Keeping baby clean … and healthy

What is more precious than your baby? Knowing that your baby is completely chemical-free.

We brought some of our littlest road testers on board for the Nascar of bathing events to find the best phthalates- and paraben-free (and in most cases organic) products on the market.

So get ready to get all lathered up.

Best travel / gift set: Weleda Baby Calendula
My mommy tester loved this little travel/ gift set from Weleda, with everything you need for baby while traveling or running around town with the little one.

Each bottle of the line is full of organic calendula flower extract, which is a known homeopathic cure for diaper rash. The products, which also contain the essential fatty acids of sweet almond oil to moisturize and prevent chafing, are packaged in TSA-approved travel-sized bottles and zipped into a regulation clear carrying case so you can just toss the kit into your carry-on or diaper bag.

The set is available at beautorium and retails for $12.

Baby products you’ll most covet: Baby Hugo Naturals
Oh baby! Hugo Naturals eight new baby products have all the sophistication of the company’s adult products. All are free of artificial fragrances, colors, parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, and alcohols. Like all of Hugo’s goodies, these are gentle and specially crafted for babies of all ages.

I especially love the vanilla chamomile baby oil. It smells delish and comes packaged in a brilliant spray bottle, which makes it easier to use and significantly less messy than a flip top bottle.

The entire line is available on the Huge Naturals website.

Best all-around: Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo and Body Wash
Made with organic aloe, comfrey, calendula and chamomile this two-in-one product is tricked out with a pump dispenser, which comes in handy when you are trying to wrangle a slippery baby.

Truth be told, the entire line is great: All are made with the highest quality botanicals, essential oils and yummy stuff like shea butter and kukui nut oil to pamper your baby. Or you.

All of Nature’s Baby Organics’ products are 100 percent vegan and are free of SLS, DEA, propylene glycol and synthetic fragrances.

Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo and Body Wash retails for $9.95 and is available on the company’s website.

Best lotion and best powder: Miessence Baby Lotion and Powder
Certified organic and unscented, the lotion’s natural ingredients leave the skin with a super light coconutty scent, while the powder creates a hypoallergenic, talc-free layer between baby’s little buttocks.

Both products are available on ElyOrganics and retail for $33.95 and $12.95 respectively.

Click here to explore healthy, natural options for diapers, baby clothing, infant toys, soaps, lotions, and more.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog. Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

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