Before my son Corbin was born, I thought it would be easy to make healthy choices for my family. After he arrived, I realized I would be faced with making choices everyday about his well-being. Nobody had told me that along with the highs, unconditional love and wonder that come with new motherhood, comes an abundance of confusing information and insecurity.
What to do? Keep these 5 Categories in mind when purchasing products for your family.
It makes sense to make choices that can have the greatest impact with the least amount of effort. As Moms, we’d rather spend time enjoying our new little wonders, than reading labels and trying to sort through research findings.
1. Cleaning. One of the biggest scare tactics used in marketing to new parents is in regards to keeping things clean and bacteria free. In reality, most bacteria are good and actually help keep us healthy. What’s not good is how many “cleansers” say ‘Harmful”, “Danger”, or “Keep Out of Reach Of Young Children.” Yet we use these cleansers to scrub our floors, showers, and walls, and then let our kids crawl, lick, and play on them. Instead, you can mix your own solution with vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and lemon juice. Or you can make it easy and purchase ecomom Approved® cleaning products, vetted by doctors, scientists, moms, dads, and kids such as these (http://www.ecomom.com/eco-friendly-home-products/cleaning.html)
2. Skincare. Your skin is your largest organ, so think about what you put in, on, and around your baby’s body and your own. Avoid endocrine disruptors, teratogens, immunotoxicants, and carcinogens with pure, clean, healthy products that feed your internal and external beauty http://www.ecomom.com/natural-bath-and-skincare-products/skin.html
3. Bathtime: There’s nothing better than a relaxing bath at the end of a long day. Bathing can also be used to soothe fussy newborns, overly stimulated toddlers, and exhausted moms. Products made with enriching essential oils and aromatherapy can add to your health and relaxation http://www.ecomom.com/search-results/bath.html
4. Food: Opt for locally grown, organic, and seasonal produce and meats whenever possible to avoid exposure to pesticides, GMO’s. This will also reduce your family’s impact on the world in which we live. Most food travels over 1,200 miles before it gets to your plate, losing nutritional value along the way, while the transportation adds to global warming and air pollution. When you must buy pre-packaged food – and as a mom, you’ll definitely need quick and easy first foods and snacks – look for organic brands.
5. Stuff: It’s easy to accumulate too much stuff. Some simple ways to reduce waste, save money, and avoid exposure to “stuff” made with toxins.
● Choose low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, to avoid off-gassing and reduced indoor air quality.
● When buying furniture, opt for solid wood and avoid pressed particleboard that contains formaldehyde.
● Look for toys made from organic fabrics and natural dyes.
● Conventional cotton farming uses more pesticides than any other crop, so it’s best to opt for organic cotton whenever possible.
● Host quarterly “sip and swaps” with your mom friends – an event where friends get together for wine, conversation and a fun swap of outgrown clothes and toys.
By Ecomom Co-Founder, Kimberly Danek Pinkson
Visit www.ecomom.com for more healthy, eco-friendly choices