Is breast really best? Study finds babies fed on formula milk cry less and are easier to get to sleep
It is often said that breast is best. But bottle-fed babies are the best behaved.
A study of British infants found those who were breast-fed cried more, smiled and laughed less and were harder to soothe and get off to sleep than their formula-fed counterparts.
The Cambridge researchers however, say that the irritability linked to breastfeeding is only natural, and not a sign of stress or even necessarily hunger.
Instead, it is the baby’s way of bonding and seeking attention and security.
While bottle fed babies may seem more content, they may simply have eaten too much.
Like adults who comfort eat, they may have been calmed by eating, or drinking, more than they should.
A crying baby may simply be seeking the comfort and closeness of its mother, researchers say
In one of the first studies of its kind, the temperament of more than 300 babies was assessed when they were three months old.
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This was done by asking their mothers to answer almost 200 questions about their children from how they responded to being washed and dressed to how easy they were to get down to sleep.
The results varied little between boys and girls, socio-economic status of the parents or the mother’s age.
However, there was a clear link with the method of feeding, the journal PLoS ONE reports.
Researcher Ken Ong, of the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge, said that the cries of a breast-fed baby don’t necessarily mean it is hungry.
Instead, the child may simply be seeking the comfort and closeness of its mother.
Dr Ong, a paediatrician, said: ‘If anything, what might account for the difference is that bottle-fed babies possibly get more nutrients than is typical.
‘Research suggests that these infants may be over-nourished and gain weight too quickly.
‘Our findings are essentially similar to other stages of life; people often find that eating is comforting.
‘Rather than being put off breast-feeding, parents should have more realistic expectations of normal infant behaviour and should receive better understanding and support to cope with difficult infant behaviours if needed.
‘These approaches could potentially promote successful breastfeeding, because currently many mothers attempt to breastfeed but give up after the first few weeks.’
Breastfeeding has been shown to help protect babies against obesity, eczema and ear, chest and tummy bugs.
Avoiding formula can cut the odds of child being a fussy eater in later life, as well as cut the woman’s odds of some cancers and help with weight loss.
Despite this, Britain has one of the lowest breast-feeding rates in Europe.
Around three-quarters of new mothers start breastfeeding but by four months, this number has dropped to just a one-third.
Professor Nick Wareham, director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit, said that while the results don’t prove breastfeeding to be the cause of the babies’ irritability, learning more about the subject could help boost breastfeeding rates.
But other said that in some cases only a bottle will satisfy a baby’s hunger.
Clare Byam-Cook, a former midwife who has taught celebrities such as Kate Winslet and Natasha Kaplinsky how to feed their babies, said: ‘Breast is definitely best – as long as mother and baby are thriving on it.
‘But if your baby is crying and unsettled and when you give it a bottle it becomes calm and settled, then a bottle is best.
‘If you offer the baby a bottle and he doesn’t settle, then something else is the problem and the mother needs to find out what it is.’
Offer Your Baby The MOst Excellent Formula
Before parents can select the best baby formula, parents have a mind-set that ‘breast feeding’ is the most desirable method of supplying complete nutrients to the newborns. However, for plenty of people, whether mother or infant or both – that is not just the only choice. But nothing to worry as baby formulas has emerged to a class-apart art, all thanks to hi-fi science. Given below are some of the best baby formulae available other than breast feeding that help in the growth and development of baby’s body, bones, brain and immune system:
Soy-based formula is an invigorating choice. They are valuable specifically for those infants who lack the enzyme to appropriately split up the lactose (natural sugar present in the milk of cow).
The other best baby formula is an exclusive one known as protein hydrolysate. This formula is an ideal option for those infants who exhibit some kind of milk- allergic reactions. The proteins in this special formula are already conked into products that will result from the natural digestion. It serves as a lifesaver for unfortunate infants that are born with genes of milk sensitivity.
