Today on earth day, we say THANK YOU. We genuinely love and appreciate every single one of you. Is that a weird thing for a business to say? Well, it’s true for what we feel today as we write to you from Nature’s Child Headquarters.

On EARTH DAY 2020. we’ve been reflecting here at Nature’s Child about the last 20 years of our business and what we do for our earth. 🌏 Natures child organic baby products are a reflection of our key purpose and values. Our Children and their children will benefit from everything we create. The life we live now is creating the future we leave for our children. The products we buy are part of this life and drives all our decisions at Nature’s Child.

20 year Anniversary

There is another celebration we have this year. On 1 July 2020, we will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the birth of Nature’s Child Organic Baby Store. It’s been a fantastic journey to be one of the many pioneers in the extraordinary world of business owners that care about our earth deeply.

Protecting babies and children from COVID-19 while keeping calm.

At Nature’s Child, we are thinking about the safety of our babies and children with love, hugs, respect and handwashing!  We put our heads together and did our research to explore how can we maintain a positive, loving environment to protect babies and children from COVID-19 without too much worry and gloom. 

It’s a challenging balance for us as parents to navigate. On one hand, there is worry, concern and some fast learning about the right actions to protect our families. On the other hand, this could be around for a long time so ensuring a calm, loving home is more important as ever.

The shift from knowledge to acceptance with COVID-19

The shift from knowledge, to acceptance, to a change in our physical behaviours has been swift in recent weeks.  We are all diligently washing our hands more, our kid’s hands, asking visitors to not touch our kids and staying away from anyone with cold or flu among a range of measures to keep our families well and safe since COVID-19 also known as coronavirus, began to dominate our days.

It was only a few weeks ago I visited a dear friend with her baby. She asked me not to kiss her baby. I thought it was a little over the top at the time. She was not thinking about COVID-19 because she was generally protecting her newborn baby from a range of potentially communicable diseases. I can see now that she was ahead of the curve and 100% correct to ask this of me.

Families are naturally sociable. Our children need social contact so it’s easier said than done when people suggest you self-quarantine. Staying at home is fine if you have one of those rare, quiet children that enjoy their own company. Social contact in playgrounds and daycare is how children learn and thrive. So where does this lead us as loving parents who care about our kid’s health and yet wanting to maintain some sense of normal family life. If you would like to get a recap of COVID-19 and remain concerned that your children may be at risk, we refer you to this excellent article from The Conversation.

Good hygiene and coronavirus

Good hygiene is universally acknowledged as the best way to avoid not just coronavirus but a range of communicable diseases such as influenza, colds, gastroenteritis among a range of childhood illness.

The number one prevention for contracting COVID-19 is handwashing. Have you noticed how aware of the thousands of items we touch every day? Kids are particularly tactile. Touching things, then their faces and then mouths happen more than at any other age.

We have always known it but this time it is important to take this seriously. Of all the tips, washing hands regularly with soap for 20 seconds remains the most ideal prevention method. Wearing gloves, masks and quarantine come close second but the evidence on the general public using these methods is thin on the ground. They are vital in medical environments where they are trained to use this equipment correctly and useful in short term situations.

 

Is it true that children are at low risk of contracting  COVID-19?

Last week the media was reporting that children were at low risk of contracting the virus. Soon after, a child and newborn baby with the virus were reported. At the time of writing this article, one child in Australia has a confirmed COVID-19 infection. Only one newborn baby worldwide has the virus and it was contracted by its mother who contacted it a few days before she gave birth. Thank you goodness for these low numbers but it has heightened our awareness and allowed us to be more vigilant.

For most people, coronavirus will be a mild infection that will pass. If you have a previous health condition, particularly lungs and raspatory weakness, you are being advised to take extra precaution and care. 

10 ways to protect your family from COVID-19

Use these suggestions as launching points for your own research. 

These tips are a guideline and were taken from published information from reputable media and health departments in Australia, UK and USA up until March 15, 2020. 

