Massive paranoia about flame retardants in baby gear and hubby is angry! HELP!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

thanks for all the tips! I have to use disposable diapers b/c my kid will be in daycare (can you imagine if I asked them to clean cloth ones?!?! LOL). But I will try the ones you suggested although my MIL bought about 10 boxes of Huggies Pure and Natural, which have an organic cotton cover, but I am sure underneath they are normal diapers with chemicals.

Every daycare I have talked to will handle cloth diapers.

Me too. I have used a nanny and an in-home daycare, and interviewed several providers both times, and all were fine with using cloth. I brought a Bum Genius organic all-in-one and a wet bag with me to the daycare interviews to show, and all were fine with it. The nannies were fine with using my prefolds and covers at home, and the nanny we had for a year even washed them and hung them outside to dry for me although I didn't ask her to do this! Don't be afraid to ask. And in my opinion, if a provider is not willing to respect the choices you make for your baby's health, she is not someone you want caring for your child anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs are alluding to the Lowest Common Denominator.

First poster checking back in.
Just because oceans of plastic are available, it does not mean that they are safe. The silly notion that the seriously underfunded FDA, EPA or other organization would lift a finger to ban long-term cancer-causing chemicals is ridiculous. That is not their job. It should be, but the world's economy right now and for the foreseeable future is based on readily available cheap chemicals to make manufacturing processes easier. That is very hard to budge, and would take a mound of painstakingly researched data as well as a strong worldwide political push to change things. And, of course, every product would become much more expensive.

We are not at the level of Chinese dairy farms adding melamine in the milk and causing infant deaths.
We are not at the level of the stricter European standards (which are still not enough).
So it is up to every parent to educate themselves and decide what their risk tolerance is for long-term health problems in themselves, their children and grandchildren.

I totally agree!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amen to 20:00! For those who think we're too neurotic...it's ok that you don't believe, we're advocating for changes that will help your kids too.

OP asked for specific recommendations for some other stuff I stuff and I actually forgot mention a couple of sites I found very helpful (I posted earlier).

!

Thanks so much for the great tips!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I brought a Bum Genius organic all-in-one and a wet bag with me to the daycare interviews to show, and all were fine with it. The nannies were fine with using my prefolds and covers at home, and the nanny we had for a year even washed them and hung them outside to dry for me although I didn't ask her to do this!

IS this similar to a gDiaper? http://www.gdiapers.com/gdiapers101

[Anonymous]

I have to make sure this will take before I write too much.

[Anonymous]

Oh, good! Okay, I commend you for doing ur best to be an informed consumer. Just as we have to be our own advocates when it comes to our medical care, we must be our children's advocates when it comes to health and safety. Some tips that haven't been mentioned specifically is SIDS. Please check out the Babesafe mattress cover from New Zealand. No deaths have been reported in children who use aproperly-wrapped mattress with a Babsafe cover. 176 children in my town died last yr alone from SIDS so, to me, it's worth the $32 (with free shipping). They make them for all sizes of mattresses, bassinets, pack-n-plays, cradles, etc. Hang in there and be proud of urself for trying to do right by ur child!

[Anonymous]

Seventh Generation diapers are dyed to look more organic. Organic cotton once it's been dyed and processes loses it's superiority over regular, everyday cotton

I can't believe you're so worried about toxins and not the germs of daycare. Daycare, at home care, whatever care has kids sick...all the time. I'm actually shocked you will trust your child in someone elses arms! Aren't you worried about the psychological effects of your child being consoled by another person other than you?!?! That's how crazy you sound with your toxins. And, just because you are preventing them from toxins, if your parenting skills continue this way you're going to have a rebelious teen who ends up sleeping with everyone at college getting who knows what. RELAX!

As far as your comments on Fisher Price- I find you to be snobby and ungrateful. Many are giving you gifts so that you and your husband can save money for other things, like preschool and college. I can't wait for your kid to go to daycare where everything won't be Habba! I felt if the PBK catalog didn't sell it, we didn't need it...before I had my daughter. I now find Fisher Price to make several amazing products.

Rather than worrying about toxins and everything like that, enjoy being pregnant and your child- they are the most amazing thing in life.

And I can't imagine you with the pediatrician! Remember, vaccinations SAVE lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seventh Generation diapers are dyed to look more organic. Organic cotton once it's been dyed and processes loses it's superiority over regular, everyday cotton

I can't believe you're so worried about toxins and not the germs of daycare. Daycare, at home care, whatever care has kids sick...all the time. I'm actually shocked you will trust your child in someone elses arms! Aren't you worried about the psychological effects of your child being consoled by another person other than you?!?! That's how crazy you sound with your toxins. And, just because you are preventing them from toxins, if your parenting skills continue this way you're going to have a rebelious teen who ends up sleeping with everyone at college getting who knows what. RELAX!

As far as your comments on Fisher Price- I find you to be snobby and ungrateful. Many are giving you gifts so that you and your husband can save money for other things, like preschool and college. I can't wait for your kid to go to daycare where everything won't be Habba! I felt if the PBK catalog didn't sell it, we didn't need it...before I had my daughter. I now find Fisher Price to make several amazing products.

Rather than worrying about toxins and everything like that, enjoy being pregnant and your child- they are the most amazing thing in life.

And I can't imagine you with the pediatrician! Remember, vaccinations SAVE lives.

I am not nearly concerned about germs that cause colds/flus, etc as am about long term chemical exposure. I think it's obvious which one is worse --- a cold vs. cancer??? How can you compare the two? Germs are a natural part of a society -- chemicals on baby gear is not.

