Tatyanna Wright's Haute Mama

Green Baby Bottles

Concerned about leaching chemicals and toxins freely flowing into your baby’s formula, milk or water? According to researchers, BPA may cause developmental and neurological problems if it leaches from plastic. But what do you look for? Consider BPA-Free and Phthalate-Free reusable bottles, and remember to always read labels. Look for plastic bottles made from Polyethersulfone (PES) plastic - a polymer of exceptional durability, its BPA-free plastic that is dimensionally stable over a wide range of temperatures, and resistant to most chemicals. Glass baby bottles are making a huge comeback and are completely free of toxins. Here is a rundown of the best selling green baby bottles:

Green To Grow
Bottles are made from PES plastic, giving them a natural golden color. They are free of phthalates and bisphenol A. The nipples are free of nitrosamines, instead their nipples are made from a transparent, medical grade silicone that is heat-resistant, non-toxic, and odorless. Green To Grow also have a “Bottles to Babies” initiative connecting families who no longer need their baby bottles with local, non-profit organizations that accept donations for mothers who need bottles to feed their babies, but can’t afford them.

Babylife
Reintroducing glass baby bottles with a modern new design and a 100% non-toxic silicone sleeve (shown below) protecting the bottle from breakage. The nipple is latex-free and non-toxic, and both can be boiled or put in the dishwasher. The plastic ring, plug and cap do not contain polycarbonates and are food grade, FDA approved and recyclable.

Born Free™
The Born Free range of products includes baby bottles (glass & plastic), cups and accessories all totally free of the potentially dangerous chemicals Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC. Their breast pump bottle adaptor adapts to most standard breast pumps. They also make a Formula Dispenser with a flip top lid making it an ideal snack carrier later on when baby moves onto solid food.  

Adiri
Adiri’s Natural Nurser bottles most closely mimic a mother's breast through its unique design: The bottom unscrews so the bottle can be filled upside down and the nipple is molded to the bottle.  Adiri’s goal is to duplicate the natural experience of breastfeeding hence the design of the bottle. All their bottles are 100% BPA and Phthalates free.

ThinkBaby™
These bottles are free of BPA, phthalates and PVC, as well as nitrosamines and lead. They are also packaged in recycled paperboard. Simple conveniences like an interchangeable system of parts, a no spill cap, and ability to go in the dishwasher make thinkbaby™ products economic and very user-friendly, in addition to eco-friendly.

All items listed here can be purchased directly from each companies website.
To learn about plastics and baby bottles visit: thegreenguide.com

Breastfeed In Style

Looking for something fabulous to breastfeed in? You want to nurse in public but feel awkward and worried you might expose yourself, and everything you’ve looked at to conceal yourself simply won’t do. Have I got the style item for you!

Pleats Please by Issey Miyake is clothing designed to suit a modern lifestyle.  The ‘Madame - T’ can only be described as a multi purpose-multi wear shawl. Each piece is cut and sewn by hand, then pleated using an industrial technique that allows both texture and form to be created at the same time in a manner that is unique to each garment. The Pleats Please line is meant to express and liberate the wearer’s individuality while conforming to the constraints of everyday life. Which is precisely why I thought it would make for a fabulous item to nurse in.

The lines of the pleating follow and imitate the body creating harmonious movement and texture, complementing the wearers shape. The fabric, being specially designed polyester breathes well and can be easily hand washed so not to worry if you happen to spill (or spray) milk. It drys super fast and  is easy to pack making it ideal for travel and everyday use carried in your diaper bag or placed under your stroller.

You can drape it over yourself and baby, wear it as a dress in several different ways - a shawl, scarf, skirt, or, my favourite as a top that you can easily conceal your baby beneath to nurse. Amazingly, the Madame - T can be worn at least 8 - 10 ways and comes with a demonstration booklet. You can also watch styling videos at pleatspleaseshop.com
The Madame – T is perfect for the creative Haute Mama looking for a little individual style.  

Pimp Your Stroller!

