Klean Kanteen Overstock Sale – On now until….

We’ve gone a little crazy on our next order of Klean Kanteen bottles, so please, help us make room for our new stock that’s arriving in November. Enjoy great savings for a limited time (not sure how long… until we have enough room, so get them right away!). Minimum of 20% off all Klean Kanteen stainless steel drink bottles. This product rarely goes on sale anywhere.

BPA – Not just in your child’s sippy cup

There is still a debate over whether Bisphenol-A (BPA) is truly as hazardous as some studies are leading us to believe, but the fact that it mimics naturally occurring estrogen in the body is enough to make me wonder. Better safe than sorry.

Exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risks of cancers, affects fertility and can contribute to childhood behavioral problems.

Plastic water and baby bottles are what we consider to be the usual culprits however, BPA is found in soda/pop can and most canned food liners, even in resin lined vats, resulting to BPA in wine.

Better check your plastics. Here is a plastics “refresher”.

There are seven classes of plastics used in packaging applications. Type 7 is the catch-all “other” class, and some type 7 plastics, such as polycarbonate (sometimes identified with the letters “PC” near the recycling symbol) and epoxy resins, are made from bisphenol A monomer. When such plastics are exposed to hot liquids, bisphenol A leaches out 55 times faster than it does under normal conditions, at up to 32 ng/hour. Type 3 (PVC) can also contain bisphenol A as antioxidant in plasticizers. Types 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), 5 (polypropylene), and 6 (polystyrene) do not use bisphenol A during polymerization or package forming.

Great Tips from the Green Guide to avoid BPA.

1. If you already own polycarbonate bottles, including the Nalgene bottles popular on college campuses, labeled #7 on the bottom, wash them by hand with mild dishwashing soap, not in the dishwasher, to avoid degrading the plastic and increasing leaching of BPA (see “Picnic Perfect Plastics”).

2. Even plastic does not last forever. Look for cracks or cloudiness on your reusable clear plastic bottles. See The Green Guide’s survey, “A Nalgene Bottle Poll.”

3. Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts, which are made of polyethyelene, or switch to polypropylene bottles that are labeled #5 and come in colors or are milky rather than clear.

4. Choose soups, milk and soy milk packaged in cardboard “brick” cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, which are made of safer layers of aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and also recyclable.

5. Choose canned foods from makers who don’t use BPA, such as Eden Foods (www.edenfoods.com), which sells certified organic canned beans and other foods.

6. Eat fresh foods in season and save the canned foods for convenience or emergencies. The exception is some canned fruit such as that found in smaller fruit-cocktail cans, which do not require a liner, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute.

7. Buy or can your own fruits and vegetables in safe glass jars.

8. Some wines have been found to contain up to six times the BPA of canned foods. While most wines probably don’t, it’s another good reason to drink in moderation.

Toxic Chemical Bisphenol A – BPA : Is Canada cooler than California?

Well of course the weather is cooler, but I was so surprised to see that The California State Senate Majority Caucus sited Canada in it’s press release discussing the ban and designation of BPA as toxic in the state of California.
“8 states eight states are moving legislation that phases out or prohibits BPA in children’s products. In addition, U.S. Senator Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill this week called the “BPA-Free Kids Act” which would ban BPA in all consumer products intended for children under 7.” Times they are a changin’. CALIFORNIA BAN ON TOXIC CHEMICAL BPA PASSES SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

Also found interesting some strong finger pointing at BPA….
“In addition, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the National Institutes of Health, recently reported that the chemical may be linked to serious reproductive and developmental problems associated with prostate cancer, breast cancer and early puberty. The NTP expressed concern that children and babies may particularly be in danger from even low levels of the chemical.”

BabyLegs

This product has been around for awhile but it’s new to Stork. We weren’t sure if they were for us, but after much product testing we’ve jumped on the bandwagon – WOW! There are so many ways to wear BabyLegs for both boys and girls, from newborn on up.

Now BabyLegs are available in Organic Cotton.

Our price:

$29.95 for 2 pairs

$15.95 for 1 pair

Help Stop Gapiosis!

Gapiosis: The space between the sock and the bottom of the pant, often accentuated by being held in arms or by being placed in a carrier or stroller. Sweet little baby legs all over the world are being exposed to the chilly air because of gapiosis. Protect these little legs from wind burn and chill. Get BabyLegs!

How do you wear your BabyLegs?

* Makes diaper changing and EC’n a breeze
* Perfect for diaper rashes when the child needs nakedy butt time
* Promotes independence while potty training
* Keep legs warm; great with carriers & strollers
* Helps socks to stay on
* Protect soft knees from harsh surfaces
* Allows barefoot walking to help your baby develop balance
* Comfortable alternative to tights
* Instant look of an undershirt

…and your way!

