8 Best Non-toxic Baby Products Every Parent Should Own

Your baby’s health and well-being are your top priorities. It’s not only the medical and nutritional decisions you make that have an impact on your little one, but also the baby products you use on a daily basis. 

With such a large selection of baby essentials on the market, it can take a lot of time to find which options are the safest for your baby. We’ve jump-started your research process with this list of the best non-toxic baby products.

Babies have sensitive skin and immune systems. The products they interact with day-to-day should be made with their delicate needs in mind. All of the nursery furniture and baby essentials from Nurture& are made with non-toxic materials that are gentle enough for your whole family.

These must-haves will help you build a safe nursery for your little one.

Our seating collection is designed for the perfect combination of comfort and durability. A wide seat creates plenty of room for snuggling your baby and is covered with non-toxic material. Polyester and nylon make up the unique fabric blend that’s gentle on the skin and easy to clean. Birchwood and poplar plywood are responsibly sourced and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Choose The Crib as a premium sleep space for your baby. Built with sustainably harvested wood, The Crib was made to grow with your child through infancy and into toddlerhood. The poplar wood and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) of the white crib, and the poplar and oak veneer of the natural finish are sealed without the use of fire-retardant chemicals.

This crib mattress is made with 100% organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The Naturepedic crib mattress has a non-toxic waterproof layer made from sugarcane and passes fire safety standards without the use of harmful chemicals. This mattress is breathable, ensuring proper airflow no matter what position your baby sleeps in. 

You and your baby will both sleep soundly when you use a crib sheet that’s gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. The Crib Sheet Set is made of 100% cotton for a soft barrier between your little one and their mattress. The breathability of cotton helps your baby maintain a comfortable temperature so they’re more likely to get the best sleep possible.

The Dresser

This essential piece of furniture is made from premium materials and is designed to be durable. The Dresser comes in a white or natural wood color made from eco-friendly rubberwood, plywood, and MDF. A quality dresser like this one is a staple piece in your baby’s nursery and can last your family many years, reducing waste and the need to replace furniture as your child gets older.

The Changing Topper

Following the standard with strong rubberwood and MDF, Nurture& offers two sizes of The Changing Topper as an addition to The Dresser. When your nursery dresser doubles as a diaper-changing station, you save space and money when you don’t need to include a separate changing table in the room.

The PlayPad

Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time on the floor, so it’s important to give them a safe space of their own. Adding a play mat to your nursery, like The PlayPad Max, gives your little one a cushioned support that’s easy to clean. The PlayPad is made of 100% vegan leather and OEKO-TEX-certified foam that has been tested and proven to be free of toxic chemicals.

Baby Clothes

Your baby’s skin is delicate and deserves only the best fabrics to snuggle in. The Hello World Bundle includes a baby hat, onesie, and blanket made of 100% Pima cotton that will withstand frequent washings while staying incredibly soft.

All parents want the best for their babies, but that isn’t always easy when many of the baby products we use are made with toxic chemicals that can rub off or be ingested by our babies.

But what does it mean if a product is toxic?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says:

“A product is toxic if it can produce personal injury or illness to humans when it is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin […]. In addition, a product is toxic if it can cause long-term chronic effects like cancer, birth defects, or neurotoxicity.”

It requires a bit of research to find products and brands that are safe for families and created in an eco-friendly way that sustains resources for future generations.

The collections of furniture and baby essentials from Nurture& are always made of high-quality, non-toxic materials that you can feel good about using in your home.

When looking into the materials used in baby products, it’s important to know and look for these substances:

• Phthalates are used in plastics and can disrupt hormones.
• Artificial fragrances, dyes, and flavors in personal care products can affect respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems.
• Parabens are used as preservatives and can interfere with reproductive development and function.
• Sulfates in personal care products can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
• Chlorine exposure in disinfectant products can negatively impact breathing and can cause skin and eye irritation.
• Bisphenol A (BPA) can be found in plastic products and affects bodily systems concerned with growth, development, and behavior.
• Formaldehyde is a flammable gas used in building materials with links to cancer.
• Flame retardants are applied to products to prevent fire from rapidly spreading, but can cause long-term health issues, like hormone disruption and cancer when exposed to high levels.
• Some non-organic baby foods and plants used to make clothing have been exposed to pesticides, which can cause respiratory illnesses.
• Polyurethane foam can be used in crib mattresses, but is a highly flammable substance and may contain various chemicals depending on how it’s processed.

When it comes to choosing baby products, it’s important to consider not only your baby’s immediate safety but also their long-term health and well-being.

Babies learn and explore their environments by getting up close and personal with everything they come in contact with. Baby products should be safe when they’re next to your baby’s face, in their mouth, and against their body.

Harmful toxic chemicals that can be found in diapers, bottle plastics, rash cream, teethers, clothing, toys, and endless other types of baby products can be orally ingested, inhaled through the air, or absorbed through their skin.

Just like adults, different babies may react differently to certain substances, but choosing non-toxic items on a daily basis will reduce the risk of any adverse effects.

