Comparing Homeschooling With The Public And Private School System

The first question parents ask regarding homeschooling is this: Does it really work? Many parents are aware that the public school system has major problems, but they’re not sure if homeschooling is the better choice! Most work harder to earn more so that they can put their kids in private school. When it comes to their children’s education, they want the best: no holds barred!

However, they should know that studies done in this field show that homeschooled students perform much better on average and have a keener mindset towards learning. This effect is partly explained by the fact that when parents are involved, levels of learning improve almost automatically. When the kids know that the parent is taking an active role in their education, they’re liable to work more owing to the motivation.

However, when a larger number of students is taken into account from different walks of life, one thing remains constant: homeschooled kids are superior! The study sponsored by the Unites States Department of Education showed that the scores obtained by homeschooled students were ‘exceptionally high’! The median scores of homeschooled students in every grade were significantly higher than public, private and even Catholic schools!

The homeschool students in grades one to four were actually a whole grade level above their counterparts in public schools. And when these students got to eighth grade, they were approximately four years ahead of their peers.

The public school system is to blame for part of this mess, but not entirely. Home schooling is actually even proving to be better than even private schools!

What’s more: the costs of homeschooling are a lot lower than private schools. While most government schools spend about $6500 per student every year, private schools spend about $3500 only. And the cheapest option is homeschooling, which costs a little less than $550 per child per year. However, this amount doesn’t take into account the time spent by the parent for which a teacher gets paid.

In the 1850s, public school was made compulsory for students in most of the states in the US. If they were so good and had greater standards of education to offer, then why use force to get students into them? One wonders.

One of the foremost arguments is that education was valued by only a few. To make the concept of education available to all, and especially the rural public, the public school system was brought in. This doesn’t explain how the illiteracy rate in 1840 in Massachusetts was only 2%, whereas by the year 1995, had shot up to a whopping 19%! Books in the nineteenth century were very expensive, unlike today, and yet the figure is up by 17%. This tells us that homeschooling really does do wonders.

In the United States alone, more than a million kids are homeschooled. Out of these, thousands have been accepted into the very elite of colleges and universities. Homeschooling enables a student who is eager to learn to do so with a parent or tutor without having to face mocking and sarcasm from peers: a condition that pervades public schools.

All in all, it’s quite simple to see that homeschooling is a more viable and less costly option for your child’s education!

Is Your Baby Suffering From Sleeping Problems?

When your baby has a problem sleeping, life in every form can become almost impossible for you! What’s frustrating is that the baby can never drop off to sleep during the nights or at anytime convenient for you! Here are a few tips on how to make your baby sleep calmly without spurts of wakefulness.

Music is one of the few lullabies that babies appreciate. Try playing soft peaceful music in the nursery, or even singing softly to the baby! Slow, soft and repetitive sounds are known to lull the baby to sleep. Try reading poems or bedtime stories to your little ones, even if they are too young to understand them. You’ll have your baby in dreamland in no time!

A lot of babies feel protected whilst they are being rocked or even held. Pace around the room slowly with your baby in your arms, and see him nod off. Babies also fall asleep during motion; a stroller ride or a drive in your car. This may be very frustrating since you’ve no liberty of falling asleep at this time! Try taking the baby for a short drive and then settle him at home!

You can also opt to use a rocking crib which fixes in place so your baby doesn’t get accustomed to this rocking movement at all times. Rocking cribs help your baby fall off to sleep, but don’t get them too used to this, since they’re likely to have a problem once they get older and shift to a bed that cannot rock.

Babies are quick to pick up on any changes in the atmosphere. Even if you’re anxious about your baby’s lack of sleep, try to keep calm and do not communicate this feeling to your baby. The baby will associate this strange feeling with sleeping time and be afraid to of bedtime or even scared of the dark. This leads to sleeping troubles which may last up to adulthood! When getting your baby to go to sleep, listen to some soft music to relax both you and the baby. This will create a safe state for your baby to nod off in!

If you’re currently in a routine that doesn’t seem to be working for your baby, experiment with changes to it. Try out different options; different sleeping time for the baby, both parents involved in putting the baby to sleep, napping during day-time, changing the baby’s feeding times and so on. If you try to fix the baby in with your own routine, you’ll have some serious problems with the baby!

If the above tips do not work in putting your baby to bed, it is best to seek your doctor or paediatrician’s help, so that there is no boundary left untouched in the quality care you wish to provide to your baby.

The Importance of Finding the Best Pediatrician

A common concern for any parent is finding the most qualified pediatrician for their newborn. At various stages of the baby’s life, he or she will need to see the doctor so you want someone you trust. Obviously, finding a pediatrician is of huge importance so to make the process easier, we wanted to provide you with helpful information.

Always remember that every pediatrician is different. Each doctor has his or her own way of doing things and a unique personality. Therefore, you need to choose a doctor that you click with and someone who has the same perspective of raising newborns as you do. As a new parent, you will have many questions so you need a doctor who is patient and willing to take time to answer them. There could even be times when you need the pediatrician in the middle of the night so the doctor you choose should be open to helping no matter the time.

We suggest that you do research and find several possible doctors. It is imperative that you sit down with each prospective pediatrician and have face-to-face time, not something you want to do via email or on the phone. Typically, this type of personal meeting will make the process of choosing much easier.

Never be afraid to ask about any licenses, certifications, or other accomplishments achieved by the doctor. Each school is also different, meaning their principals and level of teaching will be different. For instance, chances are that a pediatrician who trained at Harvard or the Mayo Clinic is going to have more current and intense education and training over a doctor that received his/her degree from a school in Africa. Regardless of where the doctor went to school, we strongly recommend you only choose one that is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics in that they have high standards.

It is also important to identify the different hospitals where the pediatrician works. For instance, you might have insurance that covers one hospital more than another so as long as the hospital you want to go to is good, then try to find a doctor that has an association there. Another consideration is how far the doctor’s office is to your home. If you have frequent doctor’s visits, then it would be more convenient to find someone nearby. One of the most important questions is to find out if the doctor will come to the hospital after the baby is born so you know your child is getting care immediately after birth.

Something that many parents are unaware of is that you can have more than one pediatrician. Often, parents will have a pediatrician and a specialist, especially when there are unique health considerations. Even if you have an amazing family doctor, this should not be the baby’s doctor in that he or she will not have the level of expertise needed.

Next, if you choose a pediatrician who is in practice with several other doctors, ask about the policy of which doctor would see your baby if your own pediatrician were unavailable. Once a name or names have been identified, set up an appointment to go in and actually meet the other doctor(s). This will provide you with peace of mind that you need. Some pediatricians also have practicing nurses or RNs that have special training with newborns so this too would be valuable information to have.

Make sure you discuss important issues such as certain immunizations and vaccinations. Some doctors are pro and some con. You do not necessarily have to agree with the doctor but you should at least understand why they may or may not oppose something. Working with your new pediatrician, you will learn about schedule for shots, nutrition, diet, and so on.

If you have no idea where to start your search for a qualified pediatrician, ask your OBGYN. If you deliver early or have not yet chosen a pediatrician the obstetrician can care for your newborn during the first six weeks. If the OBGYN is unsure, then talk to the staff at the hospital for recommendations. Of course, you can always perform your own online research. Some websites that offer a wealth of information include:

www.thehealthpages.com – The Health Pages
www.aap.org – American Academy of Pediatrics
www.docfinderplus.com – The Doctor Finder
www.abp.org – American Board of Pediatrics

Not only will these organizations provide you with names, but other information relating to training, education, history as a pediatrician, insurance, and more.

The Benefits Of Using Toys In Early Learning

The art of learning can be a mystery, how does the brain develop and how can the process be made easier? When children play with toys, much is being learned and the brain is evolving. The toy enables the child to enhance their imagination, hence why so much fun and pleasure is gained from playing with toys. The child is also learning about the environment around them and their place in the world.

The child will progress from having a curiosity for toys and enjoying the shapes and colors to actively having a use for them and creating little stories around them. Each toy will have a significant part in the development of the child with some toys having more impact than others.

Some toys are directly associated with a child’s development in different areas such as logic and visual concepts. These toys include fitting shapes into the correct hole and jigsaws. All very enjoyable but helping the child learn and in the development of the brain.

You can help in your child’s early learning by providing suitable toys to play with. This seemingly passive involvement in early learning is, in fact, very proactive and beneficial and will play a big part in development.

If you are not sure, where to find such toys, you can do a bit of research online to find recommendations. There are specific toys that will be advantageous for different ages, so you will want to make sure that you get the correct toy for the appropriate age group.