If parents are well versed with the advantages of omega 3 vital fatty acids, then those parents will come across a broad assortment of baby foods which are supplemented extensively with DHA infant formula. Now-a-days it is very easy to get DHA infant formulae in products as the baby food corporation is instant to respond to the customers demand. The foods with DHA help in the cognitive development, memory retention, communication ability, problem solving, psychomotor development and enhanced visual acuity of the babies.
Organic toddler food renders healthy food and complete set of nutrients for infants. The advantages of organic toddler are in the superior value of healthful food for babies. In case the mother is a busy mom like most moms in the present days, feeding the toddler the best foods is sky high on the parent’s priority list. The parents can feed their kuchie-poohs with organic food like organic veggies and fruits. These organic fruits and vegetables deliver more content of antioxidants and nutrients than the foods treated with harmful pesticides. Organic toddler food contains zero additives, preservatives and coloring.
Best Infant Formula With Comparison
Infant Formulas come in 3 basic forms; ready-to-use, concentrate, and powdered form. Out of the 3, the powdered form is a safer choice because it contains far less BPA (bisphenol A).
Ready-To-Use
If you want no mixing or measuring, the Ready-to-Use infant formula would be your best choice. The preparation is quick and easy, especially if you are traveling, all you have to do is open it and viola your baby is eating. It’s convenient if you have no access to safe water, if your baby is premie or low weight this might also make a great choice for you, because it’s sterile. It is more expensive so you’ll need to consider the cost and compare it with the concentrate and powder form. Once the Ready-to-Use Formula is open, you have 48 hours to use it up. This type of formula is also darker in color, many mothers do complain that it’s likely to stain clothes more.
Ready-to Use Infant Formula Specifications and Features
• Quick.
• No safe water, great alternative.
• Good for premies and low weight babies.
• Sterile.
• More expensive.
• Must use up within 48 hours.
• May stain more.
Preparation of Ready-To-Use Infant Formula
• Always wash your hands. This seems pretty logical.
• Make sure you follow the directions.
• Wipe the lid with a wet cloth to remove dust and dirt before you open it.
• Refrigerate.
• You have 48 hours to use the rest.
• Warm the milk; one way you can do this is to place it in a pan of hot water or buy a bottle warmer.
• After feeding, throw out the left over from the bottle. Bacteria may grow in left over formula.
Liquid Concentrate Formula
You need to mix equal parts of water and formula when using liquid concentrate formula. The concentrate is less expensive than Ready-To-Use and takes up less storage space. When compared to the powdered formula, it’s easier to prepare but more expensive.
Liquid Concentrate Formula Specifications and Features
Mix 1:1 ratio
Less expensive than Ready-to Use Formula.
Takes up less storage space.
More expensive than powdered formula.
Preparing Liquid Concentrate
Wash your hands.
Make sure you follow the directions.
Wipe the lid with a wet cloth to remove dust and dirt before you open it.
Refrigerate.
You have 48 hours to use the rest.
Warm the milk; one way you can place it in a pan of hot water or buy a bottle warmer.
After feeding, throw out the left over from the bottle. Bacteria may growin left over formula.
Powdered Infant Formula
Powdered Infant Formula is the most economical choice. It also takes up less space in your cupboards, it takes a bit more time to prepare the formula than the previous two, it has a one month shelf life after the container is open. This actually means less waste.
Powdered Infant Formula Specifications and Features
• Economical Choice.
• Takes up less space.
• Takes a little bit more time to prepare.
• Has a one month shelf life once opened.
• Less waste.
Preparing Powered Infant Formula
• Wash your hands
• Make sure you follow the directions.
• Wipe the lid with a wet cloth to remove dust and dirt before you open it.
• Refrigerate
• You have 48 hours to use the rest
• Warm the milk; one way you can place it in a pan of hot water or buy a bottle warmer
• After feeding, throw out the left over from the bottle. Bacteria may grow.
