Have A Healthy Baby & Home With Seventh Generation & Healthy Baby Twitter Party #HealthyBaby

This post was written for Seventh Generation in conjunction with The Motherhood. I received compensation, though all opinions written are my own. 
We are huge Seventh Generation fans in our house and we were so excited to be a part of their virtual baby shower! We chatted virtually with Seventh Generation, Healthy Baby Healthy Home, Stonyfield Yogurt and The Motherhood, so you can imagine how much important and eye-opening information we received. As a mom who only wants the best for my children, I try to use only organic and non-toxic products. My worst fear is that the kids will get into our cleaning cabinet and come across something that could really make them sick. This is why we love Seventh Generation products so much and have used them for years and years.

Did you know that there are more than 80,000 chemicals registered in the U.S., but safety testing is NOT required by federal law. To me, that is just plain scary. Why take a chance with your own children? When I lived in Germany, I was so impressed with their eco-conscious lifestyles and, right along with that mindset, they have banned an amazing amount of chemicals (1,328), whereas the U.S. has only banned/restricted 11 chemicals

In addition to these scary details, scientific evidence continues to point to chemicals being contributing factors to the rise of childhood behavioral disorders and disease. Liam, my three year-old, has brain tumors and, believe me when I say, that I wonder what factors could have caused his Neurofibromatosis since it was not passed down from our family. Since his diagnosis, I've become much more adamant about checking labels and finding products that are non-toxic.

I find it so frightening that our government has not updated the primary U.S. law that regulates chemicals in everyday products in over 35 years! So much has changed in our lifetimes and we've found that many chemicals and products used when we were children are not at all safe. This is why we wholeheartedly support Seventh Generation in urging their consumers to contact senators to pass the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA). You can find and message your own senator easily by clicking here.

Take a look at this truly eye-opening video from Healthy Child. The information is not only important, but will help you see just how important these issues are and why the CSIA needs to be passed.

Twitter Party Alert!

Hi, everyone! I wanted to let you know about a fun Seventh Generation Twitter party coming up on Tuesday! We will have so much fun and hope to see you there! You can find all the info below:

DETAILS FOR SEVENTH GENERATION HEALTHY BABY TWITTER PARTY

What: Join the Seventh Generation Healthy Baby Twitter Party - which brings Healthy Baby Home Parties online. The home parties were developed in partnership with Healthy Child Healthy World to give moms like us a platform to share parenting ideas and rally our friends around topics that resonate deeply – like creating a healthy environment for our babies and kids. We'll share tips and advice for creating a toxin-free home environment for your kids, ingredients to avoid, recommended products and more.

When: Tuesday, June 25, at 1p ET / noon CT / 10a PT

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #HealthyBaby hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/healthybabyparty

Hashtag: #HealthyBaby

Prizes: Five prizes will be awarded throughout the party to participants who respond correctly to trivia questions. Each winner will receive a package of Seventh Generation products.

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann, @SeventhGen

Your fellow co-hosts: 

