About

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My name is Alicia Voorhies and I’m a recently retired RN with a specialty in developmental disabilities, as well as the range of illnesses that accompanies this field of nursing. What started as a nice long sabbatical to spend time with my three children and pursue my passion for alternative health research, has turned into a full-time pursuit of all things non-toxic.

While searching for safe feeding gear, I realized how limited the information was and how few options were available. What started as a growing awareness of toxic plastics, became a mission to care for my own children and newborn nephews. A highly motivated search team grew out of my concerned family members and now we work together to find the highest quality non-toxic baby care products for our children and yours. We’ve accepted helping concerned parents to raise healthy children in the most natural way possible as our responsibility. We just know you’ll benefit from our research and personal experience! Read a little more about The Soft Landing Team here.

The Soft Landing Baby Blog is the place to find out about our most exciting new products, as well as helpful information on how to get the most from your non-toxic baby feeding gear. You’ll also find product reviews and comparisons gathered from our own homegrown research.

Whether you’re looking for Bisphenol-a free bottles and sippy cups or lead free bibs, we’ve got you covered from start to finish. Dive in and discover how making a few key changes in the products you use can give your baby the best health advantage possible.

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47 Responses to “About”

  1. Love the new look & feel of your blog and especially the valuable info you share! I’ve added you to my fave sites section on my blog :)
    Melissa
    Itsabelly Baby Concierge

  2. I read a safe alternative teether is “Sophie the Giraffe” by Vulli, the Europeans have used it for years. But I read somewhere else (institute for agricultural and trade policy) that “latex rubber nipples may leach carcinogenic nitrosamines”. Sophie is made of natural latex not synthetic latex which is what I think the warning is referring to??

    The Europeans are also big on melamine dishes for kids (hard lightweight plastic). Has anyone done any research on its safety?

  3. Hi Stacy,

    I just finished researching “Sophie the Giraffe” and found that they are indeed made from an all natural rubber, not synthetic latex. In fact, they are made from the same natural rubber as the Natursutten pacifiers are. We were impressed with the company and product, so we will have them available at The Soft Landing store in a few days.

    I’ve begun researching Melamine dishes also, and so far I’ve found no evidence of studies reviewing possible toxicity. I’ll update everyone when I find more information.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Alicia

  4. Just wanted to know how much I love your blog! I nominated you for “Best Health Blog” and “Best Parenting Blog” for the Bloggers Choice Award (http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/39253)

    Everyone go and vote!!!

    Good luck! And keep up the great work!

  5. Thank you so much, Wendy! I’m so excited to be nominated for a Bloggers Choice Award :) You are a great supporter and really make me feel good about the work I do researching safer alternatives for baby feeding gear.

    Sincerely,

    Alicia

  6. Great blog… I have switched from Avent bottles to Born Free since finding this blog and thank goodness for that!

    Do you know if elegantbaby’s: “My first rubber ducky” is bsa-free? I have tried getting in touch with the company a couple time and they have not replied which concerns me.

    Thank you
    Alex

  7. FYI: In an e-mail from Avent: **any comments?**

    What is Bisphenol-A, and what are the issues surrounding BPA
    AVENT is aware of the recent media reports focusing on Bisphenol A (BPA) and polycarbonate. We would like to help our customers better understand why many companies, including AVENT, use these materials to manufacture baby bottles.

    Polycarbonates are used in thousands of consumer products such as reusable food containers, lifesaving medical devices and sport safety equipment. Manufacturers of such products, including baby bottles use polycarbonate because it prevents cracking, shattering and other hazards that can lead to injuries. The key concern for parents is whether BPA can get into their child’s food through leaching from polycarbonate bottles.

    Various governing bodies have found as follows:

    * In November 2005 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reconfirmed the safety of the use of polycarbonate for food contact including baby feeding bottles stating that “based on all the evidence available at this time, the FDA sees no reason to change its long-held position that current uses with food are safe.”
    * Extensive reviews by the U.S. National Toxicology Program and independent scientists under the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis have determined that BPA used in consumer products does not pose a risk to human health.
    * International regulatory agencies responsible for consumer protection, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the UK Food Standards Agency, the German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment, and the Japanese Ministry of Health have all studied the use of BPA and concluded that it can be used in the manufacture of baby bottles.

