little green baby boutique

PART 2 - CFL bulbs are risky. Proceed with caution.

2012-01-12T15:23:00.001-06:00

I did it. I took the bait. I compromised my beliefs. I'm guilty... Are you?

It was bound to happen. After years of researching various eco-friendly measures I overlooked something important. My own intuition. In a recent post on CFL bulbs, I convinced myself that they were safe based on several findings from 2 highly respected resources: the EPA and National Geographic. So, it's not like I jumped on snopes.com and carelessly posted my blog message. I found 2 reputable sources which had similar answers that seemed to refute my intuition, and that was that. Perhaps I unconsciously wanted to make myself feel better about placing my daughter in a hazardous situation. Perhaps I wanted to protect my ego after blindly spending money on something. Whatever the reason, I put my intuition aside, ignoring my gut. Never again.

Here is the truth: I don't like florescent light. Period. I never have. The light quality stinks - it's too sterile, unwelcoming and piercing. I don't like that they are non-dimming. They take too long to "warm up" and the flickering sets off my migraine. I don't like the buzzing sound they make. Not to mention they almost never fit in the lamp I need them to fit in and their wattage conversion is annoying. THERE! I said it. I think CFL bulbs suck. But now, I have a greater reason to reject them.

Now, I thought I could convince myself that I was wrong about them. In those moments Monday morning when I thought my CFL bulb might break, there was real fear. Fear of what might happen if my sensitive 2 year old was exposed to mercury. What regression might she have on all the progress we'd made in her speech. Yes, it's a small-ish amount of mercury. But what amount is safe? The answer is none. NO amount of mercury is safe. It is one of the most toxic elements on Earth. I feel duped. Read on toxin-free warriors. Learn what I learned.

About Mercury

There are several types of mercury. There is organic mercury, which is found in fish & seafood, inorganic mercury salts and elemental mercury, which is found in all non-organic items like thermometers, light bulbs and smoke from coal burning. It's the elemental mercury that we are talking about, though the effects on the body are similar for all types of mercury exposure. It can make people ill by emitting radiation that causes migraines, impairment of vision, speech, hearing and walking, sensation disturbances (pins & needles feeling), dizziness, nausea, confusion, fatigue, skin irritations, lack of coordination and motor movements, muscle weakness, mood swings, memory loss and mental disturbances (depression & irritability), to name a few. It's also speculated that those with neurological disorders affecting the nervous system like multiple sclerosis and lupus have a heightened sensitivity to the effects of mercury.

CFL Bulbs

Compact Florescent Light bulbs have some benefits. Sure, they use less energy. Great. The mercury is a problem, but is that all? Well, they are only made in China also. Not to mention the hoops you have to jump through just to light your house. If you touch the glass bulb directly, the efficiency can be compromised. If you break it, you could have a toxic hazard on your hands. What's worse: what if it's broken or cracked but doesn't shatter - how do you know if the bulb is compromised? I'll bet Edison is rolling in his grave. I offer this photo of what is needed to clean up a broken bulb. Even a leaky battery doesn't require this much haz-mat material!

Above all things green and eco-friendly, is a life of low-toxicity. We keep wondering what is wrong with our kids - all these diseases that can't be explained. So why on this earth would be invite another toxin into our lives? Why introduce one hazard while trying to cure another? Haven't we learned our lesson yet? Mandated CFL use is short-sighted. Without humankind, there is no environment to be friendly to. So low-toxicity and self preservation is at the forefront of being green. Rebecca Ferguson of Regarding Caroline said it best: "There are SO many other things [the EPA] could clean up in this environment that don't also cause potential harm on the flip side. Sometimes you have to put your kids first. Even if that (rarely) means the environment second." Right on Rebecca. See also what Senator Ted Poe of Texas had to say about it:

Bravo, Mr. Poe! I couldn't agree more.

Alternate options? They're getting better.

CFL bulbs are not the fit-it-all answer. But with Congress mandating high-efficiency bulbs in 2012, what's a girl to do to get some non-toxic light around here?

