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……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Happy New Year and welcome to our improved ecommerce site launched January 1, 2009! We are still working on completing all the shopping pages. Please, do not hesitate to call us during business hours, if you have questions.
Recently, we added a line of toxin-free furniture, which includes nursery furniture as well as household furniture, and organic mattresses for the entire family. We will be adding links to research that we found helpful to the choices that we have made for our own family.
The US Congress agreed this past summer to an outright ban on some phthalates in children’s toys and child care items and an interim prohibition on other phthalates pending further research on their impact on infant health. (more on phthalates) The ban is in effect now, but if the item was manufactured before that date it can still be sold. Unfortunately, the surface materials used in nearly all baby mattresses contain these banned chemicals, not to mention the filling of most baby mattresses is polyurethane foam, made mostly of solid petroleum which needs a good dosing of toxic fire retardants. These chemicals have been linked to SIDS, hyperactivity, neurobehavioral problems, asthma, allergies, reproductive disorders and cancers. Amazingly, there is an easy solution; buy products that do not contain toxic chemicals! These products are easily available, although tend to cost a little bit more. In the long run, the extra money spent pays for itself in the health of your family, in particular your newborn whose smaller size mean these chemicals are more concentrated in their body (read more). Campaigns out of the UK and New Zealand have proven great success in preventing SIDS by wrapping crib mattresses to avoid off-gassing from the side your newborn is laying on. Therefore, if you have been given one of these banned mattresses and are choosing to use it, you can purchase a fitted cover to buffer your child from these chemicals.
Remember low-VOC still means the product off-gasses Volatile Organic Compounds. The level meets the Consumer Product Safety Commissions requirements to be considered “low”. We question the CPSC’s judgment …. first lead paint was okay then banned, then plastics in food containers such as baby bottles were considered okay now conscientious consumers purchase BPH-free plastics, and now toys, mattresses other child care items containing certain but not all phthalates will be banned yet the CPSC considered them okay until now. We don’t trust the CPSC allowing products to be sold and then banned after the chemical toxins have proven to hurt our children!
If you are just beginning to build your family’s nest, free your family’s home from as many toxic chemicals as possible, consider the following SAFE, TOXIN-FREE products on our site:
- Get an organic, chemical-free mattress and crib/bed or cover for your old mattress at least
- Purchase glass bottles and stainless steel sippy cups
- Consider using cloth diapers, at least part of the time if not all the time (We were surprised to find out the chemicals in disposable diapers were not part of the ban!)
- Practice baby-wearing (The more time your baby spends against you, the less toxic exposure they receive from the fire retardant and other chemicals in their car seat carrier and on the rug.
Happy, healthy parenting starts with YOU …. your baby trusts your judgment. Our mission is to extend to you what we have learned as concerned, educated parents and to help you build a healthy nest. Cheers to 2009, the year to go green!
