Spring 2016
A health & family focused digital publication & community.
It’s never Too Early
to Baby Proof Coping with Fear
& Excessive Worry
Our 6th Annual
Eco Baby Gear Guide!
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Organic Certified by Oregon Tilth OT-007086
Contents 6 It’s Never Too Early to Baby Proof As an attached parent, your baby tends to be in arms - or at least within sight - most of the time. But, when you need a shower or 5 minutes to yourself, proper baby proofing gives you the peace of mind knowing baby is safe and sound.
10 Our 6th Annual Eco Baby Gear Guide
From the moment we know a new little one is on the way, we plan and prepare for their arrival. While “things” may not be our niche, a few fun tools can certainly help you along on your parenting journey. We hope you enjoy browsing through our 6th annual eco baby gear guide as much as we loved putting it together!
26 Coping with Parenting Fear & Excessive Worry
Lisa Arie answers your questions about mindful parenting and explains how fear is not meant to be a constant companion on the parenting journey. You’ll love her engaging approach to embracing vulnerability and learning to trust your instincts.
30 Sage Spoonfuls: Sweet Potato, Lentil & Apple
A stage 2 food for baby, sweet potatoes are both nutrient-rich and delicious, making them a wonderful choice for a first food for baby. Mixed with apples and lentils, you’ll know your baby is getting plenty of fiber, beta carotene as well as potassium.
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Publisher & Editor Amity Hook-Sopko
Creative Director Amanda Hearn
Advertising Director Susie Lyons
Copy Editor
Megan McCoy Dellecese
Media & Other Inquiries
media@greenchildmagazine.com
Contributors Liza Huber Eva Hines Lisa Arie Green Child is owned and published electronically by Fresh Green Media, LLC. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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1 in 3 families struggles to afford cloth diapers.
We can help. Visit our website to see if your family qualifies.
www.givingdiapersgivinghope.org
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It’s
never Too Early to Baby Proof
Most people think it’s not necessary to baby proof the home until baby gets mobile. But, surprisingly, newborns can be just as likely as older babies to be injured from falls, burns, choking parts, and other unanticipated accidents. As attached parents, your baby tends to be in arms most of the time... or at least within sight. But, when you need a shower or 5 minutes to yourself, it’s nice having the peace of mind knowing baby is safe and sound. Keeping a baby’s developmental stages in mind will help you realize the importance of making your little one’s space safe. Sleep Soundly with Good Crib Safety If your baby will sleep in a crib, choosing a brand new bed and mattress is the best way to make sure your baby is safe (and that the crib meets current safety regulations.) If you plan to use a second-hand crib, be sure to check for product recalls first.
When making your crib selection, check the following: • Crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart; this will prevent the baby from slipping out or getting caught between the slats. 6
|by Eva Hines
• Drop side cribs allow one or two sides of a crib to be lowered for easier access to baby. However, these cribs can pose a strangulation hazard and should be avoided. If you already own a drop side crib, make sure all bolts and screws are in place, and that the drop side mechanism functions correctly. • The crib should have smooth surfaces and no peeling paint. • The mattress should fit the crib perfectly; you should be able to slide just one finger between the crib and the edge of the mattress. • Keep pillows, blankets, and soft toys out of your little one’s sleep space. • If space allows, place the crib away from the changing table to prevent any unwanted reaching of toiletry items. • Any toys or decor suspended over the crib should not have strings longer than 7 inches.
Bath Safety • Fill tub or sink with 2-3 inches of water just enough to cover baby’s legs. • Bathe baby in warm - not hot -water (96 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
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It’s
never Too Early to Baby Proof • Never, ever leave baby alone in the tub. • Place a nonslip mat near baby’s bathing area. • Consider a tub faucet cover to prevent baby from hitting her head on the hard spout.
Toy Safety • Choose toys that are much larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking. • Look for age-appropriate toys, since those for older babies and children may have small choking parts. • Give toys a once-over to check that seams are reinforced and loose buttons, beads, and other small items are secured properly. • And, of course, toys with sharp edges and peeling paint aren’t a safe choice for your baby.
Safety for the Crawling, Cruising, Pulling Up Stages
Try getting on your hands and knees for a “baby’s eye view” of her surroundings. There are often things adults may miss seeing that your child will quickly and curiously try to explore. • Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety protectors. • Hide electrical cords behind furniture or use a hide-a-cord device. • Make sure lamps, blow dryers, heaters, and other appliances are kept out baby’s reach. • Install door stops and holders to protect baby’s fingers. • Roll up, cut off, or tie up dangling cords from blinds and shades to prevent strangulation. Or opt for window treatments with loop cords. • Secure furniture (bookcases, dressers) to the walls. • Anchor flat-screen TVs with safety straps. • Keep heavy items that could tip over on lower furniture, pushed back away from baby’s reach. • Install a toilet seat lock to prevent mashing fingers or potential drowning. • Keep medication, vitamins, and cosmetics away from your baby’s reach.
