Did you know that skin is the thinnest and most absorbent from 0 to 3 years of age?  Did you know that studies have found toxins in umbilical cords and in the urine of infants?  This means that while you are being conscious of what food you eat while pregnant to provide your unborn baby with as much nutrition as possible, it’s important to be aware of what you put on your body (i.e. lotions, shampoos, body wash).  60% of what we put on our bodies is absorbed and has shown to make it’s way to the precious little one growing inside your belly.  So what’s a Mama to do? 

1). Read labels.  If you can’t pronounce it, be weary of it and investigate further. 

2). Stay away from products with “fragrance” or “perfume”.  If it’s listed as “fragrance” it’s usually a synthetic concoction and their are no regulations in place for “fragrance”.  It’s considered a propriety ingredient so companies can list it on their labels and not have to give away their secret formula to competitors, but as consumers there is no way to know all the chemicals that go into it.  Synthetic fragrance can contain toxic “phthalates”. 

3). Avoid parabens, which are hormone disrupters.  Different types include: methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, benzylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben.

4). Skip the synthetic colors (FD&C and Lake colors) as they can contain some pretty nasty ingredients including coal tar, lead acetate (toxic to the nervous system), petroleum and more.   These are typically found in cosmetics, body wash, shampoo, soap, shower gels, etc. 

 5). Look up products on the Skin Deep database. 

 6). Stay tuned to this week as I’ll be sharing with you some amazing products for Mama & Baby that are totally pure, non-toxic and eco-friendly.  

 Related Post: Every New Parent Could Use A Laugh!  A Perfect Baby Shower Gift

 Image credit: www.parris-studios.com

Posted on July 20th, 2008 by Stancie Wilson