Harmful Chemicals in Babycare Products - PLEASE READ!!

Hi All,

I decided to post this on a separate thread because I believe it is a very important issue- and one that I'm sure most mothers and mothers-to-be would like to be aware of.

I'm talking about chemicals in babycare products. They're everywhere- particularly in the most heavily marketed brands (Johnsons, Huggies, etc). Sad but true. Unfortunately we cannot rely on profit-driven companies to have our little cherubs best interests at heart. We must arm ourselves with information and research, so that we can be empowered to make informed choices for our children's health and be a part of the preventative healthcare revolution. So, who's with me?

I know we are not meant to post websites so moderators please edit the below link so that it reads differently if necessary. It is of American origin but the message is highly relevant.

Harmful Chemicals In Baby Care Products - What's Safe?

Please keep in mind that this article really just touches the tip of the iceburg. I strongly recommend that any mother wanting to find out more about what chemicals are and are not safe purchase a copy of Bill Stathams book 'The Chemical Maze'. May it become for you an essential shopping companion!! Another essential is Julie eady's 'Additive Alert'.
Rest assured that there are babycare brands out there who put integrity before profit and are dedicated to only using safe and beneficial ingredients.

Together we can make changes and keep our little cherubs safe and improve the world they live in buy putting our dollars where our hearts are.....

Health and happiness

XX

HELLLOOOO!!!???

Anyone else out there passionate enough about this issue to push for change?? :pray:
Cancer and hormone altering chemicals in babycare (or any 'care' for that matter) should not be allowed. We have to act!!! :protest:

C'mon y'all....
I'm gonna be on Oprah one day telling the world about this- you'd best get behind me now!! he he he.

Anyone????!!!

I just wanted to say thank you for being concerned enough about our children to post this thread, even if you haven't got any replies.

So, thank you.

And I want to say, i totally agree with your campaign and i have the chemical maze, it's a great reference.
I am also horrified at the chemicals allowed in disposible nappies, food and clothing amongst other things.
I wouldn't touch most commercial baby products with a 10 foot barge pole.

I'll be watching when you're on Oprah! ;) Go girl!

going off to have a read now, thanks for the link

Yay! Thanks- I'm glad to hear it (err- read it!).
If enough of us start to boycott these heavily commercialised chemical brands, these companies will start to notice a dent in their budget- and it surely wont take much soul searching to figure out why. This is what it will take to motivate them to make the changes that are necessary and severely overdue.
The eco-friendly chemical-free babycare market is growing every year- although it is up to us as consumers to support them in their quest to put ethics above profit.

For anyone interested, you can make a giant leap in the right direction by simply choosing a brand such as Nature Babycare instead of the standard Huggies etc.
Nature Babycare are made in Sweden, (albeit no more expensive!) without the use of chlorine and harsh chemical bleaches which most conventional nappies contain. They also do babywipes - both available from Coles & Woolies.
For those interested in other Eco brands- there are Moltex Eco Nappies (from health food stores), Safeties Nature Nappies & Tushies. The Moltex Eco & Safeties are 100% Biodegradable. Then there is cloth- which is obviously the most eco-friendly choice.

But my point is- we don't HAVE to give up convenience to be eco-friendly busy Mums!!! Its as simple as switching brands to be kinder to our babies bodies, and the planet they will grow to live in.
X

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi

Well I do this with all products at home, cleaning etc ;)

This is so alarming and Im very surprised you haven't had a bigger response :o

There are so many 'problems' with children these days and they get put on meds when sometimes its what is fed and used on them or around them at a young age.

Thank you for your post :)

Thanks for the information and for your passion. I am off to read your link now too.

it is really quite frightening what has become normal for use with ourselves and with our precious babies. I try to be conscious of what I use on my little one and I shudder to think of what slips through that I am unaware of...:(

Thanks for the article, I noted down the chemicals to avoid - very helpful!

oops posted twice...

I think it maybe because it was in the pregnancy section?

I think there are a lot of us here on BB who are chemical free? or have chemical free lifestyles. We had a huge thread a few years ago in the recipe section about additives in our diets.

In our house we have been chemical free for over a year now. It does feel better... much better. We use soap nuts to wash out clothes even. Its horrible some of the stuff that is in common household items.

I think some of the 'fully biodegradable' disposable nappies are just another advertising gimmick. If disposed of in the same way as most household rubbish, the majority if not all are still unable to break down.

My brother has experimented with a few and tried to break them down in compost and using various methods. Nothing, nada they still exist 12 months later.

If anyone has info to the contrary, i'd be happy to read it, but so far my interest in the biodegradable nappy has been dissappointing.

Thanks Jellybean for starting this thread, and bumping it til it generated some interest!

Thanks for the replies. I knew you chemical-savvy lasses were out there somewhere!!!

