Answers:


Q: Is it really worth worrying about what ingredients are in your baby wipes and other baby products?

A: Yes!. We support the reduction of harsh chemicals and preservatives in skin care. It is not only better for you and your family, but it is healthier for the earth. Whatever you put on skin is likely to be absorbed into the blood stream with the potential to cause damage over time. Whatever is thrown into the landfill or flushed down your toilet has the potential to accumulate and contaminate water supplies and oceans which can then become concentrated in the food chain.

Manufacturers have taken the easy way out for years by using cheap ingredients to turn a bigger profit and harsh preservatives to ensure a product’s shelf life throughout an increasingly growing supply chain. There is good news though: Consumers like you have been educating themselves and voting for safer and higher quality products with their dollars. The more consumers show their concern by buying safer and more natural products, the more common it will become to see ingredients lists with safer ingredients.

In our case, KindyNews Eco Baby Shop began after communicating with Moms who found a need in the market for safer baby products. When we set out to create them, we insisted that they be made with certain gentler ingredients.  We are fortunate to have found and work with suppliers that listened to our concerns and helped us create our vision.

Navigating the enormous terrain of chemical names is not easy for the average person.  Furthermore, just because you have trouble pronouncing an ingredient, does not mean it is dangerous. A Washington-based organization called Skin Deephas made it easy to calculate your risk of exposure to potentially harmful substances through the personal care products you use for yourself or your baby. Their rating system offers a means of quantifying the risks posed. KindyNews has voluntarily signed their Compact for Safe Cosmetics, and in doing so we have pledged to not only make our products safe, but to provide transparency to consumers. We also submitted laboratory testing results that show that our baby wipes do not contain dioxane 1, 4, formaldehyde, chlorine, or BPAs (bisphenol a). Check them out at: www.safecosmetics.org

Click here to read about some common ingredients you may see in skin care products that may be cause for concern. We recommend avoiding them and we choose never use them in our products, as we believe that there are many safe and natural alternatives. We also recommend that when we consider laboratory studies to always ask how a study was performed (did they use high quantities? Was it performed on an animal? In a petrie dish? Who was funding the study? How many studies have there been and what did they conclude?.

Q: What does “renewable and sustainable” mean?

A. Renewability refers to a plant that has a short regeneration period to full maturation, usually in stark contrast to the material they are replacing. Sustainability refers to resources being replenished at a fast enough rate at which they can be used for consumption. Bamboo is a quintessential renewable and sustainable plant due to the fact that it grows back so quickly and naturally. Furthermore, it is a regenerating plant, which means it does not have to be replanted. This saves on petrol-guzzling tractors.

Q: Is your packaging biodegradable and/or recyclable?

A: Unfortunately the packaging for the baby wipes is not currently biodegradable. In an effort to be as environmentally responsible as possible.

Q: Are your baby wipes flushable?

A: Most people are not aware, but there are currently no federal regulations regarding this marketing claim.  In the US, the INDA, the Association for Non Woven Fabrics Industry offers guidelines to determine flushability, but it seems that even the experts are conflicted as to whether any company should be advertising wet wipes as flushable. We have a strong opinion about flushability – We do not encourage anyone to flush anything that doesn’t start to break down like toilet paper in the bowl. Read our detailed opinion and research by clicking the link below.

More Flushability Info: Click Here

Q: Are your baby wipes and bathroom tissue a bio-based material?

A. Yes, these products are made from bio-based bamboo material. So far, we have certified our bamboo baby wipes in the USDA Bioprefered program. We will eventually complete the certification process for our bathroom tissue, as well. The USDA defines bio-based products as those whose main ingredients are from renewable plant, animal, marine, or forestry materials.  Get more info at  www.biopreferred.gov

Q: Are KindyNews Bamboo Wipes compostable?

