New Year, New Baby

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Cribs & Bedding, Gift Ideas

Expecting in 2009? If so, with the New Year here, there’s never been a better time to resolve to go green!

Kick off the green resolution and nursery preparations with American Baby Company’s Yummy Organic Cotton Velour Crib Set. This organic set is free from bleach and dyes, and is available in natural or mocha hues.

When you walk into the nursery and see this organic bedding, you’ll be reminded of your green commitment–to growing baby green and a healthy, green lifestyle–time and time again. Talk about a resolution with staying power!

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The Perfect Hand-Me-Down Tights

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Clothing & Shoes, Green / Earth Friendly

I’m head over heels in love with yet another Trumpette product. This time it’s Trumpette’s Organic Tights.

With “recycle” imprinted on the fabric, these organic tights are the perfect hand-me-down after baby outgrows them. Available in sizes 6-12M or 12-18M.

Oh, in case you’re wondering, it’s not too late to jazz up your little one’s holiday with a dash of eco-green. Place your Trumpette order today for delivery by December 24th.

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Want another reason to buy eco-friendly toys?

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Green / Earth Friendly

If you’re looking for another reason to buy eco-friendly toys, consider this news: a Michigan-based environmental research group has found that one-third of popular toys “contain medium or high levels of chemicals of concern.” That’s one in three!

Baby’s Holiday Wish List: 11 Eco-Friendly Gifts

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Gift Ideas


What’s on your baby’s holiday wish list? While she may seem content playing with wrapping paper and bows, these 11 gifts are sure to please–especially her parents!

1. Sassy Baby’s Loved Ones. ($7.99)

2. Mini WeeGo Glass Bottles. ($11.99)

3. Baberoo Organic Leggies. ($12.00)

4. Sassy Wooden Trio. ($10.49)

5. Cloud b Sleep Sheep. ($24.95)

6. Cloud b Twilight Turtle ($30.95). Children LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this night light!

7. Organic Bear Teether. ($8.00)

8. Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug. ($59.95)

9. Hammer Balls, by Plan Toys. ($18.00)

10. Haba Push Car. ($152.99)

11. Classic ABC Block Cart, by Melissa & Doug. ($12.49)

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Turkey Day Thanks

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Gift Ideas

Whether your plans today include turkey, tofurkey, baby jar meat or pizza, Happy Thanksgiving from the Green Treehouse!

Countdown to Christmas: 27 Days, 57 Gifts - Under $10

Ready, set, go. After the dishes are washed, it’s time to get ready for the next holiday. For eco-friendly baby gifts and economical gift-giving ideas, check out BabyEarth’s fabulous collection of gifts under $10. Orders over $99 ship free.

21 Best of the Best Mod ‘Green’ Baby Names for 2008

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: green baby names

Stuck for a baby name? Well, here’s one Green Treehouse Blog Post you don’t want to miss!

Whether you’re looking for a modern beauty or timeless classic, here are 21 Best of the Best ‘Green’ Baby Names for 2008 — names that reflect the current green movement, environmentalism, and inspire appreciation for nature.

1. Jane (think Jane Goodall)
2. Mackay (think Whole Foods, John Mackay)
3. Henry (think Henry David Thoreau)
4. Rachel (think Silent Spring author)
5. John (think Sierra Club, John Muir)
6. Julia (think Julia “Butterfly” Hill)
7. Clay (think Earth, not Idol)
8. Margaret (think Margaret Mead)
9. Rosalie (think Rosalie Edge)
10. Terra (think Earth)
11. Willow
12. Rain
13. Coral
14. Spruce
15. Linden (think tree, not Second Life)
16. Sierra
17. Autumn
18. Sommer
19. Shale (think rock)
20. Mica (think rock)
21. Julian (think Alps)

Have a favorite green name? Leave a comment and tell us.


This Holiday Show Off Your Angel

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Gift Ideas

You already know your baby is an angel (okay, at least when she’s sleeping!), but with Oeuf’s absolutely gorgeous, hand knit Angel Wing Sweater you’ll finally have the proof!

What could be cuter than your little one wearing this adorable “angel wings” sweater, made of 100% eco-friendly, soft alpaca wool, in Grandma’s holiday photo?

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Recall: Delta Drop Side Cribs

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Recalls

October 21, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a major recall of drop side cribs, manufactured by Delta Enterprise Corp. The recall involves over a million drop side cribs, with date codes ranging from 1995 through December 2005 and one crib model (4624) made in 2007. It also involves Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006, but sold through 2007, that use “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware design.

