3Rd Baby

As for going green...

I use california baby products on my son due to food allergies and sensitive skin. Cleaning products I use either Meathod or 7th generation. meathod can be bought at target. clorox recently came out with a new "green" line. they are 99% ok...they still contain a Petroleum based colors and fragrance but are much better then most cleaning products. as for personal care items for the rest of the family, i use J/a/s/o/n brand body washes I get them at my local health food store, but even some grocery stores are now selling them in their organics section. I have yet to find shampoo for my self that I like. Tooth paste we use tom's of maine. hand soaps and laundry detergent I use Meathod's products. For anything that really needs a good deoderizer I use odor-ban which is orgainic and safe to use. Hope this helps.

We have just started using g diapers (website www.gdiapers.com), and we have liked them so far. The outside is cloth, but they have snap in liner that is the material of rubber pants like those that people use over cloth diapers. You put a pad type thing in the liner that absorbs just like a disposable, and you can flush this, compost it, or throw it out (it's biodegradable). From what I hear, this is actually "greener" than cloth diapers because of the cleaning processes used by diaper services.

Congrats on your third!! Things really have changed, and they continue to change quickly. I can't help you with diapers as my two are well beyond that stage, and I definitely wasn't a health-conscious momma back then.

A great site to learn about the hazards in lotions and things can be found here. There's a list of chemicals you can print out and take to the store with you to help you in picking out products. There is also a list of popular baby products and the gunk they contain. Yikes!
http://www.1000moms1000dollars.com/babylove

You need to start with using non-toxic stuff on yourself right now. These chemicals get passed on to our developing babies through the umbilical cord. Baby can be toxic before she's ever born! Check out http://www.chemicalbodyburden.org. Some chemicals can also be passed to baby through breastmilk.

I didn't see it mentioned in the other responses, but stay away from fluoride and soy. I was reading that the amount of estrogen a baby gets from just one bottle of soy-based formula is equivalent to FIVE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS! No wonder our little darlings are starting puberty at 8!

Let's see... what else. Vaccines! Loaded with heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Do your homework before you consent to them. (I can point you to tons of sites for more info if you'd like it.)

Just put your thinking cap on and learn learn learn! You'll be empowered to make the choices that are right for YOUR family.

S.

Hi L.,
Congratulations! In my house we switched to pocket diapers by Fuzzy Bunz which are so easy to use with snaps and you just pre rinse, wash and go. In our case they worked out beautifully without leaking problems and our son never had a red tush. When I would og to change his diaper it felt as though his skin was still dry even with a wet diaper, thus the non red tush! I know there are all sorts of other types, but that is what we used and we could not afford a service, so they were easy to car for at home. You can find them on sale sometimes online, ebay, etc. And as for cleaning products for the house I know that Seventh generation are easty to buy because they are even at Target stores now. The rules I try to follow with baby products is no parabens in the cleansers and lotions and no pthalates in the plastic. We did put out the money for Born Free bottles for that reason, but now other companies have options like this now. So just search online for pthalate free plastic bottles and see what you can find. And also search for a local Holistic Moms group, I have one inotwn and there are a lot of great "green" tips from other people like you who are trying out new things for their families.
Hope this helps some.

Start by reading. I really like "Raising baby Green:The Earth-friendly guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care" by Alan Greene, MD. (You can read my review at www.mamaology.com) I started making the "green" change with the foods my family eats and the cleaners we use. It took a bit to convince me to switch -because it can be expensive. When we switched to organic milk (and yes, it does taste better!), my husband said, "We wouldn't think twice to spend $3.00 on a good beer, why aren't we that picky about out milk?!" He was right! Natural meats are an important one too. (Read about the hormones they use in "normal" beef and you'll switch right away! Ever wonder why little girls now are developing so much earlier than they used to?!) eek!

The cleaners can actually be cheaper! White vinegar is a blessing. And even big chan stores are carrying Seventh generation products or Method... the list goes on!

I suggest finding a good natural 'drug/grocery' store. We don't have the pleasure of a Whole Foods here, but we do have a great family run place called "Mother Earth Foods." They have great lotions, vitamins, cleaners, etc. for the whole family. Even our local Giant Eagle grocery has stepped up to the plate! They are a great chain!
If you don't have anything like that... Read the labels at your local grocery store.

And don't freak out to try to make the change all at once. It took us decades to get the world into this, just take one step at a time.

Good luck with your green move!! Even the little changes will make a HUGE difference to your family!

