The Dirty Truth

June 8, 2010

By Ashley Harkrader & Melissa Moog

Itsabelly's Diapering Disclaimer:

Itsabelly educates parents on the many options they have when deciding how to care for their precious baby. We specifically have an interest in choosing the non-toxic or green route as this is our specialty. For a few of our baby planners, we've learned about choosing a less toxic approach long after having used disposables so we've honestly experienced both sides. Most of us have even used disposables for traveling because it was convenient. Hearing the information about what our diapers were made of and how many ended up polluting our landfill was totally shocking. In the end, even though we were armed with this information we realized using disposables doesn't make us bad parents. Our own parents used disposables when we were babies but we would never judge them for doing what they thought was best.

When we researched the different diapering options we understood why today's parents might want to make the switch. Heck, making the switch today towards a lighter shade of green diapering is made so easy! You can choose from a hybrid disposable diaper like gDiapers to a green disposable diaper like Seventh Generation carried by your local Whole Foods store - that is if you don't want the hassle of using cloth. Some new families even get creative and take the 50/50 approach (half green disposable diapers and half cloth). With all of the stylish and creative choices available green diapering has almost become as cool as getting a new iPhone!

After doing our research we believe there are truly better options than the traditional disposable diapering brands. Bottom line, is that we do not judge or push information on any parent who isn't interested in this topic. In the end, after reading our information you have to decide what the right path is for you based on your lifestyle, budget and values but most importantly your gut instincts. We hope that this post will inform you about the benefits in choosing a healthier option for baby, avoiding disposables or at least considering how to reduce your consumption and protecting mother earth. Ultimately, as the parent it is your decision that matters most and you have to decide if you're on the spectrum of green what shade you'll be!

The Dirty Truth

Today, June 8th is "No Plastic Day." I wanted to incorporate this into my blog and what better way to do that then discuss diapers. I attended the World's Largest Baby Shower last month in Atlanta. The room was filled with experts including baby industry leaders to small businesses. For the event I was given the pleasure of speaking on behalf of Itsabelly Baby Planners along with my Itsabelly partner, Anna Vandiver. Our topic was disposables vs. eco-friendly diapers. On the trip down I thought "how many people will actually be interested in learning why green diapering is better?" My answer was quickly handed to me as I arrived. I found so many people (moms, dads, aunts, grandparents, etc...) were really interested in hearing what Anna and I had to say. We were asked questions like what is the difference between cloth and disposable, what are they made of and what are my options. If you're interested in going green in your baby's diapering here is some information that may help you answer some of those questions.

Decoding the Disposable:

Please note the following information is based on facts cited from:

Itsabelly's Guide to Going Green with Baby

Real Diaper Association

Ease Into Green

• Disposables are made up of a water proof polyethylene outer layer, an inner layer made from wood pulp and synthetic polyacralate, and a water repellant liner. Most brands have even added perfume and fragrance to the diapers as well.
• It can take up to 200-500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose-if it even does?
• Americans throw away close to 20 billion disposable diapers a year. Enough to stretch to the moon and back 9x.
• Disposables cost $2,000+ a baby's lifetime (multiply that if there is more than one baby).
• It takes 1 cup of crude oil to make the plastic for 1 disposable diaper... eekk that’s a lot of diapers floating in the gulf.
• It takes 286 lbs. of plastic (including the packaging to supply 1 baby in disposables.
• It takes 200-400kg of fluff to supply 1 baby in disposables for a year.
• Disposables create 2.3x as much water waste.
• 3.5x the energy, 8.3x the non-generable raw materials, 90x renewable raw materials, 30x as much land to grow the raw materials, and it is estimated that 75% of the hospitals in the US use disposables.

If you're concerned about being eco-friendly then this information might hit home:

"It takes 3.4 billion gallons of oil and over 250,00 trees annually to manufacture a diaper that ends up in a landfill which we're not even sure biodegrades. It is estimated by scientists that a diaper may take up to a few hundred years to biodegrade but we'll never know because we won't live that long."

The Dirty 3:

Disposables are made up of many things that should not come in contact with vulnerable and delicate baby skin. In most disposable diapers there are three main toxins.

Tributlyin (TBT)

• A toxin pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in animals and humans.
• Also been linked to obesity in humans, as it triggers genes that cause the growth of fat cells.

