If there is one smell that intoxicates me, it’s the smell of beeswax candles They remind me of my early childhood days at Waldorf when we used to make candles by dipping them over and over into into big buckets of beeswax. The beautiful scent of a beeswax candle relaxes me and it’s also good to know that when I burn beeswax candles, I don’t have the worry of toxins wafting through the house.

Unfortunately, most candles are better left unlit because they are made of paraffin wax. Beeswax candles are, on the other hand, made by bees. Well not entirely, but you get the point. Bees work to make the honey for the wax. It is all natural and there are many advantages to using beeswax candles over paraffin candles.

Paraffin (the wax) is made from vegetable, animal, and petroleum wastes. When you burn these substances, toxic substances have the potential to be given off in the flame. Have you ever seen black smoke coming from a candle flame? It occurs when the candle is getting close to being burned out because there is no more wax to burn. These are the chemicals being released into the air. Decorative candles of this type typically do not burn clean. When the wax re-hardens you will see the black residue in the wax. The wax creates a pitting phenomenon in the center of the candle and the wax also drips down the side and ruins the look of the candle.

Another little known fact is that the wicks in the center of many candles contain lead. When burning the wick, the lead can be released into the air air around us. Yuck! Unfortunately, candles like this are mostly found at discount stores so they are in a lot of homes! People with respiratory problems should especially avoid being around burning paraffin candles (any parents with children that have asthma?)

On the other hand, beeswax candles are a great alternative. Many people pass over them because they cost more and the large variety of scented candles on the market seem more appealing upfront. But there is much more to a beeswax candle than meets the eye:

• They burn clean. That means no pollutants are released into the air. The air is actually cleaner because what is given off by the beeswax works to eliminate odors and other pollutants from the air.
• For people who want to keep the shape of the candle, beeswax candles do not do any pitting when the wax is burned. In fact, the wax burns out towards the end of the candle.
• Beeswax candles do not drip over. They continue to burn until there is nothing left.
• They are not scented artificially. They do give off a smell of sweet honey.
• The color of the candle is the natural color of the wax.
• Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles. For your twenty bucks you will get over 100 hours of candle burning pleasure.

You can also make your own beeswax candles:

Beeswax candles can be made with beeswax sheets.  True beeswax candle makers don’t use these sheets but for homemade candles, beeswax sheets are easy and safe for children to use.  The wax is pressed into sheets for use in making different shapes of candles.

Before making beeswax candles, prepare by getting all of your supplies together and setting up an area to work.  To make these candles you will need:  beeswax sheets, scissors or a knife, candle wicks, a cutting board or other hard surface for cutting.  When purchasing the supplies, check to see that the wicks do not contain any lead or other chemicals.

Beeswax usually comes in a light color which is the color of the wax.  Adding color introduces chemicals into the wax that can be burned off in the flame.  You can get beeswax candles in different colors but they may not burn as clean.

First, watch the children when sharp objects are around.  Do any cutting that needs to be done and keep the knife pointed away from the body.  Work on the kitchen table so the kids can lean as they work.

1. Lay out a sheet of beeswax.  If using colored wax in combinations cut the sheet and add other colored pieces.  Lay them close together so they overlap.
2. Take the wick and place it near the beginning of the wax sheet.  Let an inch or so of the wick hang out of the bottom of the candle and two inches out of the top of the beeswax sheet.
3. Press the wick gently into the beeswax sheet.  The wick needs to be secured so that it will not be displaced during rolling.  After the wick is firmly in place, it is time to create the candle.
4. Slowly, roll the beeswax sheet over itself.  Keep the rolls tight so no gaps are present in the wax.  Continue rolling until the entire sheet is finished or the candle is as wide as you would like it.  Larger candles like pillars have one or three wicks depending on width.
5. Cut the wick at the bottom even with the bottom of the candle.  Trim the wick at the top of the candle until it is about half an inch long.

You can find your beeswax sheets at a craft store, large natural living stores and online shops like Millers Honey.

Set your Holiday mood this season with beeswax candles that not only relax you, but clean the air and freshen your home in the process.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Relax Without the Toxins. Buy or Make Beeswax Candles!

The following article is from from Jennifer, TheSmartMama.  See more tips on green parenting and non toxic living at her personal blog: TheSmartMama.

You may love all the creatures of this world, but you probably don’t want to share your home with moths, ants, fleas, roaches, termites, mice or rats. Finding evidence of any of these pests can have you considering ant sprays, moth balls and rat poison. But, we all know the pesticides are some of the most toxic products we use in our homes.