When you’re searching for non-toxic baby products, remember these materials and certifications to point you in the right direction:

• Natural fibers, like cotton and bamboo, are gentle on your baby’s skin. When labeled organic, you know the cotton or bamboo was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. A GOTS certification ensures a product was created in an entirely organic process.
• Silicone is a non-toxic alternative to plastic. It’s a durable substance that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and works well for pacifiers, teethers, sippy cups, and baby toys.
• A hypoallergenic label lets you know that a product contains fewer allergens than similar competitors. However, this term isn’t regulated so it’s still important to check the list of ingredients of each item if your little one has a known allergy.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for food contact surfaces ensures that a product is made of non-toxic materials and is corrosion-resistant.
• Vegan baby items are made free of animal products or byproducts. Vegan leather baby shoes, diaper bags, and play mats avoid toxic chemicals, like chromium and formaldehyde, that are used in the production of traditional leather products.

If you’re just starting your search for non-toxic baby products, it can feel overwhelming to read through lists of organic ingredients and compare your eco-friendly options.

You can use our list of recommendations to set off on the right path.

Babies and young children spend significant chunks of time sleeping in their beds—or so we hope—making a non-toxic, quality mattress an essential component of their room. The Naturepedic organic crib mattress and organic twin mattress are both GOTS-certified and are made without adhesives or polyurethane foam.

Nurture& offers a crib sheet set made of 100% cotton in three different color and pattern options. These fitted sheets are breathable and soft and fit any standard crib mattress.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or both, The Feeding Pillow is made of 100% cotton and will support your little one comfortably every time they need to eat.

All Nurture& cribs are made of non-toxic, sustainably sourced materials. The Crib is built to grow with your baby and can be converted to a toddler bed as they get older.

The collection of seating from Nurture& is thoughtfully designed for parents looking for comfort and quality. The Glider Plus is made from FSC-certified woods and without the use of fire-retardant chemicals. It includes features like power recline and a built-in USB charger set within a stain-resistant fabric.

Your baby’s sensitive skin will quite literally soak it all in, so it’s vital to make sure each ingredient is healthy and gentle. Earth Mama Organics and BareBaby Organics offer baby lotion and other skincare products that are free of parabens and artificial fragrances.

Using oil on your baby’s skin can help with dry or flaky skin that some newborns experience while adjusting to life outside of the womb. A massage with baby oil can also be soothing to a fussy baby. Earth Mama Organics and Primally Pure make baby oil with only a few natural ingredients.

Protect your baby’s skin from diaper rash with a cream that is naturally healing. Babo Botanicals offers a fragrance-free diaper cream that meets the standards of and is verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Whether you prefer to use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, your baby will be wrapped up in a diaper more often than not. Honest Diapers are a disposable option that is chlorine and fragrance-free and OEKO-TEX certified against toxic chemicals.

Baby wipes are another item you’ll use daily with your infant or toddler. When you’re wiping a hand, a chin, or a bum you want a soft, water-based wipe like Clean Conscious Wipes from the Honest Company.

Although the FDA sets regulations for the level of nutrients necessary in baby formula, they do not approve each formula before it goes to market. It’s best to discuss formula options with your pediatrician and stay informed on FDA citations and recalls of baby formula.

Babies play with all of their senses. They will look at, grab for, smell, and taste every toy that piques their interest. Non-toxic toys made of natural wood or food-grade silicone, like Bannor Toys, are safe for your baby. Add a vegan leather play pad or play couch to your baby’s nursery or toddler’s playroom.

Check baby clothing labels and look for fibers like cotton and hemp. Natural and organic fabrics are soft against your baby’s skin and are created from pesticide-free plants. Nurture& has GOTS-certified baby clothes.

Baby gear that’s only used occasionally can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to choosing non-toxic options. The car seat and stroller travel systems available at Bumbleride are free of fire-retardants and PVC plastics, and are OEKO-TEX certified.

Baby-wearing can provide infants with the soothing comfort of being held close while giving parents free hands.  The organic Baby K’tan is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton and comfortably wraps around you and your baby.

The best thing you can do to protect your baby’s health is to be aware of product ingredients and what substances are considered toxins. While most brands of baby products have good intentions, it’s the attention to detail—like the manufacturing process and the possible side effects of toxins—that reputable brands have that’s necessary to truly create a safe baby product.

To reduce the risk of toxic products in your home and around your baby, keep these things in mind:

• Carefully read labels. Watch for and avoid products that list keywords like phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic.
• Go for organic products. A baby product with a natural or organic label is likely to be non-toxic and free of unwanted additives, but it’s still a good idea to check the list of ingredients.
• Research trusted brands. Look for brands that have been vetted and certified by trustworthy organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
• Consider homemade alternatives. When you can, look to natural home remedies. You can use baking soda and vinegar to remove stains from baby clothes or find a recipe you like online to make a baby balm to prevent diaper rash.
• Stay informed. Keep up with the latest news on toxic baby products and which items have been recalled.
• Minimize product use. Your baby doesn’t need dozens of different soaps for bath time or several different types of baby bottles. Finding one product that works well for your baby is better than switching between brands simply for the novelty of change.

With the help of our recommendations, you can create a non-toxic environment that benefits your baby and your entire family.

You want to protect your baby’s health and Nurture& is here to help you do just that. Visit our online store to find our entire collection of non-toxic baby products made for parents, by parents. You’ll find more information on all things parenting and baby-related in Our Journal.