A: Composting turns degradable materials into useable compost-humus-like material that enriches the soil and returns nutrients to the earth. KindyNews Bamboo Wipes have early on been deemed as compostable in industrial or municipal facilities as opposed to home composting units that do not generate high enough temperature to safely break down human waste. These claims were based on our independent results and by our customers who use well managed facilities with high temperatures.  However, the FTC recently set requirements for compostability certification testing that is a financial burden for many small business like ours. We will keep you updated on our progress with our certification tests. In the meantime, we cannot make claims that they are compostable at industrial or municipal facilities.


Q: Do you test on animals?

A: We have never, nor will we ever test on animals. Furthermore, all of our suppliers must provide documentation stating to the same.  We are certified by Leaping Bunny which is a program providing the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers.

Q: How do I find out where KindyNews Bamboo products trees are being planted?

A: Currently KindyNews plants trees for each individual package of baby wipes, each individual diaper rash ointment, and for every 4 rolls of bathroom tissue sold. Our trees are being planted annually in a variety of locations where deforestation has had a major impact. We feel that regions that have suffered tremendous losses due to deforestation are the best place to start. To date we have planted over 47,000 trees in Brazil, Ghana, Burundi and Haiti. We have chosen to plant in these countries for two reasons: rainforest depletion is as high as 90% due to things like widespread logging in the past and overgrazing. And in Burundi, where 57% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, we are planting Moringa, “the miracle tree” which boasts twice the calcium as milk and four times as much Vitamin A as in carrots.

If you would like to plant trees in other regions around the globe, please visit Trees for the Future to learn about their many programs.

Q: Will bamboo production put Panda bears at more risk?

A: NO. The species’ of plant used for processing fiber is a different variety than the ones Pandas consume. Its Latin name is Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens, but is commonly known as Moso bamboo. Deforestation, agricultural encroachment and road-building remain the biggest threats to Panda habitat.

Q: Why did you choose bamboo for your products?

A: Because it’s the best, environmentally-preferable solution for disposable products! We invite you to read our Bamboo page for detailed information about bamboo. Below are the highlights of why we chose it for our products:

• Regenerated cellulose fiber made from bamboo is a bio-based material;
• Bamboo is the fastest growing grass on the planet and can shoot up a yard or more a day making it an endurable natural resource. Bamboo is ready for harvesting in 2-4 years (as opposed to 30+ years for trees);
• Bamboo does not require replanting after harvesting because of its vast root network;
• Bamboo crops do not require significant amounts of water, in fact, rain water is usually sufficient for growth;
• Bamboo generates 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees;
• Replacing disposables with bamboo material can have a major effect on the rate of deforestation of hardwood forests;
• Regenerated-cellulose fiber from bamboo is very soft.

Q: Why do you import your bathroom tissue from China?

A: When we launched the KindyNews EcoBaby Shop, with our first product (bamboo baby liners) there were no Australian suppliers actually willing to supply us with the low quantity we were able to purchase, so we started in China. It is our goal to eventually have our liners manufactured in the Australia. Until then, our products are supplied by a highly reputable manufacturer that complies with environmental standards and fair labour practices in China. 

Q: Do you have other ideas for bamboo products?

A: Yes, we do!  We are constantly researching the possibilities of additional products. Since our goal is to only make the very best, most natural products, we will  continue to develop our product line conscientiously. To learn about upcoming products, sign up for our email newsletter.

Q: Are the baby wipes and liners quality-controlled?

A: Our baby wipes and liners are made at FDA certified facilities where quality control is strictly maintained.  We have also had our baby wipes and bathroom tissue tested at an independent laboratory to demonstrate the absence of formaldehyde, dioxane 1, 4, chlorine, and Bisphenol A’s.

Q: What does KindyNews do to be a “green business”?

