Baby Safety Month: 3 Items New Parents Need This Year

September is Baby Safety Month! And boy, do we have a lot to share about choosing baby-safe cleaning, laundry, and personal care products.

Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, is dedicated to raising awareness about how to choose the safest juvenile products. 

This can be slightly overwhelming for new and even seasoned parents, especially those of us who are health—and environmentally conscious. 

I remember when we were expecting our first baby, I spent hours and hours poring over the safety data (including toxicity issues about flame retardants, formaldehyde, etc.) on all types of items for our registry, which we share in: Our Non-Toxic Baby Registry.

However, in the midst of preparing a registry (along with all the other planning involved in welcoming a new bundle of joy!)  it can be easy to forget about the importance of everyday things, like cleaning, laundry, and personal care products you use on and around your baby.

Yet, it is the everyday products we touch, inhale, and absorb that can have the greatest cumulative effects on a developing baby.

Fortunately, at Branch Basics creating human-safe, baby-safe, pet-safe, pregnancy-safe, gentle, fragrance-free, natural, plant- and mineral-based, and effective cleaning, laundry, and personal care products is our speciality.

In this article, we share our top three picks for baby-safe products to use at home and on the go.

Baby Safe All-Purpose Cleaner

I remember being completely unprepared for how much wiping down of surfaces, dishwashing, and stain removal was required with a new baby in the home. (How can one little person make so much mess?!)

Fortunately, I understood the harms of using synthetic chemical all-purpose cleaners and quat-containing disinfecting wipes (otherwise, I’m sure I would have had wipes everywhere!).

Antibacterial wipes and all-purpose cleaners contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals, including: 

• Ammonia: This popular cleaning ingredient has been linked to respiratory damage, organ damage and failure, skin and eye damage, and even death.
• Antibacterial chemicals: Including triclosan, chlorine bleach, and high concentrations of alcohol, can disrupt the microbiome, cause developmental harm, and contribute to superbugs.
• Bleach: This chemical, which some experts recommend for disinfecting baby toys, diapers, and more, is one of the top causes of childhood poisoning worldwide. Passive exposure to bleach has also been linked to childhood illnesses, including asthma, and an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth in the mother.
• Fragrance/Phthalates: Fragrances are a top allergen and typically consist of dozens of undisclosed synthetic chemicals, including powerful endocrine disruptors like phthalates which can impact hormonal health and development.
• Note: “Natural fragrance” isn’t necessarily better, as many of these “natural fragrances” are highly processed compounds that may cause known or unknown harm. 
• It is also recommended parents take care when using essential oils around babies—even the purest, most natural forms, as some have been associated with certain risks to skin and other developing organs and systems. Experts generally recommend against the use of essential oils in babies until at least 3 months of age, but check with your pediatrician or healthcare practitioner.
• Parabens: These controversial preservatives are banned in the EU and have been removed from many products because they have been linked to endocrine (hormonal) disruption, including impaired development of infant reproductive health. 
• Synthetic surfactants, detergents, and foaming chemicals: These ingredients, such as Nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) contain endocrine-disruptors linked to breast cancer; and foaming agents like SLS or SLES, which are linked to skin and eye irritation and toxic to aquatic life. In addition, synthetic detergents may contain 1-4 Dioxane, a chemical byproduct and suspected carcinogen.
• Quats: Also called: Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, or QACs, these ammonia-based disinfectants are EPA-registered pesticides. They have been linked to numerous health issues, such as congenital disabilities, neurodevelopmental issues, and inflammation. 
• Vinegar: Don’t shoot the messenger! I know we health-conscious folks love our vinegar for synthetic-chemical-free DIY cleaning. However, it is not appropriate to spray around babies due to its naturally occurring acetic acid, which is a lung irritant when sprayed. If your baby’s not around, feel free to use it with good ventilation. Otherwise, check out the other options listed below.

This isn’t even an exhaustive list, but needless to say, these ingredients should not be used around pregnant mothers, babies, or any living thing!

Here’s what to use instead.

Branch Basics

Life with a newborn is messy, which is why you need a human-safe, baby-safe, natural all-purpose cleaner that performs.

Branch Basics All-Purpose dilution is ideal for cleaning up all-things-baby. 

It’s made using our signature Concentrate, which contains only plant-based, human-safe, EWG-verified, Made-Safe Certified ingredients that have been third-party tested as a non-skin and eye irritant plus pure water.

The naturally derived surfactants in Branch Concentrate, which bind and loosen dirt, grime, grease, and stains, Coco Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside, were selected partly because of their frequent use in natural baby products and those intended for ultra-sensitive skin.

This means you can use All-Purpose with confidence around your baby, knowing it contains no harmful synthetic chemicals, fragrance, preservatives, antibacterial chemicals, or irritants.

