Bathing
Bobbi Wilding, MS
BATHING/Personal Care Products

Overview

Everyone loves a sweet-smelling baby. Fortunately, you don't need any added fragrances from personal care products to achieve this! There are a lot of strongly-scented products available on the market. You don't need much to care for baby's hair and skin. A simple cleanser, moisturizer, balm for rash, and sunscreen can be enough.

Hidden Hazards

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics identifies key chemicals of concern in personal care products for babies and toddlers. These include formaldehyde releasing preservative chemicals that release formaldehyde into the product to protect against bacterial contamination (such as DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and Ureas) in the product react to release it into the bottle in your bathroom), 1,4 dioxane, benzophenone, butylated compounds (BHA, BHT), ethoxylated ingredients, homosalate, oxybenzone and octinoxate (both UV filters), lead and other heavy metals. Baby powders can be made with talc, which can be contaminated with asbestos and to contribute to cancer.

Other Considerations

Before you have your baby's (or toddler's) face painted to be a tiger or superhero or fairy, consider that children's face paints have been found to contain a number of chemicals of concern, including heavy metals.

Recommendations

The following products are certified by MADE SAFE:

Alaffia

Clary Collection

Everden

healthynest

Kate McLeod

MamaEarth

Oilogic

Pleni Naturals

The following are MADE SAFE certified sunscreens:

* These products are fully fragrance-free.

You can also use simple materials in place of purchased products: organic coconut oil can moisturize skin; if needed, corn starch in a handy container, can replace baby powders.

References & Resources

Learn more about chemicals of concern in personal care products from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Read about chemicals of concern in children's face paints in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, "Pretty Scary 2."

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.

Questions about fragrances in these products? Learn about MADE SAFE's method for addressing essential oils and other fragrance ingredients.

Feeding
Lizanne Hart
FEEDING/Baby's First Foods

Overview

There are a lot of ideas about what should constitute a baby's first food. Do you make your own? Buy prepared food? Oatmeal? Cereal? Banana? Whatever baby reaches for?

Hidden Hazards

It's no secret that pesticides used in agriculture can end up in foods. Other chemicals present when crops are grown can also end up in foods. Such is the case of arsenic in rice. Arsenic is present in rice paddies due to natural variations in soil, and from historic use of arsenic as a pesticide. Rice cereal can contain up to six times the levels of arsenic as other grains. Refined foods can pick up chemicals and materials used during processing and in packaging. This includes phthalates and bisphenols.

Other Considerations

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce foods or beverages aside from breast milk/formula until babies are six months old. Babies benefit when nursing continues through at least the first year of life, or longer.  

Recommendations

When choosing a first grain, skip over rice. Oatmeal, quinoa, and barley all have much lower levels of arsenic. If you are buying prepared baby food, consider food packaged in glass with bisphenol-free lids. Next best is solid polypropylene plastic, and least preferable are plastic pouches. Pouches in particular are very challenging to recycle due to their many layers. If possible, choose organic foods. You can reduce chemicals from processing by preparing your own simple foods by pureeing fresh fruits and vegetables, best in a blender with a glass jar. Don't have access to organic food? Check out EWG's high and low-pesticide conventional foods to reduce pesticide exposure.

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers. 

Healthy Babies Bright Futures tested infant cereals for arsenic. Learn about what they found and safer alternatives.

Environmental Working Group tests produce for pesticides.

Feeding
Lizanne Hart
FEEDING/Pumps

Overview

The benefits of breastfeeding are great. Breastfed infants face a reduced risk for sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, gastrointestinal infections, and respiratory infections, and are less likely to develop chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity, lymphoma, and types 1 and 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding also has short- and long-term brain development benefits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with continuing nursing as solid foods are introduced through at least baby's first birthday or longer. Around the world, nursing often continues for several years beyond this.

Exclusive breastfeeding can be a challenge for some women - breast pumps help those moms provide all or most of their babies' milk. Even if mom will be staying home and nursing directly most of the time, there will likely be times they'll want to express milk and store it for later. In response to this, there are many pumps available, ranging from simple hand pumps for occasional use, to electric pumps that allow both breasts to express at the same time. Even better news: the Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover the of cost breast pumps, and though the extent of coverage can differ between plans, you should look at insurance coverage before you shop, so you know what will be covered. Breast pumps and breast feeding support are also provided under The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). 