LED lights are a great option. One drawback to using LED light is that if you look directly into the light, you can cause retinal damage. Oookay, well this seems like common sense to me. The sun is the most natural light there is and you aren't supposed to look directly at it either. So take caution people. The second issue is the price. So, much like organic food and clothing, something that's better for you is more expensive. SHOCKER! I suspect that as demand increases, prices will fall as with other electric devices. In the meantime, here is a website I found that has a pretty decent sale. I plan to pick some up and give it a whirl. What's the worst that could happen? The next time McKenna follows me around hurling light bulbs, we won't get poisoned if one breaks. Done and done.

Part of growing is making mistakes. I like to turn my mistakes into learning experiences. So as I continue to learn more, I invite you to do the same. Part of the problem with trends is that people jump on the bandwagon before understanding the risks and assume an end that justifies the means. I disagree. I don't have all the answers - and I'm not afraid to say so. But what I can offer is this: do your research & educate yourself. Don't settle for an answer that your gut tells you is wrong.

Oh, and eat your vegetables.

CFLs - Helpful or Harmful? A humble telling.

2012-01-12T00:41:00.010-06:00

Part 1.

Monday, I had some grand plans. I was going to organize my daughter's rooms. Hah. Well, with my two and a half year old in tow, that plan had zero chance of coming to fruition. What can I say... I'm an eternal optimist. What did happen though, was a stop to the store to pick up some light bulbs & storage bins. And that would be the extent of my Monday organizing extravaganza: purchasing the bins. Score me 1 point.
Score: Kim - 1, Monday - 0.

When we got home, I promptly opened my reusable shopping bag (+1 pt) and went upstairs to install the light bulb McKenna and I had selected for big sister Addison's new sparkly bedroom light. I was so proud of myself for finding a small-enough CFL bulb to fit in this tiny light socket (+1 pt). I patted myself on the back for a job well done, and continued on to replace other bulbs. Mother Earth would be so proud. Errand #1 was complete (+1 pt). Add 3 points.

Score: Kim - 4, Monday - 0.

That's a pretty good score! That is, until I heard the words "Here go, mama." Because unfortunately, this meant that I dropped the ball, and the game's momentum had shifted. To be precise, I didn't drop the ball, my 2 year old did (Monday - 1 pt ). And it wasn't a ball. It was the old CFL bulb that had been slated for disposal (Monday - 1 pt). I had turned my back for a second, and McKenna was joyfully bringing me the bulb I left on the bathroom counter. And just then, she tripped over the dog (Monday - 1 pt). As if in slow motion, I watched the bulb fly out of her hands, but couldn't get there in time. It hit the carpet and bounced out the door into the hallway... the hardwood-floored hallway. And for a second I quit breathing. What do I do if this bulb breaks? How hazardous is it? Will we/she get sick? How do I get it out of here? OMG, How could I let her near that thing! Get it out of my house! The thoughts kept coming like a waterfall. Meanwhile, the bulb hit the ground and slid across the floor toward the wall, and slammed into it. Somehow, it did not break. But, whoa that was close!

Score: Kim - 4, Monday - 3

Getting the point

Since then, I've taken the time to try to answer those questions I had about CFLs & their hazard risk. I'm not speaking of their energy efficiency. I'd have to be living under a rock to not be aware that they are, indeed, saving energy. In fact, if everyone in the US converted to CFL bulbs tomorrow, we could shut down 80 coal-burning power plants. So that is definitely a huge stride towards energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gasses.

It was specifically the mercury I was concerned about. And that concern was due to ignorance. I just didn't know exactly how harmful that bulb could be to us, and it never occurred to me to find out. That is, until it was flying through the air.

