Non-Toxic Baby and Child Bath time Guide
Post updated on 02/2021
Why is is super important to use non-toxic products for your child's (regardless of age) bath time?
Your skin is your biggest organ. Anything you rub on it can enter your body. How much and what chemicals are absorbed will depend on different factors (particle size, time of exposure, heat etc)
If you shower with warm water, the vapor will open your pores which could increase the potential chemical exposure from any given product
We shower, and will continue showering, pretty much daily for years - all of our life. Even extremely low doses of a worrisome chemical can potentially add up over time. The cumulative effects of many worrisome chemicals (at extremely low doses) on young children have not thoroughly been studied but could potentially be as bad as being exposed to a given chemical at a high dose once. If you are pregnant, your developing fetus will also receive a constant low dose of worrisome chemicals at a very susceptible time of development.
Look out and avoid:
Tear-Free": shampoos that claim to be 'tear free' usually (with some exceptions) contain 1,4 dioxane. This chemical (also common in many conventional household cleaning products) releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. There are some exceptions, but more often than not this is a claim you might want to avoid. Instead teach your little ones to close their eyes and tilt their head back (please note, there are some companies like California Baby that do have safe, 'tear free', products.)
- Fragrance: Also labelled as 'parfum'. Personal care companies do not have to disclose what they use in their fragrance. What we do know is that any given fragrance can sometimes be made up of dozens of different chemicals. For the most part synthetic fragrances have endocrine disrupting chemicals and should be avoided.
Parabens : chemicals that end in "-paraben" are preservatives often used in personal care product. They are known hormone disrupting chemicals which have been found in breast cancer tumors and have also been linked to reproductive and neurological disorders,
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) are ingredients that are commonly found in children’s products that we expect to be foamy (bubble bath, soap, shampoo, toothpaste). SLS is derived from palm oil, whose production is resulting in heavy deforestation in south east Asia and linked to climate change and certain animal extinctions. It is a known skin irritant. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is the 'worse' of the two, since it is often contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which gives off formaldehyde, a known carcinogen
- Greenwashing: Companies that build an imagine on being 'green' and 'safe' while still using known toxic ingredients, exist and many have shampoos and body washes marketed to babies and children. It is important to be aware that any given company could have a 'safe' 'non-toxic product' and also have a similar product that contains iffy ingredients. According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database, companies like Mustela, Babyganics, Burts Bees and Weleda, all have both safe, non-toxic products as well as products containing fragrance chemicals which you are better off avoiding for daily use in kids.
- Phthalates (soft squeezable plastics ) & Bisphenols (hard clear plastics): Be careful with plastics; when possible avoid them. These plastics are endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can mimic your body’s natural hormone balance, yet they are often found in kids bath time products like bath mats, toys and more.
How Should I prioritize non-toxic bathtime switches ?
If you have to make changes this is my personal order of priority for bath time essentials
1. Cleansers
Babies really don’t need soap nor do they need daily baths. Older babies and kids can use cleansers, however always choose cleansers that are free of:
synthetic fragrance , SLS, parabens, ethoxylated ingredients (PPG, PEG, polysorbate and ingredients that end in –eth such as laureth, steareth, ceteareth.), Phenoxyethanol, antibacterial claims and I would also avoid tear free formulations as they can sometimes contain 1,4 dioxane which can releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Instead teach your little ones to close their eyes and tilt their head back
My Essential Non-Toxic Baby Guide has a longer list of my favorites but among them I like:
Aleavia: ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRN4MW6/ ) not an actual soap, but a prebiotic that protects the skin’s microbiome.
Baeo Baby: a mom owned company, super natural and safe ingredients, sustainable packaging. Its our favorite for the kids
2. Post Bath Moisturizing
If your child’s skin is very dry after bathing it could be that you are showering too often (for babies). If you want to moisturize, remember that moisturizers are directly absorbed by your skin so it is definitely worth making sure you are using a truly non-toxic one. Make sure to avoid products with synthetic fragrances, petroleum derived ingredients, phthalates, harmful preservatives including parabens and ethoxylated ingredients (PPG, PEG, polysorbate and ingredients that end in –eth such as laureth, steareth, ceteareth.),
I like:
Coconut oil: completely safe and works super well and is not expensive. I often use this on myself and have used it on the kids. I prefer certified organic, cold or expeller pressed like Dr. Bronner's - Regenerative Organic Coconut Oil (White Kernel, 14 Ounce) - Coconut Oil
Zoe Organics: is shea butter based and feels wonderful on the skin
3. Bathtoys
Very often placed in the mouth and very often made of harmful plastics. I consider switching to safer bath toys high on the list of priorities.
