Community Blog

Earth Friendly Baby is back!

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:08:39 +0000

Earth Friendly Baby products have long been among our favourites, for their gentle formulations with yummy natural fragrances, all at a really affordable price. They've been going through a bit of a revamp and have been hard to get hold of the last few months, but today we're delighted to be able to say that they're now back in stock and looking lovelier than ever.

Earth Friendly Shampoo & body wash comes in Soothing Chamomile, Calming Lavender and Happy Mandarin

Earth Friendly Baby bubble bath comes in Soothing Chamomile, Calming Lavender and Happy Mandarin

Earth Friendly Baby body lotion comes in Soothing Chamomile and Calming Lavender

Earth Friendly Baby Wipes are now known as Earth Friendly Baby Gentle Aloe Vera Wet Wipes. They are 100% biodegradable and come in a great value 72 pack.

They don’t contain parabens, SLS, synthetic colour or fragrance or petroleum based oils. None of the products are tested on animals, and all products are suitable for vegans. Try them out today and see the difference >>>

No BPA ban for baby bottles

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:20:47 +0000

I've just read something that makes me really angry, (maybe being a new mum has made me a little more sensitive to issues affecting babies), but I was appalled to discover in this morning’s email from The Ecologist, that the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) have decided NOT to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in babies' bottles.

Despite there being numerous pieces of research which show that there are potentially adverse effects on the nervous system, immune system and links to breast cancer and other reports linking BPA to heart disease and reproductive disorders, the EFSA have stated that there is still insufficient evidence to justify a ban.

Well I personally wouldn't be willing to just wait and see whether any future studies can give conclusive proof of a link before protecting my daughter from this ingredient. My position would always be that if there's a potential risk with BPA and bottles that don't use it work perfectly well then why would you continue to use ones that contain it?

Happily most bottles I've seen don't use BPA and make a clear statement on the label that they're BPA free so it's easy enough to avoid buying the wrong type of bottle if you're aware of the issue. If the EFSA are not going to ban it then we have to protect ourselves, so tell your friends!

Learning the from the Birthing Ways of Old and New

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:47:46 +0000

Recently I heard two very different birthing stories about two very different cultures which I thought may be of interest to all those new Mum’s to be that are interested in bringing their newborns into the World as naturally and safely as possible. The first was from a 35 year old Mexican woman, 2 months pregnant with her second child. Over guava, banana, papaya and pear salad with homemade strawberry yoghurt, Isabella told us of the ´maternity ward reality´ of Mexican hospitals. Apparently the general consensus amongst doctors here is that it is better for the baby to be born at the 8th month mark instead of allowing them to grow to full term. The second shocking fact (which holds true in the good hospitals as well as the poor) is that doctors actually encourage women to have caesareans, often after confirming both mother and unborn child have perfect health throughout the pregnancy only to make up a health problem or complication right before the birth time. This is so common that it is considered normal practice. Isabella also told us of how she was laughed at by a doctor when she demanded to breastfeed her first child whilst still in the hospital. They wanted her to use the milk formulation the hospital supplied. It is as if the health professionals of this health system have been trained to take the natural out of the most natural process that occurs in life. This kind of story is not restricted to one small Central American country. Women in the UK have spoken of similar experiences where control of their labour has been stripped from them at a time when they are somewhat powerless amongst the popular opinions of the professionals. Gas or epidurals being given without consent or conversely withheld when demanded, are quite common. It is when I hear these stories that I think of how important it is for women to share their positive stories of natural births in order to pass on their knowledge and the knowledge they’ve learnt from their elders. Two stories come to mind. One is about a friend of mine, Sarah who recently had a homebirth. She convinced herself that she would have a painless, easy and quick labour… and guess what? She did. It took one and half hours to push wee Amelie out. Could it be the power of positive thinking or a natural fluke? The aboriginal culture of Australia may agree with Sarah that preparing for yourself birth– mind, body and physical space – goes a long way to making labour a beautiful rather than painful experience. To prepare or and give birth to their children the aborigine women who still follow their old cultural customs go off on their own into the bush to give birth. They dig a pit then line it with Boab flowers, crouching in the hole to allow the baby to come out as easy and painlessly as the body will allow. The reason they us the Boab flower is because it supposedly contains energetic qualities that help the new child cut any genetic characteristics that are not useful or relinquish past life issues that are not serving to their spirit in this life. If you have any positive, natural labour stories you’d like to pass on to other women please send them to us and we’ll help to share them.

