Some Baby Products are Dangerous
New mothers have a built in desire to provide their baby with the best in life. Even choices for diapering and products used are carefully analyzed. Mothers will shop for diaper ointments, shampoo, lotion, bath soap, powder, and more used to care for the baby in everyday life.
Unfortunately, most mothers never read labels to see the ingredients used in the making of these and other products. Interestingly, some of the very products thought to be safe are actually made with dangerous chemicals. When discovered, new parents often feel angry and cheated. After all, the products chosen were believed to be safe. Parents put their faith in commercial baby products every day but most never give thought to the ingredients and chemicals used in the making of those products. Questionable ingredients can be spotted by paying attention to the label, looking for words such as parabens, talc, artificial colors and fragrances, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Parents should take time to better understand these chemicals and the reasons they are so harmful.
For instance parabens are preservatives that mimic estrogen. This means hormonal levels in the baby could be affected. When studied in laboratory conditions, male rats ended up with lower testosterone levels, as well as other hormone problems. Additionally, women who have had breast cancer were examined only to find that parabens were much higher in the diseased tissue.
Another chemical is the sodium lauryl sulfate, which is often used for making liquid soap and shampoo so they produce foam. Not only is this ingredient irritating to the skin, but also when new creams and ointments are formulated, this ingredient is what researchers use to rub on a person’s skin to determine if a reaction will occur. This ingredient, also referred to as SLS can penetrate a person’s skin, ending up in vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, eyes, and brain where significant damage is done. When used in making baby products, SLS can cause diaper rash, skin rash, and even eczema. Sadly, many baby products currently on the market are made with this harmful ingredient even those being marketed as organic or natural since this ingredient is made using coconut oil.
Next, baby products are often made using synthetic colors and fragrances, which are typically made from a variety of chemicals. For instance, carcinogenic ingredients to include methylene chloride are known to cause skin irritation, vomiting, headache, coughing, and dizziness.
Talc is also a problem ingredient. This white gray colored powder is a common ingredient used in baby powder. While it seems harmless and helps to keep a baby’s skin soft and smooth, talc has been carefully studied and shown to cause some of the same problems as asbestos.
The problem is that most ingredients used when making baby products seem harmless but many are actually very dangerous. All new parents should read the labels and even do research online so they understand everything used. Another option would be to purchase only from a reputable company and purchase only products made with 100% or organic ingredients. The biggest problem is that organic body and bath products are not regulated, which is why parents should do their own research. To give a newborn the best care, parents can make homemade products so they know exactly the ingredients being used.
