With a host of health concerns such as developmental issues, early-onset puberty, cancers, obesity and type-II diabetes, the Chinese Milk scare and the chemicals used in baby products, more and more parents are looking for solutions and products that are truly baby-friendly as well as eco-friendly. Julianna Shaw, a busy mother and corporate executive has come up with her own solution, ZoLi. Founded this year, the ZoLi product line offers smart choices and a variety of products that blend practical function with modern eco-friendly style. It was important for Shaw to give new parents from every spectrum safe and healthy product solutions for everyday parenting.

The ZoLi line consists of non-toxic baby products from bottles, teethers, to a changing pad made of the same materials as a yoga mat. The products are BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free, recyclable, dishwasher safe and some products are even 100 percent biodegradable.

Though it may have been a while since some of us have taken a chemistry class, I think it is important to revisit the properties and effects of these 3 widely used chemicals in consumer production practices: BPA, PVC, and Phthalate. This understanding will give you an appreciation for the types of products ZoLi and other similar companies have created.

Though the Toy Industry Association says PVC, in toys poses no safety risks, many organizations and even retailers feel otherwise. The Association’s basis for this position is that children do not chew on the toys long enough for the toxins to be released, but any parent, sibling, or any human with a certain amount of morals would not want to put a child at such risk. Who is to say that down the road more stories about the truth and presence of Lead, PVC, and who know what else is on retail shelves everywhere. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are at higher risk for exposure to toxins in their infant/toddler stage for they often have teethers, pacifiers, and nipples with potential phthalates in their mouths. Even a mother’s breast milk can become contaminated with phthalates if she is exposed to phthalates during her post partum stage.

Retail giants such as Target Corp., Wal-mart Inc, and Sears are putting pressure on the manufacture trade groups. Mattel Inc. and Hasbro Inc. are testing a corn-based plastic from NatureWorks LLC. Though the ZoLi product line is currently only available on-line, hopefully one of these retailers and other boutique stores will begin to carry more products such as these.

First Juice, packaged in BPA and Phthalate-free containers, is the first juice for infants and toddlers that is significantly lower in sugar and calories than traditional juice offerings. Best of all, it is organic.

“First Juice was created based on a broad range of scientific and consumer research into the development of early childhood taste preferences, nutritional insights, and safety concerns from pediatricians and other experts, and most importantly — parents,” explained David Glasser, First Juice, Inc. Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “First Juice offers parents convenience, sound nutrition and the reassurance that they are making the best juice choice possible for their children. As parents ourselves, we have created a juice beverage and a no-spill package that we wish existed years ago, when our kids were younger.”

The First Juice bottles are recycle code #1, the most widely recycled plastic. Though the bottles are easily recyclable, the company encourages consumers to be eco-effective and reuse the 8 oz. sippy cups and refill them with their 32 ounce bottles of the juice.

First Juice is available nationally at Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats, Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us, The Food Emporium, and on www.diapers.com. Currently there are only two flavors, Apple+Carrot and Banana+Carrot.

One does not have to sacrifice great design for the sake of the environment. New boutique, Tiny Décor, just launched its on-line eco-friendly boutique for nurseries and playrooms. With a modern and broad range of furniture, art, wallpaper, bedding, rugs, and accessories, Tiny Décor carries an array of the best products from “green” forward thinking companies. As well, the boutique has it’s own line of exclusive, handmade, organic accessories for the nursery.

All products at Tiny Décor are eco-friendly as defined by having one of several attributes. These attributes include use of natural fibers, sustainable materials, non-toxic finishes, handmade goods, and a company’s commitment to philanthropy, among others. Products at Tiny Décor exemplify these attributes with 100% organic cotton fabrics, FSC-certified wood, flat-pack shipping, bamboo and corn-based fiber pillow inserts, and Oeko-tex certified manufacturing processes.

“Women have more economic clout than the country of Japan,” says Diane MacEachern, author of the new book Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World (Avery/PenguinGroup USA, 978-1-58333-303-7, 03/2008, $16.95). “Why not use it to pressure companies to save energy, keep our air and water clean, protect forests, and use safer ingredients?” MacEachern’s message is simple but revolutionary. If women change the way they spend their money, they can help solve the environmental crisis – and protect themselves and their families, too. Why women? Because women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace. “Women have a whole planetful of power in their purses,” says Diane in her new book. “When they use it to buy green, they force manufacturers to make products that reduce pollution, slow global warming, and eliminate dangerous chemicals.”

