The Eco-Friendly Family

reccomend glass bottles

jennypenny* — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:27:43 GMT

I plan to bf but i want to have some bottles on hand.incase supplimenting is required or mh would like to feed the baby.

please recommend your favorite glass baby bottles.

G Diapers

Embil — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:12:36 GMT

Has anyone tried or used G Diapers?

Spray on sunscreen?

sarasansh — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:07:10 GMT

Hi,

I post on July 2012 but often lurk here. I'm wondering if anyone has found a spray on sunscreen they like? Trying to put sunscreen on DS is like wrestling a cat. Even if it was a spritz bottle, not an aerosol can, I think it would be easier, but I'd rather use something without a bunch of chemicals. TIA!

Luna postpartum system?

Habs2Hart — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:34:21 GMT

Anyone used that instead of the traditional disposable pads?

Working mommies, daycare, cloth diapers

Paddlefisher — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:40:59 GMT

Looking ahead to arrival of little one... so many decisions, like: should I register for cloth diapers, or disposable (7th gen) diapers?

I have heard some day cares (even in big cities) are just not accepting of cloth diapers, or that they will only take a certain kind (with the disposable pad?). Well, I moved to a small town surrounded by rural areas, which likely does not increase my prospects. I plan to use a larger day care center rather than in-home, due to a common theme of providers that left co-workers stranded with little notice.

If you have had luck getting a daycare to use cloth diapers, was it a specific kind? What kind of community do you live in (town size)? As a working mom, how did you keep up with all of the diapers? I've heard you have to change babies more frequently with cloth, because they don't wick moisture.

Seventh Gen. Diapers

Portland1916 — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:18:16 GMT

Thoughts on Seventh Generation diapers? That is what almost everyone I know who doesn't cloth diaper uses. Would love this group's thoughts.

DIY baby food question - spices??

Paddlefisher — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:27:32 GMT

So I'm thinking (way) ahead towards making own baby food. Two questions:

1. Does anyone put spices in with the food? Why or why not?

2. What is your favorite blender/processor?

What to do about roaches?

luvablegrace154 — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:03:36 GMT

So we rent a house and have been here for a few years and recently I've noticed some bugs that looked like roaches. Sure enough they are! Smaller ones and mostly in the kitchen. It's crazy because we try to keep the house really clean but our two little ones make such messes it's hard to get it all.

Anyways. I would hate to call the exterminator because I don't know what kinds of chemicals they would spray around where my kids play, plus I am pregnant. Anyone have any tips on what to do? I need help I'm freaking out over here

Eco-friendly / organic baby registry ideas....

artistgal — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:02:26 GMT

Anyone have any ideas of where to register for eco-friendly / organic baby products.

Unfortunately I think we're going to do a babies r us registry just because I know so many people that simply HAVE to shop in person (and that's all we have nearby)

My thoughts are that if I load that with as much organic and eco friendly stuff as possible they'll get the hint and hopefully we won't get too much "fantastic plastic" (s/c) or chemical laden stuff. (e.g. oh please, please, please no pampers of johnson and johnson gift baskets or something)

Thoughts/suggestions/great product ideas?

Water purifier

HappyMess15 — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:07:08 GMT

Can anyone recommend a really great water filter? I don't think brita or pur makes the cut. Preferably one with a pitcher so I can keep it in the fridge. Thanks!

Postpartum Mama Cloth

JoySeattle — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:48:43 GMT

I posted on the CD board, but thought you all may have more insight into this.

We're planning on CDing from the start, hopefully after a homebirth and I've used reusable menstrual products for years (primarily a Diva cup -- which I know not to use pp) and Glad Rags. I look forward to not using sposies for babe or me (I don't like disposable menstrual pads for the feel, smell, and waste). I do however have some leftover overnight/heavy disposable pads a friend passed along if I need them as back-up for whatever mama cloth stash I get. I plan to wash my CDs (mainly pre-folds with a few fitted and maybe a couple AIO) EOD, and I'd like to be able to wash all cloth together.

I currently have 4 regular Glad Rags and 2-3 pantyliners (which I'm assuming will be too thin to use in the first weeks, but plan to use toward the end of my lochia). So my questions are:

What's a good stash of postpartum mama cloth?

How many overnight/heavy flow and how many regular flow should I aim to have on hand?
Should I stick with Glad Rags or try something else?

Any other tips or resources would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

organic, cheap herbicide (weed killer)

Paddlefisher — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:17:07 GMT

Saw on Pinterest and it works, even on ragweed, within 24 hours.

1/2 gal apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup table salt

1 tbs dawn dish soap

do not dilute. mix and use spray bottle. apply liberally to leaves only of unwanted plants, at least 24 hours ahead of rain forecast.

need snack ideas for two toddlers

paulinaramirez — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:36:29 GMT

Feel like im in a snack time rut .any ideas for sancks ? I have two toddlers, a 15m old and a picky 2.5 year old . Help please : thanks

Breakfast help?

