ecobites.com

formerly ecostudio.com.au

...help renew the soil, clean the air, purify the water, and bring back the wildlife that chemicals have nearly destroyed.So here are a few "Green" parenting tips from A -Z.

A few small, easy changes in the products you buy and use can help reduce your child’s exposure to toxic chemicals.Bisphenol A is a harmful chemical found in polycarbonate plastic which is used to make many popular baby bottles and sippy cups, among other things. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, which alters our body’s natural pattern.

BPA can leach from polycarbonate plastic, usually a hard, clear plastic that is common of many products we use everyday. Effects at even low BPA exposure include prostate cancer, breast cancer, early puberty onset, alterations in gender-specific behavior, decreased sperm count, affects on fertility, behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior, and other problems.

"We did not inherit the Earth from our parents. We are borrowing it from our children."~Chief Seattle

A ALTERNATIVE and Complementary Home Remedies. When you think about how little bodies have to cope with infections, polluting chemicals, bacteria and new foods all at once, its not surprising that health problems arise in babies. Babies are born with the basis of a strong immune system and, if the mother breastfeeds, they also pick up antibodies from her milk. Natural therapies are safe and effective for many common childhood aches and pains. However, if one of our children had an extremely high fever, a headache and a sensitivity to light, we would get them to a doctor as fast as we could. You can really help your child to get better with natural therapies. And there's another wonderful benefit. By doing more than just administering pills, mothers and fathers who brew up herb teas, feed fresh coconut water to feverish children and give gentle massages are teaching their children time-honoured lessons in healing and caring. Your children are learning how to bring healing into the home through their own hands. And that knowledge, along with simple benefits of feeling better, will provide a legacy of good health for their future.

ATTACHMENT Parenting. You may not use the term Attachment Parenting to describe this way of parenting. You might call it Natural Parenting, Instinctive Parenting, Immersion Parenting or Continuum Parenting. Perhaps a label is unneccesary to you. Maybe you are simply "following your instincts" and have never thought of parenting as anything but second nature.

http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/attachment-parenting.html

B BABIES and young children learn and grow at an extremely rapid rate during these first busy - sometimes terrifying - but always wonderful years.
BREASTFEEDING If breast milk from American women were bottled and sold commercially, it would be banned by the US Food and Drug Administration because it is contaminated with more than 100 industrial chemicals, including dioxins and pesticides. Despite the presence of toxic chemicals in human milk, breast feeding is a highly desirable practice. Breast feeding gives an infant immunity against gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory infections; it may also offer protection against food allergies. Furthermore, the alternatives (prepared formulas) are even less healthy. Source: Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News #193.

BABYWEARING = keeping your baby happy + getting on with your life.
http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/benefits-of-babywearing.html

BOTTLES Choose glass or safer-plastic baby bottles. Almost all plastic baby bottles are made from polycarbonate plastic containing bisphenol A, but they are rarely labeled as such. With as few as 50-100 washings—even before you see wear—significant amounts of bisphenol A can leach into your baby’s milk. For the best protection, switch to using glass bottles for all or most of baby’s use. Contrary to claims by the plastics industry, glass bottles are extremely durable and safe (and wash well in the dishwasher). And after all, they were good enough for you when you were a baby!

Sadly this is how many parents are starting out life for their precious babies…giving them toxic chemicals inadvertently. And to make matters even worse…most  formula's will give the baby a double whammy because the lining of those formula cans may very well be leaching BPA into the actual formula.

Avoid re-using water bottles.

C CARBON FOOTPRINT  Green parenting -  buying less, buying used items, generating less waste, saving energy and water, recycling - all of these practices will save your family money and can be done even by parents with the busiest schedule. http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/keep-your-babies-carbon-footprint-small.html

CO-SLEEPING or family bed where the children share the family bed has many benefits.
http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/co-sleeping-2.html

CHILD Development

Children are a staircase to paradise. Persian proverb

CREATIVE PLAY is an essential element in the development of well-rounded, healthy children. It is vital to their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. At a very basic level, children develop control of their bodies and muscles through play. Jumping, skipping, throwing, bouncing, all help with coordination and motor development. Play is also extremely important in the social and emotional lives of our children. It helps children work through the emotional stages of childhood including developing trust, autonomy, initiative and a sense of competence.

