Busy Mommy Media » Green Parenting

Save the World One Poopy Diaper at a Time

Rachel — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:34:44 +0000

Any parent with a child in diapers know how much waste diapers can generate. I’ve had at least 2 in diapers for most of my life as a mom and it was staggering to realize how much waste we were creating every week, especially once you realize how long disposable diapers sit in the landfill. This week Green and Clean Mom sent me a package of Broody Chick Naturally and fully compostable diapers to try to try as part of the Mommy Go Green Blog Tour.

I had truthfully never considered compostable diapers. I’ve tried G-diapers (which I really enjoyed although the cost was a bit prohibitive) and I cloth diapered part time (which wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be) but compostable diapers never crossed my mind. Learning to compost has been on my to-do list for years but between selling our house and moving it hasn’t been in the cards, but I do like the fact that even if I don’t have a compost pile, Broody Chick diapers will certainly decompose a lot faster in a landfill than a traditional disposable diaper. I wonder what the time share people will think if I create a diaper compost pile in the back yard of our temporary home?

How Much Waste Do Your Diapers Create?

I harbored a fear of cloth diapers until my third son was born. We went from having an overflowing trash can each week (and sneaking some extra into any of our neighbor’s trash cans with extra space) to barely filling half a trashcan. The thought of how much extra trash we had created over the years made me sick. I couldn’t believe what a difference it made when we removed the diapers from our weekly waste. Each one of those diapers sits in a landfill for thousands of years. Cloth diapers aren’t realistic for everyone but compostable diapers can make a dramatic difference in how long disposable diapers sit in a landfill.

Broody Chick Compostable Diapers

I’m not a diaper snob. I’m not attached to any particular brand. For me, it’s more a matter of what works for my kids and what works for me. My kids have extremely sensitive skin and I do notice a difference when I use chlorine free diapers. Broody Chick diapers are not only chlorine free but also hypo-allergenic and fragrance free. I try and avoid using laundry detergent with any fragrance but it’s surprisingly hard to find diapers without at least some extra fragrance added. The Broody Chick diapers feel slightly papery on the outside (as most disposable diapers do) but I was impressed by how soft the inside is. I have an extremely active 2 year old but I was able to get a snug fit on him with no leakage (except when he decided to take the diaper off and streak through the house, but no diaper can stand up to that)

The packaging of the Broody Chip diapers is beautiful but I was slightly disappointed that there was so much of it. I admit I have high expectations for anything that calls itself eco-friendly. While you can compost the box, or repurpose it I would have liked to see lighter packaging, especially considering the sheer volume of diapers kids go through before they are potty trained.

Better Baby Bums

You can buy Broody Chick diapers and other natural baby products from Better Baby Bums. It’s often difficult to find eco-friendly baby products in local stores – although it is getting easier – but I love seeing a variety of green products before I make a choice. If you consider the gas that you use driving to the store, shopping online is a fairly green option.

Make Your Own Recycled Paper

Rachel — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:26:44 +0000

My kids love to recycle but until recently, they really had no idea what happened to our paper after they put it in the recycling bin. This simple activity is a fun and interactive way to teach kids how to recycle paper and can be a good use for the extra newspaper you have laying around from couponing.

We decided to make use of my toddlers destructive streak earlier this week and recycle the book that he destroyed. I’m hoping we didn’t unintentionally encourage his book tearing habit but at least my kids learned how to recycle something we weren’t using anymore. Kids love learning how things really work but there are so few opportunities for kids to see and understand the full process of things that they do everyday.

What You Need

Paper to be recycled – this can be old newspaper, junk mail (just avoid the glossy kind), leftover tradeshow material (that’s a big one around our house after CES and now as we’re getting ready for Toy Fair), extra construction paper, etc.
A blender – Don’t worry about using your regular blender for this. The paper washes out easily and after you are done.
A window screen – If you have old screen material laying around this would work just fine but be sure and put masking tape around the edges to prevent sharp edges from hurting your kids while they do this activity. I bought a cheap adjustable window screen with a metal rim that worked well.
Optional: Flower seeds – These are a fun addition if you want to plant your paper after you are done use it and plant it in your yard to show the complete process of recycling.

What To Do

This project takes several days for kids to complete because you have to wait overnight for several steps to be complete.

Step 1 – Tear paper into squares that are about 1-2 inches wide. This does not have to be exact. You just want to start the process of breaking the paper down.

