Babies and Kids

A nontoxic, natural environment is very important for the development of little bodies. Besides, natural materials just feel better against their soft skins.

Resources

BodyBurden2 - The Pollution in Newborns

A report by Environmental Working Group that shows significant toxic chemcials presence in the blood of newborns. Analysis of 10 samples of umbilical-cord blood taken by the American Red Cross found an average of 287 contaminants in the blood, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides, plastics, and other common toxic chemicals. Of the 287 chemicals detected, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

The Executive Summary of the report says:

Not long ago scientists thought that the placenta shielded cord blood — and the developing baby — from most chemicals and pollutants in the environment. But now we know that at this critical time when organs, vessels, membranes and systems are knit together from single cells to finished form in a span of weeks, the umbilical cord carries not only the building blocks of life, but also a steady stream of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides that cross the placenta as readily as residues from cigarettes and alcohol. This is the human "body burden" — the pollution in people that permeates everyone in the world, including babies in the womb.

The report is based on tests of 10 samples of umbilical-cord blood taken by the American Red Cross. They found an average of 287 contaminants in the blood, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides, plastics, and other common toxic chemicals. Of the 287 chemicals detected, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

Healthy Child Healthy World

Healthy Child Healthy World is dedicated to protecting the health and well being of children from harmful environmental exposures. We educate parents, support protective policies, and engage communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish.(formerly known as CHEC)

Indoor Air Quality in Schools

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities Resource List contains over 250 links to references on hazardous indoor air exposures to children in schools, the specific health effects they have on children, and how you can help your child's school improve their indoor air quality. If you have a child in school or know someone who does, please take a look at this.

State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)

This page of the website contains links to information on air pollution and children's health, children's art materials hazards, toxic exposures in schools, and more.

General

Speesees

I love this website! They make and sell organic cotton clothing, bedding, and bath products for babies and kids that is just adorable. But the website itself is wonderful. Click on "cotton" and see pictures of the whole process, from the cotton fields to the sewing factory. And it's educational. The site is filled with tidbits about the various plant and animals that adorn the clothes. They even offer a recycling program for outgrown speesees, which are sent to needy families.

Shepherd's Dream

Makes a complete crib set (mattress, bumper pads, etc out of organically grown wool and cotton). Family-owned by an experienced natural mother. This company is about wool--sleeping on it and under it, cuddling with it, and loving the wool and the sheep and the land. Owner Eliana Jantz has been working with wool as long as I've been writing about natural products. She led the development of EcoDomestic Wool, "a collaboration which involves the sheep growers, wool processors, product makers and promoters in gradually developing an infrastructure which ensures environmentally friendly and sustainable practices and fair prices to the woolgrower." All within a few miles distance, the sheep are pastured, the wool is milled, and the products are sewn by local women in a renovated storefront, all in site of majestic Mt. Shasta in northern California.

From the Meadows Organics

"Organics Without Chemicals"--baby care products made only with certified organic ingredients. The only preservative used is rosemary extract in some products. They have everything you need for baby care.

MiEssence

Organic baby body care products, certified to International standards for organic foods. Yes, they meet organic food standards. All ingredients are cold pressed, never heated, and each batch is hand made in small quantities, hand bottled and labeled by hand. Exceptional care is taken in the manufacture of the miessence products--water conservation, all the energy at the home office and manufacturing plant is supplied from wind and solar energy, all of the shipping world wide is carbon offset through a verified third party carbon offset program. Envirofill pellets (made from wheat and potato starch, which can be thrown on the compost or in the garden to biodegrade naturally) are used as fill in packages, and the minimum amount of packaging is used, which can be recycled. These products do not contain essential oils. Link goes to an Independent Representative for ONE Group.

Argington

"Modern children's furniture" made from sustainable materials. "We are passionate about working as a family to craft furniture for other families. Their design aesthetic is "clean, simple, and tasteful. Our children are the inspiration for each new design and each piece is crafted to have that personal feel." Sustainability is expressed in both design and materials. "Our furniture is designed with longevity and reusability as an essential criterion. We offer adjustable seating that grows with your child, table tops that are reusable and also are adjustable, cribs that convert to toddler beds, space saving trundle beds, and storage solutions that are multifunctional and adaptable to a myriad of styles and conditions. We create designs that are crafted to be timeless and can easily be passed from one child to the next...Argington uses 99% wood products in it's furniture, with virtually no mdf, particle board, flake board or other similar engineered wood products. The wood comes from managed renewable forrests established specifically to provide long-term responsible solutions towards the growing demand of timber related products - FSC certified. Our finishes are non-toxic and can withstand the test of time. Aside from our solid wood components, the birch plywood used in our products are made with low emission glues which nearly eliminate long term emissions and offgasing. We have even coordinated efforts with our energy efficient production facilities to develop manufacturing processes that help maximize yeild and minimize waste of raw material."

