by: Sarah Zitin

Teach your kids when they’re very young about eco-friendly baby products.

Use them, purchase them, ask for them as gifts; the best thing you can do for your baby is to begin their lives with eco-friendly baby products! The sooner they can learn the value of taking care of the Earth while they take care of themselves, the better. 

There are numerous toxins and chemicals in, not only baby products, but also baby foods. As a parent, you can never read enough labels and find out what your child will put in it’s mouth. In addition to toxins, lots of toys and other products are made of plastic, and that’s not eco-friendly! 

Read labels, ask the manufacturer if you’re not sure, and do the research on what is sustainable in toys, and what isn’t. Most of all, shop for eco-friendly baby products on sites that offer them.

1. Talc – is occasionally contaminated during the manufacturing process.
2. Bleach – Bleach can cause serious issues when combined with the wrong chemicals (e.g. ammonia, alcohol, acids).
3. Synthetic Fragrances – When you read “fragrance” on the side of laundry detergents, diaper wipes, and body sprays, those ingredient lists are often hidden as a “trade secret.”
4. Phthalates – Numerous studies have linked exposure to phthalates to a wide variety of health issues, including: sex hormone disruption, reduced sperm count, and reproductive organ malformation.
5. Bisphenol A (BPA) – Consumption levels rise dramatically when BPA-based products are heated up and/or scratched. Exposure at lower doses has been linked to an increased risk of: 
   • early puberty
   • behavioral issues
   • certain types of cancers
6. Parabens – These chemicals have been linked to skin irritation as well as more serious reproductive organ dysfunction and fertility issues. Infant exposure to parabens has been linked to long-term weight issues during the first eight years of life.
7. Tributyltin (TBT) – In terms of the environment, tributyltin is a terribly  toxic contaminant. Not only is it extremely toxic to marine life, but it has also been linked to sex issues among aquatic animals. 
8. Oxybenzone – In addition to the growing evidence that oxybenzone kills coral, there’s concern that it’s a potential hormone disruptor in humans. The FDA also determined that oxygenzone:
   • Has high rates of topical allergic reactions
   • Can be detected in breast milk, urine, blood, and amniotic fluid
   • Can be detected topically/in blood for weeks after use           

9. Flame Retardants – compounds in organohalogen flame. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) warns that compounds in organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) are carcinogenic and exposure may be linked to:
   • developmental disability
   • increased hyperactivity
   • advanced puberty
   • hormone and/or immune disorders

10. Formaldehyde – Ban smoking in your home. When choosing pressed wood and particle board products, select those that are labeled as CARB-compliant (either phase 1 or 2) or NAF (no-added-formaldehyde). When looking at cleaning and personal product labels, avoid the following ingredients:
    • Formalin
    • Formic aldehyde
    • Methanediol
    • Methanal
    • Methyl aldehyde
    • Methylene glycol
    • Methylene oxide

11. Sulfates – Choose products printed with “sulfate-free” and be cautious about the following ingredients:
    • sodium laureth sulfate (e.g. SLES, sodium lauryl ether sulfate)
    • ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS)
    • sodium stearyl sulfate
    • sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA)
    • sodium coco sulfate

As you can see, you don’t want these products to harm your little babies or your children. It’s so easy to be mindful of what you buy and look at labels. It will become a habit very soon!

Rubber Turtle – Toy is made from pure natural rubber. Certified non-toxic, BPA free, Phthalate free and PVC free. Designed to be easily gripped by little hands. *This product complies with US ASTM F963, European EN71, and Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act. 

New Friends’ Book – 100% Recycled card. This product complies with US ASTM F963, European EN71, and the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act. 

Dragon Plush Toy – Toy is made from organic cotton fabrics. Certified non toxic, BPA free, Phthalate free and PVC free. Materials: Outer Fabric 100% Organic Cotton, Filling 80% Organic Cotton, 20% Recycle Polyester.

Equal Opportunity Doll – 100% Cotton Jersey, 100% Printed Jersey, 100% Polyester Soft Boa. Socially Responsible Manufacturing, Sustainable toys that are biodegradable, Safe Non-Toxic, Plastic Free, Hand Made With ❤ in Sri Lanka.

Puzzles for the Mind – Domonique Brown is a Pop-artist from California. Her portraits showcase men and women of color, so people can see a depiction of their identity and feel empowered.

Size: 450 pieces

Puzzle dimensions: 18 x 14 inches

Box dimensions: 5.6 x 5.6 x 6.4 inches

Each puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes a tube of puzzle glue, a straight-edge tool to spread the glue and a print of the art to follow.

These are a few examples of baby products that are safe, well-documented, Consumer Product-compliant, pleasurable, unique in their own way, and not overly pricey. Not all eco-friendly baby products are expensive, but in the long run, if you weigh the safety of products against the cost, buying eco-friendly baby products is incomparably the best choice for your eco-friendly baby.

As far as we know, there’s no current B Plan for Planet Earth. Your babies and children are the future, so why not give them a head-start. We used to think that we had leeway to fix the problems we face as Earthlings on Planet Earth. 

However the latest *scientific studies reveal that things are changing more quickly than we thought. Ice shelves are melting at an alarming rate, sea creatures and land creatures have lost their natural habitats, the oceans and water supply are severely compromised by global warming, and the Earth is running out of other resources due to climate change. If you think you have time to decide on whether or not to buy eco-friendly baby products, think again. Now is the time to make change a daily practice!

* Nasa.gov