You can find this kind of information on toy websites themselves along with other early learning sites to give you an all round wealth of information. You might want to consider the toys which stimulate the brain for your early learning regime. These can include toys for associating sounds with animals and toys which are geared towards learning the alphabet.

Other beneficial toys can include helping the child to learn and understand everyday activities such as tying laces and other aspects of learning to dress. Other toys can help with the child’s dexterity for carrying out such activities.

These toys are great as early learning resources, however, standard toys can be extremely helpful too. As previously mentioned, toys help with creativity and to keep the child occupied. Every moment that the child is playing, they are learning new ideas and concepts with a little help from mom and dad.

Helping the infant play with their toys and give inspiration can really accelerate learning and will be a positive bonding process for you and your child.

Tips On How To Spot The Danger Signs In Your Pregnancy

For many pregnant mothers, the whole gestation period of nine months can be an uncomfortable ordeal. Mildly uncomfortable is OK. But if you’re uncomfortable all the time, this can signify some severe concerns. In any case, your physician will be able to give you answers and tell you if something is wrong or not in your pregnancy. There are several red flags that can alert a pregnant woman to some possible complications in the pregnancy. Here are a few to help you decide whether you need to get an expert opinion. With your baby nestled inside of you, it’s always essential that you err on the side of caution!

One in every two women experience nausea within half a month of their first missed period, which can happen one or more times in the day and keep on until the pregnancy is approximately twelve weeks along. In this case, it may be tough to realize if it’s just nausea caused by increased hormone production, or whether it is something more serious such as hypertension. Go see your physician. They’ll tell you. Don’t be afraid to look weak, when in doing so, you are actually helping yourself and your baby.

Having a serious abdominal or pelvic pain is more than a simple case of gastrointestinal upset. In fact, in the first trimester of your pregnancy, it could be one of the red flags signaling a tubal pregnancy. Basically, a tubal or ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg fastens to the fallopian tube and begins growth, rather than moving to the uterus. If this sort of pains appears later in the pregnancy, it could be a sign that the placenta has detached itself from the uterus.

When you find yourself going through such pain, get medical help immediately. Only a medical expert with the right knowledge and proper tools can tell you if something is wrong. You’re better off going to the doctor than keeping faith in ‘old wives tales’!

Pregnant women tend to get mild fevers quite a lot, which is absolutely normal. But when your fever spikes to more than 100F or 37.8C, then you have to get medical attention. Why? This is because any high fever caused by a viral infection can lead to premature labor, which is dangerous for the baby. However, it does no good to panic. Talk to your doctor on the phone, and ask them for advice.

Toxemia is a condition whereby toxic substances present themselves in the blood stream, and can by diagnosed by blurred eyesight, swelling around the eyes or the face, serious headaches, and in some cases, flashing before the eyes and sharp pains underneath the pregnant mother’s rib cage. The reason behind this could be eclampsia, which is a consequence of hypertension, and is sometimes harmless. The best way to find out is to get some test done.

The fetus starts moving after approximately sixteen to twenty weeks. These movements are felt by the mother every hour. In case the occurrence of these movements subsides or reduces, get on the phone and talk to your physician. There is a likelihood of fetal distress, but only a trained physician will be able to tell you after performing an ultrasound.

If bleeding or spotting occurs from the vagina before eight and a half months of the gestation period, get yourself to the hospital right away for some tests. This may mean that the amniotic sac has detached from the uterus, and should be sorted out fast! If you feel fluids leaking out, it is because you ‘water has broken’ and you should also get this checked out fast especially if it happens more than two weeks before the baby is due.

If you spot any of these symptoms, get yourself checked out as soon as possible. After all, most matters can be tackled with no long-term consequences if you deal with them at the right time, which is, of course, immediately!

How To Know When You’re In Labor!

It’s normal to have doubts and uncertainties about labor and all that it entails, and more so if you’re pregnant for the first time! It’s expected. However, childbirth always varies from one child to the next and from mother to mother. You’ll feel more at ease if you know more about the situation, and what to expect.

Braxton Hicks, also known as false contractions, are an issue that pregnant women have to be informed about as they have all the signs of labor and can be quite tricky! You may find yourself getting labor pains and running to the hospital, only to be told that these aren’t the real labor pains! This can be quite embarrassing, which is why most women wish to avoid false labor pains.