Step 2 – Soak the paper pieces overnight in a bowl of water.

Step 3 – Take the soaked paper out of the water and place it in the blender. Fill the blender halfway full with fresh water. Blend the paper and water mixture until you have something that is about the consistency of pureed soup. Add water as needed to thin it out.

Step 4 – Lay the window screen over the sink or have a child hold it over the sink and slowly pour the paper soup over the window screen, trying to pour it in an even layer. We found it helpful to start in the center and pour the mixture in a circular spiral moving out towards the edge until you make a very unappetizing paper pancake. Use your fingers or a spoon to even out any uneven places immediately after pouring. The paper begins to dry almost immediately once the water starts to drain and it becomes less workable as it dries. If you are adding flower seeds to your paper, add them at this point before the paper dries. You can either gently push the seeds into the top of the wet paper or put them on the paper and then use a tiny piece of paper mixture to “plant” the seed by laying it on top so the seed is not visible.

Step 5 – Lay the window screen with the paper mixture on a dry towel and leave to dry at least overnight. Change the towel throughout the day as needed if it becomes soaked through.

Variation – Add natural food coloring to create colored recycled paper to be used for preschool art projects or crafts for elementary school aged kids.

Your homemade recycled paper can be used as part of a preschool science lesson, as a homeschool science project, as an Earth Day project for kids, to send a unique birthday card to a friend, or as a special Valentines Day card.

What will you use your homemade recycled paper for?

My Love Affair with Freecycle

Erin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:30:24 +0000

It all began when I moved to New Jersey. The same home that cost $60,000 in Nebraska (where I had moved from) cost $300,000 in Jersey. So I sat on my new living room floor. A three year old jumping on my back, my 18 month old having an accident on our couch and nursing our new baby. Oh-did I say couch? Yes. That being-peed-upon couch was one of our few pieces of furniture. There was a bassinet, a crib, a twin mattress and a queen bed. My underpaid policeman husband and I had decided that our love would see us through.

But the knowledge of the errant potty trainer was on my mind.

There was no way at all we could afford a new couch. Or a kitchen table. Or the whole wardrobe of clothes that all three kids seemed to grow out of every three months. So my internet addicted self and the frugal Nebraskan got together.

They had a love affair with http://www.freecycle.org

Freecycle is an entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free.

Within the first three years of using it (I was in New Jersey, so keep in mind the group had about 15,000 members) I had a new (lovingly used) couch, a new (refinished) dining room table and chairs, bookcases, end tables, countless toys,craft items and lots of crap I decided I “needed” without spending more than the gas I used to go and pick it up. And I gave back just as much. I felt guilty about selling some things when I knew there were people out there like us who could just not afford to buy a bassinet. So I freecycled it. Hence the “cycle”.

When you want to find a new home for something — whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door — you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycling group.
Maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member’s offer, and you just might get it. After that, it’s up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.
The main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.
Non-profit organizations also benefit from Freecycling.
Usually you must give before you take. Think of it as good karma.
Post the item or items you want to give away and where you are located.
Then request the things that you may be needing.
It’s a free cycle of giving. Think globally, recycle locally. The Freecycle Network is open to all communities and to all individuals who want to participate. Freecycle groups are run by local volunteer moderators from across the globe who facilitate each local group – grassroots at its best!

But pay attention!!

Some groups are really busy. Make sure the email selection you choose works for you. Options include Daily Digest (bundles of 25 messages at a time delivered all in one email), Individual Messages (receiving a message just as it is sent out), No Mail (reading the messages on the web so your inbox is free of the messages).
Not all groups allow the No Mail option, so read carefully to see if your group allows it or not.
These rules are the same for all Freecycle groups: everything must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. Local groups sometimes add other rules, like no pets, no coupons, no services. Be sure to read the guidelines for your local group so that you know what is or isn’t allowed.

Visit http://freecycle.org, http://freesharing.org or http://sharingisgiving.org to find a group in your area.

And think before you throw that spaghetti jar in the garbage! I need that for my next kid’s art project!!

Recycling Sorting

Rachel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:47:02 +0000

Preschoolers are interested in everything about the world around us. It is important for us as parents and teachers to teach them to be responsible while they are young. Taking care of our earth is as important as anything else that we may do. This simple introduction to recycling will teach preschoolers the importance of reusing the resources that we have. As preschoolers sort the items they have to recycle they will also learn valuable math skills.