Advice on dealing with COVID-19, also known as coronavirus is changing daily. Please visit the health department website in your state for the most up to date information. 

1. Stay calm and keep hugging: Explain to your children what is happening but also explain how you are keeping them safe. Build on trust, calm and respect to reduce any anxiety. Continue to show your love with vital touches such as kissing and hugging if hands are washed when any adult or child returns home from school, work or outdoors.
2. Wipe door handles: Wipe doorknobs in your home and car regularly with vinegar or a disinfectant you feel comfortable with. If a family member has been out of the house, get them to open doors with gloves or a cloth kept by the door until they can head straight to the bathroom to wash their hands before hugging each other. There are natural ways to disinfect door handles and the home. Research shows that good old soap and vinegar are excellent ways to kill bacteria. Buying chemicals is not always essential to protect your home. Our eco range of cleaning products has always been selected for safety and effectiveness.
3. Touching: Ask people not to touch or kiss your baby if you meet them in the street and certainly ask them to wash their hands if they are visiting your home.
4. Daycare and nursery: During the crisis, keep your kids at home if this is an option. If not, speak to your care provider about the extra precautions they are taking and how you can assist them. You absolutely must stay at home if you have a fever or cough. Even when this is inconvenient, it is vital to prevent the spread of any virus.
5.  Self-quarantine: Doctor surgeries and hospitals are at capacity during the current crisis. We are all being advised to be sensible, follow the advice shared by the health department in your country such as this advice from the department of health. Note that the updates on COVID-19 are changing daily so this link gives you information from 11 March 2020 which may be out of date by the time you read this article. Stay abreast
6. Work: If there is an option to work from home, discuss how this can work with your employer.
7. Cars: Wipe your steering wheel and doors regularly. Keep plain white vinegar or your preferred disinfectant in the car for wiping surfaces. Wash your hands before you leave the house and as soon as you get home.
8. Wash your babies hands regularly as they touch everything! This is the hardest one as babies and children are on the go constantly!
9. The Playground: Wear Gloves when travelling on public transport, playing at the park to avoid contamination from surfaces. Just remember to remove them before you touch your face! This is really hard at first but after a few days, we are getting pretty good at this one.
10. Breastfeeding: This is a well-known natural way to fight infection so keep breastfeeding as long as you feel comfortable. If you have any concerns, we suggest you contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association or keep up to date advice from the Centre for Disease Control on safety during breastfeeding and pregnancy for up to date information.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19 we recommend The World Health Organisation as an excellent resource.

 

 

How to enjoy the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

We have been so impressed with Goli Gummies and their unique solution to helping us all enjoy the health benefits of apple cider vinegar that we added them to our range here at Nature’s Child. We don’t usually sell food items but this little snack and supplement made such good sense that we wanted to tell you all about them. If you have not heard about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar before, we have shared these below.

The Goli Gummies catchphrase is “Taste the apple. Not the vinegar.”  They are sweet to eat and feel like a lolly so they are easy to share with kids and snack on yourself.  As well as being 100% organic, vegan-friendly and gluten-free, they contain no preservatives, chemicals, or artificial ingredients.

Two Goli gummies are the equivalent of 1 tablespoon of traditional apple cider vinegar. The recommended dose for adults  2-6 gummies a day and children take 1 a day.  Your child needs to be old enough to chew or swallow a gummy so the age to start gummy’s will differ for each family.

Detailed research can be found on the Goli website where you can read all about the nutritional claims, science and studies behind Goli.

Let’s Talk about Apple Cider Vinegar

If this is the first time you are hearing about the benefit of Apple Cider Vinegar, here is a brief explanation of why it is considered a health tonic. Apples are rich in antioxidants, fibre, and vitamin C. When they’re fermented into Apple Cider Vinegar, apples produce acetic acid. The benefits of a high concentration of acetic acid in Apple Cider Vinegar include better digestion, breaking down food, enhancing energy, controlling blood sugar, and detoxification. Some studies even claim that apple cider vinegar can curb your appetite. Personally, I always have a teaspoon when I feel the flu coming on!