The result? Yes, these bulbs contain mercury - about 4 mg for your average bulb. And yes, improper handling or breakage could lead to mercury poisoning if not disposed of properly. But, to put it into perspective - you would need 125 CFL bulbs to equal the same amount of mercury in one old-school fever thermometer (500 mg). Though, since

many families now use digital thermometers which do not contain mercury, it's a fairly modest trade-off. Compare that to the plants that can be shut down by nationwide use of CFL bulbs and therefore reducing the single largest source of human-caused mercury emissions in the United States - coal-burning power plants. So on paper, it's a pretty good deal. Not to mention the well-known perks like lower energy costs & longer life span. There is an added step to disposal as you need to follow proper guidelines. Chances are, your Home Depot and Ikea locations will recycle them for you as well. Recycling them has the added benefit allowing the reuse of the bulb parts and glass. Overall, CFL bulbs seem like a win-win. But are they really? What are the long term effects on us? What about off-gassing? That will come next in Part 2.

So, maybe I was wrong - maybe they are safe? I'll be woman enough to admit it if I am. For now, I still win by a point. Monday was good day. Though, now it's Thursday and I'm still not done organizing.

*Please always take caution when using or handling any product containing mercury.* Note to self: this includes preventing children to handle CFL lightbulbs.

Here are some related links if you want to read more.
www.epa.gov/mercury
www.medicinenet.com/mercury
news.nationalgeographic.com/cfls-bulbs

an ounce of prevention...

2011-12-14T14:33:00.043-06:00

Tuesday was a great day! We reached a pretty awesome milestone welcoming our 1,000th facebook fan. But even more awesome, was finding out what charity would be receiving a special donation through our facebook contest which began 2 months ago.

Ever hear the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Well our winning charity is pushing that exact message. The Skinny Gene Project is fighting type 2 diabetes one person at a time. However, unlike other diabetes organizations whose primary concern is disease management, the smart folks at Skinny Gene is focused on screening, educating, and treating at-risk individuals before they are diagnosed with the disease. Brilliant! Educate at-risk individuals and hopefully PREVENT them from getting the disease.

In a society where many children are obese and many of us are eating beyond our means, this organization is a breath of fresh air. I'm very excited to learn more. I never realized how seemingly unrelated ailments
could be a potential early warning sign to diabetes. I encourage readers to visit their website and learn more. It's a great find.

Unsure if you are at risk? Look over this very easy questionnaire. It could change your life.

Special thanks to Samantha Doerfler, Marlayna Bollinger & Lindsey Geraghty for bringing the message to us! We are proud to help support such a great cause!

RETAIL STORE CLOSING - a new leaf

2011-12-09T11:27:00.000-06:00

We are turning over a new leaf at little green baby. We have decided to close down our retail store on Rockwell and focus our energy on our web store. Why do we love this idea? It's green! We aren't burning energy at the store, or wasting paper, or creating trash. And the best news is - you can still shop local from the comfort of your own home! Home/office delivery options will also be available after the first of the year. Score!

Many of you have been in our store. So you know our style. Quality comes first. We will still be quality testing products before we offer them - and what's great is on each page of product listed, there will be full descriptions of what they are, and why we love them. It also helps the gift givers in your lives understand why these products are so important to you! The reduction of store overhead will allow prices to relax as well.

Possibly the greatest news is that we will be able to slowly begin offering your even MORE selection! High chairs are just the beginning. Eventually we hope to be able to bring you children's eco-furniture and gear made via eco-friendly means.

We have truly cherished every moment of getting to know all of our local customers (and some non-local customers too). I feel luck to have begun this journey with all of you and look forward to bringing you along to the next phase of little green baby! It's very exciting! Except for Bubbles - he's having a hard time adjusting. He doesn't like change.

That also means HUGE SALE!!!! Just in time for the holidays - lucky you! That never happens does it? Everyone always has those huge sales after the holidays. So it's your lucky day! BE SURE TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES ON THE CLOSING SALE!!

Hurry in now and get 10 - 50% off! Finish off your holiday list, shop ahead for next year, or just get it cause it's cute & on sale.

We will be open until the inventory is gone - but be sure to check our hours as they may be changing over the next couple weeks. And watch your email for our going away party!

