If you’ve seen my coverage of chemicals in car seats, you likely know that a biomonitoring study found high levels of a known “cancer-causing flame retardant” in my child; the same flame retardant was in her car seat.ALSO SEE: How I Found “Cancer-Causing” Flame Retardants In My … [Read more...]
“Chemicals Are in Everything, Why Should I Care?”
One of the most common critiques I get about my reporting on chemical flame retardants in car seats can be summed up with this Facebook comment on one of my posts:Look at how many of us survived... using car seats. Then look at the ones who survived before car seats were a thing. … [Read more...]
Car Seats in Taxis: Difficult But Doable
In the few months since I committed to stop baby wearing in taxis, my little guy officially outgrew his infant bucket car seat. I’ve opted for public transportation and avoided cabs when possible, but unfortunately that’s not always possible in a big city like Hong Kong.In the days … [Read more...]
Investigating Car Seat Chemicals
What began as a NewsMom editorial, expanded into a six month KPIX-CBS investigation exposing alleged false advertising, apparent legal loopholes and outdated federal regulations that systematically expose millions of children to concerning car seat chemicals.First, we established … [Read more...]
What’s In Your Cleaning Products?
New parents tend to top the list of people concerned about toxic cleaning products. So, like many, I went out and bought the brands that appeared to be green and had names or slogans that implied they were "natural" or "kid safe."Now, as a consumer reporter, I am well aware that … [Read more...]
When to Skip the Organic Produce
Do I Really Need Organic Produce? We'd all love to feed our little angels an all-organic diet... but who can afford it when organic produce can cost almost 50 percent more? I mean, avocados are currently my daughter's favorite food, and one organic avocado can cost more than a gallon … [Read more...]
Adventures in Baby Travel: Useful Products for Jet-Setting Families
For those who procreate and yet still insist on feeding their wanderlust, many baby travel products promise to make adventure a breeze. Below is a rundown of a few I've found helpful in our travels around Asia. For another perspective, also see NewsMom Julie Watts' 10 Must-Haves … [Read more...]
Baby Gear: If I Could Go Back, Instead I’d Buy…
When I was newly pregnant for the first time, I went into baby gear research hyperdrive. Overwhelmed by the vast options—how do I choose something for someone I've never met??—I dropped by a baby megastore to aid in my research. I hoped seeing things in person would help me visualize … [Read more...]
Alba’s Honest, Ergo Baby’s Orbit: Why Green Companies Are Found with Concerning Chemicals!
Here we go again. Independent testing found a chemical in a “green” children’s product that the company itself called “toxic”.The Wall Street Journal reports that it found SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) in the Honest Company’s laundry detergent.Similarly, our recent investigation … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Keep Car Seats in the Middle, A Fatal Seat Flaw Exposed
Did you know your front driver and passenger seats can severely injure your child? Here's the latest in another excellent report from CBS News Transportation Correspondent Kris Van Cleave on the fight to get regulators to do something about it. Read More From CBS News: "No … [Read more...]