SunAndRain — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:53:58 GMT

Dd is 10 months and is eating soft table foods. She is allergic to oatmeal and wheat. I have been giving her a banana for breakfast. Everyday. For weeks.

What else can I offer her? I send her breakfast to daycare so it needs to be simple to serve or heat quickly. She is also allergic to berries. She feeds herself.

Any suggestions? Tia!

Honest company diapers

Mommy2BEL — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:27:02 GMT

Hello!

Has anyone ever used honest company diapers and wipes? If so, did you like them? Worth the money? And are they true to size? Do they run the same size as pampers or huggies?

TIA

Melaleuca?

Twinkler2011 — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:56:11 GMT

Has anyone here used these products? Care to share how you liked them?

Thanks,

what to put on heat rash

Lbug09 — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:18:29 GMT

FTM here....My LO has a little heat rash behind his knees. What's something natural I can put on it?

Bug repellent

Latham12 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:26:16 GMT

I have a 9 month old and I'm looking for an all natural or really safe bug repellent option. Anyone have any suggestions? TIA

Self tanner?

alegaga4u — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:02:42 GMT

If you have used a product for this purpose, what did you use? I used to be a devotee of the jergens brand, but have stopped using while pregnant. Is there any natural alternative for this purpose that you have found? Other than the sun;)

makeup products?

twocents6708 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:52:40 GMT

I have not been able to go so ecofriendly that I ditch the makeup altogether but want to find some products that are better for my skin. I have been using physicians formula organic mascara which I love and their tinted moisturizer as well. The moisturizer seems to make my face very oily and break out. Any suggestions for other products? Something reasonably priced would be preferred.

Petroleum/Paraben-Free conditioner that WORKS?

SplashingFishy — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:48:47 GMT

I have long, thick hair and I used to use Tresseme shampoo/conditioner. After my shower, my hair was fairly easy to brush without a ton of knots. I'm now wanting to switch to a more "green" shampoo/conditioner, but haven't found one that works as well. I've tried the Everyday Shea (I think it's called - got it at Whole Foods) and the Gud line from Burt's Bees... my hair is a PITA to comb out after a shower, and doesn't feel as nice as when I used the Tresseme.

Any suggestions?

***

SkysMom2811 — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:26:59 GMT

*No spamming*

Burt's Bees Baby Bee products

Meery82 — Wed, 29 May 2013 00:58:50 GMT

How do you all feel about Burt's Bees Baby Bee products? I've only used the diaper ointment so far, and it seems to be great stuff! Pretty expensive though.

homemade all purpose cleaner?

mommaoftrips — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:25:13 GMT

I have developed an allergy to any scented products since having my babies. I have also noticed that the babies are also sensitive and develop rashes. I try to clean their toys and play area on a daily basis and use just a little drop of seventh generation liquid soap. Yesterday my nanny did the cleaning and all the babies broke out in a rash after playing in their play area. I suspect it's the cleaner :
Long story short, I would like to make my own cleaner that is ALL natural can anyone recommend how I should do this? Thanks.

Help! 5 mo miserable from eczema on head.

imanartiste — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:17:40 GMT

My 5 month old son has been suffering from awful eczema on his head almost since birth. It's red and inflamed, mostly on the crown of his head and on his upper cheek/forehead area. The poor guy scratches himself constantly until he bleeds, and I almost have to hold his hands down all the time or they immediately go up to itch. He looks like a tiger attacked him! It's embarrassing for us and so uncomfortable for him. I trim his nails constantly, and he wears socks on his hands, but I want him to be able to use his fingers more.

The problem is, nothing has worked, and it doesn't seem to be any of the common triggers I find online. He's formula fed (he was adopted), so I can't "change my diet" since I don't breastfeed (Heck, we're dairy free, gluten free anyway!) We tried going to soy formula early on, and it made him scream constantly where before he was always happy, so that was a no go. (Back on Similac, back to normal). I don't think it's detergent because I use baby friendly ones, and there's no eczema anywhere the clothes touch. I'm very "green..." I use all natural cleaners around the house like baking soda and vinegar. We do have pets, but his birthmom also had pets and had no allergies, and again, I feel like it'd be in more places than his head or he'd have other symptoms. We bathe him infrequently, and don't use soap up there at all. When we do use soap on the rest of him, it's Baby Mild Castille soap.

The doctor immediately suggested Aquaphor, but I don't like all the chemical ingredients in it, so I tried a barrage of natural remedies first. Olive oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and Burt's Bees Baby Bees ointment. Nothing made a difference, and they all just made him super greasy all the time, to the point where holding him for cuddles kept making my face break out in awful acne! He squirms a lot, so we'd end up covered in greasiness. Lately he seemed so desperate that I broke down and tried Aquaphor and then Cetaphil cream. Aquaphor seems no better, the Cetaphil seems to help slightly, but he's still really itchy.

I'm at the end of my rope! I don't know what to do. I don't want to put him on unnecessary meds like steroids so young. But he's so miserable, and the angry rash and sores on his head look so ouchy. What else can I try?