Kate08- interesting comment about the 'biodegradable' nappies. Apparently there are strict conditions for them to completely biodegrade- unfortunately I haven't looked into it- but I have thought about doing what you have done- just throwing one out the back garden and seeing how long it takes.
The nature babycare ones at least don't claim to be biodegradable- just chemical free- which is a step in the right direction at least!!
I found cloth hard in the early days when runny breastfed poos were so regular- but now that bub is a 1-poo-a-day-man, its too easy for me not to use them. Bit of wee just comes stright out in the wash!! Although, the eco disposies ARE really good for night time use......

Hi Jellybean

I thought you'd like to know that this thread has made a difference to at least a couple of kiddies out there!

When DS was born I was quite passionate about keeping him as chemical-free as possible and I was using Gaia and Aromababy products on him. He got eczema at 6 weeks of age and I persisted with organic products, not wanting to use anything too "manufactured" for him. Spent a fortune and no real improvement.

It was with a real sense of defeat that I walked into the pharmacy to find something else. DS' skin cleared up quickly and beautifully with the use of petroleum and paraffin-based pharmacy products (Aveeno, Dermeze, Cetaphil) and when I went back to organic products his skin flared up again. (Apart from Aromababy Barrier Balm on his little bottom, ironically that was the only thing that kept nappy rash at bay - Bepanthen, Sudocrem etc did nothing).

So, generally speaking, I had grown quite cynical about organic products - and felt that I had prolonged his discomfort by sticking with my chemical-free philosophy. I have crossed swords with other BB members over this as well because it makes me angry that people simply won't consider something to relieve their baby's discomfort because it is not organic.

Anyway, fast forward 2 years and I now have a DD as well. Put her straight onto DS' skin care routine and her skin has been beautiful from the beginning. However after a couple of months I have found that she simply does not have the same kind of skin as DS - lucky for her. DS' skin is not as reactive as it was but that is also because we are vigilant about his skin maintenance.

So along comes your thread and it got me thinking - if DD doesn't have this same kind of skin and DS is not as sensitive as he was, I may as well go back to using the lovely organic products I prefer. If neither of them "need" the more synthetic products then why use them? I may as well lessen the chemical load where possible, right?

Obviously in my DS' case it was not practical to continue down the organic route when it was not helping him and I think it is important to remember that "man-made" doesn't necessarily mean bad. It may be less desirable for some of us but it may still have benefits that are for the greater good - in my case, allowing my DS to sleep soundly and feel comfortable in his skin.

I just thought I'd post this - it might inspire people to make small changes, that organic doesn't necessarily have to be an all or nothing approach. Changes made wherever practical still make a difference.

I have also decided to make my house more chemical free where possible. Vinegar and bicarb doesn't work for me but I can buy Method and Cinderella products instead of Spray and Wipe, Domestos and Windex. I can buy Eco Store instead of Palmolive soap. I'm not ready to give up my Drive washing powder, but we'll see...

Hope to see you on Oprah one day!:clap:

jellybean, i'll be right there with you on oprah.

i am constantly telling everyone i know about all of this - they shrug me off as a conspiracy nut, but if i get through to 1 in 5 at least that is something.

its very alarming (and grustrating) that most people i know shrug this off, especially the baby care products!

I just got heaps of Johnsons stuff at my baby shower! Don't know what to do with it all.

SJ - i have been given J&J stuff from people whom I have warned about all the crap in it! :wall: I have even told them that we only use certain brands!!!

I just smile politely (in one ear and out the other obviously) and chuck it out. Cant even give it to the salvos - i dont want to be the one responsible for some poor baby having that put on their skin!

Thanks for the support guys.

Curly- I'm sorry to hear your little boy had a reaction to natural products. Firstly, can I just say that although they are free of the harshest chemicals, only few ingredients in the Gaia and Aroma Baby are actually certified organic (organic means nothing unless it is certified by a recognised certifying organisation such as NASSA or the ACO) and there are still some synthetic chemicals used in these brands. 100% certified organic brands are Miessence and Natures Child. There are other lesser known ones out there too.
It is also important to note that a child may be allergic to a particular natural ingredient (ie- herb or essential oil) and this would explain the skin reaction. Thankfully this is rare but it does occur. My husband has an allergy to almonds- and cannot use sweet almond oil on his skin - so we just buy organic products which do not contain this ingredient. (Although I use it alot!!)
It is also important to note that the external reaction on the skin is not the most important thing to consider when assessing the safety of a product. The skin is an organ, and highly porous- therefore what we put on it is absorbs into our blood steam. Whilst a child may not react externally to a product with synthetic chemicals, it is the long-term toxin accumulation of these chemicals in the cells of the body which is the greatest cause for concern amoungst scientists and toxicologists.
Conventional barrier balms also contain ingredients such as mineral oil- which is highly toxic. Mineral oil actually 'traps' moisture in the skin- giving the user the impression that their skin is softer and more hydrated, however it also works by blocking the pores of the skin from breathing- thus preventing the body from being able to excrete toxins via sweat. It is essential that a newborn infants skin is left free to 'breathe' and excrete toxins that it may be exposed to.
I do not intend to offend anyone with their choices (I too used to use loads of chemical stuff once), but it is my honest (and not so humble opinion) that it is better an infant use no product at all than these conventional chemical brands.The long term health risks and the increasing body of research indicates that it is just not worth it.
Besides, what did they use before all these chemicals and products were invented? Babies were just given a scrub down in the lake, surely?

