Right. Like millions of parents since 1961, my sons both had a Sophie the Giraffe. Like millions of green parents, I thought this rubber even toed ungulate mammal was utterly safe. Little did I imagine that she tested for nitrosamines – a little carcinogen also found in cigarette smoke.  Of course, the U.S. distributor will tell you that she tests within legal limits (quite frankly, ciggs do too – aren’t they legal?!), but I say “merde” to that – and tossed mine.

I read about this over at Safer Chemicals (bless them) and feel grateful that I am a mum in an age where so much information (frightening though it may be), is available to me for parenting. I don’t trust any government organization that has allowed zillions of consumer products into our bodies and environments (which is – all of them) – and am grateful that there are testing organizations that bring this sort of thing to light. It’s not that ONE product is harmful – it’s that the chemical exposure cumulatively over a childhood is. And this is one less that will be in my sons mouth.

Vive Robespierre!

Next year I hope to attend the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas (though I have to admit, I never really “got” Vegas – it reminds me of a really, really big prom), which is this week.

One of the brilliant reveals from Boon, who may make your child’s BPA free bath toys, was this “grass” patch, on which to dry bottles and things.  It isn’t available yet, but it will be soon!  I think it’s sweet, but that it should come with “flowers” that you could use as bottle scrubbies.

Boon also had a prototype of it’s bowl “wraps” on show.  I am using ceramic plateware for my son (I used ceramic bowls, plates and eggcups my entire childhood, and n’er broke a one),  so I am definitely in the market for these (just not in that Clockwork Orange. Blech.)

As soon as these BPA and Pthalate free “bracelets” are available, I am buying a few.  As a Cuban, I know that you can never, ever wear enough bracelets. (My grandmother lives by this creed.)

And from the “Damn! I wish I had known about this sooner” files, there is the new super, duper improved Orbit stroller that basically does everything but get you your Chai.

I imagine that the green mama blogs will all be a’flutter with new fab thing-a-ma-bob reviews, just in time for winter babies, and Christmas. I’ll try to keep you posted!

Happy Monday.

I have actually had nightmares about product recalls.  May I suggest, especially if you are pregnant, that you do NOT Google “pacifier” plus “recall”.  You have been been duly warned.

Luckily, mums now have many safe pacifier choices available to them that were not available just 3 years ago. And with every passing quarter, as a result of market demand, and better legislation, companies are phasing out pacifiers and bottle nipples that contain lead, PVC, latex, BPA (Bisphenol A), phthalates and other dangerous chemicals. (A subject for another blog, but do know that you are passing BPA to your child via your placenta or breast milk, if you drink or eat anything out of a can. Anything. Any can.)

I know it isn’t the most attractive pacifier in the world, but I bought several Natursutten pacifiers for our son, which are made, and I do not jest, of %100 natural rubber from the Hevea Brasiliensi tree.  Hopefully the tree is slightly more attractive than it’s progeny.

If you want something slightly more “fashionable”, you may consider this teething bracelet, that is also free of all the vile initials mentioned above. This cuff, which comes in various colours, may also be used as a reminder as to which side your baby last nursed on. Practical.

(It does seem a shame that the Whiskey gum rub has fallen out of favour. My grandmother swore by it, but now it leads to arrest. Except in Scotland.)

Please be vigilant choosing pacifiers, they are one of the most recalled of baby products as well as one of the most dangerous.

a) Choose pacifiers that do NOT have a nipple separate from the base. They can separate and pose a choking hazard.

b) Do not attach anything to the pacifier, it can strangle the baby

c) KNOW what the pacifier is made of, as you don’t want to regret it two years later while watching the 10 o’clock news

d) Move to Scotland

Though there are many “rubbery” teething rail guards on the market, some made of medical grade polyurethane, I balk at the way they are placed on the rails: “adhesive”. (Yes, I’m that ridiculous.)

However, I have found a lovely organic cotton rail cover, with loops for my sons favourite teething toys, that I feel comfortable with. I also love that this Easy Teether is washable and inexpensive enough, at $22.49, to buy two of.

Quick aside: if you are looking for adorable safe teethers, I bought several of mine from Under The Nile, one of my favourite organic baby companies. These teethers are organic inside and out and use natural dyes. They  also have the requisite holes to attach to the Easy Teether.

As every mama needs options (my favourite always being red or white) I also invite you take a gander at the KidKushion rail cover which doesn’t contain pesky phthalates, or vexing vinyl and, most happily, isn’t Made In China.

Yum.