Remember, however, that there’s no reason for getting embarrassed. After all, there’s no proven way to determine the onset of labor as yet. The due date of the baby can be determined by diagnostic tools, but again, this date is only a close estimate. The earlier the pregnancy is detected, the higher the accuracy of the due date given. In fact, only an estimated 5% of pregnant women deliver on the date provided by the physician.

Some women deliver on time, others earlier or later by one or two weeks. There’s no hard and fast rule about when you have to deliver, and delivering early is not a sign of premature labor, no matter what you might think! The gestation period varies from woman to woman, and is only set at nine months which is the average term of a human pregnancy.

Nonetheless, there are some signs of labor that need to be heeded.

An expectant mother with her first fetus may notice the changes as her due date approaches. The baby shifts downwards slightly, into the birth canal, fourteen to twenty-one days before the first signs of labor. As pressure increases on the bladder, the urge to urinate occurs more often. Breathing also improves as the baby frees up the diaphragm.

In a second or later pregnancy, this shift is rarely felt by the pregnant mother, since it happens some hours before the onset of labor pains.

As an expectant mother, you may continue to feel some sort of mild contractions where the baby shifts position. Generally, this happens because increased production of some hormones can lead to neural reactions which cause contractions. After six months, such contractions occur more often and become more powerful as time goes by.

As these contractions increase, so does the energy of the expectant mother, which they try to expel by doing household projects, such as furnishing the nursery and so on. This is healthy, but don’t overdo it!

A clear sign of labor is when the small mucous plug which closed off the cervix at the time of the pregnancy stretches and tears apart, releasing pink mucous. This will soon be followed by the tear in the amniotic sac, called ‘breaking your water’. And then starts the process of natural childbirth. If you see deep red blood instead of pink mucus, go to the hospital immediately as it could be a signal of detachment of the placenta.

Now comes the hard part. Be calm, be collected, and you’ll soon have your baby in your arms!

How to Deal With Gastrointestinal Complaints in Pregnancy

Nausea is one of the most recognizable symptoms of pregnancy. There are some other conditions that also make themselves felt during pregnancy, as most of us are aware. So as a pregnant lady, what are you supposed to do to alleviate them?

According to statistical research, one in every two women suffers from some sort of nausea and vomiting which begins at approximately six weeks after the conception of the fetus, and lasts until the end of the first trimester (twelve weeks). Nine normal weeks under these circumstances can feel like nine weeks too long!

In most women, mild nausea occurs, which is quite ordinary. However, severe nausea is a symptom of hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. If you have extreme nausea, see your physician and get tested. If you start feeling nauseous after your second trimester, it can be a sign of obstructed bowels or bowel twist.

In these cases, it always helps to break down your meals. Take in lesser quantities of food at smaller intervals, rather than sticking to only breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fruits such as peaches, cantaloupe and berries will also do a lot to relieve nausea. Keep away from carbonated drinks and drink liquids in between meals to reduce expansion of your stomach.

Chances of heartburn also increase during pregnancy due to the increase of some hormones and other such changes in the body. The main factor leading to heartburn is said to be increased production of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the sphincter and pushes up acid into the throat causing nausea. It also slows down the process of digestion in the stomach, which is another factor to consider.

To ease the heartburn, expectant mothers should change their diet and give up all high fat foods, such as fried foods and chocolate (this is going to be tough!). Also, giving up caffeine, smoking and alcohol is essential. Raffinose produces gas, so reduce your intake of broccoli, lettuce and cabbage.

Antacids such as TUMS help. TUMS also contains calcium which is good for the bones. Also, when you suck on the antacids, the esophagus tightens, and this alleviates the nausea and heartburn.

Constipation is also ordinary in pregnant women and in women who have just given birth. Mainly, women who cannot expel once a day think they are constipated, although medically, it is defined as the inability to move the bowels more than thrice a week. Constipation can stem from either physical or psychological factors. Rectal tearing takes time to heal and causes a lot of pain, so women who have experienced it at birth tend to hold in rather than try to defecate. If the childbirth has been done through a caesarian section, temporary paralysis of the bowel may occur (ileus).

One of the ways that you can alleviate constipation is through walking, which helps by loosening the bowel as well as decreasing stress. Also, drink more water as well as other nourishing liquids. Taking of vitamins and mineral supplements is also helpful, in the form of calcium supplements and so on. According to physicians, pregnant mothers should keep away from commercial laxatives, unless the problem aggravates, in which case Docusate is sometimes prescribed.

