"Green" is the New Blue and Pink: Organic Baby Products are Now Hotter Than Ever
Night feedings, 3 a.m. diaper changes, gargantuan loads of laundry stemming from one small person…being the parent of a tiny, demanding newborn can be stressful enough. Add to it the task of sorting through the vast array of available baby products currently on the market and it can make a new parent feel utterly overwhelmed.
How do you narrow it down and decide just which products would work best for you and your baby?
The Benefits of Organic Baby Products
The sheer number of baby lotions, washes, shampoos, and diaper creams to choose from can be dizzying. The only way to really know which products will work best for your baby is to test them out. It may take some trial and error to get a sense of your favorite products for baby.
A great place to start for personal care products for baby is to seek out organic products. These products are less likely to contain harsh chemicals such as parabens, artificial dyes and colors, synthetic fragrance, propylene glycol, sodium laureate sulfate and pesticides. Many of these chemicals can be skin irritating agents for delicate newborn and infant skin. Another criterion to look for in products for your baby's sensitive skin is hypoallergenic. These specially formulated products are ideal for babies who have had allergic reactions to other products in the past.
Another reason to choose organic baby products is that they are less likely to be tested on animals and/or harmful to the environment than nonorganic products.
Breastfeeding and Nursing Products - Go Organic
There are several reasons to try to stick to organic products when possible, especially when it comes to nursing products that will be touching baby's skin. Newborn skin is sensitive and oftentimes harsh chemicals that are used to treat fibers found in baby blankets, etc. can be very irritating. This is all the more true if your baby has eczema and/or allergies. That is definitely a compelling reason to seek out organic products such as baby blankets and nursing cover ups.
One such product is the Buddy Nursing Cover up made by Buddy Boutique. It is 100 percent organic and allows mom to nurse discreetly in public while keeping baby comfortable. Mom and baby can have eye contact while maintaining privacy. It is soft against baby's cheek and can transition into a burp cloth and toddler-sized bib.
Making Baby Feel Cozy
Babies benefit from close physical contact with their primary caregivers.
"Touch is essential for infant/mother bonding," says Dr. Robert Rodriguez, founder of the Buddy Boutique Web site. "Babies thrive when they are shown love through cuddling and cooing with their caregiver(s)."
Babies respond to touch; many babies form attachments to a "lovie" or security blanket. Buddy Boutique's Organic Buddy Bows Blankee was designed exactly with this is mind. This blanket is unique in that it provides both security and stimulation.
The plush 100 percent organic fabric invites baby to cozy up with it on mom's lap. The organic cotton "bows" that are attached to the blankee's edges provide a soothing, tactile activity for baby.
Navigating the baby product marketplace is no small task. It can seem like an overwhelming initiation into the world of parenting. But armed with some basic guidelines to point you in the direction of healthy, quality products, you will become an expert in no time!
For more information, visit:
http://buddyboutique.com
Bryan Sullivan is the Executive Vice President of Write Away, Inc. - a public relations and marketing firm based in Weaverville, NC. He also often writes for regional& national publications about local history, farming, culture and food. He graduated with a degree in communications from Alfred University in New York State and then went on to attend culinary school in NYC where he graduated in the top percent of his class. He proceeded to work in high-end restaurants in New York City, Martha's Vineyard, MA and Naples, FL. Bryan currently lives in Asheville, NC with Liisa and their Black Lab, Annie. For more information, visit: http://buddyboutique.com