The fine print: 1) all items purchased will be final sale, 2) all purchases under $40 must be in cash and 3) effective immediately there will be no returns or exchanges, 4) any gift cards purchased in the store must be used by the store closing date (tbd based on sales and inventory), 5) while supplies last.

10 Days of Christmukkah

2011-12-06T12:52:00.000-06:00

Beyond the Recycle Bin: Holiday Cards.

2011-11-20T16:01:00.001-06:00

For the past few years, the idea of going green and sending out holiday cards seemed to be a conflict of interest. I mean, we're trying to reduce unnecessary waste of paper products, and here I was sitting down once a year sending out a bunch of paper holiday cards? So for a time, I didn't send any.

But the holidays just didn't feel the same. So this year, I've had it. I'm sending cards. I want to sit down and address envelopes to friends and family. I want to write little quirky notes inside and make the experience more personal. I miss paper mail sometimes. The good mail - like birthday cards and the new issue of InStyle - the kind of mail you look forward to, you know?

As luck would have it, I found more eco-friendly options to achieve this nagging desire and stay with the green theme.

Reduce

Grow-a-Note seeded plant cards. This is ingenious. Not only are these actual cards you can write on, each card is embedded with wildflower seeds. The recipient can plant the card in the ground and watch it grow in a colorful array of flowers. Don't just send a card, send a bouquet of flowers for as little as $2.64!

Reuse

Ornament Cards are a great way to add longevity to your efforts & card materials. Grandparents will especially love to get these cards and keep them year after year. What the heck, keep one for yourself too! What a fun way to document how your family grows and changes each year.

Recycle

Paper Culture offers gorgeous recycled paper options for holiday cards. But more than that, they have an eco-commitment that surpasses many of the recent recycled card options you may have seen elsewhere.

BEYOND THE BIN

Want to do something different this year? Perhaps these additional options will tickle your holiday fancy.

Local support cards

Support neighborhood businesses like photography studios by purchasing photo cards from them. Our amazing neighbor jookie, a portrait boutique inc. is still offering holiday card options. Many studios, like jookie, offer recycled card stock options, so be sure to ask.

Humanitarian cards

The quintessential theme of the holidays: giving. So how about cards that support a greater good. Going green is not just a trend towards recycling. On a greater scale, it's about supporting our earth and everyone & everything in it. So go ahead and cross continental boundaries. The Good Paper company offers a beautiful handmade cards options from youngsters in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS and genocide, and by women in the Philippines who have escaped being forced into prostitution. These cards are not for the thrifty, but doing good of this magnitude rarely comes with a low-cost option.

Zero- footprint cards

And don't automatically discount the benefit of E-cards. No longer the simple emails with static images you may be familiar with, but fun and exciting, animated greetings which include online games & stories. The range is large with lots of choices so pull the kiddos close and click play. You'll find more traditional options, hilarious options, and those that do those things AND warm the human spirit like Care2 for example.

So this year, I'll be grabbing a cup of steaming chai tea, sitting down at the table with a little holiday music playing and a fire crackling in the background. I can't wait to find my favorite red sparkly pen and actually hand write my cards. It's peaceful & gets me into the holiday spirit. Later, after all the cards are addressed and ready to go, I'll grab my daughters & head over to mailbox and send them off.

Just like when I was little... but different.

Refer our 1,000th Facebook fan and get $200 toward your favorite charity or organization. No joke.

2011-10-11T14:45:00.003-05:00

These days it seems there are so many people who need help. From a neighborhood family in need, to saving shelter pups, to important school organizations - everyone needs a little help. In my own life, I wish I could give more away than I do. We all have limits, I guess.

With that sentiment in mind, coupled with our core goals of creating more awareness about eco-friendly and non-toxic living, I found a way to combine these two endeavors. Reaching new people on Facebook has been a wonderful way to create more conversations about an eco-lifestyle. I'm currently in the process of creating my own college-based research study to prove or disprove a couple theories I have. There is a lot coming up!