Bamboosa

Baby items made in the USA from soft, absorbant, pesticide-free 100% bamboo fiber or high content bamboo fiber blended with organic cotton. Fabric processing uses no chlorine and only fiber-reactive dyes that use less water and less energy and generate less waste, nor do they use dyefixing agents, which often contain heavy metals and formaldehyde. All packaging materials, are made from 100% recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post consumer waste (PCW) and higher value PCW where available. Collection includes socks, booties, hats, hooded towels, crib sheets, washcloths, baby blanket, and bibs.

Hanna Andersson

A well-established provider of natural fiber clothing for babies and kids, well-loved for more than 20 years for their bright colors, softness, and comfort, inspired by the founders Swedish heritage. Now many items are made from 100% organically grown cotton--"since 2002 we've made over one million hannas in organically grown cotton"--certified in Germany by Oko-Tex to their Standard 100. "In order for a garment to be certified, every fabric, button, thread and zipper is rigorously tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances, and the result is especially easy on children's skin."

Go Natural Baby

"Bringing the richness of organic cotton and the values of fair trade into the lives of our children." This mother-owned business sells a small, but beautiful, collection of clothing for children, from three months to five years old that is "healthy, soft, and made with integrity...All of the cotton is tested and certified organically grown and processed by SKAL International. The factory that cuts and sews our garments is dedicated to only producing organic cotton garments, thus no cross contamination. Our clothes are made with low impact dyes and our snaps and zippers are tested to ensure they are free of lead, nickel, formaldehyde, amines, pesticides, and heavy metals...We will only put our name on products that are made with Fair Trade values, including providing a healthy work environment for its workers, paying a fair wage, and ensuring that children are not in the work environment. Each year a portion of our profits will be given to the people that work in the factory, fields, and/or the school in our factory's village."

Kushtush.com Organics

Organic cotton baby bedding, blankets, mattresses, and clothing.

Organic Cotton Alternatives

A charming baby basket lined with a firmly tufted cotton/wool futon canvas and a dust ruffle of pre-washed cotton chambray, complete with ties. Also organic cotton linens and crib accessories. The dust ruffles are sewn by Mujeres Unidas, a training program that introduces economic alternatives to women by teaching them carpentry and sewing and the retailing of the products they make. The handcrafted palm leaf moses basket comes through PeaceCraft, who buys only from democratically organized artisan co-ops and pays a fair price to the producers.

Elysian Dream

"Natural, chemical-free, nourishing skin care for sensitive skin and chemical sensitivity...handmade using natural oils, butters and herbal infusions." A full range of baby care products that have no preservatives, no artificial colors, and no fragrance."We believe that what we put on our bodies should be as pure and wholesome as what we put in our bodies...Our soaps are affordable, environmentally friendly and are 100% biodegradable. Packaging is simple and recyclable. Our oils and butters are pure, unbleached, and unrefined...insuring that the nutritional benefits of the oils are still intact and not processed away." They do not use PVC piping for soap molds.

Green Nest

Everything for a natural crib, including three choices of natural mattresses and wool moisture pads. Plus organic baby clothes and organic hemp baby slings.

Our Green House

A good selection of baby clothing, natural babycare products, and stuffed toys. All the clothing and stuffed toys are made from organically grown cotton. Chosen by parents who care about the health and the environment.

Absolutely Organic Baby

Lots of baby clothing made from certified organic cotton with approved low-impact dyes. Also unscented, SLS-free babycare products, everything for organic cribs and palm-leaf "Moses" baskets, and cloth diapers made from hand picked organic cotton.

Baby Bunz & Co.

"A special collection of baby basics" including diaper covers, clothing, blankets and bedding, baby care, feeding products, and toys (even an organic teddy bear!). All are natural, many organic.

