Is going GREEN good?

[lola]

Before my baby was born I was obsessed with GOING GREEN. Bought green books, paid for a consultation. Purchased a natural mat and mattress protector, organic bedding, as much organic clothing as I could find and afford, the most sensitive wash and lotion. I even purchase organic cotton wipes (which are the best thing). And I try to clean my home with vinegar and baking soda. But, I wonder did I go too far? Am I hurting my baby by not exposing her to the harsh chemicals that she will inevitably be exposed to? I couldn't protect her in the hospital. The onesies and blankets smelled like BLEACH. She broke out with new born rashes. I asked my pediatrician and he said it doesn't do good or bad. I asked another pediatrician and he said he didn't know. I asked a nurse and she said it was good. She said if I wasn't so green her rashes would have been worse.

I'm tryring to relax a little, now. It's so difficult to wash some of the organic clothing. They all need to be washed separately. It's also difficult to find a good selection. I'd like to hear more from other green moms.

[Erika]

Hi Lola,

Wow you jumped all in and are maybe feeling a little burn out. I think anything you can do to minimize your child's exposure to toxic chemicals is a good thing. Remember up until two they are developing rapidly and are more vulnerable to the toxins than they are when they grow older so anything you can do helps. Yes, we know they will be exposed to things outside of the home that we can't control, heck even inside our homes there are things that wouldn't be there if we knew better. I heard once that each person/child's system has a toxic threshold. We really don't know what that is for each person until our system is overloaded - that's when illness on many different levels shows up. So anything you do on a routine basis to keep (and excrete) the junk out of your family's systems' is a good thing. I focus primarily on our food and skin care and then do what I can beyond that in terms of clothing, etc. You've done a lot more than that and should be so proud, just don't stress out - every bit counts. Oh and I started out washing things separately, got overwhelmed and washed it all together- do what you can and trust your instincts. I also had to learn to relax when we hang out with other moms and babies, an occasional violation of your philosophy on snacks, hand soap etc. is okay.

Okay now, I'd love it if you entered the contest on my site to win some stuff for all of that product knowledge you have. You might also learn about some more places to go to round out your baby's wardrobe. http://www.organic-baby-resource.com

Have a good one!

[Jennifer]

Going green is always good :-) Sounds like she probably has sensitive skin and I'm sure it has nothing to do with whether or not you went overboard. You can protect her from harsh chemicals and that's a good thing. She'll still get exposed to good bacteria and such which her body needs to build her immune system.

[Suzanne Chan]

Hi Lola,

I applaud you for trying to go green! I am the owner of an online baby boutique that specializes in green, eco-friendly baby products -- www.greenbaby-nyc.com. Relax, my philosophy is one of you can only do so much. You can't completely isolate your child from harmful chemicals and toxins, but each little step you make can help. Don't drive yourself crazy going organic. Not everything has to be organic. Organic clothing is great, but if you have a few that aren't that's okay too. Most toxins wash away after several washes. If you use baby detergent or "free and clear" detergents you are more than okay. The most important green purchase you made was the organic mattress. Your baby spends a lot of time there their first year and conventional mattresses are laced with toxins like formaldehyde. If you ever have any questions about going green or choosing the right products, ask me anytime.

[Christy Funk]

During the first 5-7 years of our little ones lives we either set up the stage for disease or for good health. As parents and consumers with choices for our children we have the ultimate decision as to what goes in and on their bodies. Yes they will and are being exposed to chemicals, pollution, etc. outside of our control. It is our duties as the caregivers of these children to make the safest and healthiest decisions for them with things regarding their health within our control!

I have 2 little boys aged 3 and 5 and have been GREEN for nearly 10 years. I do this because the research doesn't lie and because not only am I protecting them, I am protecting the future of the planet THEY will inherit after we are gone. There is no reason to use harsh chemicals EVER and our choices for safe and effective products are better than ever. Check out www.healthychild.org to see more.

Going GREEN is not a trend it is a way of life. Start slowly and you, your child and your family will reap the benefits.

