Eco Pregnancy and Baby

Sometimes you just can’t avoid toxins — they’re everywhere, even in the air you breathe. But here are a few tips for limiting your exposure as much as possible. Increase ventilation whenever possible and consider investing in an air purifier. Keep windows and doors open to release pollutants when vacuuming, dusting, frying, painting or folding [...]

In many instances, pollutants in the workplace are similar to those at home, unless you work in an industrial environment, near a construction site or in any location that requires frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals. Concerned about what may be present? Ask to review your company’s Material Safety Data Sheets, the U.S. Department of Labor [...]

Ever wonder what’s in the air you breathe in your home? Can it affect your health or the baby growing inside you? “Indoor pollutants are often more hazardous than those outside,” says Ted Schettler, M.D., M.P.H., science director of the Science and Environmental Health Network and co-author of In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child [...]

Whether you’re giving your existing home office an environmental upgrade or setting up an office for the first time, you’re already saving energy by not driving to work. You may also avoid common workplace toxins, but even a home office can be hazardous. Here’s how to make steps in the right direction. {GREEN} Create a [...]

The gentlest, most natural body-care products and cosmetics benefit not only new moms but also Mother Earth, by lowering the amount of toxic chemicals that end up in the air, soil and groundwater. But more than 99 percent of all personal care products contain one or more ingredients that have never been safety tested or [...]

New carpet can emit harmful chemicals from carpet fibers, backing material and adhesives, dyes and fire retardants. If you’re buying new carpeting, ask the installer to air out the rolls for 24 hours before installation. Open the windows for ventilation and, if possible, stay out of the room until the air clears (48 to 72 [...]

Cameras, cellphones, computers and video equipment help you capture precious moments in your newborn’s life. But upgrading to new electronics may mean adding more e-waste to the environment. Some simple steps to take before buying new products: Check to see if the manufacturer of your old electronics offers a recycling program and look for electronics [...]

On of the greenest choices in furniture is recycling furniture from somewhere else — your grandmother or that cute little antique store downtown. That way you’ll help reduce the environmental load in landfills and your bank account. Be careful, though, because family heirlooms, such as antique rocking chairs or cribs, won’t meet current safety standards [...]

If you’re a pregnant mom just catching up with what’s happening on a national level to protect you from toxic chemicals, watch this video. Then go to the source and sign the declaration at kidsafechemicals.org. Why? According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the current law regulating toxic chemicals in the United States was passed [...]

After childbirth, yoga helps speed recovery by reversing diastasis (the separation of the abdominal wall) and by strengthening your core muscles, says Lee. It also helps you re-engage your pelvic floor muscles, which weaken during childbirth. A yoga practice before and after pregnancy also helps you connect with your baby, says Jennifer Wolfe, a prenatal [...]