Source: safbaby.com

My little girl broke out in hives on 3 different occasions after playing for quite some time in the sandbox of our local park. So, after a little research, I found out that sandbox sand may contain asbestos and other harmful particles.

My research brought up many questions AND concerns, so SafBaby went right to the experts for answers. Today’s expert:

Angkana Roy, MD, (General Academic Pediatrics Fellow, Pediatric Environmental Health Fellow) from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Read more »

Source: safbaby.com

Have you ever shifted your baby or toddler’s mood simply by getting them outside? Have you ever had a yearning yourself to go for a hike, or to go to the beach?

Of course! We all have, and that is because “there is a universal feeling we get when we put ourselves outside, and into the elements. We feel more open and connected to our world, and our babies feel the same way,” says Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT, a Child Development expert, and founder of The-Go-To-Mom.TV, an internet parenting show.

I have personally experienced this change of attitude in myself and in my baby girl, just to get out of the apartment and into the outdoors makes us both happier, more cheerful. The gifts of being in nature: breathing in fresh air and experiencing the vast array of unlimited possibilities that stretch from the grass on the earth, to the expansive vault of the sky. Read more »

Source: safbaby.com

Ear infections are very common in children and babies and the common solution for many western doctors is a good dose of antibiotics and over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol.

Unfortunately, repeatedly using antibiotics is not an ideal solution for our children. They are likely to build up an immunity to this medication, and (heaven forbid) if anything happens later in life where they really need that help, it may not even be effective.

Additionally, healthy bacteria in their intestines are killed during antibiotic treatments, changing the ph inside and their little bodies are less able to heal themselves naturally. Sugars and yeasts thrive in this internal environment. Hence, keeping off of antibiotics is a wise choice here for overall health and well being. Read more »

Source: safbaby.com

Bisphenol-A (BPA) has gotten a lot of coverage lately in the press, mostly about plastic baby bottles and sippy cups. Unfortunately, there are still no government safety standards nationwide, limiting the amount of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in packaged foods NOT targeted for children.

Starting January 1st, 2010, Minnesota is the first state banning the presence of BPA in food and beverage containers made for children under three-years-old including reusable baby bottles. Connecticut is 2nd state passing similar laws, where the ban will go into effect October 1st, 2011!

Twenty states and four localities have proposed comparable bans on BPA,  and are now pending in states like California, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Vermont and others.

Unfortunately, these laws DO NOT address the exposure to BPA in ‘regular’ packaged food geared towards the general population, young children and pregnant women ALSO frequently eat or drink. Only California legislation proposes a broader ban: no BPA in ALL canned beverages and food containers. Read more »