Registry Request- No Plastics

earthycrunchymama · January 2010

along the same line of the "no clothes" -

is it tacky to request no plastics toys/gear unless bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free???

I don't want to sound anal or something to people, but I've already specified that to immediate family and one of the first things my sister got was a plastic teether. Confused

I have a genetic disease (with a 50% risk of passing it on) that has an environmental component, so naturally I want (and need) to be very careful about chemical exposure with my child. reactions to toxins has always worsened my own condition, so knowing what its done to me, I'm naturally going to be very careful.

my family says to "take what I am given and be grateful" - and its not that I'm ungrateful, I would just rather have "less stuff" (and gifts) and know that what I do have is healthy.

I"m registering for the types of products I want - wood or cloth toys over plastics, glass baby bottles, "safer" (and tested) plastic materials for feeding, etc.

and things I'm very concerned about like bedding, etc I've purchased myself - and will do the same with the mattress.

but I don't know if it's rude to note WHY I'm asking for this on my registry... I"m sure I can do it tactfully! Confused

StellaStellina · January 2010

i dont think that is rude at all.

CashewsMommy · January 2010

Same with the no clothes request, I do think it would be a little rude to request things you don't want. The friends and family members that know you will already know about the plastics... but the people that don't buy off your registry will still buy things thinking of you. Try to return them, donate them or sell them.

FROGGSS · January 2010

i AM GOING TO PUT ON THE "NOTES" PART OF THE REGISTRY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GO GREEN...ALL ORGANICS PLEASE.

KSEDmini · January 2010

To be honest, I don't think most people would really know how to check the ingredients used in plastic on a lot of items. Will you be checking all the items you get to make sure it's free of all those things? If it's a big deal for you (understandably so) I wouldn't trust that what people give me is checked. I would register for what I find to be safe and take back anything that I didn't register for.

sarahbear · January 2010

Return or donate what you don't want. If people ask the hostess what you want she can pass along the message.

BarbieNCSU · January 2010

Leah&Jack:
Two options - 1. Return items you can't use, and 2. Have your shower hostesses send out the request.

amandydean · January 2010

Considering you have legitimate concerns (and not just being "picky"), I would ask your shower hostess to communicate it to everyone. Not necessarily on the invitation, but perhaps by a phone call followup to all who RSVP.

Then, if you are able to make a note on your online registry, maybe a quick "Due to potential sensitivities, the doctor has advised no plastics for baby."

GreenieTA11 · January 2010

Not necessarily rude but difficult to accomodate for some, maybe?? Not everyone buys off the registry ... or even looks at it!! I would register for what you want ... take the extra stuff you didn't want with a smile, and return it for what you really want!

ariel06 · January 2010

sarahbear:
Return or donate what you don't want. If people ask the hostess what you want she can pass along the message.

I think putting it on your registry probably wouldn't do you any good because the people who won't buy off the registry probably won't look at it either.

babypuplove · January 2010

Most plastic items (bottles, sippy cups, spoons, etc) that are on the market now are BPA Free. I really can't think of anything that we've used with DD that doesn't say "BPA Free" on it. I wouldn't worry about it. On the off chance that you get something that isn't on your registry that contains BPA, just get rid of it. I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to ask people not to buy certain plastic items. Also, people who don't use the registry often buy or make clothes/blankets/etc, so nothing that is plastic to begin with.

CarolinaKatie · January 2010

A LOT of plastic stuff is BPA free now. If you get it, check. If it is not, try to return it. Wal-mart took back a lot of my stuff I know came from BRU which I didn't have receipts for. Between trying BRU, target, and walmart, I was able to return doubles or stuff I didn't want without receipts. Or a lot of people will give you the gift receipts.

I know BRU has a place you can put a message to people looking at your registry. Maybe write something like "due to genetic condition, please no plastics unless BPA free." That might sound better than just "no plastics please." Same goes for your shower. Maybe the hostesses can send out and email to guests with that info or put a note in with the invitiation, mentioned that all safe plastics are on your registry.

eschall · January 2010

I say you put the word out to shower hosts and keep it out of writing. You can probably return most things. Even with it in writing, many people are stuck on "that gift" they have to buy you. Anything you can't return, keep and re-gift to friends or co-workers.

Along with the BPA plastics, also watch out for the pajamas with fire retardant in them. The retardant (mostly in footie fleece jammies) has been proven to cause environmental health issues just as bad as the BPA plastics. There was a big study done by Harvard's health science department on it. Just thought I'd let you know with your condition and environmental awareness.