The recall involves all Delta cribs manufactured in Taiwan or Indonesia, with the “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” drop side hardware design. These model numbers and country of origin can be located on the mattress support board label: 4320, 4340, 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624 (production dates 01/06 thru 11/07), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 01/95 thru 12/00), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, 4969, 4980.

The recall involves all Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006 that use “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware design. The recalled model numbers and country of origin include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605. The model number, country of origin and manufacture dates are located on top of the mattress support board. The recalled cribs have Delta’s name and address on the mattress support boards and Delta’s logo on the teether rail.

Missing safety pegs are one issue. According to CPSC, “Failure to use or install safety pegs can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers.” Specifically, “When the safety pegs in the base of each leg of the crib are missing from the lower track, the crib locks can disengage and detach if lowered below the peg hole, creating a hazardous gap. This gap can lead to the entrapment and suffocation of an infant or toddler.”

Spring pegs are another safety issue. According to CPSC, “The crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, which can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers.”

Consumers are advised to immediately discontinue use of cribs involved in the recall until they contact Delta and receive a free kit to fix the safety issues. To read more about the Delta drop side crib recalls, click here and here.

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Green Treehouse Editor’s Note: Given the extensive span of this recall (back to 1995), parents and caregivers planning to use a secondhand or previously used crib (e.g. purchased at a garage sale or online, such as at Craigslist) should be sure to investigate whether the crib has been recalled before putting it into use.

DIY: Create Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Health & Wellness

A Green Treehouse reader recently wrote to us and asked for a little do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning supplies advice. To our writer, thank you for reading and asking your question! We’ve trolled the Internet and pulled together some great links to help you create your own non-toxic, eco-friendly, baby-approved household cleaners. If we’ve missed any good links, be sure to let us know.

Why DIY non-toxic cleaning products?

There are many reasons for making your own cleaning supplies. Beyond the happy planet and health aspects, DIY cleaners can save money and they can be easy to make from ingredients commonly found at home. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the piece of mind that comes from knowing what’s in a product–especially one that you’re using in an environment shared with baby.

What about manufactured cleaners? Are they baby safe?

It depends. Today, parents interested in eco-friendly, baby safe cleaning products can find effective, yummy natural scented (or scent free), and reasonably priced non-toxic cleaners on the market. But, not all cleaning supplies are eco-friendly or baby (or even parent) safe. Look for natural ingredients and mom-approved labels like:
* Seventh Generation
* Begley’s Best
* Sun & Earth
* Mrs. Meyer’s
* BabyGanics

Where can I find *recipes* for making my own cleaners?

Thanks to mommy (and daddy) bloggers, here are some links to DIY cleaning product recipes. Please write to us and share your favorite formula!

    To Make Your Own Glass Cleaner:

A little ol’ vinegar and water should do the trick. But check out this recipe (Mom’s Budget), this one (Dabbling Divas), or these heavy duty home-brewed glass cleaner recipes.

    To Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner:

Check out this recipe (Greeniacs) that calls for 1/8 cup of borax and 1 quart of hot water.

    To Make Your Own Tile Cleaner:

Get squeezin’ lemons. Just half kidding there. According to Greeniacs, “Cut a lemon in half. Dip the lemon half in borax and use the lemon to scrub the tile. Rinse surface with warm water after scrubbed.” Sounds super easy, doesn’t it?

For other cleaning recipes or reasons to go green at home check out these eco-friendly links:
Sustain Lane’s How to Make Your Own Household Cleaners
5 Ways Moms Can Save the Planet
Eco-Friendly Household Cleaners

Do Babies Prefer Cloth?

Author: Green Treehouse  //  Category: Parenting

Beyond the serious long-term cost savings and the “green effect” of cloth diapering, parents who use cloth diapers frequently claim that babies prefer cloth over disposables.

But can a baby who doesn’t yet know her name really have such a preference? As a mom of three, who has used both cloth and disposable diapers over the years, I say…absolutely! Wouldn’t you be able to feel the difference against your skin between wearing a comfy cotton underlayer and layers of superabsorbent polymers? That’s what I thought.

The Fuzzi Bunz Pocket Diaper is one example of an easy-to-use diaper that gently touches your baby’s skin. Use the Fuzzi Bunz diaper as you would a disposable (except reuse it!). The waterproof outer layer contains wetness and the inner microfeece pulls moisture away from your baby (think, rash-free comfort!). Plus, the stetchy leg elastic is designed to provide comfort for baby.

Still not convinced that a baby can tell the difference? Well, go ahead, check out this Fuzzi Bunz You Tube video: