We moms (and dads) may have been irresponsible in the days before baby – clueless about carcinogens and climate change – but when we begin to see through the eyes of our children, we experience a wake-up call.
  
Try these five simple steps suggested by Healthy Child Healthy Word, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of children from harmful environmental exposures. Your house will surely be the greenest one on the block:

1. Manage pests safely
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a host of health problems associated with lawn, garden and household pesticides, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, cancer, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders and compromised brain development. Use only nontoxic, pesticide-free bug sprays; help to keep pests outside by using good sanitation and food-storage habits; and wash your hands and remove shoes to avoid bringing chemical-laden dirt indoors.

2. Use nontoxic cleaners, body-care products and home furnishings
Steer clear of the antibacterial soap, and stock up on natural body-care items made from organic botanical oils that are
preservative- and petroleum-free. Read labels to find cleaning products marked as nontoxic, bio-based, chlorine-free, organic or phosphate-free. Furnish, decorate and remodel your home with safer products, including natural fibers and zero-VOC paints.

3. Clean up indoor air
It’s important to keep the air inside our home as clean and healthy as possible. Healthy Child Healthy World suggests using natural products – from upholstery fabric, carpeting and building materials to glues, adhesives, paint and wallpaper. Instead of perfumed candles and sprays, use nontoxic methods of scenting the air.

4. Eat more organic and healthy foods
Good for the environment and good for our bodies, organic foods are grown the way nature intended – without harmful, long-lasting synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and antibiotics.

5. Be wise with plastics
Certain plastics leach harmful chemicals into foods and drinks, especially when they come in contact with oily or fatty foods during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners and when exposed to excessive moisture. Visit healthychild.org to find out which plastics to ban from your own home. n

S. Danyelle Knight is an award-winning contributor to OC Family magazine.


Spin-cycle wisdom
The laundry starts to pile up when you bring your new baby home. Next time you tackle spit-up stains, refer to these tips from Dr. Alan Greene’s book, “Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care”:

> Wash several loads back-to-back, so you can use the residual heat in the dryer.
> Run the washing machine only with full loads. Use cold water to save 80 to 90 percent of energy costs.
> To prevent static cling, add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
> Clean out the dryer’s lint trap after every load to reduce energy use.
> Air-dry whenever possible, using indoor racks or an outdoor line. This conserves energy – and your clothes.
> Remove clothing from the dryer before the cycle ends, and line dry to finish to  conserve energy.
> Don’t use dryer sheets. They contain harsh chemicals that irritate sensitive skin.


Go organic?
Organic food differs from conventional food in how it’s grown, processed and handled. Organic farmers do not use conventional pesticides and fertilizers. While the government has adopted strict labeling requirements for organic foods, they also have strict regulations on the amount of pesticides and fertilizers that can be used in growing non-organic foods. So the decision is up to you.
   
Unfortunately, buying organic products can be pricey. If you prefer the convenience of bottled baby food, shop for the best deals, buy in bulk and consider a market’s organic brand over a national brand.
   
Making your own organic baby food isn’t as difficult as it sounds and can be just as convenient as purchasing store-bought jars. All you need is a steamer, a food processor or blender and some ice trays for freezing.
   
Visit your local farmers’ market for California-grown, organic produce (check localharvest.org for a market in your area) or have organic goods delivered directly to your front door (log on to spud.com for details).