If you feel that our mission at little green baby is worthwhile, and you'd like to let others know about it - I want to offer you an incentive to do that. If you refer our 1,000th Facebook fan, I'll give your special charity

or organization a $200 donation. We will be interviewing the winner so we can blog about it to try to draw attention to what's important to you. We will also award you, personally, with a $50 gift certificate towards a store purchase. While our mission is to grow healthier & greener babies, we also want to support the people who support us. Especially since we are the leaders who teach our kiddos that life is more than about making money - it's about helping others in the process.

where do I sign up ?!?

1. Go to our Facebook page and become a fan.

2. At the bottom of the left column, click the "share" option.

3. Share our page with whomever, wherever, as often as you like. We
are not biased when it comes to spreading the word about a cleaner,
greener lifestyle for our green babies and their families.

4. It's simple - whoever referred our 1,000th fan, gets the prize.
Post as often as you like until we reach our goal!

5. Tip: when sharing on your wall, feel free to tag us and include any
      special anecdotes on how we've helped you at all. You may just
      find your little comment on our website!! And let's face it - I never
      grow tired of hearing it.

I want to do more than just sell organic baby stuff. My goal is to promote a whole new outlook for purchasing decisions for your family. We hope you agree and pass the message along.

As always, we appreciate your support and your business. Cheers!

book & a birdhouse anyone?

2011-06-29T14:46:00.067-05:00

I don't know about you, but I haven't seen many books being printed on recycled paper. At least, not kids books. You would think with all the recycled paper out there, that publishing companies would be pushing the recycled paper option. But maybe it doesn't work that way - what do I know?!

One thing I know for sure is how cute this line of eco-friendly recycled books are. On a recent trip to the bookstore with my 2 year old McKenna, we came across these books. She ran right up to them and excitedly pulled them all off the shelf (sorry Mr. Bookstore). Printed on 98% recycled paper and eco-friendly inks - they are bright & engaging. Her favorite are the chunky book towers which have 10 McKenna-sized books that feature fun subjects like shapes, baby animals and numbers. I like them because they are recycled, cute as all get out and CHEAP! And by cheap I mean inexpensive, not junky. Seriously one of the cutest books I've ever seen cost us a whopping $6.99. You might say "wow, that's pretty cool". Cool it is, but theres more. In the back of each of these delightful little books, there is an activity page with fun eco-friendly activities for kids & parents.

So here's a fun little activity to keep everyone busy this fun-filled weekend! One tip: pick up some bird seed BEFORE starting or else you may find yourself in pickle.

We want to see your creations! Post the picture special bird feeder on our facebook page and enter to win a special prize!

Happy 4th of July to all our green babies and dont' forget the sunscreen! Be safe!

fun in the sun?

2011-04-29T13:39:00.003-05:00

With all the rain in Chicago lately, I find myself soggy with dreams of sunshine-filled days at the beach and parks. But with fun in the sun, comes the need for sun protection. Instead of blindly placing another order for California Baby, which is what everyone was asking for, I decided to put on my detective cap and do some research.

I’m all about increasing awareness and educating parents in a non-judgmental way. To that end, I want to know what our products contain because, after all, we are going to slather it all over our beloved bebés. I can't take that product choice lightly - I have to get it right.

My research led me to the Environmental Working Group where I dived head-first into the world of sunscreen technology. Before I knew it, the acronyms started to overwhelm me. UVB, UVA, UVC, SPF, BPA, PCR . . . lions and tigers and bears, oh my! I blindly assumed that a high SPF meant higher overall sun protection. Am I right?

WRONG. (damn!)