One common problem with apple cider vinegar is the taste. It is a very strong taste that usually results in a body shudder or screwed up face when you drink a teaspoon of a morning. The experience is rarely described as pleasant.

The creators of Goli Gummies took this problem of taste and create a yummy tasting gummy that was easy to eat and enjoy.  The result is a yummy way to enjoy Apple Cider Vinegar in the Goli Gummy if you can’t stomach that morning spoonful any more.

Below we have shared a general description of each ingredient in Goli Gummies. We encourage you to do your own nutritional research to fully understand the benefit of each ingredient which Goli publishes on its website in full including nutritional studies.

Beetroots

Beetroots are a popular superfood for all of the fibre, vitamins and minerals they contain. Beets have been recognized for their beneficial properties for centuries. These beets help give Goli Gummy a sweet taste as well.

Apples

Made with real apples, Goli gummies include ‘the mother’ that is a great source of prebiotics.

Pomegranates

A delicious source of important nutrients. The peel and seeds offer a generous amount of nutrients and bioactive plant compounds.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes serious fatigue and exhaustion. Vitamin B12 helps with energy and this, in turn, makes it easier to stick with your exercise and weight loss goals.

Citric Acid

Citric Acid has many benefits including producing energy that keeps you active and healthy.

Vitamin B9

Vitamin B9 also called folate or folic acid is one of 8 B vitamins. Folic acid plays an important role in human growth and development.

FAQ from Goli

As seen on Ellen

Are you using baby powder as part of a daily routine? Parents are discovering this is a no-mess, and economical way to keep baby’s skin dry. Nature’s Child natural organic baby powder was designed to help at nappy change time which is where moisture can cause irritation issues for a baby. The purpose of using baby powder is to keep your babies bottom dry at nappy change time and is the perfect prevention in the heat to avoid skin irritations, which is why adults use it for themselves as well.

Nappy Rash and Skin Irritation

Your baby is unique, so not all babies will have the same risk of nappy rash. You may want to read our recent article on how to deal with nappy rash or just know that there are many factors affecting whether your baby will have a nappy rash.

The following factors can affect nappy rash. The season, the climate, diet, nappy fabrics, nappy wipes, how often you change your babies nappy and what stage of development your baby is at. Teething is common for when nappy rash and other skin irritations can flare-up.

Consider using a natural powder if you have trouble with moisture causing skin rashes or irritations. Baby powder is a simple, fuss-free way to prevent moisture and only takes seconds to use. You will go through periods where you don’t need it every day and others where you will use it daily.

When using baby powder on your baby, make sure not to let it build up between folds of skin and wipe away residue at your next nappy change. Remember that baby powder is more for prevention than treating a nappy rash. When an outbreak does occur switch to a nappy balm to soothe the skin. If it doesn’t go away in a few days, get it checked out by a doctor.

Time-Saving to Help Prevent Nappy Rash

One of the most popular reasons to use baby powder is the application process, it’s just so simple! Just a quick shake of baby powder, which takes a few seconds which is simpler to use as a preventative than a nappy cream. This time-saving aspect is a big appeal. You simply shake out the perfect amount as needed. It is impossible to over-use, and we love to get messages from happy customers who comment how long this one container lasts! As far as we know, our natures child organic baby powder remains the only fully certified organic baby powder in its class, made right here in Australia.

Ingredients

Ingredients: Certified Organic Tapioca starch, Kaolin (Australian white clay), Certified Organic Lavender Essential Oil.

The natural blend of tapioca and kaolin mineral powder in our organic baby powder is a winning combination. This blend provides effective moisture control with tapioca acting as a smoother alternative to the more popularly used corn starch. The addition of kaolin (white clay) helps the product glide even smoother against the skin. Lavender soothes and gives off a subtle, relaxing scent. Lavender is widely believed to be one of the safest essential oil for babies.

