Serving Size: 4.82 MB Servings Per Container: 1 In Your Body On Your Body For Your Home For Your Family Seeking Medical Treatment How to Detoxify Your Body Guide to Symptoms A Healthy House Values, Vision & Mission Background & History Staff & Advisors News & Upcoming Events Join Our Mailing List Contact Us Recommended Resources Index of Terms Works Cited This product contains 100% natural ingredients. Easy Pay Pal Donations TNTP Grade A Brain-food More Special Features For Babies & Children  |  For your Pets Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next A detailed description of all of the things you purchase for the children you have...and for the ones you're expecting. For a list of suggested businesses to purchase more natural products from, visit our Recommended Resources page. Baby Bottles & Liners CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Plastic baby bottles are most often made from either polycarbonate plastic (#7) or polyethylene plastic (#1 or #2). The concern about polyethylene is the plasticizer nonylphenol, and Bishenol A is the main culprit in polycarbonate plastic. Bottle liners are most likely made from low-density polyethylene. Another concern about all plastics is the plasticizing agents that are used to make the plastic softer and more flexible. HEALTH CONCERNS: The EPA classifies nonylphenol and related chemicals as having estrogenic activity, and it demonstrated estrogenic properties in animals and laboratory studies. Hormone-responsive cancers (breast, prostate, etc.) have been found to grow and multiply when exposed to nonylphenol. Bisphenol A (BPA) – the building block of polycarbonate plastic – was originally developed for use as a synthetic estrogen in the 1930’s before polymer scientists discovered that BPA could be used to make plastics. It is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked with recurrent miscarriages, hormone-responsive cancers, and developmental abnormalities. One type of plasticizer, a group of chemicals called phthalates, has been linked to health concerns including asthma and impaired respiratory function, endocrine-disrupting, hormonal, and reproductive effects, and possibly cancer. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: We highly recommend using glass baby bottles without a liner. Particularly since the chemicals listed above can store easily in fat cells…dairy products and baby formula are fatty liquids. Baby Teethers CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Teethers were traditionally made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and softened with plasticizers. Although, many teethers on the market are no longer made from those materials. HEALTH CONCERNS: If your child’s teether is made from PVC, then the main concern is the chemical building block vinyl chloride monomer, which has demonstrated toxic properties and is linked to respiratory problems, reproductive problems, and cancer from occupational exposure from the processing of PVC. One type of plasticizer, a group of chemicals called phthalates, has been linked to health concerns including asthma and impaired respiratory function, endocrine-disrupting, hormonal, and reproductive effects, and possibly cancer. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Make sure your child’s teethers are not made from PVC and are “phthalate-free.” The following companies are some examples of ones that don’t use phthalates in their teethers: Chicco Little Tikes Disney Mattel (Fisher-Price ARCOTOYS, Tyco Preschool) Evenflo Safety 1st The First Years Sassy Gerber Shelcore Toys Hasbro (incl. Playskool) There are also natural products that you can put on your child’s gums to help with the symptoms of teething. Baby Wipes, Creams & Powders CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Conventional baby wipes, creams, and powders may contain tocopheryl acetate, mineral oil, talc, parabens for preservatives, propylene glycol, several different ingredients that are classified as “toxic,” and synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances are much less expensive than natural ones, and so are most commonly used. Most have not been tested for safety, or have undergone only minimal testing. Each individual fragrance may be made from up to 4,000 different chemical components. The chemical formulas of fragrances are considered trade secrets and so may be listed on labels only as “fragrance.” Most synthetic dyes and fragrances are made from petroleum by-products or coal tars (a carcinogenic liquid or semi-liquid from bituminous coal). Coal tars can contain benzene, xylene, naphthalene, phenol and creosol. HEALTH CONCERNS: There are several ingredients in conventional baby wipes and creams that may be linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, and skin irritation. Tocopheryl acetate can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin. Mineral oil can be drying to the skin and offers no nutritive value. Talc may be contaminated with or breaks down into chemicals that are linked with cancer. It is also a respiratory toxicant. Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl) may cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrongenic and can be absorbed through the skin. One study found parabens in tissue samples from human breast tumors. Propylene glycol may be made from vegetable glycerin and grain alcohol, both of which are natural and relatively safe, but the propylene glycol that is often in conventional products is petroleum-based and may cause skin irritation, hives, and eczema. It may also be hazardous to the reproductive system, and can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Synthetic fragrances may cause a wide range of acute and chronic effects such as respiratory irritation, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, other allergic symptoms, sensitization, nervous system depression and skin irritation. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Look for baby wipes and creams that do not contain parabens, propylene glycol, or fragrances. There are natural baby wipes on the market that contain minimal ingredients – not much more than water, natural preservatives (like Vitamin E), and aloe vera. When buying diaper cream, look for products that contain similar ingredients as the lotions we recommend – beeswax, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. For baby powder, look for products that use corn starch, natural clays, crushed flowers, or baking soda. Or you can just simply use straight cornstarch and skip the “powders” all together. Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Next