What are phthalates and why should parents be concerned?  Phthalates are man-made chemicals used in PVC plastics and many products that surround our home and children. They seem to have a similar effect on humans as BPA…targeting reproduction systems as they are endocrine disrupters. But unlike BPA, this chemical is especially potent for boys as it targets their developing reproductive systems causing great harm such as genital abnormalities, birth defects, and decreased sperm count in men. Phthalates are also linked to asthma, allergies, testicular cancer, and early puberty.  As a parent, when you see the products where this chemical lurks - you’ll be concerned. 
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Thanks to one of my awesome resources Leah, she’s tipped Mommy Footprint off to where Badger sunscreen SPF 30 is sold and it’s very local!  It was ranked 5th on the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) website for top sunscreen choices.  Most of the top products that I’ve previously written about are extremely hard to find for Canadians.  Well, Badger exists in the most unlikely of stores….Sears.  The nearby Sears has a natural heath and vitamin store.  Not all Sears have this little store, but this one does carry Badger SPF 30 sunscreen for $19.99.  Yes, still pricey, but at least you’re not paying shipping on top of that!  I’ll be going there asap to pick up a few bottles for my clan.  Yes, unfortunately, my Banana Boat sunscreen drama continues.

I called the American and Canadian Banana Boat Customer Service desks today and got the same answer from both regarding if the ingredient oxybenzone is in my brand of Banana Boat Sunscreen for Kids, SPF 50.  Apparently, this product does not contain the suspected harmful ingredient. It was listed as containing this ingredient from the EWG’s database that reviews all sunscreen.  I’ve emailed the EWG to let them know of this discrepancy.  But, many of the Banana Boat products still contain the ingredient oxybenzone and the rep was not confident in her answers regarding the nature of when and why this ingredient is used.  Who do you trust?  I’m just not sure and until someone admits they are wrong….I’m just going to stop obsessing and buy the Badger! That $20 is going to buy me peace of mind and hopefully eliminate the skin irritation my girls get from the big name sunscreen brands.

Octopus Graphic Tee (UPF 50) (22415)
He’ll love the cool graphics; you’ll love the extra sun protection! Regular lightweight clothing only offers an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 5, but this tee (UPF 50) is made to block out a higher percentage of the sun’s harmful rays. Plus, Cabana Life gives a portion of its proceeds to benefit nonprofit organizations like The Skin Cancer Foundation. Octopus Graphic Tee (UPF 50)

Well, I didn’t know when writing my previous article on safe sunscreen for children, that it would be this difficult to actually get my hands on the brands that came highly recommended by EWG (Environmental Working Group).  It has been a challenge to source these, but I have some tips and hope it saves you research time. 

Badger sunscreen SPF 30 if very difficult to find in stores.  Whole Foods and Planet Organic would love to carry it but are having a tough time sourcing it.  My friend Leah (thank you Leah!) sent me the link to Victoria’s Health that sells Badger online, BUT after you pay for the sunscreen and shipping you are looking at $30 per bottle (82 g).  I will need about 5 bottles to last my kids this summer, so it’s just not a practical solution for me.  Still, I’m not deterred….I figure this can’t be hard.  Hmmmm keep reading.
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There are two things that change with every baby I have…how many immunization shots they’ll receive and when you can start them on solid foods.  With the boys, my public health nurses recommended solid food be layered at different intervals to ensure there wasn’t an allergic reaction.  With the girls I was told at 6 months, just start giving them everything!  But whenever you start your baby, you want to introduce them to healthy foods right away.  Here is an article written by Joanne B. Parrotta , she is a published motivational writer and the following is an excerpt from her fifth book, Baby & You: The Little Book of Mother and Baby Care (WiseAdviceBook, 2008) that is due to be released July 2008.  Check for her book later in the summer via Wise Advice Books.

As a new parent, you want to give your baby the best possible start in life, so providing nutritious food is a must. Set the stage for a lifetime of good eating habits by offering your baby the healthiest foods you can. When you make your baby’s food yourself, you can take extra care to choose the freshest produce.  Don’t believe advertising that says commercial baby foods are formulated to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. By making your own baby food—which is easier than you might think—you can provide your baby with a much healthier diet. You can make a variety of nutritious and delicious meals—with organic ingredients and no additives—quickly, easily, and relatively inexpensively. The benefits to your baby are many, including exposure to a greater variety of nutrients, tastes and textures without added preservatives.
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With the hot months of summer approaching, I need to replenish my stock of sunscreen for the kids. But like all products related to children these days, I’ve had to research this process, as there’s a growing concern about some ingredients within sunscreens, even brands for children. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) was the best resource for finding brand recommendations and ingredients to avoid. Especially concerning is this quote from EWG:

“Our comprehensive scientific review indicates that 86% of 1,070 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Only 14% of the products on the market are both safe and effective, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation.“ 
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