15+ Benefits of Choosing a Birth Center

by , 04/08/11
Birth center benefits, early labor, tour the birth center, tour your hospital, what to do before labor, before the baby arrives, where to give birth, birth center benefits, green birth centers, eco-friendly birth center, birth center vs. hospital

Image © thewattersfamily

If you’re experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy then a birth center may be the perfect place for you to give birth. A birth center is a free-standing facility that offers prenatal care, labor and birth services and postnatal care for women and families. Most birth centers are not part of a hospital, but some do have hospital associations or relationships. They are licensed by the state the center resides in and must meet specific guidelines for birth center facilities in the state. Birth centers are designed for healthy and low-risk mamas-to-be and offer many benefits over the traditional hospital setting. Read on to learn more about why a birth center may be right for you.

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HOW TO: Make an Ocean in a Recycled Bottle

by , 04/07/11
 
 
Now is the perfect time to get your child excited for summer by making an ocean in a recycled bottle. Children love to use their creativity and get their hands dirty making a project all by themselves. Although, my son took the opportunity to include his Dad when he made this project, this project has only a few simple steps and is easy enough for an elementary school-aged child to do entirely on his own giving him a sense of pride and accomplishment. What makes it better is that this project uses found objects and recycling bin treasures. Read on to learn how your child can make an ocean in a recycled bottle this afternoon.
 

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Possible Link Between Coal Power Stations and Autism

by , 04/07/11
autism, British Medical Journal, medical study, vaccines and autism, causes of autism, autism cause, autism diagnosis, autism news, autism research, autism spectrum disorders, autism test, autism urine test, autistic, children with autism, early autism diagnosis, Green Babies, green kids, health & body, health news, kids health

Photo ©jakubson via sxc.

Could coal power stations and autism really be connected? Maybe – at least professor David Austin of Swinbourne University thinks they could be. According to Austin, research published in the United States shows that there may be an increased rates of autism among kids who live near coal fired power stations. It’s not the actual power station, but mercury associated with the power station, that’s likely the culprit. According to past research from the University of Texas Health Science Center, there is a significant link between pounds of industrial mercury released and increased autism rates. This same Texas study showed a statistically significant association between autism risk and distance from the mercury source.
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Charlie Banana Debuts Limited Edition Green Diaper for Earth Day

by , 04/07/11

charlie banana, green diaper, eco-friendly diapers, cloth diapers, earth day diaper, cloth diapers for earth day, limited edition cloth diaper, how to cloth diaper

Leave less of your baby’s carbon tush-print behind this Earth Day and beyond by outfitting the little squirt in Charlie Banana‘s brand new, limited edition green diaper. The colorful prose design beckons families who haven’t yet kicked disposable diapers to the curb to say, “Goodbye Disposable, Hello Cloth.” And for cloth diapering veterans, this is a fun way to spread the news and encourage others to turn over a new leaf in honor of Earth Day. The cheery custom cloth diaper goes on sale today, exclusively on Zulily.com, and will be available online at Charlie Banana starting April 10th. Learn more about green diapering on Inhabitots.

+ “Goodbye Disposable, Hello Cloth” Diaper (April 7-10th $14.99 on Zulily.com, April 10th onward at Charlie Banana $25)


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76,000 Arm’s Reach Co-sleepers Recalled

76,000 Arm’s Reach Co-sleepers Recalled

This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Arm’s Reach Concepts announced a voluntary recall of Infant Bed-Side Sleepers. The CPSC and Arm’s Reach have received 10 reports of infants falling from the raised mattress into the bottom of the sleeper or becoming entrapped between the edge of the mattress and the side of the co-sleeper. Additionally, if the fabric liner in not used or not securely attached, a baby could fall from the mattress into the loose fabric at the bottom of the side-sleeper. While there haven’t been any injuries reported as of yet, the product does pose a risk for potential falls, entrapment or suffocation.

