We have some small mason jars, used for jarring jam or jelly, that are perfect for toddlers to drink from. They come with lids, too, so you can throw one in your backpack and hit the road. This has worked well for us, except of course in the car, because it will spill everywhere. A major plus is that it has multiple uses so it won't end up in a landfill, and won't leech any nasty chemcials in your sweet baby's system. You can get jars at a local hardware store.
The new Born Free cups are working well. My 7 month old is able to use it with help and my toddler likes it too, although she soaked her car seat by dripping water from the spout. Oh well! The cups are not completely drip free, but I'll take it since they can go in the dishwasher AND have no BPA (see post below for a description of the chemical BPA).
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Simple Toddler Cup-cheap and plastic free!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Sippy Cup Mania!
You know you love them. They prevent spills, make car travel easier, and are a great for playdates, daycare and outings. But regular sippy cups have a dark side (other than the moldy milk blob growing in the forgotten sippy cup under your car seat.)
Many mainstream sippy cups are made from a type of plastic that leeches a hormone disruptor called Bisphenol A (BPA) into the liquid. According to Frederick vom Saal, a developmental biologist at the University of Missouri, and whose work is published by the National Institute of Environmental Science, BPA acts like birth control pills (yes, you read that right). He explains that the human body is extremely sensitive to sex hormones, so that very small amounts can have a huge impact. Studies have shown that BPA can cause hyperactivity, damage to the brain, early puberty, disruption in reproductive cycles, and increases in fat formation.
This is enough to make anyone ditch the sippy cups, and fast. So what to do next?
Non Toxic Kids recommends: Buy one of the alternatives. There are several choices now on the market of sippy cups that are not made from plastic that has BPA, or are not made of plastic at all.
Mama tested:
Sigg Water Bottles: These aluminum water bottles come with a variety of choices for the spout, with very kid friendly designs. They are super durable but a bit pricey at about $14.95-20.00. My toddler handles the larger one well, and can flip the top and drink from it easily. I just pray I don’t loose it (or that she hides it somewhere). These are available at many online and regional retailers (I found mind at a local sports store).
Born Free Drinking Cups: As of this post I have my brand new born free cups to try with my 7 month old. I will share later how this cup is holding up! They are plastic sippy cups made without harmful BPA. These run between $10-12 each.
Other Choices:
Kleen Kanteen: A stainless steel water bottle that you can attach a BPA free sippy spout (made by Advent) to.
Foogo Thermos: Another stainless steel cup, but this one can also act like a thermos (ah, hence the name) keeping warm liquids warm and cool liquids cool.
Advent makes a normal looking plastic sippy cup that is made without BPA.
More Information:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/school/bpa041505.cfm
Disclaimer-
I am a teacher, mother and writer, not a doctor or medical professional. The information on this site should not be used as a subsitute for medical advice from a doctor. The articles on this blog are my best effort at presenting information that I believe to be true based on my research and experience. If you ever find any factual errors please contact me at non-toxic-kids(at)comcast(dot)net. Thank you.
A Word of Welcome--
Americans make the assumption that all products on our store shelves have been tested by someone, somewhere. Well, obviously in light of the recent recalls, this couldn't be farther from the truth. We here at Non-Toxic kids are researching products, news reports, and information that will help you make healthier consumer choices for your kids, families, and our environment. From sippy cups and baby bottles, to toddler food and shampoo, we will give you a summary of an issue or concern, product reviews and recommendations, and where to go for further information. From my family to yours, in good health.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Button Link Love-
Cut and paste the above code to your site and share the Non-Toxic Kids word (and thank you!)
Or use this larger one—
Button Design and Photography by Kurt Budliger Photography
About the Editor--
Katy Farber is a teacher, freelance writer, and mama from the mountains of Vermont. She writes about the environment, parenting, and education, and can be found running the dirt roads of her town, or playing in the yard with her two spirited little girls. She has numerous product reviews and articles at Vegetarian Baby and Child, and has published an article in FIVE magazine. Her product reviews are also listed at Amazon. Katy also regularly writes for Eco Child's Play and ocassionally posts to Mother Talkers and the MotherVerse blog. She would happily expand on any of her posts for publication and is available for assignment work.
Katy has been interviewed by Kris Underwood for Moms Speak Up and the Motherverse blog, and she has testified at the Vermont legislature help pass a lead in consumer products bill. Non-Toxic Kids has been featured in the Toronto Star, Enviroblog, Terrain Magazine, and on many green and educational blogs and websites.
Contact Non-Toxic Kids--
Please send us your ideas for future posts, your questions, or thoughts to non-toxic-kids(at)comcast(dot)net. I am available to review products, books and items that fit within the mission and advertising policy of Non-Toxic Kids.
Advertise on Non-Toxic Kids-
Non-Toxic Kids is a growing blog, with more and more readers and subscribers everyday. If you are an environmentally responsible business that sells quality, safe and healthy products for kids and families, you might want to consider becoming a sponsor of Non-Toxic Kids. You can spread the word about your business to Non-Toxic Kids readers through graphic link ads on this site. Email us at non-toxic-kids(at)comcast(dot)net for more information.