All pesticides have some risk of harm. The broad term “pesticides” includes those products that kill, repel, or block insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), fungus (fungicides), and even bacteria, viruses, molds, and other micro-organisms (antibacterials and antimicrobials). “By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm,” the EPA says. “Pesticides can cause harm to humans, animals or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms.” And, the government doesn’t keep us safe from pesticides. In the United States, pesticide law is not a health-based safety law. It balances health and environmental risks against economic benefit.

Apparently unconcerned about the possibility of harm (or perhaps too confident in our government’s ability to keep us safe), 80% to 90% of Americans use pesticides in and around the home. Kids, particularly fetuses, face the biggest risk from exposure to household use of pesticides. According to one study, lifelong hyperactivity in laboratory animals resulted from a single dose of organophosphate pesticides on a critical day of fetal brain development. Other research has linked exposure to household pesticides to an elevated risk of childhood leukemia by as much as 3 to 9 times. Exposures to insecticides early in life are more significant than later exposures in terms of increased cancer risk, and the highest risk associated with exposure to insecticides during pregnancy.

Keep in mind that when we use indoor pesticides, they leave residues on those areas where children play and sit. As a result, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that 50% of our lifetime exposure to pesticides occurs during the first five years of life. The National Research Council concludes at least with respect to pesticides that absent data to the contrary, “there should be a presumption of greater toxicity to infants and children.”

So what can a green parent do?

• Know your pest. Do some research and knowing exactly what pest is bothering you. Knowing your pest will let you choose a non-toxic solution that really works.
• Keep pests out. Mom was right – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep pests from coming into your home. Block their entrances by caulking holes, using door sweeps, and keeping door and window screens in good condition.
• Let them starve. If you don’t feed them, they won’t come. So, take away what may be attracting them in the first place. Use sealed containers for sugar, flour, cereal, and pet food. Remove water sources by, for instance, fixing leaky pipes and removing standing water. My favorite tip for pet food left outdoors is to put it in a bowl and then put that bowl in a bowl of water to prevent ants. Of course, this will not deter raccoons.
• Use a fan. A breeze will keep mosquitoes and some other flying insects at bay.
• Go non-toxic. See what non-toxic options are available for your particular pest. Here are some of my favorite non-toxic options for common pests: (1) For ants, I use soap with peppermint essential oil and water. Soap has been used as an insecticide and antibacterial substance for many years. Just add about 2 teaspoons of liquid castile (vegetable-based) soap to a gallon of water, 10 to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil, and put in a spray bottle.  If you don’t have peppermint essential oil, use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint castile soap.  (2)  For fruit flies, figure out what moist or wet decaying organic matter is attracting them and get rid of it. If you suspect your drain, tape a piece of waxed paper over your drain. If the fruit flies accumulate on the paper in a day or two, remove the paper and pour boiling water down the drain. If that doesn’t work, try ½ cup of baking soda, followed by ½ cup to a cup of vinegar down the drain.  Let the drain fizz for 5 minutes, then pour some boiling water down. For a garbage disposal, run ice cubes made from vinegar through it to clear off any gunk that may be allowing fruit flies to breed. (3) For moths, I skip mothballs made of naphthalene, a possible carcinogen, and use sachets of cedar chips or lavender to deter them.

Sometimes none of these solutions work.  So, if you must use a chemical pesticide, pick the least-toxic chemical option.  Never choose a broad spectrum pesticide.  Instead, pick one geared to address the particular pest.  And, read the label and look for the hazard “signal” words. Those “signal” words can give you a good indication of how toxic a particular product is. For example, the term “caution” is milder than “warning,” which is milder than “danger.”

Another option is some of the organic, non-toxic pesticides on the market.  These pesticides generally come from natural sources. You can use plant-based natural pesticides with pyrethins, rotenone, or essential oils or you can try boric acid or diatomaceous earth, which are also natural products. But, natural doesn’t mean the product is safe. Pyrethins, which are derived from flowers such as chrysanthemums, have been linked with autism.  Don’t put your faith in claims of “environmentally safe,” “environmentally friendly,” “eco-safe,” or “eco-friendly.”  These are NOT regulated terms.  I’ve seen an “environmentally friendly” pesticide on the market (and widely promoted in the blogosphere as green) that contains mineral oil – a petroleum substance that isn’t really environmentally friendly.

