Stroller…or "Stroll-him"

Less Toxic Stroller

After learning how toxic carseats, that little lungs, (which intake twice the air and therefore, toxins, that adults do), were inhaling with wee little noses pressed up against them…I was on the hunt for a safer stroller.

Truth be told, I always envisioned my child being pushed along the park walks, under a canopy of weeping cherry trees, in a classic black pram as the blossoms floated down like pink snowflakes. (Seriously. I saw this.) I longed for a Silver Cross Balmoral Pram the way men lust after Bugatti’s. I really, really, really, really wanted one.  However, my husband is from Wisconsin and would have returned there to find a new wife who called him “Sir” had I skipped home with a  two thousand dollar pram.  My son would have to do with some modern contraption, inevitably, from Scandinavia.

After realizing that I was not going to have a beautiful Balmoral (or English nanny with Callas-esque singing ability, or rose covered cottage in the Cotswolds), I began research.  At first, I thought that we should get the Orbit (www.OrbitBaby.com), as it has certified less dangerous materials:

“Most inner upholstery fabric of all Orbit seats is certified by theInternational Oeko-Tex® Association, a Europe-based institution founded to guarantee “confidence in textiles.” Specifically, Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a set of criteria that limits over 100 potentially harmful substances and chemicals, ensuring that our upholstery fabric is especially easy on both your child’s skin and the environment.”

and, also from their site:

“As required by state and federal safety standards(NHTSA FMVSS 302 and California TB 117), all car seats must meet stringent flame retardancy standards. Many manufacturers meet these requirements by treating their fabrics with toxic brominated and chlorinated chemicals, like PBBs and PBDEs, that can be harmful to children. In contrast, Orbit meets all flame retardancy standards without these potentially harmful chemicals.”

However, despite all the wonderful reviews, I soon discovered from several Whole Foods moms that I would stop in front of the Gluten Free pasta case, that the carset bit was “heavy”.  Let me just preface by admitting that I haven’t been to the gym since Ross loved Rachel. These bright eyed Yoga Moms looked healthier than east German gymnasts – so if  THEY thought the carseat was a bit was too heavy – I was doomed.

Back to Google….

Gluten free muffin in hand, I came across this very helpful article which reviews the top 5 eco-friendly strollers: http://tinydecorblog.com/blog/2009/02/04/eco-friendly-baby-strollers/ 

After reading several more reviews, I settled on the Uppa Baby stroller, which, importantly, boasts an organic bassinet:

“Green Minded

In an effort to ensure a better environment, UPPAbaby is devoted to developing products that are eco-friendly and safe for your children. It is in this spirit that we are proud to introduce our new, eco-inspired Organic Bassinet. The carrier is fully lined with a blend of cotton and soybean fiber, so every inch of material that touches your baby’s sensitive skin is a wholesome, hygienic alternative to synthetic fabrics. Aside from being eco-friendly, soybean fiber boasts many other properties that are beneficial to the safety and comfort of your baby:

• Dry and Comfortable:Same moisture absorption as cotton with superior moisture transmission, keeping your baby warm and dry. 
• Durable and Warm:Soybean fiber has a stronger tensile strength than wool and similar warmth retention. 
• Cashmere Feel: Soft and light, it has the feel of cashmere but its smoother – it has been touted as the “vegetable cashmere!”
• Anti-Bacterial: Soybean protein fiber possesses many amino acids necessary to the human body.  It activates the collagen protein in the skin and contains anti-bacterial agents making it a true sanitarian fiber. “

See for yourself: www.UppaBaby.com

Now, the one thing I did order from Orbit was the WORLDS FIRST AND ONLY PVC FREE rain shield.  (Read about nasty PVC’S: http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/about.htm)  It seems that the Orbit rain guard fits most strollers, it fit my Uppa Baby perfectly (of which I would post a photo, if I could sort out how to exactly).  Here is a link to get your $50 piece of mind (it comes with a mosquito net as well): http://www.orbitbaby.com/products/weatherpack.html

The Uppa Baby Stroller was just shy of $700.

Lesson #2: Ask other moms about what they dislike about a product you are considering.  Struggling with a heavy carseat/stroller during the Chicago winters would not have made for a happy mama.