Children gain social skills, develop interpersonal relationships, and experiment with various roles in play. Make-believe play, in particular, has been related to increases in cooperation, empathy, impulse control, and reduced aggression. Play also offers opportunities for expressive language, decision-making, and problem solving. On a cognitive level, young children learn through the "hands on" experiences of play. They can learn about weight through playing with sand and water, about numbers by counting vegetables in the pretend store, and about using symbols by playing with unstructured toys. These activities that may seem so simple actually lay the groundwork for later learning in reading, writing, math, and science.

CRAFT+ ART Supplies The manufacturer-supported Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) certifies a product with their AP label if it contains no ingredients found hazardous by a toxicologist. While weeding out extremely toxic, flammable or corrosive items, the AP label is not a fail-safe. The ACMI does not conduct independent tests, and has certified suspect items like the modeling clay Sculpey, which is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing diisononyl phthalate, banned from young children's toys in several European countries.
Monona Rossol, MS and MFA, industrial hygienist and president of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, recommends that parents demand disclosure of ingredients from companies for products that don't list them. http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/eco-safe-art-supplies.html

CLOTHING made from synthetic fibers such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester, and coated with formaldehyde finishes, will continuously give off minute plastic vapors as the fabric is warmed against your skins (outgas), causing unknown effects as well as known ones: commonly allergies and breathing troubles. Cotton grown for clothing uses enormous amounts of pesticides and petrochemicals and may be just as hazardous to wear as synthetics. Try choosing clothing made from organic cotton, hemp,as well as purchasing reused clothing, which may outgas less.

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The unique composition of human breast milk fat includes the fatty acids, lauric acid and capric acid, which have potent antimicrobial properties.These fatty acids offer the nursing infant protection from viruses such as herpes and HIV, protozoa such as giardia lamblia, and bacteria such as chlamydia and heliocobater... COCONUT OIL FOUND BENEFICIAL FOR LACTATING MOTHERS A study published in 1998 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that lactating mothers who eat coconut oil and other coconut products, have significantly increased levels of lauric acid and capric acid in their breast milk. Thus, the milk supply has increased amounts of the protective antimicrobials, which will give even greater protection to the nursing infant.

http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/coconut-oil-for-lactating-mothers-2.html

D DISCIPLINE - gentle + effective discipline. Positive Discipline is a non-punitive method of interacting with your children.Positive Discipline has a history of working well and bring peace and harmony back into a family. Surround yourself with Positive Discipline articles and see the benefits first hand for yourself. http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/positive-discipline-2.html

DIAPERS - The re-usable versus disposable debate has been well and truly had.

http://www.theorganicreport.com/pages/340_the_organic_cotton_diaper_alternative.cfm

DIY Do-it-yourself , from cloth diapers, green cleaning around the home to skin care.

Prewash Diaper Mixture. Lavender and tea-tree oils are great for cleansing and disinfecting diapers. Soak first (solids removed of course) in a bucket of water with 4 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of tea-tree oil. You can also add 2 drops each of lavender and tea-tree oils during the final rinse cycle on your machine, as this will help disinfect the diapers.

E ECO MOMS IN DESPAIR. Women have always been on the forefront of making sure their husbands, children and homes are safe and well cared for. But these days, moms that are focusing on being green can also be facing eco-anxiety. http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/eco-moms-in-despair.html

ENVIRONMENT We rely on the environment for more than aesthetics and commodities. It is literally the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Air pollution, global warming, acid rain, and water pollution deteriorate the environment as well as your health. Protecting the environment means protecting these resources and ensuring that your family has access to clean water, healthy foods, and fresh air.