Adding Water to the Infant Formula
Always use cold tap water and allow it to run for 30 seconds to one minute before making the baby formula. It’s important to allow any contaminants to run through, you should never cook or mix infant formula using hot water from the tap, according to U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency. The pipes might have lead or lead solder, the hot water can concentrate the lead. Boiling the water doesn’t get rid of the lead, but using a water filter will remove lead from the drinking water.
Boiling Water for Infant Formula
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Only boil the water once – if you boil it more it will change the concentration of the minerals in the water.
• Allow to cool before pouring into the baby bottle.
• Heat formula.
• Use a pan of hot water, not boiling water.
• Use a bottle warmer.
• Never heat formula in microwave (there will be hot spots).
Adding Formula to the Bottle
• Follow directions of how much powder formula to add.
• Add powder formula after you’ve added the water (otherwise the formula will stick to the bottom).
Check the warmth of the formula
• Shake bottle after heating it.
• Let a few drops fall on your wrist (formula should feel warm-ready to serve).
What to do with the rest of the formula?
• Throw it away.
• Bacteria from baby’s mouth is mixed with the formula.
• Not Safe.
No Title
Stores keen to get child formula promotions: recognized
Many main retailers which promote imported infant formula are prepared to go along with the actual government?¡¥s urging to reduce rates, even though they would rather do it within an offer, an financial aspects recognized said last night.
Lee Mei (¨¤??V), deputy movie director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs?¡¥ Section associated with Trade, fulfilled last night with ten infant method merchants and also importers trying to encourage these phones cut prices to mirror last month?¡¥s lowering of the import obligation about the product coming from 5 % to 2.five percent.
The job reduction are usually in result for any six-month period closing about Might twenty four next season.
?¡ãMost with the participants said the job with regard to baby method is the reason less than ten percent from the price and also the reduce will last limited to six months, so they really might desired to cut rates by means of promotions, for example ??buy 6 beers and get 1 free,?¡¥?¡À Lee stated.
As for the size of the particular reductions, Shelter said ?¡ãevery importer as well as retailer may have their particular considerations.?¡À
Nevertheless, special offers could be challenging because of federal government guidelines on baby formula revenue.
Shelter mentioned the Section of Well being has banned marketing activities regarding baby formula for children younger than three to be able to inspire nursing, though baby formula offered for kids over the age of 3 couldn’t survive susceptible to these kinds of limitations.
In accordance with Lee, the federal government has made initiatives to cut back child formula rates following rates soared through about fifty percent throughout the last 2 yrs, due to the fact regarding outdoor hikes to raw substance and also transport expenses.
Chinese language Nationalist Get together (KMT) Legislator Lee Ching-hua (¨¤?¡®c¨¨A) mentioned inside the legislature a few weeks ago that the can easily of baby formulation costs practically NT$1,500 as well as creates fat a monetary burden on lovers.
He explained by investing in the particular nation?¡¥s start price one of many cheapest in the world, the high cost associated with baby method has been among the aspects disheartening young couples through having youngsters.
The actual Secretary of state for Finance afterwards chose to cut in half import obligations on baby formulation as well as on 2 other sorts of prepared baby whole milk powdered, that have been lowered in order to six %, straight down from 12 percent.
Beware! USDA Organic Baby Foods Contain GMO DHA and ARA
I am one of those consumers that assumes USDA certification means more than just growing foods without pesticides and herbicides. I assume that it includes ethical treatment of animals and zero genetically-modified organism (GMO) ingredients. I know these assumptions are just that, and the latest news from the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) confirms it.
There are frankenfoods in organic baby food!
The OCA explains:
In 2009, a front page Washington Post article,“Integrity of Federal ‘Organic’ Label Questioned.”explained how Martek Biosciences’ synthetic DHA and ARA ended up in organic infant formula. In 2006, National Organic Program staff told Martek that its synthetic DHA and ARA couldn’t be used in organic because they were synthetic and not on the National List. But, Martek’s lawyer, J. Friedman, was able to get their decision reversed by NOP director Barbara Robinson, with just a call and an email. He told the Washington Post, “I called Robinson up, I wrote an e-mail. It was a simple matter.”…
The National Organic Program attempted to remedy this situation by requiring Martek to formally ask permission to use its DHA and AHA in organic. The petition came before National Organic Standards board, and surprisingly, the NOSB voted to continue to allow Life’sDHA and Life’sARA in organic.
