Made in China!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

After considering a very thought provoking post a week or so ago,
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/not-doodle-related-but-imp...
and my daughters desire to keep toxic paints and plastics out of her newborns environment, I started really looking at items I purchase and where I can buy them locally first.
I'm familiar with all the risks of dog treats and toys and am diligent in finding these items that are made In the USA. And they were actually not too hard to find, so I figured I would have the same luck with baby things.

However, I didn't expect it to be so hard to find things that were NOT made in China! Did you know even Fisher Price Toys are made in China? Baby storybooks? So many baby clothes, bath toys, even soaps and lotions! It's a bigger challenge than I expected and I am frustrated and even a little mad that Americans have allowed this!

Is anyone else committed to buying American and finding it a challenge?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I tried to buy American made shoes once. It was hopeless!  And I tried to buy only American made in general for a VERY short period of time too and it pretty much brought my purchasing to a HALT! I agree with what you are saying, it is shocking. And think of the control that it gives China over us! :(

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Exactly! We are at their mercy for even some basic needs! I never realized how bad it was. Now what to do about it? It's almost impossible to survive on only American made!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Funny this reminds me that for 40 years, my DH would only buy American cars for this very reason.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I try to buy all dog toys made in the USA along with most everything else but it is very frustrating.  I make sure and check the small print because it's amazing how a product will display the American flag but say.....made in China..........

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It's deceiving at best when they do that. But maybe they are getting the message that people are looking for American, even if they don't read the fine print.

[Christine & Camus]

Yes, I have found it a huge challenge to find products made in the US, particularly items for infants.  I spent many, many hours attempting to find baby gifts that were manufactured in the US.  I did eventually find some, however it has been most frustrating.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I only by American for the doodles on ALL products.  Yes it is very difficult to buy American for human items.  I am always so happy when I do find a product made in America :)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

It really is a challenge and a shame!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Unfortunately I think that to go Buy American and have much choice and not spend hours upon hours searching stores you will most likely have to resort to shopping on line for many things.  Here is one site that I came across with just a quick search.

 

http://www.all-americanbaby.net/index.html

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, I have been doing just that! Thanks for the link.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I recently read a story about a local man who invented a heated hose and had it manufactured for sale. I was sad to read that it was made in China--but then I read that it retails for $130 and would cost $360 if made here in the US. I think that our economy has gone down the wrong road for a long time and it will take some major changes to bring it back. Is anyone old enough to remember when Walmart advertised that all of their products were made in the USA? LOL!

[Leslie J]

I try to get my kids toys made in America- especially when they are young and putting everything in their mouth.  My belief is that their are more toxins on these toys that are made in China than we think.  Here are a couple of sights that offer toys made in America- you certainly won't find American-made toys at places like Toys'R Us!

http://toysmadeinamerica.com/

http://all-americanbaby.net/

http://toysofusa.com/infant-toys.html

As children get older, Playmobil and Lego are both made in Europe.

The toys are more expensive, but they last a long time.  I decided that it is better to have less toys that are well-made then a room-full of plastic junk.  I remember the teacher at my older son's co-op preschool telling us parents, "Complex Toys (i.e., lots of buttons, sounds, etc.) bring simple play, but Simple Toys (i.e., wooden blocks, balls) bring complex play".