Nine Reasons to Raise Your Baby Organic

You’ll be minimising your environmental impact, and avoiding sweatshops and other unethical practices. It’s also a gift to our native insect, wildflower and bird populations, in the hope that our children will get to grow up to watch in awe as a bee gathers nectar from an abundant rosemary bush or a skylark spirals up into the blue. According to the Soil Association, plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% more abundant on organic farms.

But isn’t it expensive – and even a bit elitist? With a bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be. Unlike fast fashion and cheap plastic toys, organic products tend to last longer. They can be passed down from child to child and go on to bring joy to plenty of families throughout their long lives. Some companies, such as Petit Pli, are even crafting garments that last throughout an entire childhood. Get strategic about the items you’d really like to go organic with. Investing in some organic basics, such as bedding and bodysuits, means you can rest assured that the items closest to your baby aren’t toxic. The Environmental Working Group publish an annual list of the ‘dirty dozen’ – even if you don’t buy all organic produce, you can aim to choose organic versions of these 12 next time you’re shopping.

Got relatives who want to treat the new baby? Give them a list of essentials with a little note about why you’d like to choose organic – it’s a great way to make them aware of small organic companies going forward (hello birthdays and Christmases!).

Choosing organic has an impact not only on our children’s health and wellbeing, but the health of the planet that they are going to inherit. There are many reasons why choosing organic is the best for you and your family, and it pays to be informed. Firstly, from conception through the first three years of life is the most critical time for a child’s development. It is during this time that the child’s body systems and brain are developing and growing faster than at any other time.

Here are nine ways in which you can raise an organic child

1. Eat organic

It’s the easiest and most familiar place to start. Choosing organic is an easy way to reduce your baby’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. In organic farming, the use of herbicides is completely banned and fungicides and insecticides are severely restricted. Organic farmers are permitted to use just 20 pesticides, all of which are based on naturally occurring substances, carefully selected and approved by the EU.

The alternative to bulk-buying is ‘precision buying’, a great way both to save money and reduce food waste. Herbs, chillies, lemons and spices, and other foods which often go to waste when bought as a multi-pack, can now be bought loose at local independent retailers such as Bristol’s Better Food. These shops usually allow you to bring your own containers, meaning no unnecessary single-use plastic too.

Team up with other parents and organise a delivery from a local food coop at wholesale prices – we use https://www.infinityfoodsretail.coop/ also https://www.suma.coop/

Organic food is kinder to the environment too; organic farming works with nature, not against it, and research shows that it’s better for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Farm animals are reared humanely and not routinely fed antibiotics to suppress disease or promote growth.

2. Organic Clothes

The natural cotton and woollen fibres found in organic clothing are best for your baby’s skin. They have not been grown or treated with pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Other chemicals found in conventional fabric include chlorine bleach, dyes, flame retardants and stain repellents. Natural fibres, on the other hand, allow the skin to breathe and they naturally absorb moisture. Conventional cotton farming is responsible for a quarter of global pesticide sales – it is one of the most heavily sprayed crops, harming farmers and their families in the developing world. If you can afford just a few items of organic clothing, choose those closer to the skin, such as babygrows and vests.

RESOURCES
Organic clothing for babies and children from wool jumpers to organic basics – cambridgebaby.co.uk
Everyday essentials at naturebaby.com
We love the new prints at Pigeon Organics – pigeonorganics.com
For everything you might need we recommend Frugi – welovefrugi.com

3 Organic Nappies

There have been studies which link sodium polyacrylate, the gel like substance used in disposable nappies, to asthma, allergies, nappy rash, toxic shock syndrome and infertility issues in males. The studies also found dioxin, which is a by-product of the chlorine bleaching process used in the paper in disposable nappies, to be a highly toxic carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Thankfully you can choose organic washable nappies that contain no harmful residues; an important consideration when the fabric is next to your baby’s skin. Use organic laundry liquid to wash the nappies. Remember that if washing nappies seems a bit overwhelming, there are laundry services that will come and take away your dirties and bring you a pile of fresh clean nappies in return.

RESOURCES
Cloth baby wipes – cheekywipes.com
Wide range of products at thenappylady.co.uk

4 The Best Organic Bedding
Many materials are treated with flame retardant or moth proofing chemicals. Formaldehyde is also used in mattress production along with solvents and foams. A baby spends between 10 – 14 hours a day asleep. In this age of chemical living, it is so important to limit baby’s exposure to toxic chemicals. Non-organic cotton sheets are often treated with formaldehyde. Nonorganic crib mattresses and non-natural crib mattresses contain polyurethane foam as well as phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony compounds as preservatives and fire retardants. Choose organic sheets, blankets, and mattresses to ensure your baby is not exposed to these chemicals and they are getting the best chance of quality sleep.

RESOURCES
Sleepwear and more at bambinomerino.com
Everything you need for the early years from naturalmat.co.uk

We love the duvets at thewoolroom.com

5 Organic Babycare Products
There are numerous baby skin care products out there on the market – baby wipes, ointments, lotions, creams, powders, oils, soaps and sunscreens. The cosmetic industry is unregulated, therefore many baby skin care products contain chemicals that might affect your baby’s health. The long list of ingredients which are chemicals include petroleum byproducts, preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde, dioxane and phthalates. Laurel sulfate, an irritant, which can affect a baby’s immune system, is used to create a foamy consistency and is found in most shampoos or liquid soaps. One of the most problematic ingredients is fragrance, which can cause allergic reactions, including asthma attacks.

RESOURCES
Natural skincare for babies and mums – littleherbs.co.uk
Range of affordable organic basics – organii.co.uk

6 Creating An Organic Nursery from Paints To Carpets

Look for paints that have low or no VOCs. The safest paints are water based made from substances like clay, citrus, talcum, balm or chalk. Organic paints are almost odourless, do not emit gasses and are very low in VOCs. If you decide that you would rather decorate the walls in the nursery with wallpaper instead of paint, be sure to pick an organic wall covering as opposed to a conventional one. Conventional wall coverings can contain toxic glue and chemicals. Invest in wood furniture constructed from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. If buying used furniture, buy sturdy, safe wood furniture, refinish with non-toxic paints or reupholster with organic fabric.

RESOURCES
Non-toxic, odourless paints – lakelandpaints.com
Great colour ranges available from this natural VOC-free paint company – mikewye.co.uk
Clay based emulsion paints available in wide colour palate at celticsustainables.co.uk

7 Pick of the Best Organic Toys
When shopping for toys and accessories for your baby, check the materials and how the toys are made. Things to keep in mind are material toxicity and how easy they are to clean. If you buy plastic toys, look for ones that are free from PVC. PVC has been linked to cancer and other health problems. All plastics pose some potential risks, so it might be good to limit the number of them. Check to make sure what materials are used to make cuddly toys – both inside and out. Some baby toys have electronics embedded in them, which can increase your baby’s exposure to EMFs and may contain toxic metals or PVC.

RESOURCES
Steiner Waldorf inspired playthings for babies and children – myriadonline.co.uk
Beautiful toys and craft materials – consciouscraft.uk
Fairtrade toys and gifts made from sustainable rubber wood – lankakade.co.uk

8 The Importance of Breastfeeding
Breastmilk is the one food perfectly designed for your baby’s health. Ideally babies should be fed on demand up to at least six months, to one year old and longer if possible. If the mother is eating a well balanced organic diet, with plenty of foods rich in fatty acids and is avoiding major stressors in her life then the quality of her milk will be extremely high, and likely free from most environmental pollutants. Breastfeeding is also convenient – you can feed your child anywhere, any time they needs it. There is little need for extra equipment but if you would like to treat yourself to a breastfeeding top or have a need for a pump with which to express milk there’s plenty of choice.

RESOURCES
Nipple butter and Milkmaid tea as well as natural bodycare products from this organic company earthmamaangelbaby.com
Range of natural, ethical products for new mums – nealsyardremedies.com
Caffeine-free organic tea for breastfeeding mums – ticktocktea.com

9 Organic Baby Gear
Using a sling or baby carrier can make moving around with a young baby much easier – you’re hands free and it’s comforting and warm for your child to be carried next to your heart. Many slings even allow for breastfeeding.

RESOURCES
Woven baby wraps handmade in England – firespiralslings.co.uk
Colourful, beautifully designed carriers with character – sleepynico.com
Beautifully designed woven slings – oschaslings.com
High quality woven wraps and carriers – storchenwiege.co.uk