And is there an easy way to check?

If it seems like there are hundreds of choices for each baby product you need, you’re right.  AND they aren’t all safe substitutes!

We all know that babies are born with fragile, soft skin requiring gentle, safe products that will not harm them.  So, when we hear the warnings about bisphenol A (BPA) used in baby bottles and baby toys like teethers, it’s hard to believe anything so toxic would EVER be used for our most vulnerable consumers.

Just as we much read labels and become aware of harmful ingredients in our own skin and personal care products, we need to be even more vigilant in our choice of products for our babies and small children.

Here’s a list of harmful ingredients you may want to avoid in any of your baby’s skin and personal care products – like shampoos and lotions:

Phthalates and parabens – these are two ingredients that have been identified as possible carcinogens.

Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate – these are ‘suds-ing agents’ which have been implicated in allergic reactions, even asthma..

Salt (sodium chloride) – sometimes salt is used as a thickening agent.  Excessive levels are thought to be dangerous by health-conscious consumers.

Fragrance and Color – fragrance can mean the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients including phthalates – many of them toxic or carcinogenic.  They are thought to create allergic sensitivities, affect brain development and cause asthma.  Synthetic color has similar negative properties and has helped drive demand for fragrance- and color-free products.

Emulsifiers – these are used to help lotions ‘hang together’ and hydrate the skin. Many of these emulsifiers actually ‘de-hydrate’ the skin instead.  Using emulsifier-free lotions and creams will sooth and hydrate baby’s skin – without a drying effect after a short interval.

Choose products that provide your baby with multiple uses – hydration, moist skin healing, soothing – to simplify your purchase and their care.

I recommend a simple routine with Chaé baby care using gentle products formulate JUST for babies and small children:
Chaebaby shampoo ’n body wash is a waterless cleaner – great for shampooing hair, cleaning little hands, after diaper clean-up, sanitizing mommy’s hands and all those quick little wipe-up jobs.  Contains NO carcinogens, hormone disruptors, numbing agents that ‘trick’ the eyes because they cannot feel anything, phthalates, parabens or other harmful ingredients.

Chaebaby lotion is a gentle, emulsifier-free, fragrance-free, phthalate and parabens-free product.  Hydrates skin for soft after-bath massage.  Adds a layer of protection during diaper changes, aids in healing chapped skin for baby and for mom.  Soothes rough or red, wind exposed skin.  Holds moisture in the cells for smooth, supple skin.  Great for all sensitive skin types, not just babies.

Chaebaby oil is an elegant, hydrating oil.  Wonderful for massages, as a treatment for red or rough skin and a deep moisturizing treatment for sensitive baby skin.

Get a set of these products for baby’s changing table and a smaller, travel-size to take with you in baby’s diaper bag.