Children Under 7 More Vulnerable to Pesticides

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Researchers at the University of California have found that children up to the age of 7 are more susceptible to the toxic effect of some pesticides. The reason being they lack a particular enzyme called paraoxonase which helps to protect most of us from some of these toxins by neutralizing and then eliminating them from the body. This enzyme increases as we grow but it does take those young formative years to be effective in helping the body fight off toxins. Organophosphate pesticides are the prime suspects; extremely toxic and banned from home use they are still used widely in agriculture. These pesticides affect the nervous system of insects but could also have a similar effect on children. Studies have shown that mothers exposed to the pesticide during pregnancy have children with significantly lower IQs. It's not just kids that are more susceptible. A person's genes can determine how affected they are as genes are responsible for deciding how effective the enzyme is at breaking down the toxins. Variations of the paraoxanase gene will affect the quantity and quality of the paraoxanase enzyme and thus a person's natural ability to fight the pesticides. Our best defence is to avoid pesticides where we can. Go organic and grow your own, make your own. It's the best way to avoid these body disruptors.

Skin Help for a Natural Pregnancy from the Outside In

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:00:04 +0000

We know up to 60% of what is applied to the skin can be absorbed. But during pregnancy a woman's skin is more sensitive to outside influences ie body lotions, perfume, synthetic pollutants like the chemicals found in household cleaning products etc. This is partly due to hormonal changes and partly due to the stretching and thinning of the skin as the baby grows. So what can you do for your (or your partners, sisters, friends) skin to ensure the pregnancy is as natural as possibly can be?

Firstly, you can start by scrumaging through your laundry and cleaning cupboards for items that are packed with toxic chemicals. Ecover, Alma Win and Bentley Organic are a couple of companies that make more natural options for mummy to be.

If there was ever a time for a woman to pamper herself with organic beauty products it is when she is expecting. A good massage (try using Mother's Massage Oil by Neal's Yard), a relaxing bath (the Prenatal Bath Soak by Natalia will soothe), and a good anti-stretch cream (like Bump Butter by Essential Care) are vital for help mum to be comfortable and as natural as can be during her pregnancy. If you're buying for someone else Natalia's Pregnancy Relaxation Box with an organic cotton flannel, Prenatal Bath Soak, Morning Sickness Ease and Prenatal Body & Bath Oil is a beautiful gift. What else touches the skin? Bedding or clothing almost all day everyday (except whiles bathing of course!). It's now very easy to find bedding made from organic cotton and thankfully (on behalf of all the eco chic yummy mummies out there) more designers than ever are using natural fibres for their fashion savvy creations. Liv Waffle Robe is a popular choice for mum's hospital bag.

The Natural Birth Choice

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:00:43 +0000

As options become more available for those women wishing to have a natural childbirth more women are choosing nature's way. And why not? For millennia women have been capable of giving birth without the use of machines, epidurals or other interventions. It is possible to give birth without suffering, risk or fear with the right support. Ina May Gaskin is a well-known midwife who set up a commune in the 60's for women who wanted to birth their babies the natural way. Her two books Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth gives expecting mums a powerful resource based on scientific evidence on the benefits of a natural labour. Ina also developed the Gaskin Maneuver uses simple body movements to facilitate a difficult birth. Grantly Dick-Read, a British obstetrician who wrote the classic Childbirth Without Fear is another advocate of the natural birth. He argued that labour pain came from society conditioning women to expect it and believed that women who are given methods and techniques to release tension and let go of their fear can experience a normal, all-natural birth. The Natural Pregnancy Project is a great educational and support resource for mum's to be who want to know more about going down the natural birth route. If you're looking for a gift for a woman who's about to pop (the natural way) the Labour and Birth Box by Natalia is a gorgeous organic present to show you with her. It contains an organic cotton flannel, Labour Massage Oil, Labour Bath Ease and Labour Instant Energiser. The energiser is a pulse pointer containing essential oils peppermint, rosemary and frankincense to rub onto wrists and inhalation to uplift during a long labour.

