Back in the day, figuring out what bottle to feed your baby with wasn’t considered rocket science. Buzz words like BPA and PVC didn’t have moms on high alert, worrying whether their child would ingest toxic substances while drinking from her “ba-ba.” Plastic didn’t conjure up images of towering landfills, but was simply something you used to box up your leftover meatloaf. But because today, we live in a different world and have a myriad of product choices, figuring out what’s best for our kids can be a bit more challenging–even when it comes to something as ordinary as selecting a baby bottle. Well, we had an eye-opener this week when we learned that some of those bottles dubbed “BPA-free” may, in fact, may still leach harmful chemicals. One product that isn’t confused about its identity is Pura Kiki, the bottle that proudly wears the 100-plastic-free label across its base. Made from stainless steel and medical-grade silicon, Kiki features a non-plastic nipple designed to stay put (that means no leakage). And even if you have a fussy child who prefers a particular nipple or spout, this bottle works with other major brands, such as Avent, Dr. Brown’s and Born Free. Once your baby has graduated to a sippy cup, simply upgrade her bottle to a sip-style spout. We like the fact that Pura also makes stainless water bottles for big people, so your whole family can drink safely. Cheers!

In a Nutshell: BPA what; PVC whom? Don’t worry about deciphering the latest acronyms. With Pura Kiki, your baby can enjoy her ba-ba–and so can you.

Tags: baby bottles, BPA-free, green baby products, plastic-free bottles, Pura, Pura Kiki, PVC-free, stainless water bottles

My daughter’s very first “big girl” dinner plate has finally met its maker. After countless washings and many meals, the barnyard animals lovingly laminated on the divided sections are practically peeling off. A bit of a dining hazard…unless you want a side of toxic plastic with those mashed potatoes. These days I know I’m not alone when keeping an eye out for kids’ products that don’t have a zillion potential dangers lurking in their construction. And when it comes to mealtime, I’m especially mindful of safety first. It’s why the new Re-Play line of kids’ dishware and cutlery calls out to moms like me. Made from recycled milk jugs, this line is as environmentally-friendly as it gets. At first grasp, I could tell these products were tougher than they looked; the springtime hues of these sturdy plates, cups, bowls and utensils belie their sturdy exterior. Not only could we load up those plates with a well-rounded meal of chicken, rice and veggies, but they stood up to one dish-washing after another. Plates that don’t fall apart at the seams make this mom very happy. (And not having to explain why a horse on that plate no longer has a head  is even better…)

In a Nutshell: This line of BPA-free kids’ dishware will make you “re-think” exactly what kind of dinner you’ll be serving up tonight.

Tags: BPA-free, eco-friendly kids' products, green kids' products, kids' dinnerware, organic kids' products, Re-Play, recycled kids' products

As much as I wanted my kindergartner to graduate to a regular drinking glass, I wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of wiping up more spills than I already do. Alas, the faded Thomas train on her favorite cup seemed to be crying out, “Retire me, please!” What a perfect opportunity to try out Siliskin Glass, a new line of BPA-free drinking cups for the child who’s too big for a sippy cup, but hasn’t yet mastered the dexterity of handling glassware–or for the moms who are too chicken to let them. The name alone was enough to grab my attention–what’s silly about broken glass? And that’s exact the point. Siliskin is a protective silicone wrapper that “hugs” a glass tumbler, so that kids can drink with reckless abandon and get a handle (literally) on their cup. My daughter loves that she can drink her OJ without rattling my caffeine-induced nerves at the breakfast table. And I love that Siliskin Glass is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, making clean-up and safety a snap for this busy mom.

In a Nutshell: With easy-grip glassware, there’s no need to cry over spilled milk.

Tags: BPA-free, kids drinking glass