Angela, Frugal Living NW, http://www.frugallivingnw.com - @FrugalLivingNW
Annie, Mama Dweeb, http://mamadweeb.com - @MamaDweeb
Annie, Stowed Stuff, http://www.stowedstuff.com - @anniestow
Autumn, Classic Mommy, http://www.classicmommy.com - @Classic_Mommy
Brett, This Mama Loves…, http://thismamaloves.com - @brettbmartin
Bri, Eco Baby Mama Drama, http://ecobabymamadrama.com - @EcoBabyMamaDram
Carrie, Carrie With Children, http://www.carriewithchildren.com - @CarrieWChildren
Charlene, Charlene Chronicles, http://www.charlenechronicles.com - @CharChronicles
Christa, Little BGCG, http://littlebgcg.com - @LittleBGCG
Christi, Frugal Novice, http://frugalnovice.com - @FrugalNovice
Divina, Dancing Hotdogs, http://www.dancinghotdogs.com - @DancingHotdogs
Emily, Baby Dickey, http://babydickey.com - @babydickey
Emily, Naptime is My Time, http://naptimeismytime.com - @naptimeismytime
Erin, A Parenting Production, http://aparentingproduction.com - @ErinCLane
Hanan, Lilac City Momma, http://lilaccitymomma.com - @LilacCityMomma
Jami, Young Wife's Guide, http://youngwifesguide.com - @YoungWifesGuide
Jenilee, Seven in the Nest, http://www.sixinthenest.com - @SixInTheNest
Jennifer, Sweet T Makes Three, http://sweettmakesthree.com - @SweetTMakes3
Jennifer, Double Duty Mommy, http://www.doubledutymommy.com - @DoubleDutyMommy
Jodi, Granola Mom 4 God, http://www.granolamom4god.com - @GranolaMom4God
Julie, A Year With Mom and Dad, http://www.ayearwithmomanddad.com - @ayearwithmomdad
Kerri, The Maven of Social Media, http://themavenofsocialmedia.com - @_themaven
Linsey, Lille Punkin', http://www.lillepunkin.com - @Lknerl
Lisa, Between the Kids, http://www.betweenthekids.com - @ljenator
Marianna, Green Mama's Pad, http://www.greenmamaspad.com - @GreenMamasPad
Meghan, JaMonkey, http://www.jamonkey.com - @JaMonkey
Meredith, The Mom of the Year, http://www.themomoftheyear.net - @meredithspidel
Michelle, Everything's Abuzz, http://everythingsabuzz.com - @queentob
Mickey, A Helicopter Mom, http://ahelicoptermom.com ahelicoptermom
Nancy, The Mama Maven, http://www.themamamaven.com - @NancyjHorn
Roxanne, Children Teaching Mama, http://www.childrenteachingmama.com - @ChildrenTeach
Shell, Not Quite Susie Homemaker, http://www.notquitesusie.com - @NotQuiteSusie
Suzanne, Mom Confessionals, http://www.momconfessionals.com - @momconfessional
Tara, Feels Like Home Blog, http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com - @TaraZiegmont
Vanessa, The Queen of Swag!, http://www.thequeenofswag.com - @queenofswag4u
Xenia, Thanks, Mail Carrier, http://www.thanksmailcarrier.com - @thxmailcarrier

This post was written for Seventh Generation in conjunction with The Motherhood. I received compensation, though all opinions written are my own. 

Join Us at 1pm for the Seventh Generation Twitter Party #7GenBabyFest

Hi, everyone! I wanted to invite you to a fun Twitter party this afternoon hosted by Seventh Generation and The Motherhood!Today, from 1-2 pm EST, we will be talking about the types of products we use on our babies and children's hair and skin! We will have a great time and there will be prizes, too!

#7GenBabyFest Twitter party details

What: Parents are often concerned about the food that goes in their young children’s bodies – but what about the products that are used on their sensitive skin? Seventh Generation and The Motherhood are hosting a Twitter party to discuss everything you need to know about ingredients, scents, packaging and labels on baby personal care products like shampoo and lotion.

When: Thursday, December 13, 1-2 p.m. ET

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #7GenBabyFest hashtag to track the conversation.  You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite:http://twtvite.com/7genbabyfest2

Hashtag: #7GenBabyFest

Prizes: Seventh Generation will give away five total prizes. Four of the prizes will be gift baskets containing full lines of the Seventh Generation baby care and home care products. The final prize will be a baby massage class in the winner’s area. Winners will be chosen randomly from among participants who respond correctly to trivia questions.Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann 
Other info: Seventh Generation’s website: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

**Following the party, you can also participate in an Instagram contest with Seventh Generation!! Beginning December 14, take an Instagram photo to illustrate how you practice natural parenting, tag @SeventhGeneration and use the #7GenBabyFest hashtag.7 winners each day for three days will receive a Seventh Generation Baby gift basket. If you win, you’ll be contacted via Instagram with a request to share your mailing information.**

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Preparing Your Home For A New Baby- Helpful Tips #SeventhGeneration

One of the things I enjoy the most about being pregnant is preparing everything for the baby. I love baby showers, buying all the essentials, decorating the baby room, and all the cute clothing! The last time I was pregnant, Liam came 5 weeks early, which took us all by surprise, so this time, it's best to be prepared early.

