Green Options

The biggest learning curve for me as a cloth diapering newbie was how to clean up all the mess my little one made. There were lots of trial and error, but I think I finally got the hang of it. I know many parents are put off by the output of their offsprings, but for some reason; the baby daddy and I didn’t seem to mind scraping off poo off of the cloth. We even felt cheerio about it. Of course, there was the occasional face when things got out of hand. We even attempted to cloth diaper without having our own washer and dryer. However, we got to really know the coin laundry attendant REAL well. So without adieu, here’s the simple way to clean cloth diapers.

To cloth diaper full time, I recommend anywhere from 24 to 36 diapers. The 24 if you want to wash every other day; 36 if you don’t have your own washer (could do without the dryer if you utilize the clothes line) or wash every 2 to 3 days. It does take time to build up your stash so in the meantime you might want to consider chlorine free diapers like 7th Generation or even Gdiapers (didn’t work out for me but seems to be favorite among many green moms).

There is NO NEED TO USE WET PAILS. I repeat, NO WET PAILS. It’s a drowning hazard and the modern washing machine has gotten so good, there’s no need to dunk or let the diaper sit in poopy water. Either use a dry pail, nylon bag, or throw them in the washer. When the diaper bag, pail, or washer is full.. here’s a quick and simple way to wash cloth diapers.

I must have cursed myself because after writing my original post, Solving the Milk Crisis During Breastfeeding, I went through a milk crisis of my own. Whereas before I had strong milk ejection to the point my newborn was choking on my milk; it was slowly dwindling down during our trek from the Hills of PA to the Sunshine State. I was sorely lacking in milk while cruising on the Interstate with a screaming baby and frustrated driver-baby daddy. While desperately pumping with my Medela Breast pump and flashing the truck drivers, my Korean Seaweed soup (an excellent source for milk production) wasn’t there to save the day. I wish I found this and taken it with me during the stressful time of moving.

Lactate Support by Gaia Herbs came to me under the advice of Whole Food Sales associate. Although initially I was going to get a big helping of Fenugreek, I was advised that this might work much better. I am glad I spent the extra $15 because it literally saved our breastfeeding problem of not having enough milk.  Not only does it have Fenugreek, a natural milk producer, but it also contains: Fennel Seed, Red Raspberry, Blessed Thistle, and Marshmallow Root.

Other reasons to love Gaia Herbs (According to their Website)

Gaia Herbs- The Leader in Certified Organic Herbal Products
100% Vegetarian
Contains no Animal byproducts—No Gelatin
Tested Free of Heavy Metal Toxicity and other Contaminants
Packaged in Glass to Protect You and The Environment

I know many Eco-purists sniff at Burt’s Bee Bath and Body care line ever since it has been bought out by Clorox (Oh the Irony), but I can’t resist the smell of Burt’s Bees Baby Bee’s Shampoo & Wash and The Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion. It smells absolutely divine and my yoga teacher used to slather it on during Savasana (otherwise known as the Corpse Pose, go figure), so it totally relaxes me at the same time. Relaxed mothers mean relaxed baby. So I have created a bedtime ritual that includes a bath and a baby massage. It helps my little one get to sleep faster. We try to do it every other day now. I also love the fact that the Shampoo & Wash is tearless and it’s wide availability. Target carries them as do most grocery stores. It’s probably the equivalent of Johnson & Johnson gone natural and green.

Other reasons to love Burt’s Baby Bee Bath line

Paraben and Phthlate free
Cleansing Blend of Coconut and Sunflower Oil for Shampoo & Body Wash
Sunflower Oil, Vegetable Glycerine, Beeswax and Buttermilk for Butter Milk Lotion
Soy protein to nourish and moisturize
Cruelty Free meaning not tested on animals
Made with 80% Post Consumer recycled material

I always knew I would be the poster child for Postpartum depression. I struggled with depression since my freshman year in college (although I didn’t know what it was back then; I called it homesickness) and had a major relapse in 2003 after a breakup of a significant live-in relationship. It was then I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder II. Bipolar disorder II is different from Bipolar I because I would have hypomanic stage, I wasn’t flat out blabbering, streaking the town naked crazy; but I would get very creative and felt as if I was on top of the world. A state that I quite liked, but I disliked the depressive state; so hence the medication. After couple months of being on mood stabilizer and anti-depressants, I decided that life through chemistry was not me. I joined a yoga class and that was very anti-meds.

