Why Low-Tox?
From the time my daughter was a newborn, I was surprised by how often I thought about swapping her products for less toxic alternatives. I spent countless hours researching the best types of diapers, wipes, and toys during her first six months. Then, when she started solids at six months, it felt like a whole new ball game. Suddenly, I cared about finding the least toxic cups, plates, utensils, snacks, and more.
Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned and five product swaps that are easy for beginners to make.
1. Diapers: TCF vs ECF vs Cloth
One of the first products I wanted to swap for my daughter was diapers. I went down the rabbit hole of researching ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free), TCF (Totally Chlorine Free), and cloth diapering. While I encourage you to do your own research, I’ll share what has worked for our family and why.
When my daughter was a newborn, I thought I would have time to wash cloth diapers once or twice a week. However, once she started solids around six months, I quickly realized that cloth diapering wasn’t the best fit for our family. For one, I simply didn’t have time for the extra laundry while working full-time. And once your child starts having solid bowel movements, your perspective on cloth diapers may change as well!
We also tried several TCF diaper brands. While some families love them, many of the ones we tested gave my daughter a rash. There was one TCF brand that worked well for her skin, but unfortunately, the fit wasn’t right for her body shape.
Ultimately, ECF diapers have worked best for our family because they strike a balance between skin comfort, availability, and cost. We’ve had the most consistent success with the sensitive-skin versions offered by larger diaper brands.
2. Wipes
There’s not much to say here other than keeping the ingredient list as simple as possible. I prefer wipes that are primarily water-based and contain minimal additives.
Nearly two years into motherhood, I’m still searching for the perfect wipe! One tool I find helpful is the Yuka app, which allows you to scan products and review ingredient information as well as environmental impact ratings.
3. Toys
After spending a lot of time learning about Montessori principles, I’ve come to appreciate wooden, open-ended toys and books that feature real-life images.
My daughter can spend long stretches of time playing with her wooden Montessori toys, while many battery-operated toys and books with cartoon-style illustrations tend to hold her attention for a much shorter period.
Another benefit of wooden toys is their longevity. They’re often beautifully made and can be passed down through multiple generations. In fact, I still have a wooden dollhouse and wooden horse stable from my own childhood, and both are in wonderful condition years later.
From a sustainability perspective, wooden toys also tend to have a longer lifespan than many plastic toys. Montessori environments generally focus on providing materials that encourage curiosity, creativity, and independent learning rather than relying on flashing lights, sounds, and entertainment.
4. Kitchen Swaps: Infant & Toddler Meals
For infant and toddler meals, I’ve found that stainless steel, glass with a silicone sleeve, porcelain with a silicone sleeve, and food-grade silicone dishes work best for our family.
Not only are these materials durable, but many parents prefer them as alternatives to plastic. Stainless steel, glass, and porcelain are also easy to clean and dishwasher-safe—a major win for busy moms!
And yes, I check the ingredients in my daughter’s snacks. The Yuka app can be helpful for this as well. When possible, I tend to choose snacks with simple ingredient lists and products that carry the USDA Organic label.
5. Clothing
Through my own research, I’ve learned that polyester is a synthetic fabric derived from petroleum-based materials. As a mom, I’ve also found that clothing made from cotton, linen, or bamboo tends to feel softer and more breathable for babies and toddlers.
Whenever possible, I prefer investing in high-quality clothing that can be worn for a long time and eventually handed down to younger siblings or future family members. While these items may cost more upfront, they often last longer and create less waste over time.
One bonus tip: choose zippers over buttons whenever you can! During the newborn stage, I quickly learned that fastening dozens of tiny buttons during diaper changes wasn’t going to work for me. Now that I have a toddler, I know there’s almost no chance she’d sit still long enough for that.
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If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading and supporting Jade + Sun. I hope this post inspires you to do your own research, explore a few low-tox swaps, and find what works best for your home.
You can also follow along on Pinterest for more low-tox living, Montessori-inspired play, gentle parenting, and simple motherhood inspiration:
Jade + Sun Motherhood
https://www.pinterest.com/jadeandsunmotherhood/