    All plastics used in AVENT products are FDA-approved and recognized as “safe for food contact application.” AVENT Bottles are also independently tested in accordance with and comply with the latest European Standard for Drinking Equipment for Children-EN14350: 2004 which looks specifically at the acceptable daily intake of BPA for children. By looking to these acknowledged authorities, AVENT will continue to deliver the best products to customers.

    AVENT is committed to meeting or exceeding the standards set by the FDA and all other acknowledged authorities around the world. Our bottles have been and will continue to be used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide.

  8. Hello Alicia, - I have been a Traditional Naturopath & Whole-Life Extensionist for over 30 years. And the News About - Bisphenol A (BPA) is Not New!? I have been teling my firends and clients for 30 years to heat the baby-formula or whatever in stainless steel containers, then use Glass bottles, or If using Plastic bottles, wait till temperature is acceptable to baby; - and use as sson as possible. Never store anything (milk, juice, etc.) in plastic more than 3-4 hours or over night! Even if Not Heating, some chemicals are absorbed into the drink. - Also, I use a Microwave oven on a regular basis. Yes, I know of the multiple dangers. - But especially Never use Plastic bottles, Plastic Containers, or Dangerous PLASTIC-WRAP, when heating anything in the Microwave!! - Multiple poisons, including Bisphenol A (BPA, are inserted into the food! Also, the microwaves Do Alter the Natural Live Food Content. - This is not just my opinion but a fact. Thank You for Your’ Blog. And remember: “Gorillas-Dont-Cook”. — J Ward (jward52)

  9. I am very interested in any information regarding the use of melamine plates and serving pieces. These have recently gained in popularity and provide affordable style to many people. I hope they are not slowly poisoning them as well.

  10. are any munchkin products like pacifiers bpa free?

  11. Hi Marjorie,

    Melamine dishware is slowly becoming a topic of concern. I’ve dug into any and all research I can find. There haven’t been any studies done specifically to look at the possibility of leaching toxins into our food yet. I’ve come away with the general feeling that melamine resin, used to make dishes, seems to be a stable compound when cared for properly. But that’s the part that worries me - they manufacturers of melamine dishes specifically state not to microwave the plates, and yet everyone I know does exactly that. It makes me wonder if the plastic bonds will break down and end up leaching chemicals into our food after all. At this point, it’s really a “use your own discretion” with Melamine until we learn more.

    Alicia

  12. Hi Theresa,

    I wish I could answer your question about Munchkin, but so far they haven’t responded to my inquiries. I’ll keep at it and let you know what I find out.

    Alicia

  13. Hi Alicia,

    Thanks for asking me to join through my facebook group, ETHICBABY SUSTAINBLE BABY PRODUCTS.

    What a great blog. I switched over to glass bottles with my daughter about 8 months ago. It’s all so scary and when you start to really do the research, it’s even more scary! I’m so glad there are so many like-minded communities growing out here to share our knowledge and our worries with.

    We have just launched a new business called Zee Spot. We are wholesaling a line of organic cotton baby onezees, blank, so that others can print on them in 24 colours. We are getting so much interest because healthy and organic demand is growing so quickly!

    We also have new soothers on our website that are 100% rubber, no PVC’s, no phlthalates or parabens. They have been selling like crazy as people are getting away from all things plastic!

    I look forward to keeping up with all the new on here.

    Cheers, Kate

  14. Hi Alicia!

    Thanks for a great resource! This is an overwhelming issue…

    I just started looking into the plastic food container issue and cannot find anything on water boilers and plastic pouches [camelback hydration pouches, wine/ soup boxes etc]. I noticed that cuisinart does not promote their plastic water boilers on their website anymore, and I’m having a hard time figuring out what type of plastic these things are made of. I suspect the pouches may be silicone…?! Do you have any more info?

    Also wondering about the safety of using plastic bags/ ziplocks and other systems [eg. the plastic 'cubes'] for freezing [and storing] food and especially breastmilk.

    About tap water has there been any research on whether the PVC in our pipes get into the water? Should I let the water run for a minute before I use it?

    Take care,
    Mia

  15. Hi Alicia,

    Thank you so much for your website. I am so grateful for the information!! I never could have imagined how hard it would be to find out what we are actually purchasing for our babies.

    Do you know if KidCo freezer trays are non-toxic? I have been using them to freeze minced food for my 10 month old and noticed there is a #7 on the bottom. Scary!

    Also do you know about the Tupperware children plates (divided plates) and sippy cups if they are non-toxic? And finally the Gerber spoons with the soft, rubber-feel ends….?

