Choosing Safer Baby Products

OK, so I’m not usually the organic, earth mama type, but I learned a little bit at my local ECFE class about chemicals in everyday products that I use for my 18-month-old that frankly scared me. First, I’ll start with myths that even I bought in to just a few weeks ago:

Myth: If it’s for sale, it must be safe. Fact: The FDA does not review or approve most of the products or ingredients that we buy every day. What? I guess I just assumed this was their basic function.

Myth: The government prohibits dangerous chemicals in personal care products. Fact: Cosmetics companies can put basically anything they want (with the exception of color additives and a few prohibited substances) without government review or approval. Again, what?

Myth: Products that are “hypoallergenic” are safer. Fact: 81 percent of children’s body products that are marketed as “gentle” or “hypoallergenic” contained allergens or skin and eye irritants. For the most part, companies are not required to back up these marketing claims.

Myth: Natural and organic products are always safer. Fact: Again, these are just marketing claims and there is no FDA official definition for what is “natural” and products that are certified organic can have as little as 10 percent organic ingredients.

Children are especially vulnerable to chemicals because they have thinner skin, breathe in more air contaminants relative to their size and are constantly sticking things in their mouths. A review found that 77 percent of ingredients in childrens products have not been assessed for safety. We know that chemicals from cigarette smoke cause cancer, so shouldn’t we try to limit the chemicals we are exposing our kids to just to be safe?

I guess my thinking is that if I have the knowledge and can make an easy switch, why not? So, here is a list of baby products that are readily available and are considered relatively safe. Oh, and I double checked that all of these products are available at Target.

Safer Baby Products

Bubble Bath: Aveeno Soothing Baby Bath Treatment, California Baby Bubble Bath Calming

Lotion: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Organic Baby Body Balm, California Baby Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion

Shampoo: Mustela’s Dermo-Pediatrics Stelatopia Cream Cleanser, California Baby Calming Shampoo & Bodywash

Wipes: Pampers Wipes Natural With Aloe, Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes Fragrance Free

Diaper Cream: Vaseline for Dry Skin Petroleum Jelly Jar, California Baby Diaper Area Wash, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

Sunscreen: California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

All of these products have a rating on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being the safest. If you are curious how the products you are using stack up, check out this cosmetics database. In fact, I got all of the information used in this post from this website. They also have tips for choosing safer products for babies and young children. Now excuse me while I get back to hugging this tree over here. :)