Eco-nesting: how to protect your baby from hidden toxic chemicals

Well, it’s official, you’re pregnant! From the moment you see the pink “+” on the home pregnancy test or get the news at the doctor’s office, your thoughts may begin to race with what this could mean for your life (and everyone in it). You might begin to examine your personal behaviors, your choices, and your home like never before.

You might also have questions about how to prepare: What materials are used to make baby products? Should I be using sensitive soaps and detergents? Are all baby products and lotions safe for infants?

Many people assume that products available in retail stores marked “safe” and “healthy” for pregnant people and babies are as they say they are. The reality is more complex.

While some types of products are subject to third-party safety testing, these tend to focus on physical safety features, such as the construction of cribs, strollers, or car seats. Chemical safety testing is not as robust or clear-cut.

For example, regulations do not require manufacturers to test products for the safety of the chemicals added during the manufacturing process—or to meet any kind of standard for “baby-” and “pregnancy-safe” labels. Regulation gaps like these mean that everyday people are responsible for researching product safety and health risks on their own.

It can be time-consuming and frustrating to read through long ingredient and material lists and to check individual substances for safety concerns. Thankfully, this article has summarized findings from recent research and guidance from experts to help you shop effectively and safely.

What is eco-nesting?

Nesting refers to the process of creating a safe, secure, and healthy space for your new baby. It also provides a moment to reexamine your environment and carefully look at the products that come into your home.

“Eco-nesting” is a growing trend that approaches nesting with a focus on avoiding the many everyday products that contain chemicals known to hurt babies’ and pregnant people’s health.

Nesting and environmental exposures

“During fetal development, there are a lot of changes in the growth of your child’s cells, organs, and even their genes,” says Sara Pinney, MD, MS, a pediatric endocrinologist with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“They are being set up for the lifespan. And so, environmental exposures during this period can affect your baby for life,” says Dr. Pinney. “The same holds true for the early days and first years of life. These are critical windows of development.” That means it pays to be mindful of the materials that surround your child.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), for instance, are substances commonly found in U.S. manufacturing. These chemicals can harm human health by mimicking hormones in the body. When EDCs take the place of natural hormones in the body, signals may tell the body to turn “on” or “off” key functions like blood sugar control.

EDCs, even at low concentrations, can change the normal growth and development of a baby, including the baby’s brain. These chemicals have also been linked to serious conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and miscarriage. Despite claims about being “baby-safe,” many products marketed to parents may contain hidden chemicals like EDCs.

EDCs are not the only potentially harmful chemicals that make their way into baby products. But they are among the most concerning. That’s in large part because of their presence in so many products and because of the varied and serious effects they can have in the prenatal period. (Prenatal refers to the time during pregnancy and just before birth.)

The impact of environmental exposures may vary among populations

Not all exposures to potentially harmful chemicals are equal. Nor are they equally distributed across society.

For example, socially disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities experience higher chemical pollution, poorer prenatal outcomes, and higher rates of chronic disease than do other communities. This is especially true for Black, Native American, and Hispanic people.

Members of these groups are up to three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy or birth complications than are White women. Black and brown children also experience poorer health, including higher rates of asthma. They are also more likely to live in historically segregated communities and to experience structural racism and environmental racism, both of which can have profound effects on mental and physical health. When new mothers and babies are also exposed to chemicals in consumer products, these structural and environmental burdens are compounded and amplified.

Eco-nesting in the home

"In our world, we're exposed to thousands of chemicals every day," says Pinney. That can make it difficult to identify and prioritize the most important protections for your little one—especially if you are on a budget.

Want to be an eco-nester, but not sure where to start? We’ve created a safer shopping guide to help parents avoid common baby products with EDCs and other potentially harmful chemicals. Take this guide with you to the store or bookmark it for online shopping.

For any products or exposure sources not covered here, refer to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Healthy Living app. It includes a search function, a scanner for product labels, and expanded product-specific guides. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Safer Choice program is another resource for searching for household items—like cleaning supplies, detergents, and pesticides—that are less likely to contain potentially harmful chemicals.