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• If possible, avoid pressure-mounted safety gates and purchase ones that need to be installed with screws or doorjambs. Install gates at the nursery entrance and at the head and foot of staircases.
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6 Annual th
Eco Baby Gear Guide 11
layette
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Organic Cotton Knot Hat Organic in material as well as design, kate quinn offers super soft and adorable styles to top off baby’s bald spot. Starting at $14 at Kate Quinn Organics
KidWild Layette Gift Set Made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and incredibly soft for a newborn’s sensitive skin, KidWild’s layette set includes a footed onesie, bib, hat, and gift box perfect for a baby shower. Available in four adorable animal print options. $79 at Kid Wild Collective
Sleepy House Romper Perfect for “team green” baby, this gender neutral romper offers a roomy fit (great for cloth diapering families), snaps at the shoulder seam and legs (excluding size 4), and an adorable kangaroo pouch. Made in the U.S.A. $39 at Milk + Bots 12
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A. Milk Barn Hedgehog Romper $28 at Amazon This adorable print comes in 100% organic cotton that will give you peace of mind. B. Triangle 3-Piece Layette $37 at Petunia Pickle Bottom Fashionforward designs, extreme comfort make this set perfect for anything from an outing to naptime. C. Organic Burp Cloths $17 at Babies R Us Featuring three layers of organic muslin cotton and a curved shape for coverage. D. Organic Crib Shoes $28 at Growing Up Wild Add organic fabrics with quirky modern prints and you’ve got the cutest hand-made, easy-on crib shoes.
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A. Tinou Poster $20 at Oeuf With nature themes and modern artistic whimsy, there’s a poster for any nursery. B. Ribbon Mobile $59 at The Glittered Barn Lace, burlap, twine, and various ribbons hang to give baby a soft, sweet visual and give the nursery a romantic look. C. Nature Inspired Quilt $164 at CoolSpool For the nature-themed nursery (or just to give a basic nursery some adorable style), this hand-made quilt offers great versatility. D. Droplet Humidifier $40 at Crane This downsided option offers a smaller footprint, low energy use, and neutral look to blend in with any decor.
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Snuggle Me Organic Great for the bed-sharing family or just to have an extra spot for baby to lounge, this Snuggle Me cushion gives baby the feeling of Mom or Dad’s own arms, allowing for longer rest periods and soothing comfort. $140 at Amazon
Baby Shusher Great for newborns on up and touted as “the soothing sleep miracle for babies”, the Baby Shusher offers a simpler take on a sound machine. With built-in timing options and easy controlled volume, this is the take anywhere choice to help calm a fussy baby or lull an infant into dreamland. $35 at Amazon
Organic Portable Crib Pad Crib or no crib, most parents will use a portable crib at one point or another, and a safe surface is every bit as important there. This organic pad option touts a waterproof cover and super safe materials. $129 at Naturepedic 15
feed
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EZPZ Happy Mat You’ll never have to deal with an entire bowl of food thrown to the floor with the EZPZ Happy Mat. Made of silicon, the Happy Mat suctions easily to table or tray, makign it great for baby, individuals with special needs, or even for messy pets. The ingenious design is cute but also offers a portion guide for parents. $25 at EZPZ
BiteSizers
Made of certified food safe materials, these scissors make it easy to share food with your kids wherever you are. Great for baby-led weaning families. The cap also makes for easy storage when on-the-go. $20 at Mixed Pears
Write You Own Labels
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With these self laminating labels, you can ensure that baby’s bottles, eco-friendly food containers, lunch bag, and more, will return home safely. Dishwasher safe and PVC- and BPA-free, these labels are available in a variety of styles and are easily personalized. $8 at Emily Press
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A. Reversible Bib $16 at Kishu Baby Features two snaps for an adjustable neck size. B. Lifefactory Bottle Set $50 at Amazon Set includes a 2-pack of glass bottles & silicone teethers C. Nursing Pillow $70 at Ergobaby Finally, a pillow that lifts baby & offers better support tummy to tummy. D. Nursing Pads $25 at Cake Featuring a waterproof mid-layer and the ability to add absorbency, they are ultra thin & lightly contoured for discretion under clothing. E. Organic Milkmaid Tea $6 at Earth Mama Angel Baby Helps to promote healthy breastmilk production and lactation with this soothing tea.
