Dec 9, 2008

Bringing up baby with safe and green toysBy Judy FortinCNN.com

Atlanta, Georgia — After last year’s massive toy recall, Stacy Duran isn’t taking any chances when shopping for toys this holiday season.

Neddie Bishop looks for safe, environmentally friendly toys for her 1-year-old nephew.

“I’m looking for toys that meet all the safety standards,” said Duran, 41, of Atlanta, Georgia.

The mother of a 3-year-old girl, Duran has done her homework. She’s spent many hours online looking for products that are not only safe but environmentally friendly.

“I find that some of the safer toys are more expensive, but it’s worth it to me,” Duran said. “I will pay more to ensure that my daughter is not playing with something that contains harmful plastics or harmful lead in the paint.”

Duran isn’t the only parent who has become more vigilant about what type of products she’s buying for her children.

Dr. Alan Greene, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, has some advice about choosing safe and organic toys.

In his book “Raising Baby Green, The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care,” he tells parents to take the time to examine the materials used in the toys.

“Choose natural toys, and those might be toys made out of solid wood, especially if it’s not finished or has a non-toxic finish,” Greene recommended. “Toys that are made out of fiber, such as cotton, especially organic cotton, wool or hemp, or toys made out of bamboo can be really nice choices.”

He warned parents to beware of wooden toys made from pressed wood or particle board.

“Some of those will have toxic substances in the glue,” he noted. “Unless you know it is safe, I would skip that this year.” Watch more on choosing baby-friendly toys »

Greene said toxics can be found in certain plastic toys, too. He worries the most about toys and baby items containing phthalates, PVC and bisphenol-A.

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