{"id":966,"date":"2018-12-04T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2018-12-04T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmaids.com\/blog\/?p=966"},"modified":"2019-11-14T16:32:15","modified_gmt":"2019-11-14T21:32:15","slug":"raising-eco-conscious-babies-way-more-than-a-trend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmaids.com\/blog\/raising-eco-conscious-babies-way-more-than-a-trend\/","title":{"rendered":"Raising eco-conscious babies, way more than a trend!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo by Picsea<\/a> on Unsplash.<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Since we started our company, we have always been interested in the type of ingredients contained in the cleaning products that we use at home. In that journey, we\u2019ve discovered the great benefits of green products, as they are not harmful to anyone at home (including babies and pets) and the lifestyle choices that come along once we\u2019re ecologically conscious. We contribute to the care of natural resources that are irreplaceable and invaluable but we expose our entire family to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before our daughter was born, we made the decision to develop a natural and ecological upbringing, because it contributes to keeping our baby healthy. It definitely nurtures an ecological consciousness and lifestyle in her as well. \u00a0We listed 3 areas to focus on: <\/span>skin<\/b>, <\/span>wearables<\/b> (including diapers and bedding), and <\/span>home environment<\/b> (including fragrances and cleaning products). \u00a0We also prioritized filtered water and organic and non-GMO foods to minimize chemical exposure while nursing.<\/span><\/p>\n

SKIN <\/b><\/h3>\n

After reading <\/span>studies from the EWG<\/span><\/a> on how the blood from the umbilical cord of newborn babies have over 200 chemicals that are toxic to the brain, nervous system and their general development, we became really passionate about educating fellow parents on the importance of taking ownership of our endocrine and emotional health, ditching and switching personal care products, and cleaning up our homes without toxic fumes.<\/span><\/p>\n

For starters, we began to avoid the constant use of conventional <\/span>diaper creams and baby washes<\/span><\/i>. A great tool is the <\/span>Think Dirty app<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>EWG Deep Skin Database app<\/span><\/a> to scan what\u2019s currently in your home and when shopping at the store. We can also find personal care products made with natural resources\u2014aka plant-based\u2014without parabens and endocrine disruptors at convenient prices. Products such as shampoos, oils, body milk, creams, cleansing wipes, and ecological sunscreens, are best when they\u2019re free of phthalates, synthetic fragrances, petroleum derivatives, and dyes. \u00a0It\u2019s 2018 and with all the new products available it\u2019s relatively easy to truly pamper our babies without the added chemical burden. <\/span><\/p>\n

WEARABLES<\/b><\/h3>\n

Diapers<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Conventional diapers are highly polluting and the chemicals and materials they are made of can cause irritations or other skin problems to our babies\u2019 bums. Cloth diapers are the least expensive if you think long-term and have the lowest environmental impact. When you add up the nearly 4 million babies born per year in the U.S. and that each one uses on average 2,200 diapers by the time they turn one, the amount of diapers that go into the landfills every month is in the billions! <\/span><\/p>\n

But let’s face it, when there are other caregivers involved, additional health conditions take priority, and travel is frequent we need to have multiple options available. <\/span><\/p>\n

So in the name of sanity, sustainability and for practical purposes, I split diapers into 3 categories: <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. CLOTH<\/b> – <\/span>gDiapers, bumGenious<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> <\/li>\n
  2. DISPOSABLES BIODEGRADABLE<\/b> \u00a0– \u00a0<\/span>Little Toes<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>(100% compostable that decompose in 180 days, made from wood or plant pulps, or sugar derived plastics, chlorine-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, latex-free,)<\/span> <\/li>\n
  3. DISPOSABLES ECO-FRIENDLY<\/b> \u00a0– <\/span>Bambo Nature, Honest Company, Parasol Co, Seventh Generation, Naty<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>
    \n<\/span>(not 100% biodegradable but chlorine-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The best alternative truly depends on your family\u2019s dynamics. Some families stay at home others get support from relatives and daycares. For us, it is to use disposables and a hybrid of cloth with compostable liners (no laundering of poopy diapers needed!). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    When we are at home, we opted to use reusable cloth diapers, with compostable liners, which are easier to clean (and flush), and blend the best of both worlds. These \u201chybrid\u201d ones are the <\/span>gDiapers<\/span><\/a>. Our friends who have only used cloth ones rave about the <\/span>bum Genius<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Now, when we have to make a quick run because, life happens, and we don\u2019t have our top two choices, we use disposables that aren\u2019t biodegradable but have disclosed a complete list of ingredients and don\u2019t have unnecessary chemicals that can cause a skin reaction. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Jennifer Labit has shared her research detailing each ingredient found in the disposable diapers, check her site here: <\/span>https:\/\/jenniferlabit.com\/?s=diapers&submit=Search<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    For <\/span>baby wipes<\/b>, <\/span>Jackson Reece are 100% compostable<\/span><\/a> and live up to their \u201ckinder by nature\u201d motto without parabens and chlorine. <\/span>Water Wipes<\/span><\/a> are also a clean option with 99.9% water and fruit extracts and also work great those first sponge baths. If you like your baby\u2019s bum to smell like botanicals after a dirty diaper change, the <\/span>YL Seedlings<\/span><\/a> wipes are great since they only use plant-distilled essential oils. You can also check the ingredients in the wipes from the eco-friendly diaper companies mentioned above.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Clothes<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    When starting, get organic pajamas and bedding (including mattress, protector, and sheets). Honestly, that\u2019s what newborns wear 90% of the time. <\/span><\/p>\n

    HOME ENVIRONMENT<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Remember, the body and brain of our babies are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of cleaning chemicals if there is a perfect time to start cleaning our homes with natural products is when our children are babies. Here\u2019s a live link with the <\/span>cleaning products we use at Gmaids<\/b> http:\/\/bit.ly\/gmaidsproducts<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

    At home, we also use what we use at <\/span>Gmaids<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>Thieves line<\/span><\/a> (especially during the cold season), and Branch Basics. Here\u2019s a great <\/span>article<\/span><\/a> from then on how fragrances are the <\/span>new second-hand smoke<\/span><\/i>. Their <\/span>oxygen boost<\/span><\/a> is also a great product to treat stains in the tubs, grout, and sinks\u2014and baby clothes! We also switched any synthetic fragrances or candles for purely distilled essential oils that we can add to our cleaning bottles for an added and lingering scent (how to get pure oils <\/span>http:\/\/bit.ly\/gmaidsoils<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

    It’s our heart to walk you through this journey and share with you these clean, safe products and lifestyle every day. So, share this empowering information in your social networks so that other moms and dads can learn and reference back to it too.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you want us to talk about a particular topic or if you have a cleaning tip that you want to share, leave us your comments it would be great!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Subscribe to our blog, you will always find natural cleaning tips, and other tips that will help you in the routines of your daily life.\u00a0<\/span>Stop complicating yourself with the housework, try our professional ecological cleaning service, you will love it.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Resources:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Biodegradable disposable diapers, although they are more expensive (which you can offset by buying in bulk), they have considerably less degradation time than the traditional ones and fewer to none skin reactions. These are made with materials that come from natural resources like wood and plant pulps or sugar derived plastics, and free of chemical substances like chlorine. <\/span>Little Toes<\/span><\/a>, for example, are made from bamboo fibers and are 100% biodegradable.<\/span><\/p>\n