Pregnant women often become increasingly mindful of their exposure to chemicals and the potential effects on their developing baby. Many parents carry this attitude over into their parenting once baby arrives by choosing chemical-free baby care products. Keep baby clean and groomed while minimizing her exposure to potentially harmful substances like phthalates and talc by skipping unnecessary products and using minimal amounts of products derived from natural ingredients.
Bath or Massage Oils Made with Natural Oils
Instead of non-organic, petroleum-based mineral oil, massage your baby's skin with neutral oils like apricot kernel or olive. For a relaxing bath treat, aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood suggests mixing together a drop or two of lavender essential oil with a tablespoon or two of apricot oil and adding it to baby's bath. While lavender essential oil is generally safe for babies, always consult your baby's primary care provider before using any essential oils on your baby.
Talc-free Baby Powders
While pediatrician and child development expert Dr. William Sears recommends skipping baby powder altogether due to its potential for irritating baby's sensitive skin and nasal passages, moms or grandmothers who can't break the powder habit should look for powders made of rice starch, cornstarch or arrowroot powder. The American Cancer Association cautions that talc, a common ingredient in baby powder for many years, might increase women's risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Phthalate-free Shampoos
Avoid using any shampoos on very young infants, even if they have hair, and choose phthalate-free, non-chemical shampoos for older babies. According to Consumer Reports ShopSmart editor Lisa Lee Freeman, consumers nursing or pregnant, or those with babies or small children, might want to reduce their exposure to this family of chemicals due to its potential for posing significant reproductive and developmental health risks, including low testosterone levels among males and premature breast development in females.
Natural Soaps Made of Animal or Vegetable Fats
Refrain from over-using soaps on your infant and choose natural soaps, like those made from castile soap, olive oil or jojoba. Mary Spraker, a dermatology professor at Emory University, suggests only using a small amount of soap to clean your baby's bottom and skin folds and not using any on the rest of his body. Since babies lack the oily body odor that many adults use soap to eliminate, they don't need heavily fragranced soaps.
Homemade or Alcohol-free Wipes
Commercially sold wipes often include alcohol and harsh cleansers that irritate baby's delicate skin---potentially leading to dry skin and diaper rash. Turn a stack of baby washcloths into homemade baby wipes by wetting them with water and using them to clean your baby's bottom. Or seek out chemical-free commercial alternatives that contain ingredients like lavender essential oils, vegetable-based glycerin and aloe vera.
References
- Consumer Reports: What You Should Know About Chemicals in Cosmetics
- Babycenter: When Can I Use Regular Soap on my Baby?
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
- Dr. Sears: Baby Powder
- American Cancer Society: Talcum Powder and Cancer