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gDiapers Launches New gStyle Collection for Spring

gDiapers Launches New gStyle Collection for Spring

gDiapers just launched a stylish new way to wear green diapers! gDiapers new gStyle collection includes two fashionabe new gPants prints paired with coordinating tops — a tee for the boys and a dress for girls. We already love gDiapers, as well as the fantastic gPants, biodegradable wipes, and gCloths Washable Inserts – and we think that the new gStyle collection with it’s super cute styles, colors and graphics will quickly rise …

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7 Best Eco-Friendly Easter Bunnies from Etsy

7 Best Eco-Friendly Easter Bunnies from Etsy

 
 
Whether given in an Easter basket or just as a gift, everybunny loves a stuffed rabbit this time of year. We scoured Etsy for the coolest, craftiest, and most eco-friendly rabbits of them all to come up with this list of the seven best Easter bunnies. Many of these bunnies had lives before their hoppy long-eared existences as they're upcycled from sweaters, pants, and other previously loved clothing. Check them out to decide which bunny you think deserves a spot in your kid's Easter basket.
 

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Genetically Modified Cows Produce Human Breast Milk

Genetically Modified Cows Produce Human Breast Milk

Image © rburgoss via SXC

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Thanks to one of the latest scientific discoveries, babies could soon drink a bottle of “human” milk produced from cows instead of being breastfed by their mothers. Once again scientists have been tinkering with genetic modification — researchers at the China Agricultural University bred 300 cattle with human genes so their milk contains the same beneficial and unique nutrients and fat content as breast milk. For moms unable or unwilling to breast feed, the scientists believe this new human milk from cows could offer an alternative to infant formula.

Would you feed your baby "human" milk from cows?

  • 267 Votes No way!
  • 51 Votes Only if I was unable to breastfeed.
  • 28 Votes Yes.

View Results

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Green Toys Sandwich Shop is Fun for Budding Foodies

Green Toys Sandwich Shop is Fun for Budding Foodies

With the new Green Toys Sandwich Shop little organic chefs can open their own imaginary deli, take pretend orders and serve up the fun. This 15-piece, mix-and-match play food sandwich set is made in the USA by Green Toys, with food-safe, 100% recycled plastic milk containers. The entire set is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. There are …

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GIVEAWAY: Win a FuzziBunz Green Diaper Starter Kit Worth $137!

GIVEAWAY: Win a FuzziBunz Green Diaper Starter Kit Worth $137!

If you want to reduce the number of diapers you buy, FuzziBunz can help. FuzziBunz One Size green diapers have 8+ button adjustments at the legs and 4+ at the waist to help them fit perfectly on babies from 7 to 35 pounds. Plus, the snaps are made to endure more than 3 years of use and elastic is replaceable, no sewing required. So if you stock up on FuzziBunz now, you should be set through potty training. Are you ready to give these cloth diapers a try? Right now FuzziBunz is giving away a green diaper starter kit worth $137 to one lucky Inhabitots reader! The kit includes 5 FuzziBunz One Size Diapers (each of which includes two inserts), a 10-pack of FuzziBunz organic cotton Wonder Wipes, and a zipper tote to keep your green diapers organized on the go. Read more to find out how you can win!

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HOW TO: Make a Recycled Glass Terrarium

HOW TO: Make a Recycled Glass Terrarium

 
 
Children love to watch things grow and they enjoy getting their hands dirty. One of the best ways for them to do both is by helping them build an easy recycled glass terrarium. Terrariums are super-fun for children because it's like having an entire miniature world inside a glass jar. A terrarium is easy to make and simple to maintain, no matter the season. Our recycled glass terrarium can be made with any sized glass jar that you find in your recycling bin. Once your child has finished creating their terrarium, they can move it from room to room or even take it to school for show and tell since the lid screws on tight. You can make a terrarium with your child in just a few minutes, leaving them with a project that they will enjoy all year long. Read on to learn how to get started.
 