What You Need

4 medium sized cardboard boxes
Labels for each box with the word – Paper, Glass, Metal, Plastic
Letter to Parents (see below)
Items to be recycled brought from home.

What To Do

Collect 4 medium sized cardboard boxes that are about the same size. Print labels that say “Paper”, “Metal”, and “Plastic”. In order to help preschoolers “read” each sign, illustrate each word with something that represents each material. If you do not want to draw a picture, you can attach a sample of each material to the outside of each box. For example, glue a scrap of paper to the outside of the “Paper” box and a piece of plastic to the outside of the “Plastic” box. Attach each sign to the outside of a box and line them up next to each other.

Send a letter home to the preschool parents asking them to send in materials that can be recycled. When you have collected your materials, sit down and talk with the preschoolers about why we want to recycle and what things we can recycle. Tell them what materials should be placed in each box. You may want to wash the items that you have to recycle before participating in this activity. Have each preschooler pick an item and decide which box it should go in.

When you have sorted all your items, include them in your local recycling pick up if one is available or deliver them to the appropriate recycling station.

Letter to Preschool Parents

Dear Preschool Parent,

In our preschool classroom we are learning about the importance of recycling. In order for this preschool lesson to be successful we need your help. Please look around your house for things that can be recycled and collect 3 or 4 things that you were planning on throwing away or recycling and send these items to preschool with your preschooler. In our preschool classroom we are going to practice sorting items that can be recycled.

Some examples of items that can be sent to preschool with your child are:
empty soda cans
empty milk cartons
junk mail
plastic bags
old newspapers
old magazines
aluminum foil
plastic bottles
plastic grocery bags

Thank you for helping us to learn about recycling. Please send your preschoolers recyclable items in by [date].

[Your preschool teacher]

Plan Toys Green Dollhouse Giveaway

Rachel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:30:49 +0000

Recycling was not a concept that I thought of much as a child but my 5 year old son never forgets to remind us to recycle our trash if we try and throw the wrong item in the trash can. The new Green Dollhouse from Plan Toys is a stunning example of green living with a great attention to detail and a wonderful way to teach sustainable living in a way that kids understand. Like all toys by Plan Toys, the green dollhouse is made using only natural building materials and manufactured in a social responsible way.

Green Education

One of my favorite things about the green dollhouse by Plan Toys is that it doesn’t talk down to kids in any way. Rather than just including a recycling container and hoping kids are motivated to recycle, it includes a recycling bin with a place for non-biodegradable waste, biodegradable waste, and recycled waste. The brochure that comes with the dollhouse (printed in soy ink on recycled paper) includes detailed information about what kind of waste can go in each recycling bin. A rain water harvesting receptacle provides water that can be used for washing cars, watering lawns, or flushing toilets. The green dollhouse is an ideal example of sustainable living.

Green energy sources in the form of a solar cell panel and a vertical-axis wind turbine provide clean energy for the home. The included literature lets kids know exactly how much energy each feature produces and what items in the home they are able to power. Many kids have been taught to turn off the lights when they are not using them but they may not really understand how much power they really use in their home. The green dollhouse helps kids to understand that exactly how much energy everything uses and what it takes to gather the energy.

Saving energy is an essential part of sustainable living. The green dollhouse includes a shade canopy that can be pulled down to retain warmth and opened during the summer to allow cool breezes in. A green wall with climbing plants provides insulation for the home and makes an attractive detail that kids will love.

Open-Ended Play with Style

I’m a big fan of any toy that encourages my kids to use their imaginations. Battery powered toys that require little participation rarely impress me. The green dollhouse from Plan Toys provides a great opportunity for open-ended play with a green twist that is relevant in today’s changing world. Living a green lifestyle is not a fad that will disappear by the time this generation of kids grow up but a necessity for kids who want to live a responsible life without harming our already damaged environment. Pretend play is a wonderful, developmentally appropriate way to teach kids appropriate social behaviors and the Play Toys Green Dollhouse is an exciting, modern twist on the classic dollhouse.

Babywearing Basics – Interview with Parenting by Nature

Rachel — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:21:45 +0000

Tamara is the owner of Parenting by Nature, a wonderful natural parenting resource and store. Parenting by Nature offers a wealth of information for parents interested in parenting in a more natural way, from babywearing tips to cloth diapering basics. Tamara was kind enough to share some of her expertise on babywearing with us.