Sodium Polyacralate

• An absorbent gel used in most disposable diapers.
• Linked to asthma and reduced sperm count in boys.
• The chemical was once used in tampons and became banned in 1985 due to the cause of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).

Dioxins:

• A chemical by product of the paper bleaching process that uses chlorine gas in the manufacturing of diapers.
• Contains carcinogens- which are a cancer causing chemical.
• Small quantities of dioxins can affect the liver and immune system.
• Banned in most countries but widely used in the US.

A Different Way to Diaper

With so many new diapering choices many parents are taking a closer look at choosing green diapering over disposables. We have an array of choices before us such as eco-friendly diapers (Organic, cotton, jersey, bamboo and hemp) that come in every color of the rainbow, Velcro, snaps, flushable, cloth inserts, chlorine free, and then the re-invented diaper service.

Itsabelly Baby Planners has a few green diapering choices we recommend if you are considering this route.

• Nature Baby Care-Chlorine free and made from Stewardship Council certified wood pulp. They also have a corn based bio plastic. 
• Seventh Generation- Also made of certified wood pulp and also chlorine free ( they are brown for a reason) 
• Bum Genius- Super absorbent microfiber inserts and fasten easy with Velcro sides. 
• gDiapers- Come in cloth and flushable liners. Fashionable colors that are sure to be the talk of the playground, easy Velcro sides and they are biodegradable for composting.

Are Green Diapers Really Affordable?

April 30, 2010

 

By Amy Kux, Itsabelly San Francisco

Are Green Diapers Really Affordable?

As our economy continues to remain slow and people are re-evaluating their expenses and priorities, I felt the need to look into the cost of diapers. What I found is that “Green” can be cheaper, but the initial investment is much higher. Below is a quick cost breakdown of several diaper brands for newborns. Keep in mind that we do change between 12-16 diapers for the first 2 weeks and as the baby becomes older, the frequency of changes drastically decreases.

Here is a quick chart of the costs.

Cost of Newborn Diapers	Cost per change	Cost in one month (assuming 10 diapers/day)
Disposables (Pampers)	$ 0.28	$ 84.00
Disposables (Huggies- Little Snugglers)	$ 0.25	$ 75.00
Green Disposables (7th Generation)	$ 0.25	$ 75.00
Green Disposables (Tushies)	$ 0.30	$ 90.00
Green Biodegradable, Disposables (Nature Babycare)	$ 0.27	$ 81.00
Hybrid (G-Diapers 4 covers, 6 inserts, buying the starter kits only)	$ 0.54	$ 162.00
Prefolds and Covers (36 prefolds, 12 covers)	$ 0.10	$ 30.00
Hi-Tech Cloth Diapers (BumGenius- 36)**	$ 0.56	$ 168.00

Looking at these prices, the pre-fold cloth diapers are the most affordable, but may be inconvenient for most. The hi-tech cloth diapers seem on the expensive side, but it is important to evaluate your long term goals and sizing.

As babies grow, the disposable diapers pack cost the same, but there are fewer diapers in the packs. With the hi-tech cloth diapers, the larger size fits a wider span of sizes (often lasting from 12-18 months onto potty training age). There are even diaper covers that are so adjustable, that one can lose almost the entire diapering stage (keep in mind that these may not work for all babies)

In the end, I found that cloth diapers do pay off. The cost per change averages $0.22 per change for the hi-tech diapers, while the disposables end up costing $0.39/ change (over the span of diaper changing). Yet again, this demonstrates that it pays to be green in the long run.

Our Favorite Baby Products from ABC Kids Expo 2009 Receive itsabelly's Seal of Approval!

November 2, 2009

By Melissa Moog, itsabelly Baby Planners

Finally, what we've all been waiting for THE itsabelly Faves list from ABC Kids Expo 2009 is here! As a team we thought long and hard about all of our absolutely note worthy list of children's products. So, we're excited to share this special list with you. We wish that we could include every innovative baby gadget that we oogled over but frankly we'd be writing a novel! We're thrilled to point out that most of our favorites are eco-friendly and toxin-free which always ranks at the top of our list. Drumroll please... from sophisticated strollers, organic breastfeeding accessories to posh diaper bags we've got every category covered for you and your itty bitty!

OUR WINNERS

STROLLERS

Orbit Infant System & Stroller - We love Orbit because it's a truly innovative out of this world stroller which rotates 360 degrees, has a one hand fold and the infant car seat is made of all micro-fiber upholstery which is certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, helping to ensure it is especially easy on baby's skin and the environment - truly safe for baby!



