Soap for Baby: New changes for new life

  

Photo: botanicskinessentials.com

     I am a little beyond the age now where most of my friends are having or have had babies.  This post is for new parents, parents-to-be, or for those who are like myself - People who have no children, but often contribute to friends who do.

    For as long as it takes you to read this post, attempt to cast aside all preconceived notions surrounding the conventional when it comes to baby products.  That term, "baby products" irks the hell out of me.  One of the biggest farces in North America is the multi-billion dollar baby industry.  The pressure to purchase the latest, the best, the brand name must be overwhelming for most parents and parents to be.  All everyone ever desires is to do the best for and by their children.  This post is exactly for that purpose, with no strings attached.

Dr. Bronner's Baby Soap (All purpose:  Body and Hair):  United States

    From Johnson & Johnson to Nature Clean "Treehouse", there are so many different brands marketed for babies.  The price, environmental and health impact vary from product to product.  Naturally, one would assume that any product marketed for babies would be "baby safe", where in fact most baby soaps, like adult ones, contain harmful chemicals and dyes.  Long-term exposure to most immuno/hormone disrupting and suspected cancer causing chemicals are unkown; however, as new thought about cancer treatment is leaning heavily toward prevention, science is suggesting that reducing exposure may be the best course of action.  You cannot possibly protect your child from everything; but, you can control what goes on their skin and in their body.  At the top of my list of soaps for baby I would highly recommend Dr. Bronners Magic Soap "baby mild for sensitive skin".  Free from parabens, phthalates, dyes, fragrances, petroleum, SLS, and SELS makes Dr. Bronner's the BEST all purpose soap for your baby, and is also easy on the environment.  The good news, a 32oz or 1L bottle, roughly $15.49 (Lablaw's), will last you a very long time.  This highly concentrated soap makes a little go a long way, which will come in very handy when cleaning baby for the months to come.  The fact that this soap does not have any fragrance or dyes will also mean that it will be extremely gentile on babies sensitive skin, not to mention yours.  Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap is the most accessible in Canada, although not a Canadian product, can be purchased at most health food and grocery stores across the country:  Lablaw, Superstore, Natural Food Pantry, Whole Foods, just to name a few, and comes available in a variety of sizes making it a diverse complement to any baby shower gift. 

 Carina Organics: Canadian

     For those of you who do not mind paying a flat $10 rate for shipping within Canada, Carina Organics from Vancouver makes excellent soaps for adult and baby.  This baby body wash and shampoo is available in "scented" and "unscented", both options are dye, phthalate, artificial fragrance, SLS, SELS, and paraben free and would make a fantastic shower gift.  If you are a parent or friend, who does not mind paying a little more for a soap, then this would be the best option for you.  Like Dr. Bronner's, Carina Organics has "bulk" options with an 8oz, 32oz, and 128oz options.  I would consider this product to be more pricy than the very accessible Dr. Bronner's; but, if you're a strong supporter of the Canadian economy and do not mind paying a little more for a Canadian product, Carina Organics would also make an excellent purchase.  The shipping is fast, within the same week that you order, which makes this product even more convenient.  Also, being easy on the environment, Carina Organics is worth keeping in mind.

 Eco Chic: Canadian

     This is the really fancy stuff designed by Dr. Alexis Reid N.D, MSc, BASc and is also Canadian.  Available on her website along with a lot more Mom-to-be and baby products.  All of the soaps available on this website are SLS, SELS, paraben, phthalate, gluten, soy, and nut free (Dr. Bronner's and Carina Organics are too).  Unfortunately, this "Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash" is not fragrance free, but it does not contain any dyes and the scent is derived from lavender and vanilla extracts.  Being a castile soap, like Dr. Bronner's, it's properties tend to be very gentile as the castile manufacturing leaves much of the natural moisturizers from the soapification process in the product.  Slightly more expensive than Carina Organics (8oz for $9.99), Eco Chic "Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash" is $12.99/bottle.

Nature Clean Laundry Liquid: Canadian

      Something that not a lot of people consider when purchasing shower gifts.  Laundry liquid is a staple for every new parent because they are going to be doing A LOT of it.  From cleaning cloth diapers to sound sleepers and receiving blankets, Nature Clean makes the best "Unscented Laundry Liquid" out on the natural market.  Very easy on the environment and baby's sensitive skin, the non-ionic laundry soap is labeled "baby safe" as are all of Nature Clean's household cleaning products (hey, they are pet safe too).  Nature Clean laundry liquid comes in several forms: Laundry Liquid which is good for all apartment living washers and is available in 1.8L and 3L options, 3x Laundry Liquid is excellent for all HE washers (you can use it in the not so HE too) and is available in 1L and 3L Eco-Refill.  Nature Clean also makes Laundry Tabs and Fabric Softener.  Being dye and fragrance free makes Nature Clean an excellent product especially if baby enjoys sticking fabric in their mouth.  Parents can rest assured that this non-ionic product has the lowest possible toxicity and leaves the least amount of residue after washing, not to mention, is easier on the environment than the other name brands.

