2011 March | Inhabitots

Franck & Fisher’s Organic Cotton Books for Green Babies

by Jennie Lyon, 03/06/11

Franck & Fisher’s organic cotton baby books are a sweet first read (or flip) for any baby. These brightly colored, machine washable books will make for hours of fun. The Doggy Play Book features a dog who wakes up hungry one morning and searches all around for his bone. The Count 1-10 Book teaches your little one to count with pictures of animal friends. Each book comes with an easy loop making it perfect to attach to a car seat or stroller for on-the-go fun.

+ Count 1-10 Book €23.95 each

+ Doggy Play Book €23.95 each

+ Shak-Shuka

RANGO In Theaters March 4th – An Animated Comedy For the Whole Family

by Advertiser Sponsored Post, 03/05/11

Most parents harbor the hope that their little ones will grow up to inherit an appreciation for all of nature’s creatures; both cuddly and scaley. But while most kids come into the world with an in-born affection for fuzzy puppies and cuddly kittens – snakes, rats and voles are a harder sell. With that in mind, one tactic that the green-minded parent can try to endear your tot to Mother Nature’s less photogenic critters is the one failsafe method: the magic of Hollywood. If you buy into this logic, you’ll want to check out RANGO, an animated comedy-adventure from the director of Pirates of the Caribbean, arriving in theaters March 4th.

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Wrap Baby in a Petunia Pickle Bottom Organic Swaddling Blanket

by Jennie Lyon, 03/05/11

If you are expecting a baby or know someone who is, a set of super soft, stretchy and breathable knit organic swaddling blankets are a must. These pretty patterned swaddling blankets from Petunia Pickle Bottom fit the bill and come is a beautiful selection of colors and designs. Each organic cotton swaddling blanket is sized to achieve a secure and snug swaddle, which will promote longer, uninterrupted sleep in newborns, giving you time to relax too.

+ Set of 3 Swaddling Blankets $79

+ Petunia Pickle Bottom

NEW STUDY: Cell Phones Stimulate the Brain, but Health Effects for Kids Unknown

by Julie Seguss, 03/04/11

Image © prima vera via SXC

The debate on whether or not cell phones cause cancer and whether or not cell phones are safe for kids, or adults for that matter, continues. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that talking on a cell phone increases brain activity near the antenna. While the health effects of these changes are unknown, this study conducted by scientists at the National Institutes of Health is one of the first and largest studies to show that weak electromagnetic radiation, like the radiation from your cell phone, could alter brain activity. Study researchers conducted PET scans on participants as they held phones up to their ear for 50 minutes at a time. Those who had a phone that was turned on, had a 7 percent increase in their brain activity. So what does this mean for the growing number of kids who own cell phones or play games on iPhones?

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Co-sleeping Until Age 5 is Healthier, May Reduce Stress

Image © simaje

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Co-sleeping is a controversial topic among both parents and health care professionals. Major organizations have spoken out against co-sleeping — I think we all remember how Consumer Reports bashed co-sleeping and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is also opposed to co-sleeping. While the AAP doesn’t come right out and say, “We strongly frown upon co-sleeping” their recommendations regarding baby sleep are clearly very supportive of crib sleeping over co-sleeping. This said, there are some very positive reasons to give co-sleeping a whirl. Dr Margot Sunderland, director of education and training at The Centre for Child Mental Health in London, is one expert that believes co-sleeping helps children grow up to be calm, healthy adults, and she explains her study-based opinion in her book The Science of Parenting. She points out that children who sleep with their parents may experience less stress than children who sleep alone.

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Handmade Linen Snakes are Fun for Green Babies

Invite one of these sweet, striped handmade linen snakes to slither into your home. We bet your baby or toddler will love tugging, grabbing, or toting a 2-foot long plush toy all around the house. These snakes are made from strips of 100 percent linen, and they’re free of any loose buttons or parts.The Oregon-based new mom Elisabeth Bentz behind Good Long While Shop loves crafting while her baby naps. Here’s to lots of long naps and lots of …

HOW TO: Make a Recycled Art Caddy from an Izze Bottle Caddy

Want to organize your creative kid's eco art supplies? Colorful Izze soda bottle caddies can easily be repurposed to hold colored pencils, crayons, markers and more. Plus, the cardboard caddy's design makes it portable so your kid can tote his supplies from room to room or take them on the go. And what a fun way to add a little pop of color to your child's desk! Read on to see how to make a recycled art caddy from an Izze bottle box in a few simple steps.

Cate and Levi Wool Journals for Sustainable Scribbles

Children have the best ideas — they’re naturally bursting with wonderful creativity and imagination. Encouraging your child to record his thoughts and feelings is easy when he has an adorable Cate and Levi journal to scribble in. Cate and Levi’s journals add a fun twist to the traditional journal. Each journal cover is made using reclaimed wool and comes …

Baby Gaga Breast Milk Ice Cream Banned

If you were hoping to try the new Baby Gaga breast milk ice cream, which we told you about last week, it looks like you’ve missed your chance. Baby Gaga ice cream, though reportedly popular, has now been outlawed like many of the breast milk foods served at restaurants in the past. …

HOW TO: Make Your Own Felt Play Food

Felt play food tops of list of favorite eco-friendly toys for kids. And so many Esty crafters and toy makers have mastered the felt food craft — Sweetie Pie Bakery, Lilly Bean, The Fakery Bakery, Felt Playground. But for moms with a sewing machine, there has to be an easy way to DIY a whole farmer’s market of felt food, right? We were so excited to stumble across Made’s felt food tutorial for pumpkin pie, grapes, drumsticks, broccoli, dishes and cutlery. Read on to find out how to make your own faux treats for your kid’s play kitchen or a pretend picnic.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER: Win a Merino Kids Baby or Toddler Sleep Bag!

How do you keep your baby warm when it’s cold outside? How about putting him to bed in a Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag? Experts say bundling your tot up in heavy blankets and layers of clothing isn’t the best bet, and caution that overdoing it can increase the risk of SIDS. A natural Merino wool sleep sack, on the other hand, is breathable, which protects your baby from overheating. And lucky for you, Babysleepbags.com is giving a sleep bag away to one Inhabitots reader! The winner will receive a standard weight Merino Kids Baby or Toddler Sleep Bag in the color of their choosing. Depending on which style is chosen, this prize is worth up to $140! For more info on Merino Kids Sleep Bags read our senior editor Beth Shea’s sleep sack review. Find out how to enter for your chance to win after the jump.

ImagiPlay’s Wooden Animal Rattles for Green Babies

ImagiPlay’s animal rattles are a joy for little ones to explore with their hands and mouths. Each whimsical animal rattle is all-natural and has a sweet rattle sound. Made from managed beechwood, these rattles are gently sanded until smooth and sealed with beeswax. They …

Level Architects’ House With Slide is the Ultimate Fun House

You may be a parent who 'lets things slide,' but the mom and dad of three young children living in the 'House with Slide' in Tokyo, Japan take the concept to a whole new level. Designed by Level Architects, this three-story, literal fun house features a slide that connects all three floors -- and as if that weren't enough, the architecturally adventurous abode also boasts a ball pit in a sunlit courtyard!