GREENGUARD

Contact: Mandi Joyner, Communications Manager
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
mjoyner@greenguard.org

GREENGUARD Unveils First Nursery Built for Good Indoor Air Quality at ABC Kids Expo
GREENGUARD Booth Highlights the Impact Indoor Air Quality Can Have on Children’s Health

ATLANTA – September 9, 2009 – The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), the premier third-party certifier of products with low chemical emissions, debuts the first nursery of its kind at the 2009 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas.
Unlike traditional exhibits, the GREENGUARD booth is built entirely with GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® low-emitting products, including furniture, flooring, walls, paint, textiles and furnishings. The exhibit reflects a nursery seen in many homes complete with crib, changing table and children’s play furniture. While most nurseries are furnished and decorated with products that off-gas a multitude of pollutants, the GREENGUARD nursery only features indoor air quality certified products that can minimize children’s exposure to harmful chemicals.
“The ABC Expo gives us a great opportunity to do more than just tell people that indoor air quality is critical to providing healthy environments for children. Now, we can demonstrate that a beautiful nursery designed with low-emitting products can easily be accomplished,” said Marilyn Black, Founder of GEI. “Our homes are filled with products and materials that emit thousands of different pollutants into the air we breathe. One of the most important steps towards protecting our children is to make sure the air they breathe in homes and schools, where they spend most of their day, is clean and free of hazardous chemicals,” explained Black.
Products featured in the GREENGUARD nursery carry the prestigious GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certification mark. The GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification is among the most stringent in the world and takes into account the special sensitivities of children. It requires that all products be tested annually for more than 10,000 different chemicals and meet rigorous health-based criteria for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). GREENGUARD is excited to have products from industry leaders AkzoNobel, Anderson Hardwood Flooring, BonaKemi, Bernhardt Design, Eclipse Shutters, Fleetwood, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, Herman Miller, Knoll Textiles, National Gypsum, Naturepedic, Owens Corning, Q Collection Junior, Rubbermaid, Sherwin-Williams and Teknion included in this nursery.
About GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI)Founded in 2001, GEI is a third-party organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification ProgramSM including GREENGUARD Children & Schools. The Institute’s mission is to improve human health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. GREENGUARD Certified products must meet stringent standards for low chemical emissions based on established health criteria from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the state of California Air Resources Board (CARB). Products also undergo rigorous testing and verification processes on a regular basis. More than 200,000 products produced by over 225 manufacturers are represented in the GREENGUARD Certification programs. For more information on the GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification Program and GEI, visit www.greenguard.org.

Baby Magic

As you all know, I am all for using organic or all natural products for Baby G. However, sometimes they are not handy and something else has to be used. I want to share Baby Magic with you. I am sure everyone knows Baby Magic, I think that is what I was most familar with...that "baby" smell that is so famous!

I tried the Gentle Hair & Body Wash and the Baby Lotion. Both seemed to work very well. The wash is tear free, dye free and hypoallergenic. It rinsed off easily and did not create any irritation on Baby G's sensitive skin. I liked that it could be used as a body wash and a shampoo. It left Baby G's skin feeling clean but soft at the same time. The Baby Lotion was really nice and pleasant smelling. It is enriched with vitamins and left Baby G's skin feeling ultra soft but not greasy. I liked that it absorbed fast and I was able to put her clothes on right away without them getting stuck on her greasy skin.

Overall, I thought Baby Magic was a good product and would purchase. I would like to see them come out with an all natural or Organic line though! You can purchase Baby Magic at Drugstore.com and Amazon.com.

Kaboost

What is Kaboost you ask? Kaboost, is like a booster chair, only you don't put it on top of the chair, you put it under the chair!

Kaboost is a foldable and portable chair heightener, able to hold up to 300 lbs. With Kaboost, your child can sit at the table like a grown up. This is great to bring to restaurants (weighing only 3.5 lbs) or other family's homes, and fits most chairs. It is adjustable both in height and width. My little one does not want to sit in high chairs anymore and really is not a fan of booster's. She wants to be like the grown ups. With Kaboost, she gets a "boost" up to the table and feels independant.

Don't worry, Kaboost will not scratch your floors! The rubberized legs are nonslip and will not scratch surfaces. Kaboost comes in 4 colors, sure to match any decor and can be purchased for about $38 ($42 with a travel bag).

Pumpin' Pal

Do you always dread pumping? It is so time consuming, but the benefits are great...you have to go back to work (or want a night out) but you still want to nurse. Pumpin' Pal offers you some relief and lets you have hands free while pumping.

Our reviewer admits, she was a bit skeptical at first, but after using it for 2 months, she LOVES it! The hands free strap let our reviewer work on her computer while pumping. It lets you do simple tasks such as reading a book, typing on your computer, talking on the phone or just watching TV. Our reviewer was using the All-In-One Kit that comes with the hands free strap, an Air Dry Parts Bag, a Manual and 3 sizes of Super Shields (to be used with your pump by inserting them into your own shields). The Super Shields are BPA free and are angled in a special way so you don't have to lean forward while pumping. We thought that this feature was one of the best, what a pain it is to have to lean forward just so the milk will flow into the bottle.