ENJOY your children and enjoy life. Instead of, 'clean up your room', 'brush your teeth', 'wash your hands' remember that mess is just a creative experiment! You never imagine that the baby you wanted so much is going to grow up and leave home - but he will. Lose yourself in the moment of mothering and cuddling and caring for your utterly incomparable, brilliant and beautiful baby or child.

F FOOD rich in fresh seasonal organic fruits and vegetables, which contain high levels of vitamins and anti-oxidants, help the body combat the effects of petrochemicals. Help counterbalance the effects of petroleum in your body and world by visiting local farmers’ markets to get your fresh fruits and veggies. Plus, consider growing your own pesticide-free food instead! Eco children do have special nutrition and play needs. The responsibility of sensing these needs is awesome. Eco childrens parents help them make wise food choices, and put lots of play, laughter, love, and fun in life.

Avoid foods wrapped in plastic. Almost all commercial grade plastic cling wrap contains PVC plasticized with phthalates, and other plastic food packaging may be made of PVC, as well. Avoid buying foods wrapped in plastic, especially cheeses and meats.

FEEDING UTENSILS Choose metal feeding utensils and enamel or ceramic plates. While many manufacturers have removed phthalates from products intended to be put into young children’s mouths, without a law prohibiting their use, there is no guarantee that these products, such as soft, plastic-coated feeding spoons, are made without phthalates. Look for PVC-free labels or buy stainless steel, enamel, ceramic, or glass. (Note that enamel cannot be put in the microwave, and you should not use old pottery that could have lead-based glazes).

G GOING GREEN The essence of going green is to use less…less electricity, less water, and less stuff. And guess what, the good news is that using less actually saves you money. Conserve energy and you’ll have a lower electric bill and need less fuel at the pump. Reduce waste and you’ll spend less at the store and have lower trash removal fees. And fix your leaky faucets and you will not only conserve water, but also slash the cost of your annual water bill.

GLASS Use glass to heat food or liquid in the microwave. You should not heat food in plastic containers or on plastic dishware, or heat liquids in plastic baby bottles. Heating food and liquids in plastic containers can cause chemicals and additives in the plastics to leach out more readily—right into baby’s food and milk. While some plastic containers are marketed as “microwave safe,” it is safest to avoid them for heating. If using plastic bottles, containers, or dishware, avoid harsh detergents or hot water when washing them to reduce exposure. Do not put plastic bottles, containers, or dishware in the dishwasher. Also, throw out any plastic bottles, containers, and dishware that start to look scratched or hazy. Do not let milk sit for long periods of time in plastic.

GREEN BIRTHDAY PARTY Make your child's party eco-friendly.It is friendly on the planet and easy to do. It's also good modelling for children and other parents as excessive children's birthday parties are becoming all too common.
http://ecobites.com/green-birthday-celebrations/2.html

GREEN ACTIVITIES http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/go-green-earth-day-activities-2.html
 
GREEN Toys & Gifts Here are some great ideas for activiities and gifts that align with anti-consumerist values. Spend time together. Activities need not be exotic. A trip to the fire station, a performance, museum, art gallery, nature park, produce and local craft markets or a trip to the swimming pool...
http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/green-toys-gifts.html

http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/toys-gifts-part-2.html

GIFTS for Kids who have everything http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/gifts-for-kids-who-have-everything.html

GARDENING with children. Compost and a worm farm, and get the children involved with gardening. You will find that children will almost always eat what they create.

GROWTH SPURT Cinnamon is a warming tonic herb for a child going through a growth spurt. Try sprinkling organic cinnamon powder into smoothies, on bread or toast spread with peanut butter, or other food that the child likes.

H HOME, Happy, Homebirth, Herbs for Children.

