Nurture Naturally with Seventh Generation Baby Care Products {Giveaway}

Many of you have probably heard of Seventh Generation products before – I know we’ve used their household cleaners before and I really liked that they were free of chemicals that so many other cleaners have. It only makes sense that I, as a mom, would then be even more excited to have natural products for use with our kids. Since we have our newborn, E, who’s just two months old, I’m even more interested in finding natural products to use on her sensitive skin.

Seventh Generation now has a variety of baby care products, so I can feel great about what I use with E!

Pictured above are their diaper cream, bubble bath, lotion, foaming shampoo/wash, sunscreen, and regular shampoo/wash. We haven’t started letting E have bubble baths yet, but I tried the bubble bath with our preschoolers and they loved it – the tub was filled with suds, and I felt great about knowing there weren’t any harmful chemicals behind the bubbles.

I attended an online presentation about chemicals in products and was shocked at how pervasive they are in our lives. It’s also unnerving the effects that the chemicals can have on us and, more importantly, on our children. Studies show that their endocrine systems can be greatly disrupted, causing all sorts of problems (even contributing to obesity). Researchers at John Hopkins Children’s Center found that children with high urinary levels of parabens were more sensitive to environmental allergens.

Here are some ingredients you should not use on your baby (none of which are included in Seventh Generation products):

• Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, propyl-)
• Phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DMP, DEP)
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diasolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo2-nitropropane-1, 3 diol (bronopol)
• “Fragrance” or “preservatives” rather than listing actual ingredients
• Triclosan
• DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine)
• Tetrasodium and trisodium EDTA

After learning more about the potential effects of chemicals on our children, I became even more resolved to use natural products for them. At the online presentation I attended, I also learned some baby massage tips, so I decided to use some of those tips and the Seventh Generation Wee Gen baby lotion to give E a massage.

All-natural Seventh Generation Baby Lotion? Check. Adorable baby? Check. All set for baby massage! 

Here are some tips shared by Tina Allen with Liddle Kidz Foundation, so you can share the benefits of baby massage with your infant:

Choose the Best Time and Place

Creating the best environment for massage is an ideal way to give yourself, and baby time
to relax. Choose a familiar place that is warm, quiet and with few distractions. The best
time for massage is when baby is awake, healthy and happy. Some babies prefer the
morning, while others prefer the afternoon or before bedtime.

Be comfortable

Relax, enjoy and have fun! Position yourself so that you are comfortable. Be sure baby is
safe and placed on a soft area. Keep in mind, babies roll and become slippery when using
oil. Be sure your hands are warm and clean before you begin.

Choosing Massage Oil

While it is not required, using oil can help make massage more enjoyable for some babies
and parents. Olive oil and Grapeseed oil are some of the best choices for infant massage.
However if you choose to use lotions be sure to choose a non-toxic option, like Seventh
Generation baby lotion – which contains olive oil as a main ingredient.

Ask Permission

Infant massage can be a wonderful tool for increasing your communication. Massage is not
something that parents do to their baby, but rather with their little one. Listen to your
baby. She will give you the signals to let you know she is enjoying massage, or when she is
all done for now.

Know When Not to Massage

Never provide massage for your baby without permission (when sleeping, crying or fussy).
Avoid massage when he is ill, has a fever or infection. If he has broken skin, rash or
bruising. Wait at least 48 – 72 hours following immunizations. For tummy massage, wait
30 minutes after eating. If he has any special healthcare needs seek further guidance as to
what would be the safest approach.

For more information on Infant Massage visit: www.LiddleKidz.com.

I’ve even got a wonderful video on infant massage to share with you. Click here to check it out!

So, now you’ve got valuable information on choosing natural products for your baby, and you’ve learned some great tips for baby massage. How could this post get any better? A giveaway, of course! First, though, let me share info for the upcoming Twitter party (where you can have even more chances to win, and pick up great information too!):

SEVENTH GENERATION TWITTER PARTY

• What: Join us for an informative party to discuss the importance of using truly pure and natural baby care products! We’ll tell you how to identify the safest product ingredients and those ingredients to watch out for.
• When: The party will be on Monday, Nov. 5, at 1p ET.
• Where: Use the #7GenBabyFest hashtag on Twitter to find us!
• Hosts: Follow @theMotherhood, @SeventhGen, @CooperMunroe and @EmilyMcKhann
• Prizes: We will give away five prize packs containing full sets of the Seventh Generation baby personal care line.

TWO winners will each win a prize pack of Wee Gen baby care products from Seventh Generation (pictured above). Each set is valued at $50!

This contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Monday, November 19. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.

Note: I am participating in the Seventh Generation program with The Motherhood. I have been compensated for my time.  All thoughts and opinions are honest and are my own.

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