baby stuff

I have posted before I gave birth some of the baby stuff that we were planning on investing on: crib and mattress, milk, bath and skin care. Just wanted to finish what I have started (for once?) so here's the rest of it.

Milk/Feeding
We gave the baby whatever kind of milk that were given to us. Yeah. We're cheap. He was breastfed primarily so any other milk sufficed (Nestle Good Start, Enfa and Similac). But we mostly gave him Enfa after all of the freebies were gone and after he has stopped liking Mommy's milk. Now that he's a toddler, we are giving him homo.

For feeding bottles, we used Avent. Did not try any other ones. Avent were also the brand that we used with Kid #1. We used Dapple and Greenworks for the baby bottle dish soap. We also received Babies R Us sterilizer from the Baby Shower and that's what we are using until now. For Kid #1, we used Chicco.

Skin Care
I bought a lot of baby skin care before having the little one. Usually got the sample size if the brand has one. I bought Dr. Bronner's, Mustela, Wedela, Badger and Earth Mama Angel Baby. I've tried all of them. What stuck? I like Dr. Bronner's in washing his baby bums, specially when going out? It smells nice and it rinses easily well. But for total bathing and washing, I like Mustela the best. And that's what we are using still until now. For shampoo, he uses J&J. For moisturizer, we also stick with Mustela.

For diaper rash, I tried Badger and even Lanolin. But still went back to Desitin. Desitin worked with Kid #1 and still what worked with Kid #2.

Clothing/Bedding/Garment 
At first, I only used organic textiles for him. Bought them from Under the Nile, Sckoon, Aden & Anais, Perlimpinpin, Little Bamboo. We got gifts that came elsewhere and we used them also. Now, mostly all of his clothes are from major commercial retailers. But I must say that those initial investments I've bought were all great. They were really, really soft. Even the nurses from the hospital made a comment that, those were the softest swaddling cloth they have ever touched.

Stroller/Car Seat
We got the Graco Click Connect Stroller and Car seat combo. I forgot the actual Model/Type. We are still using both. The car seat is up to 35 lbs. Although Kid #2's legs and feet are now dangling outside the car seat, since he's still within the weight limit, we are still using it. We will get a new car seat once winter is over. We brought the stroller with us when we went back to the Philippines but it is not public commuter friendly, so we bought a slimmer stroller from Chicco and brought it back here, we will not buy umbrella stoller anymore once Kid #2 is too big for his baby stroller.

Diaper
I bought Naty diapers online to try on. It was okay. But  they were expensive. I believe they are also available on our local grocery store. But since J was the one doing the grocery while I was at the house with the baby, and he will not look for it at the store and he will not buy it since, it costs more, we used Pampers swaddlers. That's the best compromise that we can afford.

Toys
I tried to limit our purchase of toys. We have enough clutter at home and I don't want bins and bins and bins of toys overtaking our house. The toys that I bought were Sophie, 2 wooden toy cars and a teething dinosaur from Etsy, wooden Catterpillar from Begin Again, wooden Grasping beads and wooden Fish rattle from Haba, Uncle Goose's wooden alphabet blocks, Janod Animal Alphabet Cards, and Share Sorter and Stacking Cups from Green Toys. I highly recommend these toys because they are safe for babies and kids. I purchased some mainstream toys too, a soft book from Skip Hop and a few soft toys and stroller toys. We have received a couple of battery operated toys too, mostly from Fisher Price.

So far, he enjoyed Sophie, the Grasping beads, wooden blocks, alphabet cards, shape sorted and stacking cups. He still enjoys them except for Sophie. But he likes Sophie Books.

There.

review: 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream

I recently bought this body cream or lotion or moisturizer from 100% Pure upon the recommendation of one of the organic/non toxic blogs that I have been reading. I am always in the look out for great non toxic beauty products, don't ask why, and I am willing to try anything as long as my budget permits.

image: 100% Pure Canada

But first let me share what other products I have tried before this.

We have been using Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (J is loyal to this) for the longest time and it's working just fine with me. It scored 5 in Skin Deep, with a 10 on PropylParaben, 8 on Fragrance, and 7 on DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser).

image: Jergens Canada

I also have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (score: 4, with a 5 for Benzyl Alcohol and 4 for Petrolatum) but I am finding it really hard to apply.

image: Cetaphil Canada

As I have said I have tried Body Shop's Body Butter but I only liked the Almond. Last time I checked, Almond is not being offered anymore (But I checked today and it's back on stock!!!!), I have tried the Shea, Mango and Honey Mania. And half jar of the latter is still sitting on my dresser for about a year now. They all scored 6, because of the paraben ingredients and fragrances.

image: The Body Shop Canada

The Curel Moisture Lotion Daily Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin, Original (scored 4 because of paraben, fragrance and petrolatum) works fine with my skin too.

