When I started my search for eco products for children — long before Itty Bitty Greenie was born — I was overwhelmed by the selection of “natural” coloured organic onesies and plain wooden toys. Sure they were pure and beautiful, but having looked forward to the time when I could buy things for my own children, I craved a little more colour and fun. After all, making eco choices shouldn’t have to be boring, right?

I’ve always found rainbows cheerful and inspiring, so I guess it’s no surprise that colourful items figure prominently in our collection of eco-fabulous finds. Here are some of my faves:

1) Plan Toys Baby Car $24.95

2) Hess Spielzeug Elephant Rattle $15.95

3) Playable Art Balls $49.95

4) Beeswax Honey Sticks (box of 12 colours) $14.95

5) Hess Spielzeug Heart Rattle $15.95

6) Frugi Rainbow Organic Babygrow $29.95

7) Rainbow Rattle and Teething toy $14.95

8) Teddy Bear Rattle and Grasping Toy $16.95

9) Little Innoscents Certified Organic Skincare for children – gift set $19.95

10) Tots Bots EasyFit modern cloth nappy – Rainbow Spot print $32.95

11) Plan Toys Oval Xylophone $39.95

12) Frugi Rainbow Spot Organic Babygrow $24.95

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

All parents want to give our children the best start in life, so when it comes to starting solid foods, it’s up to us to make the right choices.

There is plenty of research showing that organic food — fruits, vegetables and grains — is superior in vitamin, mineral and nutrient content, while at the same time, is much lower or is free from harmful herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and artificial fertilizer chemicals that can be present in non-organic produce.

Organic food is especially higher in antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, and lower in nitrates. Studies have shown that organically grown produce has significantly lower levels of mercury than fruits and vegetables grown by chemical farming methods.

But while many of us make an effort to choose organic foods for our babies, the time required to prepare organic meals can sometimes be challenging. This is where Baby Bistro offers a solution. Providing a menu suitable for babies from four months, Baby Bistro uses certified organic foods, 100% free from chemicals and other nasty additives.

Organic veggie starters ensure your little one gets a taste for a variety of whole foods, while baby main dishes (suitable from 8 months) offer healthy and well-balanced organic meals. There is even a range of cereals and snacks for parents too!

Visit the Baby Bistro Website (www.babybistro.com.au) for more information and discover their entire menu.

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

When you compare this to the personal care industry standards in Australia, it’s interesting to note that there is no guide for manufacturers with regard to what cannot be used in products in Australia. As a parent and consumer, I find this alarming. It’s one of the reasons I started Itty Bitty Greenie, and it’s also why I try to keep up to date with the latest international research on chemicals in personal care products – especially those formulated for children.

I know I’m not alone in my concern for children’s exposure to toxins, and recently one of our suppliers, WotNot, started The Clean Bum Crusade calling for legislation to mandate that all ingredient information be displayed on cosmetic and personal care packaging in Australia, and an immediate ban on those chemicals already banned in other countries until an assessment can be done.

The crusade aims to gain enough support to change the regulations surrounding the manufacture of baby skincare products in Australia. If you pledge your support online, you also have a chance to win one of 2000 WotNot baby wipes travel cases.

In the meantime, Itty Bitty Greenie will continue our efforts to help parents make informed choices about their skincare choices for children by sharing our research, and also by listing all ingredients used in the skincare products we offer in our online shop.

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

Baby’s first Christmas is such a special time, and we all know new parents are often in need of not just cute clothes but baby essentials like skin care, baby bottles, swaddle blankets and pacifiers too. Why not give them something that’s not only useful, but all-natural, organic and safe too?

Here’s our eco-fabulous gift guide for those Itty Bitty Babies in your life.

1) Ringley all-natural maple wood and organic cotton teething ring (RRP $19.95)

2) Aden + Anais organic muslin wraps in four styles: Bloom, Safari, Sky and Snuggle Bug. Each one comes with a matching organic muslin bag (RRP $39.95)

3) Natursutten all-natural rubber pacifiers are BPA free, Phthalate free and PVC free (RRP $9.95)

4) Green to Grow baby bottles (and nipples) are toxin free and eco-friendly (RRP $19.95-22.95)

5) Little Wings Organic cotton dress with fairy pattern, designed in Australia (RRP $54.95)

6) Little Wings Organic Cotton bloomers with frill, designed in Australia (RRP $24.95)

7) Organic cotton and lace baby dress, made from 100% organic Egyptian Cotton (RRP $44.95)

8)  Plan Toys Baby Car, made from eco-friendly and chemical-free wood (RRP $22.95)

9) Dandelion Organic Cotton baby toys: Crinkle Bear ; Squeaker Duck and Rattling Frog (RRP $16.95 each)

10) Little Innoscents certified organic bath products and skin care (RRP $10.99- $19.99)

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management

“Mumpreneurs” are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the business world and I couldn’t be happier for one fellow mother and business owner whom I have worked with over the past year and who was recently given a prestigious business award.

Antonette Golikidis, founder of Little Innoscents organic skincare for children was named “AusMumpreneur of the Year” at the 2010 AusMumpreneur awards in Brisbane this month.

Antonette started her brand of organic skincare in her own kitchen and said she soon had friends and neighbours trying her products and the business grew from there. And now, “to be distinguished with some amazing like-minded women in business who stay true to their values of family, business and success is an inspiration,” she says.

The finalists were also featured on the TODAY program, and here is a clip from the show.

Check out the eco-fabulous Little Innoscents range of 100% certified organic skincare that is made in Australia and we are proud to carry at Itty Bitty Greenie. The hair & body wash is my favourite!

By Donna MacMullin

Creative Communications, Graphic Design, Communications, Blogging, Copywriting, Content Management