Aline Gros, whistleblower in the childcare world, has agreed to tell us what to know before buying a baby item. It deciphers for us the risks to be aware of, the unsuspected dangers to be avoided and the right attitudes to adopt.
It is undeniable, fashion is organic and in search of absolute ethics, we try to be responsible and militant for the cause. Many brands are moving towards fair, organic and responsible trade, especially in the food and cosmetics sectors. Only other important and impactful branches are concerned, but do not ripen on the right tree. We can think of fashion, which likes to do what it wants, or the world of childcare, in other words various objects for toddlers.
It is important to know that good health, a healthy body and good growth depend of course on education, and the environment around a child. The baby's first 1000 days, that is, from conception to 2 years, are essential in the quest for good development. You should know that, lhen these first 1000 days, the baby is extremely fragile, because of his thin skin, his dependence on his parents and his vulnerability.
In other words, it is during this short period that the child will assimilate a large number of things. Bad particles and pollution are unfortunately part of it. Her little body will be transparent to them. They will pass through him like butter. That's what we call bioaccumulation, or the phenomenon of absorption and concentration of chemicals present in the air and on surfaces in the body.
Aline Gros, whistleblower – having worked in particular with the "mother-child" pole at the Angoulême hospital center – agreed to answer our questions on things to know before buying a baby item. “The air inside a house is often more polluted and polluting than the air outside”, She says. A frightening answer, yet true.
5 questions to ask yourself before buying a baby item
Does it contain polyester?
A primordial question, given its toxicity. Since children put everything in their mouths, polyester can wander around their bodies, which is very dangerous. 9 times out of 10, the stuffing of a teddy bear is polyester, while its cover is cotton.
Derived from petroleum, polyester rejects very fine particles of microplastics. In addition, polyester requires a lot of water to design, and spreads very easily in discharged water. Polyester has been proven to be an endocrine disruptor and has a very detrimental impact on fertility.
So what do we do ?
No more stuffed animals stuffed with polyester, we prefer a filling in organic wool, organic cotton, buckwheat hulls or spelled grains and cherry stones (especially used for hot water bottles).
Is it made of bamboo?
Even though it is very fashionable right now, and thought to be harmless, bamboo is dangerous to both health and the planet. Indeed, its cultivation is intensive, impoverishes the soil and contributes greatly to deforestation.
Although it does not use water to grow – bamboo is like a kind of weed – it uses a lot of it when it is transformed into textile fibers. During this process, the bamboo is soaked
in sulfuric acid baths. Very trendy indeed!
Stop the bamboo! It is better to buy wooden toys assembled with ecological glue. It’s just as resistant!
Is the cotton used GOTS certified?
GOTS certification is an international label that has existed since 2002. It guarantees ecological production – that is to say without GMOs or pesticides – and socially responsible – or strict compliance with working conditions throughout the production chain. production -.
Nowadays, certifications such as the “CE” mark (European Conformity) are no longer sufficient. Aline Gros tells us that the latter makes it possible to test only the flammability of a product, the polluting particles it rejects, and if the product is resistant to movements and certain constraints (they generally drop a weight on the products in order to to see if they hold the shock). Ultimately, it is a certification that is much more technical than ethical.
In order to ensure that a brand holds this label, it is possible to check the information on the Global Organic Textile Standard website.
Can I find this article second hand?
New products release formaldehyde particles, packed with endocrine disruptors. A second-hand object or toy will have time to reject these particles upstream, to “degas”.
You can find a whole range of baby toys and goodies on sites like Vinted, the right place, or the Facebook marketplace. If you have the opportunity to buy unvarnished natural wood toys, this is the best of the best!
Is it made in China?
It's no secret that the working conditions of the employees are terrifying. Most of the childcare items were made in forced labor camps, where Uyghurs and political prisoners are imprisoned.
Better to favor the made in Europe (even better if it is made in France), in the case where the respect of each employee is total. If a brand works with Indian, African or Asian factories, it is essential to check if the working conditions are correct. For to ensure their reliability, it is necessary to see if the brand holds international labels such as Fairtrade or Fairwear Foundation.
Be sure to answer these questions. Not all of them may apply, but one or two is already a big step.
The risks for the child
The risks and consequences that the various phenomena mentioned above can cause in children are serious. Indeed, the gauge of absorbed pollutants that a child's body should not exceed is widely nowadays. “Pollutants are found in toys, but also in disposable diapers and wipes, and other everyday products”, Says Aline Gros. We ultimately do not realize the particles released by our everyday objects.
According to several studies shared by the whistleblower, the consequences of these pollutants in babies significantly affect their fertility. Indeed, endocrine disruptors completely disrupt hormones. Exposure to these particles in a young child will cause irreversible damage to their health. He will assimilate them much more quickly given his vulnerability. “In 2050, the new generations will be practically forced to use ART to have children. Natural selection will be greatly affected.”, Informs Aline. Enough to realize how much damage is, and how quickly it is gaining ground.
The projection of these particles condemns more and more children to develop allergies and chronic diseases.
A new approach to adopt
Many brands are already trying to change things and bring about a more responsible movement by launching organic and ethical collections. Some brands even specialize in organic and responsible products for children – with GOTS certified organic cotton, homemade materials or even recycled materials – at reasonable and affordable prices.
Aline Gros tells us about the brand she founded years ago: Pitigaïa. Accompanied by her two collaborators Céline and Ravahiti, all three fight to offer babies a healthy environment. Offering a range of accessories for the bath, the table or even for walks, they are committed to selling timeless and non-gendered products with GOTS certified organic cotton. “Our goal is not to become a juggernaut in childcare, but to share the movement (…) Our greatest success is to spread our values”, Confides Aline.
Hallucinated to realize that no childcare brand is really ethical down to the fingertips, the mother of two children wanted to offer a brand with certainly few pieces, but which are qualitative and respect the entire chain of production.
Read also :
Eco-friendly fashion: These brands for babies and children are REALLY good for the little ones AND the planet
Buying organic is more expensive. But consuming responsibly is making sure that no one empathizes behind it, whether in the creative process, or the direct consumer. Protect our children on our scale.