3 Ways to Keep Your Baby Safe from Unseen Chemicals and Household Toxins

In honor of National Baby Safety Month, pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene shares three ways to keep your baby safe from common but unseen chemicals and household toxins.

There are about 80,000 chemicals in the marketplace today -- more than enough to make parents who are concerned about chemicals pull out their hair. Simplify and pay attention to just three ways your child might be exposed. 

1. What goes in the mouth.

Choose clean food and drinks, and pay special attention to the plastics that go in the mouth, especially those used to store, heat, or serve food and drinks. Chemicals in the plastics can leach out and enter your child. Notice the recycling symbols on the bottoms of many plastics. Opt for symbols 1, 2, 4, or 5. Or choose brands like BornFree, where the entire line of toddler sippy cups, pacifiers, baby bottles, and plastic water bottles are free from BPA, phthalates, and PVC. Or skip plastic, and go with something like glass or stainless steel.

2. What goes on the skin.

Chemicals in lotions and creams can be absorbed through the skin. We read the ingredients on food; it's time to learn to read ingredient lists on skin products as well, and choose those you trust. Sunscreen is a great place to start. I prefer sunscreens that rely on minerals, like zinc or titanium, rather than relying on chemicals that might act as hormones in the body.