Avoiding Harmful Chemicals in Baby Items
Every parent knows of BPA. It was commonly used in baby plastics such as baby bottles, until it was found to be an estrogen mimicker which affected both girls and boys. BPA was subsequently removed from baby items. Everyone has heard of the risks associated with lead, and with asbestos, but at one point they were commonly used and their benefits widely praised.
These days, like in no other time, cheap plastic and synthetic toys and baby items can be found in almost every store. These items may currently be considered safe, but who knows what future studies may show?
Two chemicals that are currently concerning for me as a parent are flame retardants and phthalates. Both have “possible” links to cancer and disrupt hormones.
The Danger of Flame Retardants in Baby Products
Brominated flame retardants are frequently found in baby items, including baby mattresses, car seats, strollers, and the stuffing of many soft toys. Toys with flame retardants are not meant to be placed into the baby’s mouth, but how many babies do you know that don’t place everything they find into their mouths?
Safe alternatives are items that are made from a naturally fire-resistant material such as wool and rubber. This applies not only to toys, but also to baby mattresses, car seats and strollers.
The Danger of Phthalates in Your Baby's Products
Phthalates are a family of hormone-disrupting chemicals commonly found in plastic products and can linings, as well as in artificial scents. Because phthalates are a broad group of substances, each substance has a different effect on the body. Phthalates with the most harmful effects have been banned from baby items that are meant for teething, eating, sucking, and sleeping. That is great, but what about items that are not meant for those purposes, which babies put into their mouths anyways? Phthalates are not always labeled and can be disguised as “artificial fragrance” in personal care items such as shampoos, body wash, and lotions, or not labeled at all in food packaging containers.
MATTRESSES / BEDDING
Safe Bedding Options for Babies and Children
Most children spend about 1/3 of their life in bed, and it is important that the bed is safe not only in terms of a fire risk, but also in terms of not releasing Volatile or Semi-volatile Organic Compounds such as flame retardants. Baby/toddler mattresses that are made of natural substances that are naturally flame retardant are the safest bedding option for children. Holy Lamb Organics, and Naturepedic make baby mattresses that do not contain fire retardants.
Co-sleeping? Here are Safe Bedding Options for You and Your Baby
If you plan on co-sleeping, or would like a mattress for yourself that does not contain harmful flame retardant, Avocado Green Mattress has an amazing mattress that our family uses. It is made or just latex, wool, and organic cotton.
TOYS
Organic cotton toys made by Organic Farm Buddies are one of our favorites, along with other products made by Apple Park.
Rubber toys, such as Sophie the Giraffe, Mia the Lamb, and Nalu the Seahorse are made with 100% natural rubber, and are safe for babies to chew on. Nalu the Seahorse is made without holes, so it does not develop mold on the inside when exposed to moisture. It is our personal favorite. Some purchase it as a set along with its friends Mele the Sea Turtle, Kala the Whale, and La the Butterfly Fish, for an extra fun "ocean bath" experience.
Wool toys are naturally flame resistant, and can be found on Etsy, such as this Colorful 100% organic wool felt ball or this Handmade Wool and Linen Bunny that is made of 100% organic wool and 100% organic linen. We love supporting small businesses, and individuals who work hard at making quality products and offer amazing customer service.
Wood toys, such as this Wood & Silicone Baby Rattle, or this Thick Natural Wood Name Puzzle, or this Lovey with Wood Rattle are excellent options. There are many variations of similar toys on Etsy.
CAR SEATS
Car Seats That Will Keep Your Child Safe on the Road
If a child does not spend too much time in a car seat, I could consider any car seat that will keep the child safe on the road. If your car has cloth seats, then it most likely contains fire retardants, in which case, everyone in the car is breathing them, including baby. In such a situation, it does not matter which infant car seat you purchase as long as you are only using the infant car seat while transporting the baby in the car.
If you are a parent who keeps your baby in the car seat for longer periods of time, such as while shopping, then because baby will be spending a longer amount of time breathing the off-gasses of the car seat, it would be best to invest in a car seat that is naturally flame retardant and does not contain synthetic flame retardants.
Some car seats that do not have synthetic fire retardants added to them, are made with wool + polyester, which in my mind defeats the purpose, as I am not a fan of polyester contacting baby skin. I did find one company, Clek, that manufactures car seats with 100% wool, and they have a "clearance" section which can save you some money if you choose to invest in a car seat made with 100% wool.
Bottom Line
We all do our best for our children, and I have found that it is better to find a few quality items that are safe for baby, rather than a houseful of plastic throw-away toys. The best we can do, is do our best, and after all, what a baby really needs is love and nurture, and a safe environment.