A: We try to make as many aspects of our company as environmentally-friendly as possible. Below are some of the ways that we have incorporated these ideals into our business model:

• We plant trees with Trees for the Future for every individual item sold to help stop and reverse deforestation;
• We offset 35 tons of carbon emissions annually by purchasing carbon credits through CarbonFund.org;
• Two out of three of our manufacturing facilities are operating on 100% renewable energy;
• We ship in recycled and/or reclaimed boxes whenever possible;
  
• We reclaim paper and other office supplies to keep them out of the landfill;
• We use environmentally-conscious office practices and supplies;
• We maintain paper-free records as much as possible;
• We carpool whenever possible;
• We operate as much of the business as possible from home offices to reduce travel;
• We make efforts to reclaim our packaging for alternative reuse;
• We aim to educate consumers about environmentally-responsible options and choices;
  
• Because of our efforts to protect the environment, we are very proud to have been certified as a B Corp. Please learn about B Corps  http://bcorporation.net/

          This is just a sample of some of our efforts. We are always open to new ideas on how we can improve.

Q: Does KindyNews EcoBaby Shop want me to review the products?

A: If you are interested in reviewing Bum Boosa® products on your blog or website or other venue, please complete the information form on the Contact Us tab. Unfortunately we are unable to honour all requests for product reviews. To improve the chances of approval, please show that you have a minimum of 1,000 active followers, are very active (and have a solid following) on social media sites, and are willing to link back to our site. Thank you for your interest in our products!


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3. Back Pain

Many moms experience discomfort in their backs during the later stages of pregnancy. Back pain can also be caused by ligaments stretching. Connie R. talked to her nurse practitioner about this type of back ache: "She says that it's ligament pain (we have them in our backs, too) and she recommends ice pack/compress [since] heat can only make it worse."
Another source of back pain is your baby's movement and pressure on sensitive areas in your body. Lisa B. is frustrated that with her third pregnancy, it's hard to find relief from all the strain: "I am so sore through my back and pelvis it hurts to lay in bed, it hurts to sit for too long, it hurts to lay in bed for too long and it hurts to walk around too much." She found relief with visits to a chiropractor, where she learned some stretching exercises that help: "One thing that I really like to do is to get down on my hands and knees and just let my belly hang and take all that pressure off my back, then just arch and roll your back (think yoga poses!)."

4. Leg Cramps

Leg cramps and muscle spasms can be common during pregnancy. Several members advise that these pains are almost always caused by dehydration, low potassium, or both. Ashley B. experienced leg cramps with all three of her pregnancies: "Drink plenty of water and make sure you are getting enough potassium (found in bananas and raisins)... this really worked for me. Also you could try sleeping with a pillow between your legs."

5. Braxton-Hicks Contractions

Your body has it's own way of practicing and preparing for labour, and it's known as Braxton-Hicks. These are "fake" or "practice" contractions that you may experience during the final weeks before your baby is due. Jessica A. describes it beautifully: "That tightening that you feel from time to time in your uterus may feel like real labor, but it is actually a Braxton Hicks contraction. These contractions happen when your brain sends messages to your body to prepare for labor. In response, your body contracts the muscles in your uterus to help get ready for your baby's eventual arrival."
The good thing about Braxton-Hicks contractions is that they are usually not very painful. Most moms describe them as a "tightening." Donna D. said hers "were very strong but they weren't painful. They took my breath away becausemy stomach went rock hard... You will know the difference when the time comes." Krista H. agrees that you don't have to worry whether you will recognize the difference between Braxton-Hicks and the real thing: "Braxton Hicks FEEL like contractions, but unlike actual contractions, will go away if you get up and move around. Real contractions don't subside with movement."

This article in no way means to trivialise pain during pregnancy. Uncomfortable, slightly painful aspects of being pregnant come with the territory, but it is always a good idea to contact your doctor if you are worried about any pain you are experiencing. Seek medical treatment right away for any severe pain that does not go away. Persistent pain can be a sign that something is wrong, and only a medical professional can truly rule out a problem. [For more information, see 7 Pregnancy Warning Signs at WebMD.]

This information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.