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Start Your Garden With an Edible Seed Starting Kit

Start Your Garden With an Edible Seed Starting Kit

Bottlecrop’s seed starting kits are a great way to encourage the little eco foodies among us. Even if you might balk at tasting a flower, your kids may be naturally curious, open-minded and adventurous when it comes to trying an edible bloom — especially if they’re the type of kids who are hungry most of the time! The kits are packaged in
upcycled bottles lined with natural wax paper and filled with organic potting soil to make an …

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Eco-Friendly Memory Games from Sarah Bain

Eco-Friendly Memory Games from Sarah Bain

Sarah Bain’s eco-friendly memory games are as much a work of art as they are fun. Each wooden square has been decoupaged with a silhouette made from recycled magazines. She creates the game to have matches by pattern, but also uses different colors, and in some versions numbers of objects to provide even more learning and matching opportunities. Then Bain finishes the tiles with a water-based, non-toxic sealer and packages them in a handmade bag to …

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NEW: Nook Lilypad Playmat, Perfect for Eco-Friendly Tummy Time

NEW: Nook Lilypad Playmat, Perfect for Eco-Friendly Tummy Time

Nook Sleep Systems are in the business of trying to make our babies (and parents) as comfortable as possible. Last year we shared with you their innovative eco-friendly pebble mattress, and now they have just released the brightly colored pebble textured Lilypad playmat, which makes for a perfect spot for Baby’s tummy time.


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8 Eco-Friendly Spring Dresses for Babies and Toddlers

8 Eco-Friendly Spring Dresses for Babies and Toddlers

 
 
With warmer weather and Easter Sunday just around the corner, there's no time like the present to start dressing your tot in frilly, girly, eco-friendly spring dresses. We found plenty of fab frocks for the littlest eco fashionistas made from organic cotton, previously worn clothing and more featuring pretty prints, ruffles and colors that exude the spring-iness of the season. Read on to find the perfect eco-friendly spring dress for your little girl.
 

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Introducing Bamboo Magazine for Green-Minded Moms

Introducing Bamboo Magazine for Green-Minded Moms

We know you love reading Inhabitots for your green parenting fix, but now there’s a new eco-friendly magazine for green-minded moms, too. One of our favorite kid-friendly chefs Anni Daulter, author of Organically Raised; Conscious Cooking for Babies & Toddlers and ICE POP JOY has teamed up with Ashley Ess to create a new natural, eco-community and magazine called Bamboo~conscious family living! The premiere issue, with a “conscious pregnancy” theme comes out this month.

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Link Roundup: DIY Baby Romper, Easter Printables and More

Link Roundup: DIY Baby Romper, Easter Printables and More

One Little Minute impresses us by turning Design Mom‘s favorite worn-to-pieces shirt into an adorable romper for her baby girl – shown above.

While you’re feeling DIY, why not turn a shopping bag into a toddler art apron with instructions from LoLovie.

Then, check out these free vintage Easter treat bag printables from Funkytown.

If your kid loves yoga, check out MindBodyGreen’s guide to yoga …

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NobleUpcycling Wool Owls Are a Hoot!

NobleUpcycling Wool Owls Are a Hoot!

Leanne Noble, of NobleUpcycling, handcrafts adorable little owls, sure to please your child (and you). Each one-of-a-kind Hoot is made with previously discarded, and now upcycled, felted wool sweaters. Each Hoot doll comes with a cozy fleece backing. If you’re looking for a sugar-free, yet sweet, alternative for birthday party gifts bags, NobleUpcycling offers smaller Hoots upon …

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TOMS Wants You to Go One Day Without Shoes on April 5

TOMS Wants You to Go One Day Without Shoes on April 5

On Tuesday April 5, 2011, TOMS is calling out across the globe asking people to go One Day Without Shoes to support disadvantaged kids who don’t get the choice. So if you ever reminisce about those wonderful childhood days spent running and dancing barefoot in the park, now is your chance to do it all over again and for a great cause.

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New Green Toys Race Cars Are Eco-Friendly Vehicles

New Green Toys Race Cars Are Eco-Friendly Vehicles

Your child is never too young for a low-emissions ride, which is just what he’ll get with the new Green Toys Race Cars. Made like all Green Toys — in the USA with 100% recycled plastic milk containers — these sleek racers tear up the track (or living room at least)  while doing less damage to the planet than conventional plastic …

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LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!