28 organic products for happy babies and their Earth mamas
Organic skincare, clothing and natural teethers
Aditi Sanghvi became the butt of many jokes in her family when she started researching organic products for babies as she inched closer to her due date. “My grandmother couldn’t understand why I was spending so much and not just using hand-me-downs,” she says. The family went on the defensive. Her trying to explain the benefits of using bio enzymes to clean the house, and wooden toys instead of plastic, was an insult to their tried-and-tested parenting tactics.
But we live in a different world now. Back then, they had the time and energy to turn papa’s t-shirts into baby rompers and whip up homemade rash creams. But ask any working mom today to find a spare moment, and she’s bound to crack.
Being more aware of the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, childbirth and childcare comes with a lot of anxiety. We’ve spent the last decade being bombarded with news about the climate crisis, toxins leaching into our water supply and the possibility of everyday essentials causing harm to our bodies and the environment.
This stress of what’s safe and what isn’t has many contemplating whether they even want to bring children into a world that’s already overloaded. Others have started making eco-conscious choices when it comes to their lifestyle.
It’s not a shunning of our old practices, explains Malti Shah Kotyal but just having more knowledge than the previous generations about how products can impact health and wellness. “We know enough to make better, more informed choices for when we’re pregnant and after childbirth.”
As a working mother, she wants to know that her child is in the best possible hands (and clothes). If that means dishing out a little more money on clean and organic products for babies, then so be it.
But between the night sweats, morning sickness and late-night calls from an unreasonable boss, millennial moms-to-be have plenty on their plate.
We’ve done the groundwork and found some of the best organic products for babies, and pregnancy-safe skincare for earth moms ready to invest in the present and create a better world for their children tomorrow – one step at a time.
Pregnancy-safe skincare for expecting and new moms
Pregnancy and childbirth for some people means glowing skin and thick beautiful hair because of the increase of oestrogen. For others, each trimester brings with it a new skin ailment. Extreme dryness, sensitivity, even hyperpigmentation and hormonal acne.
We need to be careful when looking for skincare when you’re pregnant. Dermatologist Dr Medha Gatkare says it’s more about looking for the ingredients that you should avoid than what you can use. “Most of the products that you use are fine when you’re pregnant. It’s treatments that may need to be stopped.”
Ingredients like retinol/retinoids (Vitamin A), hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide, formaldehyde, salicylic acid and glycolic acid in high concentrations should all be avoided. These are ingredients that some studies have found can cause congenital defects and interfere with healthy embryo growth. Why take the risk?
“If you want to use a chemical exfoliator, I would suggest using an AHA like lactic acid and mandelic acid at lower concentrations,” she says.
For those suffering from more severe skin concerns, Gatkare says if you’re contemplating a treatment do it with the guidance of a professional. Meanwhile, other skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, vitamin C and other antioxidants are absolutely fine to continue with.
One of the most popular brands catering to the needs of pregnant women and new moms is The Moms Co. They use naturally-sourced ingredients that are carefully formulated keeping in mind the safety of your and your baby’s health.
Their products came highly recommended by the Tweak family of readers, especially their Natural Clay Face Wash and Natural Age Control Under Eye Cream which is enriched with Bakuchiol, an ingredient many tout as a natural alternative to retinol. It also has coffee for de-puffing and increased blood circulation, niacinamide for brightening and hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping.
MamaEarth came a close second in our polls for natural skincare and organic products for babies and moms. We’ve been eyeing the Niacin Toner and Hyaluronic Acid and Rosehip Oil bamboo sheet mask from their latest launches. And our fail-safe will always be their Vitamin C and Honey Body Lotion.
The Niacin Toner is great for oily and acne-prone skin with niacinamide which can regulate sebum and refine the appearance of large pores. The witch hazel extract in this toner is blended with aloe vera juice to make it non-stripping and gentle on the skin. Allantoin soothes the skin and sodium hyaluronate brings it some hydration.
We generally discourage the use of single-use sheet masks because of how polluting they can be for the environment, but if you’re going to use one, make it these bamboo ones. The bamboo makes it more skin and environment friendly and their mask of hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil is hydrating for pregnant women with dry skin.
Both these products are scented, but with IFRA Certified allergen-free fragrance, safer for sensitive skin.
For dry and sensitive skin, switch over to more gentle cleansers, like the Forest Essentials Kashmiri Saffron & Neem cleanser. It helps combat breakouts and brings a natural glow to your complexion.