Remember, if you take in the right foods in the right quantities and have a suitable exercise regime, then all your gastrointestinal problems and symptoms will fall to a minimum!

Guidelines on Ideal Exercises for Pregnant Women

Most women have a health regime which includes nutritious food and everyday exercise. When they become pregnant, it seems impossible to keep to this regime, especially in the later stages of their pregnancy. It is, however, essential that they continue to do some sort of exercise until at least the eighth month of their pregnancy.

Pregnancy leads to a lot of changes in a woman’s body. As you’re now eating for two, you’ll gain weight which makes for increasing difficulty in moving about. Also, hormone levels increase, such as estrogen and progesterone, leading to increased mood swings and causing softening of joint ligaments. This in turn, serves to put stress on the internal organs, back and legs. Combined with the weight gain, these factors lead to increased restriction of movement.

Also, you’ll tend to feel quite lethargic and a bit melancholy at all the changes in your body. However, doing the right exercises everyday can really alleviate the discomforts and enable you to prepare yourself for labor. It will also help your baby.

The first thing you need to do is sort out your priorities. Keeping your baby out of harm’s way while you exercise is your first priority. No more doing five miles a day, or performing Pilates for one hour. No way! Your exercise regime before pregnancy is too vigorous for your body now!

However, all is not lost! You can still retain parts of your exercise, but you’ll need to tone it down in line with the alterations of your body. Avoid all forms of exercise which put a strain on the back and the abdomen. Crunches: OUT! Exercise in smooth motions, since sudden movements such as squats can easily detach the placenta from the uterine wall.

Also, correct breathing techniques are compulsory whilst you exercise. Remember, you’re breathing for the two of you now, so if you have oxygen debt, so does your baby. And at this stage, your baby’s oxygen levels must remain constant for normal growth.

The first two months after conception will show a slight increase in the heart rate; about eight beats per minute. But as time passes and the baby grows, the volume of blood in your body increases and thus, heart rate will also increase. So keep this in mind when you’re doing any forms of cardio-vascular exercises.

Drinking liquids is very important to keep your body properly hydrated. It is better if you take smaller quantities of liquid at shorter intervals rather than drinking large volumes all together. The same can be said of food: smaller meals at shorter intervals for pregnant ladies!

Don’t start your exercise without warming up, as this can lead to muscle cramps. So begin with easy and light stretches, taking small breaks as required. You need to do some light cardio exercises at this time to improve your blood circulation.

Swimming is a good cardio exercise for expectant mothers. Pregnancy usually shifts the centre of gravity of your body, which can lead to straining of the back muscles and the spine, causing backaches. Swimming alleviates this too.

Another major preferred exercise for many pregnant women is Yoga! Yoga prevents stress on the back, at the same time ensuring that all the right muscles get stretched. It also enables one to be stronger mentally through meditation.

If you have a good health and exercise regime, you’ll be able to get your body in shape for the birth in no time at all! You’ll feel more energetic, enhance your blood circulation and even be able to decrease your heart rate! However, you have to remember not to overdo things. And if you experience any sort of giddiness, abnormal swelling or bleeding, stop the exercises and see your physician.

Having A Caesarian Section- Is It The Right Decision?

For thousands of years, natural childbirth has been the most ordinary form of childbirth. This is a process where the uterine walls contract, pushing out the baby through the vagina into its new world. However, a new concept of baby delivery by creating a gap in the abdominal wall of the mother was introduced a few centuries ago, and has remained the better option for women who cannot go through natural deliveries due to certain complications. Every woman who gives birth will experience some fundamental issues, of a physical and psychological nature.

There are plenty of considerations that need to be looked into before opting for either vaginal childbirth or a caesarian section.

First and foremost is the health of the baby. You may think that going through labor pains and the pain of a natural childbirth makes you a stronger mother, but this is simply not true. Natural childbirth is a risky business, especially when it becomes too long, painful and exhausting for the mother. The stress that the mother is experiencing releases hormones into the mother’s body which are harmful for her as well as her baby. Also, the greater the strain, the higher the chances of rectal tearing. This is another problem in the making.

Other possible dangers of vaginal childbirth include twisted umbilical cords, breech birth as well as other less known risks which can occur. Basically, a breech birth is where the fetus is in the wrong position for delivery. Usually, the baby is in the position to come out feet first, but other positions endangering the baby can also lead to a breech birth. A wrapped umbilical cord can easily cut off the child’s oxygen supply and strangle the baby. In these cases, forceps and other extracting tools and methods are required.

