Baby Dipper, that unique 4-oz. nonslip, nonspill bowl for babies, has just introduced a BPA-free set made from Eastman Tritan copolyester. In addition to being dishwsher safe, Tritan offers higher impact and heat resistance; as well as odor, taste and stain resistance, all important factors for infant care feeding products that demand cleanliness and safety. The new set sells for just $12.95 at Amazon.com.

Silikids, makers of those protective knee pads for kids, also make a full line of BPA-free silicone accessories for children. In addition to the knee pads, they sell silibibs, silibottles, siliskins, and more. From now through December 31, if you use the code “OHBABY” at checkout, you’ll receive 15% off any order. Head to Silikids.com to view the unique, innovative products available and to take advantage of this great deal.

I recognize Dr. Weil’s name from his line of natural supplements, so I was curious to check out his new line of baby products, available exclusively at Babies R Us. The line offers bottles, pacifiers, and other feeding accessories. All are BPA-free and designed with a sleek, modern look. I quite like this hip sippy cup, which is made from non-toxic materials and features a two-handle design and a silicon spout. You can purchase one for $9.99 at toysrus.com.

There are so many things a mother has to worry about when she has a baby. One thing that you want to have the peace of mind about is that the bottles your baby uses are safe. Although I nursed my son, he did drink lots of water out of a pediatrician-recommended bottle. At the time I never knew to check if it was BPA free. Now with all the concern over contaminates in toys and recalls over safety, I have been more aware about the products we use. Researchers believe that baby bottles containing polycarbonate plastic contain bisphenol – A (BPA), which the majority of baby bottles were previously made from, include a synthetic estrogen which can increase the risk of childhood obesity, A.D.D. and more. The safest bottles to use would be glass or steel but, as these types of bottles are not practical, Green to Grow has developed bottles which are free of lead, BPA, PVC, and other harmful materials.

Made from PES plastic, the Green to Grow Bottle has an attractive design and golden glow and includes a beginner (0-3 months) nitrosamine-free silicone nipple. The bottles come in packaging which is 100% recycled. The 5 oz regular bottle is $9.99 and the 10 oz regular is $10.99 at GreenToGrow.com
 

I like this picture. It looks like they’re holding something green from the good earth! These days moms are more aware of how their household and family products are manufactured, especially products that our children will be using. Even more so when it’s a baby product, like bottles.

I thought as long I sterilized them between feedings that I was doing the most for my child, but I could have been doing more. Green to Grow Baby Bottles are free of phthalates and bisphenol A (a suspected hormone-disrupting chemical used in polycarbonate plastic from which most baby bottles are made). They are also free of lead and PVC. Whew! How did we survive?

It’s a little scary but it’s important to know. The replaceable nipples are also made from non-toxic, heat-resistant medical grade silicone. Comes in Beginner (slow-flow), Intermediate (medium flow), and Expert (fast flow) speeds to choose from. Dishwasher safe. Price: $8.99 at cheekymonkey.com. Be safe.

I have purchased several “spill-proof” snack cups in the past, and was not wholly pleased with the quality or usefulness.  One, which was marketed by a mainstream infant company, was completely worthless.  Food came right out of it.  The other was much better, but it didn’t hold very much, and I didn’t think it looked very comfortable for my daughter to reach her hand into.

For these reasons, I was very intrigued by the Munchie Mug.  This product offers solutions to all of the problems I experienced with the other products.  First of all, it is generously sized.  Secondly, it really does prevent spills, and finally, the fabric closure is soft to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about little hands getting scraped against jagged plastic.

There are several other things to love about the Munchie Mug.  One is that the cap snaps on to keep a snack fresh when it is not in use.  Another is that the cup is made in the USA, out of recyclable plastic.  The product is completely BPA-free, and made from 100% FDA food grade compliant materials.  You will feel good about giving this to your child.  And, if my daughter is any indicator, it is easy and enjoyable to use.

You can purchase this innovative product for $12.95 from munchiemug.com.

I just bought the Thermos Foogo sippy cup earlier this week at Target, and was so pleased with it that I went back yesterday and bought a second one for my daughter to use at daycare. While the shape and function of this cup make it immediately recognizable as a sippy cup, there are some significant differences. The most important is that it is made from stainless steel, so it is BPA free. That was what drew me to it in the first place.