Hidden Hazards

While the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 required children's toys and care items to stop using certain phthalates, items for adults, including breast pumps, do not fall under that restriction. Some tubing is still made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),  Bisphenols may also be used - many companies will list being BPA-free, but not whether they also avoid similar compounds.

Other Considerations

The features you'll want vary based on how you plan to use it. Consider whether you'll have flexibility in which bottles you attach to the pump (the size of the mouth of the bottle makes a difference). If you'll be pumping occasionally, you may just want a hand-pump, which takes longer to use. Electric pumps vary on whether you can use a battery, if the airflow that creates suction is open (meaning liquid can get into the tubing) or closed (the tubing will stay dry). Some only let you pump one side at a time, some will do both (and there are hands-free pumping bras that may assist).

Recommendations

Look for a model that meets your needs based on use, and that avoids phthalates (and preferably all polyvinyl chloride - PVC) and bisphenols. The information about the materials used by breast pump manufacturers differs significantly and is often deep in the FAQs on their website (not in their product descriptions for retailers).   

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers. 

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding via the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Diapering

DIAPERING/Wipes

Overview

Just like you can choose cloth or disposable diapers, the same is true for wipes. Small washcloths or squares of flannel, dampened, can make excellent and reusable diaper wipes.

Hidden Hazards

Baby wipes often contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, chlorine, allergenic phenoxethanol, and polysorbate-20 and PEG chemicals, which can release 1,4-dioxane. In addition, traces of allergenic hydroquinone may be present in baby wipes, as this chemical is used to produce tocopherol acetate, a common ingredient.

Other Considerations

You can use waterproof bags to contain washcloths as you travel.

Recommendations

MADE SAFE has certified the following products:

Caboo

healthynest

Natracare

Everden

Pleni Naturals

Choose unscented wipes that are also free of dyes. Several baby wipe brands now offer biodegradable wipes with safer plant-based ingredients and disclose all ingredients.

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.

DIAPERING/Changing Location

Overview

The secret is that your diaper changing location doesn't need to be it's own thing. It could be the top of a dresser, on which you put your travel changing pad. It could be a pad on a bed. It could be the floor (no one has fallen off the floor yet!). It doesn't need a wipe-warmer, or a special curved pad. And you don't need a fancy diaper-only garbage can. It's helpful to have a changing station in your home so diaper changes can happen quickly, and as long as it has the basics, you're good: a pail for diapers (either a wet pail for cloth, or a garbage pail with a lid for disposables/wipes, a stack of diapers, some wipes, and a surface for baby.

Hidden Hazards

Foam changing pads are usually made from polyurethane, and may contain flame retardants or other harmful additives. Composite wood changing tables may contain formaldehyde. Wood finishes, including paints, can contain solvents and volatile organic compounds.

Other Considerations

When choosing your changing location, take into account who will be changing the baby, and if you need a place above the floor, make sure all wipes, diapers, and garbage are in easy reach so the parent or other caregiver can keep a hand on your baby.

Recommendations

Save money and waste by choosing a location that will have a later function, like selecting a dresser that is a good height for changes but will be the baby's as they grow.
When shopping for nontoxic baby furniture, it’s important to select nursery furniture manufactured from solid wood because you don’t want furniture that’s made with glues, formaldehyde, and veneers. Look for real wood (not engineered wood, composite board, or particle board) without smelly, toxic glues and chemicals. A used, solid wood dresser (as long as it does not have leaded paint) can be a great option on a budget - and can always be painted by someone other than the pregnant mom-to-be to match your room.

Burt’s Bees Baby

Naturepedic

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.

DIAPERING/Diaper Travel

Overview

There are so many styles of diaper bags ranging from small, convenient and labeled diaper bag pouches that you can throw into another bag, convenient carriers that snap around your waist for tight places like airplane bathrooms, fancy throw over your shoulder bags and all the way up to fancy backpacks that look ready for a long hike on the Appalachian Trail!  Like all other products for baby, consider your specific needs.  