I believe in vaccines, but the alternative scheduling is nice and I plan to do that.

Fisher Price recently got in trouble for having lead in their baby products. You have to be careful.

[Anonymous]

Neurotic Moms,
Does anyone know of a non-toxic breast pump? One that maybe uses all #5 plastic on the suctions, etc? thanks!

[Anonymous]

To all the neurotic moms who posted on this thread...I'm amazed that you all are even still alive and well enough to be this nuts! Consider the fact that when you were an infant yourself, there were no organic mattresses, clothing, BPA free bottles or non flame retardant baby items for your own moms to obsesses over. Most everything was probably made with chemically treated wood, lead paint, funky clothing dyes, food preservatives etc. It's literally impossible to avoid chemicals and carcinogens in this world. Everything is just too polluted...sad but true. Feed your own obsession if you need to but don't think for one minute that you are protecting your child as much as you think you are. Better to be happy and stress free so your kid grows up with peace in their heart than to be neurotic and fooling yourself into thinking your kids will be any healthier than the kid next door because he/she sleeps on an organic mattress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To all the neurotic moms who posted on this thread...I'm amazed that you all are even still alive and well enough to be this nuts! Consider the fact that when you were an infant yourself, there were no organic mattresses, clothing, BPA free bottles or non flame retardant baby items for your own moms to obsesses over. Most everything was probably made with chemically treated wood, lead paint, funky clothing dyes, food preservatives etc. It's literally impossible to avoid chemicals and carcinogens in this world. Everything is just too polluted...sad but true. Feed your own obsession if you need to but don't think for one minute that you are protecting your child as much as you think you are. Better to be happy and stress free so your kid grows up with peace in their heart than to be neurotic and fooling yourself into thinking your kids will be any healthier than the kid next door because he/she sleeps on an organic mattress.

We are not putting anyone else down on how they raise their kids. None of us think we are better moms b/c we have our baby on an organic mattress. But as PP have pointed out, sometimes you have to be your own advocate or an advocate for your child. Large companies have profit in mind and many of them cut corners or take advantage of slack or non-existant govt regulations. Sometimes there are not enough studies to prove if something is harmful, so some moms think it's better to be safe than sorry. With the increase in autism and other development disorders, it's hard not to question "why"? Many doctors think it's our overexposure to chemicals, which are everywhere from beauty products, baby products, furniture, water, etc. Just giving up and saying "chemicals are everywhere" is not the solution for some moms. Before I had a kid, I took care not to expose myself to pesticides, chemicals, etc. LIke the PP poster said, we are not China, but we are also not Australia, NZ or Europe where chemicals are regulated more stringently. The US is very profit driven as opposed to quality of life driven (as are some European countries).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I brought a Bum Genius organic all-in-one and a wet bag with me to the daycare interviews to show, and all were fine with it. The nannies were fine with using my prefolds and covers at home, and the nanny we had for a year even washed them and hung them outside to dry for me although I didn't ask her to do this!

IS this similar to a gDiaper? http://www.gdiapers.com/gdiapers101

GDiaper is similar, but has two parts- cover and insert. This is what I have and love:

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1825

It's all one piece so fool-proof for people unfamiliar with CD to use. Plus no stuffing or snapping after washing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
GDiaper is similar, but has two parts- cover and insert. This is what I have and love:

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1825

Do the All-In-Ones take forever to dry? that is what I have heard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a theory that everyone has a space in their head for worrying and it will be filled with whatever it is around, starting with basic needs.

So, for some people this space is filled with things like finding a job or paying for groceries. For others it's filled with things like finding a boyfriend or getting along with work colleagues. And for those with nothing to really worry about, it's filled with things like finding organic bed sheeting.

Amen!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To all the neurotic moms who posted on this thread...I'm amazed that you all are even still alive and well enough to be this nuts! Consider the fact that when you were an infant yourself, there were no organic mattresses, clothing, BPA free bottles or non flame retardant baby items for your own moms to obsesses over. Most everything was probably made with chemically treated wood, lead paint, funky clothing dyes, food preservatives etc. It's literally impossible to avoid chemicals and carcinogens in this world. Everything is just too polluted...sad but true. Feed your own obsession if you need to but don't think for one minute that you are protecting your child as much as you think you are. Better to be happy and stress free so your kid grows up with peace in their heart than to be neurotic and fooling yourself into thinking your kids will be any healthier than the kid next door because he/she sleeps on an organic mattress.

We are not putting anyone else down on how they raise their kids. None of us think we are better moms b/c we have our baby on an organic mattress. But as PP have pointed out, sometimes you have to be your own advocate or an advocate for your child. Large companies have profit in mind and many of them cut corners or take advantage of slack or non-existant govt regulations. Sometimes there are not enough studies to prove if something is harmful, so some moms think it's better to be safe than sorry. With the increase in autism and other development disorders, it's hard not to question "why"? Many doctors think it's our overexposure to chemicals, which are everywhere from beauty products, baby products, furniture, water, etc. Just giving up and saying "chemicals are everywhere" is not the solution for some moms. Before I had a kid, I took care not to expose myself to pesticides, chemicals, etc. LIke the PP poster said, we are not China, but we are also not Australia, NZ or Europe where chemicals are regulated more stringently. The US is very profit driven as opposed to quality of life driven (as are some European countries).

You obviously haven't read all the posts on this thread. People ARE putting others down. And by saying that chemicals are everywhere doesn't mean one is giving up but rather just accepting this fact and trying to do the best to live a healthy life despite this sad reality. But driving yourself and your family nuts over flame retardants etc is not the solution to the problem either. Be an advocate, just don't be a neurotic nut either!