Mashala Baby Organics – Tried, Tested and True

Massage is an ancient form of baby relaxation and parent-baby bonding that mothers all over the world have been relying on for as long as they’ve had babies! Baby massage is used to soothe the newborn, relieve colic, heal dry skin on babies and kids of any age, help babies sleep, or clear a stuffy nose or chest. The benefits are endless, but the biggest benefit is the bond that is built between parent and child as they spend time together, emotionally and physically connecting.

Whether you are expecting a baby, already have one (or more), or know someone who is, Mashala Baby Organics has the perfect products for you. I received a sample of each of their massage oils, Newborn, Calm & Comfort, Gentle Vapor and Daily Use plus an adorable little pillow to hang on the doorknob that says “SHhhhh… Infant Massage in Progress”. After testing each one, I’m sold. This would make a great gift for a first-time parent… and now, we have it for you at StorkBabyBoutique.Com.

Mashala Baby Organics is a Canadian mom-founded company that has a nice story behind it. It’s the merging of two ethnicities from two sides of a family, both putting an importance on infant massage for many generations. The recipes, passed down from great grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter, are the backbone of Mashala Baby Organics. The oils are all-natural and organic, and feature ingredients such as olive oil, holy basil and chamomile.

The oils can be purchased individually, or as part of one of 3 gift sets – we at Stork love the Organic Blessings set. It includes a beautiful wooden barrel filled with each of the four different massage oils, and a special sign for baby’s bedroom door to let people know “Shhh! Baby Massage in Progress.

The oils are all lovely – they’re not strongly scented, which is very important for a small baby (and for sensitive parents). Even the Gentle Vapor oil is mildly scented; just enough vapor for a baby to feel its gentle effects. The cost of the set is $32.99 and any mom will love it. The best part, it comes with easy to follow instructions on how to do infant massage – nothing too complex (the simpler the better for new parents, right?)

Mashala Baby Organics - Organic Blessings Set

Got your holiday shopping list done yet?

Hip Baby Clothes

Boring and tired outfits for little boys and girls are no more!!  Knuckleheads and Hula Mula have taken inspiration from bike shops, surf and skate culture for an adorable line of clothes.  Newborn to size 8, these lines have serious retro-rock appeal.  Fedora and Pub style hats to Skinny Jeans and Bolero jackets for girls, these clothes have some serious retro rockabilly and are really wearable for kids.

Even celebrity’s are outfitting their kids in these lines.

More?

Hula Mula

Knuckleheads

Pax wearing KnuckleheadsBritneyP. Diddy

Swaddling Baby

I can’t tell you how many times it took me to get that first swaddle correct….   little legs and arms eventually popped out and got cold.  Now swaddling blankets come with velcro fasteners and feet pockets.  Swaddling blankets seem to come in all beautiful designs and colours.  Are any better than the others?

What’s the scoop on swaddling?  This article Aches and Claims – New Blankets Help Keep A Better Wrap on Babies (taken from the wall street journal http://online.wsj.com) states that the purpose of swaddling is to make the infant feel the restriction of movement as they did in the womb to provide a feeling of security.  However, it seems that a lot of these added features don’t necessarily mean “better”.

“While each company touts its unique design features, ‘there is no evidence that any one of them is more effective than the others,” says pediatrician Harvey Karp, a major proponent of swaddling. “You want something that is secure, [and] something that is [within] your budget.  ”’

I found some awesome swaddling blankets, kimono’s and beanie’s from West Coast Baby and stock them.  Has anyone ever used these?  Any feedback?

95% cotton 5% jersey Made in Canada

Check them out:

Stork Baby Boutique

Truly Unique Baby Items and Gifts

As a new mom I found it hard to decide what I truly needed for my new baby.  Of course I wanted him to have everything that was stylish and unique but what I really wanted to know is what works, is most functional and will have me raving to others to purchase???  So much so that I started a business around it.  I dedicate this blog to all mothers and gift givers out there who want to know what is current in baby/toddler gift giving and what works (as told by others).

I will provide you with one stop advice from myself and others on utility, value and style and you can take it from there.  Using online research, product test results and just general WOM, we will all benefit from each others personal experiences so that we may all walk away a little more knowledgeable when finding that perfect item.

Feel free to suggest items to me from your own personal experience or items that you might be curious about and I will try to feature them.

Here goes…..

New Shipment of Sigg Bottles – My Fav’s

We’ve got some of our favourite Sigg bottles back in stock and some patterns that are new to us which we’re very excited about.

Interested in sharing your experience with Sigg bottles?

Some of my personal favourites:

Sigg Favourites