Updates...Get a Free Bag...Things to Come

WOW! I can't believe that it has been over TWO WEEKS since my last post. Things have been super crazy here. My husband Matt was hit by a car 3 weeks ago; he is okay, banged up and bruised but thankfully okay. So that explains the lack of posts lately.

Well here we go... you have to check out the Green Bag Lady, she makes handmade bags that she will give you for FREE as long as you promise to use it instead of paper or plastic bags.

And if you have any left over or extra fabric she is always excepting donations.

Things to Come I am happy to say that in the next several weeks there are some great things coming; Stroller Shoot Out Review and a High Chair Shoot Out Review as well.

Cuisinart Update

In response to last weeks post regarding Cuisinart and BPA, Michelle, a Cuisinart employee (who is not a scientist or in quality control), kindly provided this insight into the matter:

"Hi Jessica;

Sorry for the delay. I just had a lengthy conversation with QC so I could better understand the issues.We had a third party laboratory test the bowls for our Food Processors and Mini Choppers. These are sometimes made with Lexan and sometimes made with another plastic. Yes, BPA is in these plastics. However, the issue isn't whether BPA is actually in the plastic- but rather does it leach. In fact most tin cans, most hard plastic cups you would use at home (in fact any harder plastics will have BPA - it is what gives it the "hardness") would have BPA. But most will not have the leaching. And some will apparently leach the BPA more than others.

When the third party tests were done by the lab - they would have run the bowls through numerous tests - to determine amount of leaching and what they found was that none was detected. So in other words no leaching of BPA. In Canada, Health Canada is looking at setting parameters to levels of leaching - in which case obviously our bowls will be considered safe no matter what level they choose in the end as none was detected. We aren't sure at what level they will determine is safe...but obviously what is safe for infants is different than for adults. As far as the Cuisinart bowls - we are confident that these are 100% safe for you and your baby.

I hope that this helps you make a decision. I know as a mom I have found my food processor and mini-chopper indispensible! Michelle"

I have read and will personally consider the above comments. More importantly, I will continue to investigate this matter. I am specifically interested in who performed the third party testing and how the testing was conducted. I believe our children are worth the extra effort needed to make sure that the products we use are 100% safe.

In Search of a Safe"er" Sunscreen

Well the great weather has hit and I was confronted with the dilemma of what sunscreen to use on the kids. I knew I wanted it to be phthalate and paraben free but other than that I didn'tknow what else I needed to be looking for, well lets just say that I have had a crash course education in sunscreens this last week!

The first place that I went was the Environmental Working Group Cosmetic Database, I have to admit this was helpful but also somewhat overwhelming. I narrowed my choices down to California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance and Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen. Then I started my search for these products locally. Well this was easier said then done; I finally found California Baby at several local health food stores, but wasn't able to find Badger anywhere locally. In my search for these two sunscreens I realized how few sunscreen options are available on the local level.

I have finally decided on California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance. The biggest reason for this decision is that it has no scent. The Badger doesn't have fragrance in it either, it's just that after smelling the Badger (a girl friend of mine bought some) I just don't think that I would like it all over my kiddos. It's not that it smells bad, it's just a strong essential oil type scent that doesn't really work for me.

The California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen is thicker than mainstream sunscreens; this is because it is a physical barrier sunscreen and not a chemical barrier. When applied it leaves a slight ghostly white film. We have been using the California Baby Sunscreen now for almost two weeks and other than getting used to the slight white film on the skin, which does disipate after it soaks in and dries, I really like it. I like the fact that it is a safe sunscreen and that it has no fragrance.

Good luck to you all in your search for safe sunscreen. Be sure to check out the EWG Report on Sunscreen.

BPA in Cuisinart Food Processors

I am very disappointed to report that the Cuisinart Mini Prep and the Cuisinart Food Processors are made with with Polycarbonate and therefore contain bisphenol-A. When I called Cuisinarts info line tonight at talked with one of their reps, he was very polite and wanted to be helpful, however all he could tell me is that they are awaiting further information from the FDA in regards to BPA.

Well, I guess I will be looking for something else to use when I am making my baby food. This is too bad because the food processors are perfect for the job. Hopefully Cuisinart will be making changes to their product line in the near future. I am also hoping that they will do something to replace parts that contain BPA. A girl can hope can't she.

Bisphenol-A in Infant Formula: A Bigger Concern Than You Think

Lately all eyes have been on bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby products, specifically in baby bottles and sport bottles. However we need to pay attention to other areas where we come into contact with BPA.

Far more leeching of BPA occurs in ready-to-serve canned liquid formula than in baby bottles. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the FDA, testing has shown that the BPA that leaches into formula and other canned goods subjects babies and pregnant women to harmful exposure. The EWG has calculated that 1 out of 16 children fed ready-to-eat formula from steel cans have exposures to BPA that exceeds doses which are harmful in animal studies. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has also expressed concerns about infant exposure to BPA. A panel of 38 BPA experts expressed grave concerns related to human exposure to BPA that are at or above levels that have caused harm in animal studies. The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) has concluded that brain development and behavior can have adverse affects when there is infant exposure. This suggests that parents should avoid exposure to BPA until there is futher information.



According to the EWG's Formula Buying Guide

1. Your first choice should be powered formula in a can with as little metal possible, such as the brands listed below

Better: Nestle, Enfamil, and Similac powdered formula

(BPA is in the top and bottom of the can).

Good: Earth's Best and Bright Beginnings powdered (BPA in the entire can).

Avoid: All liquid ready-to-eat formula in metal cans.

2. Second choice: concentrated liquid formulas

View the EWG's full report on BPA in infant formula here and print there printable PDF. Just because the FDA deems BPA safe does not mean that it is; recent studies have suggested that there is "some concern" read this related article on the review of how the FDA has been handling BPA in baby products.

My Favorite Maternity Clothing Line

Japanese Weekend was one of my favorite maternity clothing lines when I was pregnant. We all know that maternity clothes aren't cheep and some lines from chain stores aren't only expensive, but the quality is poor. Quality is not an issue with JW, the clothes are very well made and very versatile.

The reversible 4-in-1 skirt go top was one of my favorites, I wore mine all the time, you can wear it as a skirt or as a strapless top and it is reversible. My other favorite was the 2-in-1 dress go skirt.

I definitely recommend checking out this clothing line and Baby Center has a decent selection and a lot of it is on sale. Happy shopping!

ALL Slings on Sale at Dittany Baby

If you have ever thought about getting a baby sling, then you need to check out this sale at Dittany Baby. In honor of Mother's Day they have all of their gorgeous slings are on sale for $25 and they have a style for everyone. Even the organic cotton ones are on sale and the pattern selection is great too. I used a pouch sling (from another company) with Allie and LOVED it! I was able to use it when she was a tiny infant all the way up to... well I could use it with her now, if she wanted to be carried- luckily for me she likes to walk. Since I am now carrying the "big man" in my new Mei Tai carrier. Happy shopping!