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.

Playing

PLAYING/Chairs & Exersaucers

PLAYING/Chairs & Exersaucers

Overview

There comes a time in every parent's life when you need to have your growing baby distract themselves for a few minutes safely. You just might want a shower! There are many devices to safely contain and engage a growing baby: chairs with mobiles, "exersaucers" with a hanging seat inside a ring of small toys, bouncy seats, and swings. Whew! You might find that one of these is helpful, but you probably won't want more than two of these items.

Hidden Hazards

Flame retardants are used inside electronic devices of all kinds and can be found in recycled plastics or textiles. The plastics used in large items like "exersaucers" are rarely labeled, so it is difficult to identify vinyl, bisphenols, or other plastics of concern. Manufacturers reported to Washington State the use of solvents ethylene glycol and ethylbenzene, and the heavy metal antimony in baby exercisers.

Other Considerations

Babies don't need electronic flashes and beeps to be entertained. In fact, those beeps, if too loud, can cause hearing loss, and the rapidly changing sounds and lights can promote later challenges to attention and ability to focus. 

Walkers and jumpers may also delay balance and walking, and there are additional concerns with physical safety. Walkers let babies move faster and farther than they could do on their own, and could fall down stairs or knock things over.

Recommendations

Be selective about which and how many of these kinds of products you need. A fabric seat with a mobile may be enough to give you respite you need. Generally, these items are hard to choose before you know your baby's preferences. Avoid electronic gadgets embedded in the larger toy. Avoid any labeled as being antimicrobial: babies will mouth anything they can.

References & Resources

Toy Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics

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. 

PLAYING/Puzzles

PLAYING/Puzzles

Overview

There are two types of puzzles for babies and toddlers - large, foam mats that function as a soft floor surface, and large-piece cardboard or wood puzzles. The former can easily be replaced with an area rug if desired. For the latter - puzzles intended to promote development through gross and fine motor skill - there are a wide array of options and things to consider.

Hidden Hazards

Foam puzzles are typically made of EVA - ethylene vinyl acetate - which in itself is fairly benign, though petroleum-based. However, some tests have found that some EVA foam releases formamide, a carcinogen. Puzzles made of wood may contain formaldehyde in the adhesives.  

Other Considerations

As always with babies and young children, make sure pieces are large and in good condition so that they are not choking hazards - because babies will put anything they can pick up or reach into their mouths. Puzzles should be kept clean, as household dust can contain a host of hazards.

Recommendations

Solid wood puzzles with non-toxic paints and finishes are best for babies. If you choose a puzzle made with plywood, laminate, or MDF, ask about VOCs and formaldehyde - and seek those that are certified to CARB (California Air Resources Board) Phase 2 limits. Shopping on a tight budget? Look for used puzzles made after 2008. Formaldehyde levels drop after six to ten months. 

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 California Air Resources Board's limits on formaldehyde and other chemicals here. 

Learn more about formaldehyde from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

PLAYING/Toys

Overview

There are a lot of toys on the market made from a wide array of materials. Your newborn won't need many, and in fact, choosing carefully, you can make a few toys go a long way.

Hidden Hazards

As reported to Washington State through July 2017, toys and games contained 39 different chemicals of concern, including bisphenol A, cadmium, antimony, phthalates, formaldehyde, methyl paraben, solvents like ethylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, methylene chloride, phenol, and toluene, styrene, vinyl chloride, flame retardants, and more. Clear hard plastic toys may contain bisphenols. Plastic dolls may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Metal products may include cadmium, mercury, and antimony.

Other Considerations

Simple toys often are engaging and help babies develop best. Parents often find themselves with many more toys than they need - this can start at the baby shower and continue throughout their children's lives.

Recommendations

Choose natural products whenever possible - products made from unfinished or naturally finished wood, cotton, wool, and other textiles. Avoid all used toys made before 2008, when the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act set stricter limits on lead and certain phthalates. This includes older plastics and painted wood, both of which may have high levels of lead and cadmium.

MADE SAFE has certified these products from Bioserie:

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.

Want an even deeper dive? You can find out more details about manufacturer reporting of chemicals of concern to the State of Washington.