Making the Switch | My Top 8 Clean Household & Baby Products
When I learned that I was pregnant, I became acutely aware of how I cared for myself because it could directly affect the little one growing inside of me. Plus, I wanted to be the healthiest version of myself, too. From the foods I ate to the products I put on my skin, I took every step possible to have a healthy pregnancy. Using clean household and skincare products became even more important to me.
However, I quickly discovered that safer products typically weren’t as effective. After reading many labels and comparing products (with lots of trial and error), I found a few hidden gems out there. If you're looking to detox your home and make the switch to clean household and baby products, here's a list of my favorite items that are both safeer and effective.
*I am not affiliated with any of these companies and do not receive commissions. This is truly a list of items I love. And while I know many products use “greenwashing” to make their items seem clean, these items are at the very least a better alternative.
From Head to Toe: My Top 8 Clean Baby & Household Products
Burts Bees Diaper Cream – This thick, creamy, 100% natural paste brilliantly cleared up my babies' most stubborn diaper rashes.
Tide Free & Clear Laundry Detergent – Both of my babies dealt with mild eczema, and their doctor recommended avoiding products with fragrance. However, I found that many clean laundry detergents don't make a dent on baby and toddler stains. Tide Free & Clear is the most effective fragrance-free detergent I've found. It even works on heavily soiled laundry.
Pampers Aqua Pure – We've all been there. You're in the middle of a mess, swiping around for something to clean it up, and the paper towels spin off the roll, or the wipes get stuck, making your job harder. That's especially true for babies. Having a functional dispenser is crucial when you have to keep one hand on your little one. Yes, these awesome wipes are fragrance-free—made with water and plant-based materials--but I also love that they hold together well for easy cleanup. They do a better job of coming out one by one versus the ones that come out in clumps. 10/10 recommend!
Honest Sensitive Baby Shampoo and Body Wash – Honest is a fantastic brand known for their clean and sustainably-made products. Given our eczema situation, we went the fragrance-free, hypoallergenic route for everything. However, this gentle, tear-free shampoo and body wash also comes in a few naturally derived scents if you want to try those out. This cleanser is free of dyes, parabens, silicones, sulfates, and phthalates.
Honest Baby Lotion – While we're on the Honest train, I also love their fragrance-free baby lotion. It's super soft and free of overpowering scents, perfect for locking in moisture and preventing dryness after baby’s bath. I'll admit, with all the handwashing, I love this moisturizer for myself, too.
Dyper Diapers – Even though these are fragrance-free and dye-free (so there are no prints or designs), they are so soft! Some clean products lack the luxurious or delicate feel, but these exceed expectations. These dye-free diapers are good for sensitive skin and also for my newborn photography sessions, where the diaper may show but without the unwanted cartoons in the photos. They're clean, simple, and comfy for baby.
Safer Over-the-Counter Cold & Cough Alternatives for Babies & Toddlers
Your baby will have tons of sweet and exciting "firsts," but their first cough or cold is not one of them. I desperately wanted to ease their discomfort and help them sleep, but I wasn't thrilled about the dyes and filler ingredients found in most over-the-counter infant medications. Like household products, many herbal or natural options didn't seem to work. Thankfully, I found some cleaner remedies that worked well for us.
*Please check with your doctor first about the following items:
Genexa Acetaminophen – At some point, your little one may need some meds to bring down a fever. I love Genexa because they don’t use the dyes that other brands often use to color their products. Check the ages and dosages on the bottle, and always check with your doctor before giving this to your child.
Zarbees Cough Syrup – Oh, the dreaded cough. The problem is that most cough syrups aren’t safe for children under six. While this still isn’t safe for baby, Zarbee's cough syrup tastes good and can be used for children ages 2-6. While it’s admittedly not as effective as the “real” cough medicine, the honey always seemed to calm the coughs a little, and the kids always looked forward to taking this delicious medicine. Again, always check with the doc first!
Make Your Memories Last a Lifetime
Preparing the home and nursery for your little one is such an exciting time! Know what else is exciting?—booking a newborn session so you can remember all those precious, tiny details for years to come. Ideally, you want to take newborn photos within the first two weeks after birth before they lose their soft fuzz, froggy legs, and adorable wrinkles. Babies love to come on their own time, so connect with me to block out some potential dates.
