I wrote to Gerber regarding the #7 plastic that Abby's Organic baby food was packaged in, asking their plan for removing this hazard from a popular source of baby food.
from my www.IHMMB.com board :
"Got my response from Gerber today. Totally what I expected. Good to know big corporations that gladly accept millions of our dollars are SO responsive to our concerns :
"Marla,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Safety is our top priority at Gerber Products Company, and we have an 80-year history of helping parents raise happy, healthy babies. Gerber confirms the safety of all our products and we encourage our consumers to always contact us immediately if they have a question or concern.
Regarding your question concerning number 7 plastic package of pureed baby food, Bisphenol-A is not used in making the plastic cups for Gerber puree products.
The FDA has considered the relevant data available on Bisphenol-A and concluded that these compounds can be safely used under the conditions established by the FDA. BPA when used as a component of packaging has played an important role in maintaining and protecting product quality and safety for many years. Gerber believes that when used as intended by FDA, these products are safe.
Parents with questions are welcome to contact our Gerber Parents Resource Center, which is open for consumer calls 24-hours a day, 365-days per year. The telephone number for the Parents Resource Center is 1-800-4-Gerber.
Best wishes from your friends @ gerber.com."
Gee, I'm so surprised they believe these products are safe.
I will NOT be purchasing any other Gerber products.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Bisphenol A aka I Just Threw Away $100 Worth of Plastic!
Much has been written lately about Bisphenol A and the dangers it presents in food containers and baby bottles. A quick summary as to why it is a problem:
from www.ewg.org
"Health/Toxics: Bisphenol A
Now, I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to environmental dangers, and try not to overreact to every "this could be harmful" article that comes along. BPA, however, is scary. The fact that it is SO prevalent, that it has been so strongly linked to some health issues that have become epidemic in my lifetime, and that the time frame for highest exposure is from birth to six years old is enough to make me take a second look. The research is bothersome and the fact that many European countries and Canada have acted so much faster in safeguarding the health and well-being of their citizens in regard to these toxins only serves to illustrate the power of the almighty dollar in determining public health policy in America. That is a subject for a different post altogether, though!
I checked the 2 baby bottles we still own and the are Medela's, which are regarded as safe. I just threw away 19 plastic food containers, 8 sippy cups, and a bunch of other cheapy cups and dishes we have accumulated over the years. Based on what is out there being reported there are problems with toxins leaching from type 3, 6, and 7 plastics. I was shocked to see that the Organic Gerber baby food I had bought for Abby is packaged in toxic type 7 plastic! I wrote to Gerber last night and am awaiting a response, and chucked out 8 2-packs of baby food. Back to Earth's Best Organic for Abby.
from www.ewg.org
"Health/Toxics: Bisphenol A
Issue Summary
BPA is a component of epoxy resins that are used to line food cans and to make hard plastic polycarbonate bottles and containers, popularized by Nalgene and others. It leaches into food, water, and infant formula and has been detected in 93 percent of all Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control. BPA raises special concerns because numerous studies have found it to be toxic at exposure levels equivalent to or even below the amounts detected in people. BPA is linked to breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb.
BPA is a signature compound in the fight for reform of the nation's toxic chemicals laws. It contaminates nearly all Americans, it causes toxic effects at very low doses, the effects associated with BPA, like breast and prostate cancer, are on the rise, yet the EPA has only the most clumsy and convoluted authority to control its use and reduce exposure to populations at risk."
Now, I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to environmental dangers, and try not to overreact to every "this could be harmful" article that comes along. BPA, however, is scary. The fact that it is SO prevalent, that it has been so strongly linked to some health issues that have become epidemic in my lifetime, and that the time frame for highest exposure is from birth to six years old is enough to make me take a second look. The research is bothersome and the fact that many European countries and Canada have acted so much faster in safeguarding the health and well-being of their citizens in regard to these toxins only serves to illustrate the power of the almighty dollar in determining public health policy in America. That is a subject for a different post altogether, though!
I checked the 2 baby bottles we still own and the are Medela's, which are regarded as safe. I just threw away 19 plastic food containers, 8 sippy cups, and a bunch of other cheapy cups and dishes we have accumulated over the years. Based on what is out there being reported there are problems with toxins leaching from type 3, 6, and 7 plastics. I was shocked to see that the Organic Gerber baby food I had bought for Abby is packaged in toxic type 7 plastic! I wrote to Gerber last night and am awaiting a response, and chucked out 8 2-packs of baby food. Back to Earth's Best Organic for Abby.