ToBeMcInerney · January 2010

I am sure if you worded it correctly it wouldn't be rude...

'Do to health concerns we are asking for no plastic toys" or something along those lines. If I saw it I wouldn't think it was rude...

sucrets4 · January 2010

I feel like anyone close enough to get invited to a shower would be close enough to understand what disease you're living with and not need to be told those restrictions.

I wouldn't put it in writing and I think you should graciously accept whatever gifts you are given, even if you decide to exchange them later.

MrsBalletStar05 · January 2010

This is the reason I always buy off the registry. I figure there is probably some good reason people registered for the stuff they did.

I changed my registry the other week.....I changed it to diapers and wipes only. And gift cards. I made a note that said if anyone would like to buy something for the baby, that we'd love diapers, wipes, or gift cards for formula. But hopefully people realize that I'm on my 2nd boy and I don't need much stuff :-)

I say just make the note, but if you get anything that is plastic, you can always return it....i returned a bunch of duplicates to Wal-Mart without receipts and used the store credit to buy diapers and formula (can you TELL what's important to me? lol).

earthycrunchymama · January 2010

eschall:

Along with the BPA plastics, also watch out for the pajamas with fire retardant in them. The retardant (mostly in footie fleece jammies) has been proven to cause environmental health issues just as bad as the BPA plastics. There was a big study done by Harvard's health science department on it. Just thought I'd let you know with your condition and environmental awareness.

yes!!! I'm very aware of this!!! I did a paper on it last year for school (I'm an environmental science and health major!) this is why I am doing the bedding and such myself, also researching when choosing car seats/strollers etc as those can contain flame retardants and questionable materials - graco just did a huge infant car seat recall from some chemical damaging babies skin!

I am throwing clothes on my registry that are lower priced organic hoping to avoid some of these issues.

many products are now labeled BPA free when they are (but of course ones that aren't can't!) but the phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) also worry me. very rarely do they label products free of those as well. BPA has just been made a bigger deal of.

I'm very worried about teethers and such especially more so then toys since those ARE for the mouth - even though toys often end up there too. Confused

earthycrunchymama · January 2010

I'm thinking of having the host also make people specifically aware of the registry because I've chosen products (that I am writing notes next to as I register) to make things easier for me due to fine-motor/hand strength problems. Some people might not realize that no, I can't fold small objects like baby spoons so I'm specifically asking for certain products to make it easier on ME - not for looks.

maybe if we tied it all in some how of needing these items for the health of both of us, people would understand better?

many of my friends live very green anyway and wouldn't consider buying the things I'm afraid of. it's mostly my mom, sister and grandmother that I expect to not listen.

kode0710 · January 2010

I think you should definitely make it known what you don't want.

I will be asking for "no plastics" for presents etc, I feel it is an ethical issue as well, since as most of it ends up in land fills.

Bride2bMO · January 2010

Only because it's for medical reasons, I don't think it's tacky. In any other case, yes, waaaay tacky. This coming from a cloth diaperer who loves natural toys and clothes, but I've never given out stipulations. But for you, understandable.

lytedark · January 2010

i think the best you can do is put a note on your registry about your plans - ours says something to the effect of 'we're having a baby girl!! we are planning to cloth diaper and are trying to choose natural/eco-friendly items' to give people a head's up not to buy a ton of pampers.

aside from that and letting the people you're closer to know your plans yourself, there's not much you can do. if you still get things you'd rather not give your child (which i'm sure you will because i feel like it's inevitable really) return what you can and donate the rest if it's something you'd really rather not use. :-)

mommyrenee · January 2010

I dont blame you there at all, since its a safety issue. We use BPA free or glass only. Im not registering this time, but I just wanted to add you may not need to worry about it. No one purchased any type of bottles or feeding things that were NOT on my registry. So if you register for what you want, you may not have a problem. You can always try to return unwanted items or donate them.

AmandaJane1 · January 2010

its definitely not rude! we are requesting no plastic unless BPA free too, and I'm not in the same boat you are in terms of aggravating a potential condition. If you feel comfortable saying why it is so important, than go ahead- it might help people take your request more seriously. Otherwise people may blow it off. However, what you want for your child is your business and if all you say is "no plastics, unless BPA free please" then people should respect that even if you don't give a reason.

if people don't listen to your request, you can just return the things you don't want.

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