Do you know what is in your diaper bag?

I am sure you know the contents, but what about the ingredients in those products?  Our babies are most precious to us.  Most of us would never think of putting formaldehyde or other harsh chemicals on a baby’s sensitive skin.  But, you may be doing just that!

Items likely in your diaper bag

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Lotion
• Changing Pad
• Plastic bags
• Sunscreen
• (extra clothes, pacifier or lovey, bottle, snacks)

There are a lot of ingredients with long names in our products, like sodium laureth sulfate or quaternium-15.  What is this stuff?   Chemicals in general are not necessarily bad, many are actually good.  However, some we should use with caution, and some are dangerous and even hazardous.

In 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed accusing Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart Stores of selling shampoo and baby wash that contained methylene chloride, an ingredient banned by the FDA in cosmetics because it’s linked to cancer. The law firm that filed the lawsuit was also investigating Target’s Night-time Bath and Body Wash.  In addition to noting methylene chloride, the letter — and the ensuing lawsuit — also identified formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane as being in the baby shampoo.

I think many people would balk at seeing formaldehyde in their baby’s shampoo, body wash and lotion.  However, many times companies use other terms for these ingredients.  For instance, quaternium-15 (or Q-15) acts as a formaldehyde releaser. It can cause contact dermatitis, a symptom of an allergic reaction, especially in those with sensitive skin, on an infant’s skin, or on sensitive areas.  It is the single most often found cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands.  I wouldn’t want that in my diaper bag!

In August 2012, Johnson & Johnson announced plans to remove a host of potentially harmful chemicals, like formaldehyde, from its line of consumer products by the end of 2013 for baby products and 2015 for additional products like Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Clean & Clear.  So, kudos to Johnson & Johnson for announcing the planned changes!  However, I am glad that I have found a store that has always offered safer products for my family, and those products are what I include in my diaper bag.

What about sodium laureth sulfate?  Sodium laureth sulfate is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products like shampoo.  Whether it is “toxic” or not, may be debatable; however, it is a known irritant, particularly for those with sensitive skin and eczema.  Again, not the best for your diaper bag needs.

Let’s look at those items in your diaper bag again

• Diapers – consider cloth or unbleached disposable diapers
• Wipes – make your own (with biodegradable material or washable)!
• Hand Sanitizer – (for wipes – use biodegradable products and read the label)
• Lotion – (read the label)
• Changing Pad – reusable preferred
• Bags – consider biodegradable bags
• Sunscreen – Avoid Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3
• (extra clothes, pacifier or lovey, bottle, snacks)

What can you do to make your diaper bag’s contents safer for your baby?

Make sure the product does not contain any harsh chemicals or preservatives.  My children have sensitive skin and I have seen firsthand how these types of products can cause skin irritation.  Shopping for better and safer products is our first line of defense in protecting our kids from all of the harsh chemicals and preservatives out there. With a little effort, you can make sure that your diaper bag products are safe for your precious baby.

References:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/business/johnson-johnson-to-remove-formaldehyde-from-products.html?_r=1&

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternium-15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate