5 Ingredients to Keep Out of Your Diaper Bag

5 Things to Leave Out of Your Diaper Bag

From the moment we find out we’re going to be parents, whether our first child or our last, there’s always an overwhelming amount of emotions that flood us. Our love for our children from the moment we hear they will be in our lives is almost instant. We, as parents, will do almost anything to keep our little ones safe.

Yet, sometimes, it can be tricky when deciding what products to use and keep around, especially in the diaper bag. With products like Bisphenol-A, Formaldehyde, Talc, Belladonna, and Propylene Glycol being found in baby care products, it’s essential to read labels and find healthier, safer alternatives.

Many of us have heard of these ingredients and know they can be dangerous, but we may not understand why. Taking a deeper look into this matter, let’s first investigate what happens when a group of scientists become curious about the chemical makeup of the liquid found inside teething rings. They simulate how teething rings are used, and test the most popular teething rings, most claiming to be BPA-free. When tested, detectable levels of various chemicals were found, including BPA. A hormone-disrupting chemical, BPA, causes damage to the brain, reproductive system, heart, liver, and more.

The baby product that is supposed to soothe your child could potentially be hurting them. These natural teething remedies are a perfect example of how safe and effective alternatives are available right in your home!

Use a Frozen Washcloth – Pull a washcloth through a napkin ring, dip the tip in water, and then freeze. It will be easy to hold, cold enough to soothe, but not too cold to hurt your toddler.
Offer Frozen Fruit – Fill a mesh feeder with fresh fruit and freeze it. Using a feeder will prevent large pieces from becoming a choking hazard, and kids will get some vitamins while soothing their gums.

If you paid attention to the news in 2016, you probably noticed that baby powder was trending. It’s been used to treat diaper rash and by women for personal hygiene—so why is it wrong?

Many baby powders are made from a mineral called talc, composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc has been associated with cancer for decades, specifically ovarian cancer and lung diseases, as it was contaminated with asbestos in the past.

Although asbestos is not present in the products sold today, even the asbestos-free talc still sold raises safety concerns.

To avoid possible health risks, look for talc-free powders that contain earth clays, cornstarch, or arrowroot, like Modern Hippie Baby Powder, made with arrowroot powder, bentonite clay, zinc oxide (moisture barrier) and lavender essential oil.

When finding the right products to use on little ones, taking a few extra steps to ensure you are giving your child the best and safest products will almost always end in a happy and healthy baby. To learn more, check out Consumer Safety’s article “7 Harmful Ingredients in Baby Care Products”.

5 Ingredients to Leave Out of Your Diaper Bag

1. Talcum Powder

Uses: To treat diaper rash and as an intimate care product by women.
Danger: Linked to ovarian cancer and lung diseases.
Alternative: Use talc-free products that contain arrowroot, earth clays, cornstarch or rice powder, like Modern Hippie Baby Powder, made with bentonite clay, arrowroot powder, zinc oxide (moisture barrier) and lavender essential oils.

2. Baby Oil

Uses: To moisturize skin.
Danger: Usually made from mineral oil (a petroleum byproduct) and “fragrance.”Mineral oils act like liquid plastic, inhibiting breathability and toxin release.
Alternative: Opt for natural oils like coconut, almond and olive. Try making your baby oil with organic sunflower, sweet almond, grape seed, and vitamin E oil, mildly scented with lavender essential oils.

3. Antibacterial Soaps

Uses: To kill germs and bacteria.
Danger: Nearly all antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, a carcinogenic endocrine disruptor.
Alternative: Babies are generally clean until they become mobile, so you shouldn’t have to swab them down with antibacterial cleansers. Evidence suggests that exposure to bacteria may strengthen a baby’s immune system.

4. Belladonna

Uses: Homeopathic teething remedy.
Danger: Linked to seizures and adverse health complications in children due to inconsistent amounts in products (teething toys have also been found to contain contain BPA- and are not regulated by the FDA because they aren’t considered good or drug).
Alternative: Try a chilled, damp washcloth or gentle pressure from a parent's finger on the gums. Some frozen bananas in a mesh feeding tube will provide comfort for older children.

5. Artificial Fragrance

Uses: To mask chemical odours from other ingredients.
Danger: Often contain petroleum-derived synthetic chemicals which can cause respiratory, neurological, and skin damage and may lead to asthma (companies are not required to disclose what ingredients are in “fragrance”).
Alternative: Opt for fragrance-free products or those made with baby-safe therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Kalyn Duguay is a Product Safety Advocate for ConsumerSafety.org, an organization dedicated to keeping consumers informed by publishing safety and health news, as well as posting recall alerts and safety guides.