Another thing to keep in mind is the method of delivery. Spray pesticides cover wide areas of your home, so reduce exposure by using a gel or solid over a fogger or spray. If you use a chemical pesticide, ventilate the area and clean all surfaces after you’re finished. And be kid safe! Always secure pesticides in a secure location to prevent accidental poisonings.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Non Toxic Pest Control for The Home

Choosing an infant formula is a decidedly tricky process. And, before we discuss picking out an infant formula, I must emphasize that breast milk is best for a baby for lots of reasons. But, sometimes you need an infant formula. And choosing that formula is difficult. You juggle cost, availability and what your baby likes. Standing in the store looking at the various formula options is an exercise in frustration. Rest assured that all of the infant formulas meet basic nutritional requirements. But what about those labels that claim the formula has DHA and ARA added to the formula? Omega acids sound good for the baby, don’t they?

Let’s look at DHA and ARA. DHA and ARA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. DHA is docosaheaenoic acid and is an omega-3 fatty acid. ARA is arachidonic acid and is an omega-6 acid. These fatty acids accumulate in the fetal brain and eyes during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. They are also found in breast milk. Blood levels of DHA and ARA are typically higher in breast-fed infants than in infants fed formulas not containing these fatty acids. Because of the perceived benefits of DHA and ARA, many infant formula manufacturers are now marketing infant formulas containing DHA and ARA. The scientific evidence is mixed on whether adding DHA and ARA to infant formulas has any benefit. Some studies in infants suggest that including these fatty acids may have positive effects on visual function and neural development over the short term, while other studies do not confirm these benefits.

But, some child health experts are concerned about infant formulas with DHA and ARA because of the source of these acids. Some of the infant formulas contain DHA and ARA are extracted from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus and processed with hexane. These are known as DHASCO and ARASCO, although they are not identified as such on the list of ingredients. Specifically, DHASCO is a mixture of an oil extracted from the algae Crypthecodinm and high oleic sunflower oil (“HOSO”). ARASCO is a mixture of an oil extract from the fungus Mortierella alipe and HOSO. As a result, DHASCO and ARASCO are structurally different from the DHA and ARA found in breast milk. Adverse reactions from consumption of infant formula with DHASCO and ARASCO include diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, jaundice, apnea, flatulence, and other gastrointestinal problems. You can read some of the adverse reaction reports compiled from a Freedom of Information Act request to the FDA.

Are DHASCO and ARASCO safe? According to the FDA, yes. The manufacturer of DHASCO and ARASCO submitted a notice to the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) informing the FDA that DHASCO and ARASCO are “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in food. Just for some background, the GRAS notification program is a voluntary program under which a person may inform the FDA of its determination that a particular substance is GRAS. In response to the manufacturer’s notice, the FDA stated that it had no questions. The FDA emphasized that it had not made its own determination regarding the GRAS status of ARASCO and DHASCO, and that it expected infant formula manufacturers to conduct “rigorous post-market” surveillance. What this means is that the manufacturer provided evidence to the FDA that DHASCO and ARASCO were safe, and that the FDA reviewed only the manufacturer’s notice.

So what can you do? Well, the problem is that you can’t tell from the infant formula label the source of the DHA and ARA. In January 2008, the Cornucopia Institute petitioned the FDA to require warnings on infant formulas that contain DHASCO and ARASCO.  You can add your voice to demand warning labels.  As a note, the Cornucopia Institute has also petitioned the USDA to enforce its organic regulations prohibiting the use of hexane processed DHASCO and ARASCO in organic foods.

To date, whether DHASCO and ARASCO are safe remains unanswered.  However, if your baby is experiencing the reactions described in here, you may want to try a formula without DHA and ARA added.

An original post from Jennifer, TheSmartMama.  Check out her personal blog for more advice on non toxic living and green parenting.

Update:

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Are DHA and ARA in Infant Formulas Safe?

I wanted to post a letter I received from the Moms Rising Team . It is timely and necessary.

Please join me and countless other Moms across North America in putting an end to toxics in baby bottles. Let’s keep spreading the word and letting Moms know about BPA’s and supporting companies that provide healthier products for our children.

We CAN make a difference with these companies, so please consider sharing this information with others:

Dear Friend,

Please join me in stopping toxics in baby bottles. The evidence is mounting. After years of concern about the safety of baby bottles, children’s care products, and other food and beverage containers that contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), the verdict is in–and it’s not good.

