Organic Cotton
Choosing organic fibers is an important step toward natural living.  Babies’ skin is thinner and more porous than adults’ skin; so it absorbs chemicals very easily.  Choosing organic fibers also helps our environment.  Cotton accounts for over 25% of all pesticide use, making it the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world.  According to the USDA, in one year alone, over 50 million pounds of pesticides were used on U.S. cotton fields.  Since cotton is not a food crop, the pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals used on it are not regulated.  These chemicals are taking a toll on our environment and human health as a whole because the run-off leaches into our water.  It is also ingested by our livestock through the contaminated cotton straw and cottonseed added to their feed. Organic cotton is farmed in a more environmentally intelligent way.  Crop rotation, beneficial insects, and physical removal of weeds are utilized instead of poisonous chemical herbicides and pesticides.  The result is a clean and sustainable agricultural model that enables better, healthier working conditions for workers, reduced environmental toxicity, and improved water quality. 

Organic cotton is superior to conventional for other reasons.  Its natural fibers are stronger and more durable; allowing it to sustain the wear and tear that our children will put it through.  Conventionally produced cotton material lasts 10-20 washes before it starts to break down, while an organic cotton material can last 100 washes or more before it begins to demonstrate the same level of decomposition. Unlike the fibers in conventionally produced cotton material, which are exposed to scouring, bleaching, dying, softeners, formaldehyde spray, and flame and soil retardants before they are even shipped to be cut for patterns, the production of organic cotton does not include harsh and toxic processes during its production.  Return to top.

Bamboo  

Fortunately, bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet!  It can grow successfully without fertilizers or pesticides and uses very little water.  These qualities make bamboo a sustainable and renewable resource.  New shoots are continuously growing, ready to replace the old ones.  Another benefit of bamboo is that it releases a significant amount of oxygen into the atmosphere; more than trees!  Planting bamboo can help reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the air as it reduces soil erosion on land.  The complex root system of bamboo makes it an excellent choice for planting in high erosion areas such as riverbanks and other areas subject to mud slides.  It is also suitable for planting in areas that have suffered significant soil degradation and deforestation. Return to top.

 BPA-free 
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely produced chemical used primarily for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Common sources of polycarbonate are food and drink packaging, including infant bottles, toddler sipping cups, tableware, and food containers. The use of this chemical is so widespread that it was detected in the urine in 93% of adults.  BPA is found in plastic baby bottles and the linings of cans of powdered and liquid formula.  Their exposure is also increased by the plastic objects that they put in their mouth.  Levels in children under 6 are unknown, as they were not included in the study.  Ironically, the highest estimated intakes of bisphenol A occur in infants and children. Their intake is greatest because pound for pound they eat, drink, and breathe more than adults.

It has long been known that studies done on lab animals showed that BPA can cause genetic damage; however, it was approved for use with humans because the amount given to the animals was supposedly far greater than what humans would consume. These studies done on laboratory rodents have shown that high doses of BPA during pregnancy and lactation can reduce survival, birth weight, and growth of offspring early in life, and delay the onset of puberty.  BPA has also been linked to cancer, diabetes, and obesity in animals. The American Chemistry Council states that "consumers would have to eat more than 500 pounds of food and beverages in contact with polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins every day of their lives to exceed exposure levels determined to be safe by the European Food Safety Authority and the US Environmental Protection Agency."  The problem is that there is no way to know for sure if humans would have the same reaction that the animals have had, since tests are not done on humans.  One fact that most seem to agree on is that high temperatures can cause BPA to leach into the food or beverage more quickly. This concern has led many retailers to pull all baby bottles made with BPA from the shelves. A safer option is glass and BPA-free plastic bottles and toys. Return to top. 

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