Easy to Use

Baby Powder was once considered a daily essential by our mothers until the habit seemed to skip a generation as part of a change in trend. Then the 2015 USA talcum powder lawsuit, demonstrated the link between talc and cancer. Parents rightly began to avoid baby powder. We want you to know that we had been aware of the Johnson and Johnson court case for many years before the court ruled that there was a direct link to cancer from talcum powder. Our choice of ingredients was to help parents who love baby powder have a safe, organic option.

Our founder loved using baby powder on her babies. She was amazed at how many people were not using powder due to safety issues, so she set out to create a beautiful organic talc-free baby powder that is also gluten-free and super easy to use.

When we researched potential ingredients for a natural baby powder, we found that the most commonly known and used starch-based powder is cornstarch. Most baby powders marked as natural on the market were using cornstarch, which kept the price under $10, but the price is never the main motivator at Nature’s Child and we were looking for a softer ingredient.

We are conscious of keeping prices, affordable for our customers. Nature’s Child is known as a brand that stands for the very best quality. Certified organic is the cornerstone of our brand.  We kept searching for better ingredients than cornstarch. Our customers trust us to use the best, chemical-free ingredients and always certified organic where available.

Tapioca not cornstarch

Some Baby Powders use a large percentage of mineral powder. Kaolin, also known as white clay, is very mild and silky as well as very effective at preventing friction and moisture. There are no major toxicity concerns, but it is not available in a certified organic form. We found a happy compromise by using kaolin in just 5% of our product, which allowed the application of our baby powder to be perfected without compromising the organic integrity.

The result is a baby product that is just gorgeously soft to use! Made with tapioca, the softest powder available with a gentle hint of lavender. Our formula is enhanced with a natural mineral powder to ensure it’s easy and economical to use.

Adults Love Baby Powder too

Adults also love our baby powder for a more comfortable body experience. Common areas that powder helps prevent sweat is under breasts or between thighs to prevent chaffing. Sportspeople love our baby powder. With so much sweat during a workout, it makes sense. A friend recently confided that shaking powder on his sweaty hands during a workout is vital to avoid slipping.

Where to buy Baby Powder

You can buy baby powder direct from Nature’s Child or at your local health food store and all good online baby stores.

Here are some of our favourite physical stores and  favourite online stores

Nature’s Child sells baby powder in a box of 6 at a discount price if you like bargains.

#certified organic #gluten-free #vegan #madeinaustralia #natural # baby powder #organicbaby

Thanks to one of our favourite stores’ Milk and Love for this gorgeous photo. Owner Richard took this lovely snap of his daughter, Maya, loving our products.

Bottom Balm by Natures Child

Bottom Balm was invented by us here at Nature’s Child back in 2005 because we needed a little Nappy Rash Helper!  It is still the most popular product in our whole organic baby range. There have been lots of baby brands create products and use our name Bottom Balm and we are flattered! But our Certified Organic Baby Balm remains the original and the very best, the purest nappy cream at 99% Certified Organic since 2005.

Our label has only changed once in 15 years but the packaging has always been the same. Ahead of our time, as usual, we knew back then that glass was best for product purity and recycled packaging. Sustainability has been at the core of all our product development and packaging at Nature’s Child since 2000.

Why is Bottom Balm so Good?

Bottom Balm works! From the moment you smooth it on to suffering skin, you should feel relief and see signs of soothing. Bottom Balm has a very quick effect to soothe and calm skin. Bottom Balm has a gentle smell of lavender and chamomile. Parents come to us after trying many different nappy rash creams.

Certification?

With the constant questioning of ingredients, how can you know what you’re getting when you buy baby toiletries? We know you want the best for your baby and that you are concerned about product safety. There is only one way to measure the organic and natural status of ingredients without having to get out your smartphone to search the Web for the definition of every chemical name. Certification is the answer. Certification is the only independent measure of what ingredients are truly in a product.

Rather than looking up ingredients in the store yourself, look for this logo on the next baby product you pick up. It is often at the back of the product and sometimes on the front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So next time nappy rash strikes in the home of someone you love, just remember Nature’s Child Bottom Balm.

