Organic Baby

1. Choose the most natural baby nutrition you can.

If you are able to breastfeed and/or pump breast milk, this will give your baby the best nutritional foundation and the strongest immune system.

When the time is right choosing organic baby formula and food will help you avoid genetically modified foods, pesticides and growth hormones.

2. Understand the labels.

Before making any purchases become an informed consumer and understand what different labels such as "made with organic ingredients", "certified organic," and "natural" means.

3. Minimize the chemicals in diapering.

Your baby will likely wear a diaper 24 hours a day. Explore the many diapering options that are free from pesticides, chlorine and fragrances.

The best choice depends on your lifestyle. Organic cloth, flushable g-diapers and chlorine-free disposables are all healthy alternatives.

4. Use gentle, natural skin care

Bathe only a few times a week and use products with only the purest ingredients for for the first six months.

60% of what goes on your baby's skin gets into the bloodstream so you'll want to examine the labels of your babies skin care before using them.

Replace products with unfamiliar chemicals for those made from food or plant based ingredients.

5. Remove unseen hazards from your baby's sleep area.

Babies sleep two-thirds of the day so look for ways to minimize the fumes your baby can inhale from her mattress, sheets, baby furniture and other nursery decorations.

Wherever possible, replace conventional baby bedding with organic wool, cotton or hemp. Use natural wood furniture and low VOC paint in the nursery area.

6. Use organic or natural fabric clothing.

Choose cotton over polyester and fleece fabrics to avoid exposure to dangerous petrochemicals and flame retardants.

Organic cotton is free of potentially carcinogenic pesticides. Natural fabrics such as hemp and bamboo don't require pesticides and are also healthy alternatives.

7. Scrutinize the items your baby puts in his or her mouth.

It won't take long for your baby to want to put everything in his or her mouth. If you use plastic baby products, make sure baby bottles, toys, pacifiers and teethers are free from chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and phthalates.