Yesterday the Canadian government announced it is planning to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles, and declared BPA dangerous.[1] And, earlier this week, the Los Angeles Times reported that the U.S. based National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that there is “some concern” that babies, fetuses, and children are in danger because BPA harms animals at the low levels found in nearly all human bodies.[2] Sadly, a recent study found this chemical in all five leading brands of American baby bottles.

It’s enough to sink any mother’s stomach.

Let’s take a second to take a collective deep breath, and then mobilize for major action. Sign a petition calling for the CEOs of the leading manufacturers of baby bottles to stop the use of BPA in our baby bottles and other children’s products.

TAKE ACTION:

Sign on now and we’ll send the petition to the CEOs of Avent, Disney/First Years, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex in collaboration with Center for Health, Environment, & Justice and other organizations.

Can you also send this petition to five of your friends? The more signatures, we have, the more the CEOs will get the message that consumers want healthy products, not toxins. With the current media attention on BPA, this is a critical moment to take advantage of that momentum and push these CEOs to stop using it in baby bottles.

WHAT DOES IT DO? Growing children are especially at risk to chemicals as they face greater exposure per pound of body weight. Even fetuses are susceptible as chemicals, including BPA, cross the placenta in pregnant women. Over 130 studies suggest that BPA exposure, even at low doses, is linked to many health problems, including early puberty, breast and prostate cancer, obesity, attention and hyperactivity disorder, brain damage, altered immune system, and lower sperm counts.[3]

This is a widespread issue which we need to address together. A 2007 study by the Environment California Research and Policy Center found that all five leading brands of baby bottles leached BPA at levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory studies.[4]

It is time for all parents to take action!

*Click here to sign the petition:

Thanks for your work on behalf of all children!

P.S. For tips on how to limit exposure to BPA, see

1. Washington Post – How To Limit Your BPA Exposure
   
2. CBC Canada – Ottawa to Ban Baby Bottles Made With BPA
3. LA Times – Chemical In Plastic may Harm Human Growth
4. Environment California – Stop Toxic Toys
5. Environment California – Toxic Baby Bottles

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Join Us! Let’s Get Toxics Out Of Baby Bottles

Having a baby the most monumental experience of my life. The birth of my daughter has challenged me to dig deep into myself on all levels. It has been a big year of change, possibility and accountability.

Looking back on the first year, we have been very blessed to have generous friends and family. Although it has taken some pressure off of us, it has also made raising a green baby a little more challenging. I’m sure parents everywhere can feel the headache arising as baby is presented with another plastic battery toy!

That being said, babies really do have minimal needs. There are many options available today that are not only baby friendly, they are green as well. In my continuous effort to keep a check on having too much “stuff” and reducing the toxic load in our lives, I think there are three key areas that provide excellent options for raising a greener baby.

Green Diapering Options

Since caring for a baby can be so time consuming, it is easy to see why parents choose the perceived convenience of disposable diapers. They just toss them in the garbage bin and forget them right? Well, green parents cannot forget that diapers account for an enormous amount of landfill waste that does not biodegrade. I read recently that one disposable diaper takes 500 years to decompose. Ouch!

Luckily cloth diapers have become just as easy and convenient as disposable diapers. Forget the flat diapers you need to fold and pin together (although those are still around if you are so inclined). Cloth diapers today are fitted with elastic, closed with pins or Velcro, and are easy to clean. For those that do not have the time or the desire to do diaper laundry, there are diaper services widely available. Cloth diapers can last for years and be used by more than one child.

Despite having the best of intentions about cloth diapering, including spending more than I care to remember on a complete non bleached cloth diaper system, I did not expect that Postpartum Depression would get in the way of my intentions to raise a green baby. I had to let some of my best intentions slide for the short term.

We did find another great option in flushable diapers is from gDiapers. They are somewhat of a hybrid between cloth and disposable. The exterior is totally washable and velcro tabs fit at the back away from hands. The inner liner is filled with fluff wood pulp and gel crystals that can be flushed, thrown away or composted. I love that I can flush the poop where the poops supposed to go!

They are less bulky than cloth and only slightly larger than disposables. The inner liner does get dirty with big messy poops, but it is easily rinsed and then I just throw it in the laundry with the clothes. If you just can’t see yourself using cloth for whatever reason, you cannot stomach the environmental cost of using disposables, I highly recommend the gDiapers’s as an excellent green option for your baby and toddler!

