Why 'Cry It Out' Sleep Training Harms Baby

Organic cot mattress shoppers may be interested to know why letting their baby cry it out and fall asleep themselves may not be the best thing for them. I remember when my youngest was a baby, I was told by a very well-known baby sleep book that I was too soft and that I should let her cry herself to sleep in her cot to get her used to it. Well after an hour of complete inconsolable wailing, her in her cot and me in the next room crying myself, I gave up and never let her cry like that again. An article I read today nearly 7 years later explains that I may have killed a few of her brain cells in the process of trying to get her to accept sleeping in her own cot! According to Darcia Narvaez, an associate professor of psychology at Notre Dame, when babies are stressed, their bodies release cortisol into their systems -- a toxic hormone that kills brain cells. Babies brains are only 25% developed at this young age, so its not exactly giving them a great start and instead results in a higher probability of them developing ADHD, poor academic performance and anti-social tendencies, because human babies are hardwired for hands-on comfort and care. For the full article see http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out

The Organic Baby Mattress Guide to Sleep Safety

As well as buying an organic baby mattress and organic baby bedding, there are other key steps in ensure your baby sleeps safely. Here are some useful guidelines, based on reducing the risk of cot death, or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). 1.Put your baby on his back to sleep 2.Place your baby in the cot in a 'feet to foot' position so there's less chance of her slipping down beneath the bedding 3.Do not smoke in the same room as your baby 4.Do not use a duvet, quilt or pillow even if it’s organic until your baby is over one year old, best to use organic sheets and an organic baby blanket in the mean time 5.Keep baby's head uncovered indoors (or whenever you go into warm places) 6.If baby is unwell, seek medical advice straight away 7.Keep your baby in the same room as you for the first six months. 8.If baby shares your bed, ensure her safe by not letting her get too hot. It's very important you don't let your baby's head get covered by the duvet, covers or pillow. 9.Avoid medication that makes you sleepy, or if you've been drinking a lot, don't bring your baby into your bed. 10.If you sleep with Baby in your bed, remember to use a bed guard as your bed isn't made for your baby and she could fall out. Make sure there are no sharp corners or hard edges where she could hurt herself. 11.Don't fall asleep with her on a sofa, as this has been shown to be risky. It's possible to roll on to your baby this way, or for her to get trapped between your body and the side or back of the sofa or its cushions.

Why its Good to Raise Your Children on a Farm

Organic Baby Mattress fans will be interested to know that researchers have found that it’s best to raise children on a farm if you want them to have a strong immune system. Immunological diseases, such as eczema and asthma, are on the increase in westernised society and represent a major challenge for 21st century medicine.

Dr Marie Lewis, Research Associate in Infection and Immunity at the School of Veterinary Sciences, who led the research, said: "Many large-scale epidemiological studies have suggested that growing up on a farm is linked to a reduced likelihood of developing allergic disease. However, until now, it has not been possible to demonstrate direct cause and effect: does the farm environment actively protect against allergies, or are allergy-prone families unlikely to live on farms?" The study found an increase in the number of regulatory T-lymphocytes, the cells that damp down the immune system and limit immune responses in a group of piglets raised since birth on a farm compared to those raised in isolated hygienic conditions. Goes to show that our western obsession with over cleanliness can be worse for our children than letting them be exposed to nature a bit more. Miessence sell a fabulous house cleaning fluid made of natures probiotics, which simply increase healthy bacteria in the environment rather than killing all bacteria. A much healthier way to live, in buyOrganics opinion!!!

How to get chemicals out of your mattress

An article today in the San Francisco Chronicle shared some top tips to getting chemicals and poisons out of your mattress.

Choosing a chemical free organic mattress or organic futon should be a number one priority on every ones list because of the following facts

Polyurethane Foam is one of the number one ingredients in mattresses these days, and off gassing from polyurethane foam can release harmful petrochemicals into the air as you sleep. The Petroleum based chemicals used in making foam are polymers and urethane, which contains an Isocyanate compound. The Isocyanate compound is one of the main culprits that causes illness, asthma and other diseases. Memory foam mattresses use an Isocyanate called TDI (Toluene Di-Isocyanate), which has a strong odor and over time seeps through a mattress, and into the air. These chemicals in mattresses releases hydrocarbons that evaporate into the air we breath throughout a mattress' lifetime. These hydrocarbons are powerful carcinogenic chemicals, attacking and severely damaging the immune and nervous systems of adults and children. United States Department of Labour, claims that the health effects of an Isocyanate exposure include irritation to skin, mucous membranes, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Hidden fire retardants are the other issue as San Francisco Chronicle points out, The government here as well as in the U.S requires that mattresses must be flame retardant. PBDE, Polybrominated Dipheyl Ethers are commonly found in mattresses especially older ones and mattresses made in China. As the foam decomposes over time, harmful PBDE in older mattresses can pollute your bedroom. According to an EPA study in 2008, PBDE is especially toxic to brain development, leading to damage in learning and behaviour. This is not all that maybe in your mattress though. Melamine, TDCPP, APP and pentaBDE as well as cynanide may be sleeping with you at night.

Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey believes that Fire Retardants should be eliminated from all mattresses, he says, " America's system for regulating industrial chemicals is broken. Parents are afraid because hundreds of untested chemicals are found in their child's body." Many parents bring their newborn or toddler into their bed, unintentional harming their children. The EPA and the Agency of Toxic Substances and disease registry does claim that, " children do differ from adults in their susceptibility to hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens and neuro-developmental effects of the fire retardants commonly used in baby mattresses" This unfortunately doesn't just apply to America but to the UK too. But you don't get many high profile MP's fighting the case for consumer safety in the UK.

The latest advice from some bodies regarding cot mattresses recommends that we use ones with a pvc cover to avoid cot death, if nature intended us to cradle our babies in pvc, surely it would grow on trees! San Francisco chronicle points out that PVC waterproofs fabrics but has petroleum chlorine in it which is a known carcinogen.

At buyorganics we specialise in organic mattresses and organic futons without any chemicals toxins or poisons. We are trying to make your sleeping environment safer by recommending a safer choice of foam fill - botanical latex which comes specifically from plants, namely the rubber tree. The way it is formulated for us using the Dunlop method, nothing artificial, chemical, toxic or poisonous is added providing you with a 100% plant based mattress that is naturally hypo allergenic, and dust mite repellent. This combined with nothing but natural fibres and no chemical or toxic fire retardants is better for yours and your children's health all round.

 

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/06/14/prweb8554183.DTL#ixzz1PLQWNJOq

 

 

 

Why an Organic Cot Mattress is Essential for a Green Baby!

 

An organic cot mattress is one of the must have essential items for parents trying to 'go green' according to an article yesterday by Fox News.

Alan Greene , author of Raising Baby Green The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care states that this is a must have item. "The first thing I would choose is an organic mattress because a baby's face is so close to the mattress all day."

This is because of chemicals present in conventional mattresses. Synthetic mattresses may include an array of chemicals including flame retardants, polyurethane, foam, polyester, plastic and formaldehyde. These are all absent in an organic cot mattress. Greene also stresses that children sleep on their mattress more than 12 hours a day so making sure that they are not exposed to chemicals that are not good for them is important.

Avoiding chemical exposure is also really important. "Things get exposed through the skin," Dr Benjamin Kligler a board-certified family practitioner and director of research at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City says . "It's not just about what you eat."

Amongst other essential steps to Greening your baby are avoiding nursery decoration and construction work at home whilst pregnant, making sure you choose environmentally friendly cleaning products, watching what you eat by reducing fish consumption is also important, as Mercury in fish can be toxic to baby. Choose BPA free baby bottles and breastfeeding as much as possible, and also keep baby on an organic diet by avoiding non- organic beef, milk, potatoes, and apples.

Greene says "I do suggest using a bottle that is bisphenol-A (BPA) free. Studies in animals have found it's very clear that BPA is an endocrine disrupter."

Natural Sleep for Baby – Natural Bedding Options

If you look around on various baby health websites, the information can be quite confusing. Information can be mixed and sometimes contrary to what you as a mum feel would be good for your baby.

For instances, some experts believe that the mattress should be covered in PVC whilst others say that babies bed clothes should be fire retardant treated.

Experts change from weaning at 3 mths to 6 mths, from putting baby to sleep face down, to sleeping on their back!!! Some say don’t sleep with baby in the bed…but I always did!

As a mum who has raised 2 children and is into natural living, I find these options grate against the grain. However, I am not a so called medical expert and you are free to follow advice you think you should follow. When it comes to baby I think only you know best, and sometimes with all the best intentions in the world, we end up having to change our opinions when it comes to the crunch.

So here’s my top ten tips on choosing natural baby bedding
1. buy an organic mattress, that is made of all natural materials, it can easily meet British fire standards without chemicals and should display the BS7177 standard as minimum.

2. Check the cot to be sure that the mattress fits snugly. There should be no corner-post extensions and no decorative cut outs in the headboard or foot board which could trap your baby's limbs

3. Buy organic cotton bedding that can be washed up to 60 or 95C to kill any bacteria or dust mites.

4. Use an organic cotton mattress protector to help prevent the mattress from being soiled. This should also be washable at a high temperature.

5. Use organic cotton bedding and sheets. The organic choice will mean that there are no chemical residues, in the fabric and the natural fibres will ensure that baby is at the right temperature

6. Do swaddle!!! Babies like feeling snug as they felt in the womb. It’s very comforting.

7. Use an organic duvet and an organic pillow after baby is about 1 year old, its not really suggested before then. If it is cold use a plush organic cotton or wool blanket. Acrylic blankets aren’t great and again a natural option is better at regulating temperature.

8. Make sure that the room has not just been painted when you put baby in. If it is painted, paint well before, air and ventilate and use an organic paint such as Auro paints instead of Dulux.

9. I wouldn’t suggest the immediate use of a dust mite spray on the bedding to begin with. Once its on, it won’t fade away straight away and if it doesn’t agree with baby then you may have a problem, just vacuum babies mattress weekly with the upholstery attachment and wash the bedding regularly.

10. Only use natural cleaning products in babies room and on babies bedding, avoid heavy chemical cleaners, detergents or highly scented fabric conditioners.