Photo: botanicskinessentials.com
I am a little beyond the age now where most of my friends are having or have had babies. This post is for new parents, parents-to-be, or for those who are like myself - People who have no children, but often contribute to friends who do.
For as long as it takes you to read this post, attempt to cast aside all preconceived notions surrounding the conventional when it comes to baby products. That term, "baby products" irks the hell out of me. One of the biggest farces in North America is the multi-billion dollar baby industry. The pressure to purchase the latest, the best, the brand name must be overwhelming for most parents and parents to be. All everyone ever desires is to do the best for and by their children. This post is exactly for that purpose, with no strings attached.
Dr. Bronner's Baby Soap (All purpose: Body and Hair): United States
From Johnson & Johnson to Nature Clean "Treehouse", there are so many different brands marketed for babies. The price, environmental and health impact vary from product to product. Naturally, one would assume that any product marketed for babies would be "baby safe", where in fact most baby soaps, like adult ones, contain harmful chemicals and dyes. Long-term exposure to most immuno/hormone disrupting and suspected cancer causing chemicals are unkown; however, as new thought about cancer treatment is leaning heavily toward prevention, science is suggesting that reducing exposure may be the best course of action. You cannot possibly protect your child from everything; but, you can control what goes on their skin and in their body. At the top of my list of soaps for baby I would highly recommend Dr. Bronners Magic Soap "baby mild for sensitive skin". Free from parabens, phthalates, dyes, fragrances, petroleum, SLS, and SELS makes Dr. Bronner's the BEST all purpose soap for your baby, and is also easy on the environment. The good news, a 32oz or 1L bottle, roughly $15.49 (Lablaw's), will last you a very long time. This highly concentrated soap makes a little go a long way, which will come in very handy when cleaning baby for the months to come. The fact that this soap does not have any fragrance or dyes will also mean that it will be extremely gentile on babies sensitive skin, not to mention yours. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap is the most accessible in Canada, although not a Canadian product, can be purchased at most health food and grocery stores across the country: Lablaw, Superstore, Natural Food Pantry, Whole Foods, just to name a few, and comes available in a variety of sizes making it a diverse complement to any baby shower gift.
Carina Organics: Canadian
For those of you who do not mind paying a flat $10 rate for shipping within Canada, Carina Organics from Vancouver makes excellent soaps for adult and baby. This baby body wash and shampoo is available in "scented" and "unscented", both options are dye, phthalate, artificial fragrance, SLS, SELS, and paraben free and would make a fantastic shower gift. If you are a parent or friend, who does not mind paying a little more for a soap, then this would be the best option for you. Like Dr. Bronner's, Carina Organics has "bulk" options with an 8oz, 32oz, and 128oz options. I would consider this product to be more pricy than the very accessible Dr. Bronner's; but, if you're a strong supporter of the Canadian economy and do not mind paying a little more for a Canadian product, Carina Organics would also make an excellent purchase. The shipping is fast, within the same week that you order, which makes this product even more convenient. Also, being easy on the environment, Carina Organics is worth keeping in mind.
Eco Chic: Canadian
This is the really fancy stuff designed by Dr. Alexis Reid N.D, MSc, BASc and is also Canadian. Available on her website along with a lot more Mom-to-be and baby products. All of the soaps available on this website are SLS, SELS, paraben, phthalate, gluten, soy, and nut free (Dr. Bronner's and Carina Organics are too). Unfortunately, this "Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash" is not fragrance free, but it does not contain any dyes and the scent is derived from lavender and vanilla extracts. Being a castile soap, like Dr. Bronner's, it's properties tend to be very gentile as the castile manufacturing leaves much of the natural moisturizers from the soapification process in the product. Slightly more expensive than Carina Organics (8oz for $9.99), Eco Chic "Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash" is $12.99/bottle.
Nature Clean Laundry Liquid: Canadian
Something that not a lot of people consider when purchasing shower gifts. Laundry liquid is a staple for every new parent because they are going to be doing A LOT of it. From cleaning cloth diapers to sound sleepers and receiving blankets, Nature Clean makes the best "Unscented Laundry Liquid" out on the natural market. Very easy on the environment and baby's sensitive skin, the non-ionic laundry soap is labeled "baby safe" as are all of Nature Clean's household cleaning products (hey, they are pet safe too). Nature Clean laundry liquid comes in several forms: Laundry Liquid which is good for all apartment living washers and is available in 1.8L and 3L options, 3x Laundry Liquid is excellent for all HE washers (you can use it in the not so HE too) and is available in 1L and 3L Eco-Refill. Nature Clean also makes Laundry Tabs and Fabric Softener. Being dye and fragrance free makes Nature Clean an excellent product especially if baby enjoys sticking fabric in their mouth. Parents can rest assured that this non-ionic product has the lowest possible toxicity and leaves the least amount of residue after washing, not to mention, is easier on the environment than the other name brands.
These are only a few of the many options which are available to new parents. The only difference between these products and some others, is that I have thoroughly researched these companies and their products. If I were having a baby or gifting for one, these items would be in the box ready for the new parent to try. With complete confidence all of these products are some of the best on the market and do the least amount of damage to the environment. Ranging in price, the best for your budget are the products from Nature Clean and Dr. Bronner's: however, if you want to get something a little more fancy as a shower gift, or feel like treating yourself, the other companies I listed are also excellent. No matter what the income, there are always natural options available to every parent.
Until next time, stay green and remember to READ THE LABEL.
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