Non Toxic Baby Products: 10 Ingredients and Chemicals To Avoid

Whether it’s a toy or a bath product, ensure you get non-toxic baby products to protect your baby from possible harm. We’ve singled out some common ingredients and chemicals you should avoid!

Pampering our little ones is second nature to being a mama. As such, it’s no surprise that we ensure our babies enjoy the best toys, have the best clothes, and are treated to the best skin care products.

While a toy is often scrutinised by how educational it is and clothes for their attractiveness, baby skincare products are inspected more thoroughly. However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t be wary of the toys, clothes, or even utensils found in the market.

In this article, we’ll help you understand the different ingredients hiding in plain sight that, little do you know, may be potentially harmful to your baby.

What You Should Not Find in Non-Toxic Baby Products

1. Sulfates

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES) are sulfates. They are called surfactants because they are used to make a product foam. At the same time, sulfates are great for removing dirt and oil, which is why they’re found in many bath and cleaning products.

But despite these upsides, sulfates are irritants. According to a medical study, it can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. And if your little one has sensitive skin, it can also be particularly harsh.

2. Phthalates

Known as plasticisers, phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more durable. According to the CDC, phthalates can be found in lubricating oils and personal care products like soaps and shampoos.

It can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system. Even prenatal exposure to these chemicals can impact a baby’s “neurodevelopment, including lower IQ, and problems with attention and hyperactivity, and poorer social communication,” Health Care Without Harm explains.

3. Synthetic fragrances

Many fragrance chemicals come from petrochemicals (which means it’s derived from petroleum) that can harm human health. Besides being unsustainable and having a negative environmental impact, petrochemicals—which may be absorbed through the skin—can accumulate in tissues and organs. As a result, it can cause brain, nerve, and liver damage, and even cancer and asthma in the long run.

It’s one of the reasons you should avoid exposing your baby–especially if they are newborns–to synthetic fragrances. The Children’s Environmental Health Network highlighted that some fragrance compounds are also linked with congenital reproductive disabilities. In addition, if you have an allergic and asthmatic child, they may have allergic or hypersensitivity reactions.

4. BPA

You often find the label “BPA-free” in plastic baby products like bottles, sippy cups, utensils, and toys. But do you know why it can be bad for babies? This chemical, which is used in producing a type of hard plastic called polycarbonate, can leak into food and water–even more so if it’s heated!

Several studies have shown that BPA disrupts the hormone and causes nerve and behavioural disorders, reproductive health concerns, and diabetes. So, always go for BPA-free products and avoid plastics with the number “7” at the bottom. Such products usually contain BPA.

5. Talc

Most mamas have probably considered baby powder an absolute must-have for newborns. But the truth is that the American Association of Pediatrics has been against using baby powder since 1969. Besides having “no medically necessary use” for baby powder, talc can cause acute or chronic respiratory problems when inhaled.

6. Parabens

Parabens are chemicals used as a preservative. They’re found in many personal care products because they’re affordable and effective. However, finding them in your baby’s products is a cause for concern because parabens are known to interfere with fetus development and even during the first year of life.

It’s also crucial to avoid using products with parabens on newborns because their skin is still thin, making skin absorption of parabens highly plausible.

7. Alcohol

Babies, especially newborns, have delicate skin prone to allergies and irritations. You should avoid skincare products that contain alcohol, as this can be extremely drying and cause irritations.

8. DEET

Isn’t it annoying to see your little one with insect bites all over? While you may want to run to the nearest drugstore and grab the first bug spray you find, consider the ones that do not contain DEET.

According to the Healthy Children Organization of the American Academy of Pediatrics, DEET is not recommended for babies below two months. Moreover, some studies revealed that long-term use of DEET-based repellents could trigger allergic reactions, cause seizures in some cases, and increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

DEET may be effective, but there are far safer options like natural repellents with ingredients such as citronella, peppermint, and more.

Also Read: Are Mosquito Repellents With DEET Safe For Kids?

9. Formaldehyde

How does formaldehyde find its way into baby products? Well, it’s because this chemical extends the life of products and minimises bacterial growth. So keep a lookout for this ingredient because exposure to formaldehyde may cause scratchy or watery eyes, irritated throat and skin, and runny nose. And even worse, it’s also carcinogenic if exposure is long-term.

10. Triclosan

Triclosan can be found in antibacterial soaps, disinfectants, toys, and clothes in baby products. Although it effectively eliminates microorganisms like bacteria, it’s linked to hormone disruption. Studies suggest that triclosan “may increase a child’s risk of allergy.”