The NOP and NOSB ignored evidence that Martek’s products should never have even been considered for use in organic in the first place. According to patents uncovered by the Cornucopia Institute, all of Martek’s DHA and ARA products are produced through genetic engineering, processed with volatile synthetic solvents and microencapsulated, three things that are expressly banned from USDA Organic.
You can protect your baby by making your own baby food or looking for food that does not contain DHA and ARA. DHA and ARA are important omega fatty acids found in breast milk, so long term breastfeeding insures your child gets them. The Cornucopia Institute explains how the chemical version cannot replace mother’s milk:
What is troublesome, however, is that some infant for- mulas contain DHA- and ARA-containing oils that are novel foods—extracted from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus and processed utilizing a toxic chemical, hexane. These algal and fungal oils provide DHA and ARA in forms that are structurally different from those naturally found in human milk…
These oils are produced by Martek Biosciences Corpora- tion and appear to be added to infant formula primarily as a marketing tool designed to convince parents that formula is now “as close as ever to breast milk.” Substantiating this the- sis is a Martek investment promotion from 1996, which reads as follows: “Even if [the DHA/ARA blend] has no benefit, we think it would be widely incorporated into formulas, as a market- ing tool and to allow companies to promote their formula as ‘closest to human milk [emphasis added].”1
Organic Baby Formula Vs Breast Milk – Pros And Cons
There is no doubt that raising a baby can be a difficult process. One of the items that will often come up is what a parent should feed them. Since there is a constant need for nutrition and feeding, the feeding process can become a difficult one. However, when handled properly, you can raise a healthy and happy baby.
Most experts will tell you that breastfeeding will be the best choice that you have. This ensures that your child gets all the nutrients that they need for proper growth. However, there are a number of reasons why some women cannot do this and it is because of that an alternative needs to come into play. For many women, that choice is an organic baby formula.
One of the benefits of the organic baby formulas you will find is the fact that they are not processed and the ingredients are not pasteurized, a process that can remove nutritional value. In turn, you have a choice of soy-based products or milk based products, depending on whether or not your baby has food allergies that can make feeding difficult.
As you look over these options, you will need to take into account that general dairy options are better for your baby that the soy based ones. However, if your child has a food allergy, then you will want to look at the soy-based options. The reason is that soy does not have calcium in it and dairy will be closer to the milk that your child would receive from breastfeeding. Of course, a food allergy can only be detected by giving your child milk and seeing if there is a reaction to it.
Keep in mind that while organic is a better option it can be a very costly one as well. Of course, general formulas have their own pros and cons as well.
While you are certainly going to find that general formula is quick to make and can be cheaper than organic formulas, you are going to find that nutritionally, it doesn’t compare to breast milk or organic options. The reason is that the processing tends to remove many of the nutrients and you will find that often these items have been manufactured so much that the makeup of them is far from what you would want your child to actually consume.
There are going to be many different options that you are going to have when it comes to baby formulas and some of them might be better choices for your infant than another. If you cannot breast feed, then you will certainly want to consider using organic baby formulas to ensure that your child gets a nutritional option that is as close to your own breast milk as possible.
There will be several brands that you can choose from and each of them will give you varying levels of nutritional levels that your child will benefit from and you will feel comfortable feeding them.
Raising strong, active and healthy children in today’s fast-paced and fast food environment gets harder and harder with each passing day. To get tips and ideas about child fitness, child health and child nutrition and learn how to keep your children healthy, active and happy check out Concerning Kids. At Concerning Kids, you will discover fun things to do that will help your kids live longer, live stronger and lead a more active, fun and healthy lifestyle.