You can also share this post with a baby you love.

 

Zkin Skincare for Pregnancy and Sensitive Skin. It’s Vegan and Certified Organic.

Dry or itchy skin can show  up in pregnancy  for the first time in your life which can be a shock. If you have experienced skin inflammation when you were young, it can occur again in pregnancy even when you have not experienced this for years. Your skin, like the rest of your body changes during pregnancy. We have selected 3 items in the ZKin range to offer you here at Nature’s Child. A simple cleansing and moisturising routine with their sensitive skin range that is ideal for pregnancy. Let’s face it, who has time or energy for more than that while you are pregnant!

Zkin Skincare for Sensitive Skin is ideal for pregnancy as it contains no essential oils or known irritants. The COSMOS logo means every aspect of Zkin products has been scrutinised as complying with stringent organic and quality standards. In particular, every farmer supplying ingredients to Zkin must also be certified organic. There is no green-washing so we call this honest beauty.

It is always worth  checking with your practitioner if this is normal pregnancy skin or another issue that needs addressing.

You can follow the full Zkin story at their company website and may find their  ageing and oily skincare is ideal for you as well or you can view the ZKIN Certified Organic Skincare Range that is suitable for pregnancy and new mums here at Nature’s Child.

5 Ways to Make Birthdays at Christmas Time Special

I’m currently awaiting the arrival of a baby due this week on December 22. The parents are  planning a home birth in Nimbin, Northern NSW and it is my privilege  to support them as  Doula.

 Now we all know it could be on Christmas Day or New Year, or any other public holiday so we are stacking up with baby goods and mama needs so we don’t get caught out. Especially Breast Pads and Nipple Balm for mama!  It making me think of all the Christmas babies out there, do you have a child with a birthday around Christmas Time? What are your top tips for Christmas & New Year Birthdays being special?

Here are the some of the Tips people have shared with me this week

1- Plan Ahead: If you are giving birth at this time of year, be well stocked with medicine or creams that you won’t be able to grab at the last minute. I gave birth to my son in November but it was close enough to still get Mastitis on Christmas Day! Lucky I knew the signs and could call the hospital and was able to avoid antibiotics which  are essential if you don’t get on top of it quickly.

2 – Don’t double up  on Gifts, or at least check in with  the receiver if you are tempted.  The most common complaint was, here is a combined Christmas and birthday gift! This might work when they are teenagers or adults wanting cash for some but it seems this did not work for most people I spoke to. “Someone always does it” Abbey told me. She hated it but Dave said he loved it, he just got bigger, more expensive things than his sibling.

3 – Don’t Use Wrapping Paper with Christmas Themes – Have your coloured birthday wrapping paper in the holiday section. Don’t skimp on the wrapping or card

4 –  Parties: This can be tricky if people really want a party on their actual birthday! Adults love it and say its easier if you don’t have kids but kids love parties so be sure to plan one out of school holiday time. People who had this experience had mixed reactions. Some told me it never felt as special but others loved the extra gifts and celebrations!  Be  sure  to  have a family party  and invite friends if possible on Christmas Day. If  you are not a religious Christian,  this is easier to do.

5 – Make December 25 extra special and enjoy the lengthy celebrations. My sister in law has a birthday on Christmas Day. The family has always celebrated her birthday  first thing in the morning before there is any mention of Christmas gifts. They have cake for breakfast and make a grand fuss.  She loves the extra attention and extra gifts on Christmas day and says she loves it.  The week before she would have a party so she has always felt like her birthday  goes longer than most peoples. She loves it

We would love to know what you do or how you feel about your  Christmas birthday? It would  be  a great help to others reading this. What is your best tip?

If you are ordering a toy or new mother for someone special from us at Nature’s Child at this time of year, be sure to tell u s in the comments box  if this is a birthday gift so  we  don’t add  Christmas Wrapping!

