Baby,Pregnancy and Healthy world !!

When out on the road, expect the unexpected. Follow these tips to keep your family safe. Did you know that traffic accidents are still a leading cause of death and injury in children? Keep your precious cargo safe and reduce your chances of becoming another statistic.

- ALWAYS use a car seat when transporting your child in the car.

- Studies show that 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed properly. Get your car seat inspected to make sure yours is not one of the four. Call your local police/fire station or visit seatcheck.org for a certified technician near you.

- Ensure that your child is within the height AND weight regulations of your car seat.

- The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies remain in a rear- facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old and/or have reached the height or weight limit of the convertible car seat. Take home message…the longer a baby can ride rear- facing, the better.

- Never leave your child unattended in the car, not even for a moment.

- To prevent serious injury and/or death from air bags, never place a child younger than the age of 12 in the front seat. If you must place a child in the front seat, be sure to turn off the air bags.

- Secure all loose items. In the event of an accident, these items could become projectile and cause serious injury and/or death.

- Do not attend to your baby while driving. If your baby needs your attention, pull over and appease them before continuing your trip.

- Stay focused and keep your eyes on the road. Looking at your baby in the mirror, texting, talking on the phone, eating and other dangerous activities could put you, your baby and your family at risk.

- Be sure everyone in the car buckles up….seat belts save lives!

The dangers of the road seem amplified now that you have an especially fragile package strapped to your backseat, but stay vigilant and you’ll be fine. Happy travels!

Recent media attention concerning chemicals in baby products has caused much concern and alarm. The No More Toxic Tub report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a non-profit agency whose goal is to bring attention to harmful chemicals in our skin care products, informs us that many of the baby products that we know, love, and have used for many years contain cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals, specifically, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. In addition to these two harmful chemicals, parents have to worry about the presence of phthalates and parabens in their personal care products as well as their baby’s. These chemicals are not federally regulated here in the United States, but have been banned in other countries. 1,4-dioxane has been banned in Europe and formaldehyde is banned in Japan and Sweden. The U.S. and Europe have banned three phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) from children’s toys.

1,4-dioxane is not a product added intentionally, but instead is considered a contaminant and therefore is not required to be listed on product labels. This chemical is used as a foaming agent and found in many of the products that we use today, such as shampoos, liquid soaps, deodorants, laundry detergents, toothpastes and much more. 1,4-dioxane is readily absorbed into the bloodstream potentially causing damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys and may even result in death.

Formaldehyde exposure occurs everyday in the air that we breath and from some of the foods that we eat. Formaldehyde is a gas which can cause throat, nose, skin, and eye irritation. Exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, itching, and skin irritations. Formaldehyde exposure has been linked to allergies and asthma in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen and high levels of this chemical have been linked to the development of nose, lung, and brain cancer as well as leukemia.

Phthalates are another man-made chemical found in many of our personal care products. Phthalates are used to make plastics flexible and used in many fragrance oils to help prolong the fragrance’s scent. A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that many young infants are frequently exposed to phthalates in common baby lotions, powders, and shampoos thereby making them more vulnerable to the developmental and reproductive adverse effects of these chemicals. Phthalates have been linked to hormonal changes, birth defects, reproductive abnormalities in baby boys (i.e. low sperm count, testicular cancer, deformities of the penis), and damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Parabens are used as a preservative in many cosmetics, foods and pharmaceutical products. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen and when absorbed through the skin, parabens have been linked to breast cancer and male reproductive abnormalities.

Recently, even natural and organic products have been shown to contain these worrisome chemicals. Bottom line, read the label. Here is a list of the worrisome ingredients to watch for in you and your baby’s products:

1. Avoid products containing “Fragrance”. Oddly enough, the various chemicals present under the name “fragrance” do not have to be listed individually, thereby hiding them under the broad category “fragrance” (this is where common phthalates hide).

2. Avoid products containing the following ingredients which may contain 1,4-dioxane:

A. PEG compounds (example: PEG-80)

B. Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)

C. “cetearth”

E. “xynol”

F. “oleth”

G. . polyethylene

3. Avoid products containing the term “phthalate” (example: monoethyl phthalate).

4. Avoid plastics that contain the

recycling number “3″ which is a possible source for phthalates.

5. Avoid products containing the word paraben.

6. Avoid other worrisome ingredients:

A. BHA

B. Oxybenzone

C. Triclosan

D. Boric acid

E. Sodium borate

F. Tolune

G. Triethanolamine

H. Dyes

I. Methylchloroisothiazolinone

J. Methylisothiazolinone

K. Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate

L. Benzyl alcohol

M. Isopropyl alcohol

N. Oxybenzone

7. Review product safety ratings on the

Skin Deep database.

Sure, there is only small amounts of these chemicals in our baby products which are stated to be below the acceptable levels, but isn’t it possible that repeated exposure over a life-time can increase the risk for cancer? Here are some sad cancer statistics:

A. Cancer is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 15.

B. Cancer kills more children than any other disease.

C. The median age for a child with cancer is 6 years old.

Maybe, just maybe, we can help reduce these sad and shocking numbers by becoming more informed and making better choices in the products that we use, the food that we eat and the water that we drink.