    Thanks again for all of your research!
    Kerri

  16. I love your site, and I find the information very useful. I wonder if you might someday cross-reference where the various products are made. I try to ensure that my baby’s toys are free of toxic plastics, but I also want to avoid Chinese products. Many of the water filled Sassy teething toys are made in China, and I don’t find the thought of a product filled with water from China in my baby’s mouth that appealing. I’m probably being over-cautious. Not to say I don’t have Chinese made products, but I do try to avoid them. The JeJe teether & cool washclothes have been wonderful for teething, but I’d love to have something I could leave in the fridge like the Sassy Jellyfish.

  17. Very helpful website indeed.
    I am searching for non-toxic bath toys, this is a hard one and I thought perhaps I could find something here… BPA and phthalate free bath toys are hard to find.
    I have an 8 month old who puts everything in his mouth and bath time is no exception. Any ideas?
    I have purchased several items thru this site and would love it if there were a list of safe bath toys! Any thoughts?

  18. What a great suggestion, Meg! Your wish is our command :) We’ve added a list of pacifiers to avoid.

    As for bath toys, this sounds like our next expansion project for sure. We have a lot of parents with inquiring minds! I’m off to get started calling . . .

    Alicia

  19. Alicia,
    Thank you for all the work you do. Your website is a phenomenal resource and I have passed the link on to many friends!

    I am aware the vinyl shower curtains are another source of BPA. What is an alternative? Of course there are fabric curtains, but it is still necessary to have a liner and I don’t know of any that aren’t vinyl. Your thoughts on this are appreciated!

    Additionally, I would like to echo the comments of other posters and say that I would very much like to hear of some bath toys that are non-toxic. There are several European/German toy companies that make bath toys; are we to assume they are BPA free?

    Thanks again!

    Rachel

  20. I recently learned that liquid formula cans are lined with BPA and I have been feeding my 10 month old this type of formula at my pediatricians recommendation!! I am just sick about it. Does anyone know what I can do to remove the BPA from my infants system.

  21. Hi Alicia- Have you been able to find out anything about the BPA free bath toys?

  22. @Elizabeth: You have amazing timing! We just posted our initial findings for the Safer Bath Toy Guide.

  23. As the writer of the popular and informative parenting blog, The Soft Landing Baby Blog, I thought you might be interested in a NEW book, Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home by Christopher Gavigan, CEO of the nation’s leading nonprofit for children’s environmental health - Healthy Child Healthy World / http://www.healthychild.org.

    In a time where more than 125 million Americans, especially children, face a historically unprecedented rise in chronic disease and illness such as cancer, autism, asthma, birth defects, ADD / ADHD, and learning and developmental disabilities, it is important for everyone to begin looking for preventative measures and daily solutions to keep children and families safe and healthy. This book will act as an essential playbook for parents to create a healthy, nontoxic, and environmentally sound home.

    Building on the credible science and easy solutions, what sets this book apart are the long list of health experts and notable parents contributing their voices/essays. These contributing “voices” and stories are selectively added to the book to build on the approachable and fresh tone. Contributing folks include Meryl Streep (writing the foreword), Gwyneth Paltrow, Bill McDonough, Tom Hanks, Dr. Phil Landrigan, Tobey Maguire, Dr. Sandra Steingraber, Laura Dern, Dr. Alan Greene, Courteney Cox, Vanessa Williams, Erin Brockovich, Dr. Harvey Karp, Keri Russell, Brooke Shields, Dr. David Orr, Michelle Obama, Dr. Theo Colborn, Sheryl Crow, Gayle King and a quite a few more.

    I have viewed your blog for about a month now and was excited to get the google alert today discussing polycarbonate. I find your site to be informative and very insightful so it made the office very happy to see Healthy Child’s name on your blog before I got a chance to outreach to you; you were definitely on my list! :) I am very passionate about protecting the environment, particularly with regard to the way it impacts children’s health and have been working with Healthy Child Healthy World, a nonprofit organization that helps to spread the world about potential threats to children’s health and smart choices to protect them from exposure.

    Because of the synergy between your topics and our organization, we would be grateful if you would write a review of the book on your blog. If you agree, please respond and we will quickly send out a copy of the book for your review.

