What’s In My Baby Shampoo? How to Shop Safe for Baby
GUEST POST BY FARAH-LEE HOENDERS.
Contrary to labels such as ‘gentle’ and ‘pure’, many top-selling baby bath products are contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals, according to independent lab tests conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Babies are more susceptible to toxins because their delicate skin absorbs chemicals faster than adults. While a one-off exposure to a questionable product is not likely to cause long-term damage, the reality is that babies are exposed to numerous products every day, over many years. These small exposures unfortunately add up and can contribute to illness later on, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
This includes in-utero as well as after birth. Recent studies have linked exposures to chemical pollutants, like metals and pesticides during pregnancy, as well as anti-depressants taken during first semester, to autism. While the evidence is not yet conclusive and further studies need to be undertaken, it’s enough to set off warning bells.
How to Read Labels: When ‘Organic’ Isn’t So Natural After All
Not all products marketed as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ are indeed safe. There are a number of factors to consider when determining how ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ a product really is:
• Is there organic certification on the product?
• How many organic ingredients are included? A brand can proclaim it’s organic by simply including one organic ingredient alongside a host of other chemical nasties.
• Where on the label are the organic ingredients found? Products, as required by law, are labelled with ingredients in descending order of their quantity. The top third usually contains 90-95% of the products, the middle third usually 5-8% and the bottom third 1-3%. If the organic ingredients are at the bottom of the list, it may not be as suitable as you think.
• What are the other ingredients? If they are questionable chemicals, than this will certainly outweigh any benefits from the organic component.
Resources & Tips for Safer Shopping
• Skin Deep is an online resource which outlines the toxicity level of most major baby and cosmetic brands. You can also build your own report about unlisted products in a few easy steps.
• Additive free foods and certified organic reduces exposure to toxins. If expense is an issue, prioritise with the worst affected pesticide foods as revealed in the EWG’s Dirty Dozen report. Homemade and wholesome baby food is always the best.
• The best things in life are free. Cleaning baby for bath and change time with plain old water is recommended by most midwives today.
• Handmade household cleaners based on vinegar and baking soda are great ways to reduce expenditure and ensure baby isn’t sniffing or touching any nasty chemicals in the house.
Author bio: Farah-Lee Hoenders is a passionate mum of two who is dedicated to educating families about safer choices. She runs KindtoKidz, an online baby gifts and toy store with a natural focus.
Positive affirmation for the day: I am overflowing with love and gratitude for all of the blessings in my life.
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POSTED IN: baby shampoo, natural, organic, toxic
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Skin Deep and EWG are both fabulous resources! Did you know that until recently the Johnson and Johnson’s ‘No More Tears’ baby shampoo contained a numbing agent so that the little bubs just couldn’t feel the burning in their eyes??? Isn’t that horrific? We have a fabulous, all natural, toxic free range of baby care products (and stuff for mums) at Peachy Clean http://www.peachyclean.com.au/collections/mum-baby
Baby Shampoos and Baby products are also really good for adults with sensitive skin. xxx
Hi Farah-Lee, and Jess,
I wish that my wife (Kristine) and I had been more conscious about chemicals and toxins in shampoos, and other household products as the children were growing up. We are very conscious now – we can spread the awareness now though.
Great article. Kind regards, Lyall 
Hi Lyall,
That’s great for spreading awareness. I also only caught on after I had my second child. It was due to a “chance” encounter with a great book called Chemical Free Kids by Dr. Sarah Lantz, which I highly recommend to everyone! Good luck with your journey
I have just recently learnt that most of our everday products like baby shampoo contain lots of chemical nasties, I was upset with myself for having used them for so long and I hadn’t even checked the ingredients! We have now switched all of our hair and body products over to MooGoo which has been fantastic, they are natural and organic and such lovely products to use
This is a great article, I hope lots of parents have a read of it!
Good info! Because of this blog I realized how toxic all my lotions, shampoos, and other body products are and I have been using them for years and years. Which is scary. But it’s never to late to make a change! I have transitioned away from a lot of the toxic products I used to use.
We all love our babies so much and want the best for them, so we are willing to buy anything for them, but the best thing for their skin and hair for the for the first 12 months of their life is WATER. Yes, just water, so cheap, available and the best cleaning agent for their hair and skin, try it.
I stumbled across your blog post on “what’s in my baby’s shampoo” and really enjoyed your straight forward style of writing. I would very much like to speak with you regarding the possibility of you becoming a contributor to my blog: “Beyond The Call of Beauty.” Although, I am a behind the chair working stylist and often completely immersed in the beauty industry, I find great response to my writing when I step outside my world of hair. Thoughts?
Hi Nowlin,
I’m happy to discuss. You can contact me at [email protected].