Healthier Alternatives & Information

working on this page - much to add

Needing close to 5000 changes before being potty trained for each child, diapers are big business!  Cloth and disposable diapers offer options to moms and the amount of information and kinds available are dizzying.  The best we can do is choose the least of all evils and one that makes our lives easier.  Cloth diaper services are not the best option because they normally use harsh chemicals and are therefore not eco-friendly, and they are costly, and though a tad bit more convenient than regular cloth diapers, they are not all that much more convenient, so we are not considering them an option here.  If cost is not an issue, then look for an eco-friendly diaper service.  For us green moms who are also cost conscious, looking for the best of all worlds we must consider:

1. impact on our environment
2. our baby and what is best to keep him or her dry and comfortable
3. cost
4. convenience and commitment on our part

Environment:  Diapers, disposable and cloth, have negative repercussions on our environment.  True, waste (in every sense of the word) is reduced from landfills with cloth diapers, but cloth diapers use more detergents and water.  One option fills landfills with stuff that is not easily biodegradable, the other uses more hot water and puts more detergents into our environment.  The latter problem can be easily solved by using safe cleaning products and not using chlorine bleach.  Use an environmentally safe yet effective detergent, nonchlorine bleach or peroxide or sunshine, and when needed, a safe stain and odor eliminator.  You may want to do an extra washing and an extra rinse cycle, but no need for hot water or harsh chemicals, drying on high heat will kill all the germs.  Many disposable diapers, even alleged eco-friendly ones, contain a super-absorbent gel and are bleached which adds toxins to our waters and air.

Baby Dry and Comfortable:  Disposable diapers are more easily adjusted and fit more snugly and are therefore more comfortable and have less leaks.  Cloth diapers vary by size and style and the you can find the right one to fit your baby but it may take some time and money.  Cloth diapers are softer for baby and have less chance of irritation because the cotton breathes but there is a risk of the baby being wet and getting diaper rash.  The disposable diapers pull wetness away from baby leaving less chance of diaper rash and the child is usually not as upset by the dirty disposable diaper so it might be more difficult to diaper train because of that.  Either way, it's best to change the child promptly after wetting or soiling to avoid irritation.  In our family, we changed poops immediately and number ones as soon as we could and we never had any diaper rash troubles and didn't have to use chemicals, creams or lotions to keep them dry, comfortable, and diaper-rash free.  Of course that is much more challenging when the child has to take antibiotics and thankfully there are healthier options for baby for the diaper area like Baby Badger over the chemicals in other products. 

Cost:  Most kids wear diapers until they are about 2 1/2 years, some through 3 years, and some get on the potty early at 18 months.  Every child is different and every parent and their interaction with their child is unique.  No matter when potty training begins, it is always a patient process that cannot and should not be forced.  I found that with enough attention, the potty became a viable option earlier, but it does take commitment and patience and watching the child for clues as to when they are ready to begin the process and when they are ready to go.  That's the best solution to the cost of diapers, get them to use the potty earlier if at all possible (between child readiness and interest and parent time, patience, and interest).  However, between cloth and disposable diapers, it appears that cloth might be a little less money ($1100 versus $1500 for disposable) and therefore would be a cost savings.  This savings is multiplied when we can save and use the cloth diapers for our next child.  Plus, when we're done, cloth diapers can be used to clean and buff around the house and polish things, so cloth diapers are a multi-tasker too showing even more cost savings!  Overall, cloth are more cost effective, especially since many are now adjustable so you don't have to buy a bunch of different sizes.

Convenience and Commitment:  Potty training and cloth diapers take commitment.  Disposable diapers are quite convenient.  Cloth diapers aren't as inconvenient as some time ago.  No more pins or leaks.  Today's cloth diapers fasten the soft cloth with a leak-proof cover with velcro making them more convenient.  And cleaning cloth diapers isn't as bad as it used to be either, just shake off the poops into the toilet and put the diaper in a plastic-lined pail until ready for the wash.  Cloth diapers are not inconvenient, especially when you're home and able to care for them immediately.  So maybe a good option might be to use cloth at home and disposables when going out.

The best solution is organic cloth cotton diapers (you'll need a couple dozen or so to get started) and choosing environmentally safe cleaners in which to wash them, and/or choose a nonbleached disposable diaper without the super-absorbent polymers.  The nice thing is that we have options and they are all pretty good now; just depends upon which factors are more important to you in your lifestyle.

Tushies are the only real environmentally safe option.  They are unbleached, contain no SAP (super-absorbent polymers), and absorb so well you won't even notice they are wet at times.  However, they are bulky.

Nature Boy and Girl Diapers are based on a patented Swedish Design.  These diapers are thin because they do contain some SAP.  Because of that, we have stopped offering them.  The outside of the diapers and the bag in which the diapers are contained were made of a breathable GMO-free cornstarch-based film but that has since changed with the change in ownership of the company.  The construction of the diapers uses more natural materials.  Unfortunately, it is bleached for aesthetics; they are indeed cute and a great conversation starter but they are more for show than for the true cause.