Rachel: Tell me a little bit about why you started Parenting by Nature? What did you hope to provide to your customers?

Tamara: 4+ years ago “all natural” baby stores were few and far between. And because we’re in Canada, local stores that offered cloth diapers and a wide selection of baby slings and carriers were virtually unheard of. When I was pregnant with my first daughter I went searching for a simple baby sling. I ended up having to buy one south of the border, and worried about whether it would even arrive in time for my daughter’s birth! I also searched for cloth diapers, and came up short.

With a background in retail and customer service and the desire to find a way to stay home with my daughter when my maternity leave was up, our online baby store Parenting By Nature was born. The simple baby sling I ordered months prior to my daughter’s birth became our first product! I couldn’t believe that there were so few resources available to help parents learn to use cloth diapers or simple, traditional baby carriers and with the start of our store I wanted to BE that resource.

Parents continually email me to let me know how helpful our Cloth Diapering 101 guide and Babywearing 101 guide has been during the early stages of their decision making when a new baby is on the way. I’m thrilled to be able to provide help and the resources for new parents to consider options that are less “mainstream” and healthier for their baby and the environment.

Rachel: What benefits do you see from carrying your baby in a carrier or sling?

Tamara: Oh there are just so many! There are, of course, many documented benefits to babywearing such as a stronger bond between baby and caregiver, reduced crying in infants (as much as 43%!) and Babywearing helps those mothers with or at risk for post partum depression. But we also know that Babywearing is practical and convenient! How many times have you seen a mother pushing a stroller with her baby in her arms? Babies want to be held. Being against a parent’s body is the warmest, safest and most comforting spot to be! So a baby carrier will simply make a parent’s life easier.

For myself, it was largely due to my first baby sling that I was able to start my business. While my new baby slept, nursed or even just sat and gazed at me, I was able to devote time to starting our website, writing product descriptions and even answering questions from our customers. Now with baby number two (currently 9 months old) I’m running our business with her in a carrier every single day. This also frees my hands to attend to my older child, now 4. My older daughter never feels mommy isn’t paying attention to her because I can always put the little one in a sling and give my undivided attention to my oldest. Both children are completely content with this arrangement!

Rachel: What is the difference between a carrier and a sling and who do you typically recommend each of them for?

Tamara: A sling goes over one shoulder, similar to how you would put on a purse. It is very easy to use with no straps, tying, buckles or loops. You just pop baby in or out easily. We generally recommend a baby sling for a parent wishing to carry a newborn, particularly if the mother is planning to nurse. Because baby is in a natural, cuddled position close to the breast, nursing is easily achieved in a sling. Also, slings tend to be a bit more affordable since they are a simple, uncomplicated design. For a first time parent, having a baby sling from day one can be a real lifesaver.

A baby carrier could refer to any number of options such as a Mei Tai (traditional Asian baby carrier), a wrap, or any of the structured baby carriers on the market that attach to your body with buckles, loops or tying. With most baby carriers you will be able to carry your baby for a longer period of time because they go over both shoulders which helps to spread the weight of your baby over your body better. There are also many baby carriers on the market that allow for back carrying. This is not something that is easily achieved with a sling. Baby carriers are usually more costly than a baby sling, and some can be complicated to use, but with the right style of baby carrier a caregiver will be able to use it from birth to 35+ lbs comfortably. So while the price may be more initially, an active parent or one with older children to attend to, will likely find the benefits of a baby carrier outweigh the cost.

Rachel: When I first started shopping for a baby carrier I was confused by all the options. What style of baby carrier do you like to recommend to someone who is new to baby wearing? What features should they consider in a baby carrier?

Tamara: In all honesty, the type of carrier that is best for one parent may be entirely different than the best carrier for someone else. There are a number of questions a parent should ask themselves when considering the many different types of carriers on the market. What is your primary motivation to buying a baby sling or carrier? Is hands-free nursing in the carrier important to you? Will the carrier be shared between caregivers? Are you willing to invest some time when you first receive your carrier, to learn how to use it? Is back carrying important to you? Are you an active parent that plans to use a carrier on long walks or hikes outside? Compare the features of each baby sling or carrier you are considering, look at photos provided of the different types, and, if possible, try on several different styles, brands and sizes of baby carriers to see which suits you best.