So, here are my top 10 tips for preparing for your new baby's arrival!

1. Talk to other recent Mamas! Everyone will want to put their two cents in, but some people have no idea what they are talking about or their parenting methods are completely different from the ways you wish to raise your child. Speak with other like-minded parents and ask them their opinions, what they considered essentials, what was unexpected, etc. Ask how they recommend setting up the nursery, what room they spent the most time in, etc. This is much more helpful than any book.

2. Make a List Essentials & Check It Twice! Go through items you know you will need (diapers, wipes, bassinet, breast pump, baby wash, clothing, etc.) and make sure those things are purchased first. The rest is fun to buy, but not always needed at first. You may really want to have a crib, but if you are going to use a bassinet, it isn't essential. Also, people love to buy toys, but for the first bit, baby is really too small to play with much. You only need a few play toys.

3. Decorating the Nursery. I love decorating the nursery, but it's tough sometimes because you may use the same room for different children over the years. You don't want to paint it pink and then have a boy a year later. (Well, maybe you do, but not me!) If you do paint, make sure you do it properly, aerate the room, and give it time to dry long before baby is brought home. We don't paint our walls, but we do buy wall decals that easily stick onto the wall and can be personalized for each baby, making their nursery special and just for them. 

4. Keep a journal! This time will go by so quickly and, as you will learn, baby brain is, indeed, real! Keep a journal to write down important thoughts and occurrences along the way. Not only will it help you keep up with your thoughts and schedule, but it will be a fun keepsake for later on.

5. Breastfeeding? Go LLLI! If you are planning to breastfeed, there is no such thing as being overly prepared! I highly recommend finding La Leche meetings near you so you can not only meet other breastfeeding mamas, but also ask questions, and have a wonderful group of ladies to help you in case you have any breastfeeding issues down the road (latching, sucking, etc.). I didn't do this with my first and was so overwhelmed. La Leche is the way to go! Also ask them about other essentials that aid breastfeeding, such as pillows (My Breast Friend), chairs (a rocker), their favorite breast pump, nipple-simulated bottles, etc. This can really help you set up the nursery and house with items you will definitely need, too.

6. Talk To Your Children. I cannot express enough how important it is to include your older children in the pregnancy. You don't want them already resenting the baby because this will make the transition even more difficult once baby is born. There are many great children's books available about bringing home baby. I have been taking my children to my check-ups and Josiah has even seen several of my ultrasounds. Teach them how to treat babies, how fragile they are, and how much patience they will need. 

7. Baby-Proof The Entire Home! Don't just baby-proof the nursery. Oh no, you want the entire home to be safe for not only your baby, but for the other children. I noticed Josiah was getting into everything when Liam was brought him, so I had to go back through and put locks on all cabinets later one. This was something that should have already been done. It's such a hassle once baby is home and you have your hands full. 

8. Find a baby carrier! Speaking of having your hands full, I highly recommend finding a baby carrier. There are many out there on the market, but each are different in their own way. Test out a few and decide which one is best for you and your needs. We love our Belle Baby, have used it with Liam and will continue to use it with baby #3! This is a great way to not only have hands free for giving other children attention, cooking and cleaning, but the baby will love being so close to Mama. You may think a baby carrier is used when out and around town or hiking, but it's used for much more than that. I swear I'd never get laundry done with a baby if it wasn't for my carrier!!

9. Never Be Afraid To Ask For Help! When you get home you will be exhausted, overwhelmed, and wanting to spend every second with the baby. Before having baby, talk to close friends and family. Many will be more than willing to help. It's nice to have some extra hands when at home. We actually had several offer to make/bring us food, which was wonderful! Maybe someone would like to stay with you for a few days, like your own Mom, to help out, let you rest, recover, and to enjoy the new grandbaby.