Seventh Generation makes a great disposable diaper but they are also a bit bulkier.  They hold A LOT so again, you won't know that the child is wet and should check regularly.  They are not bleached.

• Under the Nile - organically certified cloth diapers from soft Egyptian cotton
• Mother Ease
• Katie's Kisses - sells Bumkins
• EcoBaby Organics
• Alternative Baby
• Luke's Drawers All In-Wonders - one size fits all
• Diaper Fabric allows you to make your own cloth diapers
• Kissaluvs
• All Together Fitteds
• Bummies
• Bumkins
• Kushies
• Happy Heinys come well recommended
• Fuzzi Bunz
• Prefolds can be tucked into other diapers for added protection and can be used as wipes, changing pad, burp cloth, and many other things so are always good to have on hand according to many moms!
• offers accessories to help the breastfeeding mom, cloth diapers to keep the baby covered, clothes and shoes to keep your baby warm and stylish, and all natural products to keep your baby clean.  Being a busy mom herself, Beverly has the experience to guide you to the right option of cloth diapers and offer encouragement for new moms.

Links:

• Organic Cotton Diapers are the Better Alternative - How to get started, the O'Mama Report
• Cloth Diapers 101, Parents.com
• Born To Love
• The Poop on Eco-Friendly Diapers, April 2004
• Chlorine-Bleached Sanitary Products and Diapers The Green Guide, March 2003
• Practical Advise from The Nappy Lady
• Diaper Free Baby - kick the diaper habit!  It does take patience and attention, but it really can be done and there is great support and books out there to help.
• Love At Home - recipes for homemade diaper supplies like wipes
• Earthy Birthy Mama, natural products for baby and family

Infant Potty Training Laurie Boucke

Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene Ingrid Bauer

Infant Potty Basics Laurie Boucke

Potty-Train Your Baby From Birth Angela Douglas Moore

If you want to make your own, use nice soft cloth (even cloth diapers cut up) and keep it in a plastic container or bag with water and a teaspoon of baking soda or maybe use a gentle soap like Dr. Bronner's or BioKleen with water.  In the alternative, apply warm water to a paper towel when you need to wipe or simply wash the tush in the sink with warm water and soap.

According to The Green Guide, choose Silicone Nipples and Glass Baby Bottles (not polycarbonate, #7) if possible.  Good choices include:

Baby Bottles (#5 Plastic)
Rubbermaid Chuggables Bottles
Rubbermaid Sippin' Sport Bottles
Evenflo Colored Baby Bottles
Evenflo Baby Bottles (opaque, pastel)
Gerber Baby Bottles (colors)
Medela Baby Bottles
 

Baby Bottles (Glass)
Lansinoh Glass Baby Bottles
Lamby Glass Baby Bottles
Evenflo Glass Baby Bottles
 

• Honey and Maple Syrup until one year of age because spores can cause botulism
• Strawberries, Citrus, Soy until one year of age in case of allergic reactions
• Milk until one year of age in case of allergic reactions
• Egg Whites in case of allergies
• Nitrates - in processed meats like hot dogs, turkey, bologna because it's not healthy.  You can also find nitrate free hot dogs but hot dogs are difficult for toddlers to chew and are a choking hazard.  Wait until your child can chew to offer hot dogs (maybe even wait until close to a year old) but you can offer nitrate free turkey, etc after 6 or 7 months.  Nitrates can also be found in Spinach, Beets, Green Beans, nonfat dry milk, and Collards so be careful when making fresh baby foods.  Offer these foods when baby is at least 9 months old. 
• Farm-Raised and fish on the "off" lists.

My rule of thumb is to always eat with your child, either in the high chair or on your lap.  When they grab the food or want to taste, they are ready to start.  This is usually no earlier than 6 months and may be as late as 9 or 10 months.  I don't like starting with baby food.  I think real foods are much better and get the baby off to the best start for healthy eating.  Bananas and Avocados are perfect first foods.  Don't start with the super sweet fruits early on.  Your baby already has a taste for sweets from breastmilk so it's time to encourage good eating habits that will last a lifetime.  My little one loves avocados, bananas, bok choy (raw, too, she loves to munch on it!), red peppers (one of her favorites!), nuts (cashews and pecans are softer), watercress soup; she has quite an adventurous appetite and will try anything!  She helps me cook meals and tastes everything as we go!  It's fun to watch their reactions.  She loves the Canned Salmon we offer as well as other fish, meats, chicken, fruits, and vegetables.