However, after the birth of our daughter, Layla. My mental state quickly became a concern for the entire family. Whereas before, I loved blurring the line of insanity; it was not appropriate for a mother of a newborn. I was quickly developing overly anxious attitude towards my daughter. I felt angry and cheated. I resented my baby. I loved her but hearing her cry one more second would make me want to throw her across the room. Scared by these incredibly powerful emotions; I sought help. Since I wanted to continue breastfeeding, medication was put off the side in lieu of talk therapy. Talking to my therapist helped but there was still that underlying anger and frustration. Then the significant other got a job in West Palm and we drove over 1500 miles to start a new life. The move had me go into a total mental breakdown. I did not trust myself around my daughter. I was ready to have myself committed. The only reason I didn’t commit myself was because I wanted to continue breastfeeding. It was the only thing, I felt, that I could offer to my daughter.

Instead of committing myself, We decided to seek help out of pocket. I found a psychologist and was referred to a psychiatrist. Both recommended that I go on medication… pronto. Although it really went against everything I believed in; for the sake of my daughter, I agreed. I was put on Symbyax which is Prozac combined with anti-psychotic, Olanzapine. This stuff wasn’t for the meek. It was for the flat out crazies, and Sadly, I am one of them. The psychiatrist and the psychologist both strongly suggested that I wean my daughter, but at four months of nursing; I was not ready to do so. I don’t think my daughter was ready to be weaned either. We played around with the idea of supplementing with formula, but I just couldn’t do it.

This led me to do some research on my own and also a mother’s intuition knowing that my daughter will be fine as long as I took it at night, was careful not to nurse her during the peak dosage and work with her pediatrician. This is of course not a lighthearted decision. I do have my moments of doubt especially when I read the label which warns that medication does get into the breastmilk; so therefore, should not be used when breastfeeding. However I came across several research which concludes that
The benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the risk of anti-depressant medication. Infact, a mother who is untreated for postpartum depression can be a greater hazard than a medicated mother on Anti-depressants

 
I came across the Belly Fish Breast Pillow quite accidentally. I clicked on the link above my personal gmail account because I WAS in search of nursing cover. We had mastered the breastfeeding but I was still uncomfortable about nursing in public. The backseat of our car was getting a lot of action but I felt unhealthily attached to our car. It was time to cut loose the invisible cord. Belly Fish Nursing Pillow is not only a nursing cover but also a breast pillow combined into one. It’s perfect for traveling moms and babies who only mastered the sideline position like my little one. As I found out during our 1,500 trek from Scranton, PA to West Palm Beach, FL. My daughter would only latch on if she was laying flat on her back. Hard to do when there wasn’t a flat surface; my lap was no substitute. Luckily, I had the Belly Fish to solve this dire situation. This ingenious breast pillow is on my must get list for any future baby showers. 

Other reasons I recommend the Belly Fish Nursing Pillow

The Prints are quite kitschy and modern. I got the Cherry, Morning Glory Print and totally love it. These are not your usual drabby or babyish looking breast pillows. 
The pillow folds over in half for compact storing. You can put it into your diaper bag, under the stroller, anywhere really
The privacy panels are a must in places like an airport. I know we have the right to breastfeed in public, but I prefer to nurse in private. My own personal thing. But the flaps can also be folded down so the Belly Fish can also act as a nursing pillow only.
I love the bag it came in. Very closely resembles the Ecobag’s Classic String bag. Perfect to use on your grocery grocery excursions. I love putting my veggies in the string bag.
Belly Fish has won the iParenting Media award for excellent product in feeding.

Toys nowadays seem to be so self-explanatory and automatic that the toys need toys to keep company. (Not sure if that made sense) Filled with blinking lights which I am strongly opposed to and a buttons that need power (i.e. costly batteries) to just function; I long for the good old days when a toy can simply be a toy. That means no buttons to push, no lights to blind your children with, and better yet, it can be a craft project that could be the next opportunity to simply be with your child. The crafty Socktopus is here to be the answer for those parents who long for the much simpler days (and toys). 

Friends of Socktopus are taking the concept of sock animals to a new level. Made out of old sweaters like the one your grandmother used to have; The DIY Socktopus kits turns them into a stuffed animal for your children to play with. However, it is recommended for children three and over since it does have buttons. A choking hazard for the wee ones. Friends of Socktopus are Eco-friendly because it recycles old sweaters and best of all, it’s made in the USA which guarantees that it’s Fair Trade. My only caveat is that its filled with polyester; I feel they could have used another fill that’s a bit more natural like hemp or even Eco-friendly bamboo; but I still love the concept regardless.