Select The Right Infant Formula
You might find yourself in a stage where you will consider giving the baby bottle milk. This may be your first choice for some reasons or you may need to change from breastfeeding to bottle after a while. Whatever the case, chances are that you have many questions on bottle feeding.
There are many kinds of formula available in the market. You can find ready made formulas, others that are concentrated and powdered formulas. Ready to use formulas are the easiest and most expensive. They can cost up to 30% more than others and this is calculated over each meal. However, there are many advantages. The product is sterile and there is no need for you to get sterile water to fix it or boil the bottles to be given. Everything is ready. It is also fast as all you have to do is open and serve. The baby is hungry and after a few seconds you are ready to feed her. Ready to use formulas can take up a lot of your space, but are easy to carry. The fact that the product is sterile makes it ideal for premature babies.
Another choice is concentrate formula. This product is ready but requires mixing with water so that you can feed your baby. This means that you will have to have access to clean water all the time and everywhere you go. If you visit someone on the field or travel a lot, make sure you have everything you need. If your house uses a well, make sure the water is clean enough for babies. The other thing to pay attention to is the dosages. Make sure you have read and understood the instructions on the package so that you learn to prepare the meal correctly.
Your third choice is a powdered milk product. This is milk that is stored as powder and needs to be prepared. The main disadvantage is that it might take you some time to prepare the milk at first before you get the hang of it. Other than that, these products have many advantages and are preferred by the majority of mothers. The product has a long shelf life and doesn’t require that you use it all in a certain time. This gives you freedom and doesn’t make you waste it. You can also carry the product easily and you don’t have to carry anything else. The main thing to consider here is that powder milk allows you to make as much as you need. So if you breast feed and need a supplement you can use less powder and make as much as you like. This again gives you freedom and saves you money and is friendly to nature as well.
Other things you can consider are the milk the product uses, cow milk, soy milk for allergic infants and more. There are also formulas that contain extra nutrients and iron combined with calories ideal for pre mature babies. So chose the product that covers your needs.
RI eliminates free infant formula giveaways at hospitals in move to boost breastfeeding
(Michael Dwyer/Associated Press) – Rhode Island First Lady Stephanie Chafee, center, embraces Vice President of Patient Care Services of South County Hospital Barbara Seagrave following a news conference to discuss the state’s efforts to encourage mothers to breastfeed infants, including eliminating the distribution of free infant formula to mothers when they are discharged from the hospital, at the State House in Providence, R.I., Monday, Nov. 28, 2011.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — New mothers in Rhode Island will no longer leave the hospital with a free goody bag of infant formula.
To encourage breastfeeding, the state’s seven birthing hospitals stopped formula giveaways this fall, apparently making it the first state to end the widespread practice.
State health officials hailed the decision Monday, noting that breastfeeding has been proved healthier than formula for both infants and mothers. Stephanie Chafee, a nurse and the wife of Gov. Lincoln Chafee, called the decision a critical step toward increasing breastfeeding rates.
“As the first ‘bag-free’ state in the nation, Rhode Island will have healthier children, healthier mothers, and a healthier population as a whole,” Chafee said. “This is a tremendous accomplishment.”
Formula will still be available to new mothers who experience difficulties with breastfeeding.
The new policy isn’t intended to force women into nursing their children, according to Denise Laprade, a labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant at Woonsocket’s Landmark Medical Center, which eliminated free formula distribution last month. She said the focus is instead on parental education and helping mothers decide what’s best for their child.
“We never make any woman feel guilty about her decision,” Laprade said. She said she has received few complaints from parents about the new policy, though she said the older nurses needed a little time to adjust.
Thirty-eight percent of Rhode Island mothers nurse their babies six months after birth, compared with 44 percent nationally, according to a report issued this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State Health Director Michael Fine said the state hopes to raise the percentage of Rhode Island mothers nursing at six months to 60 percent by 2020.
