My ears pricked up when I heard two mothers talking about the importance of using organic products for their babies skin. One was adamant they would never use anything but organic products and the other was buying on price. I thought "What a great question! Why Should I use organic products for my baby?”

This debate was intense and I could feel the emotion on both sides.

Life in 2011 is full of new risks the human body was never designed to be exposed to or cope with. This includes everything from synthetic chemicals, hormones, pollution from heavy metal and electromagnetic waves.

From the moment of conception, without any say in it, a baby is exposed to the environment. In the papers last Friday I spotted an article titled 'Geomagnetic space storm sparked by a solar eruption'. While this was interesting, and it predicted dire consequences for communication, the reality is everyday we are bombarded with hidden electromagnetic radiation from thousands of man made sources. In the same way there is a hidden storm of chemicals babies are expected to cope with. With chemicals, however, we can make choices and manage the impact they have on our, and our babies, life.

In the first few years of development a baby’s body goes through rapid change. During this phase;

• A baby’s capacity to metabolize and process chemicals is can result in larger or smaller internal doses of the active agent(s)
• With more frequent cell division chemicals the body is not able to process can result in cell mutations producing DNA damage
• Some embryonic cells, such as brain cells, lack key DNA repair enzymes
• An infants skin is thinner than an adults and can be up to one hundred times more sensitive

To develop immunities and reduce sensitivity to what the environment dishes out a child does need to be exposed to the world. This allows their body to develop the mechanisms to cope with the environment. It is at this early stage when you have the best opportunity to lay the foundation of good health for their skin and their insides.

I say this to encourage you to carefully consider what you use to care for children in the early years of their lives so you do not add to the chemical 'overload'.

One area of real concern is the residual impact of pesticides and chemicals used in farming. Despite careful processing, the US Food and Drug Administration discovered 16 pesticides and 3 carcinogens in eight of the industries leading baby foods. While these were in small amounts, it is the impact long term exposure may have on babies. The only way to be sure your products are made without the use of these types of chemicals is to look for products using certified organic ingredients and 100% natural.

Using organic baby products is about creating a better health outcome for your baby now and minimising health concerns in the future. You may not stop them eating the dirt from your garden or kissing the dog, however, you can control what they eat and what they use on their skin.

Tags: avocado oil, certified organic, baby, baby naturals, natural, certified Organic Skin Care, Organic Standards