HOME ACTIVITIES provide opportunities for simple lessons in math and identifying shapes and colors. So, starting at an early age, engage your children in everyday household activities, such as doing laundry, cooking and cleaning. Ask your children to match up socks or find all the shirts and count them. Prepare traditional family recipes together and have your children do some of the mixing and meal preparation. Help your children tidy their room and identify the colors and the number of items they put away.

HERBS For An Easier Childbirth. It is said that the developing embryo will take all the nutrients needed for its growth from the mother. So it is of the utmost importance that there is an adequate nutritional intake during pregnancy. http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/herbs-for-an-easier-childbirth.html

I INFORMED consent.

IMPORTANCE of turning off switches and taps.

J JARS and food containers. Avoid polycarbonate plastic in jars and food containers.Check the bottom/underside of the product. If you see “PC” (usually in or near the recycling triangle) signifying polycarbonate plastic, do not purchase. Often a number “7” on the bottom in the recycling triangle, by itself, also means the material is polycarbonate, but not always. To be safe, avoid #7 plastic. Choose plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling triangle, but do not heat beverages or food in plastic containers of any kind. Avoid canned foods: Unfortunately, bisphenol A can leach from metal can lining into the foods and liquids contained within. Buy organic baby food in glass containers, and avoid feeding your child food from cans as much as possible. You can often find popular children’s foods, such as organic tomato sauce, applesauce, and black beans, in glass jars.

JUNKINESS of junk food.

However, your children can eat an organic junk food diet just as easily as a non-organic junk food diet, and fresh foods need never pass their lips. Packaged foods provide high profit margins for the producers which means that they are keen to jump on the bandwagon. They can also be very seductive to the buyer for many reasons, not least of all convenience, but it may be best to reserve your organic purchasing power for fresh foods. Organic sugar and white flour products are really not worth buying, and it is pretty safe to say that ignoring some products such as organic sweets and organic doughnuts is the best policy (though there could be environmental arguments for using them).It is well worth reading the labels - don’t assume that because it says organic that it is healthier.For instance some organic cereals have more sugar or salt than the same brand non-organic version, and this is true of other products.There are, however, some good quality convenience-food producers who aim their products at the children’s market and who are interested in the ethical issues surrounding our children’s food (such as giving them good quality ingredients). 

K KITCHEN - children creating masterpieces in the kitchen.It’s so important to guide our children and educate their tastes towards healthy eating. Above all, you must believe that they won’t starve, and provided you offer a wide variety of organic natural foods, they will find their own balance. Start by letting the children help out in the kitchen – let your patience be your guide! There must be rules when it comes to clean hands and sharp knives; but even the smallest child can add a cupful of something to the dinner. Older children may like to take charge of the sprouting timetable.

L LOVE, LAUGHTER, Loving Discipline.

LOVE from the Womb. It is frequently argued as to how much a child can hear and experience when still in the womb but there is a lot to be said for getting them to know you before they are born. http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/love-from-the-womb.html

LEARNING Disabilities In a study in Mexico, pesticide-exposed children were less proficient at catching a ball, which is reflective of poor eye-hand coordination. They had lower stamina levels, more trouble remembering things, and were less able to draw accurate drawings of people. This study is one of many documenting the negative effects of petroleum products on the brain.

LOTIONS + POTIONS Sunscreens, and Body Care Products – Many body care products contain pthalates such as DEHP and DBP. In animals, both DEHP and DBP are toxic to the liver, kidneys, testes, and the nervous system.According to the National Toxicology Program, benzophenone has been found in surface water, groundwater, soil, and air, and may affect the liver and bone marrow of animals ingesting large amounts of contaminated water. This and other endocrine disruptors in sunblocks can also enter the water system when we swim or bathe, eventually winding up in fish, amphibians, and marine wildlife, and posing a threat to the animals' reproductive cycles. Source: Environmental Working Group.

