Mommy Goes Green

Debate after debate exists about using disposable vs. cloth diapers but I think all parties would agree that the most eco-friendly (and cost effective)  option is to get kids out of diapers as soon as you can.  Fortunately we’re done potty training our first child but we’ll be back there again in a couple years.  I’m surprised there aren’t more eco-friendly potties out yet but I have noticed that one or two plastic potties that are recyclable – a step in the right direction.  Here are the most eco-friendly potty training finds on the web:

Growing Up Green Bamboo Potty Seat – Made with pesticide-free, 100% sustainable bamboo.

becoPotty – Instead of yet anotherpiece of plastic children’s gear, the becoPotty is made with bamboo and rice husks left over from farming.  When you are done potty training, you can bury it in your garden, plant some seeds and let the natural product biodegrade.

Poteez Disposable Potty- Great for parents on the go, this disposable potty is made with 100% compostable, biodegradable cardboard.

Clean and Green Public Potty Protectors- Disposable toilet seat covers made of 100% biodegradable cotton.  Over sized so little hands don’t touch dirty toilets.

Organic Cotton Training Pants and Underwear - Hanna Andersson has both training and classic ”unders” in 100% organic cotton for boys and girls.

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SafeMama‘s Kathy and Statia spend a lot of time combing through the ingredients in sunscreens to find the safest ones for our families.  Check out the guidefor 2010 to make sure you buy one on their list.  I’m disappointed that one of my favorite brands, TruKid, didn’t make the list (except for the stick) – hopefully they’ll take note for future formulations. 

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I recently visited our pediatric dentist with my 3 year old and was surprised to learn a few things I hadn’t heard about before regarding infant oral health.  I hope you find it helpful, too!  

• Cavities are the most common chronic disease of childhood?  5x that of asthma or hay fever.
• The AAP and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry are now encouraging parents to bring in their children when they turn 1 year oldfor homecare recommendations, feeding tips, sucking habits management and trauma prevention.
• You can decrease the risk for early childhood cavities by minimizing saliva sharing activities like sharing cups and utensils between infants and other family members.
• Many formulas contain sugar ( check our our review of organic formula )
• Making formula with water that contains fluoride is NOT recommended – do you know if your water has fluoride?  Call your local water provider.

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My 3 year old daughter loves to be “ladybug girl” so I know she’s going to love being “DIRT GIRL”!   dirtgirlworld is a new green living series designed to introduce preschoolers to the joys of outdoor play and sustainable, green living.  It will air on Sprout starting with a 3 hour marathon ( um, 3 hours of TV for a preschooler? ) on Earth Day, April 22 from noon – 3pm ET.  After that, it will air daily at 4:50pm ET.

dirtgirlworld shares an environmental message, explores the natural world and invites the audience to “go get grubby” with dirtgirl, a gumboot-wearing girl who grows awesome tomatoes, knows clouds’ names and drives a big orange tractor.  Helping dirtgirl is a wildly original cast of characters – her best friend scrapboy, who lives next door and is a whiz with junk; grubby, with her grub’s eye view; ken the weevil, a super stunt star with an inferiority complex; roger the rooster and the chicks; hayman the monosyllabic scarecrow; and the green thumbs – real kids in real gardens having unreal fun.

I’m totally excited to watch this with my daughter and then explore outside - what a green geek.

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In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April, PBS KIDS GO!’s Design Squad is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th. Kids across the country ages 5-19 are challenged by the award-winning series to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series. 

For a video about last year’s winner and his Home Dome invention check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAaMQuEFl8

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