Public health officials in Massachusetts endorsed a ban on free formula samples in 2005, but the regulation was rescinded by then-Gov. Mitt Romney before it took effect. Getting the new policy in place in small Rhode Island was easier, since it’s not a law or regulation and required the agreement of only seven hospitals.
Nationally, about 540 of the nation’s 3,300 birthing hospitals have stopped the formula giveaways, according to Marsha Walker, a registered nurse in Massachusetts and co-chairwoman of “Ban the Bags,” a campaign to eliminate formula giveaways at maternity hospitals.
Walker said the bags given to new mothers — typically containing a few days’ worth of formula — amount to a sophisticated marketing campaign by formula manufacturers.
“Hospitals should market health and nothing else,” she said. “When hospitals give these out, it looks like an endorsement of a commercial product.”
The International Formula Council, a trade group representing formula manufacturers, opposes the end of free formula samples. In a statement, the council notes that sample bags also include “key educational materials” on how to use and store formula.
“Mothers should be trusted to make good choices for their babies,” the council said in its statement. “More than 80 percent of U.S. infants will be given formula at some point during their first year of life … these educational materials are needed by the vast majority of mothers to ensure infant formula is prepared correctly and the baby’s health is not jeopardized.”
New mom Crystal Gyra said that while the new policy is well-intended, women should have the option of taking home formula samples. The Providence woman said she gladly accepted the free formula she received after giving birth to her daughter Gianna, now 2 months old. Gyra gives her daughter formula.
“It helped me,” she said of the samples. “They should leave it up to the women to decide whether they want to take the samples or not. We’re smart enough to figure it out.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Utah Couple Sues Over Beetle-tainted Baby Formula
Attorneys for Adam and Amanda Oettli, of Sandy, filed the lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories Inc. this week in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court.
Court papers say the couple’s infant son, Conner, suffered digestive problems, stomach cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, constant crying and other symptoms after being fed the formula. The papers say Conner was fed the formula, which was purchased at Costco, for about eight months.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified financial damages.
Similac products were recalled in September 2010 after Abbott said the formula from a specific production facility might contain beetles. In a letter sent to consumers who purchased the baby formula at Costco, a company official says “there is a remote possibility that consumption of product could cause diarrhea and/or nausea. The letter, which is included as an exhibit in court papers, also says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had determined the recalled products pose no serious health concerns.
In an email to The Associated Press on Friday, Abbott spokesman Scott Stoffel said he could not comment specifically on the Utah lawsuit because he had not seen it.
Stoffel said the company’s own quality system had detected the problem and immediately “stopped production and shipment of product, conducted an investigation, tested recently produced product to determine if it could be affected, conducted a medical assessment, and worked around the clock to recall the product.”
A 2010 AP story about the recall said the voluntary action affected up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries.
Stoffel said the Utah lawsuit was not the first filed against the company related to this recall, although he could not say how many or where. Some of the lawsuits have been dismissed, Stoffel said.
A message left for the Oettlis on Friday was not immediately returned.
The formula purchased by the couple bore the same lot number as the products recalled by Abbott, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also contends that a complaint about Similac contamination problems was registered with the FDA in May 2010, more than 130 days before a recall was issued.
Court papers say Conner Oettli continues to suffer gastrointestinal problems, constipation and other medical problems as a result of ingesting the contaminated formula.
Organic Baby Products: What’s Worth the Money?
When a baby is born, mom and dad are suddenly thrown into a world full of diapers, rashes, sleepless nights, seemingly never-ending fits of crying and anxiety. Parents want nothing but the best for their babies and are bombarded with products touting the benefits of green and organic products.
But organic products often come at an added cost, and for families on a tight budget, they may have to prioritize what organic items are worth the price tag.
“Honestly, with organic products, it’s really about, how much am I willing to pay for a theoretical benefit of using an organic product? For me personally, I feel that if the organic product is 5 to 10% more, it’s probably worth it, and if it’s more like 20 to 30% more, I’m less likely to shell out the extra cash,” says Kristin Mallon, a mom of two young children in Rahway, N.J.