Your baby relies on you for protection from all that is artificial or unsafe. It is easy and fun to utilise nature's gentlest and mildest plant extracts to moisturise, cleanse and protect the skin from chemicals and unnatural ingredients. Babies only need the simplest skin care routine.Their perfect skin is usually quite capable of looking after itself - even baby wash / soap is not absolutely necessary with every bath or wash except on the genital area and bottom (just how dirty is a baby going to get being carried in a baby sling?).

Lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidus, taken daily, are 'friendly' bacteria that are helpful in boosting childrens immunity.

M MEDITATION and children go beautifully together. Children are receptive. Their minds are clear and clean like large pools of water, and they accept things readily and with care. They do not query things as we do.
http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/meditation-and-children.html

MASSAGE Babies and small children (bigger ones, too) thrive on touch. Touch is your baby's first and most important means of giving and receiving messages and becoming aware of himself as a separate individual.

MUSIC Though your baby's hearing ability is very immature in the first 6 months, he or she can still listen to some basic forms of sounds. Music sounds can help soothe your baby's basic brain. Musical clippings can also help your baby's brain develop neurons and their intricate networks.Almost all children like to play with a series of musical instruments from the traditional and age old classic nursery rhymes to modern and classical music.

MEALTIMES should be an enjoyable event for all family members. Encourage your child to eat a variety of foods by giving them a little taste rather than forcing foods they don’t like. Give smaller portions and offer second helpings, or buffet style. Get your child involved with shopping, planning meals, and garden and cook together. Let your child know about quality organic nourishing foods.

N NATURAL, Natural Birth, Night-Time Parenting, Nurturing Parents.

NATURE To develop a love for nature, a trip to a farm, using organic guidelines, especially for children has proven long term benefits. Get out in nature - walk, explore, picnic.By modeling, talking with your child, and providing them with limited eco toys that build imagination and organic food, young children are naturally inspired. Power struggles do not ensue when your life as a family embraces, living close to nature.

NATURAL Infant Hygiene. Diapers - they smell, they leak, they create rashes, they're expensive ... Some babies wear no nappies from birth. Known as Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene, Toilet Timing, Early Toilet Training... call it what you like, more than half the world does it. A new concept that some Western World Families are now trialling from birth! http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/natural-infant-hygiene.html

NUMBERS There are 7 types of plastic. Look under most plastic products and in the recycle symbol, there should be a number that indicates the type of plastic it is made from. Numbers 5, 4, 1 and 2 are safe for food. 3, 6 and 7 are not, with 7 being BPA.

NURSERY RHYMES http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/nursery-rhymes-2.html

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O ORGANIC potluck in the park.

ORGANIC is Best? If you're still not convinced that organic foods are the best choice for your family and the environment, consider this...a study released this month in the peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, concludes that pesticides are present in the urine and saliva of children who eat conventionally grown produce.The good news is that it's easy to go organic and protect your kids from pesticide exposure. And not just any pesticides. The researchers tested for malathion and chlorpyrifos and other chemicals in the organophosphate family. Malathion and chlorpyrifos are banned for use in homes, but they are still widely used on crops. In fact, organophosphate pesticides account for approximately half the insecticides used in the U.S. They work by poisoning the nervous system in pests (hmmm...aren't we always told to keep poisons away from children?) In humans, these pesticides can cause damage to the nervous system, organ damage, behavior disorders, immune system dysfunction, behavioral abnormalities, and hormone disruption.

http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/organic-is-best.html

OMEGA 3s are important for healthy development and functioning of the brain. They are thought to play a major role in memory, learning, mood, concentration and have other health benefits.