If you’ve answered all of these questions and you are still unable to narrow down the choices, we suggest a Mei Tai baby carrier. This is one incredibly versatile baby carrier that allows for multiple carrying positions including back carrying. A mei tai can easily be shared between caregivers that are different sizes, and a mother can learn how to nurse hands free with this carrier fairly easily. It also folds down flat, and can fit inside a diaper bag to keep within arm’s reach at all times. The biggest drawback to a mei tai is it’s slightly longer learning curve, but this is something that must be overcome with any new carrier.

Rachel: Many moms that I know are only aware of the baby wearing options that are available in local stores and the selection is very limited. Are there any baby carriers sold in larger chain stores that provide developmentally appropriate support for an infant?

Tamara: The good news is that every day more and more baby slings and carriers that were once hard to find are popping up in larger chains stores across the country. The Ergo baby carrier can be found in many mainstream stores today, and we’re even seeing traditional wrap-style carriers at stores such as Target! Of course online shopping is always an option. Just ensure you look into a stores return and/or exchange policy. Many online baby stores are happy to offer generous exchange policies when it comes to outfitting a new parent with the right baby sling. We understand that this can be a difficult decision, and that there really isn’t a single perfect carrier that works for every parent, every time. It may take trying out a few carriers before you find the one that is perfect for you and your baby.

Rachel: The Baby Bjorn has been marketed well and is very popular. I noticed you don’t carry it on your site. Why don’t you recommend it to parents?

Tamara: All of the baby carriers we carry on our website grow with your child and can be used from the newborn stage through to toddlerhood (35+ lbs!). All of the carriers we sell provide developmentally appropriate support for an infant. The ability to accommodate a nursing baby is very important in our selection of baby slings and carriers. You’ll also find that the majority of the baby carriers we sell allow for multiple carrying positions which include cradle carrying, hip (side) carrying, front carrying and back carrying. Above all, the baby carriers we choose to sell must be *comfortable* for the wearer, for as long as possible. Unfortunately the Baby Bjorn does not meet all of these criteria.

Rachel: Many moms worry that a carrier or sling will be difficult to use. What advice do you give to hesitant parents?

Tamara: As with all new things, there is a slight learning curve when you get started with any sling or baby carrier. This is no different than learning to install your new car seat, or how to open and collapse the new stroller that has been purchased. We simply suggest taking your time to familiarize yourself with the carrier of choice and it’s features, and practicing with your baby at home before venturing out and about. The best time to try out your new carrier is when baby is well rested, and right after they have been fed. If baby is in a good mood they will be more receptive to being fused with while a parent learns to use their new carrier. There may be a local support group such as La Leche League in your area. This is often a good place to try out a carrier and find out how to use one, since many LLL members use baby slings or carriers themselves. There are also lots of resources online to help new parents get off to the right start with learning how to use a new sling or baby carrier. One of our favorites is www.thebabywearer.com which has a fabulous forum for parents struggling to use a new sling.

Rachel: Which baby carrier is your personal favorite to use?

Tamara: I used a baby sling with both my daughters during the first 6 months after they were born. I loved the simplicity of the carrier, and how I could always get them in and out quickly, right when they started to fuss. Eventually back carrying became more important to me, and so I purchased my first mei tai when my oldest was about 8 months old. I absolutely love a mei tai for quick back carries!

Visit Parenting by Nature for more information on babywearing and natural parenting. Enter to win a FreeHand Mei Tai in the winner’s choice of color.

Make Your Own Baby Care Products

Guest Writer — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:12:02 +0000

Many conventional baby products contain questionable ingredients such as parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), talc, and synthetic perfumes and fragrances. All of these ingredients can have adverse effects on the health and well being of your baby, so it is no wonder that many parents have chosen to take matters into their own hands. Parents are now finding that it is easy, more cost effective, and safer to make their own baby products with natural ingredients. By stocking your pantry with a few key natural ingredients you can make all sorts of natural baby products for baby. You don’t have to be a chemist to create luxurious, baby friendly products that are all natural.
Here are a few easy recipes for natural baby products that are sure to please:

All Natural Baby Wipes Solution
•   1 cup water
•   1/4 cup Aloe Vera Juice
•   1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
•   1 tablespoon Calendula Oil
•   1 teaspoon grated, unscented soap
•   2 drops Lavender Oil
•   2 drops Tea Tree Oil

Mix in a jar and then pour over organic cloth wipes or paper towels. This baby wipe solution is anti-fungal and great for discouraging yeast diaper rashes. The essential oil can be found at any health food store and is sure to please the nose.

