Non-Toxic Basics For Baby Care
The old adage is "less is more" goes a long way when it comes to products and well, anyone really. But especially new babies. As a new mom, the wellbeing of our baby and our desire to see our baby have the best is second to nothing. The market knows this well and, unfortunately, loves to use this to its advantage. So while some things should definitely be avoided, we can also avoid a whole lot of the overpriced fear-hype if you just keep the following in mind - and tune out as much of the rest as you can.
1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
As said by the Environmental Working Group, "every day, the average baby is exposed via body care products to 27 chemicals that have not been tested for children" Knowing what the big no no’s are can go a long way.
Even if you don’t get it perfect, a label scan will give you a clear idea as to what is in a product. A quick rule of thumb - if you can’t pronounce it, you should definitely google it to make sure it’s not something messed up. For example, Polyethylene, Formaldehyde, Propylene glycol, etc. are some of the chemicals present in most baby care products. These chemicals are unhealthy for your baby as they can result in serious health complications like severe skin and eye irritation for kids.
Things not to put too much weight in without reading a label are words like ‘natural,’ ‘earth,’ and ‘green’ without any deeper explanation.
2. Tear-free Every Time
Choosing a tear free baby shampoo really is the only guaranteed way to avoid irritation caused by shampoo sud during bath time. What makes a wash tear-free is the absence of sulfate. And not surprisingly, surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate can be less irritating to the eyes of an adult than a baby. Since sulfate isn’t great for your hair anyway, it’s best to skip this ingredient altogether for the whole family.
3. Avoid Synthetic Fragrances
It’s crazy how many baby washes and shampoos have fragrance - in fact, out of 174 of the best-selling moisturizers from Amazon, Walmart, and Target, a study found that a whopping 45% of the moisturizers labeled as "fragrance-free" actually contained fragrance. Kind of nuts. Especially when you consider that so many real health issues like asthma and allergies in babies are linked with synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances are also endocrine disruptors, causing serious screw ups with hormones that can lead to so many things including mental illness and anxiety, obesity, cancer, and more.
But let’s be clear - fragrances aren't bad, but synthetic fragrances are, as they’re formulated with synthetic chemicals. Phathates is a common example of hazardous chemicals often found in baby care products. The best way to avoid this altogether is to opt for a 100% organic product. Brands like Honest Company and whole family friendly Biossance are fantastic examples.
4. Select Organic and Plant-based Ingredients
Since so many inorganic ingredients can trigger respiratory and skin inflammatory in a baby's skin, staying free and clear from synthetic preservatives and other addictive chemicals is not only great for your baby, but great for the whole family as well.
Additionally, organic products are rich in natural antimicrobial ingredients and are low pH levels. And with baby care products, they often contain ingredients such as sunflower oil and lavender oil that prevent a wide range of skin problems. If you aren’t sure about a product or are looking for less toxic options, the app ThinkDirty is also a great place to research vetted, researched products across a range of price points.