Why settle for the matching accessory to your stroller when you can go all out wild and crazy, hey it might even add a little sunshine to your otherwise freezing cold winter lifestyle right now! Introduce your baby or toddler to an Elodie Details stroller bag, and I’m sure they will appreciate the extra padded bunting.
Swedish brand Elodie Details believe that good design should not be ignored. Their mission is to: “Try and elevate those indispensable little products of everyday baby life and make them into stylish accessories”.

Take their stroller bag for instance. Elodie Details stroller bags (or foot muffs as they are also known) are super hip, incredibly warm, wind and water-resistant. They can be used with most major strollers and comply with five-point harness safety regulations. The top end of the stroller bag can also be used a snugly hood on those extra chilly days.

Designed and made in Sweden, you know these foot muffs are going to be warm. Sweden’s north boasts considerable snowfall, remaining on the ground for about half the year. The mountains of northern Sweden experience a sub-Arctic climate, like -17 Fahrenheit. Brrrr!
I think its pretty well backed up that this is the foot muff to get during this Nordic winter we’re experiencing! 

Elodie Details design a full line of baby accessories from bottles & sippy cups to pacifiers and blankets all embellished with their own signature designs of skulls, crowns and other original artwork. Currency is shown in Swedish Kroner so don’t freak out when you see a 999 price tag for a stroller bag. They’re actually US$135. All items can be purchased directly from Elodie Details.

Year of the Ox Baby

Hong Kong based children's wear designer, Faubourg Saint Denis has just introduced a collector's item for anyone born in the Chinese Astrological Year of the Ox (commencing January 26th). The set includes two super cute unisex onesies (shown below) for your little moo, embellished with the signs namesake animal. 

Recently created in 2008, Faubourg Saint Denis resulted from five friends coming together from different nations (Portugal, Sweden, France, Switzerland and China). Their designs truly reflect a global influence with a little of each influencing the brand creating a unique international flavour. This might sound like a hodge-podge mix and match of apparel separates, but it’s quite the opposite. The label describes themselves as a casual chic brand for boys and girls. And that it is - think Marni meets Marc Jacobs priced like J Crew kids.
Having viewed the collection I have to say, it features seriously some of the cutest designs and accessories for children I’ve seen.

Pick up an Ox onesie for your new baby and something else for your other special little person. Faubourg Saint Denis can be purchased in stores worldwide and directly from their web site. To view the full collection visit: www.faubourgsaintdenis.com 

Babywearing Coats

Living in a cold climate can present challenges when it comes to taking your baby out in frigid weather. Thank goodness options in babywearing coats exist. A babywearing coat quite simply allows you to keep your baby warm in the coldest of weather nicely concealed under your coat in a carrier. Protected from the elements you can get out and about no matter what your needs may be from running errands around town to enjoying the wilderness and outdoor activities with your baby. 
Here are three innovative winter coats each designed to be worn with or without a baby carrier.

The Suse Kinder Coat: Patagonia meets Baby Bjorn with this fantastic utilitarian coat.  An incredibly versatile unisex coat, particularly great for fathers who enjoy the outdoors. Sling users love it, as it is the only coat on the market that accommodates a sling carrier with its unique hip carry option. It also has an ingenious design for use with twins or people wanting to carry their baby and toddler.

The M Coat: A fabulous Canadian collaboration between a couture designer and outerwear company.  Offering added versatility through their own unique design  “The dual position removable insert” - intended for use until full term, then simply turn the panel around for babywearing and voila! Instantly keep baby warm and cozy. The coat has a removable faux fur trim and hood, is fully adjustable and designed to flatter your figure through pregnancy, babywearing or on it's own.

P-sling New York: A fashionista favourite! With its insulating down and slender cut, this coat is a real winner amongst New York City mothers. It’s light-weight, yet comfortably snug keeping you and your baby insulated from those chilly arctic winds blowing through the city. The coat comes with a detachable panel and removable faux fur trimmed hood. The Mama Down Coat is designed to be worn with a front baby carrier or as a regular coat by simply unzipping an extra panel that covers the baby in the carrier.

Now you have no excuse to keep you from getting out there!