What to avoid: soft plastics that can be made with PVC or contain phthalates, antimicrobial finishes, squirt toys with holes (mold will grow and spread inside), fragrance, artificial colors (in water crayons)
Better alternatives:
Oli and Carol: natural rubber duckys and boats
Honeysticks Beeswax Bath Tub Crayons for Toddlers & Kids, Non-Toxic, Washable & Easy Clean Up, Water Soluble Bath-Time Fun, Food Grade Pigments, Handmade in New Zealand
Hevea KAwan duck: these were a favorite at my house- also made of natural rubber
4. Ascorbic Acid
Most bath water in the US is treated with either chlorine or chloramine. Ascorbic acid powder is a type of synthetic Vitamin C in powder form that can neutralizes both chlorine and chloramine. Because it is synthetic vitamin C, its usually derived from GMO corn, so if possible look for GMO-free vitamin C powder (it will cost a bit more)
USAGE : one tsp in a large bathtub or about 1/8 tsp on a small baby tub. Can be used daily BUT always ask your pediatrician first.
Nutribiotic Ascorbic Acid Powder, is made without gluten nor GMOs
If you have a shower filter, or a whole house filter, you do not need to add ascorbic acid to your bath water. Read my post on shower filters for more information
5. Bathtub
Plastic is once again the main concern here. They are ALL made of plastic but if you need to choose one there are ‘better’ more stable plastics to choose from. Avoid plastics with the recycling numbers 3 [polyvinyl chloride], 6 [polystyrene], and 7 [other – usually a mix of plastics], which all contain compounds of concern. Additionally avoid cheap non name brand which could potentially contain lead or higher than allowed levels of phthalates:
Stokke Flexibath: I like it because it can be used from birth to 24 months. It is made in Denmark of PP plastic which is quite stable
Another alternative made also of PP plastic is the Boon Soak 3 stage Bathtub
6. Bath Mats:
Most are made of PVC or other plastics that I would be concerned could leach plasticizers and other endocrine disrupting chemicals continuously into your child’s bath. Some also contain antibacterial chemicals which are also endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals.
The safest option I have found is Hevea’s Natural Rubber bath mats. They recently launched a newer version of their bath mats and use left over natural rubber from their toys… so its super sustainable too!
7. Towels
Does your towel have to be organic? Not really. On the hierarchy of items to switch this isn’t number one, but if and when you can make the switch it is ideal especially for babies. Conventional toxins do use a lot of chemicals (in dyes and more) and these do often cause allergies in babies. At the very least always wash a new towel before using it on your child for the first time. If you already have plenty of cotton towels at home I would keep using those and then when you are ready to replace them make the switch to organic.
Burts Bees hooded towels are GOTS certified and great price $25
Pottery Barn striped organic hooded towels: $30 (on sale for $19.99)
Konges Slojd Organic Terry Poncho striped $65
8. Magnesium Salt (epsom salt)
Not essential, but again a potentially healthy supplement to add to bath time. Magnesium can be absorbed through the skin and adding it to the bath is a great way to help boost magnesium levels in your little one. For older kids and adults it can also help with anxiety and stress, skin conditions, such as eczema, dry and itchy skin.
It is important to buy a reputable brand, and buy an Epsom Salt that contains no additives, no fragrance, just pure epsom salt.
Additionally, really important to make sure your child does not drink epsom salt in the water. If this will be an issue I would skip adding it to bath time.
Always check with your doctor before adding epsom salt to your child’s bath
USE: Add a cup of magnesium salts directly to the bathwater and allow to dissolve completely before placing child in water. Water will feel a bit soapy. For a baby tub 1/4 c or less. Can be used 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes tops
Many of my favorite bathtime products can be found in my Amazon Shop.
Additionally, my Non-Toxic Baby Essential Guide has a longer list of Non-Toxic Munchkin approve products- for bath time and for over 29 categories!
(please note, I have not received any compensation from any of these companies. These are products I have used at home and thoroughly researched and feel safe recommending. I have included links to Amazon where you can purchase the products. If you purchase the products through this affiliate link your price will not change but the commission we receive will be helping support my blog. Most of these are also readily available at many big box and national pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nationwide. )
sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/default.html