P PLASTIC Avoid plastic toys as much as possible and go for cardboard, wood and organic cloth (make toys out of natural things too, like items found from nature, leaves, gumnuts, pinecones, bark, shells, rocks, sticks and mud).
PVC plastic is used to make different types of children’s products, including some teethers and soft plastic toys. Some manufacturers have removed PVC from their children’s products, especially products intended to be put into children’s mouths. Unfortunately, no law requires or regulates these labels, and few products are labeled as such. When parents have a question about the chemicals in a product, they should call the manufacturer.Avoid letting your child put plastic toys in his/her mouth. Toys designed for older children are more likely to contain phthalates or bisphenol A. It is assumed that young children will not mouth these toys—such as action figures and Barbie dolls.To be safe, keep all plastic toys out of children’s mouths. Call the manufacturer if you want to know if a product contains phthalates or bisphenol A.

PESTICIDES One way we ingest petrochemicals in food is from pesticides. Many widely used pesticides are classified by the EPA as probable or possible causes of cancer in humans; and many are known to cause damage to the nervous, reproductive and immune systems in laboratory animals. EPA pesticide regulations do not take into consideration potential chronic health effects from low-level exposures that do not cause immediate and obvious harm. The EPA also ignores potential combined effects from exposure to more than one chemical at a time. Current regulations do not consider exposure to vulnerable populations such as children and the immune-compromised. Dairy products, apples, bananas, broccoli, cantaloupes, and carrots have among the highest rates of petrochemical residues and are foods commonly consumed by children, who are particularly sensitive to pesticides. The alternative? Support organic, pesticide-free food production.

POSITIVE thoughts.

Q  QUIET The Need for Quiet in Your Child's Life.
Not only are children these days overbooked with activities, there's little or no time for rest and relaxation in between. Only parents can restore to our children the free time they have lost. Let's remind ourselves of the benefits of "down time." The physical body requires time to rest and restore itself, and children are individual in their need for rest. It's well known that the most creative individuals--artists, writers, and inventors--regularly spend time in meditation or periods of reverie. These periods often precede bursts of creative ideas. It's during the quiet times that we're able to reflect and get to know ourselves. What do we think about certain issues? What are our feelings about individuals and situations? It's during times alone that we get to know the most important person in our life, our own self.

Children need time to daydream, to imagine alternate futures for themselves. Daydreaming allows us to fantasize about what we might be without the consequences of taking action. Periods of quiet allow a child at an early age to begin to listen to the still small voice within. Encouraging children to seek guidance from within is one of the most priceless of gifts.

R RHYTHM Life is full of rhythm! Our bodies are full of it: our heartbeats, our breathing, our organs, for example, all have rhythms. We walk rhythmically, and we talk with rhythm. We dance and sing with rhythm, and we wake and sleep rhythmically. Rhythm also helps avoid over-stimulation and fatigue for young children, because the “breathing” of the day - now more active, now less active and quiet - refreshes their energy. It also builds good habits for later life when the pace of our day and the stress of life make us forget to pace ourselves in a reasonable way.  This work - play - rest rhythm is a health habit for a whole lifetime!
Parents discover that when a rhythm is created, far from compromising their freedom, life actually begins to give more freedom. Children are more relaxed and comfortable, more secure, less anxious and stress-filled because they know that the adult they love and trust is guiding the flow of the day.  They relax into this security and often are less clingy or demanding.  They need not be preoccupied with making sure that their own needs are met and can be free to play imaginatively, to explore, to observe. For the adult, the possibility to predict what will happen when, to anticipate the sequence of the day with its more active and more restful periods, enables a possibility to imagine how she or he will spent time when a child is napping times or play with the deep engagement that is possible when the security of predictable rhythm underlies daily life.  The alternative is a child who becomes preoccupied and at times obsessed with gaining adult attention, with manipulating the environment, or with gaining access to food continuously because she does not know what to anticipate and trust throughout a day. The child who knows, for example, that meals will come on a predictable rhythm, can spend energy on other things. 

With a rhythmic life, our children are gently guided toward order from the chaos of their first days of life.  We refine our rhythm and recreate it as our children grow and change and as we discover how best to support them. 

