Time after time we are bombarded with news stories about the unhealthy ingredients of the foods we eat.  From trans fats to high fructose corn syrup as well as pesticides used on our produce, there seems to be a neverending list of things that should not be in our foods.  We consume these ingredients (not all but most of us) beginning at an early age and continue doing so until adulthood.  Many scientific studies point out the harmful effects of many food additives so there is information out there that we can utilize when making our meal choices; we can prevent putting harmful things  in our bodies.  Prevention can and should begin very early.  Babies should first and foremost be at the receiving end of a nutritious diet.  The benefits of organic baby food are that they are healthy and contribute to building a strong body.

Before the age of two, babies brains develop at a rapid rate and their organs are susceptible to harmful substances.  If your baby is given food treated with pesticides the dangers of that exposure are great because at that age they are very sensitive to neurotoxins.  Babies also have to contend with food (yes, even baby foods) that have high levels of antibiotics and hormones.  Organically grown foods are free from toxins generally used by farmers in their farming practices yet are rich in minerals, vitamins, and nutrients.

In 2003 Washington University did a study of childrens diets.  It was determined that children that ate organic food had six times the lower level of pesticides in their system than those that did not.

In the August 2003  issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Danish researchers found that organic food may contain more flavanoids ( natural chemicals that prevent the deposit of fatty material in blood vessels) than conventionally grown foods.

The benefits of organic baby food are great. They are free of toxins, preservatives, hormones,  & antibiotics. They are rich in minerals, vitamins, nutrients and may contain more flavanoids than non- organic food.  What more can you ask for?

Yes, organic baby clothes are better for your baby and the environment than regular baby clothes and here’s why:

• The cotton seed preparation for organic baby clothes are natural untreated GMO free seeds.  Regular baby clothes are usually from cotton seeds that are treated with fungicides or insecticides.

• Safe peroxide is used to whiten organic baby clothes.  For whitening of regular baby clothes chlorine bleaching is used which creates toxic bi-products that are released into the environment.

• The printing on organic baby clothes are from low-impact or natural pigments with no heavy metal.  The printing on regular baby clothes are from heavy metals in pigments which run off into waterways polluting streams.

While the price for organic baby clothes can be slightly more than the price for regular baby clothes, the cost to our babies’ health and the planet make organic baby clothes more economical.

For Organic Baby Clothes visit our Organic Baby Shop. For other organic baby ideas visit Nursery Artist.

When choosing baby bath products most parents make sure the label says “made for babies” or “safe for babies”; but in a shocking new article written by Cooper Watson we get to see just how safe those products are.

A lot of these products contain Phthalates (pronounced th-al-ates) and Parabens (pronounced par-ah-bens); the former is a synthetic chemical used to make plastics flexible and stabalize fragrances in many consumer products (i.e. cosmetics) and the latter is a chemical preservative used in skin care products (i.e.shampoos,shaving and cleansing gels, lotions, topical pharmaceuticals and lubricants).

Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects in animals. In an article published in the February 2008 edition of the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the authors stated that “young infants are more vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of phthalates given their…metabolic capabilities, and developing endocrine and reproductive systems. Read more.

It’s that time of the year. The tree is up, the decorations are everywhere, and the guest list is being prepared.  Christmas is a wonderful time for the family to come together to enjoy each others company, to enjoy each others stories and also reflect on how long family members have not seen each other; who has grown up? What has changed in their life?  Where’s the new baby?  Christmas is also a time of something very important…gift giving.

When we search for gifts for loved ones and acquaintances we usually take some time and thought to pick out the right one for them.  If you happen to be getting a gift for a baby, why not get one that is safe and eco-friendly.  It’s not only thoughtful for the baby, but it’s you being able to contribute to the environment in a small way.  Here are some gifts you can get for the little ones.

ORGANIC TEETHING RING

Organic teething rings are a wonderful alternative to the the teething rings that are dominant in the market.  Many teething rings on the market are made of latex, silicon, or rubber.  You can find organic teething rings that not only have been organically cultivated but have been created in an environmentally friendly manner.

ORGANIC BASED CLOTHING

Babies need new clothes. Why not cloth them in material that is safe and comfortable; material that uses natural nontoxic dyes and organically grown cotton that has not been treated with pesticides. There are many green sites that sell organic baby clothes (i.e. BabyEarth.com, babystyle, & The Nursery Artist Organic Baby Shop ). Find the clothing that you like and get them. You’ll feel great about the purchase.

ORGANIC TOYS

Babies enjoy a stimulating environment; they like to see, touch, taste and smell.  You can buy stimulating organic toys such as rattles and teddy bears from many green sites.  Make sure that stuffed animals are made from organic cotton on the outside as well as the inside. There are plenty of toys to choose from so have fun with selecting the best ones.

A green baby is a happy baby. Make the little ones Christmas green and get them started on an environmentally friendly path.

For more green gift ideas visit nurseryartist.com.

When our son was born nine years ago the last thing on our mind was preparing an eco-friendly home. We were simply concerned with getting him home safe and making sure the environment he came back to was clean, warm, and full of love. Some years later it occurred to us that we could do a little bit more to raise our son in an environmentally conscious way, and so the research began. We found plenty of small things to do around our home that were beneficial to his health and the environment. Here’s an excerpt from an article written by Cooper Watson “Your Baby’s Eco-Friendly Home”.  If you apply these easy tips and ideas you can have an eco-friendly home for your baby too.

 

“Beware of Harmful Cleaners

One of the first things new parents do in anticipation of their little one is to frantically clean. In our haste to create a spotless home we often forget how harmful cleaners can be to our babies and our environment. These cleaners may get the job done but at what cost? Some cleaning agents emit fumes that can be harmful to a baby’s lungs, eyes, and nose. If used periodically the accumulated affect can open the door to future health problems.

Other cleaning agents are corrosive. They can irritate and harm our skin; so just think about what those same chemicals can do to your baby’s delicate skin. Then why do we purchase these cleaners? Simply, because they have been skillfully marketed to us over many years, with no mention of their harmful affects. Our parents did it and some of us are still doing it. Here’s the good news, it’s easy to turn the page, and say goodbye to those harmful cleaners. If you won’t do it for you then do it for your baby.” read more

Your baby deserves the best.
With a little planning and a lot of love you can do it. At Nursery Artist we want to simplify your life by giving you one place to get nursery ideas, shop for nursery furniture, get the top nursery decor books, learn more about green baby gifts and organic cleaners right here on our organic baby blog, learn how to have an eco-friendly baby nursery, get baby proofing tips, chat with other parents, and get helpful tips on baby sleep. All that and more!