I also really love the concept of building something together. It can be a memorable for you to sew a Socktopus or one of his friends with your child. When time is a commodity and everything rushes by in a blur; taking the time to craft something together could be something you two can enjoy. I wish Layla was old enough so we can do this together. For the DIY kit, it is recommended for older children of ages 8 and up.

And in celebration of Mother’s Milk Series, Eco Child’s Play is having a second giveaway. Two DIY Socktopus Kits. To read more about the Mother’s Milk Series Giveaway, just click on the link.

I have the unnatural love for my California Baby Diaper Rash Cream; any hint of redness on my baby’s bum; I slather on the cream and viola! It’s gone. It’s also used under the chin because my little one has folds of chin and moisture seems to get trapped under there. The funky smell and the irritation is supposedly common in chunky babies; My pediatrician recommended vaseline and hydrocortisol cream, but I am not a fan of petroleum made products. I read the back of California baby which claimed its anti-fungal ingredients so I tried it. Totally worked. I also loved how it’s food grade so I felt it was safe enough to use around my baby’s face. I wouldn’t recommend putting it on where your little one can wipe it off and put it in ones mouth; but the triple chin on my little one did come in handy.

*** The Evidence of Triple Chin and how easily moisture collects there.

Other reasons to love California Baby Diaper Rash Cream

Made in the USA
Contains Organic and sustainably grown ingredients
Eco-friendly and Biodegradable
Cruelty Free meaning not tested on animals
Contains Calendula and Arnica; both are which used homeopathically

First it was Organic cotton, then bamboo was the next big star in Eco-friendly textile. Well here come the latest craze, the green yet ultra soft fiber, Soybean textile is the new must have. Not that we are starstruck here at Eco Child’s Play, but Halle Barry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Garner are few green celebrity moms who are snatching these babies up. Soybean, being touted the “vegetable cashmere” is a great renewable resource and utilizes the cradle to cradle method. (It’s a byproduct of leftover pulp from tofu and soymilk production). The Babysoy, first company to make baby clothes out of Soybean is modern and uber stylish to boot. According to their website:

Baby Soy clothing is made out of Soy bean fiber, an eco-friendly fiber that uses renewable natural resource (leftover pulp from tofu and soymilk production) as raw material. It has an incredible soft-to-hand feel, second-skin comfort (fiber contains 20 amino acids), luster, loft and drape, combined with durability, and good wear. Its porous structure and grooves on the fiber surface brings excellent wet permeability and warmth retention keeping wearer warm and dry.

Babysoy was an inspiration from a first time mother, Amy, who wanted to create a soft, wearable baby clothes without causing harmful impact on the planet. The inspiration came to a collaboration when lifelong friend, David, visiting the newborn, introduced the soy fiber to the Eco-conscious and designer mom. The duo created the Babysoy line and the company was launched in March 2006.

If you are seeking less than convention crib mobiles for your child, look no further than Flensted Mobiles. Handcrafted in Denmark; It’s whimsical, engaging, and entertaining. The perfect trio that’s an answer to design obsessed parents who do not want their abode to scream Children aboard.

On the island of Funen in Denmark, where Hans Christian Andersen was born, you can find a present-day fairy tale - Flensted Mobiles - a family business that designs and makes mobiles at “Frederiksminde” the old village school at Brenderup.

According to Flensted Website, Mobiles are traditional part of Denmark’s craft. Flensted is a family runned business that was started by Christian Flensted and his wife, Grethe, in 1954. Today, their son, Ole and wife, Aese, continue on the tradition by creating modern and thoughtful mobiles through the ”The Department of Space Research”. Each mobile are meticulously assembled and balanced by craftsmans. This was the first gift I purchased for Layla before she was born. I was very pleased with the beauty and the lovliness of the mobile. And I love the fact that it was very modern in aesthetics. It’s very delicate, literally strung up by thin strings and metal rod.

I am a closet Chick-lit lover. Although I love reading the classics such as Doesteovsky, Maugham, and Hesse (my favorite writer); sometimes I need an easy and light reading that doesn’t need a dictionary as a companion. So it’s no surprise that I would totally take to the From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morrisis. Although pregnancy is a serious subject matter; I didn’t want to read the pregnancy bible, What to Expect When You are Expecting. I really had hard time making it past the first chapter. It seemed a bit too authoritative; I pictured a nagging mother instead of your best friend. But From the Hips is definitely your best girl friend talking you through the trials of pregnancy with wit and a bit of sass. Who doesn’t need a bit of humor when you are carrying around a baby 24/7?