BONUS FUN: Here  are some Celebrities born on Christmas Day that will Surprise YOU

Vanuatu is the first country in the world to ban the sale and use of disposable nappies from DEC 2020 because of plastic pollution in their country. Importantly,  the government is sending an important message to all governments in the world.

Vanuatu is safeguarding it’s future. Eventually, plastics find their way into the water and the food chain. At the end of the day, the people of Vanuatu end up consuming them. It is a long road ahead. But knowing my country, we will work it out”

Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu announced the ban at a conference in Port Vila this week. He announced that plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups, plastic drink stirrers and types of food packaging would also be outlawed. He said research showed disposable nappies were the largest single item of household waste in the capital.

Congratulations to the Vanuatu government for taking the most positive and massive action on nappy waste. Because of their initiative, other governments are now watching to see the how this goes.

Inspiration for Compostable Disposable Nappies

One of the inspirations for this ban on disposable nappies was G Diapers Founders Kim and Jason. The couple often talk about how After their son was born, they became aware of a small company in Tasmania that was making flushable and compostable diaper inserts. What few people know is that it was our  very own founder, Jannine Barron that was a key link in their discovery.

Kim and Jason visited a Nature’s Child Display at a baby expo in Sydney early in 2000’s. They spoke to owner Jannine Barron about the nappies Jannine was passionately demonstrating as a massive environmental solution. Importantly, they had a lightbulb moment!

In the next few months, Kim and Jason visited Byron Bay to meet with owner Jannine Barron to pick her brains as a Ethical Company Leader and cloth nappy expert. They knew they were on to something and  the rest is history with the Tasmanian Company Jannine connected them with. We are so proud of Jannine and love that nature’s child has always been a pioneer in environmental consciousness. She was even an inspiration for this important moment for Kim and Jason. We are super proud of all the work and the company that Kim and Jason have gone on to create with G Diapers and absolutely love their latest work on circular economies. A topic that is close to our heart!

If  you would like to sample  some cloth nappies. Visit our  Cloth Nappies Page for ideas.

 Jannine Barron started Nature’s Child  in 2000 and sold Australia’s First Organic Baby Store in 2018

Climate Change and Organic Baby Products

When I founded Nature’s Child 20 yrs ago,  the science was already clear. Business needs to operate in a way that regenerated our environment and society. These are the values that Nature’s Child was built upon back in 2000. Importantly with organic farming, fair trade and conservation through commerce.

At first our goals were to be biodegradable because at that time, this was our level of environmental awards. We still allowed some disposable items like nappy bags and nappy liners in our range then. By 2010, the Waste Issue was the new crisis so we had to adapt.

That has all changed as climate science has become clearer and we stopped making disposable baby products altogether.

Why Zero Waste?

ZERO WASTE is the only option for our kids future. We have removed all disposable baby products from our range.

In 2019, we discarded our final disposable product and became a completely reusable baby brand.  The result  is a baby range with every item you need in the first weeks ,months and year for caring for  you  and your baby. Breast Pads,  Nappies,  Nappy Wipes, Face Wipes, Basic Skincare.

The problem with a lot of zero waste we see in shops now is that they are not organic so there is still waste from chemical use but this is hidden behind the products. We have to see beyond packaging and into the ingredients and behind that, we have to see the farming” says Jannine  Barron, creator of Nature’s Child.

Our Unique Proposition

Nature’s Child proudly offers a very unique proposition to your customers, the climate concerned parents

✶ Certified Organic  ✶Quality  ✶Reusable  ✶Zero Waste

✶ We don’t know many baby companies ticking all these boxes and we are offering this full range to your store – do you?

5 disposable Products You can Replace Now

If you need some inspiration  to change,  this is a short post that is full of inspiration that we wrote last year. Pop on over to find  out about 5 Products You can replace easily

Have a read of this  brilliant article which  explains how humanity and nature are not different. I reckon it sums things  up  pretty well and certainly supports the thinking of the creators and shakers behind the  Nature’s Child Story.