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Non-Toxic Swaps Series Part 2: Baby Care

  • Apr 3, 2020
  • 10 min read

I think we can all agree that one of the first thoughts that crosses a new parents mind is "how can I provide the best for my baby?"

You would think that all things baby related would be made with safe & minimal ingredients, right? Sadly, they contain some of the worst offenders when it comes to toxic ingredients. This is so unsettling because

1) most don't think twice to check ingredients and baby products, and

2) little ones are so much more vulnerable to these toxic chemicals than adults- up to 10x more vulnerable, studies state. From shampoos, diapers, lotions, and balms, you should be mindful and aware of the ingredients you're using on your little one, and really, yourself too! Here are some common ingredients found in traditional baby care products: ❌ Fragrances & Phthalates: Fragrance is the scent and phthalates are what makes the scent stick to your skin. Both contribute to negative effects on the body, not limited to- hormone disruption, reproductive issues, developmental issues, skin & respiratory problems. Avoid these at all costs! Not to mention, "fragrance" isn't just one ingredient, but rather made of thousands of ingredients ❌ 1,4-dioxane: A common ingredient found in "tear free" products. What one would assume gentle, yet is a known carcinogen ❌ Formaldehyde: Another known carcinogen ❌ Parabens: This preservative is used to prolong a products shelf life. They disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Too much estrogen can trigger an increase in breast cell division & growth of tumors, which is EXACTLY why parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues You can find a full list of ingredients I always steer clear from on my post, 10 Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Your Skincare Routine. While it's important to know your ingredient no-no's, it sometimes can be easier to stick with the brand(s) you trust, since many "natural" and "gentle" products really aren't what they claim. And that's what inspired me to write these nontoxic series. No one should have to go to the store and wonder if the advertised "all natural baby wash" is really made with safe ingredients.

I've done the research, I've tried (many) of the brands. So take the guess work out of the equation and utilize what you learn in this post.

Just as everything in this series, and well, in life in general, nothing is perfect. We aim for progress, we aim to continuously educate ourselves on the best choices, but no one is perfect.

This guide is here to give you the resources for the safest options in multiple categories for your child. This guide is NOT intended to overwhelm you.

I've attached links for the products and brands I've come to use and trust, so you can easily add them to a baby registry, or save them in your amazon cart for the next time you're ready to replenish that item.

Let's start with the items we'll be using most frequently:

Diapers

What is it in diapers that causes concern? Well, a number of things..

1) Most disposables are bleached with Dioxin, which, in animal studies, caused nerve damage, birth defects, increased rates of miscarriages and changes to the immune system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified dioxins as a probable human carcinogen.

2) Sodium Polyacrylate, the super absorbent gelling material, or AGM, that allows your baby to go long periods in one diaper. Sodium Polyacrylate has been linked in the past to toxic shock syndrome, as well as allergic reactions, and it’s is potentially lethal to pets

Of note, many large diaper brand companies claim that these only occur in large doses, but why risk it, when there are affordable and better options out there?

Better Diaper Brands:

Cloth Diapers - probably your best bet. Why?

1) They're cheaper

2) They're better for the environment. An average child will go through 4,000-8,000 diapers in his or her life. From the trees that are used to make the diapers. And all the plastic, which is made from petroleum. All the chemicals used in the process. And the water. Then all that water and chemicals returning to the environment as waste.. I could go on

3) They're more absorbent

4) They don't contain any nasty chemicals like those listed above

Full transparency, and again, why this post is NOT met to discourage you. I never even considered clothing diapering!

Below are the non-toxic brands that I have tried. I am breaking down price, efficiency, comfort (presumed, of course), and style!

When it comes to price, it does benefit to browse different sites. Many sites have promotions for 30-40% off your first subscription, with a discounted rate for a subscription service. Even so, sometimes the item is cheaper on amazon or Target than from the company directly, such as The Honest Company.