With multiple little ones running around these days, I use and have used All-Purpose for cleaning baby toys, surfaces, baby hands, making my own wipes (spray onto a wet cloth and wipe), washing dishes, spot-cleaning the carpets and rugs, cleaning pacifiers…pretty much everything.

It’s also an excellent stain-remover for clothing, either alone or paired with mineral-based Oxygen Boost as a soaking aid.

Learn more about Branch Basics All Purpose in: How To Use Branch Basics All-Purpose: Complete Guide.

Fragrance–Free Castile Soap + Water

My second choice for a baby-safe and eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner is naturally fragrance-free 100% pure liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s Baby) + water combined in a spray bottle.

Studies have shown that natural soaps, like liquid castile soap and Branch Basics, are as effective or more effective than sanitizers or disinfectants for breaking down and removing germs.

Dr. Bronner’s Baby is also a wonderful option for use as a gentle baby wash and shampoo.

Learn more about safe germ removal and disinfecting (which is appropriate for certain baby items) in: How To Naturally Disinfect Surfaces: Complete Guide.

Family Safe Laundry Detergent

Again, I completely underestimated how much laundry one little human could create (let alone 3!).

Fortunately, parents are becoming wiser to the ways of synthetic chemical laundry detergents, which often irritate baby’s skin.

The problem is that most people simply opt for a fragrance-free version of their regular synthetic laundry detergent.

To be clear, you absolutely want fragrance-free baby products, but they should be naturally fragrance-free.

What do we mean by this? 

Believe it or not, laundry detergent companies frequently add fragrance-masking chemicals to fragrance-free laundry products, making them less-than-synthetic-chemical-free.

So, if you’ve had to try dozens of fragrance-free laundry soaps for your poor baby’s rashy skin, now you know why.

Also, fabric softeners, which shamelessly market themselves to parents of new babies, are an absolute nightmare of fabric-permeating chemicals and potent fragrances.

They also leave a film on clothing which creates a fire hazard as it builds up over time. Not exactly a baby-safe product, is it?

The fix? Choose a truly safe and natural laundry soap, stain removers, soaking aids, laundry booster, and fabric softener.

The easy fix? Grab yourself Branch Basics Laundry Detergent! It's super convenient in powder form, and easy to use. This product has passed the highest bar of safety in the industry and was thoughtfully formulated with human health in mind. It does not contain fragrance, dyes, optical brighteners, ammonia, chlorine, endocrine disruptors or 1,4-dioxane.

Just one scoop of our Laundry Detergent delivers a powerful deep clean. It excels in stain removal, odor elimination, and fabric preservation, streamlining your laundry routine.

You can also opt to add in Wool Dryer Balls, which act as a natural fabric softener, static remover, and so much more.

Branch Basics Laundry Detergent is perfect for:

• Spit up removal
• Bib cleaning
• Washing sheets
• Laundering onesies
• Removing factory chemicals from new baby clothing
• Stain removal
• And washing everything your baby has to dish out without harmful synthetic chemicals

For more baby-safe and natural laundry options, see: 5 Best Natural and Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergents.

For more information on chemicals of concern in laundry detergents and fabric softeners, see:

• How To Toss Your Toxic Laundry Detergent
• Ditch The Fabric Softener: 7 Natural Alternatives

Branch Basics Travel Kit

Getting out of the house is essential when you have a new baby, but it’s also important to keep things as safe as possible.

Branch Basics Travel Kit lets you be on the go with your baby without worrying about unwanted synthetic chemicals.

I keep a Branch Basics Travel Kit in my diaper bag for everyday errands and playdates and never leave home without it when we travel.

With my older kiddos, I also put a Travel Size Foaming Wash in their backpacks to use at school or on field trips.

Our Travel Kit Contains:

• A Miniature All-Purpose: Perfect for spraying on hands to remove germs, wiping little bottoms, wiping down surfaces, cleaning germy pacifiers, treating stains on clothing (or the car/car seat), wiping down car seats and strollers, or cleaning shared toys.

• A Miniature Foaming Wash: This is a wonderful alternative to the cheap, synthetic-chemical-based soaps or sanitizers in public bathrooms. You can also use it just about anywhere you have water handy, such as in the park, rinsed off with water from your water bottle. I also love using it as a baby/kid/mommy shampoo, body wash, and facial cleanser when we’re traveling.

• A Miniature Branch Basics Concentrate: For easy refills. The Travel Kit is a bargain at: $20.00 and makes a great shower gift!