 

Maternity Ski Apparel

Is there such a thing? Relentlessly searching in New York to no avail, I decided to try my luck out west in Colorado. I searched many ski stores and spoke with female ski instructors about the possible existence of maternity ski pants. One woman remembered wearing a pair of ski pants with an elastized waistband, but “that was years ago” she said. She also told me that since she lived in Colorado and as her female friends became pregnant she loaned each one those pants. Seems a niche apparel line could open up!

Why was I looking for a ski suit while I’m pregnant? I’m not advocating skiing if you’ve never been, since this would not be a good idea given the amount of falling you will experience. And even if you are an excellent skier, and plan to ski, as with any high impact sport you would approach pregnant, exercise caution and don’t over exert yourself. You can however get out there and have fun with your child in so many other ways like building a snow man, throwing snow balls, going for a sleigh ride, or pulling your child in a sleigh. If this is your first pregnancy, there’s snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to keep you active and outdoors, and there’s also snow mobiling. All of this activity requires the use of ski wear so you can remain out doors for some time in waterproof weather appropriate clothing.  

For the record, I did ski, and I wore my ski pants with the zip completely undone. I wore a maternity belly band over my pants to conceal the open waist. I couldn’t zip up my ski parka, so I bought a new inexpensive down parka from the Gap that, to be quite honest, was really fantastic and I plan to ski in it next when I’m not pregnant!
Have fun, but always put your safety first. Enjoy the snow!

Winter Play Tips

Recently in Vail, Colorado where the snow was in abundance, I wanted to continue taking my son outdoors even on days or afternoons when he wouldn’t be skiing. I hoped to explore and make snow play really fun rather than have him think of it as icy and cold. 

So, we caught snowflakes on our gloves and looked at each one, analyzing their varied shapes and patterns. We watched our “cloud breath” and discussed how cooler temperatures create the perfect environment for clouds. We talked about the different types of trees, and how some lose their leaves and fruit, which mean certain animals and birds lose their food source. We looked for non-hibernating winter animal trails then we created trails of our own using fallen sticks, branches and footsteps.
Of course, many of us live in the city so I don’t expect you’ll be looking for deer, hare or fox trails along the urban pathways, but if you do happen to have a place to get away to on weekends, or a small break planned to a snowy destination, even a visit to the park, these are some really fun activities that will get you and your children out of the house. Just be sure to layer up!

Now I can’t claim these tips as my own, Jennifer Ward the wonderful award winning children’s book author introduced me to these fabulous ideas through her new book: “I Love Dirt: 52 activities to help you & your kids discover the wonders of nature”. The book stimulates awareness and encourages curiosity for the environment and seasonal changes. “I Love Dirt” covers outdoor activities to do for the entire year, no matter what season or landscape you live in. “I Love Dirt” is available online and in bookstores.

Sustainable Children’s Furniture

Decorate your little darlings’ new nursery in sustainable style from Muu, a brand new environmentally friendly furniture designer crafted in the United States. 

Muu’s philosophy is simple: their core belief is in the environment. They want products that are safe, non-toxic and useful. With good quality craftsmanship, and a modern sensibility that will continue to grow as your child does.
The guiding force behind Muu’s design is Robert Kwak, founder and president. A woodworker himself, Robert unsuccessfully searched for high-quality environmentally friendly furniture for his new daughter, dissatisfied, he took matters into his own hands and started the LA based Muu to create a furniture line of elegant, fun, modern durable non-toxic furnishings. Robert has a strong belief in sustainability, hence the name Muu, inspired by the Zen term Mu, which teaches that there is no difference between us and our environment.

Each item is made by a woodworking family with over three decades of experience that uses locally-sourced hardwood from verified sustainable sources and MDF made from certified environmentally-friendly recycled wood fibres that do not add formaldehyde. The products are finished with non-toxic lacquer.