RECYCLE and Parenting http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/recycling-ideas.html

RECIPES - Healthy recipes for children to eat and help create.
http://ecobites.com/index.php?option=com_garyscookbook&Itemid=31&func=viewcategory&id=92

REDUCE waste.

READING books and story-telling. Read and sing to your children as soon as they are born, if not before (in the womb). Verbal interaction helps stimulate a child's mind and develop important communication skills.By reading out loud to your children, you help them build the foundation for language skills. Also, your children learn by example, so let them see you reading books, newspapers and magazines and tell them how much you enjoy reading. Unfortunately, only 53 percent of children ages 3 to 5 are read to daily. You can help raise that statistic.

REWARD yourself on a great parenting job!

S SIPPY CUPS Choose safer containers for sippy cups and water bottles. Look for plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling triangle. As an alternative to hard plastic water bottles (such as the polycarbonate Nalgene bottles), try a lightweight stainless steel bottle instead.For around the home a small stainless steel cup from a camping store is an ideal first drink container.

SOAPS Many soaps contain petroleum-derived synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, and mineral oil that may cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Instead, look for vegetable oil-based soaps without artificial fragrances.

T TOYS - Let the toys be simple, be fun to play and safe for day-to-day use. Most of the toys available in the market are real fun, but they are not really safe for use. Some of the toys that you buy may contain toxic and dangerous materials like plastic. Avoid products that have no durability and electronic toys that fall apart.

TEETHING Another class of chemicals shown to disrupt the hormone system—phthalates—is found in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. PVC plastic is used to make different types of children’s products, including some teethers.

Chamomile can be a best friend for teething. Make a luke warm tea for your baby to drink from six months onwards, soak a flannel in chamomile tea, for baby to suck when teething. Rubbing the gums with your own clean finger can help or make up the following gum rub: 1 teaspoon slippery elm powder + warm pure water.Place the powder in a saucer and add water, a few drops at a time. Mixing with your fingertip 'til you have a smoth paste. Gently rub onto baby's gums.

TOOTHPASTE  Many toothpastes include ingredients made from petroleum, such as artificial colors and mineral oil. Baking soda or DIY natural toothpaste is a better choice.Healthy Tooth Paste (children will love the flavor of stevia and orange oil).6 teaspoons baking soda, 1/3 teaspoon fine celtic sea salt, 4 teaspoons glycerine,15 drops peppermint / orange oil + organic stevia + a few drops of grapefruit seed extract and olive leaf. Mix thoroughly. Should be a tooth paste consistency, can add pure water. For flavor you can add a few drops of organic orange or peppermint oil.Store in a container.

TELEVISION AND CHILDREN It's very difficult to be a parent, and most parents find themselves relying on TV in one way or another. The real challenge is to find a way to make it work for the kids.

T V creates screen junkies? http://ecobites.com/eco-parenting/t-v-creates-screen-junkies.html

For time spent in front of the TV - double that time and spend outdoors - 1 hour of television = 2 hours of outdoor time.Turn off the television set and get out in nature together. Take an unhurried bike ride or a hike in the woods.

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TODDLERS

TOOTH FAIRY http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/tooth-fairy-cushion-2.html

TIME OUT Looking after a baby or toddler can be the hardest work you'll ever do. Don't be proud and think you can do everything yourself. You can't. No one can. Ask for help. Get to know your neighbors, local alternative playgroup, the local branch of breast feeding association. If you're too exhausted and upset to look after a crying baby, ask someone to come to the house for a short time - just half and hour - while you leave the room. Go and sit outside and look at the clouds. It's amazing how this makes things seem better.You will be a bettter parent if you find time for yourself as well as time for you and your baby together.

U UNIQUE TEA PARTIES
It was a bright idea that came into Alice's head. "Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?" she asked. "Yes, that's it," said the Hatter with a sigh: "It's always tea-time, and we've no time to wash the things between whiles."
"Then you keep moving round, I suppose?" said Alice. "Exactly so," said the Hatter...

http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/fairy-tea-parties.html

UNHEALTHY ingredients.

