How to Stay Away From Phthalates in Toys

Keep poison out of baby mouths

If you've heard about the threat of diisononyl phthalate used as a softening agent in teethers, you may wonder about the safety of junior chewing on that favorite plastic toy. Even though scientists disagree on how dangerous phthalates are for young mouthy children, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends using the same careful tactics to avoid phthalates in teethers, as in toys - for baby's healthy development.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Squeaky Toys For A Baby
• Washcloths
• Baby Rattles
• Baby Toys

1. Familiarize yourself with manufacturers that, according to the CPSC, stopped using phthalates in teethers in early 1999: ArcoToys, Chicco, Disney, Evenflo, The First Years, Gerber, Hasbro (Playskool), Little Tikes, Mattel (Fisher-Price), Safety 1st, Sassy, Shelcore Toys and Tyco Preschool.

2. Opt for toys made with other materials, such as latex or silicone, both of which are resilient, easy to clean and satisfying to sore gums for mouthy babies.

3. Look for toys with labels on packaging that state they are phthalate-free.

4. Use the following tactics for supporting teething babies. If you notice your child constantly chewing on a toy: massage baby's gums; let baby gnaw on a cold washcloth; sparingly apply topical teething gels; offer cold drinks or if appropriate, chilled comfort foods; and consult your doctor about over-the-counter children's pain medication.

5. Try to distract baby from a toy possibly made with phthalates with another interesting "safe" toy to chew on or change the child's activity.

6. Discard any soft, plastic toys that were manufactured before 1999, especially if the ingredients are unknown.

Tips & Warnings

• Read ingredients on product labels carefully. If unclear about the presence of phthalates, call the customer service department for the manufacturer.

• If baby is chewing on a toy, try to determine whether it is exploratory or from teething soreness. If exploratory, give baby another safer toy to chew upon. If teething, support baby using tactics described above.

• The CPSC is calling for more studies on phthalates in teethers and toys, indicating that there are still some uncertainties about the effects of this chemical on human babies.

• Greenpeace is clearly linking the leaching of phthalates to many health ailments, including liver and kidney damage.