    Warm wishes,

    Meg Leidy
    ___________________
    Meg Leidy
    Outreach Associate

    Healthy Child Healthy World
    12300 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 320 Los Angeles California 90025
    P: 310. 820. 2030 | F: 310. 820. 2070
    http://www.healthychild.org

  24. Any info on safe plastic pools, for outdoor use?

  25. Do you have any information on Tupperware? Thanks!

  26. Hi Rachel,

    No we sure don’t, but ZRecs.com has done some serious research and you can read it here.

    Best,

    Alicia

  27. Hi Bobbi,

    Nope, not yet. But that is a fantastic question! I can’t wait to find out a little more about pools :)

    Alicia

  28. Wow, Meg! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! I would love to review Healthy Child’s new book.

    Sincerely,

    Alicia

  29. Do you know of any BPA-free and phthalate - free bath tubs for babies?

  30. Stephanie,

    Yet another great question! We just began our research in this area and hope to have more info for you in a couple of weeks.

    Alicia

  31. First of all, I absolutely love your site. I stumbled onto it recently and was so thrilled to find that someone could offer such valuable health information for all of us concerned parents.

    I saw there were a lot of comments about finding safe baby bath toys, and I wanted to share a post I wrote recently on my blog about a safe rubber ducky made from natural rubber (from rubber trees) and non-toxic paint.
    http://lookingforpenguins.com/a-smarter-rubber-ducky/

    Thanks again for your great site!

  32. Hello, Alicia!
    Thanks for an excellent blog. I have been reading diligently for several months and I appreciate all of the research you spare me from having to do! ;)

    I am wondering if you have any information on Ikea toys? They seem high-quality, but are they non-toxic? As far as the phthalates issue, I would assume them to be free due to the high European toy standards, but I know that a lot of their toys are manufactured in China, Vietnam, etc. I haven’t heard/read anything conclusive on their toys. Thanks!

  33. Great website- this is a find. There’s so much misinformation out there. I was curious about shampoo bottles and diaper rash tubing. Do you know if there are certain brands that use bottles and tubing that are not toxic?

    Thanks, Sandra

  34. Hi Alicia,

    I love your blog and wanted to encourage you to visit our site at http://www.eafree.com. In May, Lafe’s Natural Bodycare is coming out with the first ever EA free (estrogenic activity free) packaging for baby products. Hope you like it…

    -Jennifer

  35. Hello,
    I am not sure this is the right place to ask a question, but I am wondering about Avent breast pumps and their BPA content? I have the smaller, portable pump as well as the much more expensive electric pump and am wondering which parts to get rid of, and if there are any adaptable parts to make the pumps safer? I thank you in advance for any help, and really appreciate your site and online store (I am a repeat customer)…

  36. Hello,

    I am from Stony Plain, Alberta CANADA and have been doing a lot of research online to make informed decisions on BPA free products for my children and my home. I find it SO CONFUSING and DAUNTING and am quite sick at the thought of all the things we have used and the fact that for my first child I used the highest rated bottle!

    I have switched to born free glass bottles and LOVE THEM. Love the venting system, love the glass bottles and love the nipples. My daughter didn’t take well to bottles before I switched and now weaning her has been very positive.

    My biggest concern at the moment is the safest sippie cups and if the ones I currently am using have BPA. I saw the list that Playtex published about what is BPA free and what is not, but just want to completely go away from plastic all together. I would sleep WAY BETTER at night if plastic was out of my home! So far I am leaning toward Kleen Kanteen. Do you know the highest rated BPA free sippy cup that Mom’s rave about?

    My children use Playtex Insulators and Playtex sipsters? Can you give me any advice?

    By the way, I do agree that this is the best site for all information on products containing BPA and by far the best site for the safe alternatives that are BPA free.

  37. I’m a new customer and parent of a N/B and a two Y/O toddler. I wanted to state that I had a positive experience not only reading your various blog posts, but also shopping from your online store thereafter. I look forward to placing my next order.

    With the BPA scare, it’s very nice to be have an outfit like yours for one-stop shopping. You are definitely better than the bricks-and-mortar stores in my area. Very hassle-free.

    Sincerely,
    CG

  38. Thank you, Chris! It’s so fantastic to hear from parents like you - thank you so much for taking the time to share!!

    Sincerely,

    Alicia and The Soft Landing Team

  39. Hi, I was wondering if you have any information on safe foam playmats. I’ve been scouring the internet and have called/emailed several manufacturers, but so far have only found one option. In the UK. That appears not ship internationally. I would appreciate any leads and will pass along my findings, if you think your other readers would find them useful. Thank you so much for your site!

