil and may harm other living organisms. So, although continued use of skin care products with SLS/SLES may not be a prelude to cancer, using products free of both agents will avoid the chance of irritation as well as being earth friendly. With the variety of SLS/SLES free products available, consumers have more great choices than ever!

What is colic and is there a colic cure?

Does your baby cry inconsolably for hours on end? She’s fed, has a clean diaper, not ill, but won’t stop crying? As many as one out of four babies suffers from colic. If you believe your baby is one of them, there are steps you can take to help save your sanity and provide comfort to your baby.

Every baby cries, as they have limited means of communicating their needs. But some babies cry for extended periods, even well fed, healthy babies. Baby colic is characterized by inconsolable crying that lasts for hours, without any obvious reason. Generally, colic begins in the first couple weeks of a baby’s life and may continue until the third or fourth month and often goes away quite abruptly. Many parents report that the crying bouts occur at about the same time of day, late afternoon to early evening. Some babies experience colic at night time and their colic is the cause of sleepless nights for baby and parents. Therefore, it is helpful to remember that colic does end and is not ever-lasting, it just feels like it is.

The first thing to do is to rule out any other possible causes. keep track of crying bouts and consult your pediatrician to help identify the cause. Gastric reflux or allergies may be the culprit in some cases, but the majority of colicky babies are perfectly healthy and thriving. If baby is well fed and otherwise healthy and cries regularly for more than three hours at a time, you may have a colicky baby. Although colic is more prevalent among bottle fed babies, breast fed babies may suffer, as well. In breast fed babies, the mother’s diet may affect symptoms and minor changes may prove effective. Breast feeding mothers of colicky babies are advised to limit or eliminate dairy from their diet to observe its effects on baby. As newborn’s digestive system is still maturing, it may not be able to process dairy process the proteins that pass through breast milk, causing abdominal gas that can be extreme painful. Some believe colic is not treatable and must simply be endured.

For anyone that has lived with a colicky baby, simply letting baby grow out of the colicky stage is not an option. Prescription drugs such as simethicone (brand names: Phazyme; Flatulex; Mylicon; Gas-X; Mylanta Gas) and dicyclomine (brand names: Bentyl, Byclomine, Dibent, Di-Spaz, Dilomine) have very limited success, if any at all. The side effects of prescription drugs on tiny bodies must be carefully considered before administering any prescription drug. Probiotics (live microorganisms containing bacteria or yeast) have yielded results for some babies. It is useful to point out that breast milk contains natural probiotics that accounts for healthy gut flora, limiting the occurrence of colic.

Some babies respond well to music or white noise. Carrying baby around in a sling or baby carrier is very comforting and a great bonding experience for baby and parent. Take baby for a walk – this will help you relieve stress, as well. If your baby’s pain is the result of abdominal gas or cramps, baby massage may be very soothing to both baby and parents; try rubbing baby’s belly with a little massage oil in a clockwise motion. Try placing baby face down across your lap and patting her back. There are many good books and DVD’s that provide great instructions on baby massage and they may prove to be lifesavers for parents of colicky babies. Many parents continue to administer baby massages long after baby grows out of the colicky stage.

Natural alternative remedies such as gripe water is a time tested remedy for colic, teething pain and abdominal gas. Its main ingredients are usually fennel, dill, anise, licorice, ginger, chamomile and other herbs that have alleviate digestive problems in babies, as well as adults. Burping baby after every meal, and even during feeding, may be helpful. Some parents find swaddling to be an effective solution. Some babies self soothe by sucking on pacifiers. Being rocked may also be comforting to a colicky baby. Parents may try placing infant on its side or holding baby upright to determine the most comfortable position for a baby in the grips of colic. Many parents find that what works for one baby may not work for another. Often times, parents find a colic cure by trying different measures and closely observing patterns.

If you are the parent of a colicky baby, you may agree that watching your precious little one wriggle and shriek is an extremely painful experience that often leaves you feeling helpless and hopeless. You may even end up blaming yourself, wandering what you could have done differently to prevent this misery. It is useful to remember that colic affects babies around the world and is not related to bad parenting. You must resist the urge to blame yourself. Recruit patient, understanding adults that can take over when you are at your wit’s end. Lots of deep breathing can be helpful during times of extreme stress.