The Honest Company

Pricing: Average $0.38 per diaper. While these are the priciest, I often stock up when Target offers a $20 giftcard for $100 spent in baby supplies. They also have 30% off your first subscription box directly through their site

Effectiveness: Great. Never had a leak

Comfort: Seemed great

Style: So many patterns to choose from! And they come out with seasonal patterns, too. Definitely one of the cutest

Pricing: Average $0.36 per diaper

Effectiveness: Great

Comfort: Seemed great

Style: Plain. Only came in white

Pricing: Average $0.23 per diaper

Effectiveness: Good as a newborn, lost effectiveness in larger sizes. It's a thinner material, so it seemed diapers filled up more quickly. Still good for daytime use, just may stick with another brand for night time

Comfort: Seemed good

Style: Pretty plain

Seventh Generation

Pricing: Average $0.32 per diaper

Effectiveness: Not good. Had multiple leaks

Comfort: These diapers had an awkward fit. They had a long crotch, for lack of better wording, so they didn't fit snug around the butt, which is probably what cause the leaks

Style: Ugly, in my opinion. They were this faded yellow color

Abby & Finn

Pricing: Average $0.25 per diaper. Their subscription service products a deeper discount as well. You can get $10 of your first subscription

Effectiveness: Great

Comfort: Great

Style: Multiple options to choose from, all very cute

Dyper

Pricing: Average $0.26 per diaper if you buy a subscription- the only option they offer

Effectiveness: Worked great

Comfort: Seemed great

Style: Plain. Just white

I also love that these diapers are 100% compostable

So my take? Well, I'll be completely honest. For most of these brands, I signed up for the first time discounted subscription box. That would last me a while. I would cancel my subscription and move onto the next one. Or, when Target offered their $20 gift cards with baby purchase of $100 plus, I would stock up on the better brands Target had to offer.

Looking back, the amazon subscribe & save on Earth's Eden Diapers and the Abby & Finn subscription do provide the best bang for your buck.

Wipes

I will say, I haven't found a wipe from any of these trusted brands that wasn't effective. I like them all, and again, it would be cheaper to shop around and buy in bulk.

Baby Personal Care

What I referenced at the start of this post included many of the offenders that are found in traditional baby wash, lotion, and creams. Mainstream brands including Johnson & johnson, Baby Bum, Cetaphil Baby, Aveeno Baby, Burt's Bees, Dove Baby, Babyganics all rate anywhere from a 3 to a 6 on the EWG Skin Deep Database. I broke down the EWG ratings, what they mean, and why they're the number one trusted source in determined product/ingredient safety in my first post, found HERE.

Now for some brands you CAN trust

Baby Wash:

Beautycounter- EWG rating 1

Attitude Baby Wash- EWG Verified

Everyone Baby Bath- EWG Verified

Baby lotion:

Everyone Baby- EWG Verified

Balms & Diaper Cream:

Beautycounter- EWG Verified

Personally, I choose Beautycounter for all of Lailah's personal care. It's effective, it's a brand I know I can trust; that screens against 1800 ingredients with known harmful effects, and the company is doing advocacy work in DC to push for new laws to create stricter regulations in the personal care industry. That's a company I stand behind.

First Aid

A few notes regarding first-aid:

1) You do not need everything on this list. These are just some items that are good to have on hand, as even that 2 day wait from amazon can be too long ;)

2) If you are every concerned about the well being of your child, contact your pediatrician. No information provided here is intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner

Immune Support:

  • One of the best things you can do to boost baby's immune system is to breast feed. Babies receive antibodies from breast milk that are highly protective

  • Vitamin D- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplementing infants with 400 IU daily of vitamin D. For optimal absorption, get a formula paired with k2, like the one linked aobve

Cold & Flu Support

  • Coldcalm Baby is a homeopathic remedy safe for babies 6 months & older. It helps relieve cold & flu symptoms, helping baby recovery faster. This brand is great. For adults, check out the cold support, flu support, throat calm, and cough support, too

  • Elderberry- Studies show that elderberry is effective at both flu prevention & treatment. Moms can pass the benefit of elderberry through breast milk until babies are older, in which they can have some elderberry syrup in a syringe. Just assure the syrup doesn't have any honey in it, as babies can't have honey until age 1.

  • Epsom Salt- relaxes the muscles in the chest cavity to help break up mucus. Add 1 tablespoon of epsom salt to bath water

  • Saline Spray- to remove allergens, irritants, and excessive mucus to help improve breathing. We like Zarbee's nasal spray, as it contains aloe to help soothe nasal passages

Note: Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control estimates that up to half of antibiotic prescriptions written in doctor's offices are unnecessary? And contributing to antibiotic resistance?

