After the creation of three of my own baby registries, and after helping thousands of moms to create their own, I know a thing or two about registries! So, ready for the tips? All you need is diapers, and your breasts! Just kidding...if only having a baby were that easy. Many of us need additional things to make our breastfeeding journey (and motherhood journey) successful.
Creating a baby registry is an exciting part of preparing for your little one's arrival. However, it's important to make sure that the products you register for are safe and nontoxic. I have a registry guide you can purchase here that gives an entire checklist for before baby comes. It also includes an entire postpartum checklist for those of you that are not sure where to start!
There's a reason why we focus so hard on kids when they are little in order to avoid toxins and give them the best start at life. Babies are more vulnerable to toxins and chemicals than adults, and exposure to them can have long-term effects on their health and development. In this blog post, we'll explore tips and tricks to making the perfect nontoxic baby registry.
Research your products
Before adding any products to your registry, do some research on the brands and products you're considering. No, you don't have to search for hours for the perfect brands. Use my guides and blogs to help guide you. The last thing we want is for something exciting like putting together your baby registry for your little one to be stressful. If I can offer tips on how to know if a product is safe, look for information on the materials and ingredients used in the products. Choose products made from natural, organic, and nontoxic materials. Not sure what constitutes as nontoxic? The more ingredients a product has, the worse it usually is. One of the things that EWG gets away with is approving "safe synthetics" in their products. This means the ingredients within products like Tubby Todd or Babo Botanicals are synthetic instead of natural, but are deemed as ingredients that have no effects. If you're looking for safe ingredient products, stick with a simple and easy to read label. Additionally, avoid products that contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and BPA.
Choose natural and organic baby clothing
So what exactly is natural? Well, even if you choose organic cotton clothing, you never truly know where the companies gets their dyes from unless you reach out. This can make clothing overwhelming. Is bamboo safe? Is oeko tex certified polyester safe? So many questions, right?
Stick to this rule of thumb. When selecting baby clothing for your registry, look for items made from natural and organic materials such as cotton, bamboo, and wool. Yes, bamboo can actually depend on the breakdown of the chemicals used specific to each company. But feel free to reach out and ask about the process. Transparency with companies is key. Avoid synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, as they can contain harmful chemicals, as they are not natural. Even if they have "oeko-tex certification", they can be harsh on the skin because they contain plastics, risking BPA exposure. I would save thicker polyester fabrics that are certified for specific occasions like when a heavy jacket is needed for winter weather (and layer cotton clothing underneath to create a barrier on the skin). Also, consider selecting clothing that is labeled "organic," which means it is free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Cotton that is not labeled organic is still a better choice over synthetics, even though it is not free of pesticides.
Why do Synthetics get a Bad Reputation? Cue Taylor Swift's song, Bad Reputation :) Synthetic materials used in clothes like nylon, polyester, and Lycra are essentially made from plastic. Say WHAT?! That's right...Plastic doesn’t “biodegrade” or break down in the environment. So what does that mean? So in the case of synthetic fabrics, these tiny pieces of “microplastics”—more commonly referred to as “microfibers” can shed. That's right. These microfibers which are often invisible to us, are released into the air and breathed in, or stick to dust. Even worse, they can get into our wastewater systems, and from there into our rivers and oceans. That's what happens when you wash them - eek!
Select nontoxic baby skincare products
This one seems like a given but often greenwashing comes into play and this is where things get VERY tricky. If you follow me on social media, you will know that this is one thing I try to tease out - brands that are safe and brands that contain concerning ingredients like cocomidopropyl betaine, alcohols, PEGS, etc. The list goes on! Baby's skin is delicate and sensitive, so it's important to choose skincare products that are gentle and nontoxic. Look for products that are free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates. Fragrance is a HUGE deal - it is a code word for all kinds of chemicals that the company can get away with not disclosing. Choose products made with natural and organic ingredients, such as shea butter, coconut oil, goat's milk, organic aloe vera, etc. See the above Aveeno Swap post here.
Register for unpainted wooden toys
I know boring right?! No colors? YES!!! According to the Instagram LIVE I did with Lead Safe Mama, painted toys that are wooden are often coated with titanium dioxide )to help the bright colors stick) and this is NO good. We've all heard in recent years how toxic this substance can be, and how it is linked to cancer, etc. Lovevery is getting lots of heat for this lately. This won't be a problem until your child is putting them in their mouths, and then they are ingesting it. Unpainted wooden toys are a great nontoxic option for your baby's playtime. They are durable, long-lasting, and made from natural materials - real wood! Choose toys made from solid wood rather than pressed wood or particleboard, which can contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde. Need ideas for safe toys? Check out my two Amazon lists: Toys for Kids and Babies, and Safe Stuffed Animals and Dolls.
Consider glass bottles
When it comes to feeding your baby, consider using glass bottles instead of plastic ones. I cannot stress this ENOUGH! Get silicone covers if glass is a concern. As a mom who started out with plastic bottles that break down over time, take it from me - do not let Microplastics leach into your child's bottle! Are you warming your bottles up? Whether it's under warm water or in a bottle warmer, never heat up plastic. Glass is a nontoxic material that doesn't contain harmful chemicals such as BPA. Plus, glass is easy to clean and can be reused for multiple babies. I have had the same bottles for many years. So if you can stomach the higher cost up front, go with glass! Check out brands like Pura Kiki for stainless steel options. I have my favorite Advent bottles linked here.
Additional safe bottle brands are listed in my Home Detox Guide and include Lifefactory, Mason Bottles, and more!
Register for a nontoxic crib mattress
Your baby will spend a lot of time sleeping (in reality it's 1/3 of their life), so it's important to choose a nontoxic crib mattress. Look for a mattress made with natural and organic materials such as wool, cotton, and latex. Avoid mattresses made with synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam, which can contain harmful chemicals. I get asked about this often! Is Certi-Pur foam okay? If it's green guard certified, then yes. What is green guard certification? It's something you need for all your furniture and mattresses!
Get the above Green Guard Certified crib here on Amazon for less than $200!
Opt for natural fiber baby carriers
Moms families don't consider that sticking to organic, breathable fabrics that are eco-friendly include baby carriers too! Baby carriers are a convenient way to keep your baby close and your hands free, but they touch their delicate skin. When selecting a baby carrier, choose one made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or hemp. These materials are breathable, gentle on your baby's skin, and free from harmful chemicals. My favorites are organic, like this Mushie organic cotton baby wrap and the heavy duty, yet breathable Organic Lillebaby Carrier (which is often on sale).
Register for a HEPA air purifier
Indoor air quality can also impact your baby's health, and yours! Register for a HEPA air purifier that's small and can go right into baby's room. Or use it in your room while you bed share (which for me, truly never ends). A HEPA and carbon filter in one purifier is the best choice because it can help remove harmful pollutants and allergens from the air in your home. Look for a purifier that is free from harmful chemicals such as ozone and can capture particles or VOCs as small as 0.3 microns. I love the Air Doctor for our home, but we use the Germ Guardian for our kids' rooms. They are lightweight, and even light up with shapes displayed on the wall!
By considering these additional factors, you can create a nontoxic baby registry that supports your baby's health and well-being.
Want additional pregnancy content?! Well you're in luck! Check out my YouTube video that lists my favorite pregnancy safe brands for skincare.
Check out this YouTube video that lists additional postpartum essentials to make the fourth trimester easier! Got questions? Reach out to me via email at mamabearliving@gmail.com, I'm happy to help you design your registry with a personalized consult.
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