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A. Soleil $140 at Beco Made in the USA and constructed of either durable cotton or a Repreve blend (using recycled bottles). B. Kaboost $40 at Amazon Replaces the need for a high chair and turns any chair -even at restaurants- into a booster. C. Breeze $300 at 4Moms So easy to you, you’ll know immediately how it got its name. Great for families with two-story homes or who love to travel. D. Blooming Romance $165 at Ju Ju Be Meet your new BFF! A diaper bag that gives you intuitive storage, a cushy changing pad, insulated bottle pockets, several carrying strap options and more!
gear
...... Nuna Leaf Curv
Every bit as eco-smart and evolutionary (yes- it too can hold up to 130 lbs) as its “big bro” the LEAF, the LEAF curv gives a sharp, sassy and swirl-like spin to this award winning design and is sure to throw a contemporary curve ball to traditional nurseries and living spaces alike. $230 at Nuna
Graco 4Ever If you’re looking for a carseat to take your baby through the next ten years, look no further. Go for the highest rated rear facing infant-to-booster carseat (yes, the first and only car seat you’ll need to buy), which offers stellar safety features along with an InRight LATCH system that makes setup super quick and simple. $299 at Amazon
QB Pockit This stroller is so cool, it’s already gone viral. “Extremely compact” doesn’t even begin to describe how small you can fold the incredibly lightweight QB Pockit, perfect for age 6 months up to 4 years. $225 Available March/April 2016 19
care
...... NailFrida
Gently handle all of your trimming troubles without nicking baby’s sensitive skin. See what you’re snipping through the safety spyhole and nail that mani/pedi every time. NailFrida’s specially curved blades mimic the shape of a baby scissor and are uniquely designed for smooth and silent snipping. $15 at Amazon
La Petite Crème La Petite Crème starter kit with washcloths is great for bathtime or cloth diapering. Use La Petite Crème as a cleanser, skin barrier, and calming lotion. Completely natural ingredients. $23 at La Petite Crème
Smart Bottoms No really! Available in newborn and one size, Smart Bottom’s trim fit design will fit under most clothing. They are proudly made in the USA and use only 100% certified organic cotton inside their diapers for supreme absorbency and washability! $20-29 at Amazon 20
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A. Bliss Lotion $9 at Farm to Girl Made with everyone’s favorite, organic coconut oil, Baby Bliss is the quintessential natural baby lotion. B. Maple Clothing Swaddle $19 at Amazon A gentle single layer swaddle made from GOTS certified organic cotton. C. Buncha Farmers Stain Stick $8 (2) at Amazon The only stain stick you’ll ever need! D. Oogibear $13 at Amazon A gentler, safer, cleaner and more effective way to get the boogers out. Perfect for little ears too. E. Green Shield Organic Detergent $14 at Lucky Vitamin Specially formulated to be gentle on baby & the planet.
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A. Knit Owl Rattle $18 at Estella These award-winning rattles are full of personality (and not toxins). B. Fidget Toy $12 at Mama May I The perfect portable plaything, Fidget gives baby a wonderful textural experience. C. Natural Rubber Bath Toys $34 at Amazon Get twice the fun with this fun pair of natural rubber sea toys. Soft enough for baby’s mouth, textured for tactile exploration, and hermetically-sealed. D. Hashtag Teether $15 at Little Standout Fun statement teether made of silicone that truly represents our modern world. 100% silicone!
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JellyStone Stacking Teether This isn’t your mother’s stacking toy. Made of silicone, this rainbow stacker offers five varied textures for teething babes and a simple, stackable design. Perfect size for little ones. $20 at Eyla’s
Home State Rattle & Teether Show your state pride! Made from responsibly harvested woods, this organic hardwood cherry rattle is sure to last long enough to be passed down through several generations in your family. The finish is safe yet durable and made from an organic mix of flaxseed oil and locally grown beeswax. $18 at Bannor Toys
Lightweight Toy Chest Form definitely meets function with this quirky, lightweight toy chest. You won’t have to worry about pinched fingers thanks to the reinforced cardboard construction. In seven cute and colorful animal styles, there’s a chest for any playroom. $25 at 3 Sprouts
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read to them
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J A. The Little Gardener (Teenie Greenies Board Book) by Jan Gerardi $7 at Amazon B. Goodnight, Gorilla! by Peggy Rathmann $7 at Amazon.com C.
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
(Board Book) by Dr. Seuss $5 at Amazon
D.
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
by Ed Emberley $13 at Amazon
E. Pat the Bunny (Touch & Feel Book) by Dorothy Kunhardt $10 at Amazon F.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
by Mo Willems $18 at Amazon
G.
Curious George Good Night Book
H.
(Tabbed Board Book) by H.A. Rey & Margret Ray $8 at Amazon
Ollie (Gossie & Friends series) by Olivier Dunrea $7 at Amazon
I.
Maisy Goes Camping
by Lucy Cousins $7 at Amazon J.