Mallon makes an exception when it comes to food, and pays the higher prices for certain organic food products.
“We know now about the problems with the use of antibiotics and hormones in our meat and dairy and the effects that can have on children, and we know about the harm DEET and other pesticides can cause etc… So for organic produce, I’am usually willing to pay whatever the extra cost is to get organic. “
Erika Jones, publisher of the Organic Baby Resources website and author of the e-book, The Organic Baby Food Guide, started her online community in 2008 for parents seeking natural and safe baby products. As a new stay-at-home mom, Jones was searching for that information herself.
“I look from the inside out in terms of priority, meaning, what is going to be in closest contact with my child?”
Experts breakdown the following items that might be worth splurging on and getting organic:
Food
For parents using formula, they can avoid pesticides and hormones found in most non-organic dairy products.
Jones says that finding organic formula a frequently-asked question on her site. A six-pack of 32-ounce bottles of Similac organic infant formula is about $4 more than the non-organic counterpart.
When a child starts eating solids, The Environmental Working Group and other organizations recommend always going organic when it comes to the so-called “Dirty Dozen:” apples, bell peppers, celery, lettuce, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach and strawberries.
“There’s just too much already well-known research about the dangers of food and the chemicals and preservatives and dyes,” says Ayo Hart, founder of Dolphin Organics skin care line and mom of twin girls.
While there are many organic baby food lines available on store shelves, you can save money by making your own. If you can’t afford all organic produce, you can buy environmentally-friendly produce washes that will get rid of the chemical residues.
Skin Care
Many companies are also selling organic products that go on your kids, including lotion, shampoo, soap and toothpaste.
Hart’s company, for examples, offers 100% organic and natural baby shampoos, bath soap, and other items. According to Hard, organic baby shampoo tends to be about $4 more than its non-organic counterparts, but she says babies’ and children’s skin is more porous than adults.
“Whatever you put on your baby’s skin is being absorbed into the bloodstream – actually, 60% of whatever you put on is being absorbed.”
To save even more money, try home brews, like using olive oil to moisturize baby’s skin instead of pricey lotion, Jones recommends. Rubbing baby’s scalp with oil and a toothbrush also helps remove cradle cap.
Clothing & Bedding
When it comes to clothes, it may not be necessary to fork over a lot of cash for organic materials; 100% cotton may do just fine, the experts say.
“I often feel like it’s a status symbol, like having a Coach bag,” Mallon says of organic clothing. She continues to say 100%-cotton apparel is a good standard.
Jones recommends steering clear of clothing made up largely of polyester, or very dark colors because that means heavy use of dyes. Avoid fabrics that have been treated with formaldehyde-based resins that could cause allergic skin reactions, and be sure to wash clothes a few times before putting them on baby for the first time.
As for mattresses, while organic ones are considered safer because they tend to consist of fewer harmful chemicals, they are pricey. A more cost-effective solution is to instead use organic mattress pads or sheets, duvet covers and other topical bedding. Be sure those products are flame retardant, and air the non-organic mattress out well before being used
Diapers
While cloth diapers are better for the environment, the required dumping and washing of the diapers is a turnoff for some and a cloth diaper cleaning service can be pricey. While organic diapers are widely available, some moms feel they just aren’t worth the money after one too many leaks or blowouts.
“Your baby’s in diapers all day long … they’re sweating in the diapers and what not. So I think that another important decision you have to prioritize” is what to put on baby’s bottom, Jones said.
Companies like Seventh Generation offer diapers free of chlorine processing, fragrance, latex and petroleum-based solutions. Big-named brands like Huggies are also offering a similar line.
Any new parent is aware the cost of diapers quickly adds up, and organic diapers are even pricier. To help keep costs down, experts recommend opting for diapers that are at least chlorine free.