10. Go all-natural & non-toxic! Last, but most importantly, make the switch to organics and non-toxic products. It's so much safer with children around and they work just as well, if not better, than any others we've used. We always use Seventh Generation products now and love them. From household cleaners and trash bags to laundry detergent and diapers, Seventh Generation offers a full line of all-natural, non-toxic products for the home. You and baby shouldn't be breathing in chemicals, you should be breathing in unscented cleaners by Seventh Generation or, my favorite, Lemongrass & Thyme scented disinfecting multi-surface cleaner (a must-have, imo).

Being pregnant, the anticipation of bring baby home, and finally being together as a family- it's all such an exciting and wonderful time. Enjoy every second of it and try not to stress if things don't go as planned. They never go as planned and you won't get every little thing "right". The important thing is to learn from our mistakes and be the best parents we can be. Don't let anyone discourage you or make you think you don't know what's best for baby. You do! Trust your instincts and be prepared for anything and everything! I'm so ready to experience all of these joys again!

As I mentioned before, Seventh Generation offers a great variety of all-natural, non-toxic products, including their line of Free & Clear baby-care products! They have diapers, wipes and baby liquid laundry detergent. Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers are free of chlorine, latex, fragrances and petroleum-based lotions and are available in size newborn to stage 6. We absolutely love these diapers! Also part of the Free & Clear like are the Seventh Generation Baby Wipes, which are free of alcohol, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and are whitened without harsh chemicals containing chlorine. We all want the best for our babies and so does Seventh Generation!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers Review & Giveaway

I love using cloth diapers, but when on the road, like this week, I go for a more practical approach to diapering... disposables. Before you let out a gasp, let me just explain myself! lol! We use Seventh Generation Free & Clear Disposable Diapers if/when any disposables are used in our home. Why? For many reasons, including the fact that they do not include chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions. This means these diapers are much better for sensitive skin and, for my son, this is a major plus. He breaks out with pretty much any other disposable diapers we've tried.

My mom asked me why the diapers are brown and I had to explain to her that Seventh Generation makes certain no chlorine is used in the diaper (including the wood pulp used) and that no chlorine will ever be released into the environment. They do color the diapers brown, but with earth-friendly pigments. They take great initiative to make sure their products are eco-friendly and have even redesigned the diaper with a lighter-weight core with a higher absorbency, which means less diapers will enter the landfill! In addition, Seventh Generation has rediced the size of the plastic packaging used and the Seventh Generation Free & Clean diaper packaging can now be recycled at your local supermarkets that accept plastic bag recycling!

My Thoughts

I am very picky about the products used for my children, many of which are all-natural and organic. My youngest, a preemie with very sensitive skin, has shown reactions to many diapers, wipes, lotions, etc. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers are the only diapers that have not caused a rash! Besides the color, we've noticed no difference in their absorption and functioning abilities. They work great and have never leaked.
We are on vacation this week and I was so excited to bring along my new pack of Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers. We certainly put them to the test with long drives (10 hrs), days on the beach, and our exploration around the area. Liam was never uncomfortable and they worked perfectly!

For families who prefer to use environmentally-friendly products, you can use Seventh Generation with the guarantee and assurance that they do what they can to reduce our carbon footprints, remain eco-conscious, and to still offer quality products. I've used many Seventh Generation products over the past few years and I've always been satisfied with them, including their chlorine-free baby wipes!

Buy It

Ready to give Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers a try? Click HERE to find out where they are available nearest you! Don't forget to snag your $2 coupon before purchasing!!

You can also purchase Seventh Generation Diapers on Amazon.com

Win It

One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Win Their Own Pack of Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers To Try (your choice of size)

How To Enter

Leave a comment below telling me why you prefer to use eco-conscious baby products!

**Remember to include your email address if it is NOT visible in your profile so I will know how to contact you! The initial entry is mandatory! Be sure to answer that question before earning extra entries listed below! Each bullet is worth one extra entry unless specified. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you earn and include your email address is at least one entry.

 

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 Plenty of opportunities to increase your chance of winning! This Giveaway is open to US Residents and Ends Wednesday, July 25th at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn by random.org. An announcement will be made on the blog and the winner will also be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

A special thanks to MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generation who sent out the diapers for review and are hosting the giveaway package and coupon! No other compensation was given and all opinions written are 100% mine and only mine.