Muu gives parents an easy option in gorgeous greening. The line is comprised of cribs with optional toddler conversion rails, dressers with optional changing trays, storage units, twin beds and nightstands. A unique panel system allows a parent, or child, to choose from stylish graphics, colours and fonts that will be on their crib, bed, dresser or storage unit. This innovation makes Muu the only children's furniture company to offer such a broad array of personalization and customization options. Furniture can be purchased directly from Muukids.com

If you’d like to discover more eco-conscious nursery options, a good place to start is happygreenbaby.com Happy Greening!

Sling It

Baby carriers have been around since women first had children and needed to free up their hands for day-to-day tasks while keeping an eye on baby. I loved using a sling with my son, so much so that it made me a little sad to see him grow, knowing I would no longer be able to hold him close and have him snuggle into my chest and fall asleep.
Not only was the use of a sling a wonderful experience for me, my son loved it. At around 7 months old he would raise his little arms high in the air whenever he saw me holding the sling in anticipation of being carried.

Slings are a fantastic addition to every mothers diaper bag. Encouraging bonding, allowing you the free use of both arms around the house, easy nursing in public, and a great way to calm a fussy baby. I particularly enjoyed using my sling for traveling. I did a lot of solo travel with my son from the ages of 5-18 months as my husband was in Singapore and we were in New York. At the airport I would check my stroller with my luggage and carry my baby in a sling over one shoulder and my diaper tote over the other. I didn’t have to fold a stroller, wait for it at the other end or deal with any extra items. The sling made my life easier. 

I used the New Native sling (shown below) when my son was tiny, enabling ease when breastfeeding in public. As my son grew and became heavier I used the Hip Hugger, a fabulous carrier with hidden adjustments (my husband used it too). I used it until my son was three. Lately I’ve been testing out newer designs in preparation of my daughter. It should be noted that I am 5”2 so design plays an important role. I love Hot Slings for the fact that there isn’t an excess amount of fabric to adjust. It slips over your head and securely holds baby. It can even be used to tote toddlers. The Sojorn Sling made of stretchy knit organic cotton is another favourite and has a similar no-fuss design.

The kind of carrier you choose can depend on several factors; including lifestyle, parenting philosophy, age, and your child's temperament. If you are a first time “baby wearer” take a look at childcarriers.com for comprehensive information on styles, tips and how to wear one or more babies. Enjoy your special bonding time.

 

Stretch Mark Cream

Ah, itchy tight stretched skin. How glamorous pregnancy can be! Unfortunately for us females between 75-90 percent of all pregnant women can expect to develop stretch marks. Those nasty little tears most commonly appear on the abdomen, but can also develop on the thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts. Genetic factors may play a role in the development of stretch marks, leaving some women more prone than others. But, with experts in disagreement as to whether or not stretch marks can be completely prevented, I suggest taking matters into your hands – and use stretch mark cream. Here are some of my tried and tested favourites.

Beauté de Maman Stretch Mark Cream: It feels ultra light, has a cooling fluid texture, absorbs instantly and was created by an obstetrician to aid in the prevention of stretch marks caused by the rapid expansion of skin during pregnancy. The all-natural botanical and herbal blend of ingredients help to preserve the skin’s elasticity and suppleness. Its one of my favourites.

Earth Mama Body Butter: I’m presently using this cream. It smells delicious, feels delicious and leaves my skin feeling delicious! A blend of incredibly rich moisturizers, including shea butter, aloe and coconut oil, encourages skin elasticity. The calming, healing properties of organic calendula and chamomile provide long-lasting relief from itchiness. I simply love it!

Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream: An old favourite from my previous pregnancy five years ago. I went through three tubes and did not develop any stretch marks except for under my breasts where I did not apply it!  Why am I not using it this time? I’m a product fiend, and with so many new products on the market I simply can’t resist trying out new things. Besides, how would you find out what’s great!

ErbaOrganics Mommy-to-be Stretch Mark Cream: Using organic ingredients this rich and ultra thick cream instantly relieves itchy skin and leaves your belly and breasts feeling soft and supple. It can be used in conjunction with ErbaOrganics stretch mark oil - a highly moisturizing and nurturing organic oil that helps expanding skin. 

Remember to always drink plenty of water as this helps with skin hydration.