The Shower Diva: Where Fun Reigns!

Providing Your Babies With a Safe, Non-Toxic Environment

It's the merry, merry month of May! Mother earth is beginning to bloom in most parts of the world, the days are longer and warmer, and birds are nesting, preparing for the birth of their little ones. Perhaps you too are looking forward to welcoming a new baby, or have a toddler or two already scampering around your own 'nest'. You may also be concerned about providing your babies with a safe, non-toxic environment in which to play and sleep, and clothing that is comfortable and made from natural fibers. If so, you are not alone, and luckily for you, there are a host of companies offering natural and non-toxic products for you and your wee ones.

Let's start with something that has sparked a lot of controversy - diapers. The ubiquitous disposable diaper has created a serious problem for landfills, and can provide a moist, bacteria-laden environment just perfect for creating diaper rash and other problems. However, they are enormously convenient (especially when you are out with baby, or traveling), and eliminate the need to wash loads of stinky, dirty diapers. When my son was born, my mother gave me a diaper service as a gift. It was really very convenient, the diapers were of good quality, and I had no complaints. You may want to look into using such a service, as it is far less expensive, over time, than disposables. Some concerned moms have gone so far as to avoid the issue altogether by going diaper-free! If you aren't ready to try something quite so radical, but would still like to find an eco-conscious and baby-safe solution, there are many new fibers being used in lieu of those unpleasant plastic diaper-covers many of our moms had to use. Some are made from cotton, some from a wool-blend and some from fibers treated with natural products that make them water-resistant yet breathable found at tinytush.com. Many of these companies also provide organic creams and lotions, blankets, sheets, clothing and all sorts of natural products for baby.

Perhaps you're expecting and want to decorate the new nursery, but would like to avoid toxic off-gassing from paint, carpets, etc. Low, or no-VOC paints are now readily available, and some manufacturers have paid special attention to paints and finishes for baby's room and furniture. Hardwood floors can be treated with water-based finishes, which have very little off-gassing, or you can find green flooring products that have no VOC content. Beautiful, natural-fiber rugs can provide a durable yet soft surface for tender toes and knees. If you are a creative, crafty mom, you may want to decorate your little one's room with your own murals or other art. Terra Bella Finishes has a line of decorative paints and other products that are water-based and contain absolutely no VOCs. If you aren't the artsy type, they have art you can purchase using the same safe finishes.

What about playtime? Recent toy recalls and lead-paint scares have made us all pretty skittish when it comes to toys, stuffed animals, etc. The concern is very real, so what's a prudent mom to do? First, there is a government website that alerts you to any and all recalls of product. In addition, there are companies that can provide your little loves with wonderful non-toxic toys, cuddly stuffed animals, and wooden cars and trucks (and teething rings!) that won't endanger your baby or toddler.

Finally, there is a terrific website, ecomall.com, that has an amazing number of resources for all things healthy-baby, with links for baby products and toys, natural remedies, child-care advice, resources for natural childbirth and breast feeding, and much more. With all these resources, you won't have to spend a single minute fretting about where to find safe, eco-friendly and fun products for your beautiful bundle of joy!

So relax mommy, you can provide a beautiful, comfortable, happy and healthy environment for your little darlings as well as yourself, and still have plenty of time to stop and smell the roses, lilacs, and hyacinths!

If you have any questions, please write in and ask! I'll do my best to give you the help you need, or direct you to a good source for more information.

Nancy Miller, RN, BA Psych, CHyT

Nancy Miller got her RN degree in 1975 and went on to earn a BA in Humanistic Psychology from Goucher College in 2002. She's also a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. Nancy is the mother of one child, her 24 year old son Eric, of whom she is extremely proud.