USE LESS …less electricity, less water, and less stuff.

V VACCINATIONS - What is going on?
VACATION Before a family vacation, allow your child plenty of time to plan and dream about the trip and some time off following to reflect and remember.

W WHOLE FOODS For Healthy Children. Children need whole foods to maintain health. As parents, we need to provide them with a variety of the freshest, organic, whole foods so their little bodies can be healthy and develop fully. Whole foods are unrefined grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Your child's body relies on the nutrients from these foods for proper growth as well as mental and physical vitality. A deficiency of even one important nutrient can cause imbalances that can lead to serious disease. Whole foods also provide a wealth of protective compounds that can help prevent disease.

WOODEN TOYS There are countless manufacturers of high quality wooden toys in the market. Everything from baby rattles to kitchen play-sets are now made out of wood.

WALK THE TALK ...How can we set a good example for our children? We are our childens first teacher. Showing we care about the environment by making environmentally-friendly choices, they will  follow our lead. Raising children who understand their connection to the environment is one of the most eco-friendly impacts we can make. Do it by indirection, by example, not by explaining.

WALKING to school etc.

X-TRAORDINARY Parent.
X xxxxx kisses and cuddles.

Y YOGA. You may know the benefits of yoga for adults, but do you know about all the benefits your children can gain from a little yoga practice each week? Yoga is rapidly gaining favor as both an alternative and a complement to traditional childrens sports.

Z ZZZZZZZ a good sleep for parents and baby. Pour some warm chamomile tea into your new baby's bath, before bedtime.

Resources:

BPA, bisphenol-A, a chemical found in plastics -- including baby bottles and sippy cups -- is linked to “changes in behavior and the brain” including hyperactivity and cancer, according to an Associated Press article in The Wall Street Journal, “Companies Move to Curb Risk From Chemical BPA. BPA doesn’t stay put; instead, it leaches into liquids and foods, creating obvious concern for parents. The good news for babies everywhere: infant companies and retailers are responding to concerns of consumers, scientists and the National Toxicology Program concerns about BPA. On Friday, April 18, Playtex Infant Care announced that they’re converting to BPA-free material by the end of the year, and Wal-Mart is converting its baby bottle selection to BPA free products by 2009.

According to Gary Cohen, Vice President and General Manager at Playtex, “while US and worldwide regulatory bodies continue to deem the ingredient safe, as a leader in infant care products, we are listening to consumer concerns and believe the right thing to do is eliminate any confusion or concern that parents may have. For this reason, we will stop using BPA in our products this year and we offer consumers a chance to immediately switch to BPA-free infant products.”

While companies are busy pulling BPA bottles and replacing them with safer versions, you’ll already find tons of BPA-free products on the shelves. When shopping, however, remember that this BPA risk extends to many plastic products, not just bottles and sippy cups, but forks, spoons, pacifiers, and more.

Based on the weight of the scientific evidence showing the harm caused by exposure to bisphenol A, the government should act now. Given that data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that bisphenol A is present in humans at levels found to be harmful in laboratory studies. Companies and countries should phase out the use of bisphenol A, especially in products used by children.Parents currently have little information to inform their decisions when purchasing products for their family. Manufacturers should be required to label children’s products with the name of any potentially dangerous chemical and the specific health risks associated with the chemical.Currently, manufacturers can put chemicals on the market without proving they are safe. Chemical manufacturers should be required to provide all hazard and health-effects information to the government so agencies can begin to assess the thousands of chemicals currently on the market for which little or inadequate data are available. Next, pre-market hazard and health-effects testing should be required for all new chemicals before they are introduced into commerce.

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org

Rachel’s Environment and Health News www.rachel.org
Environmental Health Perspectives http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/
Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org
Health Care Without Harm www.hcwh.org
Women’s Cancer Resource Center www.wcrc.org
www.mindfully.org