For the crib

Baby furniture, mattresses, and bedding often include EDCs that can contaminate babies’ restful areas. For example, flame retardant chemicals added to flammable materials like bedding and mattresses are now considered harmful. What’s more, research shows that these chemicals do not reduce the spread of fire like once thought. While products made after 2013 are less likely to contain flame retardants, these chemicals remain in many older products (such as older furniture or car seats) and can seep into the baby’s environment.

Aim to purchase items made after 2013 to avoid chemical flame retardants. If you are using hand-me-downs or buying used, opt for items in original packaging and/or with original labels whenever possible. That way you can check for claims like “fire-proof” or “flame retardant.”

Better yet, choose 100-percent organic cotton fabrics and/or materials labeled Greenguard, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or Oeko-Tex certified. These labels can take the guesswork out of nesting and help assure you that the fabric or furniture is free from flame retardants and other toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and pesticides (to name a few).

If flame resistance is important to you, there are options other than chemical flame retardants. The EWG notes that wool and polylactic acid (PLA) are good alternatives.

For the nursery room

When choosing paint for your child’s room, consider the odor that often lingers well beyond painting day. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are often added to paint to help decrease drying time. These compounds fill the room with an obnoxious odor and fumes that you and your loved ones should not breathe. Other common sources of VOCs that affect air quality include plug-in or spray air fresheners and burning candles.

VOCs can cause short-term symptoms like runny nose, throat irritation, headaches, nausea, itchy and burning eyes, and wheezing. Over the long term, they are linked to organ damage and cancer. Most paint stores now stock low- or no-VOC paint options, but they are not cheap. Zero VOC paints cost an average of around $50—often twice the amount of traditional high-VOC paint.

Can’t afford the eco-friendly options? There are steps you can take to protect the quality of your indoor air.

Check the air quality

First, check the quality of the outdoor air in your area by visiting the EPA’s AirNow website or mobile app. The site provides the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area. Assuming the air quality is acceptable, open the windows and turn on any exhaust, overhead, or wall fans to help remove fumes.

Clean the air

HEPA air purifiers are designed to clean the air and are a big help in getting rid of most harmful air pollutants found in households. To remove VOC gases, though, you’ll need a purifier with an additional activated charcoal layer. Depending on brand and size, a quality HEPA purifier with an added charcoal filter for one large room can range from $70 to $250.

The EWG has a guide on how to choose a HEPA purifier. If you can’t afford a store-bought HEPA product, you can make an air purifier at home using products available at most hardware stores and major retailers. Or follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build your own air purifier. Make sure to add a carbon pre-filter layer for VOC removal. Regardless of brand or style, most filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months.

When it’s time to paint, the safest option is to avoid doing the painting yourself and to let family members or professionals with proper protection do the job. If you can’t avoid painting, wear a reusable face respirator (available online for around $30). These masks can help filter paint fumes. Stop working right away if you start to cough or have trouble breathing.

Be mindful of lead paint

If the home you own or rent was built before 1978, there is a chance the existing paint on the walls contains lead. (Lead was not banned in household paints until that year.) Federal law requires that new home buyers or renters must be told if a property is known to have lead paint.

If the existing paint on your walls is in good condition, meaning it is not chipped or crumbling, the risk of lead exposure to you or your family members is low. If, however, older paint is in poor condition, you should talk to the property owner about having it professionally cleaned up or hire contractors to do so, if you own your home.

You can search “lead certification,” “lead testing requirement,” and “lead paint law” online to find out if your city, county, or state has a lead certification program. These programs can require that homes are checked to make sure that the paint is in good condition and does not pose a health hazard from chipping or crumbling.

For the playroom

It can be fun to buy the first few toys in anticipation of your baby’s arrival. Just be sure to read toy packaging and note the materials used to make the play items. Plastic toys and teethers often contain chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other plasticizers and solvents.

These substances are used in plastics to create shiny and bendy textures. Not only are they associated with severe diseases, including certain cancers, but they are especially concerning in baby products since babies and toddlers tend to put items in their mouths. What’s more, plastic toys break down over time and can leech toxic chemicals into the areas where children eat, live, and play.