Also, if you have a safe, green and healthy product you would like us to review (keep in mind it will be a full independent, objective review) please contact us.
Everything in the Mouth! Safe Teethers for the Orally Fixated-
My little 6 month old is at that stage where anything and everything ends up in her mouth. If I look away for a second she can grab a nearby magazine and chow down. Her first two little teeth appeared just the other day and this makes chomping down on something even more necessary to maintain her sunny personality (that is, if she doesn’t flop over).
The Issue: The teethers on the mainstream market look like they could fit the bill, but the many of them still have a major problem. The little plastic teethers, usually a soft, gummable plastic filled circle with water and cute decorations, are usually made from a plastic that has potentially dangerous chemical properties. Soft Vinyl plastics, called PVC, can have harmful additives called Phthalates. These are hormone-disrupting chemicals that are used as plastic softeners, which make teethers, well, so chewable. When administered at high doses to animals, PVC with phthalates caused increased cancer rates and damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs. PVC can also contain lead, which is known to cause developmental delays in children. Several years ago, the Consumer Product Safety Commission asked manufacturers to voluntarily eliminate phthalates from toys, and many of the large toy retailers stopped selling products containing phthalates. Some companies are phasing out the use of phalates in the near future. Many products still contain high levels of PVC with phthalates, and many retailers (including some chain drugstores) still sell these products. A particular problem with teethers and little baby toys with phthalates is the chemicals are leeched more quickly in a babies bloodstream by the babies’ chewing action.
Non Toxic Kids recommends: Buy natural wood (finished with beeswax polish) or organic cloth teethers from a reputable company. Two of my favorites are http://www.rosiehippo.com/ and http://www.novanatural.com/. Both retailers have many different kinds of teethers, rattles and hand toys for you to choose from.
If you must buy plastic, buy only teethers and baby toys (all toys, if possible, for that matter!) that clearly state they are phalate or PVC free. I must say, though, that I find it hard to simply trust this labeling.
Mama Tested: My baby girl chews on a Cherry Rattle from Nova Naturals. It is chunky and seems satisfying to her. Although, sometimes she cries when she bites it too hard, and I wish we had a cloth one for her as well. Haba Toys, based in Germany where the European Union has WAY higher standards to control chemicals in toys, has a great line of rattles and teeters. We have Flapsi, a cute hand rattle and perfect for her little mouth. Haba Toys are available at many independent, smaller toy stores and online at http://www.moolka.com/. We also have Flori, which is a cool clutch toy flower with wood petals. I think I like playing with this one as much as she does (maybe I shouldn’t admit that).
Links for More Information:
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/consumer-product-safety-commis
http://www.checnet.org/HealtheHouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=559
Advertising Policy-
In order to sustain this blog, on this site you will see Google Adsense Ads, Ads from a green advertising network called Sustainlane, and ads and an online store from Amazon. If you see an offensive ad, or one that does not fit within the spirit of Non-Toxic Kids, please send me an email at non-toxic-kids(at)comcast(dot)net. I do product reviews and share information based on my own experience and research and receive no compensation from any company that makes these products (and I never will).
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Scary Baby Bottles-
The Issue: According to the Children's Health Environmental Coalition, a common plastic that is used in making baby bottles is polycarbonate. This polycarbonate can leach a hormone disrupting chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) into bottles when they are heated or sterilized. BPA affects the endocrine system and has been linked to cancer, sterility and developmental problems. Recent studies indicate that BPA effects testosterone production (not something to be messed with!) in boys.
Non Toxic Kids recommends: Buy glass bottles!
Mama Tested: Evenflo makes two sizes of glass bottles, called “Classic Glass Nurser”, available at many online and regional retailers. I have used these with both my babies. They are solid and sturdy; sure to withstand multiple droppings (maybe not on tile!).
More Ideas: A new company called Newborn Free has developed a line of glass baby bottles. For more information, visit http://www.newbornfree.com/.
Links for More Information:
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?1074
https://dev.copirg.org/newsroom/environmental-health/environmental-health-news/toxic-chemical-leaches-from-popular-baby-bottles
About Non-Toxic Kids
I was endlessly researching safe children's products, recall stories, and information about raising kids naturally. I started Non-Toxic Kids: Helping Your Kids Stay Safe, Healthy and Smart to help parents in their quest to find quality information and safe products for their kids. Non-Toxic Kids shares information about what parents care most about: keeping their kids safe in a toxic world. It is filled with usable information for busy parents: research summaries, news updates, product reviews and recommendations, tips for more natural living, creative ideas for raising healthy kids and links for more information. I hope readers find it helpful, well-researched, motivating, and occasionally funny as we all move toward becoming green(er) parents. Please add your voice about these issues so we can all learn from each other.
