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.

Window Treatments

FURNISHING/Window Treatments

Overview

Your baby will spend many hours sleeping, and at times will need the room to be dark and peaceful during the day. At other times, you’ll want to let outdoor sounds, light and air into the nursery.

Hidden Hazards

Fabric curtains may be treated with formaldehyde to make them wrinkle-free and some curtains may have been treated with flame retardants. Roller shades, miniblinds, and some blackout curtains can be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 

Other Considerations

Natural fabrics do break down in UV light but are a less-toxic option. Never place a crib or other item (swing, etc) that babies occupy near a window with cords for blinds or curtains. They are strangulation hazards. Make sure to follow manufacturer's guidelines for keeping cords out of reach of babies, toddlers, and pets. Keep heat sources away from window treatments.

Recommendations

For window treatments choose natural fabrics. Cotton, linen, wood and silk all work, but are relatively sheer. Hemp and bamboo shades help to block out the light if baby is sensitive to light and it interferes with sleep. Safer versions include naturally finished wood shutters, aluminum Venetian blinds, and bamboo roll down blinds. The safest option is to make your own black out curtains with pesticide-free hemp fabric. Make sure to choose materials listed as "flame retardant-free." 

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.