By Aimee Welch

I can say with complete confidence that, before becoming a mother, I never googled organic mattresses, BPA, red dye 40, “physical” sunscreen or low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint. Not even once. Having a baby changes everything. Suddenly, keeping that tiny little person healthy and happy is the only thing that matters, and the Internet becomes your best (and worst) friend. Mothers are hyper-aware of everything that goes into and comes out of that tiny little body. From laundry detergent and onesies to baby food and bathing products, there are so many options to choose from—some considered much healthier than others. Simply put, the fewer chemicals your baby is exposed to from day one, the better. Toxins in the air, in our food, and in the products we use can cause allergies, chemical sensitivities and other illnesses. For new moms or moms-to-be, keeping track of it all can be overwhelming, and following every “best practice” out there is impossible. But with a little research, a lot of balance, and that unwavering mother’s love, you’ll find the products and practices that work best for your family. Below are some guidelines to get you started on creating a more natural environment for your little ones.

Nutrition

For a newborn baby’s diet the best possible option is breast milk. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) breast milk should be the only source of nourishment for the first six months. Breast milk is nutrient-dense, safe, and it contains antibodies that protect against many childhood diseases. Some research indicates that adolescents and adults who were breastfed as babies had a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes, and of becoming overweight or obese. It’s convenient, it’s free, it’s natural and it has every nutrient your baby needs. WHO also cites many benefits for mom, too, such as decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancers later in life.

For some new moms, however, breastfeeding just doesn’t work out. Whether mom’s body isn’t producing enough milk, or the baby simply won’t feed, breastfeeding isn’t always an option. Fortunately, there are now many organic baby formulas on the market that contain most of the same nutrients found in breast milk. Organic formulas are most often free of pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones but check the label for corn syrup—some organic formulas contain corn syrup instead of higher quality forms of sugar like milk lactose or brown rice syrup.

As your baby moves into solid foods, you can make your own baby food or choose from a variety of organic brands on the shelves. If you’re going homemade, the number one rule is safety. Wash produce thoroughly, even if it’s organic. Consult the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen for a list of especially “dirty” veggies and fruits, and buy organic when you can. Use glass or stainless steel jars, and be sure to serve baby food immediately or freeze it to prevent bacterial growth.

When it comes to feeding your baby, you’ll never run out of things to read or learn. But for starters, just be safe, be as natural as possible and, remember, the fewer ingredients the better.

Skincare

There’s nothing in the world quite like a cuddly, silky smooth baby, and skin-to-skin contact has physical and emotional benefits for both baby and mom. But a baby’s skin is very vulnerable. It’s more porous than an adult’s, so it absorbs much more of everything it touches. From lotions, shampoos and laundry soaps to diapers, clothing and blankets, going more natural with the products in your home can prevent irritating and/or painful rashes, dryness, chafing and allergies. Additionally, babies’ immune systems are still developing, so limiting exposure to chemicals and toxins early in life is especially important.

The first lesson in Baby Skincare 101 is less is more. Babies are born with a natural protective covering on their skin called vernix, and many medical experts recommend not bathing the baby for the first few weeks of life. After that, limit bathing to three times a week or less for the first year, and avoid using any soaps or lotions on your baby’s skin for the first few months—water is most often good enough! Even when changing diapers, using straight water and cloth diapers is a great natural option. Disposable diapers and baby wipes can make things a lot easier, but they often contain chemicals, dyes and fragrances that can irritate a baby’s skin. Luckily, things are easier for the modern mom.  There are now disposable diapers available without added chemicals and dyes, and modern cloth diapers, a cloth/disposable hybrid.

Those adorable baby clothes around every corner are hard to resist, but, whenever you can, buy natural, organic and/or eco-friendly clothing, bedding and blankets for your little one. Non-organic cotton often contains pesticides, dyes, bleaches and toxins that have been associated with many health risks in children. Be sure to wash them in a gentle detergent free of dyes and fragrances.

In the Home

Creating a cozy and clean environment for our smallest family members is a natural and amazing part of the nesting process. We choose our “theme” and color pattern and then go to town cleaning, painting and shopping for theme-specific cribs, sheets, curtains, rugs and more. The room may look adorable, but make sure it’s also healthy for baby.

Any new paint used in your home, and especially in your nursery, should be free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  VOCs are chemicals found in paint and many other products, which are emitted into the air while you paint and, oftentimes, years after. Depending on the type of VOCs present and the amount of exposure, their impact could range from allergies and asthma to cancer.  Almost every paint manufacturer now offers water-based low- and no-VOC paint options so it’s an easy way to reduce your baby’s exposure.

For cleaning, think like grandma. Put away the Lysol and Clorox, which are riddled with chemicals that can irritate little eyes, skin and respiratory systems, and get out your baking soda, white vinegar and some lemons. You can effectively clean floors, counters, kitchens, windows and bathrooms using natural products, without the toxins found in many cleansers. There are also many green options in the stores. One WebMD article recommends choosing products labeled petroleum-free, biodegradable, phosphate-free, VOC-free, and solvent-free, and avoiding products containing chlorine, alcohols, triclosan, triclocarbon, lye, glycol ethers or ammonia.

Since babies spend much of their time snoozing away, consider investing in an organic mattress. Most regular crib mattresses contain vinyl/PVC and polyurethane foam, which have been shown to release potentially harmful chemicals such as phthalates. Other types of new furniture and carpets can also leach out harmful fumes so be sure to unwrap them and air them out for a few days before putting them in the house. Better yet, look for furniture that is certified by Greenguard for low chemical emissions or buy secondhand furniture that has already offgassed any harmful chemicals.

Prioritizing your green efforts

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed right now, take a deep breath and relax. You don’t have to go 100 percent green to be an amazing mom and raise a happy, healthy child. Every family’s needs, resources and priorities are different, and educating yourself and making changes where you can is a great start. Focus on the high exposure areas and/or products first—i.e. nursery furniture, clothing/diapers, nutrition—and then slowly incorporate other priorities. The most important thing your baby needs will come naturally…a mother’s love.