Other Resources: www.notquitecrunchyparent.blogspot.com
Magazines: Mothering Magazine (mothering.com), Mother Earth News, Natural Home
:)

Hi. My name is D.. I don't know if anyone else has suggested these products but have you looked into Shaklee products. Thye have been fetured on Oprah. I recently started buying them and I love them! Shaklee has mostly cleaning and body care products. I also purchase from Melalueca. Not to sure about the diapers but I am sure someone will give you a good lead on that. I am also involved in a company called Wildtree that offers all natural food products to help todays family eat healthier and still have food that taste awesome. Hope this helps!

I am involved with a company called Melaleuca. It is a great company with safe products for you and your family.
I have been with them for about 2 years and love the products and they have been great for my kids.
I would love for you to take a look at the website and check out the products that they have. If you would be interested in it please let me know and I can help you out.

Let me know.

I felt the same way when my 3rd one came along on January 11th. I bought Seventh Generation diapers and wipes. The wipes are great....no alcohol and very gentle. But the diapers leak terribly. I went through so many diapers it wasn't worth it. But cloth diapers are the "greenest" way to go, but aren't as convenient if you are a working mom.
Anyway, the other Seventh Generation products are great....dish soap, laundry detergent, etc. Let me know of as other products you hear about.

If you want to go green go with burts bees or california baby for the lotions and oils. Also for diapers I used cloth diapers or if you can go that green go with seventh generation disposables. Burts Bees will work on the entire family they make a line for baby, momma to be and just anyone. Also for the household they have method cleaners, or the new green works line from clorox or a scrub for the bathroom would be baking soda and water make into a paste scrub the tub and shower rinse of with water. Dusting stuff old english soap with warm water shake it up and go. Floor cleaner vinegar (white distilled) with water and essential oil of your choice I would do lemon but again your choice.For a linen spray four drops vinegar, water and three to four drops of lavender essential oilin a spray bottle. spray on linens let dry and there it is. fabric softner vinegar works well. hope that helps if you need anything else email me anytime. at ____@____.com

I work at the Whole Foods in Raleigh... if you come in I can help you find what you are looking for.... My name is J.... but anyone would be helpful....

I also use California Baby products and like them. Check out the boutique connected to the Women's Birth Center in Chapel Hill, they have great products.

I use a diaper service for the first couple of months. The babies go through the first few sizes so quickly that it was more expensive to invest in purchasing the diapers. When my kids hit 15 pounds at around 4 months, I invest in Chinese prefolds and diaper wraps. Here is our local diaper service: http://www.babybiz.com/

For great cloth diapering information: http://www.diaperpin.com

For great natural parenting information: http://www.mothering.com

I used g diapers with my last (second) son and they were great. I think they are especially good in the first year when wetting and bowl movements are more liquid than solid. If you are unfamiliar with them they are like a cross between a cloth and disposable diaper. You use a diaper wrap that comes with the start up kit and you put in these totally toilet flushable absorbant inserts, when the diaper is dirty you remove the insert, break it open on the side seam and put it in the toilet to flush. The start up kit comes with 2 wraps, if it is your full time diaper system you may need more and they aren't very cheap, I had to quite when my husband changed jobs but they aren't far out expensive either. I really liked them and had no problems but I will admit my son who used him was not a volume peeer or explosive pooper. Besides that I really like the natural brand laundy and dish soaps. Oh and about the diapers, I really think they are cute and living in a warm climate much of the time he could go with a shirt and his G diaper and be very cute. Good luck!

all the advice you received is helpful for me, too. This will be my first baby and I want to do the same thing. I had been particularly wondering about diapers.
After reading "Green This: Greening your Cleaning" by Dierde Imus I ditched my old cleaning products and switched to Sun and Earth - nice stuff; not expensive. Their site will send you free samples too ($5 shipping) www.sunandearth.com

I am having my first baby in June, and I want to go as "green" as possible as well! I am planning on using cloth diapers; however, my husband does not think that we will really be helping the environment due to the fact that what we may save in not buying disposable, we may use in water usage washing the diapers. I have had trouble finding out the actual water usage cost for washing cloth diapers. I cannot imagine just buying and throwing out diapers to fill a landfill FOREVER! I know that they make environmentally sound disposable diapers that are supposed to have less chemicals and biodegrade faster that you can purchase at stores like Whole Foods, and other natural food stores, but I have also heard that these are not really that much better than your standard disposable, you just pay a bit more. As far as products, we already use natural cleaning products (vinegar, baking soda), but I know that the brand Method is really good and fairly inexpensive. (You can get it at Target) Also, the company Great Mother's Goods makes all natural, and safe products for mom and for baby. (I use the belly butter for my ever expanding belly!) I hope I have helped (and not hindered)! Good luck....Let me know if you have any tips for me!

