Bringing comfort, cleanliness, and nature back into kids’ products
As a parent, you’re incessantly worried about your child’s well-being and safety. From ensuring your children are eating enough vegetables for proper nutrition, to keeping them away from harmful or toxic chemicals, keeping your children safe and away from harm is always your primary concern.
You’re probably worried about your toddler swallowing toothpaste, or face cream, but there are so many products used everyday that we tend to overlook the potential harm they could pose to your little ones.
Here are 6 non-toxic, healthy products for your kids, to help protect them from harmful chemicals and toxins.
We all know how plastics are harmful for both humans and the environment. Yet, almost all children’s toys are made of plastic, covered with toxic paints, which often end up inside children’s mouths.
This Bangalore, India-based brand makes toys which are plastic and battery-free, and made with natural, eco-friendly products like wood, cardboard and cotton. They use water-based paints and natural polish to make their products safe for kids. These simple, engaging, open-ended wooden toys, games, and activity boxes are designed for children of up to 6 years.
Meeta Sharma Gupta, who has a PhD from Harvard and is also a mother, founded Shumee in 2014, after being inspired by watching her children play and engage with simple wooden toys.
When children pick up crayons, venturing off on expeditions to discover their artistic genius, as parents, you are probably closely monitoring them to stop them from licking, chewing or eating these art tools which often contain toxic chemicals and ingredients.
Dabble, founded by two trained expressive art therapist mothers, uses beeswax and natural dyes to make funky-looking, toxin-free crayons that are completely safe for kids.
Non-stick cookware is used in most households across the world, and 95% of them have Teflon coating.
While non-stick cookwares have made life in the kitchen easier, preventing food from sticking to the surface and allowing for easy cleaning, few are aware that when over-heated, Teflon coatings can break down at a molecular level and release toxic particles and gases.
This can lead to teflon poisoning, polymer fume fever and other health issues. This can be a serious concern for all mothers, whether you have a 6-year-old or a 16-year-old.
This startup, which sells ceramic pots and pans, provides a safer and non-toxic alternative to keep your kids and loved ones safe.
Buying underwear is usually not a tough task: everyone has their favorite brand, chosen for either comfort or fabric. Making a hasty decision or buying cheap undergarments is risky, as these items cover our most sensitive parts, and the wrong products could lead to skin irritation, rashes, and other health issues. This is especially true for children, who usually have more sensitive skin than adults.
Chicks, a family-owned, Hong Kong-based brand that has been operating since the 1950s, sells high quality cotton inner wear for adults and children. Their products are Oeko-Tex certified and tested against harmful substances, reducing the risk of skin allergies.
Whether or nor your child needs new underwear, the company’s entire product line is designed for health and comfort, and includes all the basics including thermal undergarments, t-shirts, and socks.
Menstruation cycles are challenging, painful, and uncomfortable for adults and teenagers alike. Plastic sanitary napkins not only add to the discomfort, but can also cause severe health issues, not to mention their harmful effect on the environment.
With just 7% plastic, Laiqa offers biodegradable sanitary napkins that come with biodegradable and recyclable packaging, potentially the perfect choice for your daughter and yourself.
According to the startup, their pads are rash, chlorine, and fragrance-free, and protect users from Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and yeast infections.
While picking clothes for little ones, you not only need to find the cutest outfits, but also need to ensure that they are non-toxic and do not pose any dangers to your child’s health.
A small family-run business founded in London, Piupia offers organic wool and GOTS-certified cotton clothes for children. Their whole production chain is Oeko-Tex 100 certified and contains no harmful chemicals or substances, right down to their buttons, which are ecological and made from cotton fibers.
As businesses move to more responsible methods of production, and safety standards continue to rise, there’s no need to stick to old-time favorites when the lives and safety of yourself and your children could be improved by making a change. New products, designed with the health and comfort of your children in mind, could be the game-changer we all need in the COVID-19 era.
Header image by Ben Wicks on Unsplash.
This article was written in partnership with Chicks.
