By Kristie Hayes
Deciding to bring a baby into the world is one of the most, if not the most, important decision that a couple can make. And if you are concerned about what he or she will be exposed to, choosing to use organic baby care products may be the second most important decision parents can make to reduce the exposure to all of the potentially harmful chemicals in their environment.
Since the nursery is the first thing that parents set up before their new arrival, looking at organic baby furniture is a good place to begin. Organic furniture including cribs, changing tables, chests, drawers and rocking chairs can be manufactured from wood grown organically and mattresses made of materials grown organically (cotton and wool) can be purchased for the nursery. Organic blankets, curtains and other linens that babies will come into contact with every day are also available.
Organic diapers which are typically cloth, clothes, lotions, powders and toys can be purchased to ensure that the baby’s new world will be one that is safe and natural. Organic baby bottles, pacifiers, bowls and other plastics are free of BPA and other chemicals that mimic estrogens have been shown to cause hormonal problems and even cancer in laboratory animals and organic baby formula and food derived can also be placed in them.
Lotions and powders are not made from synthetic chemicals produced in a laboratory setting. There is a chance that botanical products, found in organic products, can cause allergies but often there are different options and smaller community pharmacies usually allow people to create products so they offending ingredient can be eliminated. Preservatives are not added so it is important to pay attention to the expiration date on the bottles.
All baby care products that are made organically are manufactured in the same way as any other organic product. Materials from plant sources that were not treated with pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and animals were not treated with antibiotics or on land managed with the previously listed chemicals. Both animals and plants that yield the raw materials are not genetically modified.
Organic products are often made locally, either within your state or in the United States. Other countries do create organic products but with different levels of regulation and inspection it is best to purchase American products. There are specialty organic baby stores online and you should investigate them to ensure they are legitimate. But even major retailers such as J.C. Penney sell a variety of organic baby products which may also be a cheaper alternative when you factor in the price of shipping and handling.
Laws regulating the safety of baby products are stringent because infants are growing at such a fast rate and many chemicals can have profound effects on growth, behavior and development. For example, lead can lead to developmental delays in kids and pesticides exposure in utero has been associated with a lower I.Q. Safety and health standards for baby products are set by consumer protection agencies but it is the United States Agricultural Department sets the criteria that determines if a raw material was produced in a way that allows it to be considered “organic.”
Babies are so curious about the new world around them, but they are also very vulnerable to the multitude of chemicals in the environment. And while nurturing them as they grow and enter each new phase will play the biggest role in their success in life, organic products can allow them to begin on a safer, more natural and healthier foundation that every baby deserves.
Deciding to bring a baby into the world is one of the most, if not the most, important decision that a couple can make. And if you are concerned about what he or she will be exposed to, choosing to use organic baby care products may be the second most important decision parents can make to reduce the exposure to all of the potentially harmful chemicals in their environment.
Since the nursery is the first thing that parents set up before their new arrival, looking at organic baby furniture is a good place to begin. Organic furniture including cribs, changing tables, chests, drawers and rocking chairs can be manufactured from wood grown organically and mattresses made of materials grown organically (cotton and wool) can be purchased for the nursery. Organic blankets, curtains and other linens that babies will come into contact with every day are also available.
Organic diapers which are typically cloth, clothes, lotions, powders and toys can be purchased to ensure that the baby’s new world will be one that is safe and natural. Organic baby bottles, pacifiers, bowls and other plastics are free of BPA and other chemicals that mimic estrogens have been shown to cause hormonal problems and even cancer in laboratory animals and organic baby formula and food derived can also be placed in them.
Lotions and powders are not made from synthetic chemicals produced in a laboratory setting. There is a chance that botanical products, found in organic products, can cause allergies but often there are different options and smaller community pharmacies usually allow people to create products so they offending ingredient can be eliminated. Preservatives are not added so it is important to pay attention to the expiration date on the bottles.
All baby care products that are made organically are manufactured in the same way as any other organic product. Materials from plant sources that were not treated with pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and animals were not treated with antibiotics or on land managed with the previously listed chemicals. Both animals and plants that yield the raw materials are not genetically modified.
Organic products are often made locally, either within your state or in the United States. Other countries do create organic products but with different levels of regulation and inspection it is best to purchase American products. There are specialty organic baby stores online and you should investigate them to ensure they are legitimate. But even major retailers such as J.C. Penney sell a variety of organic baby products which may also be a cheaper alternative when you factor in the price of shipping and handling.
Laws regulating the safety of baby products are stringent because infants are growing at such a fast rate and many chemicals can have profound effects on growth, behavior and development. For example, lead can lead to developmental delays in kids and pesticides exposure in utero has been associated with a lower I.Q. Safety and health standards for baby products are set by consumer protection agencies but it is the United States Agricultural Department sets the criteria that determines if a raw material was produced in a way that allows it to be considered “organic.”
Babies are so curious about the new world around them, but they are also very vulnerable to the multitude of chemicals in the environment. And while nurturing them as they grow and enter each new phase will play the biggest role in their success in life, organic products can allow them to begin on a safer, more natural and healthier foundation that every baby deserves.
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