Good Riddance To Chemicals: Guide To Switching to Safe Natural Diapers

 We live in a technologically advanced world where products are manufactured in bulk and often in factories that use a wide range of chemicals for the manufacturing process. Baby Diapers are no exception to this trend as majority of the leading diaper brands use a mind boggling number of chemicals to achieve low costing products that have a premium finish.

Parents are often put into a challenging position when they have to choose amongst these expensive diaper brands that all use parabens, latex, fragrances, lotions, chlorine and other bleaches. What most parents do not know is that these chemicals although used in small quantities and are declared to be safe on the label, are actually not truly safe as children have extremely sensitive skin and an immune system that is not fully developed.

You might now find yourself pondering, is there a safer diaper alternative that is both affordable and practical to use? The answer is yes! Safe natural diapers that are devoid of 95% chemicals were introduced in the international market many years ago . This healthy trend is catching on in India as well with Bumchum Diapers introducing the first ever range of eco-friendly and baby safe disposable bamboo diapers that are chemical free and biodegradable.

The Highlights of Using Safe Natural Bumchum Diapers

·       No chemicals, just pure goodness and love from Mother Earth. Absorbent wood based pulp inserts along with bamboo cotton top sheet which is antibacterial and allows the skin to breathe.

·       No latex, fragrances, chlorine, bleaches and lotions added thus lowering chances of skin irritation and diaper rashes.

·       No parabens or toxins or other cancer causing chemicals reducing exposure to toxins and parabens

·       Ultra safe and soft plant based layers on the outside and inside to keep your baby comfortable.

·       Contoured designs with soft leg elastic in the insert and covers to keep the messes contained

·       Biodegradable inserts made of bamboo and  naturally derived ingredients making these diapers environment friendly and easy to dispose

·       The stylish cloth covers that hold the bamboo insert can be used multiple times with a fresh disposable inserts. Each insert can be used only once due to hygiene reasons.

·       Affordable choice as the diaper set is washable so you only pay for the insert refill.

·       Cute and fashionable diaper covers that make your munchkin look cute and allow for some wriggle space for active babies.

Switching To Natural Safe Diapers The Easy Way

If you have been using synthetic diapers for your baby in the past, then you might be wondering, can I immediately switch my baby over to natural safe diapers, without any adverse effects? The answer is yes, safe natural Bumchum diapers can be used without worrying about any allergic reaction due to introducing your child to a new brand of diapers. In fact, soon after the switch, you might notice a happier baby who is less bothered due to itchiness, wetness and skin irritation. What’s more is that Bumchum diaper sets are coupled with a matching T-shirt so that your child can feel and look his best at all times. 

Traditional schools or Modern - ICSE or IGCSE The Big Debate

           Traditional Schools or Modern Curriculum

These days parents are faced with a new crisis– ICSE or IGCSE. This is a dilemma most parents face while deciding what is best for their kids. While traditional schools offer the familiarity and comfort we’re all used to, know of and have grown with. The new age curriculums offer the promise of getting our kids the exposure we all lacked, the individual attention and focus on personality development that will eventually differentiate them in this big world of fierce competition (and stellar grades)

I have had numerous debates with my husband over what is right and what is too new to try…but what I have come to accept is that the conundrum will never end in my mind and as long as I am the one making the decisions I will always unsure of the consequence. That said I have had the privilege (if I may call it) to send my son to both worlds and have compiled a list of good that can helpful to other parents. In this post, I will not delve into what really is the difference between IB/IGCSE and the traditional NCERT curriculum as there is a lot of material out there for you to consume. This is a general op-ed based solely on my own experiences with sending my child to both these worlds. Again as my son is only in primary school, my experience is limited in terms of the practical application of his education . 

Advantages of traditional schools.( aka Convent Education)

1.      Discipline! This may work either way depending on your parenting style but the one thing that I liked about my sons convent education was the focus on discipline early on. The need to lay a mat before eating, having school shoes polished, nails and hair clipped, books covered and almanacs signed– everything had a bearing on making him responsible for his own school work. One of the things that helped me in my career ( and business school) when I started living alone was the discipline of keeping things in order so I had more time to focus on what was more important. I’d like to believe that a  lot of that came from my own convent education

2.      Rigor – the rigor of primary education made it very easy for me to breeze through college and later business school. It didn’t matter how tough any subject was, I was always ready and was used to the pressure. I noticed that with my son as well. It is surprising how easy some kids take to pressure and he always amazed me by managing his school work with ease (even though in some cases I was worried its too much for him ).