Teutonia - Do you like to build your pizza with your favorite toppings or fill your sandwich with scrumptious ingredients? How about building your own stroller from seat design to color? This is customization at its finest.



UPPAbaby 2009 Vista Stoller - We love the UPPAbaby's stylish look and especially the price! Purchase a full stroller system at only $669.



BABY PROOFING

G180 Pinnacle Gateway (Baby Gate) by KidCo - Hands Free, auto close pressure mount gate with foot pedal operation. The foot pedal makes going in and out with baby in your arms very easy!



Nature Next Bamboo Gate by Safety 1st - Looking for a gate that's made out of eco-friendly materials. This one is made of durable bamboo & 100% recycled plastic parts.



Fireplace Hearth Guard, S710 by KidCo - Soft padding to protect your child from hard, sharp fireplace edges. Easy non-adhesive installation!



GREEN FEEDING

Klean Kanteen 12 ounce - We haven't met a toddler yet who doesn't like their shiny always BPA-free Klean Kanteen bottle. Isabella, our founder's daughter has used hers from 1 to 3+ years old (it was her first sippy converting over to her first water bottle).



Beaba Babycook - A one-of-a-kind counter top appliance which is a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster all-in-one. It cooks food within 15 minutes - super fast, super easy! A JPMA award winner for innovation!



Svan High Chair - The high chair that grows with your child from her first solids to her first finger foods, this sophisticated piece has got you covered. Not to mention it's beautifully and sustainably designed! It's made of bent birchwood through an eco-friendly process. The plastic tray cover is also BPA-free & Phthalate free. And if that wasn't enough - this high chair meets all US Federal Regulations for safety and is JPMA certified!



Medela Freestyle Breastpump - A truly hands free and BPA-free breast pump that makes pumping easy peasy and oh-so portable! Also a JPMA Innovation Award Winner!






My Brest Friend (organic) - Their new environmentally conscious 100% organic cover helps parents provide the best for there babies, with cotton and extra soft bamboo that is chemical and preservative free.



Dr. Greene's Feeding Baby Green - is the first comprehensive guide to help environmentally conscious parents make healthy product and lifestyle choices. You really can make a strong impact on the way your child eats from the day she was born...learn some very valuable tips from Dr. Greene on how to raise a child that will eat healthier foods. Say no to junk food!



Grass Drying Rack by Boon inc. - We wanted one of these just to stare at because it was such an amazingly cool looking product! Add a little color and style to your kitchen by drying  baby's feeding utensils on this fabulously designed drying rack. BPA-free, Phthalate-free & PVC-free!



Pop Pals - Pop Pals are insulating ice pop holders designed to help keep hands warm and ice pops cold. Made from soft flexible FDA -approved food grade material, Pop Pals are lead-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and BpA-free.



Dandelion Utensils & Bowls - These eating utensils are made from biodegradable corn, helping reduce our dependency on both petroleum-based plastics and disposable ware in general.






On-the-go Travel Formula & Snack Dispenser by Zoli - BPA-free & Phthalate free, 4 dispensers and easy pour spout. Pack this oh-so cute dispenser up with all of baby's favorite treats & your off for a day of fun.



GREEN DIAPERING

Bum Genius - Who said cloth diapering wasn't hip and easy? Plus we're aiming to decrease the thousands of dirty diapers that end up in our landfill! This cloth diaper sensation isn't just eco-friendly and toxin-free but it's one size fits all.



Birth to Potty Kit by Bambino Mio - Wow, an all-in-one starter kit which has the right number of cloth diapers and covers for all the pees & poops you'll ever have to change! One stop shopping at its best.



gDiapers - Can you say the coolest hybrid & first flushable diaper for baby's bottom? For true innovation in the eco-friendly department and because "g" just has so many cute colors/patterns to choose from we absolutely give this diaper company a thumbs up!



GREEN BABYCARE

Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash - Skindeep Database rates Earth Mama Angel Baby's baby wash & shampoo FREE of toxins, that's a big FAT zero - no ickies at all, totally safe for baby! Shh, don't tell anyone mama uses it too!



Puj Tub - Living in the city and have a smallish space to bathe baby? The Puj Tub molds to your sink so you can bathe your newborn (0-6 months) easily. It stores flat and is hypoallergenic & toxin free.



