Navigating the world as a first time mom is overwhelming to say the least. There is a plethora of information out there about ways to induce birth, what to feed the baby, when to start solids, how to teach baby, what to put on baby, if your baby is developing appropriately. Most of the information available is contradictory. With a sea of information to read through, it can be difficult to figure out what’s true, what’s good for your baby and what will work for your family. Because a child’s early stages of life come and go so quickly, it is quite difficult to engage in trail and error to figure out what is really best for your baby. As mothers and parents, we always want what is best for our baby and in terms of health, life and our baby’s safety, and for this reason natural and organic baby products are the best way to go.
But what does organic actually mean? National Organic Standards board defines it as “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on the minimal use of off farm inputs and on management practices that restore maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” The National Organic Standards board has strict guidelines, and an item is only given the Certified Organic title once it has met all the necessary requirements, set out by the Board. This means that every step of the process for any given item must meet the requirements, from the soil where the item grows up to the processing facilities where it is created. Organic products are held to higher and tougher standards than processed and chemical filled products. The popularity and demand for natural and organic products has dramatically increased in the past decade, as more and more consumers are recognizing the health benefits of going organic.
The demand for organic baby products has also dramatically increased. Organic baby products are not just limited to specialty health or organic stores, but most department stores and local grocery stores have sections specifically for organic products and food.
What has led to this explosion? For one thing, parents always want the best for their children, baby’s skin is more thin and porous than adults, their skin is more fragile and less oily. This means that their skin absorbs things quite easily and it is less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances that are in the environment. This means we need to be very careful and cautious of what we put on our children’s skin. Organic baby products are better because they include more natural ingredients and include less pesticides, chemicals and other harmful ingredients.
Some products that we should be aware of and try to avoid:
Baby Oils
- Mass marketed baby oils are mostly made of Mineral Oils
- Mineral Oil is a By Product of Petroleum refinement
- It is used because it is cheap and easy to find
- They clog pores and prevent skin from breathing
- Hinders natural release of toxins and blocks absorption of beneficial ingredients applied to the skin
- It can also cause vitamin deficiencies, once it is absorbed into the skin it can get processed by the liver and then nutrients get bound by the oil and their absorption becomes blocked
- Alternative Organic Baby Products: Natural and organic essential oils, such as lavender oil, coconut oil or Nature’s Baby Organics Baby Oil. These products do not have any additives and are safe to use on baby’s skin to moisture and keep it healthy.
Baby Lotion
- The ingredient “Fragrance” is high on the list for lotions, it is often made from phthalates
- Phthalates are linked to liver and kidney damage and interfere with the development of reproductive organs and mimic the hormone estrogen in the body
- The use of Parabens, which are known to cause allergic reactions and disruption to the endocrine system
- Alternative Organic Baby Products: Natural and organic essential oils, they will keep baby moisturized and healthy or Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Lotions. These products do not have any additives and are safe to use on baby’s skin to moisture and keep it healthy.
Cotton Clothing
- Cotton crop is the definition of chemically dependent agriculture, cotton crops alone account for $2.6 billion in pesticides used each year
- Cotton crops use 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of the world’s insecticides yearly even though it equals 2.4% of all cultivated land
- Conversion of cotton crops into clothing requires numerous toxic chemicals to be added at each stage such as harsh petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde
- Alternative Organic Baby Products: Organic cotton baby products, which cuts down babies exposure to toxins, pesticides are not used, it is safer, sturdier, cheaper and it feels great and lasts longer!
Lotus Organics states that, “Millions of children in the US receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift”. It is imperative that we protect our children from being exposed to these carcinogenic pesticides. Choosing organic products can cut down on the amount exposure that your child gets to toxins. Our children will grow up exposed to a variety of environmental pollutants, the least we can do is choose organic products for them to ensure natural and healthy living for our sensitive and precious babies and our environment.
In conclusion here are some reasons why organic products are better for your baby:
- It helps protect your children
- It reduces pesticide use
- It protects water quality
- It is a sturdier fabric
- It saves you money
- It feels amazing inside and out
- It supports a true economy
- It supports a healthier environment
Let us know in the comments below what your favorite Organic Baby Products are. Let us know how much you love it! Connect with us on Social Media to stay informed about more ways to Live Life Naturally and make sure to comment below to share your thoughts with us!