Their Nalpamarathy Keram stretch mark oil can reduce the visibility of stretch marks, if that’s what you want to do. Combining coconut oil, sweet almond oil, liquorice and a blend of Ayurvedic herbs, it can help lighten discolouration and smooth out texture while gradually healing stretch marks.
Organic baby clothes to bundle them up in
It’s a smart decision for your baby as well as the environment to make this switch in your search for organic products for babies.
Take this adorable dinosaur onesie or honey-coloured romper from Masilo for example. Their clothes almost make you want to have babies just to dress them in this sushi cap.
Nino Bambino also uses super soft 100% organic cotton. Even their tags are made from recyclable paper. Their prices are budget-friendly, eco-friendly and skin-friendly for newborns. How cute is this bunny baby blanket?
Psst… they’re currently on sale.
We can’t only think of what’s on the outside. The biggest irritant for a baby’s skin can be their diapers and nappies. They’re also one of the largest generators of waste. Some estimate that the number of disposable diapers in landfills right now can “encircle the globe 90 times”.
Switch the traditional synthetic disposable for eco-friendly options made from biodegradable plant fibres. Heyday makes natural diapers you can add to your list of organic products for babies. They come in different sizes and are free from chemicals, chlorine and dioxin bleach while providing high absorption.
Another great option are Mamaearth’s soft, stretchy, breathable ones made from corn starch material.
Gentle baby care products for your little one’s skin
Gatkare says that it’s best to pick bathe and body products that are specially designed for babies. These are going to be free from fragrances, harsh cleansing agents and have no-tears formulas in case suds get into their eyes. “A newborn’s skin is very sensitive. Rashes are common and sometimes can’t be avoided, but good skincare can soothe it and help prevent more,” she says.
Mustela has a vast range of natural and organic products for babies and moms. Specifically their cleansing wipes, foam shampoo and body lotion.
Seven people wrote to us vouching for the baby care products by Mother Sparsh. Their Carry Me Around kit seems to be a great place for moms-to-be to start. This travel-friendly kit has a 10-piece unscented baby wipes pack, baby face cream, diaper rash cream, and laundry detergent for any baby emergencies.
Their natural baby wash with organic chamomile and avocado oil sounds so good we might just keep it for ourselves. The body lotion as well, with shea butter, coconut and avocado oil sounds heavenly for those with very dry skin.
If you know someone whose baby suffers from severely dry skin or baby eczema, introduce them to Aveeno’s baby line. The Cleansing Therapy moisturises the skin naturally with its oat formula which cleanses the skin while strengthening the barrier. The Soothing Relief Moisture Cream is rich in emollients that will soothe dry, irritated skin. It’s a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formula that harnesses the power of calming colloidal oatmeal.
Organic cleaning products for a toxin-free home
Using natural cleaning products come with a lot of benefits for new moms, especially for when your little critter starts crawling. They’re gentle on the skin, allergy-free so you don’t have to worry about contact rashes and don’t have any fumes. But they’re still very effective.
So, then, why aren’t more people using natural cleaners? Because they can be a bit more pricey than our regular cleaning products.
These natural cleaners use bio-enzymes, free from artificial fragrances, dyes, whiteners or bleaches. You can buy them as individual cleaners or do a trial with kits. Like the one put together by The Better Home. Their 8-pack kit has an item to fulfil all your house cleaning needs – floors, dishes, laundry and bathrooms.
PureCult also has an essentials kit and you can choose to add an all-surface cleaner, handwash or vegetable and fruit wash. These all contain zero sulphates, bleach, chlorine, artificial colours or fragrance.
If you’d rather pick and choose your own, then Windmill Baby also has a lovely collection of floor cleaners, laundry detergent and even a multi-surface cleaning spray.
Eco-friendly and safe toys for teethers
Your parents and grandparents may not admit it, but brandy and whiskey were used from time to time to soothe your teething pain. This smart, but risky tactic isn’t going to cut it anymore. What we can do instead is invest in toys and teethers that can soothe them, keep them occupied and mentally stimulated for when you need a little bit of alone time.
Lil’ Toothsy has an entire line of wooden teethers and rattles made using organic and chemical-free maple wood. Maple wood is naturally non-splintering and also anti-bacterial. We find this aeroplane rattle one particularly cute.
The wooden rattle by Ariro will tickle their mind and captivate them with its sounds. According to Ariro, the wood brings a tactile experience to the toy which is important for their sensorial development. Reaching out and grasping helps to develop their fine motor skills.
If you’re looking for a softer touch then look no further than Bobtail’s linen and cotton toys. Who can resist Elle the elephant?