Are you planning a baby shower sometime in the near future? Whether it is for you, a family member or a friend, you should make sure you choose some baby gift baskets. Hold on, you shouldn’t choose just any one of them, you should choose the best baby gift baskets. What exactly would the best ones be? As you are reading this article, we are going to answer your question. First of all, you could either make the basket or you could purchase it. Whatever you do, you should make sure it is something that is unique. When you purchase one from the local store, then you may end up getting the same one that someone else has gotten. With that said, we believe you should look on the Internet and get one. Chances are, your basket is going to be unique. There are many things you could give as a gift for a baby. You could include some bath toys with bath soap, or you could include toys in the new baby gift basket. You may also get a case that is full of baby clothes. However, first, you need to make sure it is a boy or a girl. Remember, you are not one hundred percent sure, so you may want to hold on to that receipt in case you buy a lot of dresses and the baby turns out to be a boy. The main importance of a baby gift basket is to make sure that the basket contains items that are going to be useful to the recipient. For a newborn baby gift basket, you might want to search for one that includes items such a mobile, changing mat, bottles, teethers, and rattles. You can also include things like CD’s with nursery rhymes, bibs, spoons, infant cups, and pacifiers. You can even get baby gift baskets which are made with furniture such as bassinets and cribs! Whatever you choose, just make sure that the basket’s contents suit the baby and its parents!

The choice of baby crib mattress is at least as important as the selection of the right baby crib. When researching crib mattresses, there are a few important things to look at to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe in the crib.

Coil Innerspring or Foam Core

The preference of coil over foam is probably due to the fact the most parents sleep on coil spring mattresses.  For your choice of crib mattress, just make sure to get the best quality crib mattress that you can afford of which ever type you like.  The mattress should be firm, not soft. You do not want your baby sinking into it as this poses a risk of suffocation.

When looking for a coil crib mattress, check the number of coils it has.  This information should be readily available.  Usually, more coils usually means a firmer mattress.

In a foam crib mattresses, look for the one that feel heavier than the others as this usually means a higher quality foam was used.  You also want to see how fast the mattress regains its shape so push down on the mattress and then take your hand away. The faster it goes back to its original shape the better.

Choosing the Correct Size

Most cribs made today are a standard size and most crib mattresses are made to fit.  Older cribs may be a different size and some designer cribs also have different dimensions.  The standard size for a baby crib is 51 5/8″ x 27 1/4″.  Make sure you should measure the crib just to make sure.  You can look at the label on the crib mattress which should have the dimensions on it. It is a good idea to measure the mattress anyway as mistakes do happen.  It is important to measure accurately as a little error can mean a big difference to your baby’s safety.

It is essential that the mattress fits snugly in the crib and not leave a gap between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib.  If you can fit two adult fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress then the mattress is too small. Having a crib mattress that is too small can result in your baby could possibly slipping between the mattress and the side of the crib.  This can cause injury to your child.

The Cover

The crib mattress cover should be durable and, needless to say, easily cleaned.  The majority of today’s baby crib mattresses are covered in vinyl. More layers usually means a more durable mattress.  The better quality mattresses have a double layered cover while the best quality have covers made of three layers.

You can find crib mattresses that have an antimicrobial cover that can slow the growth of molds and bacteria.  These covers do NOT prevent the growth, only slow it.  You still need to make sure you clean up well after spills and leaks.

Taking the time to find out what is available online or locally before you buy can help ensure that you find the best baby crib mattress so that your baby will be comfortable and safe when sleeping.

My O Baby is delivering healthy clothing alternatives for today’s babies. The chemical and pesticide free cotton which comprises our entire line is certified by The Control Union which guarantees that, addition to being free of chemicals and pesticides, the materials across our clothing lines are organically grown. To ensure that My O Baby is creating the safest garments possible, The Control Union has also certified that the snaps are nickel-free, dyes carry a minimum of metal content and that the garments will not cause the rashes and skin irritations which typically result from conventional cotton. The importance of chemical and pesticide free baby clothes has been reinforced by recent statistics on the content of dangerous elements in conventional cotton.     According to Lotus Organics, “Millions of children in the US receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift”. The most shocking aspect of this statement is that the children are receiving this exposure when they are the most susceptible to those poisonous elements. This dilemma is described in detail on Johnson and Johnson’s website where they state, “A baby’s skin is thinner, more fragile and less oily than an adult’s. A baby’s skin also produces less melanin, the substance that helps protect against sunburn. It’s less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances in the environment, especially if it’s irritated. Babies also sweat less efficiently than the rest of us, so it’s harder for them to maintain their inner body temperature.” A baby’s skin is also more porous, meaning that impurities can pass into their systems in greater concentrations. When those impurities are carried in clothing that can be in contact with a baby’s skin for hours at a time, the potential for exposure to toxins increases dramatically.   One of the potential carriers for these toxins is conventional cotton, one of the biggest crops grown for use in clothing production in the world. The industry, by itself, accounts for $2.6 billion in pesticide spending each year. Because cotton is not a food crop, it is not regulated in terms in terms of pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals that come in contact with it. According to the EPA, 7 out of the 15 pesticides that are regularly used on cotton carry labels classifying them as either potential or known carcinogens. The unregulated nature of cotton production explains why despite using only 2.4% of the world’s farmland, 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of its insecticides are used on it yearly. That calculates out to one pound of pesticide and one pound of chemical fertilizer for each pair of jeans or t-shirt produced. The conversion of this unregulated cotton into clothing requires additional chemicals that are added at various stages during the process. These chemicals include petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde. Considering those statistics, it’s not surprising that organic clothing for babies is rapidly gaining in popularity despite being more expensive than regular cotton apparel. In addition to being a much healthier choice, consumers are finding that clothes made of organic cotton last five to ten times longer than chemically treated cotton. The longevity of organic cotton clothes is attributed to the abuse that conventional cotton receives during processing where the breakdown of cotton fiber begins even before being sewn.     It might be more expensive and more difficult to find at times but organic clothing brings so many healthy benefits it’s worth the money, time, and effort to put your baby into outfits that have not been touched chemicals and pesticides. Indeed, by lasting longer than conventional cotton clothes, they’re sure to make great hand-me-downs as well. Visit us at http://www.myobaby.com or email us info@myobaby.com (925) 988- 0169