Sometimes the head of the fetus is quite big, and may lead to vaginal tearing, which requires a longer time to heal. Another risk involved in natural childbirth is the head of the baby getting wedged at the vaginal opening, which will endanger the baby’s life and the mother’s health if it remains so for a period of time. In this case, vaginal relaxation can be induced by the use of certain drugs.

However, it is also clear that doing a Caesarian section will not remove all the potential risks!

Creating an opening to remove the baby requires slicing through the abdominal wall all the way to the uterus. This is major surgery, and needs to be done under anesthesia. The caesarian section may not be as painful as vaginal childbirth, but it takes a much longer time to recuperate from. A scar is left behind, which is quite slight, but all the same, unwanted by many women.

Also, any and all drugs or medications taken during birth, such as the anesthesia, are shared by both mother and child. In some rare reported case, the anesthesia used for the caesarian section ended up causing long-term neurological damage to the baby. This can be dangerous.

However, all these risks are low when compared to the actual statistics of women giving birth everyday. In fact, more so than the past, more and more women are giving birth without any uncommon occurrences, either through vaginal birthing or caesarian section. But in the end, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of both can help pregnant mothers to make the right choice!

Natural Baby Toys-Creating Safe and Fun Items for your Child

For a baby to learn about the world, he or she is going to do a lot of exploration. Choosing natural baby toys is one way a parent can do something special to support curiosity safely. Since babies do not walk for about a year, they use their mouths and hands to learn about objects. Touching and tasting teaches a baby, things such as shape, texture, taste, and even sound. Obviously, it is perfectly natural and healthy for a baby to show interest in various things, which is why the toy industry is a multi-billion dollar empire. When shopping for toys, parents typically look for items that have development benefits to encourage both mental and physical growth.

As you look around, you will be amazed at the sheer number of toys designed specifically for the growth and development of children of all ages. One of the best choices you can make is by going with natural baby toys. Some of the more common materials used for toys such as this includes wool, bamboo, wood, and even cotton.

The problem with conventional toys is that the majority are made with plastic, which has been shown in recent years to contain harmful ingredients. A great example is polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which manufacturers used to create a flexible and soft toy. Another concern is phthalates, which are also dangerous. Tons of research has been conducted and the results confirm that some types of phthalates cause cancer, as well as damage to the liver and kidneys. Although these materials are harmful to boys, they are especially dangerous to girls, affecting not only reproductive organs but also premature breast growth. For children who have asthma, breathing in the chemicals is very bad, worsening the condition. Keep in mind that while PVC alone is not harmful, when this material is disposed of, dioxins are produced, which are the most toxic substance known.

Many toys on the market are made from cotton, which also put a baby at risk for health problems, again making natural baby toys a preferred choice. The reason is that cotton fields are sprayed with synthetic fertilizers and dangerous pesticides that are then incorporated into toy fibers. Sadly, more than 50% of pesticides still being used on cotton fields actually come with a label from the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency that reads “probable carcinogen”.

Babies notoriously put toys of all types directly in the mouth or they hold soft toys close to the body. Obviously, unless you use natural baby toys, your child is being exposed to toxins and chemicals that put him or her at great risk for immediate or long-term health problems. For this reason, we strongly encourage all parents to go with natural baby toys that are 100% safe.

Some Great Options for Natural Baby Toys

Instead of choosing toys made with harmful ingredients and substances, natural baby toys are made from things such as bamboo or wood. Not only are these materials strong and durable, they are also safe. Because both bamboo and wood last longer than plastic toys, there is less need for replacement. Many types of wood come from forests developed specifically to support a green environment. For bamboo, which is actually a type of grass, this material is harvested so no trees or grasses are destroyed. Once bamboo grass is cut down, it can grow to full maturity in only four years. Another tip when buying natural baby toys is to avoid anything that has been dyed, stained, or painted. Now, toys made from wood and bamboo cost more but they are worth the investment. You can look online for discount stores or even shop at thrift stores or neighborhood garage sales.

As far as natural baby toys made from fabric, the goal is to choose only those that have never been treated with any type of chemical. If you are creative and like to sew, you might even consider making your child toys. Dolls and stuffed animal patterns are easy to find and most are easy to make. All you need is an organic fabric such as wool or cotton, and with a little work, you will have several new natural baby toys.

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