A Better Baby Oil

1 cup Grapeseed or Apricot Kernel oil
4-6 drops lavender or chamomile essential oils
1-2 vitamin E capsules (optional)

Squeeze the vitamin E capsules into the oils and mix together. Store in a dark colored bottle and use as a bath or massage oil. This is sure to please and great for mom after shaving!

The skin is the body’s largest organ and it has the ability to absorb things that is comes into contact with. With that in mind do you want to expose your baby to potentially harmful chemicals or safe and natural ingredients? Most parents would agree that ensuring your baby products are completely natural is worth it. These recipes should help you get started.Try Eco-Me for a great kit that helps make life even easier when it comes to making your own baby care products.

Making our own baby products with all natural ingredients is fun to do, it saves money, and most importantly it ensures that our babies’ delicate immune systems are not unduly taxed by harmful product ingredients. Most of the ingredients listed above can be bought at conventional supermarkets and natural food stores so you can pick some up on your regular shopping trips. If you’re currently using conventional baby care products check out skin deep for more information on the safey of the products or visit safemama.com for handy downloadable cheat sheets.

By Sommer

Natural Diaper Rash Remedies

Guest Writer — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:59:23 +0000

Almost every baby who is in diapers will experience diaper rash at least once. If you want to avoid harmful ingredients that are in many conventional diaper rash treatments, try these tips. The old saying goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. You can minimize your baby’s chances of getting diaper rash in the first place by using cloth diapers with a breathable cover (wool or cotton for example). Cloth diapered babies, as a rule, experience less rash. Something I’m working on changing in my home and I have a 19-month-old, proof it is never to late to convert to cloth. Try winning a sampler pack to see if cloth is a good fit for you over at Green and Clean Mom. A good way for to help prevent diaper rash, changing your baby as soon as he or she wets or soils the diapers.

If your baby is using disposable diapers, try switching to cloth for awhile and see if the rash improves. If you’re already using cloth diapers, remove the cover and let him wear pinned on prefolds so lots of air gets to his bottom. Read my review of cloth diapers and my experience with them. Try changing laundry detergents and double rinsing your diapers, adding a half-cup vinegar to the first rinse, and see if that helps. Vinegar is effective at taking all residual detergent and film off items in the wash. I used it regularly as a fabric softener.I prefer a Eco-friendly detergent without the harsh chemicals and do not recommend bleach. If you have stains use the natural sunlight to help fade them or a natural enzyme product to help get the stains out.

Removing the diaper completely for as long as possible during the day will help the rash heal more quickly. Sometimes this means a mess here or there but for this time of year it works well to go outside and let the fresh air hit their bum. We often do this after bath time and the children enjoy the freedom of not having clothing on. Sometimes diaper rash is caused by an overgrowth of candida (yeast). Suspect yeast if the rash is bright red and shiny, especially if you’re nursing and also have signs of candida overgrowth (pain during nursing, vaginal yeast). Giving your baby acidophilus powder can help. Read package labels for dosage instructions. If you’re nursing, take the powder yourself also. Acidophilus is safe for young babies. Older babies who are on solids can also eat yogurt with live cultures. I highly recommend Stonyfield organic yogurt as an option. Remove sugar and white flour from the baby’s diet to help starve the yeast. You can also make a rinse for your baby’s bottom from one cup of water mixed with one-teaspoon baking soda to help kill candida. A cheap, easy and effective solution.

Don’t use baby wipes when your baby has a rash, as the skin is sensitive and wipes can dry out the skin and make it worse. Instead, rinse your baby after each diaper change with water and soft clothes. We use soft organic wipes with some warm water to help soothe the area and regularly you can do this instead of using wipes. Sometimes a rash gets very soar. If the rash is dry and scaly, open a capsule of Vitamin E and apply it to the rash. Calendula is also healing and is available as a topical ointment and Weleda Calendula diaper ointment and treatment is said to be very effective and good. Kaolin powder, made from a clay, can help if the rash is weepy. Sometimes babies on antibiotics will develop this type of rash.For ready made diaper creams and soothing, I’ve had luck with Erba Organics Diaper Cream, Veda Baby Butt Cream and Natures Baby Organic Diaper Cream.