Ringley Teether - Anything your baby puts in his mouth needs to be safe! This is an absolutely non-toxic teether made in Canada from natural maple wood and 100% certified organic terry cloth. Winner of two awards - we're not surprised!



Nosefrida - Looking for a non-evasive nasal aspirator? Nosefrida is a doctor recommended nasal aspirator that removes mucus from your child's nose. It was invented in Sweden by Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, and has been used by Moms and Dads for years. Non-allergenic & latex free!



BABY CARRIERS

Ergo Baby Organic Carrier - Hands down the Ergo never disappoints as a durable, safe and easy to use carrier for mamas & papas.



Baby K'tan Carrier - What we loved about the Ka'tan is its ability to carry two babies at a time - can you say twins?!



GREEN NURSERY

No-Compromise Organic Cotton Ultra Crib & Toddler Mattress by Naturepedic - We were surprised at how many awards (6 to be exact) this organic mattress has won for it's eco-friendly design and toxin-free materials. We like it so much that we hope baby can move over and make room for mommy to sleep!



Organic Ultimate Receiving Blanket by Swaddle Designs - You definitely want to wrap your baby in the safest non-toxic materials while sleeping by using this beautifully designed organic swaddle blanket. With the instructions right on the label so you don't forget how to swaddle in the middle of the night Swaddle Designs is the best for baby & mommy brain! Created by a former RN, you know this blanket was made with every bit of love and care!



Sweet Slumber Sound Machine by Graco - This was THE gadget that got quite a few oohs and ahs at ABC. From 12 lullabies, ocean sounds, white noise, night light and plug-in for an MP3 player - this item got our attention. Here's to a well rested baby and no more sleepless nights!



DIAPER BAGS

Studio Diaper Tote by Skip Hop - A very stylish purse that fits baby's bottle, some diapers, wipes and a lap top. You had me at HELLO! Plus it's made of PVC free and eco-friendlly material - I'll take one in champagne please.



Tim & Leslie Diaper Bags - You can't go wrong with this line of extremely posh convertible diaper bags. You'll want one in every color!



MATERNITY CLOTHING

Belly Bandit Mother Tucker is the ultimate compression tank! You'll be WOWed with how it smoothes and shapes your middle! Mother Tucker™ uses a soft tubular knit, designed with three zones of varying compression.




Sublime Nursing Bra by Bravado!Designs - Feel fabulous and absolutely comfortable. This bra is made of soft, delicate lace and beautiful design elements to show off your radiant style. Who says you can't nurse in style?



Bellaband Organic by Ingrid & Isabel -Now made in organic cotton you can use Bellaband to keep up your loose pants, keep up the pants that won't button or if you need extra reinforcement this is the perfect product for around your middle!

Announcing Our New Seal of Approval Launching at ABC Kids Expo! We're looking for the Best in Show.

September 5, 2009

Itsabelly's New Seal of Approval

Stay tuned for details on how your product can receive our seal...

Cloth Diapering - Atlanta Cloth Monthly Workshops

May 4, 2009

By Nicole Mabry, Itsabelly Atlanta Baby Planners

When planning for my own baby, I intended to use cloth diapers with him.  With all of the hustle and bustle of welcoming a new baby, I let this priority slip down my "to do" list.  While changing the umpteen-millionth disposable diaper a week ago, I reminded myself that cloth diapering was an important environmental responsibility.

I immediately went into research mode.  There must be a cloth diapering resource somewhere out there!  Fortunately, I was able to locate Atlanta Cloth, a community of cloth diapering parents in the Atlanta area.  Not only is there a website and a forum for cloth diapering parents, but there are also workshops held monthly where parents can get together and learn more about cloth diapering.

I was very excited to attend my first workshop with Atlanta Cloth!  I found Rachel, the moderator, to be extremely knowledgeable.  She had every type of cloth diaper available for me to see and feel.  First she went through the different types of diapers - All in Ones, All in Twos, Fitteds, Pockets, Prefolds and Covers, you name it!  Next she covered the different diaper folding methods for prefolds and encouraged me to try on my own.  Finally, Rachel shared with me some of her secrets and tips for cloth diapering such as the "Jelly Roll Fold" and how to eliminate "baby plumbers' crack".   If you live in the Atlanta area and are planning to cloth diaper your baby, I recommend that you make time to attend one of these informative workshops.

Atlanta Cloth Workshops meet monthly in various locations throughout the metro Atlanta area.  Visit www.atlantacloth.com for more details.