5 Materials to Avoid When Buying Baby Products

When it comes to choosing products for your baby, whether it’s a car seat, clothes, toiletries or toys, safety is a top priority. Modern baby products have become significantly safer over the years thanks to rigorous and ever-evolving safety standards, but it’s still important to stay in the know. 

One of the key parts of baby product safety is the materials used in the manufacturing process—unsafe materials like certain chemicals and heavy metals can pose health risks, especially to babies, whose immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. While organizations like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) exist to ensure that baby products sold in the US meet strict safety standards, certain products sold by non-US companies or that were manufactured before regulations were in place may still contain hazardous materials.

Here's what you need to know about unsafe materials in baby products and how to ensure you're buying the safest options available.

Lead

Lead safety regulations have been in place in the US since the ‘70s, but that doesn’t mean that all products on the market are in the clear. "Some older products may have been manufactured before standards were put in place," says a spokesperson from the CPSC. "As such, potentially unsafe products may still be owned by families or may be available to consumers through secondhand stores." So while it’s highly unlikely that you’ll find lead in modern baby products, it may be present in older, secondhand baby items like hand-me-downs, heirlooms or vintage items. 

Lead exposure can cause severe developmental delays in babies and children, including learning disabilities and behavioral issues. If you’re not sure whether a baby product might contain lead, even if it’s more than 50 years old, you can check the CPSC recalls website for any information on the presence of toxic metals. In baby products, lead is most often found in the paint or metal of old toys, and it can sometimes turn up in baby foods as well.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible, often found in items like toys, teethers, feeding tools, personal care products like shampoo and even some clothing. The CPSC enforces strict regulations on phthalate levels in children’s products, as research has linked phthalates to issues like hormonal disruptions and developmental problems in babies and young children. Still, for extra peace of mind, it’s a good idea to look for products specifically labeled "phthalate-free" to ensure an added layer of safety.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is an industrial chemical used in certain plastics and resins, and when it comes to baby products, it’s most often found in feeding tools like plastic bottles, cups and dishware. 

Research has shown that BPA can seep into food and beverages—especially when exposed to high heat like in the dishwasher, microwave or bottle sanitizers—and poses a risk to brain development and behavior in babies and young children. Though many manufacturers now offer BPA-free products, it's important to double-check labels. Just like with phthalate-free products, “BPA-free” should be clearly visible on the packaging; the label will likely also be on the product itself, usually on the bottom near the recycling symbol.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is often used in products like furniture (including cribs), heavy wrinkle-resistant fabrics (like curtains) and toiletries (including some common baby lotions and body washes). Formaldehyde can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and long-term exposure to emissions can increase the risk of asthma and allergies. And since formaldehyde is considered a carcinogen, many products containing the chemical will have a California Prop 65 warning label (even if you’re not buying it from or in California).

The best way to limit your baby’s exposure to formaldehyde is to avoid products with the Prop 65 label and instead opt for products labeled “non-toxic”—some may even specifically say “formaldehyde-free.” The American Association of Pediatrics also recommends keeping your home’s temperature and humidity low, since formaldehyde emissions thrive in higher temps and humidity. And finally, be sure to keep your home free from tobacco smoke, and if you notice that a product you just bought has a strong chemical smell, let it air out somewhere outside of your home. 

Flame Retardants (PBDEs)

Flame retardants used to be added to baby products like car seats, mattresses and clothing to help slow the spread of fire and reduce the risk of burn injuries. But in 2005, when research discovered that certain types of flame retardants, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were linked to developmental delays, hormone disruption and other potential health risks, those chemicals were banned from use in products made in the US. 

Thanks to advances in product design, many newer products meet flammability standards without the use of these harmful chemicals. When shopping for baby gear, check for labels that specify "PBDE-free" or mention the absence of added flame retardants.

Note: Some baby and kids clothes do have safe flame retardants added, but not all. By law, all baby and kids' clothing needs to be fire-resistant in some way, so if you prefer to avoid unnecessary chemicals around your baby, their clothes should be worn tight-fitting in order to meet safety standards for flammability. 

How to Ensure Baby Product Safety

Reading product labels is an important step in making sure your baby’s things are safe to have around, but there are even more steps you can take, according to Lisa Trofe, Executive Director of JPMA. Here’s what she recommends:

• Choose certified products whenever possible. Safety certification seals indicate that a product has been tested to meet federal and state regulations as well as voluntary standards, including requirements set by GREENGUARD, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), OEKO-TEX, CPSC and JPMA, Trofe says. Each of these safety organizations tests for hazardous materials and chemicals, some focusing specifically on baby and children’s products. Additionally, "JPMA-certified products are tested annually to the most recent standards for even more assurance," she says. Knowing that the items your baby uses (including what they put in their mouth) has gone through rigorous testing by a reputable organization can really help with your own peace of mind.

• Purchase from reputable manufacturers. Buying from trusted brands, including JPMA members, helps ensure that you’re avoiding dangerous or counterfeit baby products. Especially when buying from third-party online marketplaces like Amazon, Temu or eBay, always double check the seller (and manufacturer, if possible) to make sure it’s legitimate and has participated in product safety testing.

• Buy new when possible. "There have been great advancements in baby products over the past 30, 20 and even 10 years," Trofe says. New products are more likely to meet current safety standards and include essential manufacturer instructions for safe product use.

The CPSC also recommends checking for recalls often. Whether buying new or used, always verify a product’s recall status on the CPSC recall site. The CPSC also recommends visiting saferproducts.gov to read other parents’ experiences with specific products.