What a great invention, helping moms everywhere! The all in one kit is so affordable at the Pumpin Pals site, $37! Check it out and you will never look back.

Potty Bench by Boon

This Potty Bench by Boon is a great idea for anyone trying to teach their little one how to use the potty. We actually put the Potty Bench out for Baby G to start getting used to about 6 months ago. It has been a permanent fixture in our bathroom since. Baby G was very interested in it and checked it out thoroughly right away. She opened the lid, checked out the 2 side storage bins with sliding lids and has been using it as a step stool to brush her teeth. She has not quite mastered using the potty yet, but loves to try it out!

The Boon Potty Bench comes in green or blue, for about $35. It has 2 side storage bins, one of which has a built in toilet paper holder. There is a pull out drawer, for easy cleanup and a soft, removable deflector shield. Your Potty Bench can be used as a stool or with the lid shut, a great bench for giving baths, holding up to 300 pounds!

Don't forget, Boon donates 10% of their profits to children's charities. You can purchase your Potty Bench online at the Boon site, or at Target & Babies R Us.

Child Nightmares?

My little one has been up the passed 2 nights, with what seem to be nightmares. She is only 21 months, how can she have nightmares? She has been waking up, screaming and very hard to calm down! Anyone have any ideas what could be bothering her?

Itzbeen

Itzbeen, a great invention for new and veteran parents alike. Do you ever find yourself asking, how long has it been since...? Well, the Itzbeen tells you exactly that. It is a convenient "timer" that clips onto your waist and reminds you how long "Itzbeen." The Itzbeen has several handy features; a nightlight and clip for your waist, a reminder for when your little one was changed last, a timer for when she was fed last, a timer for when she fell asleep or woke up and one more for your choice. There is even a reminder for which side you nursed on last-which I found to be the most helpful! This would make a great shower gift and even comes in a variety of colors.

You can find the Itzbeen at Babies R Us. This product was awarded the Best Baby Care Product in 2007 by iParenting Media.

ERGObaby Carriers

What more could you ask for in a carrier? The ERGObaby has it all; versatility, comfort and style! There are endless options with the ERGObaby. This carrier provides many carriers all rolled into one. You will only need to buy this one carrier, that will last from newborn all the way up to when your little one reaches 40lbs. I hear all of you saying, 40lbs-who wants to carry that weight around-the strain on my back will be awful! I kid you not, this is the most comfortable and supportive carrier I have found-and I have tried many. The ERGObaby distributes your childs weight evenly and focuses on keeping you and your little one in good posture. The next thought-how can a carrier last me until my child weighs 40lbs? The ERGObaby is made out of quality material that is very durable, even machine washable. There is no need for any worries, you can keep your little one safe and close, all the while a hands free, baby wearing super Momma! You can choose to wear the carrier in the front, on the hip or there are several back options too. There is also a great sleeping hood th can be snapped onto the shoulder straps to cover your little one from the elements or for some privacy while nursing. When it is not in use, it tucks away in the little pouch that can also be used for necessities. These carriers even come in an Organic line! By far, my favorite carrier.

Boon Bath Toys

We love Boon bath toys! We already have the Frog Pod, full of toys and "crawling" up our bathroom wall. We have several additions to our toy arsenal!

Scrubble:

These great, egg shaped, interchangable bath toys are fun to play with! They fill with water and can be squeezed and sprayed. They are easily cleaned and are dishwasher safe. When we wash Baby G's hair, she fills the Scrubbles and sprays her hair to rinse it!

Splat:
This floating ring toss, is a great toy to help with coordination, while having fun in the bath. The "target" floats and moves all about, making it challenging and a ton of laughs. Baby G likes to wear the rings around her wrists as bracelets.

Water Bugs:

Our favorite of all, 3 little floating "bugs" swim around the tub, while your little one scoops them up with the net. How fun! Baby G carries her "bugs" around with her after bathtime too.

What is even better? All these toys can be found at the Boon website for under $10 each!

Bright Start Pretty in Pink Bounce About

Want to find a great bouncy for your little girl, that also benefits others? The Pretty in Pink line by Bright Starts does just that! A portion of he proceeds go towards breast cancer research, awareness and education. Your little girl can bounce and bounce and bounce, while sharpening her motor skills and you can be happy knowing she is having fun and that you helped research for breast cancer.

The Pretty in Pink Bounce About is garden themed, with fun little bugs that move and make noises. There are whimsical sounds, teethers and rattles for her to play with and grab at, while circling around in her 360 degree rotating seat. There are link loops that you can hook her favorite toys to as well. What is even better, the seat is adjustable to 3 different heights, the toy tray cleans easily, the seat pad is machine washable AND it folds flat for storage. How great! Our reviewer said her daughter's favorite part was the overhead toy arch, she loved to get on her tippy toes and reach for those fun toys.