Bright Baby
(Board Book Set) by Roger Priddy $20 at Amazon
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Coping with Parenting Fear & Excessive Worry
|by Lisa Arie
“It was the middle of the night and my little one was struggling to breathe. We rushed to the ER, and it turned out to be a severe asthma attack. Everything turned out fine then, but I haven’t been the same since. Now, it’s like I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. When will the next emergency happen? I know that my fear is irrational but I can’t stop worrying. How can I let go of the worry and regain some normalcy in my life?” Sometimes we distract ourselves with “irrational fear” because we may not know how to deal with actual fear. If that thought resonates with you, take a moment to gently check-in with yourself and see if what you’re actually afraid of is admitting that you’re vulnerable; always and everywhere, we humans are vulnerable.
And that’s a good thing. When you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, backed into a corner by fear, vulnerability is your guide to a restored sense of balance. Vul-
nerability asks you to acknowledge that you are human and that, sometimes, you’re not going to feel as though you’re in control of a given situation.
Vulnerability, however, is not weakness.
It is truth. Reconnecting with the truth empowers us to rise above our “irrational” fears. When each of us reconnects with the truth—that we are all vulnerable—we reground ourselves. Some call it “grounding” or “mindfulness” but whatever you call it, getting back to a place of internal balance starts by stopping. Once you slow to a stop, you can begin to get a clearer picture of why fear sometimes becomes irrational.
What is your belief system? Your belief system is the status quo. A shock— like the one you had—can be a wakeup call to shake things out and take a look at what you believe, and why. For instance, do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that your family has your back? Do you believe that it’s OK to 27
Coping with Parenting Fear & Excessive Worry
be vulnerable? Taking time to audit your belief system can help reveal your truth and help bring you to awareness so you can stop the mental spin of fear.
Am I “safe” or “not safe?” This is how your brain interprets unknown or new situations. If the world does not seem safe, your brain is going to reach for one of three strategies used to combat fear:
Fight Flight Freeze Shock is the freeze strategy. Once the shock of your experience wears off, you have the option to fight, run, or reconnect with truth. Running can look a lot like staying very busy. Fighting can look like acting out or becoming controlling. At the root of the strategies of fight, flight, or freeze, however, is fear. While that’s normal, getting stuck there is not how fear was designed to work. Consciously remaining in the truth—even when the truth feels like one big unknown— allows you to move from a state of being “on alert” to a state of calm “awareness.” This is important because awareness allows you to carry on in your day without feeling irrationally afraid.
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Shifting from “alert” to “aware” happens by slowing down and reconnecting. If a surprising and stressful event occurs in your life, take stock of what happened. Tune-in to how you feel and let yourself feel it, then don’t dismiss what you’re feeling.
Always remember to ask for support if you need to — raise your hand — because we all need help sometimes (and, on a consistent basis, we’re certainly also helpers). Take time to revitalize and rejuvenate so that you can continue to experience the tapestry and simple joys of life. Asking for a hug, taking deep breaths in-and out, taking a hot shower are all simple ways you can revitalize and rejuvenate. Fear is not meant to be a constant companion. It is there to wake us up to threat so that we can do what we need to do in order to remain safe. Once we are safe, it’s time to release the moment that’s now past and return to the here and now. Being honest with ourselves about how vulnerable we were—and are—is how to continually place our next step in the next moment and leave the irrational side of fear behind.
www.attachmentparenting.org
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Photography by Liza Huber
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|by Liza Huber CEO & Founder of Sage Spoonfulstm
For Baby: Sweet Potato, Lentil & Apple Sweet Potato mixed with lentil and apple is a nutrient rich, yummy and easy to prepare stage 2 meal for babies 7 months and up. Lentils are a powerhouse food, loaded with vitamins, protein and antioxidants, but it tastes pretty bland on its own. When mixed with a classic flavor combo, like sweet potato and apple, most babies will gobble it up! Use organic ingredients whenever possible.
Ingredients
Directions
• 1 sweet potato – washed, peeled and chopped.
1. Bring the water or stock to a boil over high heat in a small pot. Add the lentils and let boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are very soft.
• 2 apples – washed, peeled and chopped. Any variety of apple will be delicious. • ½ cup lentils – can use green, yellow or red lentils – rinsed in a strainer under cold running water. • 1 cup water or low sodium vegetable stock Use organic ingredients whenever possible.
2. Pour water into a large pot until it is about 1.5” deep and bring to a boil over high heat. Place the sweet potato and apple into a stainless steel steamer basket and place the basket into the pot. Make sure the water isn’t touching the bottom of the basket. Cover and steam for 10 minutes until sweet potato is cooked through and very soft. 3. Place the lentils, sweet potato and apple into a blender or food processor and pulse until a smooth, but slightly chunky texture is achieved. Make sure that the chunks are small and soft, so baby can gum them, but not pose a choking risk. This puree can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. 31
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