Babybearshop

As of this writing, this website sells only two products--cheeky baby butter and mama belly oil--but it is so sweet and charming I had to include it. These products are made with natural ingredients, completely free of synthetic fragrance, additives, parabens, phthalates, and preservatives. "My ingredients are of the purest quality available and come from around the world. They are organic and fairly traded whenever possible."

Dax Stores

Organic cotton and wool crib mattresses, organic cotton sheets, and solid-wood cribs and changing tables. Also imaginative children's bedroom furniture made from solid wood and veneers.

Decent Exposures

100& cotton and organic cotton clothing for pregrant women and nursing mothers, designed by women for women. Also baby linens. Fabrics are prewashed. Read selections carefully as some items are made from synthetic or blend fabrics.

The Diaper Jungle

Everything you could ever need to know about cloth diapers. "Our mission is two-fold. We want to help moms learn about the benefits and advantages of using cloth diapers. We want them to know with no uncertainty that using cloth diapers is convenient, cost effective, healthier for their children, and better for the environment. " A great resource if you are using or in the process of choosing cloth diapers.

DwellSmart

Everything you need to create a natural, non-toxic environment for your children including cribs and furniture, bedding, changing tables, diapers, lotions, baby bottles, pacifiers, clothing, and toys.

EcoBaby Organics

Has everything you need to outfit your natural nursery and baby, including clothing, bedding, diapers, wood and cloth toys, and furniture. many made from organically grown materials.

Good Night Naturals

Baby mattresses and crib bedding made from organic cotton, PureGrow™ Wool, and natural latex. Several styles accomodate all budgets. Also sustainably-harvested wooden cribs, and organic linens and natural blankets.

Green Fusion Design Center

"Essential organic bedding/bath options you'll need to create a beautiful healthy nursery for your baby," including linens, crib mattresses, and foundations. "Every product we carry is: Beautiful & Stylish, Environmentally Friendly & Healthy, Consciously Manufactured & Durable."

Green Mountain Spinnery

Crib-size blanket (36" x 48") handwoven in Vermont from a blend of 80% fine wool (raised on farms that do not use pesticides) and 20% certified organic cotton. Contrasting colors are produced using hypo-allergenic and low environmental impact dyes.

Heart of Vermont

All products are handmade in Vermont from natural fibers. All cotton is organic, FoxFibre™ Colorganic©, low-impact dyed, or untreated. Their pesticide-free wool is washed in hot water and soap, and processed into batting on their own machines without oils or mothproofing. Organic cotton flannel receiving blankets, hand-woven palm leaf-fiber bassinets, cotton and wool futons (with doctor's prescription) heirloom quality "Starry Night" weave cotton baby blanket, and an organic cotton stuffed bear.

Home Environment

Organic baby mattresses and bedding; organic baby clothing, onesies and socks; and baby accessories, including wooden rattles.

Kidalog

This Canadian catalog (with worldwide shipping) contains over 3000 natural and organic baby, child, and mother care products. Many are unique and hard-to-find. Also many links to other natural baby related websites.

The Natural Sleep Store

Organic cotton baby clothes and bedding. Sold as single items and packaged as gift sets in baskets hand woven from organic palm leaves.

Nature's Crib

100% natural and organic products for baby and mom that are safe and gentle on you, your baby's skin, and the environment. Selection includes all-natural skin and body care, baby care and hair care products from Aubrey Organics, natural cleaning products that are safe enough for baby, cloth diapers and menstrual pads, all organic crib mattresses and bedding, organic baby clothes, made-in-America natural wood toys, and more.

Naturepedic

Specializes in crib-size organic cotton mattresses and bedding. Choose from their innerspring mattress covered and filled with organic cotton with a layer of natural wool as the fire barrier, or the nontoxic waterproof crib mattress, protected with a layer of nontoxic polyethylene. Certified by Greenguard.

Organic Gift Shop

Even though this is a gift-oriented website, it's filled with plenty of "non-toxic, earth-friendly & organic" baby items can be used every day--clothing, toys, rattles, teethers, diapers, bedding, and furniture. And, of course, gift baskets for pregnancy and new parents.

Organic Selections

Cute organic cotton baby clothes, organic cotton and wool diapers, charming embroidered organic cotton crib bedding.

