Green Treehouse

As seen in USA Today…

I’ve blogged about it before…but obviously I’m not the only one who thinks the phil & teds Metoo Seat totally rocks.

From an environmental standpoint, this seat scores huge points in my mind. Phil & teds Metoo seat is a lightweight, portable high chair with a simple, practical design. The way I see it, given that it doesn’t take up much space means something positive in terms of environmental impact…at least with respect to energy consumption along the production process. Plus, as a company phil & teds is known for taking product safety seriously and taking a proactive approach to product management.

Since moms and dads across the country are talking about the MeToo, BabyEarth has temporarily run out of inventory. But don’t worry, BabyEarth expects to have the seat back in stock by July 31st. Trust me, the wait will be well worth it.

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Check out BabyEarth’s huge phil & teds selection!

If you’re growing a creative, project lovin’ ecotot, you’re bound to fall head-over-heels in love with this Surfin Project Table by Ecotots (the company!). This is the perfect table for busy toddlers who can’t always make up their mind whether to sit or stand while drawing, coloring, or playing with toys.

What’s to love? This isn’t any ordinary table. Not only is it available in cool colors, but it’s made out of 100% FSC wood (this Forest Stewardship Council certification (”FSC”) means good things for the forests and environment). The wood stain is completely eco-friendly, non-toxic, and water-based (this means good things for your child’s health and the environment). It’s cured with finishes that minimize green house gases (this means good things in terms of global warming and the environment). And, the Surfin Project Table is wholly designed and manufactured in the USA.

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Surfin Kids Two Stool Set, by Ecotots
Surfin Kids Art Time Easel, by Ecotots

That pink positive sign on a home pregnancy test means someone, probably mom-to-be holding the test stick, is about to get really busy.

With baby comes a lot of planning and decision making. Like deciding when to schedule prenatal appointments. Deciding what color to paint the nursery. Selecting a baby name–or names…just in case! Figuring out who to include on the baby shower invite list. And, last but not least, determining whether to plan a natural birth (a.k.a. unmedicated), and if so, figuring out what natural childbirth method seems like a comfortable approach.

For new moms thinking about natural childbirth, the following brief review of four popular natural childbirth methods might help simplify planning for baby:

1. Lamaze. A method that teaches ways to decrease pain and improve control during labor through deep breathing and concentration.

2. Alexander Technique. A method to help pregnant, as well as non-pregnant women, discover how to release muscular tension, increase breathing capacity, and calm the body in preparation for effective pushing.

3. Bradley Method. This method helps to provide families and couples simple and effective natural birth techniques. Classes include workbooks, information on pain management, and information on labor coaches/doulas.

4. Hypnobirthing This method (a.k.a. Mongan Method) helps build an understanding of how to trust birth and the birthing body, essentially replacing resistence and fear with relaxation.

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SwaddleSet Organic Cotton, by Kiddopotamus
Cocooning Massage Oil, by Maclaren Beginning

Everyone knows that driving has become more expensive lately, thanks to rising fuel costs. Driving less, carpooling, or using public transportation are helpful alternatives, but often there’s just no way around driving a vehicle. Like when the only way you can get your colicky baby to sleep is to drive toward the nearest bumpy road.

For the times you have to drive, here are five tips to make those drives “greener”:

1. Keep your tires inflated. Properly inflated tires actually save you money (fuel efficiency).
2. Avoid Rush Hour. Stop and go traffic lowers fuel economy and increases harmful emissions.
3. Plan trips. Lump errands together, so you’ll have to make fewer trips during the week.
4. Enjoy fresh air. When possible, skip the A/C. The Air Conditioner increases fuel consumption.
5. Change your oil. Oil and filter changes may seem like an added budget expense, but can actually help improve fuel economy.

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On the Go Vehicle Blocks, by Sassy
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June 26, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of about 1,200 “2nd Nature Built to Grow Cribs,” manufactured by Stanley Furniture Company Inc., of Stanleytown, Va. The recall involves only certain crib models. It does not include cribs sold after December 2007.

According to CPSC, “The cribs could fail to meet a federal safety standard for crib dimensions. When the mattress support is in the middle setting, the space between the mattress and the crib could be too wide, posing an entrapment hazard to infants.” Consumers are advised to “immediately stop using the crib in the middle mattress setting.”

To determine whether your crib model is affected by the recall and/or to read the full CPSC news release, click here.

How green is your city? Green enough to raise your baby?

Check out this top ten green cities list to find out how your city stacks up. Among the list, BabyEarth’s very own backyard: Austin, TX.

After that scrumptious BabyEarth cardboard box conveniently arrives on your doorstep, you know, the one that contains today’s sassiest baby booty, put it to kid-friendly use before pitching it into the recycle bin with these three eco-conscious ideas:

1. Turn your child’s poster art into a puzzle. Glue one of your child’s drawings or paintings to a cardboard box flap. After the poster dries on the BabyEarth cardboard box flap, neatly cut the cardboard into creative puzzle pieces. Enjoy putting the puzzle together with your child!

2. Decorate the box. Children absolutely love decorating cardboard boxes! Provide your child crayons, markers or paint and let your pint-sized artist go wild. To get extra eco-friendly mileage out of the box (and a ton of smiles) forward the box along as a care package to someone special.

3. Create a picture frame. Transform the box into a picture frame. Cut out a cardboard backing (desired size) and a top frame in which you’ve cut an opening in the center. Glue the two pieces together, leaving a side open to insert a photograph or your child’s drawing–or handprint. Decorate the frame with tissue paper, paint, twigs or other household materials.

Found a creative way to put your BabyEarth shipping box to good use? Tell us all about it here!

News of BabyEarthLive is spreading fast! If you’ve ever wished that you could “break news” to your friends and family, now is your chance.

BabyEarthLive just launched yesterday! BabyEarthLive’s fully interactive personalized shopping experience has forever changed the online shopping world–especially when it comes to shopping for baby gear and everything baby.

Check out BabyEarthLive today. Tell your friends. Tell your pediatrician. Tell your favorite Mommy Bloggers. Tell your daycare provider. Tell your neighbor. Even blog about it! Be the one to break this cutting-edge news! BabyEarthLive’s demo-on-demand service is totally revolutionary!

It’s coming, it’s coming! Green child care. Parents are asking for green child care programs, and day care centers are listening.

What does a green day care center look like? Imagine organic meals, organic wool rugs, non-toxic art supplies, formaldehyde-free crib mattresses, PVC-free toys. That’s what one eco-friendly Atlanta center offers infants and toddlers. And, other centers are cropping up around the country. Some even offer preschoolers extensive exposure to environmental science education–that is, education about ecosystems, environmental issues, and sustainability.

Hey, Moms and Dads, chime in. What’s your take on green day care?

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Want to make Diaper Duty a little sweeter on Mother’s Day? The gift of a designer diaper bag might just do the trick. Check out these fabulous finds:

Bumble Bags. Imagine a stylish looking bag that converts to a shoulder bag, backpack, or messenger (across the chest) bag. That’s what you’ll find with Bumble Bags Diaper Bags. These popular bags also fit over stroller handle bars, so mom can finally get the rest she’s been dreaming about!

Skip Hop Duo Double Diaper Bag. The perfect bag for a busy mom of multiples. Everything fits! This bag is designed to easily hang on a double stroller. Want something smaller? Check out the Skip Hop Duo.

Fleurville Escape Pod. The name says it all. What mom doesn’t need a simple, compact designer bag for that quick little escape? Easily fits a small stash of diapers and wipes. Fleurville is now offering a line of green diaper bags, too.