  40. I saw the new Dr. Brown’s BPA free bottles in the stores! Any comments/reviews on the new bottle??

  41. Lorraine,

    We just added the Dr. Brown’s polypropylene bottles to our store over the weekend and they’re flying off the shelves, but no feedback yet. Hopefully someone will let us know what they think!

    Alicia

  42. Alicia, just wanted to pop in and say hello. I found you via Green Parent Chicago, one of the recent additions to our green blog directory.. I appreciate the postings on BPA and making safer choices for babies as their health is too important to ignore..

  43. I’ve been using Similac liquid Organic formula for quite sometime now. Does the plastic containers which hold the formula contain BPA?

  44. Hi — thanks for all your information and advocacy about BPA free plastics for children. Like a lot of people, I think, my baby used avent bottles and nipples. I got the avent handed down to me from another mom — someone who always researches everything carefully — and it never even occurred to me that there could be something dangerous about them.

    Once I found out about the BPA thing, a saga unfolded, although thankfully it finally has a happy ending. I’m sending you this info because yours has been the best site as far as practical information about what nipples will match with what bottles — so important for mothers who are trying to switch their baby to a new system — but it doesn’t have much info on avent, the system a lot of us are trying to switch from. So, here’s our story.

    We tried green to grow bottles (baby wouldn’t take the non-venting nipple), we tried green to grow with nuk nipples (baby wouldn’t take the new shape and the nuk flow rates are really different from the avent: medium was way to slow, fast was way too fast); we tired green to grow with avent nipples (leakage). Grandparents bought gerber tall bottles with regular gerber nipples (no dice, baby spits new nipple out; mother doesn’t like tall, non-wide-neck bottle). Baby (and mother) are getting increasingly concerned will all this switching around of the feeding supplies and baby is eating less and whimpering more during feeding.

    We were getting ready to order “round three” of new baby bottles from ThinkBaby, when we found gerber gentle flow. These BPA-free bottles look just like the avent bottles and (best of all!) the avent rings and nipples fit them. (The nipples they come with also seems to work well, at least for my baby.) The package even says “comparable to the avent nursing system.” So far, I’ve had no trouble with the avent size 4 nipple (with avent ring) on the gerber gentle flow bottle. No leaks. Internet reviews that I’ve found indicate mostly similar good luck, with some concerns about the avent anti-colic feature of the nipple being reduced. (I’ve not noticed any more gas than usual with the new bottles, but every baby is different, for sure.)

    Finding these bottles has been a huge relief. I think it is really a great find for folks who are having trouble switching their babies from avent to a new feeding system. And it means you don’t have to pay avent any more money (e.g., by going the other option I could find, which is to put the avent ring and nipple on the BPA-free avent sippy cup, involving buying a bunch of sippy cups). It would be great if you could help pressure gerber to MAKE MORE. I’m on the west coast in Washington State and I haven’t been able to find them in stores here — they’re even hard to find on the internet these days.

    Anyway — mostly just wanted to pass on the info. Thank you again, very much appreciate your work.

    Elizabeth

  45. Greetings:

    I may have missed it …Is there any information available on when to replace baby bottles and/or if aging increases toxin release? When should they be replaced or is it necessary? Because of daycare rules, I must provide non-glass bottles for my baby. I’m using Born Free bottles but I’m concerned if using them over time increases the toxins that may be present. Also, do you know what type of plastic is used in their venting system (and ring)?

    Separately, I notice an ad here for lead-free glass bottles. I’m using Evenflo bottles - is there a lead risk? That would seem a bit much to be concerned with since many of us came up on glass but since I’m writing, thought I’d ask about it.

    Your blog is awesome and a great information source and one which offers comfort, especially for those of us who are first time parents.

    Thanks in advance for your help!
    Peace, Jaye

  46. Hi! I love your site and blog, and I’m very concerned about these chemicals in my children’s food and drink, as well as their toys. I’ve always made my own baby food, using Pyrex glass bowls; however I recently discovered on some of my newer bowls that the plastic lids that they come with, that you use in the microwave and for food storage, are marked with a #7 recycle triange. Does this mean that I’ve been passing BPA on to my children without knowing it?!?!?! I would hate to think that all of this effort was for nothing. Please let me know if you have any information on this. Thanks! Colleen

  47. I’m looking for soft flooring to put ontop of my wood floors, and my patio outside. It seems like the foam squares off-gas. Can you recommend some safe products?

    Thanks,
    Sherri

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