Eco Child’s Play

Scout’s organic cotton “functional fashion” for kids is cute, comfortable and durable. Their fall 2008 collection is full of bright colors, vibrant hues, and high grade organic cotton fabric.

My little guy really looks really adorable in the blue and green outfit they sent. He feels so good to hug ( even better than usual) since the fabric is super soft and cozy.

I absolutely love the outfit, which is identical to the one in the photo on the left, except his is a green top with an orange stripe and blue pants.

If you are looking for comfortable and cute clothing for your little one, Scout is a great option.

The holidays are coming up, a lot sooner than most of us would like, if you have little ones and would like to get them something “green”, Scout’s Fall collection has some great pieces for boys and girls in baby and toddler sizes.

There is so much to keep track of while trying to limit your child’s exposure to myriad chemicals. I’ve written endlessly in the past year at Non-Toxic Kids about phthalates, parabens, lead, BPA, flame retardant chemicals, PFOAs, and PVC to name a few.

Busy and tired parents need simplicity. So I am always on the lookout for quick, concise guides to make living easier while protecting our kids.

The folks at Healthy Legacy and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy put together this guide to safer children’s products. It has easy to read sections of important chemicals, how to avoid them, and can be printed, shoved into your purse or bag, and pulled out when your forget the difference between DMP, diethyl phthalate (DEP), and DBP.
Read the rest of this entry »

Petite Miette is French for “little crumb” and is named for pet rabbit founder Sarah Conley Odenkirk met her senior year of college in France. This socially and environmentally responsible company makes 100% organic cotton and environmentally friendly dyed products that are good for your children and the planet.  The enviro-consciousness of Petite Miette goes beyond the products to recycled and FSC certified packaging materials, as well.

Organically grown and made in the USA, Petite Miette’s Playtime Wrap is soft and snuggly.  Designed to be worn over clothing, such as a onesie, this kimono style wrap will keep your child warm on even the chilliest days.  Let’s face it:  our kids spend a lot of time on the floor, which is the coldest, draughtiest part of the house.  I only wish Petite Miette would make a playtime wrap in my size; I don’t think I would ever take it off. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s no doubt that marketing baby products to parents is a big business.  It is not uncommon for expectant parents to have a list a mile long of baby paraphernalia they think they need for their new addition. One thing I am certain is probably not on most baby shower registries, especially eco-friendly baby showers, is high heeled baby shoes.

We’ve covered bizarre baby gear before, but this one I really can’t understand. Heelarious is the name brand for “her first high heels”.   They come in five styles, including leopard and zebra satin.  These strange shoes were the idea of two Seattle moms who intended them to be funny; however, I don’t find humor in dressing up an infant in stillettos.  Why would my baby need a pair of heels when I don’t even own a pair? Read the rest of this entry »

I love Under the Nile!  It is one of the first affordable organic cotton companies I discovered with my first child.  Both of my children could not have survived the teething stage without Under the Nile Organic Teething Toys!  I’ve recently discovered another delightful organic cotton product by the company: the Organic Frog Wash Cloth.

Made from hand-picked, 100% organic cotton grown in Egypt, the Organic Frog Wash Cloth, which is also available in duck form, makes bath time fun.  Of course, I don’t have to worry about safety, since it is made by Under the Nile.  The frog is dyed with natural, “metal-free” colors and is a fair trade product. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been a fan of California Baby products for quite some time. That said, I’m always on the lookout for other options as well. It doesn’t hurt to have a little variety in ones life!

We’ve recently stumbled upon Little Twig, a natural body & bath care line. Read the rest of this entry »

Introducing your baby to real food takes time. Fortunately, there is no need to rush, In fact, going slowly gives your baby a chance to develop a taste for different types of food, and in the long run enables her to make healthier food choices. There is an enormous selection of fresh, natural food that your little one can eat, but there are also several foods that are not good for babies. Here is a list of many of the foods that you should avoid:

• Foods with sugar, salt and caffeine as a main ingredient – Avoid introduction as long as possible: As a general rule, foods containing high amount of these ingredients, usually do not contain much nutritional value and are not very healthy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Like many multicultural moms, I find a direct link between a sustainable way of living and the wisdom of old world cultures. As an Indian mom, I have always had a tremendously soft spot for South Asia inspired parenting resources. I have always maintained that it is not easy raising multicultural kids, so I will take all the help I can get.

An old adage tells us that company loves misery, obviously other moms like me feel the same way! I was thrilled to hear from Sonia Gupta about My Little Pakora, an organic children’s clothing retailer and online multi-cultural resource center, blends the latest information about organic and sustainable lifestyles with the uniquely similar cultural traditions of South Asia and other cultures around the world. Read the rest of this entry »

As colder weather approaches, we begin thinking about shoes for even the youngest feet. I have used and ADORED Robeez for my children. Now, we have a similar type of bootie with an earth friendly, sustainable footprint.

Even better news, Simple Shoes, the maker of the Infant’s Weebit (shown here in slate rose) also makes grown up shoes! Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve been really fortunate not to need outside childcare. I have chosen part time jobs that allow me to take my infants and young children to work, but not all families are so lucky or can afford for one parent to stay at home. I’ve read many studies on the postive and negative effects of childcare on children’s health and social-emotional development, but I have never heard it called child abuse.

I have always enjoyed the children’s books written by Mem Fox. Time for Bed is one of my favorites, and I respect her ideals on peace.  She has written beautiful poetry on tolerance, and she is an advocate for young children. Earlier this month, Mem Fox shocked parents by stating that daycare for young infants is a form of child abuse:

I just tremble, I don’t know why some people have children at all if they know that they can only take a few weeks off work.  I know you want a child, and you have every right to want a child, but does the child want you if you are going to put it in childcare at six weeks?  I don’t think the child wants you, to tell the honest truth. I know that’s incredibly controversial.  We’re going to look back on this time from the late ’90s onwards - with putting children in childcare so early in their first year of life for such long hours - and wonder how we have allowed that child abuse to happen.  It’s just awful. It’s awful for the mothers as well. It’s completely heartbreaking.  You actually have to say to yourself, ‘If I have to work this hard and if I’m never going to see my kid and if they are going to have a tremendous stress in childcare, should I be doing it?

Read the rest of this entry »