To avoid potentially harmful toys, whenever possible choose 100-percent natural products made from known materials like wood, cotton, silicone, or wool. Toys made from these materials are available at most stores, can be found in every price range, and are more likely to hold up over time than plastic items. Avoid foam-filled toys or stuffies, which often contain EDCs, as well.

For baby’s skin

The smell of a newborn can generate happy thoughts for parents and loved ones. This smell prompts a real biological process in the brain: It stimulates the release of oxytocin (known as “the cuddle hormone”) and dopamine (“the happy hormone”). These encourage bonding between babies and caregivers and can enhance emotional well-being.

Artificial “new baby” fragrances, however, do not serve any biological purpose and can pose a health risk to babies and caregivers alike. These fake-sweet scents can be found in baby powders, lotions, bath soaps, and detergents. “New baby scent” products often contain a collection of known EDCs grouped under the vague ingredient called “fragrance.” They are not recommended for baby skin, which is highly absorbent and sensitive.

Be careful to read ingredient lists (as opposed to front-of-package labels) when buying skin products. Beware of products marketed as “unscented.” Though it sounds healthy, this popular buzzword still permits the use of "fragrance” chemicals. The fragrance chemicals in “unscented” products are used to neutralize or mask foul-smelling chemical agents that may also be harmful to babies’ health. Instead, opt for “fragrance-free” products whenever possible.

It can also help to limit the frequency of infant bathing. Excessive bathing can break down protective oils on the skin. Instead, aim to bathe your newborn every other day or when visibly soiled to help maintain the health of their skin.

For bottles and pacifiers

Feeding your newborn with breastmilk offers the best and most complete nutrition possible. Regardless of whether a baby is breastfed or formula-fed, however, essential feeding items will be necessary.

As of 2012, a chemical additive known as bisphenol A (BPA) used to harden plastic has been eliminated from baby bottle production after researchers revealed poor prenatal and child health outcomes related to BPA. Pinney’s research team added to these findings by testing the concentrations of BPA measured in the amniotic fluid of healthy term pregnancies. (Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds and nourishes the developing fetus in the womb.)

“We found that even low doses of BPA are associated with lower birth weights in babies,” Pinney says. “Low birth weight in a full-term baby is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes later in life.”

Labels touting “BPA-free” are widely used to brand “healthier” baby feeding products, but they don’t tell the whole story. Most “BPA-free” products still contain the related EDCs bisphenol S and bisphenol F, which can likely cause similar health effects in children. Safer solutions are baby bottles made from glass or silicone, which are less likely to contain EDCs.

Other feeding essentials such as utensils, food storage containers, bibs, pacifiers, and training cups can also contain BPA and similar chemicals. As much as possible, avoid plastic and single-use products and opt for glass, silicone, or stainless steel. Never heat food or milk in plastic containers because heat can cause chemicals to leech into food.

Beginning the journey of parenthood

Embarking on parenthood is often an exciting and daunting experience filled with big decisions and worry. Despite your best efforts, it is impossible to completely safeguard your family against every possible health threat. Meanwhile, budgets for purchasing products are not unlimited.

“It is very hard as an individual to limit your exposure,” Pinney says. “You'd have to essentially live in a bubble to avoid all exposures from our environment.” Becoming an informed consumer and shopper—using tips like these—is just one step in the process of helping to ensure a healthy environment for your baby.

There’s also much you can do in your own life to create the conditions for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. That means focusing on good nutrition, getting regular exercise, avoiding harmful chemicals as much as possible in your environment and in the products you purchase, and reducing stress in the time before, during, and after your pregnancy. Decreasing your chances of developing serious conditions, like diabetes or obesity, begins now and will have lifelong effects on your and your baby’s overall health, says Pinney.

This article has been written in collaboration with the Center for Children’s Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Racism (CHARTER) and the Region 4 Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at Emory University. CHARTER works to develop strategies to translate research findings on children’s environmental health for stakeholders in the community, academia, and health care with the goal of improving children’s health. The Region 4 Southeast PEHSU is part of a national network of experts focusing on health issues caused by environmental exposures. Shared goals include improving health systems to provide safer communities for children and families through education and outreach, training for health professionals, environmental health consultations, and referrals.