Other Baby Safety Tips That Aren’t Always Intuitive

There is so much to learn about safety with a new baby, and things aren’t always intuitive. Here are some tips I’ve learned after having 3 babies (with a fourth on the way):

• Wear your baby, but know how to do it safely! 
• Newborns, for example, require special carriers or sling positions that never obstruct their breathing. If you have a specific carrier in mind, make sure it’s appropriate for a newborn and growing baby (some brands have infant inserts, for example). 
• If you haven’t worn a newborn in a sling before, have an experienced parent show you how to do it right. Many baby shops, for example, offer baby wearing classes.
• Baby’s hip position is critical when being worn on the front or back, so make sure their knees are parallel to their hips.
• Don’t wear your baby while cooking or chopping with a knife. It’s fine to do so when preparing a salad, snacks, or anything that doesn’t involve heat or sharp tools.
• Use extreme caution when drinking hot liquids or foods and holding your baby. Ideally, put them down while you’re eating/drinking or hand them off. At the very least, turn away from them when you take a sip or bite and keep hot drinks and food out of reach.
• Always cook on the back burners of the stove.
• If you choose to sleep with your baby (like me), read up on safe co-sleeping essentials such as no large pillows or fluffy comforters, no other children in the bed, having a firm mattress, etc., and only do so if you are breastfeeding and you and your sleeping partner/spouse are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are not obese.
• I highly recommend checking out the University of Notre Dame’s Mother-Infant Sleep Study and Dr. Sears’ Baby Book and online content for helpful tips.
• Don’t let your baby sleep or hang out on the couch, recliner, etc., unless you’re sitting right there with them.
• If you paint your baby’s room, use the most non-toxic paint you can find and have someone else (other than the mother) do it.
• Even many low- or no-VOC paints contain harmful chemicals. We recommend ECOS paint as the least toxic option.
• Consider purchasing non-toxic or low-tox baby toys and gear to help reduce the baby’s exposure to plastic chemicals, residues, off-gassing compounds, and other harmful synthetic chemicals.
• Get our top picks in: Our Non-Toxic Baby Registry.
• Avoid leaving your baby in an infant seat, car seat, carrier, or jumper for too long. This interferes with their natural movement and can lead to developmental issues later in life.
• Always strap them in when using infant seats. It’s amazing how quickly some of them can jump out if you’re not careful.
• Always keep a hand on your baby, or use a safety strap when using the change table. Some babies roll over very early, while others make jerky movements that could cause a fall. Also, some babies are just too squirmy for change tables and are better off being changed on the floor.
• If you have a chunky ring, turn it around or take it off for a while. Big chunky diamonds, for example, can cut or scrape baby or damage their eyes during changes, nursing, or regular care. 
• Careful wearing other jewelry too! Earrings can fall off and hurt the baby and boy, can they get a grip on a necklace (which hurts mom!)
• Forget Smart Watches and watches in general. We’re not a fan of Smart Watches due to concerns about EMF exposure, but regular watches can also snag on your baby and cause harm. Use wall clocks instead.
• Avoid using walkers. While they may be fun for babies, they create numerous safety hazards and are not developmentally appropriate.
• Avoid using jumpers. Baby jumpers that affix to door frames were popular in decades past. However, experts now warn they can be developmentally damaging, bad for the hips, and pose various safety hazards.
• Say farewell to fragrances. We mentioned the harms of fragrances in cleaning and laundry products previously, but this also applies to perfumes, air fresheners, and scented personal care products. Learn more in: Fragrance Is The New Secondhand Smoke.

This isn’t a complete list of all the non-intuitive baby safety considerations, but we hope it saves you from making some rookie mistakes.

Toss The Toxins with Branch Basics

We obviously LOVE babies around here and are passionate about keeping them safe, happy, and healthy.

If you’re interested in creating a safer home for your family that’s free from harmful synthetic chemicals, we’d love to help.

Branch Basics Starter Kits make the perfect gift for new (or existing) parents because they’re ultra-gentle, natural, and baby-safe and because they simplify the cleaning process.

Our all-in-one, multi-purpose Concentrate is all you need to replace every cleaning and laundry product in your home, plus it’s super economical.

Here’s how that breaks down. 

One bottle of Branch Basics Concentrate, as included in our Premium Starter Kit, makes:

• 3 bottles of All-Purpose at $3.09 each
• 3 bottles of Bathroom at $6.18 each
• 3 bottles of Streak-Free at $0.49 each (for real!)
• 64 Loads of Laundry at $0.26 per load
• 3 bottles of Foaming Wash at $3.09 each

Our kit also contains Oxygen Boost, which is an absolutely MUST for effortless stain removal.

We wish you the very best of luck and love in your parenting endeavors and hope this article has given you an extra boost of confidence and some actionable tips.

Related Reading:

• How to Vet Products For Your Baby Registry
• Creating A Non-Toxic Baby Registry
• Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care: Products To Use & Avoid