Hidden Hazards

Keep in mind that diaper bags are not actually children's products, and so are regulated differently. Some bags are treated with stain and water-resistant chemicals.  While that sounds like a nice option, if the chemicals used are PFASs, they can pose health hazards.  Some bags may be made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) and phthalates. If the bags come with changing pads inside, they may contain foam made with flame retardants. Faux leather is likely PVC, and real leather may have been treated with harmful dyes, solvents, and even heavy metals. In addition, metal rings and zipper pulls may contain heavy metals.

Other Considerations

Avoid decorations that could be physical hazards (like choking) for your baby. Because these bags are not made for children, keep straps and metal rings away from your baby.  

You'll likely be using your diaper travel bag a lot so make sure that it is durable, easy to use and reach into with one hand so you can grab wipes and items quickly.  Bags that are washable are handy. Consider whether the pockets and compartments inside will not only easily fit the diapers, gear and any extra clothing, a bottle or snacks you might need but also provide easy access.  You don't want to be digging forever in your diaper bag to find things with one hand while holding onto a wiggly baby with the other hand (think of those keys or your phone hiding in the bottom of your purse!).  

Recommendations

Look for a bag made of natural materials that you can easily wash. Nylon or polyester changing pad surfaces can be water repellant without harmful PFAS chemicals. 

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers. 
 

DIAPERING/Diapers

Overview

Disposable or reusable diapers? The debate about environmental impact rages. Looking at the prices for cloth diapers can give you sticker shock, but even just two years of cloth diapering, if you wash them yourself, can save a bundle of money. And because cloth diapers are so durable, if you plan to have more than one child you can save even more. The good news is that whichever approach you choose (or a mix of both) there are less-toxic options available. 

Hidden Hazards

Disposable diapers: Some chemicals of potential concern in disposable diapers are fragrance, dyes, chlorine, latex, tributyl-tin and solvents such as ethylbenzene, toluene and others. One study found that a mixture of chemicals in diapers was toxic to the respiratory tract. Disposable diapers can also contain polyurethane.

Cloth diapers: These are made from a wide variety of materials. Polyester is commonly used, and could contain antimony. The most common waterproofer in cloth diapers is a thin polyurethane layer. This form of polyurethane is much less likely to harbor harmful chemicals than polyurethane foam, but it is still produced from cancer-causing diisocyanates and oils. There are many options for all-natural materials like cotton for absorbent layers and wool for water-resistant layers.  

Other Considerations

Skin reactions:  Whether you choose disposable or cloth diapers, some babies may have skin reactions to the chemicals in the disposable diaper or the detergent used to launder a cloth diaper.

Environmental impact:  Diaper choice has been complicated in recent years by the debate on the environmental effects of diapers, mostly centered on the effects of disposable diapers on landfill space. A number of scientific studies have found that both cloth and disposable diapers have environmental effects, including raw material and energy usage, air and water pollution, and waste disposal. Disposable diapers add 1 to 2 percent to municipal solid waste, while cloth diapers use more energy and water in laundering and contribute to air and water pollution. Consider the pressing issues of your community - too little landfill space? persistent drought? - as you make your diapering choice.

Size:  when possible, choose the smallest size that fits your little one so that is snug, prevents leaks but is not too tight.

If you are using cloth diapers, you'll need to be careful about which diaper creams you use, as some can clog the cloth. It isn't hard to find appropriate creams, however. It takes a little bit of practice to learn how to clean cloth diapers, and there are a lot of resources on the web.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that if you choose disposable diapers, cover them with clothing as children can suffocate if they tear off a piece of the outer lining, put it in their mouths and swallow it.

Recommendations

If you choose disposable diapers, look for products that fully disclose ingredients, are unscented, and don't use bleach to make their diapers white. If you choose cloth diapers, consider natural material inserts to absorb liquids. You may be able to find gently-used cloth diapers. As with all textiles, wash all cloth diapers before use.

References & Resources

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.