Organic Baby Reference Guide: $24.95

“The Last Word On Raising Baby, Organically.” This book teaches parents how to raise their children in an eco-friendly & stylish environment.

                                               Washable Merino Wool Breast Pads: $14.95

These reusable pads are more comfortable & more environmentally friendly than disposable pads.

                                                              Cariboo Activity Gym: $159.95

This activity gym is made from New Zealand Radiata pine & has a lead free finish.

                                                 Ocean & Tea Onepiece Bundle: $54.95

This baby clothing set is made from soy bean fiber which has “superior warmth retention and moisture transmission.”

                                                                 Roller From Plan Toys: $7.99

This toy is made from eco-friendly rubber wood & contains child-friendly paints & finishes.

                                                          Fleurville Re-Run Messenger: $75.00

The fabric that was used to make this messenger bag is made from use plastic bottles.

                                     Kee-Ka Sweetpea Organic Swaddle Blankie: $25.44

This cozy blankie is made from 100% organic cotton.

                                                Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Skin Creme: $11.99

Burt’s Bees Products are made of natual ingredients.  This cream is 98.71% natural.  Good enough for me!

                                          Contemporary Dollhouse From Plan Toys: $99.99

This dollhouse is made from chemical free & natual rubber wood & finished with child-friendly & non-toxic paint.

                                 Tadpoles Fitted Flannel Sheets Organic Natural Cotton: $29.99

Made with 100% organic cotton & SO SOFT!

Click here for more organic & eco-friendly baby products.

Immediately take the recalled toy sundae sets away from children and return the toys to any Target store for a full refund.

Click here to read the full press release.

Battat recalls additional Magnetic Construction Sets Ingested magnets pose “aspiration & intestinal hazards.”

Immediately take the recalled Magnabild Magnetic Building System away from children and contact Battat to receive a pre-paid mailer to return the toy and to receive a free replacement product.

Click here to read the full press release.

Immediately remove the drawstrings to eliminate the hazard or return the sweatshirts to Nordstrom or to Urgent Gear for a full refund.

Click here to read the full press release.

Ellaroo recalls Infant Sling Carriers due to “fall hazard.”

Immediately stop using the sling carriers and contact Ellaroo for instructions on returning the carriers for a repair or replacement Ring Sling.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to read more about this national movement that is sweeping Canada from TheGlobeandMail.com.

According to an older USA Today article:  In the US, Arkansas and Louisiana already have laws such as this.  While, Texas, Vermont & other states ban only foster parents from smoking around children which is very odd to me.  Why just foster parents?  I hope by the end of the year every state in America makes a law that all guardians cannot smoke around their children.  The only thing is that unfortunately is that this law cannot be fully regulated as authorities will not know what parents are doing in the privacy of their homes. 

Return to store of purchase for full refund. “Consumers who return the jacket before April 30, 2008, will also receive a $5 appreciation card.” 

Read full press release here.

Tot Tower Blocks Recalled by eeBoo Corp.; Children’s Toy Can Pose Choking Hazard

                         E

Return to place of purchase for a full refund or contact eeBoo for a replacement toy.

Read full press release here.

A very important CPSC press release was sent out this morning regarding the dangers of placing infants on air mattresses, water beds, or beds that are not designed for infant safety.  Make sure visiting relatives are aware of this & bring their own infant safe crib. 

Read the safety tips given by the CPSC & the full press release here.

It’s not enough having to worry about the many recalled toys this holiday season.  You need to watch your children around your old holiday decorations as well.  If you have had your environmentally friendly holiday tree for many years you may want to make sure it does not contain lead.  Also, check your tree lights & extension cords.

Read the MSNBC.com article here. 

This past week was one of the coldest weeks in southern california in a long time.  It seemed like winter would never come!  The American Academy of Pediatrics posted some tips on how to keep your children safe in the winter.  Here are some important tips you may not have known:

-(Sometimes the cold weather can make sinuses dry)  If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child’s room at night. Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.

-The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.

-Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept  out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.

Click here for the full list of tips.

There were 25 deaths reported among Tamiflu users under age 21 previous to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s safety review which was released last Friday. Most of these deaths occured in Japan. This review started after reports of children experiencing “hallucinations, convulsions and other neurological problems while on Tamiflu.“  Pretty scary stuff.

The flu drug Relenza has caused similar symptoms in children, but thankfully, there have been no reports of death.  

Read more on the review of these medical drugs here. 

Generally I am not thee alarmist type, but good grief these recalls are getting out of hand! Spanish authorities have ordered two Chinese-made toy kits to be recalled, following the lead of the United States and Australia, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. Which now makes the list of nations that have recalled toy products from China to include:

• United States
• England
• Australia
• Spain
• Canada

Yet reports state given all the shock and alarm that China Christmas Toy orders are up despite quality fears. Which begs the question, What has to happen before big business stops thinking of the bottom line and starts worrying about our kids and children? What has happened to quality, in lieu of quantity!? Sorry, I am a tad heated after reading the newest scare, which involves GHB (the date rape drug). GHB can cause unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death!

Please read the following excerpts from major news leaders:

The minister’s comments came just as Toys “R” Us in Canada removed the popular Chinese-made toy Aqua Dots from store shelves as a precautionary measure. Officials in Australia, where a similar product is sold under the name Bindeez, pulled the item because the toy’s beads contain a chemical that, when swallowed, metabolizes into GHB, the so-called “date rape” drug.
Bindeez and Aqua Dots are made by the same company.
Three Australian children have been sent to hospital in the past 10 days after swallowing the beads. GHB can cause unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death. -LONDON FREE PRESS

Mattel announced recalls Tuesday for 9 million more Chinese-made toys, including popular Barbie, Polly Pocket and “Cars” movie items, and warned that more could be ordered off store shelves because of lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed.
The recalls came nearly two weeks after Mattel Inc., the nation’s largest toy-maker, recalled 1.5 million Fisher-Price infant toys worldwide, which were also made in China, because of possible lead-paint hazards for children….
“Another week, another recall of Chinese-made toys,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who suggested detaining and inspecting all Chinese toy imports for lead paint. “We can’t wait any longer for China to crack down on its lax safety standards. This needs to stop now before more children and more families are put at risk.” - MSNBC News

A POPULAR children’s toy found to contain a chemical that the human body turns into the party drug “fantasy”, or “GHB”, has been banned in three states and is being recalled by its Melbourne creator.
Three children, two in NSW and one in Queensland, have been admitted to hospital in the past 10 days after ingesting the toy’s beads.
Bindeez consists of colourful craft beads that are joined together to create designs. They are sprayed with water to fix them.
The company yesterday ordered a nationwide recall of the Chinese-made product, saying a chemical had been substituted without the company’s knowledge. The toy contains beads that have been found to contain a chemical that the body metabolises into gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB), also known as “grievous bodily harm”. It should instead contain a non-toxic glue. - Theage.com

I don’t mean to alarm any of you lovely parents out there, but please stay informed about the newest recall updates!

I sincerely hope all is well with you and yours!