How to Go Organic Baby

Previously I wrote about why babies and young children are so vulnerable to toxins and chemicals and went on to explain why I felt it was extremely important for these harmful things to be removed from my own son’s environment. The way to do this is to go organic. But what does going organic mean for babies?

Things That Should Be Organic Baby

The best way to understand what it means to go organic for babies is to understand the ways in which we can introduce toxins and chemicals into our babies’ lifestyles. I have already covered these areas so from here, we can then establish the small changes we can make to eliminate these pathways for toxins and chemicals to enter our baby’s environment and bodies.

• Food – Making organic and safe choices for the food fed to babies
  • Baby Formula and food for the different stages and ages of babies and toddlers is widely available in organic and chemical free products
• Air – The selection of organic products which do not release harmful chemicals into the air
  • Cleaning products: release many chemicals into the air throughout your home
  • Miscellaneous Sprays
  • Air Deodorizers: Fill the air with a scent made of chemicals. Natural organic scents made from nature are non-toxic and harmless, though the high concentration of natural ingredients may still cause allergies
  • Paints: paints release toxins and chemicals in the air. Organic paints are available in stunning colours which do not leach such chemicals
• Skin Absorption – products absorbed by the skin are rampantly used in the early years of a children.
  • Moisturizers
  • Nappy Creams
  • Baby Wipes
  • Shampoo
  • Bath Wash
  • Soap
• Touch
  • Garden products: chemicals that are used to kill or deter insects and plant diseases leach into the soil or stay on top. These are then ingested by exploring babies and youngsters
  • Cleaning products: as well as being breathed in, the chemicals from cleaning products settle on surfaces that babies touch with their hands before placing them in their mouths
  • Toys: Babies and toddlers play with toys and then their fingers are placed inside their mouths. Paints, varnishes, treated cotton and plastics for example can contain toxins and chemicals
  • Clothing: Chemicals used in the production of clothing is absorbed into the skin and can also be the trigger for allergies

What Makes A Product Organic?

The definition of a product being truly organic can be quite strict in terms of all of the processes that are involved in the production of a being kind to the land, the environment and people. It is however these strict definitions which result in products that we can be confident in being chemical and toxin free, derived from the environment in its most natural form.

It is possible to use products that do not satisfy the definition of being “truly” organic” but still be free of the toxins and chemicals which are harmful to our children.

Choosing Organic Products

Because definitions of organic can vary, it’s important we don’t just buy products purely because they are labelled organic. Take some of the skincare and shampoo products out there which like to liberally slap the Organic name or sticker onto them. The word Organic can be just that, apart of a product name or a small aspect of the ingredients list which still contains harmful toxins and chemicals.

Organic Certification

There are a number of bodies which can “certify” a product as being organic and these labels can help you to choose products which are chemical and toxin free. Such products are labelled “certified-organic” along with the registration number and logo of the body providing certification.

Ingredients

Organic manufacturers, or those that have organic products, are quite keen to explain why their products are safe and how far and raw their organic manufacturing really is. The company and product websites are therefore a worthwhile read to help you establish the nature products and their ingredients.

Organic Product List

Below are categories specifically related to the upbringing of a child and a few tips on things to watch out for in various products. I have also created a categorised list of organic baby products in Australia.

• Organic Baby Food
  • Juice, fruits and vegetables make up a large part of babies diets
  • If they are not organic there is the risk of exposing babies to high amounts of pesticides
  • Organic Baby Food does not use pesticides with harmful chemicals. The manufacturing website will make it clear as to how organic their food is.
  • Avoid artificial colours and additives
• Organic Baby Formula
  • See baby food above
• Organic Baby Clothes
  • Manufacturers such as those who use organic cotton avoid the use of chemicals that many other manufacturers use which can cause skin irritations, conditions and allergies. Some of the chemicals used by traditional manufacturers sit on the surface of the clothing.
• Organic Baby Bedding
  • This is very much along the same lines as organic baby clothing
• Organic Baby Toys
  • Toys made from organic and raw materials avoid the transfer of chemicals and toxins on toys into baby’s mouths.
• Organic Baby Clothes and Nappies
• Organic Baby Skin Care and Bath
  • Anything unscented is likely to have at least one less chemical in it
  • Avoid Artificial colours
  • The following site is extremely useful for looking up the dangers posed by specific skincare and bath products www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php
• Organic Baby Wipes
  • Anything that is unscented is likely to have at least one less chemical in it