Big Green Purse empowers mothers, home owners, business owners, young professionals, teenagers and more in two ways: The book provides targeted information women often don’t have time to track down or verify on their own. It also enables women to use their undeniable consumer clout to create safeguards that have eluded legislation and regulation. It targets 25 commodities where women’s dollars can have the greatest impact, including food, clothing, cars, computers, coffee, cleansers, furniture and flooring and provides numerous helpful tips, facts, and empowerment.

With growing concerns over leaching chemicals in plastic baby bottles, Babylife has created a simple design soultion for parents feeding their infants and toddlers. The glass bottle is covered with a modern silicone sleeve (patent pending & 100% non-toxic) that will help protect the bottle from breakage and also prevent bumping into other articles in your diaper bag. The bottle and the sleeve can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together. The silicone nipple is latex-free and non-toxic and the bottle itself is bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free. The plastic ring, plug and cap contain no polycarbonates and are food grade, FDA approved and recyclable. The sleeve provides a good gripping surface during feeding and also a great tactile experience for your baby.

The team behind Babylife is made up of a former pediatric physical therapist and an interactive designer.Babylife conducts background checks on the factories that manufacture their products to ensure they meet ISO 9000 or 14000 standards and try to use organic and/or sweatshop free fabrics whenever possible. As part of their mission to educate parents and caretakers or infant development and safety concerns, Babylife provides articles of research on each of their products online. The rigorous testing of their products are conducted by distinguished international consumer agency named Bureau Veritas. The results, CE marks for safety in Europe , no harmful known chemicals, strength-tested for durability and have met the criteria of ASTM and EN 71.

According to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), more than 1.2 million C-sections are performed annually at a cost of $14.6 billion per year and more than half of all C-sections are medically unnecessary.

UnitedHealthcare has launched an initiative to assist physicians in its network reduce neonatal intensive care unit admissions by sharing data highlighting the increased risk of neonatal complications for babies delivered by scheduled C-sections.

Their highlights have shown that 48 percent of newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were from scheduled – many before 39 weeks’ gestation. That fact is STAGGERING

The Insurance provider had released a statement, “Reducing the overall number of elective caesarean sections would significantly decrease health risks for mothers and their newborns,” said Tina Groat, M.D., national medical director of Women’s Health for UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company.

UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Pregnancy Owner’s Manual mentions the following for consideration for an elective C-section:

* waiting until 39 weeks helps ensure a baby’s lungs are fully developed;
* babies born before 39 weeks can be at increased risk for respiratory problems and other conditions that might require special care;
* women who have labor induced are more likely to need a C-section or experience other labor complications.

This is an encouraging move from the large insurance company.

The “Modern champion for mothers”, Jenny McCarthy, is taking her mission to a new level. The launch of her new label, Too Good by Jenny McCarthy, was just announced. The new brand will be positioned as providing safe, non-toxic surroundings for children and is set for launch at mid-tier retailers next spring or summer.

The line will include non-toxic bedding, apparel, feeding products, toys/activity sets, cleaning products, bathroom textiles, gluten-free food and beverages, and other categories.

McCarthy told the business newswire “Everywhere I go I meet parents who are looking for products that are safe for their children,” said McCarthy. “Unfortunately, they want what only a handful of specialty boutiques carry at a hefty price. BSP (the agency of record) and I are working together to fill the market void in safe, non-toxic products for children. With the TOO GOOD(TM) brand, I intend to make the building blocks for a healthy environment universally accessible for all families. ”

Her new book, Mother Warriors, Will be in stores September 2008, and her sixth book, Healing and Preventing Autism with Dr. Kartzinel, is scheduled for release in the spring of 2009.

Summer Infant, Inc., a designer, marketer and distributor of premium infant/children products,is based on the philosophy that innovation is a key attribute in driving new product development. They just recently launched a new collection line of affordable organic bedding, nursery décor and furniture for the mass market called, Natures Purest. The collection is super cute. Using 100% organic cotton, adorable design accents, and embroidery, the collection is great for nurseries, children’s room, and gifts. No dyes, chemicals, nor pesticides are used to make the plush toy which is reassuring for parents.

Summer Infant products are distributed by Target, JcPenny, Baby-R-Us, and Kmart to name a few.