On top of that, it keeps beverages cooler (and therefore safer) longer. This makes it ideal for travel. The design is also eye-catching. My daughter picked out the pink and purple one, but I actually like the blue and yellow version better.

We’ve only been using it for a few days, but so far it seems to be working out quite well. I think I am going to do away with our more traditional sippies. At $14.39, this costs a bit more, but it is well worth every penny. I also like that I can easily buy it at a store instead of special ordering online and waiting for delivery. If the cup isn’t available in your area, you can buy on at target.com.

The Thermos Foogo sippy cup was also reviewed at the Bloggin’ Mama Blog.

Green to Grow offers a great alternative to baby bottles that contain BPA. Not only are they BPA free, but they are absolutely adorable, with decorations of smiling fruits. As an added eco-friendly bonus, all of the packaging is made of recycled materials.

You can buy the bottles in either 5 oz or 10 oz sizes, and either size can be purchased in a regular or wide neck version to suit your preference. Bottles range in price from $7.50 to $10.50, which isn’t bad for the confidence you will have in knowing that you aren’t passing dangerous chemicals on to your little one in her milk.

I love the Just Right gift set pictured here, which comes with 2 5 oz bottles, 2 10 oz bottles, 3 packs of nipples, and a fun reusable tote decorated with one of the adorable beaming pieces of fruit. The set costs $70.49 for regular neck bottles and $73.99 for wide neck. Check them out at greentogrow.com.

These bottles were also reviewed at babygadget.com and luxurybabyblog.com.

The BPA scare has affected more than just baby bottles, so many people (me included) are left scrambling to find alternatives for our toddlers and older children. One such product that I recently discovered is this bottle made by the Swiss company, SIGG. SIGG’s bottles are made of aluminum, and promise to be completely taste neutral—so drinks taste great.

Best of all, the company guarantees that there will be no leaching of any dangerous materials—which included BPA, BPB, and phthalates. The bottle also has a double seal to prevent leaks. Some, such as the “Bonne Nuit” model pictured here, even glow in the dark. Many other fun, child-friendly designs are available.

This size holds .3L. You can buy one for $15.95 at reusablebags.com. For an additional $5.95, you can purchase a Kids Grip accessory that transforms the bottle into a sippy cup that is easier for little hands to hold on to. With so many features, it’s no wonder that these Earth-friendly cups are catching on with celebrity parents like Madonna.

My son loves his Winkel from Manhattan Toys. The loops are colorful and soft so that little hands can grab easily. The Winkel also makes a wonderful chew toy. It can even go in the fridge to create a soothing teether.

Also when your little one shakes it, it rattles. I really like Manhattan Toys. They are colorful, educational and best of all the Winkel is BPA free.

You can buy the Winkel at manhattantoy.com for $13.00.

As a nursing mother, I was very fortunate to have a flexible job and daycare close enough that I could nurse my little one several times a day. Even so, it was always necessary to pump. I don’t know how I would have survived without my Medela. The Pump in Style Advanced is very effective, easy to use, and relatively quiet (a definite plus when you have to pump in your office). The parts are easy to clean and the bottles that come with it are BPA-free, so there is one less thing to worry about. This pump is definitely the pump for working mothers. It comes with a great carrying case which keeps everything together in one place and even has a little photo frame built in so you can look at a picture of your baby while you pump. It comes with a removable cooler. You can plug it in or run it on battery power. Jennifer Garner and Julia Roberts are just a few of the celebrity moms who rely on this pump.

With all of the recent news about the potential dangers of Bisphenol-A, many parents are wondering what kind of baby bottles are safe for their little ones. I know that even as a nursing mother, I have used bottles for daycare in the past, so I have actively looking for BPA-free alternatives. There are several brands on the market, but Born Free seems to be the leader. The company makes both glass bottles and BPA-free plastic ones. They are designed with an air vent to reduce colic, which is another plus. The bad news is that with all the recent press, these are backordered many places. A twin pack of 5 oz bottles retails for $18.99, which is not a bad price for some peace of mind. You can buy Born Free products at www.newbornfree.com. Tori Spelling and Nicole Richie are only a few of the celebrity parents who are using Born Free products to keep their babies safe and happy.