image: Curel Canada

I have tried Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme but I didn't like the smell and how it felt on my skin. I think I have only used it twice. I can't seem to find it in the Skin Deep database, though.

image: Burt's Bees Canada

I still have my first travel tube of L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in my bag (scored 7: paraben, alcohol, fragrance).

image: L'Occitane Canada

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion I have on my desk works wonder on my hands. I have been using for about a year now at the office and I am liking it. I will be buying a bigger size and will try it as a whole body lotion. It scored 2 overall on EWG with a 5 on Benzyl Alcohol as the ingredient with highest concern.

image: Aveeno Canada

Back to 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. It scored 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database so it is safe and natural. I have been using it daily for about 3 weeks now. I chose the almond because I really loved the soft scent of Body Shop's Almond Body Butter. And 100% Pure's almost smells the same way. The consistency is thick and I really have high hopes for this product.

It came in easy to squeeze container and is also easy to apply. I must say it really moisturizes my skin. But sadly, only for a few minutes. Maybe it is my skin, maybe it's the pregnancy hormone making my skin really, really dry, maybe it's the weather here in Canada. But I don't think this is the right body moisturizer for me. My skin feels okay after applying it but immediately feels parched after just a few minutes of applying. As if I haven't applied any at all. It's not even winter yet, we are still above the normal fall temperature so I guess I shall stop using this for now and use it again come summer. Hopefully I can write a more favorable review when that time comes.

review: 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon

I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, lip shimmer, lip-whatever-kind-of person. I have tubes of those products that I have only used once or twice. Why do I keep buying? Because.

I don't usually wear make up and the eye brows and lips are the only parts of my face that I can confidently put products on, on a daily basis. If I have something on them, I already feel made up.

And we all know that lip products are either a hit or miss. You have to buy it and try it to truly determine if it's going to work for you (unless you're comfortable on trying the testers at the store). Amongst all those that I have tried, these are the memorable ones:

DuWop Lip Venom (ca 2000):

image: DuWop

The Body Shop's Lipstick (only using it for occasions wherein I have to appear to be truly made up), I forgot the exact shade but it's reallyyy RED:

image: The Body Shop

Skin Food Tomato Jelly Lip Tint (just found out that they are still available up until now!):

image: The Skin Food

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

image: Kiehl's

All of which I can't seem to find in Skin Deep database. 

And the latest that I have been using for about a year now is the Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Spicy Honey and Black Honey.

image: Clinique

I have also bought Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry but as usual, didn't work out fine.

image: Clinique

Clinique's Almost Lipstick works fine with me, specially the Spicy Honey. Although Black Honey has a lot of rave reviews, I find it too dark for me for everyday use. But I see it is a good Fall/Autumn shade. 

And since, I have been reading about organic/non toxic products, I decided to try 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon,

image: 100% Pure

I ordered it together with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. And came with sample products in sachets: shampoo and 2 other nourishing cream of which I gave to somebody else to try on to. 

I first used it when I attended a wedding. The color is rich and the feel is creamy and non-drying. However, the stain didn't last long and and it clumped on my lips. Again, maybe it's just my lips or pregnancy hormones. Our body chemistry reacts distinctively with each product. It doesn't mean that we'll have the same results so you have to try it yourself to see how it's going to work for you. Given, it didn't deliver the way I have expected it. But I still think it's a keeper and I plan to use it in replacement of the Body Shop Lipstick. I find the shade too festive for everyday use so I will use it on need-to-be-fully-made-up-occasions. I don't want to buy a tamer shade for everyday use because the price is a bit too expensive for me at C$22. 

I have bought 2 lip balm from Burt's Bees last week and I have been using it alternately for days now. I will write a review too after a couple more weeks but I am loving it, I want to buy another shade. At $8 a piece, not bad.

baby stuff: bathing and skin care

You know, sometimes, I get tired of looking into baby stuff? Spending time researching the best products to use, reading all about it, comparing products, debating with myself how far should go ... ? It's exhausting. Though, it's a good thing to know about these and that there are LOTS of sources to be familiar with these health stuff,  I know I can't be a full blast dedicated organic earth friendly person. And I am okay with that. I'll just have to do with what I can do.

One of the baby stuff that recently dived into is the area of skin care. They say the skin is the largest organ so we should be very cautious on what we put on our skin. Well, I think I have been for quite some time. But not really what you call "strictly" into it. I buy products that I believe is less toxic than the others. But I haven't reached the point of researching each ingredient in it or calling the company/manufacturer to really inquire about their ingredients/sources.

There are lots of option for toxic free and baby safe skin care (even for adults), one just have to google. My work friend is teasing me the other day, why don't I just use the regular store bought baby products. Anyway, I won't be able to sustain to keep on using those toxic free products on the baby. I jokingly told her,  I will use the regular products on to the new baby maybe after a year. Maybe by then his young body can handle the toxins. She told me, why not introduce it right away so he can adjust easily? I just smiled.