Go For Non-Toxic Baby Products in Mama’s Choice

As mamas, the health and safety of our children are important to us. That’s why as much as possible, we want to keep them in our arms for as long as possible. This thought drove us at Mama’s Choice to create a range of baby care products that are as safe as Mama’s hugs.

Each product in our Baby Series range is free of toxic chemicals and other unnecessary ingredients that can harm your little one’s development. Besides keeping harmful ingredients away from our formulation, we’ve brought in experts to ensure that our baby products are genuinely safe, like Mama’s hugs!

At the heart of our Mama’s Choice, Baby Series are five products that are lab-tested in Singapore, hypoallergenic, and certified Halal. Get to know these non-toxic baby products a little more below:

Mama’s Choice Baby Calming Tummy Oil

It’s normal for babies to cry. After all, crying is their way of communicating. But if the baby cries for no apparent reason for hours at a particular time and occurs several days in a row, it could be colic!

Colic can be very heart-wrenching and energy-draining for parents. To help mamas with this, Mama’s Choice created the Baby Calming Tummy Oil to help soothe the little one.

This tummy oil’s anti-colic formula helps overcome digestive disorders in babies, soothe flatulence and improve the quality of your little one’s sleep. Our product is enriched with three natural ingredients, namely nutmeg seed oil, lavender, and chamomile, which are safe, natural, and do not cause skin irritation.

Its fresh and soft fragrance can surely help babies relax. Just give a gentle massage on the baby’s tummy using Mama’s Choice Baby Calming Tummy Oil after bathing or before going to bed, and see the change in the quality of your little one’s and Mama’s sleep!

Also Read: Signs Baby Has Colic and How To Relieve Colic in Babies

Mama’s Choice Baby Diaper Cream

Rashes are one of the common skin problems in babies. Several things trigger inflammation on the baby’s skin. For example, friction with diapers or poor hygiene in the groin area is one reason behind a rash. Another culprit could be bath soap or detergent chemicals to wash your little one’s clothes.

To help mamas deal with the inevitable rashes, we created Mama’s Choice Baby Diaper Cream. A fast-acting formula to help relieve redness and irritation can help heal rashes in just three applications.

Our secret? It’s in the eight natural ingredients found in every tube of our diaper cream. One is Centella Asiatica, a well-known ingredient in skincare products.

Also Read: How To Prevent Diaper Rash in Babies

Mama’s Choice Baby Moisturizing Hand Gel

As we continue to live through a pandemic, hand sanitiser is a must for everybody. But as babies need a gentle yet tough formula that’s 100% safe, Mama’s Choice specially created the Baby Moisturizing Hand Gel.

Our innovative hand gel does not contain alcohol and triclosan but remains influential in killing bacteria. How? We harness the power of benzalkonium chloride, which is just as effective in helping combat bacteria.

Another advantage of Mama’s Choice Moisturizing Hand Gel is that it does not contain artificial fragrance because it uses lemon oil as a refreshing natural fragrance. In addition, this hand gel contains natural ingredients such as aloe vera and Centella Asiatica, which keep the skin soft and moisturised!

Also Read: Why Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Is Best For Kids

Mama’s Choice Hair and Body Wash

That newborn smell is so precious to mamas. With Mama’s Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash, we ensure that your little one is clean from head to toe. In addition, we’ve formulated it without harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates, providing mamas can use it worry-free.

Our formula is infused with the goodness of natural ingredients like chamomile, lavender, and sugar maple extract. Together, they clean, nourish, protect, and moisturise the skin. But do you know what makes this Hair and Body Wash truly special? It lends a relaxing effect thanks to the lavender in our formulation.

Also Read: How To Bathe A Newborn Baby

Mama’s Choice Baby Mozzbye Skin Protection Lotion

Babies are like magnets for mosquitoes. So we ensured babies are safe from pesky mosquito bites with Mama’s Choice Mozzbye Skin Protection Lotion.

With natural ingredients lavender and citronella, this lotion repels mosquitoes while being safe for babies and children. Our lotion has also been proven to keep naughty mosquitoes away for 8 hours. This includes mosquitoes that cause Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Elephantiasis.

Mamas can apply this confidently because it’s 100% free of harmful ingredients such as DEET, parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and perfumes that irritate the skin.

Knowing that you have chosen the best for your baby is the most comforting feeling in the world. Let Mama’s Choice Baby Calming Series provide your little one with care and protection that’s #AsSafeAsMamasHugs!