Awareness of human impact on our environment has rapidly increased especially in the past decade. Along with this critical knowledge has come improved understanding and raised awareness that most of the products we use have chemicals that make them hazardous. As parents, we are concerned about the ingredients that enter the bodies of our babies through the products we use on them. This is the main reason why many parents are turning to organic baby products.

WHAT DOES ORGANIC REALLY MEAN

Studies show that organic products reduce exposure to harmful toxins, lower your kid’s chances of developing allergies and reduce cancer risk. However, organic products are not created equally. Therefore, different manufacturers use the “organic” label to mean different things.  If you want to use more natural and safer products should focus on very specific goals. For instance, you may want to use products that do not contain any form of plastic or products with naturally occurring ingredients. Always focus on the fine print and ingredient label rather than simply relying on the “organic” label.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE NATURAL BABY CLOTHING PRODUCTS

Between the leaky diapers and spit-up incidents many different clothes touch your baby’s skin directly every day. Does it really matter if the fabric is organic? Remember organic baby clothing products are made with organic processes and natural materials. Remember, organic clothing products are made of natural fibres only. This mainly includes wool, flannel and cotton. Therefore, organic baby clothing products should not have synthetic products or chemicals in any part of the production process, from growing to manufacturing. Here are some of the benefits of using organic baby clothing products:

• Eliminates toxins and chemicals

Your baby’s skin is generally more delicate and sensitive than yours. Since it is more porous and thinner, it easily absorbs things that come into contact with it. Clothing touches the baby’s skin directly all day and night and it makes sense to eliminate or at least minimize toxins in such materials. Organic baby clothes reduce the amount of toxins that come into contact with your baby’s skin, hence reducing the overall chemical contact.

• Less irritation

Due to the sensitivity of your baby’s delicate skin, the additives and chemicals used in conventional clothing can cause a wide range of undesirable effects including irritation. Although some babies tend to be more sensitive others, switching to organic baby clothing products can help clear up rashes or irritation if the chemicals used in conventional clothing products is the cause.

• They offer the same (if not more) benefits as conventional baby clothing

Organic clothes are soft, adorable and even absorbent when necessary. You’ll only miss out on the potential hazardous effects of the dangerous chemicals used during the production process.

• Better for our environment

Organic products are healthier for our chocking environment. Besides reducing the total amount of toxins being dumped into the environment, organic products also help improve the quality of ground water and the surrounding air even at home because there the amount of toxins being blown into the air is reduced significantly.

SHOULD YOU USE ORGANIC PRODUCTS FOR YOUR BABY’S SKIN

Products such as petroleum jelly and soap have traditionally been produced using artificial and dangerous chemicals. In fact studies show that children can develop sensitivities or severe allergies to these chemicals. Therefore, when choosing baby skin care products, it is important to ensure that the product is actually safe for your baby. Simply because a product is labelled “organic” does not necessarily mean that it is safe for your baby. Organic skin care products are free of harsh detergents and sulphates. Numerous studies have shown that organic, all-natural products contain fewer ingredients and are less likely to cause adverse reactions in children. Let’s explore some of the main benefits of using organic baby skin care products:

• Your baby’s skin is essentially “brand new” and more permeable. Since it’s not yet fully developed, it is more prone to irritation and infections from bacteria and pathogens. Besides fighting bacteria and pathogens, organic baby skin care products also reduce exposure to harsh chemicals which essentially reduces the chance of infection and irritation.
• Medical professionals recommend only using water at cleaning then gradually transitioning to very gentle cleaning products in order to reduce the risk of irritation to the baby’s skin. Organic baby skin care products make it easier to watch out for any reactions because the ingredients list is easier to understand and this allows you to work through the process of elimination when trying to find out what’s irritating your baby’s skin.
• The skin is the largest organ that covers your baby head to toe. Therefore, you should feed it naturally with uncomplicated ingredients that will be readily absorbed by the skin into your baby’s whole system.
• Organic baby skin care products do not contain synthetic ingredients which have been shown to cause Endocrine disruption (interference with hormones). Remember, disruption of the normal hormonal process can cause many complications including fertility issues, memory/learning difficulties, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Children are particularly vulnerable to many endocrine disruptors.

ARE ORGANIC BABY TOYS REALLY WORTH IT

Natural and organic toys should be made of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and wood. Moreover, organic toys don’t have any plastic parts and they are not battery-operated. There are numerous reasons why you should consider buying organic toys for your baby, here are some:

• They inspire your child’s imagination

Organic toys inspire open-ended play because they inspire children to imagine the limitless possibilities for that particular toy. Besides keeping your child interested for many years, organic toys also foster creativity which is essential for proper mental development.

• Enhance mental health

Battery-operated toys can easily overstimulate children because of the combination of automated movement, loud sounds and bright lights which make it difficult for the child to process all the information at once. However, organic toys encourage more creative play because, they are generally quieter, more inviting and beautiful in a unique way and this makes the child calmer and more focused.

• Improve physical health

Studies show that plastics may have adverse effects on your child’s physical health. For instance, some phthalates which are added to PVC to make it flexible and soft have been linked to liver damage, kidney disease, cancer and premature development especially in baby girls.

A few years ago, organic baby products were rather difficult to find. However, as more and more people become aware of their benefits, the demand has increased dramatically and more companies are embracing the culture and this has increased the availability of organic products.