SPF ratings only measure UVB protection, (or the ability to prevent the sun’s rays from physically burning the skin). UVA rays are not rated on sunscreen containers, yet arguably more harmful than UVB rays. Here's more detailed info on UV rays ---> UVB & UVA

In summary, UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and UVA are linked to skin cancer. UVA rays' destruction to skin is not readily visible. Instead, the biochemical make-up of skin cells are quietly changing. It's THAT biochemical change researchers link to skin cancer and carcinoma. You
can rub yourself silly with the newest SPF 100 sunscreen (which they now make and is totally misleading), but if you don’t protect against UVA, the chances of ending up with skin cancer are increased. To be blunt, you may as well cover yourself in butter a’la Cosmo Kramer. What’s worse, UVA rays are sneaky. They don’t care what the weather is, what season it is or if you just scored the window seat inside at your favorite bistro. UVA rays penetrate rain, snow, clouds & glass and are harmful all year round.

don't rub it in

And that's not all - so buckle up. In 2010, as many 200 sunscreens from 44 manufacturers contain retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A). Sounds pretty healthy right? It’s got the word “vitamin” in it, so it’s gotta be good for you!

WRONG AGAIN. (DAMN!!!)

Now, I hate to be a downer, but this is REALLY IMPORTANT. Federal researchers concluded, “retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A found in sunscreens, speeds the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight”.

Come again? Yep, you read it right. An ingredient in over 200 sunscreens on store shelves actually speeds up skin cancer formation when exposed to sunlight. I suppose if you plan to wear your sunscreen indoors, you'll be fine.

Are. you. kidding. me.

more bad news eminent?

By now most of us have also heard about BPA and Phthalates and how when combined with heat leach toxins. I wonder if the same is true for packaging for skin care products, not just your Avent bottle. Since sunscreen bottles tend to sit out in high temperatures on sun decks and in beach bags – is it safe to assume it's also important that those containers are BPA and Phthalate free? Still waiting on that one.

making it easy

After this news, my head was spinning faster than the little girl in the Exorcist. I didn’t want that for you. When practical, choose ahead of time what you want, and locate where it can be purchased. When that's not possible, here are some tips for those impromptu trips down the sunscreen aisle:

UVA and UVB protection

SPF & UVB = SunBurn
UVA = Always needed

BPA & Phthalate–free package
NO Vitamin A or Retinyl Palimate

pandora's box

You see how this has opened up a Pandora’s box! I have to know what’s in EVERYTHING now. Currently, we are researching bath wash, lotion, diaper cream & diaper wipes. I gotta tell you, after looking around my own home – I am in shock. The tube of lotion in my daughter’s room with promising graphics of oatmeal & soy, infering purity and dermatologist & pediatrician recommendations, sports a toxicity rating of 6 (considered HIGH hazard). Mmm, brand imaging at it’s finest. I’d like to meet these dermatologists & pediatricians and give them a knuckle sandwich. Also, animal lover that I am, I learned that this company actively conducts animal testing. Um, have I just been punched in the face? I was completely blindsided. Needless to say, that tube of lotion has a new home in a dark recycling bin under my kitchen counter. The new bottle doesn’t look quite as nice sitting on the shelf, but my daughter will thank me for it when she’s 30.

well you don't need to rub it in

As a retailer of children's products, I feel it’s our duty to educate customers, not just make a quick sale. It really gets my goat when scare tactics are used to increase a store's bottom line. And please don’t mistake my passion for preaching. With the unexplained illnesses our children face, (autism, cancer, aspergers, sensory processing disorder and more), I want do to everything in my power to educate the public…and hopefully eradicate harmful toxins as much as possible. I have done the research and present it to you in bite-sized portions. The goal is simple. Provide consumers with the tools to find products their families love with the lowest toxicity. The next time you are surfing the baby aisle to replenish your baby lotion, you can feel confident in your choice. If you can trade in your level 6 toxic product for a 2 or 3, then I’ve done my job!

**click here to download file**

In the next coming posts, you will see rating numbers, product brand names & photos, the toxicity concerns and whether or not they conduct animal testing. There will also be a little green baby icon next to the products we carry or plan to carry. Our product selection was determined by several factors: organic, low toxicity, brand recognition, FDA approved, NO animal testing and BPA-free or recycled containers wherever possible at the lowest possible cost.

