With so many news stories circulating lately about the toxins typically found in baby products, it’s no wonder many moms are worried about what they put on their new babies’ delicate skin. One of our key mothering tasks is to provide only the best and safest for our kids, and the baby care products hospitals typically use on fresh-from-the-womb newborns definitely do not fit the bill.
That’s why we were so inspired when we read about Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, outside of Chicago, which has chosen to forego the chemical-laden stuff of most maternity wards and use instead Earth Mama Angel Baby products. These natural and organic products for mom and baby are 100 percent toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and free of all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dye.
“As a faith-based institution, we take a whole-person approach to wellness that takes into account mind, body, and spirit,” says Kathy Mitchell, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital’s chief nursing officer. “For our tiniest patients, this means using natural and organic herbal products.” The products have been used for a little over a year now and, according to Diane Leonard, the hospital's OB manager, new mothers have had a really positive reaction. She thinks distribution of the Natural Nipple Butter, in particular, has helped new moms achieve greater success at nursing their babies, and as a result they are promoting the healthiest start possible for their newborn patients.
To set families up to continue using natural products after leaving the hospital, Adventist Bolingbrook sends new mamas home with a gift bag filled with Earth Mama Angel Baby shampoo, body wash, diaper cream, tea, nipple cream, and coupons for future purchases. Additionally, Earth Mama Angel Baby sample products are given away in support classes, such as prenatal classes, in an effort to educate prospective parents about choosing the safest personal-care products for their families.
While this is only one hospital’s effort toward health and sustainability, it’s a positive sign of increasing understanding of the importance of natural products for moms and babies. If you’re giving birth in a hospital that still hands out going-home packs with chemical-laden baby care products (as most do), why not suggest alternatives? It may take time to affect change, but Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital is proof it can be done.
Leigh Gannan is a freelance writer and mom to one adorable little boy.