There are websites that I found credible and those are ones that I constantly consult with, they are in my Useful Links page. I read about their recommendations and ratings. And I would like to believe that they know what they are talking about.

After all that reading and deciding which products to use, the next hurdle is to see if those are available in Canada.

You see, my poor assumption before, is that, Canada and US are like sister countries. And since (almost) everything is available in US, I assume that it is also readily available in Canada. Right? Well, no. Some companies do not have a Canadian store and do not ship products in Canada. But as they say, seek and you shall find. I found Canadian retailers that offer those products that I would like to try. I just compare prices and shipping fees to see which is cheaper.

And below are those products. I got all of them from Well.ca. I got the photos of the products from their respective websites. You can click on the photo and it will redirect you their specific website, if you want more information.

Shampoo and Body Wash

Baby Lotion 

Diaper Cream

Sunscsreen

(will be used on Kid #1, too) 

I also bought sample/travel size of these ones. So that I can see and try why they have good recommendations too. 

Shampoo and Body Wash 

Body Cream

Natural Soap

I am hoping I can do my own review on these products. I have tried "organic" products before (remember, A'kin?), And if I remember it right, they are not really like the regular products that I am accustomed of using. Like they are not that bubbly or soapy as I expected it to be. So, we'll see. But don't expect my reviews to be "scientific". My review will surely be superficial and just in comparison with the regular store products, you know. 

baby stuff: mattress

I am hardly having a good night sleep these past few weeks. We are on our 3rd trimester, that's why. I remember the joy of having slept on my back again after Kid #1 was born. Can't wait.

Talking about sleep, as I have said from my previous post about baby stuff, that it seems rather best to have the baby sleep on the papag and banig. Why? Because the crib mattress is another baby necessity that is stirring up controversy in the "baby products" world.

There has been a study released by Cockrell School Engineers that "Crib Mattresses Emit High Rates of Potentially Harmful Chemicals".

Excerpt:
Analyzing the foam padding in crib mattresses, the team found that the mattresses release significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially harmful chemicals also found in household items such as cleaners and scented sprays.

In summary, there are chemicals in the mattress composition (foam, the glue, the covering) that might trigger allergic reactions (lung complications, asthma) or may cause long term effects (hormone disruption) to the baby sleeping on it after inhaling all those fumes.

There is also a theory that SIDS is caused by the toxic chemicals released by conventional crib mattresses. They said that the chemical fumes being inhaled by the baby just shuts the baby's system off and might have causes the SIDS. Read here.

So parents, what to do?

Here's a link on How to Buy Non-Toxic Crib Mattress

And here's another list of Recommended Crib Mattresses

Other suggestion is to air out the new mattress months before the baby uses it (we won't be able to do this anymore).

Or opt to use an old mattress (crib mattress or your own mattress) but be sure that it has no molds as molds are known to eat up chemicals and release toxic gases, increasing the risk of -- you're right -- SIDS.

A New Zealand scientist, Dr. Sprott, have discovered and invented a crib mattress cover -- the BabeSafe® crib mattress cover, which is a non-toxic plastic cover that seals the crib mattress inside resulting of no gas generation occurring in the mattress that can reach the baby.

Of course, we have already bought the mattress before I have read all about this. And here's what we bought.

Simmon's Peaceful Slumber 2-sided Crib Mattress from Sears

Description from the website:

Featuring healthy support with lightweight sleep technology, this two-sided Simmons crib mattress gives growing babies a restful and supported sleep 

Thermo bonded polyester core; Recycled polyester fibres are compression packed for firm and uniform support 

Polyurethane foam free

100% certified organic cotton cover is cool in the summer and warm in the winter; Phthalate and PVC free -- but not necessarily VOC free. There are lots of chemicals that are considered VOC. Not just Phthalate and PVC. There's phosphorus, arsenic and antimony, to name a few.

Innovative two-sided design; one side for baby and one side for toddler for just the right amount of support

I believe it is made in Canada.

We haven't picked it up so I guess we still have time to change our mind because it is not on the "Recommended" list? I don't know. Or should I buy the said mattress cover/protector?

I have talked about this with J and he said that too much reading is giving me more anxiety and more things to worry about.

I guess I still won't be having a good night sleep even after the baby is born.

baby stuff: crib

If I'm having the baby come spring/summer, we would probably opt with co-sleeping -- the baby would sleep in our room, on our bed, close to me, the way I think babies should be (I know not everybody will agree with me on this). That's how we were with Kid #1. But since, I am having the baby this fall, I just can't imagine having lots of covers and blankets on the bed come winter with a little baby in the middle of it. So not safe. We opted to have the baby his own sleeping area, but still in our room.

Kid #1 will have to be moving out of our room, into his own room. That's another project I have to tackle before giving birth and deserves a separate post.

