We all want and need to make changes to help protect our health and environment, but with an ever increasing minefield of green and ethical claims out there, it can be hard to know which brands we can really trust and those which will really make a difference. Independent and respected awards and accreditations give an easy way to weed out the true green brands.

The organic and natural feminine hygiene brand, Natracare, has once
again been recognized for its ethical and environmental credentials
having been given an award from the Ethical Company Organisation, a
fully independent endorsement which outlines the ‘premier league’ of
genuine corporate social responsibility and ethical companies. During
the analysis Natracare achieved an outstanding Ethical Accreditation
Index score, which places it at the top of the table for the Sanitary
Protection sector.

The Natracare brand philosophy has always been
to provide products that never compromise health or the environment.
Many brands of sanitary protection contain crude oil plastics,
synthetics, harsh chemicals and even dioxin residues, which can cause
intimate irritation for women and thousands of years of pollution for
our global environment. All Natracare
tampons, pads, liners and wipes are 100% chlorine-free, plastic-free
and crude oil derivatives-free. In addition to the new Ethical Award
and a Women in Ethical Business award, Natracare is the first feminine
hygiene brand to have obtained an International Environmental Product Declaration (EPD[1])
a scientifically validated, independently-assessed life cycle analysis
which determines the carbon footprint of the products as well as a
Green accreditation officiated by the Nordic Ecolabel organisation. The entire range has been awarded the LOHAS award
for its environmental and sustainable criteria. The comprehensive
Natracare range is designed so that certified organic 100% cotton is
next to your skin. The range includes Soil Association certified
Organic 100% Cotton tampons with and without applicators, organic and
natural Ultra pads and Panty Liners, Organic Cotton Intimate Wipes,
Organic Cotton Baby Wipes, Nursing pads, Maxi pads and Dry & Light
Pads for sensitive bladders.

It was
World Breastfeeding Week from 1^st
to 7^th
August 2009. Recent information released by the Office of National
Statistics has shown that breastfeeding is finally on the rise
increasing by 7% to 79%¹
of all newborns, and with a spate of celebrity mums expecting this
summer, Natracare is encouraging all new mums to try and breastfeed.

Many
breast feeding mothers are using protective nursing pads that are
made from materials derived from the petroleum industry, such as the
plastics; polypropylene, polyethylene and super absorbent gels, which
will taint baby’s milk as residual odour
from the plastics transfer to the nipples and then to the baby’s
mouth during breast feeding.

The
Natracare nursing pads not only make the breastfeeding experience
more comfortable, because they are extra soft and absorbent, but
also, because they are made from totally chlorine free, plastic free,
natural materials, they are biodegradable and compostable, meaning
that your child is not left with a plastic waste legacy as he or she
grows up.

Important
news for mums who are breastfeeding or planning to is that
Natracare’s New Mother Nursing Pads was recently awarded the
accolade of being the “Best Eco-Friendly Breast Pads” by the
independent TIPS organization managed by midwife, Sharon Trotter
(www.tipslimited.com) as well as having been awarded a string of
environmental and ethical awards of excellence including most
recently the Ethical Company Organisation.

Breastfeeding
benefits

• Breastfeeding
  is linked to more positive parenting

A
recent study of over 1,000 mothers has shown that mothers who
breastfeed their babies have a better bond with the child and boost
their educational development.

• Lungs
  boosted by breastfeeding

The
sheer physical effort involved in breastfeeding may leave babies with
stronger lungs well into childhood, researchers suggest.

• Other
  benefits

It
is also widely acknowledged that breastfeeding helps protect your
baby against ear
infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections, urine
infections, childhood diabetes, eczema, obesity and asthma. In
addition it can protect mothers against ovarian cancer, breast cancer
and weak bones later in life as well as helping to shift baby weight.

Over
the last 20 years, Natracare has established a trusted reputation
amongst women seeking an organic and natural, chemical-free choice in
sanitary protection. Natracare offers a range of totally chlorine
free, plastic free, certified organic cotton tampons, organic and
natural sanitary pads and liners, organic cotton intimate wipes and
baby wipes, incontinence pads, nursing and maternity pads. The
Natracare New Mother Nursing Pads sell
at £2.15 for 25 and the Maternity Pads are £2.19 for 10.

Many
hygiene products available to women and babies are made from
materials and chemicals which have a negative impact on both women’s
health and the environment. The
entire Natracare range is made from high quality, natural and organic
ingredients, and are great value for money.

Natracare
is available nationwide in independent health stores, independent
pharmacies, and Waitrose.

1
ONS Infant feeding survey 2005