Hello L.! I am a mother of 3 as well! Congrats to you! This last year I have converted my home to a "green" home! I can tell you all about the products I am using. If you have a minute, you can call me at ###-###-####.
Thanks! M.

Hi L.,
Congratulations on your new baby! And good choice on going green. It is amazing what they put in many of the baby products out there. Even many of the products that claim to be natural are far from it. I have a natural body care company www.savoirherbals.com , and I make all sorts of body care products including a great mama and baby care line. My products are alcohol, paraben and synthetic free, most include therapeutic herbs and all of the essential oils I use are pure therapeutic grade.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I think it is especially important to use natural products on your skin (and especially babies!) as this is your largest organ, and what you absorb through your skin goes directly into the blood stream to be dispersed into the body, -as opposed to toxins in food which are first sent to the liver to be broken down.
We need to give our little ones a good start in life!

A.
www.savoirherbals.com

This is a website for chemical free home, personal and baby products. You may want to take a look at it and if you think you will use a lot of the stuff you can join the website to get the discounted price shown....www.melaleuca.com/

Hi L.,
I think it is great that more Mom's are 'going-green'. It is so important to the health of our children (and us, and four-legged furry family). Here is my advice...

Diapers:
I never tried cloth so you will have to ask someone else about these.
G-Diapers
I used these until they outgrew the first size.
LIKES: Breaks down in compost in 1 month. No icky gels (what is that stuff). lots of cute styles.
Dis-likes:LOTS of laundry (with a drought-not so cool). Not so great for 'out and about trips'. The velcro would come undone and my 1yr olds (adopted and brought home at one) would wake up with the diaper stuck to a blanket and a big mess in the bed. It also seemed to be rubbing them and creating firction (ouch). I have heard that they have updated and inhanced their diaper so it may be better.

7th Generation
These are good. Not cheap They are unbleached, with no icky stuff added to them. They take more time to break down in our landfill.

Whole Foods Market Brand
If you can get a GOOD fit I like these for all the reasons of 7th gen, plus about $3-$4 cheaper. They don't have leaking problems. They are they stongest I have used.

BodyCare...
My favorite is Claifornia Baby, it is pricey, BUT a little goes a long way and bodycare gets absorbed into their bodies through the skin. Burts Bees is good option as well. I was not impressed with Welda (sp) and they are really over-priced.

Household...
My favorite splurge!! Meyers, you can buy this anywhere now. but it is a splurge!

Whole Foods Market brands and the Target brand Method are also good choices.

A little baking soda works well as a cleanser and that is all natural and very cheap.

Also..if you are going green...skip any chems on your outside grass. If you use bottles or sippy cups born free is free of all the nasty bad plastics but $$. For a cheaper option Munchkin brand does not use those nasty plastics in their products. Hope this helps!

L.,

I applaud you for your concern for your family and the environment. While there are many companies out there jumping on the bandwagon, it is nice to know that some companies have been eco-friendly and natural for quite awhile. Shaklee just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Shaklee is a company that offers a wide range of products from high quality supplements, personal care products, home care products, weight lose management, and water and air purification.
Check it out for yourself:
www.shaklee.net/lthigpen

Don't just take my word for it: Shaklee was featured on Oprah and Time magazine plus many others.

I have a lot of information I can share with you, or you can just browse the website and do the research yourself.
Just email me if you have any questions. I would be happy to speak with you over the phone if you like.
____@____.com ###-###-####

L. Thigpen

I don't know if you're wanting to use cloth diapers or disposable, but seventh generation is a great chlorine free disposable. They cost a little more than the name brand diapers, but work soooo much better. We had fewer blow-outs, which meant less poopy laundry :)

One way I can tell you we saved later on with our second was exploring different diapers. I only used Pampers with our first son, and mostly with our second, until he was around one we expolered. We thought the White Cloud from Wal-Mart were great!! I believe it is the Wal-Mart brand, but they were as soft and nice as Pampers. So I would say, give them a try and save some on diapers that way!!!! You will be using a lot!!