OrganicWearUSA

Baby clothing, charming toys, and bedding made from 100% organic natural-color cotton and wool. These can be purchased as single items, or as gift sets "Our gifts are hand pre-packaged in our signature premium recyclable gift boxes, and include a complementary gift card printed with soy ink on 100% recycled paper, making a beautiful presentation." Also complete crib from mattress to blankets and some bonuses--like a long list of baby names inspired by nature. This business was started by a group of UCLA students. "We are proud to have created a company that supports American small business, sweat shop free labor, and avoids environmental toxins including pesticides, insecticides, plastic, bleach, petroleum based inks and dyes."

Tomorrow's World

Organic cotton clothing and stuffed toys for baby, crib mattresses (organic cotton and wool innerspring, and natural latex), and organic bedding: sheets, blankets, comforters, and a washable, fast dying pure wool crib-sized wool moisture pad

Universal Mama

An ever-changing eclectic collective of artisans providing unique products for mothers, babies, and kids, "handmade with lots of love and care". Items often include cloth diapers, wool covers, wool soakers, clothing, toys (including wooden and recycled stuffed toys), jewelry, hand painted yarns, stationery, educational games, altered containers, bath and body products, knitted items, one of a kind paintings and ornaments, and all kinds of other products. New products are added every Monday night. Artisans are dedicated to making items natural and/or organic as much as possible.

White Lotus Home

Complete natural crib, including hanrdmade "green" cotton mattress, wool puddle pad, organic crib sheet, and solid maple crib frame with nontoxic finish. Read the articles about the relationship between toxic cribs and SIDS. This company was founded by a father who wanted to make a safe bed for his newborn son. 100% of their energy is supplied by wind power.

B. Coole Designs

Hard-to-find plain and simple clothing for babies and kids. Natural fiber costumes to cotton leotards. Simple designs in lots of colors. Natural fiber playthings like magical scarves and puppets. "100% of the sewing is my fingers,"says Barbara. "The only one that sweats in my shop is ME."

Motherwear

Everything you need to breastfeed, including beautiful breastfeeding clothes -- tops, dresses, sweaters, sleepwear, and loungewear (many are natural fiber, but check descriptions carefully) -- breast pads, carriers, and breastfeeding books and resources.

Simple. Pure. Baby.

All natural, handmade babycare products designed to be gentle, effective and safe. Products have "a light calming aroma" from a special mix of pure essential oils--no synthetic fragrances, petroleum by-products or nut oils. Products include baby oil, lotion, wash, and powder, diaper products and a room freshener.

The Soft Landing

A mother's choice of products for babies and kids that do not contain toxic plastics, including baby bottles and nipples, baby dishes and utensils, food and breastmilk containers, bibs, pacifiers, teethers and toys, sippy cups, and more. Also water bottles, dishes and lunch gear for adults. See The Soft Landing Blog for feeding product reviews, toxic plastic research and quick reference shopping guides.

Lunch Bags

Reusablebags.com

Cotton and organic cotton lunch bags with velcro. Also sells Wrap-N-Mat, a resuable alternative to plastic lunch bags, and a reusable aluminum drink bottle.

ECOBags

Organic and unbleached, untreated cotton lunch bags with velcro closures.

Dick Blick Art Materials

This art materials site offers natural cotton bags for the purpose of artistic decoration. They have a lunch bag, plus a natural cotton tote of suitable size and a slightly larger natural cotton backpack with zippered closure that would also be fine for carrying lunches or books and supplies.

Port Canvas

Their "skiff" tote bag is just the right size for lunch. You can choose from 15 colors of cotton canvas, 3 colors for handles, and they can add an embroidered monogram or name. These are very durable and well-made bags.

Wrap-N-Mat

A reuseable alternative to plastic sandwich bags, Wrap-N-Mat folds around a sandwich or snack foods and stays closed with velcro. Foods will stay fresh for hours. When opened it turns into a mat that provides a clean surface for your food. Made from cotton and plastic.

Toys

Please click here to go to the Toys page

Above all else, the child must be a healthy animal. Let nature teach them the lessons of good and proper living. Plants should be given sun and air and the blue sky; give them to your boys and girls. I do not mean for a day or a month, but for all the years. By surrounding this child with sunshine from the sky and your own heart, by giving the closest communion with nature, by feeding this child well-balanced, nutritious food, by giving it all that is implied in healthful environmental influences, and by doing all in love, you can thus cultivate in the child and fix there for all its life all of these traits.
--Luther Burbank

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