Cap Phantom

Babies today are born into a world where they will be bombarded with chemicals which they are ill equipped to deal with. In fact, the process starts before birth, with the mother’s diet likely to be laced with a chemical concoction the human immune system is not fully designed to handle. Add to that the polluted air she breathes and water she drinks, and the deadly drugs she may be taking, that innocent baby is brought into a world that is immediately hostile to their health. However, there is much a parent can do to minimize the effect of that chemical invasion, and one of those is to use organic baby care wherever possible.

What is Organic Baby Care?

There is no globally accepted definition of organic, although some countries have tried to establish enforceable standards. For simplicity, let us say that organic products should not have been grown or developed with the use of pesticides, herbicides, or artificial fertilizers, and have not been genetically modified in any way.

Organic baby care, then, is to bring up a baby using as many organically grown products as possible. Most parents would want to extend that to include as many eco-friendly products as well. So, what sort of “organic” products can play a part in your baby’s development.

Organic Baby Food

Ideally, feeding your baby organic foods should start while she is still in the womb. What the baby’s mother eats and drinks, breathes and has injected into her affect the quality of the baby’s sustenance before birth, and in the breast milk after birth. A mother who lives on organic food as far as possible will get her baby off to a good start.

Once the baby comes off breast milk to solids, it is important to keep as much control over her food as possible. It is very easy to avoid processed and canned food, whose origins you know little about, and may contain contaminants not only in the food itself but the lining of the can. Wherever possible use organic foods and chemical free juices and water in order to give the baby a good start in life so far as nourishment goes. If possible, follow the advice of a holistically trained professional nutritionist to find the right balance of food.

Organic Bedding & Clothing

Many parents these days seek out what they call organic bedding. It may be very difficult to find, but baby bedding does exist that has been made from natural fibers that have been organically grown. However, do look for some genuine indication that the cotton or wool is organic. An item that is just labeled 100% cotton, without any organic certification, is unlikely to be organic but chemically laden. The same applies to baby clothes.

Organic Baby Accessories

There are many baby accessories that can be eco-friendly or even organic. Organic baby wipes and diapers are now quite easily available, and they are items that parents need every day for their baby. Using organic bio-degradable diapers can be a great benefit to the environment compared to using the old style disposables. Many children’s toys are made of natural materials rather than plastics, and even organic teethers, made from 100% cotton, can be found if you search hard enough.

While it may not be possible in this day and age to bring up a completely organic baby, you do at least have the chance to minimize the chemical intake of your children. With trends as they are, more products will be developed as time passes, making your task that much easier.

Shopping for organic baby care products may seem somewhat baffling, but it is not. Keep these shopping tips in mind when searching for your baby’s next diaper, toy, health product, or meal.

Choosing Organic Baby Toys

When shopping for organic baby toys, avoid phthalates that are known to cause cancer and are associated with infertility. In addition, keep in mind that polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC) is found in plastic baby toys. PVC has also been linked to many health ailments including cancer. Lastly, consider the materials that plush toy is made of before it makes its way into the nursery. Mostly likely (unless otherwise indicated) stuffed animals contain synthetic fibers that contain petrochemicals. While the industry standards find this acceptable, organic mommies think twice about the idea of letting their babies roll around with a toy that gives off toxic gas even after being washed.

Organic Diapers

Making the switch from disposable to organic diapers is a major lifestyle change. In the long run, however, cloth diapers are not only environmentally friendly, but baby friendly as well. Before deciding on which is best for your family, consider this – disposable diapers are filled with gels, pesticides, chlorine, and other toxins. These toxins can be absorbed through the skin of the baby and straight into the blood stream. Once a disposable diaper is thrown away, it takes up to 500 years for it to break down in a landfill. Compare that figure to organic cloth diapers that can be used as many as 150 times and then recycled into hand rags.

If cloth diapers are a bit too much to take on, consider a combination of the two. You can utilize chlorine-free disposable diapers for outings and bedtime and reserve the cloth diapers for times when you and your baby are at home. Remember, every little bit helps.

Organic Skin Care For Baby

Did you know that a baby’s skin exceptionally thinner than yours? In fact, your baby has skin that is five times thinner than the average adult. Keep this fact in mind when considering what skin care products to use on your child. Ask your pediatrician to refer you to a baby skin care product that is both safe and age-appropriate.

Organic Labels

Perhaps you have already seen the USDA “Organic” label in stores and on baby products. When you buy USDA Organic labels, you are purchasing an item that is free of antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, food additives, pesticides, irradiation, and other synthetic chemicals that are dangerous to your baby. Organic labels can be found on a variety of items including cotton, skin care items, and food.