US Babies Drinking Rocket Fuel For Breakfast?

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:00:44 +0000

Perchlorate, an ingredients used to make rocket fuel, has been found in 15 brands of powdered baby formula in the US according to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The rocket fuel ingredient can interfere with brain development, particularly in the younger years but can also cause health problems later in life. Apparently the contaminated formulas are at safe levels (is there really such a thing?) but it is when the formula is mixed with tap water that contains even small amounts of perchlorate the combination can raise the toxic level into unsafe territory. Perchlorate has been found in 28 states and territories in the US said the EWG (Environmental Working Group) who are running a campaign to reduce the level of toxins in drinking water. The EWG is a non-profit, impartial research organization that promotes healthy and sustainable policies. It has called for parents and caregivers everywhere to help with their campaign by asking them to demand the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to remove perchlorate from tap water and check directly with formula companies on contamination in their product. Although we haven't heard of similar problems here in the UK if you are at all concerned about the quality of your drinking water try out a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter from Freshly Squeezed Water. It's much cheaper and better for the environment than bottled water and you'll have a constant supply on tap.

Dry Scalp Baby

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:00:08 +0000

It's not uncommon for babies and small children to suffer from a dry and itchy scalp. With younger children who are starting out in the washing-their-own-hair-department they may not be rinsing out shampoos thoroughly enough, their body could be reacting from stress at school or they could be suffering from eczema or dandruff. To keep your child's scalp healthy it's best to use all natural hair products, particularly organic shampoo made with certified organic ingredients. These have less chemicals and synthetic elements in them than conventional products (even the mild varieties) that can irritate the more sensitive skin of children. The main irritating ingredient in mainstream shampoo is SLS for babies. A couple of good natural and organic products for children with a dry scalp are Earth Friendly Kids Zingy Citrus shampoo and body wash, shampoo and conditioners from Green People's children's range and Lavera's Basis shampoo's and conditioners for sensitive scalps. Calendula oil is also very calming and can be massaged into the scalp for a soothing reprieve from any itchy frustrations. The soothing salve or repair lotion, both by Essential Care, are also good. Remember to patch test all products on your baby or child's skin before use in case they have unknown allergies to any of the ingredients, even the natural ones.

Giggles, Gifts and Greens

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:31:28 +0000

Kids love to wiggle... they love to giggle... they love to create and they love to get their hands dirty. What better way to get them involved and learning about the world around them than to encourage them in the garden.As we head into winter it's a great time to spark their interest, starting them out in the small league - indoors - growing seedlings in pots or sprouting bean seeds in jam jars. Growing bulbs like gladiolus and lilies are terrific in the cooler months' as they need to be kept in a dark, cool place before planting. Beans and Herbs has a huge selection of organic seeds. You can also buy ready-made gardens kits tailored to kids with simple directions and seedlings included. Rocket Gardens do a children's garden version. Helping kids to create Christmas plant gifts can be lots of fun too. Decorating old jam jars and making handmade labels with recycled cards from last year are great to light up those sprouting seedlings. Mini cacti and venus flytraps are plants younger kids are always fascinated by, making the joy of giving and receiving even greater. So for all those children's friends' birthdays coming up why not give the gift of nature and help spread a few green giggles amongst the small folk.

Nursery Food Exposed

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:18:40 +0000

There's been a lot of coverage in the media of late about a new report produced by cereal brand Organix and the Soil Association, exposing the state of food in nursery school across the UK. The report found that foods typically served at nurseries were unhealthy and highly processed. Of the parents surveyed, 21% described the food at their nursery as poor or mediocre. According to the report some schools spend as little as 25p a day on food per child. Two other staggering facts revealed were that certain foods like crisps and sweets that are banned in primary and secondary schools are permitted in nurseries. Also, colours and additives that are not allowed in foods for young children are currently allowed to be used in the food served in nurseries. The report has sparked the creation of a petition asking the Government to place higher nutritional standards on all nurseries. If you'd like to sign this petition and/or find out more information on the campaign visit www.nurseryfood.org