Our friends over at Cutie Bees organic baby clothing are giving away a FREE, organic bodysuit for babies and toddlers! First 50 orders! Adorable designs. We love the tips from the Cutie Bees Non-Toxic Mommy Blog and learned so much. As a parent it’s scary to know that our kids’ clothes are drenched with harmful chemicals and toxins. Here are some important tips and please share to help spread the word. Plus the link to get your free bodysuit is below.
Why Choose Non-Toxic Clothing?
More than 8,000 chemicals are used in clothing manufacture; it’s a sure bet you and your kids are wearing many as you read this. Most of these chemicals contain carcinogenic ingredients, neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors and allergens that could be downright hazardous to your health. Did you know “organic”, “sustainable” and “eco-friendly” does not mean the clothes do not contain any toxic chemicals as well?
Why it matters more to YOUR baby:
When toxins are absorbed through your skin — your largest organ — they bypass your liver, the organ responsible for removing toxins.
YOUR baby’s skin is more porous than adult skin making it easy for the chemicals present in clothing to enter into their internal organs that are still developing and maturing. There are “critical periods” in early childhood development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual’s biological system operates. Not every baby is same, so while these chemicals may appear to develop itching, skin rashes, swelling, dermatitis and eczema in some, they may not appear to bother others. If your baby has mysterious health symptoms that you can’t seem to get control over, it’s worth checking out whether your baby’s clothes could be the problem.
Nine harmful chemicals found in most baby clothing:
- Formaldehyde // used to give a permanent press effect to clothing, to increase stain resistance and for color fasting. Other chemical names include Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, and Oxymethylene. The dangers: EPA links formaldehyde to eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe allergic reactions. Known to cause cancer and may trigger asthma attacks.
- Phthalates // There are around 50 or so different types of phthalates out of which 6 are banned by CPSIA in children’s toys and child care articles. These chemicals are not restricted from use in children’s clothing. The dangers: phthalates belong to the family of endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs and are known hormone disrupters linked with birth defects, breast cancer, infertility, liver cancer, diabetes, obesity, and now with autism and ADHD in pregnancy.
- PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers // are known neurotoxins used as flame retardant in consumer products including children clothing. In a research report released by CDC in 2008, 97% Americans had flame retardants in their blood, and those ages 12 to 19 had the highest levels. The dangers: research studies in humans showed thyroid disruption, memory and learning problems, delayed mental and physical development, lower IQ, advanced puberty and reduced fertility.
- Antimony // used as a catalyst in the making of polyester. Also, used as a flame retardant in sleepwear. In higher concentrations, it can act like the poison arsenic. The dangers: depression, vomiting, dizziness, kidney and liver damage. One of the compounds, antimony trioxide is also believed to be carcinogenic.
- NPEs or nonylphenol ethoxylates or nonylphenols // are used to wash clothing in the textile industry, for example after dying. The dangers: NPEs are also endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs – but unlike phthalates, NPEs can accumulate in the tissues of a living being.
- PFCs or per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals // are used to make textiles water-repellent. PFCs are thus mainly found in outerwear, such as rain jackets and shoes. But they can also be found in training pants, waterproof crib mattress covers and other items in your baby’s nursery. The dangers: PFCs are linked with cancer and kidney diseases.
- Organotins // are used as a biocide largely in cotton clothing to prevent textiles from being damaged. It is also used to provide anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and prevent odor if a wearer were to sweat. The dangers: linkage with obesity along with having immunotoxic and endocrine disrupting effects.
- Pesticides and Insecticides // broad spectrum organophosphates and carbamate pesticides used in conventional cotton farming are some of the most common, and most toxic pesticides used today, adversely affecting the human nervous system even at low levels of exposure. Cotton is grown on just 2.5% of the world’s total agricultural land, but uses 22.5% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of all pesticides, making it the world’s dirtiest grown crop. The dangers: interference with healthy neurodevelopment, leading to behavioral problems and lower cognitive function, and meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These toxins also belong to the family of endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs and are known hormone disrupters. EPA classifies these as carcinogens and acknowledges having linkages to neurological disorders that increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
- Synthetic Colors/Dyes // is a mixture of many chemicals including formaldehyde and heavy metals. The dangers: carcinogenic and the heavy metal particles are known neurotoxins.
The Cutie Bees brand is known for their healthy, non-toxic apparel for baby and kids. With Cutie Bees, you never have to worry about the harmful chemicals hiding in your baby’s clothing. These clothes are made from 100% certified organic cotton and are hand finished without any harmful chemicals. Cutie Bees follows strict procedures and inspections throughout the entire process. And, they even test their products to ensure no harmful chemicals were found in Cutie Bees baby clothes before they are sold.
The Cutie Bees promise:
- NO harmful dyes
- NO pesticides
- NO phthalates
- NO formaldehyde
- NO fire-retardants
- NO harmful chemicals ever!
Cutie Bees is giving away a FREE bodysuit for 50 new customers! From February 1st through February 7th, the first 50 people to sign up will win a *free organic bodysuit – a $20 value! Choose from sizes 0-24 months and an assortment of colors. *$3.95 shipping charge applies.
Get Your FREE BODYSUIT Here
Written by Karen Barski, BSN, RN, Mother of five, Certified Infant Care Specialist & Instructor, & Inventor of the Woombie Baby Swaddle
Karen has been an RN for 18 years, and has worked in many different nursing roles. As a Certified Infant Care Specialist, Karen counsels thousands of families yearly on a multitude of issues relating to pregnancy and infancy. Also, as a mother of five, she has invaluable experience and tips to share.
Since 2007, Karen’s company, KB Designs, has invented a line of signature baby swaddle products that have helped parents easily transition their new babies from womb to home. There are multiple designs and sizes so that babies can enjoy the comfort and security of the Woombie up until the time they begin to roll.
Each product has been created and designed by Karen because of a need she identified in her life with her five children. With convenience, safety, and fashion in mind, KB Designs has helped over a half million babies and counting!
For more information, visit www.woombie.com.
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