How important is the crib? A baby will spend most his time in the crib sleeping and inhaling the air surrounding it. So we have to make sure that we get the right and bestest crib, right? Right. 

Anyway, there are a lot of options out there for cribs and mattresses. For starters, we had this with Kid #1: 

And all along I thought this is considered a crib. Apparently, it is not. This is a play pen and is not advisable to be slept on (I guess napping is okay). A crib is something like this: 

from pinterest 

Nice. But once I actually checked up on the price points, reality sets in. I can't spend that much money on a crib. And J wouldn't let me. 

We checked out other options. Have considered buying second hand (it's pretty much common here) but I dreaded the fact of having my baby sleep on a crib with bed bugs/mites or "history". Scratch. 

As usual, we have to consider safety, the mechanical safety of 2nd hand cribs  and even brand new ones. There are cribs that have been recalled and there are cribs that are not being recommended anymore, Especially those with drop sides and big gaps on the slats, odd measurement of the posts, etc. Add to that the composition and construction of the crib. It is said that solid wood crib with non-toxic finish using non-toxic adhesives are the safest ones. One has to watch out for particle boards, plywood, fiber woods because these types of cribs uses adhesives to glue the wood together and those adhesives might have formaldehyde and chemicals that are carcinogens and would be harmful to the still developing baby. There are the exposed hardware that are choking hazards. And the paint on the crib with VOC and lead that your baby would be chewing on later on. 

OMG. 

My head is spinning. Whew. As I have said I am no expert here and I just wanted to give our kids the safest products that I can afford. If you want to know more and read about baby products to avoid, you can go here. 

And some guidelines on how to buy a non-toxic crib, just click here.  

Or to find a truly non-toxic crib.  

As for us, here's what we got:

Mercer 3-in-1 Convertible Crib (by Babyletto)

Description from the manufacturer:

This crib features an extra drawer to keep baby's essentials close at hand (ours doesn't have this). All hardware is safely hidden. The Mercer Convertible Crib has four adjustable mattress positions (important for me since I am not tall, I really would want ease when getting the baby in and from the crib). And grows with your baby, converting to a toddler bed (rail included) or daybed. 

Made of solid, sustainable New Zealand Pine Wood

Converts to daybed and toddler bed with included toddler bed conversion kit

Four adjustable mattress levels 

Lead and phthalate safe with non-toxic finish

JPMA Certified, meets ASTM International and US CPSC safety standards

Made in Taiwan

We have the white/espresso two-tone. It's brand new but on floor display and without the bottom drawer that's why we got it on a discounted price from this store here in Winnipeg. I really wanted the Hudson in grey but it is expensive. 

So I think, this is a good compromise, eh? 

Come to think of it, maybe it is much better to have the baby sleep on papag (bed made of bamboo) with banig (a handwoven mat usually used in East Asia and Philippines for sleeping and sitting, usually made of palm and sea grass leaves -- wikipedia)  and layers of cotton blankets.

Non-toxic is toxic

I have been buying stuff for the new baby, and boy, was I in a blur! There are lots of things to consider!!! I didn’t know that when I had my first son (all I know then was BPA and parabens).

I was online shopping and then I saw this ‘organic’ stuff. So I started reading about it.  The more I read about it, the more new words I get to encounter: phthalates, harmful polyester, chemicals in flame retardants, VOC, carcinogen, lead, nickel, chlorine – every and any chemical that might be harmful to a newborn (or humans, that is). In short there are lots of toxic chems that can be found on baby stuff!!!

And if you know me, I am so gullible. If I could only put my first born inside a bubble (BPA Free of course) to protect him, I would. Right then and there I decided to just buy stuff that is only pure and organic and non-toxic. But…… they are expensive.

Trying to find safe and reasonably priced baby products is no easy feat. Why are they making these things so expensive??!!! One could easily shell out $5000 buying non-toxic necessities for a new born, JUST the necessities. This is stressing me out, making me toxic.

Seriously, I admire those families who are really into this. There are a lot of websites and blogs that you can find and read about this stuff. I am no expert here. Just google it and you can spend your entire day reading about it. 

Ideally, in my perfect world, I really wanted to go this way, but in reality, I know that I can’t. We can’t. Even if I buy all those non-toxic stuff for our new baby, it doesn’t end here. I can buy a crib and a mattress for him that is so, so, so very safe. But our bed isn’t. The couch isn’t. Our clothes are not. What about the entire house? Flooring? Paint? It doesn’t start and and end with just the baby things. It has to be all of us, our way of living, our lifestyle.

I will just have to keep on telling myself that, alright, alright, I will exert an effort to buy only good and safe products but I don’t have to stress myself out if I can’t. I just have to be calm and believe that everything is going to be okay the way it was with the previous generations. I mean they don’t know a thing about this before, right?