Baby products are just as notorious for having toxic ingredients as personal care and household products for adults. There are fragrances, parabens and phthalates in shampoo, body wash and lotions, bleach in diapers, and flame retardants in car seats and play yards. Since children are even more impacted by these exposures, I diligently watch what I bring into this house for my babe. People ask me all the time what my favorite baby products are so I made a list of some of our favorite items.
These are the products we use every single day
Weleda Calendula Baby Face Lotion – super gentle and has kept her skin very soft and hydrated. Made from the best stuff by a great company.
Pipette Balm – I use this on her cheeks in the winter when they are chapped (on top of the Weleda) as well as on any little rough areas that might pop up.
SheaMoisture Coconut Oil Baby Lotion – coconut oil and certified organic shea butter made with no parabens, no phthalates, no mineral oil and no sulfates. Naturally-derived light scent smells heavenly.
Honest Detangling Spray – super lightweight detangler made without parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, silicones, sulfates, or formaldehyde. Smells delish and definitely makes brushing out the babe’s fine hair much easier without making it oily or heavy.
Earth Mama Diaper Balm – We have used this since almost day one and never had diaper rash. That feels like an epic feat! 100% USDA Certified Organic, made with olive oil, beeswax, and herbs. No petroleum, parabens or artificial fragrance though the smell is soothing and divine. So concentrated we use one container a year despite applying it nightly!
Weleda Calendula Soap – even the most gentle of soaps and body washes can be drying to babies’ faces. I rely on Weleda a lot because their products are made with some of the highest quality ingredients and this soap is a favorite. I use it just on her face, and the mild herb scent and organic ingredients clean up her cute, and often messy, little face well!
Unscented Dove Soap – Doesn’t dry out baby’s skin and is totally affordable. I use it too as you may have seen on the list of my favorite personal care products. It’s a great, basic, every day soap for the whole family.
Burts Bees Baby Shampoo & Body Wash – Great, non-irritating suds with a clean rinse. Can use on hair and body and doesn’t leave hair oily at all. I personally opt for the fragrance-free, sensitive version, but the original scent is quite heavenly and naturally-derived if you want something with a little smell to it. Neither are made with phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS.
Target Up & Up Diapers – I wish I could be a cloth diaper mama. I really do. But I put on a hunt for what I consider the best disposable and I will shout from the rooftop about these any day. Made without fragrance, chlorine bleach and latex, we are happy to say we have had minimal blow outs, no diaper rash and wake up with a dry mattress thanks to these incredibly affordable disposable diapers.
Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Baby Wipes – plastic-free and made from viscose derived from sustainably grown bamboo, these are alcohol free, chlorine free, paraben free, formaldehyde free, phthalate free, and unscented. Bamboo grows very quickly and is super sustainable. Caboo even masks sure their bamboo is not a food source for pandas.
Think Baby SPF – works really well, has a very light, pleasant scent and is rated a 2 on the EWG Healthy Living app. i. Play by Green Sprouts makes our favorite hat we have bought in every size since she was a babe. Love the neck coverage and cute bill just in case I missed a spot with the SPF.
Babyganics Hand Sanitizer – Anyone with babies knows you use a LOT of hand sanitizer. Since day one in the NICU, I brought this with me and it’s still a diaper bag staple. Never drying or irritating. We also love the Babyganics Insect Repellent.
Silicone Suction Dinnerware – serving hot food on plastic will cause those plastic chemicals to leach into the food and I definitely didn’t feel safe serving the babe on ceramic plates at first, so these are the perfect plates and bowls for us to start with. Made without plastic and only 100% food safe silicone, these are perfect for meals. I use the bowls for finger foods and snacks that sit on the table throughout the day too.
HELLO Watermelon Toothpaste – (and Jack N Jill compostable cornstarch toothbrush) – Pediatrician recommended we start brushing teeth super early so that it became a habit for both us. Babe loves the taste of the toothpaste so much she reminds me it’s time to brush her teeth.
Eco-Pad – contoured changing pad that comes with a buckle and without a ton of added chemmies. Greenguard certified and fits all standard changing pad covers like this organic Burt’s Bees cover that’s super soft and cleans very easily.
Sealy Soybean Crib Mattress – I’m sure it’s not just luck that I have a great sleeper but also that she has a really cozy crib including this quality mattress. I definitely love the fact that a space where she spends 12-14 hours a day is, again, Greenguard certified. Standard crib size.
Britax Marathon Car Seat – There are VERY few car seats made without harmful flame retardants. Then, when you want it to also be affordable, there’s basically just one company – BRITAX. I started with the B-Safe infant car seat (available on its own or as a system with a stroller my 39″ babe can sit fit in) and have now moved up to the Marathon. I can feel good knowing I have a 5-star safety rated seat and that my baby is surrounded by only the best materials made without harmful chemicals.
Joovy Room² – once the babe became mobile, it was essential to find a playpen but finding one that didn’t have flame retardants and off-gassing foams was challenging. I discovered Joovy – which is definitely bigger than average pack n plays but super easy to put together and take apart. Made without flame retardants, BPA, PVC, phthalates and lead. If I were traveling right now, I would still easily be able to fit my tall babe in there so the investment is well worth it.
Baby Care Mat – available in a variety of patterns, I settled on this 82″x55″ cushiony waterproof play mat since babe spends so much time on it and play mats are known to be full of chems. This brand doesn’t contain any of the typical baby mat polluters – phthalates, BPA, lead, formaldehyde, and EVA. EVA was once thought to be a “safe” foam but has been shown to contain formamide, a known carcinogen. If you do go for an EVA mat, make sure it’s formamide-free.
Want to check out more of my favorite lists? I’ve got them for my favorite baby toys, personal care, kitchen and household cleaning products!
Cleaner Greener Me 
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