Chemicals and Newborn Kids' Stuff

I don't have a specific answer for you but I know who does. A friend of mine from college runs http://homemademothering.com/ and she does TONS of research on this kind of thing and is always super-delighted to share recommendations. You can search her archives, but also if you e-mail her she would be happy to help. Warning: Some of her preferred products are hella expensive.

My solution was to leave everything outside in the sunlight for many days, to allow it all to off-gas. Carseat, crib mattress, bouncy seat, etc. All clothes and bedding got (and still get) washed on hot (fabric sizing sucks) and no fabric softener. We used a chlorine-free diaper, at first because of course we didn't want extra chemicals on him, but later, around 18mos, because when we started experimenting we found that regular diapers gave him a rash if left on too long (nighttime, particularly). You can use a washrag and warm water rather than wipes, at home at least. Get bpa-free dishes and storage containers, if you have to use plastic. My particular bias is to be way more worried about what is introduced to our bodies via "food" than any other source. One of the ways we controlled for chemicals, which a lot of parents in our circle did/do not, is we make all of our child's food. We never did pouches. We never did Dino-nuggets or what-have-you. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit.

I used Naturepedic mattresses for both of my kids, but a lot of people with these same concerns swear by organic cotton futon mattresses with a wool layer (the flame retardant component). Naturepedic also makes changing pads, changing pad covers and mattress pads (all of which I've owned and was happy with). The car seat stuff is tough because federal laws mandate that they be manufactured with all of that flame retardant stuff. My solution was to NOT use the car seat as a resting spot for the kid when we weren't in the car. For the other assorted baby paraphernalia, if you purchase things used the items will have had a chance to off-gas by the time you get them. Congrats on the kid!

We also like the Naturepedic mattress and toppers. Don't skimp on getting the waterproof cover because babies are adorable and leaky and having 2-3 mattress protectors to rotate through is a wonderful thing. We got organic sheets at Target and they've held up well these last two years. We also like Green Mountain Diapers for the newborn stage (organic prefolds and covers) and bumGenius organics for 3 months - potty training. We've been using the same 24 diapers for two years and they could easily be used on another child, well worth the investment IMO. I have no idea about organic car seats, we got a Chicco NextFit because its rearfacing to 40, has an easily removable cover for cleaning and fits well in our car. Congratulations on your new TinyPerson!

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/ has organic cloth diapers (I personally use the http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/cloth-eez-prefold-diapers.html in medium since he was 5 months old (now almost a year) for his daytime use and the http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/workhorse-organic.html with these http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/babee-greens-organic-wool-diaper-covers.html in the summer and these http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/disana-wool-pull-on.html for the winter at night.) There is also http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/ which can be done either full or part time (I do it part time) which really cuts down on diapers and diaper products. To avoid stroller stuff, http://www.babywearinginternational.org/ is an option and many baby carriers can be found in organic fabrics. (I loved the http://www.babyktan.com/no.html for the first six months of kiddo's life, now using a ring sling) We also bought our stroller used. http://cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines// can be options to not have to worry about cribs. We supply our daycare with organic food for our son since he turned 8 months old (they follow the federal food program). So we send them his breakfast in this http://www.abesmarket.com/natural-products/home-and-garden/housewares/lunch-kits/smashbox-collapsible-snacker.html and his lunch in this http://www.abesmarket.com/natural-products/baby-and-kids/feeding/eco-friendly-kids-bowls-storage-utensils/smashbox-collapsible-silicone-lunch-box-double-compartments.html and they don't heat it up (so no microwaving). We also now send his milk in http://thinkbabybottles.3dcartstores.com/THINKBABY-Products_c_18.html straw cups. And there are lots of great Etsy stores for wooden toys. I really like the http://www.smartgeartoys.com/ brand of toy - I personally have bought quite a few toys from them and they are excellently made and touted as non-toxic:Eco-Friendly: Made in Thailand from environmentally friendly rubberwood and strictly using Non-Toxic Paints, Dyes and Lacquers and Formaldehyde Free Glue. Packaging is made from at least 70% recycled paper.I also really like http://www.greentoys.com/ which are food-grade plastic toys made out of recycled milk jugs and made in the USA. Also very well-made. Their feeding spoons and forks are the perfect size for my almost 1 year old. Most of his clothes we get at the thrift store, although his aunts buy us new outfits, too. We make sure to wash them before he wears them and don't use fabric softener.

To counter that Honest Company rec, I gotta say I tried their body wash on my 4 month old and he broke out in hives all over his body =( He's not even particularly sensitive, you just never really know what will trigger a reaction. Flame retardants are awful, I know. I refuse to let my kids wear any sleepwear except the tight cotton kind (like the Hanna Andersson-brand stuff, also sold inexpensively at Costco). By law, all children's sleepwear must be treated with flame retardants unless it's the snug-fit cotton kind. So the cute fleece footies are out, but who cares. For the crib, I couldn't justify the cost of a Naturepedic mattress, but we let the regular mattress off-gas outside for several days, and I splurged on a http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001A1RVC8/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ to act as a barrier (and bonus, it is super cozy). It is tough. It's gotten a little easier with my second child, I have learned not to stress out so much, but I still worry about this chemical stew we are all constantly bathing in. Keep reminding yourself to focus on the things that are statistically so much more important--for example, always use the car seat correctly, rear facing as long as you can stand it. Do all the things you are supposed to to help prevent SIDS (breastfeeding, no smoking, back-to-sleep, etc.). Get the baby immunized. Have faith in our bodies' amazing ability to grow and thrive despite the constant insults we expose them to.

A parent I know is a fan of https://www.honest.com/.

You can get liners for car seats - sheepskin, organic cotton etc. California Baby is the cheapest organic baby range I've found that both works and is widely available. Plain lanolin is great for diaper rash. Get sun hats and long sleeves etc in lightweight cloth plus a sunshade to use instead of sunscreen. The organic stuff is weird there. You can get glass or stainless steel bottles instead of plastic. German-brand nipples are generally the safest. You'll want to consider cloth diapers. Etsy has hand knit wool 'soakers' with lanolin in them that are a great alternative diaper cover to prevent leaks. You can diy wet wipes to control what goes into them - if you buy a ton of cheap cotton, cut it in squares and soak it in the organic diy recipe you like, you just chuck them in with diapers to wash. Or you can make disposables with paper towels. Also tell people you only want x brand toys because of "allergies" rather than chemical concerns. You'll get a ton of hand me downs and gifts and letting people know that like Plan and Hapa (nice wooden toys that are safe) are okay lets people give you stuff. Allergies re so common and most people will respect a vague reference to skin irritations, otherwise lots of lecturing or piles of plastic crud.

http://cleaningouttheclutter.com/2013/05/all-about-homemade-cloth-baby-wipes-and-wipe-solutions/ Laminated cotton is a safer alternative for waterproof fabrics needed for diaper changing pads, mattress protectors etc.