Sunscreen---choosing wisely

I have had great suggestions on posts. Keep them coming ladies!

Choosing a safe sunscreen for you and your family can get tricky. All claim to be safe, but which ones really are best? Can we buy without breaking our budgets?

Skin Deep, otherwise know as the Environmental Working Group, is a third party cosmetics safety database giving great information to help you make a good decision.

From the website:

"When we began our sunscreen investigation at the Environmental Working Group, our researchers thought we would ultimately recommend against micronized and nano-sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreens. ...But many months and nearly 400 peer-reviewed studies later, we find ourselves drawing a different conclusion, and recommending some sunscreens that may contain nano-sized ingredients.

Our study shows that consumers who use sunscreens without zinc and titanium are likely exposed to more UV radiation and greater numbers of hazardous ingredients than consumers relying on zinc and titanium products for sun protection. We found that consumers using sunscreens without ZnO and TiO2 would be exposed to an average of 20% more UVA radiation — with increased risks for UVA-induced skin damage, premature aging, wrinkling, and UV-induced immune system damage — than consumers using zinc- and titanium-based products. Sunscreens without zinc or titanium contain an average of 4 times as many high hazard ingredients known or strongly suspected to cause cancer or birth defects, to disrupt human reproduction or damage the growing brain of a child. They also contain more toxins on average in every major category of health harm considered: cancer (10% more), birth defects and reproductive harm (40% more), neurotoxins (20% more), endocrine system disruptors (70% more), and chemicals that can damage the immune system (70% more) (EWG 2007)."

For more info, visit Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Here are my top three picks based on their ingredient safety as well as sun protection.

Soleo/Wyland Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen, SPF 30+ *
$20.24 at Amazon

California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+ *

$13.99 at Target

Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30 *

$13.95 Found at Earthturns.com

Be safe in the sun this summer!

Earth Mama Angel Baby Giveaway--Ends Friday 5/29

Safe, pure and natural products that work.

Mama created the only complete line of 100% natural, herbal and toxin-free skin body care products and teas to help ease the common discomforts of the entire process of birth — from pregnancy through labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, and baby care. The website even has resources for creating your own birthplan , a reading room all about pregnancy and babies, as well as support in grieving the loss of a pregnancy or child. This company is stellar.

These are my favorite products. Definite MUST-HAVES for anyone expecting. Keep them for yourself, or give them to a friend!

Organic borage oil and neroli pure essential oil help nourish and encourage skin's natural elasticity for natural stretch mark care. Natural Stretch Oil is light and readily absorbable. It's vegan, cruelty-free and toxin-free (no artificial preservatives!), and contains no nut oils. It's lovely as a bath oil and perfect for perineal massage to help avoid tears and episiotomies during natural childbirth.

Best-selling New Mama Bottom Spray is a cooling, soothing perineal mist that helps ease discomfort of postpartum soreness and swelling, episiotomies and hemorrhoids.

To Enter:

For one entry, browse through the fabulous products . In a comment tell us (here) your name and one thing on the website you loved.

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Example: Emily Childers- The hot spot labor sock would definitely help in pregnancy and labor!

For a second entry, follow or subscribe to Your Natural Baby and More. (If you already do, this counts). In a comment tell your name & whether you followed or subscribed.

Example: Emily Childers-Follow

Giveaway ends Friday, May 29th at midnight.

Come back on the 30th to see if you won! Winner will email me with your mailing address. If I don't hear from you, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Mutsy review and Discount code (Grow Up! seat and Rider stroller)

I'm extremely picky about products I buy. I want them to perform well and be durable to withstand the test of time. I know that part of my job in saving money for the family is to be an informed consumer. I also want products to be easy to use, and for heaven sakes, is it too much to ask that they be stylish?!?!

For these reasons, I was salivating over THIS booster seat made in Holland. I'm telling ya, they know what they're doing over there in Holland. This seat is Fabulous! I wrote to inquire about the GrowUp booster seat and get more info---They were generous enough to send me a sample. Let me tell you, this seat is awesome!

Here's the deal with my child. He is high energy, and mealtime is no exception. He decided early on he was not a fan of the high chair, but when I tried the various booster seats available at your big box stores, he shimmied right out of their measly little straps. I needed a 5 point harness to keep this kid safe. The Mutsy Grow Up! Booster seat does the job, and I love that it looks good while doing it (Modern design in 6 chic colors). It easily straps to a dining chair and the soft foam-like seat allows for greater comfort than most boosters offer.

If you are in the market for a stroller you must check out Mutsy's Rider line (4Rider and 4Rider Light).

They offer total flexibility for parents, you can take seat out, put in bassinet, take seat out put it into the babysitter frame and you have a rocker, take seat out and put in the Fun Seat. Goore’s for Babies to Teens is the best place I've found to purchase, www.goores.com . I've already spoken with their people, and because they know you readers are the best, you get a discount on all Mutsy orders from http://www.goores.com/ ! Give the code ynbmu at checkout to receive a 10% discount on any Mutsy order from www.goores.com.

The Dangerous Mattress Monster?

When Roger and I went looking for Mo's crib mattress, it was not quite the experience I was hoping for. We had bonded quite deeply with the little man, and co-slept for almost the entire first year. I wanted him to be safe in his new sleeping environment. This means safe from off-gassing materials. Did you know that crib mattresses can emit fumes from chemical treatments, PVC covers and the polyurethane foam inside? Sound scary? It is.
So we go to this baby boutique which touts "only the safest products" on the window. I had read about off gassing and was hoping to see some natural fiber mattresses.
Nope.
In fact, the saleswoman made me feel like I was paranoid for even asking to smell the mattress before I purchased it. She insisted that if this mattress was good enough for her kid, it was good enough for mine. (What?!)
Heaven forbid we allow the customer to think about the safety and quality of the product.
It smelled like plastic, gave me a headache and I almost threw up in my mouth. It was seriously that bad. No Kidding.
Later,we finally found one that was semi-natural (I guess) and didn't stink too bad. I took it home and left it in Mo's new room for a few minutes--I later walked back in to smell that distinct stench again. (Mmmm. Chemicals. Yum.) Almost as bad as the first time around!---kinda scary. I left that puppy outside in the carport for nearly a week before bringing it back in the house.
I wiped it down with Vinegar and put an organic cover on it hoping that would do the trick.
You know what would have been a lot easier, and safer? Going with a different product that until recently I didn't even know existed. Everyone should be aware of the dangers of off gassing and that there are alternatives.

Enter the Natural Mat.

Click on the link for more info

Last week I was lucky enough to stumble on this fabulous company.

They use no chemicals, no plastics and no PVC. Their superior mattresses combine the finest natural and organic raw materials including lambs wool, natural rubber latex foam, coir, mohair and cotton. The natural fibres provide much higher levels of spring and support, and far better ventilation than any synthetic foam or coil springs.

If you are expecting a baby or are looking for a crib mattress for your little one, Protect them. http://www.goores.com/ is offering a discount on the Natural Mat for Your Natural Baby and More readers. (Don't you feel special?)

Go HERE and type in code ynbnm at checkout for a 10% discount on any Natural Mat order from www.goores.com.

Now I can sleep knowing Mo is safe at night.

Awesome.