At first signs of infection, we incorporate Chinese herbs. The pattern of heat, which prevails itself via fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, and/or a rash, are the first signs of infection. Chinese herbs attempts to release that heat at an exterior level.

I won't go into too much detail here. If you're interested in learning more about Chinese herbs for babies, to cover all spectrums of illness, from cold, vomiting, ear infections, and more, check out Megan Garcia's Chine Herbs for Babies Course

We have several herbs in our medicine cabinet. But one that is worth having on hand for all mammas would be

  • Blue Poppy CQ Jr- antiviral & antibacterial, this formula is best used for first signs of cold or flu, which may present as runny nose, fever, sore throat, fussiness, loose stools, or a blue vein at the bridge of the nose ( a sign of weak digestion, often times )

Teething

  • Camilia- homeopathic remedy

  • Tender Teeth is another Chinese herb that used for teething pain and/or fever related to teething

  • Cold Wet Washcloth to suck on

Scrapes/cuts

  • Wild Thera Cuts & Scrapes Balm- Wild Thera Cuts/Scrapes balm is a natural blend of oils and herbal extracts for skincare. A salve like this is a must for minor cuts and scrapes to prevent infection and speed healing.

  • Calendula- the go-to herb for skin support and general skin issues. It can be used to soothe diaper rash, relieve eczema, and speed healing of cuts and scrapes.

Bedding

  • Flame retardants, formaldehyde, and benzene have been found in most mattresses and have been linked to health issues such as cancer, infertility, and developmental brain disorders. Again, the dose makes the poison, but if your mattress is off-gassing harmful chemicals, you're breathing in those toxins for hours every night. Here are a few safer alternatives:

  • Inexpensive, non-toxic crib

  • Non-toxic mattress- Unlike a plastic mattress, the organic cotton is breathable and allergy-friendly. It has dual sides, one firm for baby and one softer for a toddler, so while the price is up there, you'll get your moneys worth

  • Non-toxic waterproof liners

  • Organic crib sheets

Pacifiers

Most pacifier are made with latex, however, the safest options are 100% natural rubber, such as these brands

Toys

A 2008 study by Michigan-based consumer-safety program called the Ecology Center discovered that about a third of all the toys tested contained potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, phthalates, and other harmful substances.

Unfortunately, labels can be very misleading and even things labeled “eco-friendly” may not be the best choice. Look for toys that have a GREENGUARD certification. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and The Consumer Product Safety Commission are also excellent resources when shopping for safe newborn toys.

It may take a little detective work, but finding toys made without harmful materials is worth the effort, since babies tend to mouth, chew, or even teethe on newborn toys.

*All photos are clickable links*

With that said, the best toys for newborns are:

1) Wooden Toys

Because even BPA-free plastic can be harmful, the ideal toys are made of natural wood without any paint or stain.

Here are a few safe options:

2) Natural Rubber Newborn toys

They should say 100% natural rubber

3) Organic stuffed animals

Traditional stuffed animals usually contain flame retardants. These brands below are made 100% cotton and wool

When it comes to plastic, you’ll probably see a number in a triangle somewhere on the toy and/or the toy’s packaging. This number signifies the type of plastic used.

Here are the most common types of plastic:

  • #5 polypropylene: A low-risk, heat tolerant plastic; often used for yogurt tubs. It is a suitable plastic for newborn toys.

  • #2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE): This plastic is BPA-free, but some tests show it can affect hormone levels. Use with caution.

  • #4 low-density polyethylene: Use with caution.

  • #3 pvc: Do not use this type of plastic. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most dangerous plastics, according to a study published in The Science of the Total Environment. PVC is both carcinogenic and mutagenic.

5) Green Toys brand is a parent favorite, because it’s easy-to-find and made from recycled plastic

Carseat

I'm sure they may be some item or category that I missed, but I hope this list provides you some ideas, educations, and easy to find links that provide you everything you need to keep your baby protected.

If there is anything I missed that you'd like me to cover next, please feel free to comment below, or shoot me a message on Instagram @colleens_fitjourney

 
 
 

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