From organic baby skincare products to organic cotton clothes, you’ll find an abundance of brands on the market claiming to be better for bubs. How much of this is marketing hype and how much is genuinely backed by science? Let’s take a closer look at what researchers have to say about going organic for your baby products.
1. Allergy awareness
If your baby has an allergy to something like soy, nuts, or dairy, you’re probably already hyper-vigilant when looking at ingredients and selecting products. Unfortunately, conventional products aren’t always great at limiting common allergens, and it’s not just food you have to look out for. Sunscreens and other skincare products can also contain allergens, making life extra hard on parents.
This is where organic products can be incredibly helpful. With a focus on promoting good health, many organic brands work hard to ensure their products are free from common allergens. With smaller ingredient lists, it can be a lot easier for parents to compare products. Organic brands are often also smaller operations with more personable customer support. So if you have any questions or concerns, it’s generally a lot easier to reach a real person.
2. Avoiding synthetic hormones
This issue predominantly relates to products that contain dairy, which can include baby formula, baby cereals, and even some skincare products. Conventionally raised cows are often injected with synthetic hormones to spur weight gain and maximise the amount of milk they produce. By going organic, you can avoid exposing your child to these hormones, which have been linked to early puberty and cancer.
3. Supporting healthy development
According to a meta-analysis published in The British Journal of Nutrition in 2014, organically grown crops are far less likely to contain pesticides than conventionally grown crops. When considered in light of other studies, this is an important finding for parents. For example, researchers have established links between the pesticide chlorpyrifos and developmental delays in newborns. Studies have also found that pesticides may also contribute to the development of ADHD.
Of course, organic food and baby products aren’t a cure-all solution. However, they can help you avoid exposing your little one to chemicals that could cause avoidable developmental delays and health complications.
4. Improving nutrient availability
Numerous studies have found that organic products contain more antioxidants, healthy fats, and other vital nutrients than conventional products. If you’ve read reports that there’s no perceptible difference between organic and conventional foods when it comes to nutrient density, it’s important to note that scientists are now re-examining these old findings.
Newer studies have found that organic crops have as much as 20% more antioxidant availability. The researchers hypothesised that the older studies may have failed to find such results due to their limited study periods or uncontrolled variables like the weather.
5. Avoiding antibiotics
Many conventional foods and other products have been found to contain trace amounts of antibiotics. This has led to unintentional antibiotic overuse, which in turn leads to the development of resistant strains of bacteria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2 million Americans contract antibiotic-resistant infections per year. According to CDC reports, approximately 23,000 of these people die from their infection. Thankfully, to be certified organic, a product cannot contain antibiotics as their use is not permitted in organic farming practices.
Taking these five research-backed factors into account, it may be worth going organic where possible. Knowing your child is not being exposed to potentially hazardous substances can take one more worry off your plate, freeing you to focus on building happy memories.
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