Phthalate Free Baby Products

We all love the scent of a freshly bathed infant. It may be hard to describe, but when you get a whiff of it you immediately identify it as the 'baby smell'. Well, that baby smell may be doing more harm than you realize.

Cosmetics manufacturers are not required by law to name all the chemicals in their products, and this is true in the case of phthalates. Phthalates are synthetic chemical preservatives that ensure when you pop the top of your favorite lotion or soap, you get a whiff of something pleasant. Phthalates preserve the scent.

On the down side, animal studies suggest phthalates cause reproductive birth defects. California is the only state to have banned them by law because they are neurotoxic to humans, trigger allergic response, and can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. The European Union has also banned its use in cosmetics.

Do yourself and your child a favor and skip the scented soaps and lotions. There's no added benefit to using them, and there are many phthalate-free brands on the market.