3.      Values of a grounded middle class education – The need for uniformity helps in providing grounded values that make us who we are . A lot of it relates back to the respect for authority that we all get used to in school. Also with RTE and a general intake parameters ( alumni, sibling  preference etc) there is a good chance that your child will have exposure to the real Indian diaspora. Something that will help him later in life

4.      Handwriting! – The extreme focus on writing is crucial today. In this new age of technology we have forgotten the use of the simple pen and paper. And the ease of the ‘backspace’ gets in the way of our thought process – so I think that the focus on writing and making that a habit has helped me think clearly and put my thoughts on paper better. I do wonder if that is something that the next generation will lack

5.      Cost – these schools are on an average much cheaper than an average IB school

Advantages of an IB Curriculum

1.      Exposure! The breadth of activities that your child will be exposed to will make you want to go back to school again. My son is enjoying his new school. It is here that he has discovered his love for yoga or I have discovered how good he is at writing poetry.

2.      Self-esteem – he has learnt to question authority, he is not scared to challenge the norm and he has overall become a more confident vocal human being with an opinion – something that he was always scared to do in the convent.

3.      Class size – the class size being smaller with more faculty at hand he is able to get the attention he needs in the early years. PTMs are way more meaningful and the teachers handling smaller groups of students find it easier to chalk out each kids individual learning pace

4.      Lack of stress- for a parent it is much easier as most of the teaching happens in school and homework is only a reiteration of what was learnt there. In the convent my son did not understand the concepts and a lot of the heavy lifting was left on the parents to do.

5.      An opportunity for strength development – I believe not everything will be Einstein – but every child has the potential to move mountains. The new school gives my son the chance to be big and best at something other than studies – it allows for him the time and space so he can find his strength in something and excel in it – it allows the kids to celebrate their differences and enjoy the glory for activities outside of studies!

In the end I would say that the best decision is always made by forces that are not in our control. I used to be stressed about not getting into my ‘dream school’ for my child when my mother told me – some things are best left to destiny. So relax and breathe. There is a school for your child and there is a child for every school. You have you’re your best, and we need to leave the decision to God on giving our children the right platform for their growth and development.

Win an IPad, Kindle or Most Definitely a Discount Voucher from Firstcry or Snapdeal!!!

Dear Friends, We've got a great news for you! mycity4kids brings to you an interesting 'Review for an iPad Contest'. Participate in the contest by writing a review of BumChum Earth Freindly Baby on mycity4kids.com and stand a chance to win exciting prizes such as - An iPad 5 Kindles Assured Discount Vouchers worth INR 100 from Firstcry and Snapdeal each
We request you to please take out 5-10 minutes and tell us about your experience with BumChum Earth Freindly Baby
Get started Sharing your valuable feedback would not only help us identify avenues to improve our services but also your experience with us! We look forward to some great reviews at the end of the contest! If you need any assistance, please call +91 9971387909 or mail pooja.singh@mycity4kids.com Regards Amrita Vaswani

Why Breastfeeding and cloth diapering go great together!

SO you've made the decision to breast feed and it is going amazing, high five to you!  We know it isn't always easy.  Breast feeding is a learned skill for both Mom and baby and although can be tricky to master at first breastfeeding can have huge benefits for both Mom and baby including making cloth diapering beyond easy for the first few months.

Here is the secret: exclusively breastfed baby’s poop is almost completely liquid so it is super easy to remove before putting the diaper for washing into the washing machine or pail.  The washing machine does the work and does a great job at getting the diapers perfectly clean.  How cool is that?  Breastfeeding and cloth diapers are a match made in heaven!

Breast Feeding + Cloth Diapering = Healthy , Happy Baby :)

    

Are you passionate about exclusively breastfeeding your baby? Here is how we can help ..

Have you ever been in a situation where you have needed to nurse, but did not have anyway to do it discretely? Have you been frustrated by the thought of being locked in a room nursing, while your friends are chatting outside? Do you feel with all the baby care duties, you often forget  the side you last nursed with?

If you are a passionate and confident mother who wants to continue breastfeeding, at the same time carry on your daily chores with ease, then the BumChum Nursing Apron is a must -have accessory for you!

BumChum Nursing Aprons are a innovative, versatile and necessary  breastfeeding accessory for  all new mothers. Made from 100% breathable cotton, these chic aprons help you nurse your baby with confidence and style, anytime and anywhere. A must have for every diaper bag!

Why is this Nursing Apron different from a scarf or a 'dupatta'?

• Our Nursing aprons have a rigid neckline 'window' that enables you to make eye contact with the baby while nursing. 
• We provide a cute  and innovative 'side indicator' to remind you of which side you last nursed the baby.
• Our Aprons come in a generous size of 40" x 40" to cover all, helping you breastfeed in confidence and comfort anytime, anywhere.
• These cute acessory comes in a stylish pouch , easy and small to help store them away safely and securely in the diaper bag or a purse.

