Easy DIY Tips to All Parents
Source: Seventh Generation
Published: Friday, August 08, 2008
Published: Friday, August 08, 2008
Wee Generation – a collaboration of environmental visionaries including Seventh Generation and Healthy Child Healthy World – announced today the winners of their Green Baby Nursery Makeover Sweepstakes: Cynthia and Keith Norris, of Raynham, Mass. A video featuring green baby nursery tips and many others can be found at: www.weegeneration.com/green-nursery-tips.
"We were absolutely astounded and thrilled to be honored with this gift," said Cynthia Norris. "My husband Keith and I learned of McKenna's cyst while I was pregnant. As a result, we've been trying to create a green home and nursery on our own and find this gift to be incredibly lucky and timely."
Wee Generation's green baby nursery tips for any family include:
Not only did the Norris family win a $5,000 "greenovation" of their nursery, but they also won the opportunity to "pay-it-forward" so that a local children's organization could benefit from a similar "green" makeover. They chose Massachusetts-based Horizons for Homeless Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and their families. Through the donation to Horizons for Homeless Children Wee Generation is able to promote the importance of children's environmental health at both the family and community level.
"We are excited that Wee Generation can provide the Norris family and Horizons for Homeless Children the knowledge and tools they need to consciously prepare healthy space for little ones," said Christopher Gavigan, CEO and Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World. "Creating a healthy, living environment is the best gift any parent or caregiver can give children."
In addition to the greenovations awarded as a result of the sweepstakes facilitated by SoftCoin(R), Wee Generation created the Wee Generation Eco-friendly Diaper Bag, part of which is manufactured from post-consumer plastic bottles and is Cradle-to-Cradle certifiable. It is available at www.weegeneration.com. All profits will benefit Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW), the nation's leading children's environmental health and eco-advocacy nonprofit.
"We were absolutely astounded and thrilled to be honored with this gift," said Cynthia Norris. "My husband Keith and I learned of McKenna's cyst while I was pregnant. As a result, we've been trying to create a green home and nursery on our own and find this gift to be incredibly lucky and timely."
Wee Generation's green baby nursery tips for any family include:
- Use organic or natural mattresses, bedding and linens free of treatments that can expose infants to chemicals and other unhealthy compounds.
- Start cleaning house the safe way—with biodegradable cleaners made from natural and non-toxic ingredients. Natural cleaners won't fill your home with chemical fumes or coat its surfaces with unhealthy residues.
- Dust with a damp cloth. Dust mites are one of the main allergens and contributors to respiratory-related illnesses so decrease them easily and effectively.
- Select air purifiers that don't generate UV light and that don't require filter replacement. Keep windows open for fresh air whenever possible.
- Use real plants when possible. The following plants, among many others, also help absorb air pollutants and contribute to a "green" nursery: Boston Fern, Weeping Fig Ficus, Rubber Plant, Gerbera Daisy, Areca or Bamboo Palm, Dragon or Rainbow Tree, Lady or Parlor Palm and a Moth Orchid.
- Conventional carpets are full of toxic chemicals and can harbor dust mites. Keep carpets and rugs vacuumed and consider treating with a VOC-free adhesive and/or sealant to reduce off-gassing.
- When selecting paint, choose a VOC-free or low-VOC option.
- When selecting lighting, consider full-spectrum light bulbs and compact fluorescents.
- When possible, choose organic clothing options for baby.
- Also select wood and cloth toys over plastic or vinyl.
- If bottle-feeding, opt for BPA-free plastic or glass bottles or training cups. There are also BPA-free containers for food. BPA is bisphenol-a, a hormone-disrupting chemical found in many conventional plastics found in bottles and toys.
Not only did the Norris family win a $5,000 "greenovation" of their nursery, but they also won the opportunity to "pay-it-forward" so that a local children's organization could benefit from a similar "green" makeover. They chose Massachusetts-based Horizons for Homeless Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and their families. Through the donation to Horizons for Homeless Children Wee Generation is able to promote the importance of children's environmental health at both the family and community level.
"We are excited that Wee Generation can provide the Norris family and Horizons for Homeless Children the knowledge and tools they need to consciously prepare healthy space for little ones," said Christopher Gavigan, CEO and Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World. "Creating a healthy, living environment is the best gift any parent or caregiver can give children."
In addition to the greenovations awarded as a result of the sweepstakes facilitated by SoftCoin(R), Wee Generation created the Wee Generation Eco-friendly Diaper Bag, part of which is manufactured from post-consumer plastic bottles and is Cradle-to-Cradle certifiable. It is available at www.weegeneration.com. All profits will benefit Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW), the nation's leading children's environmental health and eco-advocacy nonprofit.