Please take the time to read about BPA, and protect your children and your family. It is becoming glaringly more apparent that we cannot and should not trust ourselves and our loved ones to a bureaucracy that places safety somewhere less than first in its list of priorities.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Car Seats and My New Mission
I am absolutely stunned and dismayed at the number of intelligent, loving, caring parents who place their children in harm's way DAILY by using inappropriate or inadequate carseats. Parents who I know love and treasure their children, and MANY more anonymous folks who's cars I see out and about. Parents who don't realize, through misinformation or ignorance, the level of danger their child is in. While most parents do use child safety seats (though you'd be shocked if you really noticed how many DON'T), the number of kids in seats that are expired, or have been in crashes, or are not appropriate for their child's age/size/developmental level is absolutely appalling. I have been more and more aware of this problem the more I learn from on-line friends and research I have begun on my own. The problem is HUGE and one I feel passionate about trying to fix.
When I had Thomas, I knew we needed a carseat. I borrowed an infant seat from a friend with no written instructions, expiration date, nothing. My mom, grandma, and I loaded him in to take him home from the hospital and even, if I remember correctly, had the seat forward facing. We got home safe and sound, I turned the seat around in my car, and all was well. When he got a bit older, we moved to a bigger child seat, and then to a backless booster. I was oblivious to the dangers we were exposing him to, and had no comprehension about how lucky we were never to have been in an accident. I saw each move to a "bigger boy" car seat as a measure of how grownup he was. I now know how wrong I was.
I am not going to list all the ins and outs of car seat safety here. First of all, I am not qualified and there are TONS of on-line resources to do that. What I will say is this : keep your kids rear-facing as long as possible! Rear-facing is the safest way for littles to travel.
From http://www.carseat.org/Resources/633.pdf:
The part of all this that is exciting to me is that there are classes for certification and I am currently looking into becoming a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. It will involve 4 days of classes, 3 tests, and travel, but it is a goal I look forward to accomplishing. It is a cause I believe in, and a great need is present. I am excited and will keep you posted!
The good news is that practical help is out there on the web for info, stats, and how-to. There is also financial assistance available to purchase appropriate, safe seats. Kyle's website has good info on that.
Bottom line - get as good and safe a car seat as you can, install it properly, use it EVERYTIME your child is in a vehicle, and keep them as buckled as you can for as long as you are able.
You just may save your child's life.
When I had Thomas, I knew we needed a carseat. I borrowed an infant seat from a friend with no written instructions, expiration date, nothing. My mom, grandma, and I loaded him in to take him home from the hospital and even, if I remember correctly, had the seat forward facing. We got home safe and sound, I turned the seat around in my car, and all was well. When he got a bit older, we moved to a bigger child seat, and then to a backless booster. I was oblivious to the dangers we were exposing him to, and had no comprehension about how lucky we were never to have been in an accident. I saw each move to a "bigger boy" car seat as a measure of how grownup he was. I now know how wrong I was.
I am not going to list all the ins and outs of car seat safety here. First of all, I am not qualified and there are TONS of on-line resources to do that. What I will say is this : keep your kids rear-facing as long as possible! Rear-facing is the safest way for littles to travel.
From http://www.carseat.org/Resources/633.pdf:
"Children in Sweden ride rear facing until they are three to five years old, lowering traffic
death and injury rates substantially. Convertible safety seats currently sold in the United
States can be used in the rear-facing position up to 30 pounds or more. For the best
protection available, children should ride rear facing until they are at least 18-24 months
old."
We are SO anxious to get our kids forward-facing, we put their safety in jeopardy. I read this information when Benjamin was little and kept him rear-facing til he was about 18months old. Max the same. Abby Grace will stay rear facing until she is 30 pounds. It is SO much safer. I have heard people say, " but they look uncomfortable." They are not bothered by being rear-facing if that is all they have known, and if they are uncomfortable, they WILL let you know, just as they do in other situations.
Once you turn your kids around, keep them in 5 point harnesses as long as you can. We all seem to see moving from a 5 point harness to a belt-positioning booster as a "step-up." It is NOT! It is a huge step DOWN in level of safety. Belt-positioning boosters have a place, but a 5 point harness is SO much safer. I have a seat for Benjamin that becomes a BPB as early as 30 pounds and is good til he weighs 100 pounds. I was very excited til I started to learn more. Unless your child sits straight up, facing-forward, with the belt positioned as it is supposed to be, and all belts and buckles hold properly each and every time, you are putting your child at risk. With our Tax Stimulus money, we are buying Graco Nautilus seats for both Benjamin and Max. It has a 5 point harness to 65 pounds, and a highback booster to 100 pounds. To learn about the importance of 5 point harnesses, you can go to http://www.usa.safekids.org or www.kyledavidmiller.org. I will warn you, the story and video of Kyle is heartbreaking and so sad, but his parents are turning the tragedy of their loss into awareness and that is a legacy to their beloved son.