    These are only a few of the many options which are available to new parents.  The only difference between these products and some others, is that I have thoroughly researched these companies and their products.  If I were having a baby or gifting for one, these items would be in the box ready for the new parent to try.  With complete confidence all of these products are some of the best on the market and do the least amount of damage to the environment.  Ranging in price, the best for your budget are the products from Nature Clean and Dr. Bronner's: however, if you want to get something a little more fancy as a shower gift, or feel like treating yourself, the other companies I listed are also excellent.  No matter what the income, there are always natural options available to every parent. 

  Until next time, stay green and remember to READ THE LABEL.
    

Rechargable Batteries that work: Rayovac

   

     It has been a few weeks since I have been able to take the time to sit and write another review.  This one is for everyone who uses batteries, which is pretty much all of us.  Whether you put batteries in your remote, camera, wireless keyboard and mouse, or are a Fitness Instructor like me, you probably have been using them for years.  Like soaps and shampoos, I have gone through my fare share of batteries.  Years ago, I started with Duracell and Energizer batteries which were the "extra long lasting" "Lithium" or "Titanium"; however, like all non-NiMH batteries, they died and could not be brought back to life.  In my early 20's, when I started Fitness Instructing at GoodLife, I went through a lot of the 9V batteries which our Microphones used.  I attempted to make a switch to the new rechargeable batteries which Energizer was making, and unfortunately, the dimensions were not standard and I had to stop using them.
     As you can imagine, this produced a lot of waste.  When I was younger, I was not as concerned about the environment and some of them may have made it into the landfill.  To give you an idea of how many batteries a Fitness Instructor goes through on average, two AA batteries will last you about 6 classes.  If you teach three classes a week, you're going though a pack of batteries in a month; however, if you teach more, you can imagine how many batteries Instructors who teach 12 classes a week go through.
     After three years of teaching, AA batteries became more standard in most of our microphones and then I switched to rechargeables.  The first brand I tried was Energizer, and I purchased four AA batteries and the brand name charger which they required.  After two months of usage, I was awoken in the middle of the night by four pops which were so loud I thought someone was throwing rocks at my 12th floor apartment window.  I got out of bed and looked at my batteries in the charger, they had turned colour from a bright shiny silver to a copper tone.  When I raised the charger to my ear, I could hear the batteries sizzling.  That was it, my rechargeables were cooked.  The experience scared me off of using rechargeable batteries for nearly another year, and I purchased a car and became diligent about disposing of my non-rechargeable batteries in the environmentally friendly way.

    Six years ago I purchased a new set of rechargeable batteries by a company called Rayovac.  They are not the name brand batteries I was used to purchasing and I had a fair amount of doubt after what I experienced from the name brand Energizer.  Success!.  I was so pleasantly surprised by the longevity and durability of my first four that I purchased another four. With the batteries I also bought the name brand charger; however, they do not make my charger anymore so I'm not sure how many batteries the new ones can charge at one time. My charger can hold ten AA batteries, or one 9V and eight AA's.  Since my initial purchase I have acquired an additional ten, newer pre-charged batteries and they are still holding a charge strong.  The first eight which I purchased six years ago are not holding a charge longer than three classes, so I use them in my low-energy devices like my keyboard and mouse.  After six years I have only retired two batteries, the rest are still holding their own and holding a charge.  I have saved hundreds of dollars and saved the environment by making a switch to Rayovac rechargeable batteries.  The best news about Rayovac is that they do not just produce AA and 9V rechargeables, but they also have AAA, D, and C as well.  All Rayovac batteries can be charged in any NiMH charger, which makes charging more convenient for you.  If you are interested in saving the environment and willing to make the small sacrifice of making sure your batteries stay charged, then I would highly recommend this brand of battery.

Personal Tip:  Maybe not for every reader 

     Now, here is something the people at the "Adult Fun Superstore" will not tell you.  You can use rechargeable batteries for all of your "personal fun" needs.  For three years I used a 9V rechargeable battery in a slightly expensive "bullet".  The toy eventually died because the chord became frayed, it was not because of the type of battery I was using.  When I returned to the retail establishment and relayed my story, the sales persons were shocked that my toy had lasted so long and with a rechargeable battery.  The reason for not using a rechargeable battery in a toy is the power output may be inconsistent.  Rayovac had done it again, and I still have that 9V rechargeable battery after six years.  Keep that in mind if you do not purchase toys with a rechargeable battery already included.

     No matter if you use rechargeable batteries or stick with tradition, I cannot stress the importance about keeping these items out of the landfill.  Unfortunately, the Rayovac website states that it's rechargeable batteries can be put in with the trash; however, I feel very strongly that all batteries should be disposed of in a responsible way. For those of you in Canada, please consult this website for the nearest recycling depot to you.  If you are in the United states, please use this website for the same information.  In the end, rechargeable batteries mean less trips, far less trips, to the recycling depot and will give you more money for your dollar.  Just take my experience for example, six years with the same batteries without one problem, and I am looking forward to many more.