1. Go organic; those hormones and pesticides are disrupting their own hormones and are proven to be carcinogenic. Remember we are what we eat. Do we want children who grow into healthy adults or ones with heart disease and cancer. Read Dr. Fuhrmans Disease-proof your kids; teaching children how to eat right.

2. Dump the toxic chemicals in your home and opt for vinegar, or products like 7th Generation, Shaklee, Method, etc. While we sleep, the toxic fumes from commercial products, bleach, etc, leach into our lungs and bodies. Not good at all!

3. Switch to non-toxic personal care items like Earth Mama Angel Baby and Weleda and for Mom? Lavera, Afterglow and 100%PURE are good places to start. Go to Skin Deep and you can see the research yourself. It is no joke that Europe has banned over 10,000chemicals while the U.S. falls super short behind that. Parabens have no place in or on our bodies.

You can check out www.thegreenguide.com for more info or go to my website at www.bellysprout.com. We have a great community of experts blogging!

Go green, save green ad be healthier for it! Send me any questions!

Christy

[Kathy]

I think you are doing GREAT!!! Our world today is filled with so much "junk" that I believe anything we can do to avoid exposure is good. My daughter had very sensative skin and I had to use certain brands of diapers and wipes. I wish I had known about the many great cloth diaper alternatives then. If you are interested in cloth diapering or other natural products, please check out my site at www.balterbaby.com. There are a few great articles and many wonderful items to look at!! Most of all, don't stress yourself over it all. Just do your best and enjoy your baby EVERY day. They grow up so fast and before you know it, they are helping YOU!!!
Kathy
www.balterbaby.com

[Lyn Edwards]

I have a survey/ question... I am starting a line of 100% Organic Cotton nursing drapes, also made in the USA from start to finish. I think it's especially important to support your ideals (and the US economy!) whenever you buy a product. Obviously my prices will not be able to compete with Wal-Mart. Even though they have some organic clothing, it is all made overseas. I think my product is unique, elegant, and very wearable. How important is to you as a mom to buy organic clothing for you or your baby even though the cost for the product may be higher. I am not talking DOUBLE the cost, maybe 10% ??

[April Anderson]

Baby Steps.....take little baby steps

We can't do everything at once and for some, cost is a major factor

The greatest thing you are doing for your child is not subjecting them to the harshness of toxic cleaning/bath products and the destructive force behind the synthetic disinfectants. Keep doing this and your child will benefit greatly and when they have grown and are able to make decisions for themselves, they will probably continue on the same path you started with them.

My kids grew up in a toxic world...my youngest got to experience the other side for just a brief period before taking wings....you see, I am a toxic statistic.....I know what toxic cleaning products can do to a human being......

Just a llittle tip.....watch the vinegar on some of the products in your home....it is acidic and can do damage to natural stones, sealants on grout and glues on wood flooring.

On My Soapbox

[Pamela Henley]

Lola,
I use an online company that has green products. I buy directly from the manufacturer so I get them at wholesale, so it doesn't cost as much as in the stores. They ship right to mydoor via UPS and the best part is they actually work !! Most "green" products I have tried don't work that well.
If you want to know more about the company and products I can send you some information about how to get these. You will save a lot of money. Oh yeah...and new customers get $100 worth of free products in their first 5 months !! It is really great !

[Valerie Warshaw]

Hi Iola,
I'll tell you right up front that I am the Marketing Manager for B nature (an organic baby clothing company) just so you know my bias.

I think "going green" is great. I wish I did more to be green. Like, for example buy organic cotton clothing for me!! But, sometimes the it is more expensive to buy green, and I cannot always afford this.

Also, I can be overwhelmed by all of the ways I can be greener, so I go slowly slowly and add a little more green to my life when I can.

Lastly, I do not think you should panic about hurting your baby by being too green... unless you have hermetically sealed your house. (You haven't done that, have you?)

Good luck to ya,
Valerie

Erika