For these reasons, and as specifically required under the Food Quality Protection Act (1996), the EPA carefully evaluates children's exposure to pesticide residues in and on foods they most commonly eat, i.e., apples and apple juice, orange juice, potatoes, tomatoes, soybean oil, sugar, eggs, pork, chicken and beef.
Even though organic foods cost more, Erin Kirk of Athens, Georgia, says it is worth it. "I feel that the more pure a food is, the healthier it is," she says. "I know I can't shield my daughter from bad food forever, but I hope to give her a healthy start in life."
Dr Peter Degnan of Equinox Health and Healing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a health organization that integrates conventional and alternative medicine, encourages parents to use organic baby food. "Although there are no head-to-head research studies comparing outcomes of organic versus nonorganic foods, it makes good sense to think that a small, rapidly growing and developing body should benefit the most by foods that are not contaminated by pesticides or toxins," he says.
On the other hand, Dr Andy Spooner, pediatrician at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, says pesticides, antibiotics and food additives serve important purposes. "Remember, one of the reasons foods are exposed to pesticides, additives, antibiotics and 'unnatural' processes is to make them more healthful - to reduce the risk of diseases like botulism in honey, E.coli in meat, listeria in dairy products, and naturally occurring toxins in just about anything," he says.
Taste is a factor, too. Spooner says, "Organic baby food, in some cases, tastes different. One might find that one's child detests 'regular' green beans, but loves a certain brand of organic beans. But that has less to do with the 'organic-ness' of the food than a baby's personal tastes."
Anita Van Kats of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada isn't so sure about organic foods. "To put only organic foods into your body or your baby's is to become used to this perfect, untouched food," she says. "However, in all reality, not everyone does this, and the daycare you send your child to or the relatives who babysit him/her will not always have organic foods on hand. What happens then? Why not just minimize exposure to preservatives instead?"
Natural remedies and household cleansers
Some parents choose alternative and natural health remedies
and household cleansers. Osterloh says she uses all-natural
soaps and detergents because they're better for the environment
as well as sensitive skin. She also uses alternative health
remedies, such as homeopathic teething tablets. "When [the
baby] gets bites or rashes, we use calendula oil (known for its
pain-relieving properties) instead of diaper cream," she says.
"If it doesn't clear his skin up the first time, it will the
second." So what led her down this route? Osterloh says she and
her husband did a lot of research before their son was born.
"We wanted things to be as natural as possible."
Lynn Siprelle, a Portland, Oregon-based homemaking activist and publisher of NewHomemaker.com, says she is of the "if it can't hurt not to use it, don't" school. She says everyone in the household, not just babies, benefits from using natural cleansers. "All those fumes aren't good for anyone," she says. She also notes that natural products steer away from the antibacterial ingredients flooding the marketplace. "Scientists are warning about overuse of anti-bacterial products," she says. "The concern is that continued use will lead to 'superbugs' - bacteria that resist antimicrobials and antibiotics."
Siprelle says not all natural cleansers are as effective or as strong as regular, chemical cleansers, and they may be more expensive overall. But she points out that some of the best natural cleaners are the least expensive. "Baking soda and plain white vinegar can do 99 percent of the cleaning in your home and are dirt cheap - even cheaper than chemical cleaners."
Dr Degnan warns that "natural" doesn't necessarily equal "safer." He does say, however, that infants may have less of a sensitivity reaction to natural-based products, and avoidance of chemical-based products may reduce the chance of a toxic reaction. No matter what kind of cleaning products you use, be extra careful in play areas (particularly with carpets and flooring) and when washing toys and baby clothing.
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