From www.carseat.org : "Recognize each stage of restraint as a demotion, not a graduation."
I have also heard from SO many sources, to get your car seat installed properly, go to a fire station. While many fire, ems, and law enforcement officers are knowledgeable about car seat safety, FEW of them are actually certified. There is a National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program that certifies individuals as child passenger safety technicians and instructors. In my area, only 1 ambulance authority and 3 fire stations are certified. Source : http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/FindFitting.cfm
The part of all this that is exciting to me is that there are classes for certification and I am currently looking into becoming a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. It will involve 4 days of classes, 3 tests, and travel, but it is a goal I look forward to accomplishing. It is a cause I believe in, and a great need is present. I am excited and will keep you posted!
The good news is that practical help is out there on the web for info, stats, and how-to. There is also financial assistance available to purchase appropriate, safe seats. Kyle's website has good info on that.
Bottom line - get as good and safe a car seat as you can, install it properly, use it EVERYTIME your child is in a vehicle, and keep them as buckled as you can for as long as you are able.
You just may save your child's life.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
I Haven't Totally Disappeared!
Yes, I know I have not been blogging at all lately, mainly because I have been feeling quite conflicted. I have made my blog here a happy space, full of pictures of the cutest kids ever and the comings and goings of an everyday family. My "real" writing, which I have been doing more of lately, has been squirreled away in various Word documents, not being given a chance to see the light of day for fear of ruining the "happy, happy, joy, joy" world here in Blog-land. The truth of the matter is, while the record of our lives is fun and important to document, I have some strong opinions and thoughts on MANY subjects (yes, shocking, I know! ;O) ) and a desire to write something more than just fluff.
My first thought was a separate blog, a different home for the more controversial blog posts, but that felt dishonest and really, who am I kidding? I have issues updating one blog, nevermind two! So, I have decided that, if this is truly my blog, then I should write about what I want to, and readers can read, or not, as they so desire! Anyway, that is where I am today, and the path I see my Journey taking, at this point, knowing it can change at ANY time!!
Long ago (well, not THAT long ago...around the time we found out we were expecting Benjamin and 30 days later I found out I was losing my job of 10 years!) I figured out that we can decide where we are going and plan our lives, but so often, God decides He has something different/new/better for us and changes our direction, often radically! After a number of life changes I would have never planned on making had you asked me even 6 years ago, like homeschooling and staying at home ALL DAY with my kids to name just two, I can truly say that they are SO the right decisions for me, and I am SO grateful that I took the paths that have opened to me, once I got through arguing with God about what MY plans were and how this was NOT going to work! I plan on looking at my blog like that - I'll start with my plan and see where it leads....
Now, for the "fluff" portion of our broadcast...
Some obligatory adorable kid pictures,courtesy of Grandma. I haven't been clicking much lately..another thing I need to get back in the swing of!!!
When did Thomas get SO big???!!!
Sweet, smiley baby girl!!
Benjamin has the most intense, soul-filled eyes I've ever seen!
Can you say "understatement?"
My first thought was a separate blog, a different home for the more controversial blog posts, but that felt dishonest and really, who am I kidding? I have issues updating one blog, nevermind two! So, I have decided that, if this is truly my blog, then I should write about what I want to, and readers can read, or not, as they so desire! Anyway, that is where I am today, and the path I see my Journey taking, at this point, knowing it can change at ANY time!!
Long ago (well, not THAT long ago...around the time we found out we were expecting Benjamin and 30 days later I found out I was losing my job of 10 years!) I figured out that we can decide where we are going and plan our lives, but so often, God decides He has something different/new/better for us and changes our direction, often radically! After a number of life changes I would have never planned on making had you asked me even 6 years ago, like homeschooling and staying at home ALL DAY with my kids to name just two, I can truly say that they are SO the right decisions for me, and I am SO grateful that I took the paths that have opened to me, once I got through arguing with God about what MY plans were and how this was NOT going to work! I plan on looking at my blog like that - I'll start with my plan and see where it leads....
Now, for the "fluff" portion of our broadcast...
Some obligatory adorable kid pictures,courtesy of Grandma. I haven't been clicking much lately..another thing I need to get back in the swing of!!!
When did Thomas get SO big???!!!
Sweet, smiley baby girl!!
Benjamin has the most intense, soul-filled eyes I've ever seen!
Can you say "understatement?"
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