If you’ve just started baby on solid foods, he may have a temporary rash as his skin adjusts to the ph changes of his urine and stool. If your baby has a rash around his anus (like a bull’s eye) every time he eats a certain food, take it out of his diet for awhile, as he may be sensitive to it. You can try reintroducing it in a few months to see if his digestive system reacts differently. I had a close friend who’s child developed this type of rash every time the child ate anything acidic, oranges or orange juice. If your baby has severe or chronic diaper rash, suspect food allergies.

Talk with your baby’s health care provider about an elimination diet. The typical suspects are dairy, wheat, corn, eggs and soy. Keeping a food diary can provide some clues, but the most effective way to figure out if your child has food sensitivities is to take the common allergens out of his diet. Then introduce them back one at a time, watching for reactions. If your baby develops other symptoms along with his rash, like fever or irritability, or if the rash looks infected and doesn’t respond to care at home, check with a health care provider.

Remember, children have sensitive skin and if they have a rash they may be cranky and irritable. Be sensitive to this and try to help ease their pain naturally and prevent the rash from happening in the future. Always consult your doctor if you have concerns about a product, suggestion, remedy or question.

Written for Busy Mommy by Sommer over at Green & Clean Mom, where she writes about being some shade of green every day. Subscribe to her blog here and don’t miss out her latest finds, contests, giveaways and sexy and sassy green tips!

Ten Ways to Go Green with your Kids

Guest Writer — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:53:53 +0000

My kids used to be horrible at turning off the lights. Actually, we all were. When my son learned how to turn the lights in every room with a switch that was well lit up. It added to our electricity bill but it also wasn’t very earth friendly or green of us to have so many lights on. Teaching my children to conserve energy is something that is very important to me. Helping them to understand that we are wasting electricity and why this is such a big issue, is a hard concept to have them wrap their heads around. Most adults can’t even figure it out. This is why I’ve decided to make it fun. Here are some tips to greening your home and teaching your children about ways to conserve energy and be kinder to Mother Earth:

1. Play games that involve earth friendly concepts. If you’re going on a road trip maybe try to have the children spot windmills and explain what they are. Have them try to find a Hybrid and expain what a Hybrid car is.

2. Read children’s book that are centered around going green. I personally like, William is Going Green because my son loves trucks.

3. Involve your children in the household recycling and have them take an interest in helping. Take them to the local recyling facility to help them understand what happens when we recycle.

4. Encourage your children to choose some clothing from a resale shop. Maybe see who can buy the coolest stuff for the least amount of money. Make it a contest. Resale shops have great finds and it will save you money.

5. Start composting. The children will begin learning about the science of composting and you will reduce waste. For a great slide show to watch with your kids on composting click here.

6. Have your children help you turn off the lights and maybe assign someone to be the official light switch patrol man. The Green Parent offers this tip and several others.

7. Recycle your markers. Don’t just throw them out, use them again to paint with. Dip them in water and paint with them. They make a great watercolor painting.

8. Have a garage sale to benefit a charity. Let the children decide what charity or cause they want to raise money for and have them make the garage sale signs and organize the sale. This teaches them about giving to others, hardwork, marketing and money.

9. Have the children help reduce water consumption and brainstorm ways they can do this. Turn the water off when they brush their teeth, fill the bath with less water, use the bath water to wash the dog or water the plants. Children get excited when they have the opportunity to find new ways to do something.

10. Involve music. My personal favorite is the Funkees. Watch this video and you’ll see what I mean.

By Sommer

Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green with Baby

Kelly — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:51:50 +0000

It is always my goal to buy “green” products for my family but sometimes I am not sure of the performance or durability. Being in the marketing field, I tend to wonder if the product is a good product or if the marketing copy is swaying me because of the call out of being “green”. I have little time to do extra research on my own and need help to find quality products that work for my family.

Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green with Baby by Jennifer Lo Prete and Melissa Moog is just the guide that I was looking for. It was just released on November 10th and is a book on eco-friendly product reviews for baby gear. It was written by moms to help moms like me read about product before I purchase them.

Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green with Baby provides suggestions on the importance of buying eco-friendly products and how to do it reasonably without being outrageous in price. They reviewed over 300 products and the range is broad from bottles to strollers and skincare products to nursery items. They also provide eco tips from real moms who prefer to buy green products. There is a “green” dictionary of over 80 terms and info on what USDA organic means on packaging and deciphering labels.

The Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green with Baby is a great reference tool for anyone who is just starting out buying eco-friendly products or someone who is having a baby and intends to buy green. The guide is perfect for you or as a holiday gift for busy moms like you.