Fun in the sun? Absolutely! ...with the right tools.

little green babies – part 1

2011-03-25T17:15:00.014-05:00

“it’s not easy being green” (kermit the frog)

No offense to Kermit, but I have to disagree. It is easy. You just need the right information. Luckily, the eco-friendly movement is all the rage right now so many more people are asking questions about it. Finally, it’s trendy to be conscious about the environment instead of being branded a tree hugger or granola hippy. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The purpose of creating this blog is to educate and show that eco-friendly options are out there - you just need to know what you're looking for. To make this easier for you, we will have multi-part "little green babies" post sorting everything out. Most families begin investigating these options when they find out they are going to be parents. Terrified of contaminating our little ones; we search for all the information we can get. Basic green lingo we are all familiar with are recycle and organic and all natural -- but there is so much more. Things like clothing made from plants, toys made from corn and super-soft stuffed animals made from . . . wait for it . . . recycled plastic bottles. Do I have your attention yet?

part 1 – bamboo for clothing

Let’s start out with clothing made from plants. And no, we’re not sewing leaves together like Adam & Eve. I’m talking about bamboo! It’s not just for floors and tables anymore. The fabric is created using the pulp of a bamboo shoot that is spun into thread. The fabric is then bleached, without the use of chlorine, and dyed, without the use of harsh chemicals. The production of bamboo fabric uses a process that requires less water than conventional dyeing methods, thus has a much lower impact on the environment than conventional cotton fabrication.

better for the planet
There are significant benefits to utilizing bamboo. Bamboo plants are very quick growers and do not require fertilizers or pesticides. They also need very little water and can survive both drought or flood conditions. (Gee, I wonder if even I can keep a bamboo plant alive? But I digress.) Another benefit to bamboo is that it releases a significant amount of oxygen into the atmosphere and reduces the level of carbon dioxide in the air. With their complex root systems, they are also known to prevent soil erosion and mudslides. Now if it could only do my laundry.

better for us
Bamboo also has many advantages over traditional cotton, especially for our wee ones. Bamboo fabric is softer than cotton fabric sporting a texture similar to silk. It is naturally organic, antibacterial and hypoallergenic and quick to wick away moisture from little bodies, rather than absorb it like cotton. I don't know about you, but when my girls are sleeping, they sweat like a marathon runner near in August. Bamboo clothes can dry twice as fast as cotton clothes and can be worn all year round since they keep you 2-3 degrees cooler in summer and 2-3 degrees warmer in winter. Don't let that lightweight fabric fool you - it's heavy duty.

perfect for baby
One of our favorite bamboo clothing brands is Kicky Pants. They make their clothes with with 95% bamboo and 5% lycra to make it stretchy. Their bamboo clothing for babies and toddlers are incredibly soft and luxurious. No more "Mommy, I feel scratchy". This stuff is seriously soft. With our wicked humid Chicago summers, bamboo is a perfect choice to keep baby clothed in lightweight breathable fabric without having them sweat like athlete. And the best part is - it's naturally organic! Bet you didn't know that, did you? I was surprised to learn that myself!

These are the reasons bamboo clothing is a staple at little green baby. We carry a wide variety of bamboo clothing for babies & toddlers and now, delicious take-me-home outfits for newborns.

Don't forget to stay tuned for part 2 - biodegradable toys made from corn!

bamboo onesie

bamboo take-me-home (also in sage/cream)

bamboo stripe polo romper

bamboo starfish romper w/drop seat

bamboo black & white dot swing dress

welcome to our blog!

2011-03-24T12:46:00.000-05:00

hello and welcome to the little green baby blog! we are taking strides to connect with our customers beyond the traditional social media outlets like facebook and twitter. so now we've gone and done it - we've started blogging! those of you who are familiar with our facebook addiction will find this new avenue a welcome change. come and go as you please, and be sure to say hi or share your thoughts with us when you stop by. we love hearing from you.

one of our first announcements on our blog is the 1 year anniversary of our retail store. yes, it's been a year already - can you believe it? we will be celebrating on april 16 with some live entertainment and some other goodies. we will also begin instituting birthday benefits at the store. click here for more info!

to follow our blogs simply click on "follow" and we look forward to sharing with you.