SaraJane- I also was given some J&J's for my baby shower even though my Mum wrote on the invite that I only use natural or organic products!! Honestly, the brainwashing power these companies have is enormous....
I was not content to give the products to anyone, nor was I content to tip it down the sink, so it went straight in the bin!!!

Hi Ladies,

I have just started getting interested in this stuff, and was researching on the net.

I thought that I would bump this thread so more people can read about what we are doing to our children. It is quite alarming! Really, there needs to be warnings put on these products.

There is a new book out called "Slow Death By Rubber Duck" by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie. I am heading out to buy it today! Am very much looking forward to reading it and ridding my home of these harmful chemicals!:clap:

Im very aware of this too, I try to ensure that most if not all of my childs products are to a high degree "natural".
I am really struggling about thinking of returning to work, see, I used to work in a pharmacy...the last pharmacy I worked(Big National Brand) for I actually got into trouble for encouraging new mothers to breastfeed and not shoving formula down their throats (anything to meet their sales targets!) also for telling them about the lovely shop across the road that sold cloth nappies and organic natural skin care, I did a presentation in my pharmacy course about the evils of J&J and other brands that contain all these nasties, sadly they pay these pharmacies big dollars to have these products and push them too.

Baby wipes is another big thing for me, I try to use cloth when I can but its not always convenient, I buy an organic, natural bamboo based wipes now, Jacob no longer screams when I wipe his bum. amazing really, it disgusts me how many companies add anti freeze to their products.

Another supporter here! Hope to see you soon on Oprah! :D

I haven't got a bub just yet, but I'm already researching products/brands etc. And yes, when you read some of the ingedients you go :wtf: ?!? Why would I want to put that on my baby's skin?
So what products would you recommend? I personally like the fact that you can buy Gaia products in most supermarkets, but I don't really like the smell of lavender and tbh the smell of some Gaia products is just so overpowering it makes my nose hurt :shakehead: (bit sensitive to smells here!:redface:) Is there another option that is not too exxy and not soo strong smelling? It's just pure evil that J&J make their products smell so good. I would never use them, but oh the smell....

Anyway, good on you for putting it out there! :clap:

I must of missed this this thread, or I would have posted! You have my full support as well : )

I am still trying to find brands that suit us.. and honestly it is so frustrating to have to sort through all of the green washing crap on products!!! So many products claims to be natural / organic but once you read the back you find out its all marketing!!

I cant stand the smell of Miessence products! and some of their products still irritate my skin, but am yet to work out what natural ingredient it is...!

Will have to try Natures Child, thanks for that

and another supporter! I am very interested in getting the mentioned books, we are in the transition of going chemical free here, i use soap nuts for the laundry and wash my windows and floors with vinegar and warm water.
I do need a lot of recipes for homemade cleaners/household products if someone could point me in the right direction to a possible link on BB.
DD2 is now in disposibles only because our laundry sink is currently unusable but up until then has been in cloth, both my babies hardly ever had baby wipes we always use facewashers.

I am verrrry slowly being convinced. I have taken some steps - my boys have both been in cloth nappies (but do wear disposable overnight, I have not found a cloth nappy that could hold overnight for either of them), I do not use any bath products on them at all just plain water, I have recently started using MooGoo products for moisturisers etc. We do use disposable wipes though - I realllllly like them! :redface: They are just so handy to clean up mess etc. I guess I could try to switch. I brought cloth wipes for DS1 but it just never took, always seemed so awkward wetting it etc etc. Maybe I just never got the set up right.

You know what would be very handy? If some of you could list actual brands and products that you use and where you can purchase them. I would be very interested in a shampoo for my children for example.

I have only just looking into products, I started using "Natural Instinct" baby products, which you can get from the chemist. Unfortunatly it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which has low levels of a known carcinogen. :doh:

My DS has excema, so the doctor said just to bath him in water, his skin is too sensitive for any products. My mum said she used to use grape seed oil to bath my brother (he also had excema). I still have to try that.

I am going to have to keep on looking it seems... Will let you know what I find!