Another healthy & green diapering option is to consider using reusable wipes for diaper changes. We purchased a couple packs of unbleached cloth wipes that we use at home and for travel close to home. I take the moist cloths in a bag or in a pinch, I also have a supply of non toxic baby wipes handy for longer travel. I recommend having a look at the analysis done at the cosmetics database on your best & worst options for baby wipes. Very little is needed to clean a baby’s bottom effectively and warm cloths are very gentle on our baby’s bottom. The excessive chemicals used in conventional disposable wipes are unnecessary and unhealthy for baby. I used these cloths for for both kids and can’t imagine how many wipes stayed out of the landfill. (of coarse I bought new ones for each baby! lol)

Green Feeding For Your Baby

Not only is breastfeeding usually the perfect food for baby it is also the most planet friendly way to feed your green baby. Breastfeeding your baby eliminates the need for formula cans and baby bottles. Breastfeeding is waste free!

If breastfeeding is not an option for you, consider contacting your local lactation branch to inquire about a local milk bank. This is where mothers with excess milk supply donate it to be distributed to mothers who still want their baby to receive the benefits of breast milk in the early months.

Alternately, if you choose to use formula, consider using an organic formula brand free of sugars and genetically modified ingredients grown with synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

There are green options for pumping and feeding a well. Glass baby bottles are reusable and able to be recycled or donated unlike their plastic counterparts which are prone to breakage and do not bio-degrade. We love our glass baby bottles simply for the fact that they do not smell. Plastic will always get a small odor over time if anything besides water is used in them. They are also resistant to the inner scratches that occur in plastic from cleaning and increase the risk for BPA exposure.

Helpful products for mom such as wool or cloth breast pads and this  organic nipple butter was an excellent non-lanolin option. A tiny bit goes a very long way and it was a life saver in the early days!

When your baby moves to solid foods you can continue to feed “green” by making your own baby food from organic fruits and vegetable that you are already eating. There is no need to buy boxes of baby cereal or tiny jars of baby food when you can mash or puree family foods. The Baby’s Table offers up some really great recipes for baby to enjoy through each of the phases. Freeze the puree into my favorite storing product, the Baby Cubes for later use and convenience. The baby cubes are free of Phthalates, protect food from freezer burn and bacteria  and pop out for easy use and single serving sizes.

Green Clothing Options For Your Green Baby

Farming with chemicals is hazardous for our planet and very unsustainable so when you buy clothing for your baby try to buy clothing made with sustainable fibers. Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool in natural colors or dyed with low impact dyes are all good choices.

The absence of chemicals is also better for your baby’s tender skin. Clothing made from organic fibers has a soft thickness that I absolutely love. I have found that my daughters super sensitive skin appreciated these fibers over others. There are so many adorable organic baby clothes available now!

Consider buying used clothes instead of new. Buying second hand clothing that someone has recycled is much more sustainable an option than buying brand new. Look for used clothing at thrift stores, on local lists such as Craiglist, or through family and friends. We were so fortunate to have at least 75% of my daughters clothes given to us second hand. They were in perfect condition and we really appreciated lighter load on our wallets too!

In addition to these ideas, consider limiting exposure to toxic substances found in conventional and even some “natural” baby skincare products. After both my children experienced baby eczema in their first 1-3 years – I am very leery about using most skin care products on the market. Since the skin is another organ, I feel not matter if the product is “organic, green, or natural” it is wise to use all products with careful consideration.

With a little attention, you can easily create a safer and eco-friendly environment for your baby to grow up Green.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giving Baby A Green Start

Have a look at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list of recalled toys and it’s more than enough to make any parent’s head spin.

In our home we’ve decided to pass on conventional toy makers, cheap plastics, and toxic liquids. A mom’s life is busy enough without the added worry about seemingly safe baby toys in our homes. I’ve grown tired of the news reports about lead paint, BPA’s and countless toxic products threatening our children’s health, although I’m thankful for the information.  These days, it can seem quite a challenge to find safe baby toys.

This is in large part because many conventional toys are made of plastic and it is becoming increasingly well known that certain plastics can be unsafe. According to CHECnet.org “phthalates are added to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to make it soft and flexible. Some phthalates have been linked to cancer, kidney and liver damage, harm to developing reproductive organs, and premature breast development in baby girls. Inhaling these chemicals can also worsen asthma in children.” PVC itself is also dangerous. The manufacturing and disposal of this substance creates dioxins, one of the most toxic man-made substances known.

