Moms today are living in a scary world. Everything should be organic, germs are everywhere so you shouldn't bring your baby in public, don't use products with bpa, don't use bath products - basically the world is out to get us and our babies.
Now ok, I am not going to sit here and say that I won't make every possible effort to keep my baby safe. Not being a scientist, I can't make a true educated statement about what chemicals, in which products, are harmful and why. If you research about BPA and toxic chemicals in baby products, you will discover that studies are being conducted regarding the harmful side effects. i've done a little bit myself on chemicals in bath products and BPA, if you are as confused as me as to what the issues are with these products here is a brief summary and I have links for you to read too. Starting with BPA....
BPA is a chemical used to make plastic, in 2008 studies began to surface that it could have negative side effects to your health. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised further concerns regarding exposure of fetuses, infants, and young children. These side effects include increased chance of obesity, neurological issues, thyroid issues, MAY increase cancer risk. The Wikapedia article is extremely informative on this topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A
Now as far as chemicals used in personal care products. What I have found is that these are used in everyday products not only the baby uses, but that we use as well. Items you find in your bathroom such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, soaps, etc. The scare is basically that we don't know the side effects of them because the FDA does not regulate the actual chemicals used. Here is a nice and scary article that will make you want to go to your bathroom and toss everything:
http://antiagingchoices.com/harmful_ingredients/toxic_ingredients.htm
Alright, so really all I have done is google BPA and toxins in personal care products. I am still not a Chemist, Scientist, Doctor or anything close to any of those. Just a mom who can google. And lets face it, the internet is no Harvard University or Duke Medical Center. Not to mention, I was raised eating prepacked baby food, in containers with BPA and using bubble bath with J&J shampoo. I'm still kickin right? But with time we as a society advance scientifically and medically, so should these studies and concerns just be chalked up to part of the "Go Green" fad?
Well... here's what I think. I think probably there is merit to these studies, probably. Do I think becaucse I have already fed my baby out of a baby food container that I have discovered had BPA in it that he is doomed to a cancer diagnosis? No, I don't. BUT... now that I have educated myself to a degree on these things, what harm could come from playing it safe? Instead of grabbing one item off a shelf, I grab another one. Burts Bees instead of J&J... maybe $1 more, but its worth it - even if its only to make me feel better.
There are studies now that show processed foods have been THE CAUSE of childhood obesity and POSSIBLY are the reason we have seen such an increase in children with autism. If I as a mother am doing what I can do educate myself and make healthy choices for my child, then I can go to sleep at night feeling like a good mom. Thats what we all strive for right? To be a good mom and have healthy children.
On top of these scare studies driving me to shop smarter for my child, isn't there a special charm about living off what the earth has provided us? I realize how hippy this sounds, but I'm ok with that. There is no question of where it came from, or what scary chemicals are in it when you are eating an apple you picked yourself. Unless of course you picked that apple from the tree in wizard of oz... in which case ok I see your point.
Buying produce from the farmers market is so rewarding in so many ways. Its a wonderful atmosphere and just the trip there makes for such a special day. A peaceful happy scene filled with smiling country bumpkins and grandmas homemade blueberry jam. Not to mention, my baby really truly enjoys it there. He is competely mezmorised by all the colors and people, and he leaves totally worn out... naptime after the farmers market is priceless really. You get in the car to go home and there is this feeling of satisfaction that you have wonderful fresh produce (and when its fresh there is no debating it tastes better), have supported your local economy & guess what - toxin free!
When I have the time, I do make lots and lots of baby food for my little guy. Sweet Potatos, Pears, Apples, Squash - and its clear he likes that food better than the store bought kind. He has no concept of organic, clearly it tastes better - maybe its because its fresh, maybe because its made with love, but who cares - it makes him happy which makes me happy. (pat pat pat)
So ok, I'm convinced. I'm going to go online and place a bulk berts order today. I'm going to make baby food when I can and when I can't I'm going to buy organic BPA free. What I am not going to do is become one of those fear driven moms that won't let my child near a state fair or shampoo bottle. I won't drive my friends and family insane by insisting they convert to this lifestyle or forbid my child to eat mac and cheese from a box while at their house. The purpose of this change is to make me feel like I am doing what I can to make the best possible life for my child. To give him the best possible chance to be happy and healthy. Once you start drawing a line in the sand - it pushes people away and it instills fear in your child. This isn't a big bad scary world, and if you as the mother think that it is - your child will too. We don't want... or at least I don't want... our children growing up fearing McDonalds or never knowing the joys of lucky charms or bubble gum.
Moms, the world is not out to get us. Its ok to eat a apple straight off the tree without washing your hands first. Its ok if you already bathed your baby in bubble bath without checking the label... relax - be happy - thats the entire point of it all. Please don't add stress to your life by fearing shampoo... but I wouldn't recommend turning a blind eye either. Finding that balance can be tricky... but that is what you have to do - that is what will help you sleep at night.
Some info for you:
Commercially Prepared Baby Food in BPA-free Containers
■Sprout Baby (brand new – just announced by Healthy Child 2/3/09)
■Yummy Spoonfuls
■Happy Baby
■Plum Organics
■Homemade Baby
■Tasty Baby
■Fifi Bear’s
■Maddy’s Organic Meals
■Parent’s Choice (they don’t make baby food in glass jars)
■Gerber (all baby food products except glass baby food jars are BPA-free)
■Beechnut (plastic containers used for juices, Stage 2 fruits, Good Morning, Good Evening and DHA plus+ juices are BPA-free; glass baby food jars do contain BPA)
Baby Food Containers using BPA
■Earth’s Best (they told us that BPA is used in minute amounts in the glass jar lids, but that independent testing showed no BPA contamination in the baby food. Use your own discretion here)
■Beechnut (they told us that their glass baby food jars contain trace amounts of BPA)
■Gerber (glass baby food jars only)
■Nature’s Goodness
websites;
http://www.thenaturalstore.com/search/search.asp?searchtype=1&ipp=20&srchtree=5&search=baby+bee&aid=338565&aparam=burts_bees_baby&scinit1=burts_bees_baby
http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=babycare
http://thesoftlandingbaby.com/2009/02/02/which-prepared-baby-food-containers-are-bpa-free/
http://www.thesoftlanding.com/
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