Organic Muslin Baby Swaddle Blankets

Cotton muslin is one of the world’s oldest, most cherished woven fabric. Made with dual-layer organic cotton, this wonderfully soft fabric provides gentle comfort for your precious one. Muslin permits air to circulate around the baby's body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. Products made from muslin stand up to repeated washing's only becoming softer and better with age. That is why mothers through uncountable generations have been relying on this versatile fabric to care for their babies.

BumChum Muslin products are carefully designed to preserve the goodness of this fabric, and to encourage its multiple uses as the baby grows. Delicate and breathable, these products are a perfect addition to your nursery.

Key features of BumChum Wrapping Blankets

• Versatile: Generous size to make them useful for multiple functions as the baby grows
•  Light weight and breathable, makes them cool in summer and warm in winter.
• Durable : Can be used for multiple purposes and the fabric gets  softer with every wash.
• Unique: Modern and aesthetically pleasing designs and colors designed exclusively for BumChum.
•  Comfortable: Physicians recommend lightweight fabrics to help prevent overheating and reduce the risk of SIDs. 

PURA Stainless Steel Baby Bottles and Sippers

Pura Stainless was created with a simple vision - to make a difference by responsibly manufacturing toxin-free, durable, and cost effective alternatives to bottled water and the petroleum-based (ie plastic) reusable bottles and food storage containers.

Our infant, toddler, and adult product lines are not only the safest in the world but they have won an array of global awards and accolades. In this day and age there is simply no reason to expose yourself or your little ones to toxin-laden plastics or to contribute to the massive waste problem created by bottled water.

But obviously we are not the only non-plastic alternative available. Many of our future customers have asked us why our products are the best on the market; take five minutes to read through the information below and we think you too will be a Pura advocate!

Made of safe, food-grade stainless steel

All Pura bottles are crafted from #304, also known as 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. Known for its resistance to corrosion and staining, and antibacterial properties, it is perfectly suited for use as a beverage container. In fact, many commercial food transport, storage and preparation products are made of #304 stainless steel due to these properties. And because stainless steel does not react with acidic foods or beverages, it will not affect the flavor of your beverage.

One Life... One Bottle Durability

Stainless steel is much more durable than plastic, glass or aluminum bottles. Steel bottles do not shatter or crack like glass and plastic and are much more puncture resistant than aluminum. We are so confident in our bottles that we back all stainless components with a limited lifetime warranty. Cared for properly your Pura bottle will be a trusty companion for years!

The Safest Bottles on the Planet... Non-Toxic and truly BPA-free

Pura bottles are non-toxic and truly 100% BPA-free. All bottles, components, and accessories are independently tested by a leading global testing lab and certified to have no detectable levels of Bisphenol-a (BPA), lead, phthalates or nitrosamines. Bottles that are either made from plastic or use plastic caps, sip spouts, or travel covers cannot make this claim as virtually all plastics have some level of BPA which will show up in independent testing.

All Pura products feature stainless steel lids, caps and/or infant nipple/spout collars in combination with medical grade silicone so the contents of the bottle are NEVER in contact with plastic and therefore there is zero chance of ingesting BPA or other petroleum-derived toxins.

All Pura products meet or exceed all relevant FDA requirements. Because safety is our primary concern we also meet or exceed the more stringent Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines and the European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC. 

Infant & Toddler Bottles that Adapt to the Needs of your Child

We strongly feel that kid's bottles should adapt to the needs of the child, not the other way around. As a result, our patent pending Kiki infant bottles can be converted into a spill-proof toddler sippy bottle - and our toddler cup can be converted into an infant bottle just by swapping the nipple and spouts. And, if your child has a strong preference for another manufacturer's nipple or spout, our bottle will probably work with those as well.

Sandblasted Interior Surfaces on Kiki Products

After electro-polishing the Kiki infant and toddler bottles, we take the extra step to sandblast all interior surfaces. This creates an ultra smooth surface that aids in cleaning. To our knowledge no other infant and toddler bottle manufacture takes this extra step.

Chuggable, Wide-Mouth Top

Our Kiki infant and toddler line also feature a wide neck as this design has been proven to support breast feeding and, when combined with the vented Pura silicone nipples and sip spouts, help prevent colic and the swallowing of air. Of course wide neck infant and toddler bottles are much easier to clean and fill than old school narrow neck bottles.

Backed by a Lifetime Warranty

We're so confident in our bottles we've backed them with an unprecedented lifetime warranty.

Award Winning Innovation

Pura is proud to have been selected as one of the TOP 50 Small Businesses in the USA for 2009 by Intuit and Working Mother Magazine chose Pura as the Best Family Eco Style Company in March 2010. A European architectural design publishing house has chosen the Kiki line as a cutting-edge example of innovation in children's products and will feature the product in a book to be published in 2010. The patent pending Kiki line has also been featured in countless reviews, magazines, blogs, and television shows.