For natural, fast working colic relief, try one of our all natural liquid or tablet colic cures:

http://www.babyecotrends.com/category/Colic_Relief/c100

Bisphenol A and Your Baby

Recently, bisphenol A (BPA) has been making headlines and for very good reason. BPA is a major component in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, used in the production of plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, food and beverage containers, the lining of canned foods, plastic dinnerware and some dental sealants. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, imitating the naturally occurring hormone estrogen. BPA can duplicate, block or exaggerate hormonal responses that control development of the brain and the reproductive system.

The BPA industry group, www.bisphenol-a.org, insists that polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins make life “healthier and safer.” This is a claim that many refute. An expert scientific panel, led by University of Missouri biologist Frederick vom Saal, has found that BPA leaches into plastic bottles and canned foods at unsafe levels. This poses significant health hazards to babies and pregnant women. Research shows that BPA exposure in the perinatal stage (5 months before and 1 month after birth) results in changes to the male and female genital tract and mammary glands that may predispose tissue to earlier onset of disease, reduced fertility and mammary and prostate cancer in lab animals.

In April 2008, after reviewing 150studies, Canada decided to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and continue testing of other products. Canada became the first country to ban BPA in baby bottles and the Health Minister, Tony Clements, explained why, “We have immediately taken action on BPA because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical.”

The September 17, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that researchers found a significant relationship between BPA and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities. Adults with the highest BPA levels in their urine were more than twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes than those with the lowest levels, according to the study of more than 1,450 people.

Just days before the Canadian ban of BPA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigned a task force to review the body of research on BPA’s effects on our health. Until BPA is banned from baby bottles and other plastics in the United States, consumers must exercise vigilance and minimize exposure by seeking safe alternatives. If you have young children, start by replacing baby bottles, sippy cups, and dinnerware with BPA free items.

Formaldehyde Free Furniture!

We are so very excited to announce that we have just partnered up with a manufacturer of safe children’s furniture. Ecotots designs & manufactures a high quality, full line of environmentally friendly, real wood modern furniture & furnishings for kids which assemble quickly & easily without the use of tools or hardware. Everything is made from renewable FSC Certified Smart Wood® & is available in a variety of eco friendly UV finishes.

Please take a look at the beautiful selection of furniture that you might mistake for European imports. Ecotots is a US based company & all their products are made right here in the USA! We like their small, green footprint & think that you will, too.

The fact that Ecotots makes their furniture without the use of formaldehyde is especially agreeable to us, as there is good reason to believe that it is extremely dangerous to our health & the health of the planet. Formaldehyde is used in many products including cosmetics, paper, wood, furniture, cigarette smoke, industrial fertilizers, dyes, glues/adhesives, permanent press fabrics & embalming fluid.

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas compound (HCHO) recognized as a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1ppm, some individuals may experience health effects such as watery eyes, burning sensations of the eyes, nose & throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, while others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.

Several NCI studies have found that anatomists & embalmers (professionals with potential exposure to formaldehyde), are at an increased risk for leukemia & brain cancer compared with the general public.

Some studies of industrial workers have suggested that formaldehyde exposure is associated with nasal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and possibly with leukemia. In 1995, the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) concluded that formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. However, in a reevaluation of existing data in June 2004, the International Agency for Research of Cancer reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

Now, can you see why we’re so excited about Ecotots? Read the complete NCI factsheet here: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/formaldehyde

Baby Eco Trends is Open!

Thank you for stopping in. After weeks of building an online storefront, we are excited to be open for business at last.

Going through the boxes of new merchandise, it quickly became obvious that it would be a great disservice to keep our observations to ourselves. The feel of organic natural fibers just cannot be relayed in an image. For example, Under The Nile’s flannel blankets and matching blanket friends are unbelievably soft and downy. Even the nicest flannel sheets are not this soft! The unbleached organic prefold diapers just get more fluffy and cushy with each wash. The Nui Organics Merino wool grid blanket is so cozy and cushiony; if only it were available in Queen size. What a great time to be a pampered baby!

We hope you enjoy our unique selection. Please feel free to dop a line or call with any questions, comments or suggestions you may have. We would love to hear from you.