Why Choosing Non-Toxic Products is Important for Your Baby's Health

Why are using non-toxic baby products important when it comes to making product choices for your infant?

Firstly, lets explain what we mean by 'non-toxic'. This refers to products that are free from harmful chemicals and substances that could pose risks to a baby’s health.

So many products we interact with today contain harmful substances like formaldehyde, flame retardants, phthalates, parabens, and BPAs. There has been A LOT of research around how these chemicals can lead to a range of short-term and long-term health impacts from respiratory problems to hormone disruption (there are more, but my aim here is not to scare you but to highlight some of the concerns).

Babies have an immature detoxification system in their early years of life and naturally, as a result, have a higher exposure rate to these chemicals than when they’re older.

Choosing non toxic options can help create a healthier and safer environment for your child during the critical stages of their growth and development.

What to look out for?

Clothing and textiles

When buying clothing, bedding, etc. look for products that are made with natural fibers like organic bamboo, cotton or wool. An added bonus for these materials is that they are more breathable and less likely to irritate sensitive baby skin.

Avoid fabrics that are treated with flame retardants due to the chemical treatment used that may be harmful to infants. These chemicals can irritate sensitive skin and have been linked to health concerns like hormone disruption.

Many countries regulate baby sleepwear to meet safety standards without using flame retardants. For example, garments made for children under 12 months are generally required to be snug-fitting, eliminating the need for chemical treatments.

Toys

Avoid toys made from plastics like PVC, which can contain harmful chemicals. Toys made from natural materials like wood, cotton, or silicone are a safer alternative. Especially as little ones explore so much with their mouth, that you want to avoid substances that have chemicals where possible.

Feeding utensils and pacifiers

Always check for BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free labels on bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups. Some safe alternatives for feeding gear or utensils, are products made from materials like stainless steel, glass, food-grade silicone, or bamboo.

Your Non-Toxic Checklist

We’ve created this Non-Toxic Checklist to help you identify those keywords and features that can help you determine if a product is safe for your baby or not.

Your non-toxic bingo card:

• BPA-free
• PVC-free
• Phthalate-fre
• Lead-free
• Formaldehyde-Free
• Fragrance-Free
• Paraben-Free
• Hypoallergenic
• Plant-based
• Natural ingredients
• Free from synthetics
• Organic

Look out for these key terms that can provide you more confidence that you're choosing safer, non-toxic options for your little one. Minimising exposure to harmful chemicals during early life can make a huge difference in your child’s developmental years.

Brands we Recommend

Hushabye

Hushabye baby sleepwear is produced with 95% organic bamboo sourced through GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified producers and manufacturers. Our products have been designed with your baby’s safety in mind, from the material it’s produced with to how it’s used for your baby’s sleep. 

Conscious Collective

The Conscious Collective is a mum founded brand created to provide sustainable, durable and comfortable clothing for children that will last through a child’s many adventures. Their products are made from organic cotton and linen, produced without chemicals or pesticides. They also have a partnership with Ecologi, and for every sale, a tree is planted to support responsible reforestation!

Sophie La Girafe Baby Care

Sophie La Girafe Baby Care was designed to nurture your little one’s skin as they grow with kind ingredients, rich in essential vitamins and nutrients that lovingly nourish and support. Their ingredients are non-toxic and contain no nasties, as well as being bio-sourced. What’s even more amazing is that their products are designed with a #onehandonthebaby approach in mind, ensuring they’re easy to dispense and apply, ensuring the utmost safety during bath time and all other nurturing moments.

PIOEN baby

PIOEN baby creates beautiful baby essentials that are not only gentle and nurturing but also crafted to last. They are designed with the highest quality materials, keeping all aspects of hygiene and safety in mind. Using 100% cotton grown without any chemicals or fertilisers - their products are pure and healthy cotton and their products are made to last.

Totter + Tumble

Totter + Tumble Playmats, available from Harri & Eve, provide a non-toxic and safe play environment for your little one. They’ve gone through rigorous product testing and are regarded as having the same standard for quality and safety as baby teething toys! So you can breathe easy when your baby inevitably gnaws on the corner of the playmat or licks it, knowing it contains no toxic nasties!

Bloomies

Bloomies have crafted hypoallergenic diapers and pants that provide gentle comfort and leak protection for your little ones. Their products are made from 100% biodegradable bamboo, contain no chlorine, latex or perfume, not only making it safe for sensitive baby skin, but safe for the environment too!

 

These amazing brands all align with our belief in providing safe products for babies. Making a switch to non-toxic alternatives can have a lasting positive impact for your child's development in the long run.