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We are pleased to offer you this newsletter just in time for the holiday season!

Toys, toys, toys: the goodies and the baddies

With Christmas upon us, the inevitable hunt for the perfect gift begins...at craft fairs and beyond!

However, have you ever stopping to think what that cute stuffy toy or teething ring are made from? After reading this article, you will hopefully be better prepared to ask the right questions for your little one's safety.

Toys and plastics - the low down

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is the most toxic plastic. Ironically, this is also the most common plastic used in the manufacture of newborn and infant toys including bath toys, squeeze toys and teething toys. The most worrisome fact about PVC plastic is that it is not stable - the chemicals can leach out. These chemicals can be ingested by our children when they suck and chew on these teething toys. Almost all soft plastic toys for infants and toddlers that are sold are imported from factories in Asia where PVC is very widely used.

Health risks: exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and plastics, has been implicated in increased rates of asthma, acute bronchitis and upper-respiratory infections, cancer, cognitive impairment and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Alternative plastics include polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and bio-based plastics. None of these plastics require vinyl's extensive use of toxic additives, and none contain reactive chlorine as an essential component. Certain countries and toy companies are committed to demanding and making toys that are free from PVC plastics.1

Where does that leave us?

Traditional materials such as wood and textiles have been used successfully for years without harm to children. That's why ethicbaby does not carry plastic toys and only sells, safe, high-quality, wooden toys made with renewable woods and non-toxic paints - what a concept! Our natural wooden and certified organic cotton toys offer you and your baby a safe, healthy choice.

1. Adapted from the Oregon Toxics Alliance (http://www.oregontoxics.org/toys.html)

A few tips to baby healthy this Christmas...

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Practical tips for your baby's development

From birth to 2 years old, children are developing at a rapid rate. You will see changes in your child monthly and even weekly. These changes will happen in the areas of their gross motor, fine motor, sensory and social development. This guideline indicates some of the primary milestones for your child up to the age of two. Please keep in mind that each child is unique and develops skills at their own rate. As always, if you ever have concerns about your child’s development, you should contact your family physician or pediatrician.

Here are some suggestions for helping promote your baby's unique development:

Build motor skills

Enjoying "Tummy Time"…
An important concept in motor skills development for children ages 0-2 years is what is known as "prone skills." Prone refers to lying on your stomach; many therapists call this "tummy time." Your baby needs to spend play time in "prone." A 3-6 month old learns to push up on their elbows in prone and eventually is able to push up onto their hands. These activities are the beginnings of shoulder stability, back extension and arch development in the hands.

Enhance visual skills

Getting In Close…
Your baby will love to look at your face. A parent's face is very expressive and possesses contrast which encourages babies to focus and use their visual skills. You are also familiar to them which is comforting. Position your face about 12" from your baby's face. Sing, talk and make silly faces! You'll have just as much fun as they will.

Sharpen sensory skills

Positioning…
Our senses of vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell are all developing as a young infant. We also have a "positional sense"; this helps us to define if our body is moving, and where we are in space (sitting up or lying on our stomach). This positional sense is why babies like to be rocked. To provide an enriched environment, alternate rocking with swaying, try different rocking chairs or bouncey chairs, and change your baby's position – swaddle him in a blanket, upright on your shoulder, or lying on her stomach across your lap.

Massaging…
For development of touch sense or tactile awareness, provide your infant with massage to their arms, legs and trunk. Try ethicbaby's calming oil - this has worked wonderfully on my little one! As well, many local agencies or recreation centers offer great classes for infant massage. This activity is great for developing tactile awareness and bonding with your baby.

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Have a green Christmas, and save a tree!

Did you know that North Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period, than any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage! Did you also know that 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold each year in the US alone - that's enough to fill a football field 10 stories high! If we each sent one less card, we would save 50,000 cubic yards of paper.

Consider cutting down the waste this holiday...here are a few tips:

For green Christmas gifts go to: www.ecomall.com | www.heifer.org

If you would like to share something with our readers, we would love to hear for you. Drop us an email at info@ethicbaby.com.

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In this issue

Toys, toys, toys

Practical tips for your baby's development

Have a green Christmas

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