The Maple Baby Blog (beta)

The jack-o-lanterns on your porch are getting scarier by the day, so I thought your family might appreciate a few tips to help keep them out of the local landfill. Here are three great composting resources for those with and without a yard!

• How to Compost a Halloween Pumpkin: is a useful article posted last month by Associated Content describing all the steps needed to start a traditional compost pile from scratch. It’s a great beginners guide to the necessary ingredients, so I recommend starting here to help you get organized. Once you’ve finished, follow the link below to compare this composting system to creating a compost bin. (yard needed)

• Recycle Now’s Guide to Compost Bins: provides a step-by-step guide to help you set-up a compost bin in your yard. Bins are useful in areas where vermin could be an issue. Their seven steps walk you through choosing the right location, what to add to your compost bin, and when your compost is ready to use! (yard needed)

• Composting Systems: are becoming more popular because you don’t need a yard to set one up! There are hundreds of different systems available, but most like the “Can-O-Worms” seen above offer a odorless and pest-resistant option for those without garden areas. (no yard needed)

I’d love to hear your composting tips and tricks, so click on the comment bubble to open the text box below!

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

We talk a lot about “eco-friendly” products, but there’s nothing as eco-friendly as reusing existing products. One new website that takes this to heart is Hand-Me-Downs which finds gently used products online and sorts them by geographical location. Their site mainly consists of products found on Craigslist and Ebay at the moment, but it’s a great idea and they are just getting started (currently in beta) so I’m pulling for them.

If you like the idea of Craigslist-like website created just for parents, check it out today at www.handmedowns.com. Better yet, put a few of your own used toys or baby clothes up and make some room in that closet of yours. Remember to check for product recalls on www.cpsc.gov when purchasing used children’s products and related furniture!

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

(spotted on Springwise)

> Also on DearDrMOZ.com: BabyPlays Toy Rental and Lütte Leihen Baby Clothes Rental

If you’re looking for a natural balm that is sensitive on your baby’s skin, today’s post is for you. Here are three favorites along with their ingredients:

• Dimpleskins Naturals’ Bum Bum Balm Diapering Salve: Coconut Oil, pure Beeswax, organic Jojoba Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Organic Calendula Oil (infused in Sunflower Oil) Cocoabutter, Vitamin e Oil (derived from pure Soybean oil), pure Lavender essential oil.
• wEE wILD Organic Baby Balm: Certified organic extra virgin olive oil infused with organic yarrow and organic calendula, unbleached beeswax, natural vitamin E, essential oils (lavender, sweet orange, patchouli), tapioca starch.
• Baby Bee Skin Creme by Burt’s Bees: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, water, beeswax, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, kaolin, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, chondrus crispus (carrageenan) extract, fragrance, sodium borate, glucose, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase, tocopherol.

I’m always looking for great new recommendations, so click on the comments bubble to share your favorite natural baby balms!

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

If you’re in the market for green baby and children’s clothing but can’t stomach the $30 price tags that often come with them, you might be interested in Feral Empire on Etsy! A self-described chronic crafter, Danielle of Feral Empire has mod designs suitable for all the maple babies on your gift list including:

• Recycle Love Organic Cotton Lap Tee: You’ll find green or baby blue prints on organic American Apparel lap tees for $16 while supplies last.

• Cultivating the Future Children’s Tee: Here’s a super-cool print on soft 100% cotton in children’s size 8. It’s only $14 so you better grab it before it’s gone!

• Triple Turbines Organic Cotton Onesie: I have to agree with the Etsy description, this bold organic onesie is eco-tastico! Hand screened in the USA on natural colored organic onesies in blue or green ink.

If cool designs at great prices aren’t already enough, Feral Empire has launched their own economic stimulus package by offering free shipping through November 10th!

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

> Also see: Organic in the USA: Sew Vermont Kids

The children’s clothing company Carter’s issued a press release today to advise parents that some children have been suffering allergic reactions (described as burn-like rash by some bloggers) to the heat-transferred ink labels on the inside of their garments. According to today’s release, garments from the

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