It shocked me to learn that cotton is considered the world’s dirtiest crop due it’s incredibly high level of pesticides. Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in this country are known to cause cancer.  I can’t even begin to guess what they do in other countries. While natural fibers are always better than synthetics, clearly organic cotton is better than treated cotton. Organic cotton can be much more expensive at times though and sometimes the things you really want are, well, not organic.

There is a happy ending in the case of aiden + anais though. Aiden + anais makes swaddle blankets, hooded towels and burby bibs in chic, playful prints.

Some of their products are “organic,” others are not and they are priced accordingly. The organic swaddle blankets retail for $26 each, for example, while the regular swaddles retail for $49.95 for a four pack. All are made from 100% cotton muslin, however knowing this discouraging truth about your average cotton, I felt guilty not spending the money for the organic ones. Turns out, no need to fret. I wrote the company to ask what the difference was. The classic cotton is relatively pure, it just hasn’t been Global Organic Textile Standard certified. Turns out that’s not the end of the world in this case. Here is the background I recevied via email from the aiden + anais Sales Coordinator & Customer Service Manager on 8/15/11:

“There is no formaldehyde, nor do we treat with flame retardant chemicals. There are no heavy metal traces and we use azo-free low impact dyes.

Our classic line cotton hasn’t been treated with pesticides and are not genetically modified, but unlike our GOTS certified our classic cotton has no certification.  Without certification, we cannot make that claim 100%- as that is what certification is meant for.

However, all of our products are tested by Intertek according to 

the CPSC’s requirements and are safe.”

Good enough. Register away ladies.

By the way, the burby bibs are genius because they have snaps and do double duty as a chic burb cloth and a bib. The sleep sacks are much more attractive than the fleece variations out there, most of which are made of toxic polyester. More on the dangers of polyester to come!

This is not a blog about stuff that’s solely comprised of and smells like hemp.  It is also not to suggest drastic and painful lifestyle changes that include growing more body hair and smelling funny. My inspiration for starting Baby Gone Green is to help you identify safe and attractive product, service and lifestyle options for you, your home and, most importantly, your baby.

• Are those cute Serena and Lily swaddle blankets toxic?

• What is PVC or a paraben and why should I care?

• Where can I find a chemical-free equivalent of this cheap formaldehyde-covered toy my kid is obsessed with?

• Is it safe to steam-clean my carpets?

• Seen any good deals lately on posh organic baby clothes?

This is the information I’ll share in palatable format.

Our first baby is due 7 days from today. The amount of research I’ve had to do to find decent, attractive baby products to register for and to make safer choices to ‘de-toxic’ our bodies and home has been amazing. Like most people, I work full time and have a busy life. The only reason I’ve been lucky enough to find the time to do all this work is that I was put on bed rest. My husband suggested I start writing to share with other busy people that don’t want to reinvent the wheel in order to cut back on carcinogens and other harmful chemicals in their lives.

I started reading more about food, environmental toxins and health when I moved to San Francisco. The links between environmental dangers and chronic illnesses are astounding.  My husband and I can’t figure out how we’ve all become absolutely surrounded by toxins, plastics, synthetics and cancer-causing chemicals in everything from baby toys and pesticide-laden produce to skincare products and house cleaners. As it turns out, government regulation is non-existent for many of these items or conflicts of interest and sketchy agency decisions abound. The worst offenders are products labeled “natural” (which I’ve learned means nothing) that still contain phthalates, parabens and other carcinogenic ingredients.

Pregnancy has only intensified my research.

I should mention that I am not a hippy. Not that I don’t love hippies, I do. Especially my mother-in-law (love you Carol!). But I’m a recovering lawyer and I work in finance. Before this new hobby, I was happily buying Chanel lip glosses like chewing gum, using stupidly expensive hair products and straightening treatments and purchasing the occasional “cheap and chic” polyester dress from J. Crew. Let’s be honest, we’ve all poked our head into Wet Seal or Forever 21 now and then too when our inner J-Lo is calling. (I’ve definitely lost at least two of my girlfriends with that statement.)

Trying to live a healthier lifestyle and provide the best for my family is going to be a lifelong passion. This much I know already:

One can only do their best.

and

Every little bit counts.

With that, welcome to Baby Gone Green.