Good First Foods (6-9 months old).  All Organic, of course.  Little bodies are particularly sensitive to pesticides and chemicals so organic is the best choice for children.  Many people make a move to organic foods for the family once they have children.  That's normal; go with it.  And remember the list of tops foods to eat organic!  Mash well or puree with your handheld blender or food processor:

• Bananas - ripe, soft, no need to cook
• Avocados - ripe soft, no need to cook
• Sweet Potatoes (cooked, of course) - the more intense a color the better!
• Squash - hard and summer (cooked, of course)
• Peas (cooked, of course)

Next step - 9-12 months or older - babies appetite are much more adventurous and they can digest more.  Their systems are ready (for example, their livers can now handle the natural nitrates found in many foods.  Skip the chemical nitrates added to processed meats (of course babies aren't ready for processed meats or hot dogs but you should avoid the standard ones with nitrates too, especially if you're breastfeeding).  All cooked.  The consistency depends upon your baby.  Many still like mashed foods but as they get little teeth (everyone's come in at a different time) little soft chunks that they can chew are more enjoyable and easier for baby to handle by themselves, organic:

• Spinach - be careful of strings - blend this well
• Root Veggies:  Beets, Turnips, Carrots - mashed at first and then soft steamed tiny chunks are good
• Green Beans
• Bok Choy - believe it or not, once they get teeth, they may want to bite into this raw too!  Great crunch!
• Collards - cooked low and slow, blend well, they are delicious!
• Other Greens but not lettuce (choking hazard) - make this fun for both of you - try new greens together!
• Canned Salmon mashed well w/mayo or plain yogurt
• Yogurt - Seven Stars has one that is not too sweet and is flavored with maple syrup

First year - baby is ready for a more varied diet like your own!  Some babies will ask for eggs, chicken and meat, others really don't want it.  We have one that won't touch it and one that will climb the table to get a piece of meat or chicken.  Eggs are a good source of protein and fats for little bodies, 1-2 a day (even more on occasion) is good for them!  This is a right time to introduce the sweeter fruits.  They can hold them and, if ripe enough, eat them by themselves.  Yes, it will be messy, but it will be fun and is a good experience.

• ripe sweet soft Pears - easy to eat and hold - your baby may want to try them around 9 months too
• harder fruit like Apples, should be cooked and mashed like applesauce - it's easy to make your own - just stew some apples in a little water, covered, and simmer until they fall apart.  You can add a cinnamon stick while it's cooking  (take it out before you blend it) and I like to add a little vanilla when it's done cooking.
• Other fruit - don't forget seedless watermelon
• Skip the grapes and small round fruit and veggies that are hard and can be a choking hazard.  Hot dogs are also a choking hazard.  If you are going to offer hot dogs, peel them first, cut them into tiny pieces so that in case they swallow them whole they won't choke, and make sure they are natural and nitrate-free.
• whole milk - baby needs the fat for brain development and make sure it's organic and free of hormones
• Salmon - baby needs the EFA for brain development

And beyond:

• hand held fruits and veggies as they grow
• Remember to include greens and set a good example of eating fruit and vegetables.  Studies show that children who see their parents drinking milk, drink more milk themselves.  The study watched and saw that this group had stronger bones and less calcium deficiency.  Eating fruit over processed foods as a snack, and eating vegetables and salads will teach your child good eating habits.  This will keep them healthier and allow them to have a healthier eating style for life!

Childhood Nutrition Affects Cancer Risk
Great Source for Baby Food Recipes and so much more!

Super Baby Food is a book chock full of ideas and goes through everything.  But keep it simple so you do it, that's the most important thing.  Make healthy eating a good choice that your child gets a head start learning from you; that's what we did and the rewards are plentiful!

How to get Veggies into the Kids

Sleep - Children need to sleep in complete darkness a total each day with naps:

• Infants (up to just about a year old) need 14 hours a day of sleep.
• Toddlers (12 months - 3 years) need 12 - 14 hours each day/night.
• Preschoolers (3 - 5 years, even 6 year old Kindergarteners) need 11 - 13 hours.
• School-aged kids (1st grade - 5th grade) need 10 - 11 hours of sleep.

Eye development has it's greatest growth up through the age of two years.  Even though near-sightedness doesn't show up until years later, lights on at night during the first two years of life has been connected with near-sightedness.  A small light, like a night light, may or may not have an effect; it depends upon where it is in the room, where it casts it's light on the child, and the amount of light coming from the night light.  To be on the safe side, we have no night lights on after they fall asleep!  Plus total darkness has been connected with a reduced risk of cancer so get all the bonus points you can for your child!

Snoring is not normal for children, unless they are sick, have allergies, or have obstructive sleep apnea (which can lead to death!).  A child who snores at night may not be getting the oxygen he or she needs for healthy heart and lung development.  Snoring can also have an effect on behavior and cognitive abilities.  Consult a physician.

Sleep deprived kids are more prone to accidents and learning difficulties.  Make a routine.  Watch the clock.  Get the kids in bed and make sure everyone in the family is getting a good night's sleep every night.

• Poll Finds Even Babies Don't Get Enough Rest, New York Times, March 2004
• National Sleep Foundation, Children
• Sleep in Early Life May Play Crucial Role in Brain Development, Mercola
• Night-light may lead to Near-Sightedness, CNN
• Early Childhood Snoring has Irreversible Effect, ABC News
• Sleep
• Co-Sleeping - Making it Work and Making it Safe, BUY WAHM

Miami Kids