Cloth toys can also be potentially hazardous if the cotton they are made with has been grown with pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Nearly half of the most commonly used pesticides used to grow cotton have been labeled “probable” carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Due the small size and vulnerability of babies and small children and their propensity to “mouth” or cuddle everything, it is so important that the baby toys be as safe as possible.

If you’re ready to pack up the plastic toys and “return to maker”, consider these alternatives to find some safe baby toys:

• Wooden toys are natural materials and they are much more durable than their plastic counterparts, creating less waste and less need to constantly replace broken toys. Try to find wood can has been harvested from sustainable forests. Also, since quality wooden toys cost more than plastic in most cases, you can save money by picking them up second hand at thrift stores and yard sales.
• Bamboo Toys. A grass that grows to maturity in only four years, this is an excellent option for the environment as well. (clothing is great too!)
• Organic Cotton Toys are a great option for babies. Check out the fun “vegetable” teethers at Grass Roots.

One thing that I love about all of these ideas for safe baby toys is that many of the makers create toys that are so original and endearing. They captivate my daughters attention with their simplistic designs and allow her imagination to grow.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Choosing Safe Baby Toys

My daughter Olivia was born with very sensitive skin and has been prone to eczema flares since she was 2 weeks old. It’s been a lot of trial and error during this year trying to find a suitable product for her skin. I guess it’s a blessing in disguise that her skin will not tolerate most products. Maybe we’ve managed to avoid some of the toxins found in so many baby skin care products.

Needless to say, I have looked at a lot of labels over the year! I am shocked that products made for babies delicate skin and immature immune systems are made with so many proven irritants.

Many parents put faith in the companies behind conventional baby products because it never enters their minds that products made specifically for babies could be harmful. Unfortunately, there are many baby products available today that have questionable ingredients. Most commonly, these are found in conventional products, however in my search for all natural baby care products, I even found some “natural” brands that use questionable ingredients as well.

Let’s break down just a few of the many nasty ingredients:

Parabens are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They are the leading cause of dermatitis. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following application on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS for short is an ingredient that gives a product like a shampoo or liquid soap its foaming ability. It is a known skin irritant and in fact when testing new a healing ointment or crème, SLS is the irritant they first rub on the skin to test the healing properties of their new product.

SLS can penetrate and be retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver with potentially harmful effects according to the journal of the American College of Toxicology. In a baby product, SLS might cause rashes, eczema or other skin irritations. To add further insult, products containing SLS are sometimes labeled as “natural” or organic because SLS is a detergent derived from coconut oil.

Synthetic perfumes or fragrances can contain hundreds of chemicals. Some, such as methylene chloride are carcinogenic and others might cause headaches, dizziness, coughing, vomiting and skin irritation.

Talc is white-gray mineral powder used as a baby powder. Moms might use it to keep their baby’s skin smooth and dry but is often contaminated with asbestos which makes it carcinogenic when inhaled.

Those ingredients hardly sound appropriate for tender baby skin. So what can you do to avoid these dangerous baby products?

1. Read the ingredients. Many times I Google the ingredient. Yay internet! Find out what they are and what they do. Soon you’ll be a wiz at knowing what to avoid!
2. Find reputable companies that offer organic and 100% all natural baby products. Since there is no regulation for skin care products you might need to do some research to find the legitimately natural companies.
3. Try making some of your own baby products. If you make your own, you’ll know exactly what is in them. This is my next step if I cannot find a safe & effective product to treat Olivia’s eczema.

If you’re as concerned as I am about limiting the amount of toxics in your home and on your skin – you’ll find that some of the so called “natural” companies found in your natural food store also contain unacceptable ingredients.

Check your products against this recent report from the Organic Consumers Association.

I have also used EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to investigate products. EWG rates products on a scale of 0-10. Zero being the safest. In some cases you need to make an educated guess because there is not enough data to give a proper score. For example, the lack of testing on olive oil or that FDA approves petroleum jelly??!

Nearly all the conventional brands have lousy “red zone” ratings. It’s a disgrace really. I hope that with our knowledge comes the power to influence these companies to do a little better.

Finding safe products for the family is not always easy, especially if your little ones have extra sensitive skin like Olivia does. I am anxiously waiting for the arrival of another product to sample. I will be providing a list of my favorite all natural baby skin care products in the weeks to come.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Avoiding The Hidden Dangers In Baby Skin Care Products