Endocrine disruptors - chemical substances capable of interfering with the human hormonal system - are everywhere. As proof, in June 2024, ANSES (Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail) listed no fewer than 906 potentially disruptive elements, particularly for children. That's why Team Élhée invites you to discover how to create the healthiest environment for your child.
CONTENTS:
- What are endocrine disruptors (EDs) and why avoid them?
- As parents, protecting your baby from the moment of conception
- How can we limit babies' exposure to endocrine disruptors?
- BibROND, made of 100% healthy medical silicone
- Zoom in on the PFAS
What are endocrine disruptors (EDs) and why avoid them?
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are substances that are toxic to the hormonal systems of adults and children alike. Present in many everyday products (toys, cosmetics, packaging, cleaning products, etc.), their accumulation in the body is dangerous in the long term.
Bisphenols A, S and F, phthalates, parabens, pesticides and heavy metals are the best known.
Unfortunately, babies and toddlers are more exposed to their effects, as their bodies are still developing. This is also the case for the fetus during the 9 months it spends in its mother's womb.
And the risks are numerous: fertility and growth disorders, early or delayed puberty, behavioral disorders, immune and metabolic disorders, obesity and hormone-dependent cancers.
As parents, protecting your baby from the moment of conception
Pregnancy is a crucial period for your baby's development and future health. However, during these nine months, the fetus is particularly vulnerable, especially to chemical substances, even though it is protected in the womb.
Why are PEs dangerous even before birth?
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The placenta is not an impermeable barrier: just as the nutrients and maternal hormones the fetus needs to develop, many substances, including PEs (but also drugs, tobacco and alcohol), pass through it.
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The endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems of the fetus are still forming. They are therefore particularly sensitive to disruptions and alterations caused by EPs.
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In the long term, and even more so if it begins before a child is born, exposure to EPs increases the risk of developing certain chronic and serious illnesses in adulthood.
How can we limit babies' exposure to endocrine disruptors?
It's true, endocrine disruptors are widely present in our daily lives, difficult to detect and almost as difficult to avoid. Yet a few good habits can significantly reduce exposure in young children. So, throughout pregnancy, while breast-feeding and during baby's first years, raise your level of vigilance.
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Choose unprocessed, natural and organic food, from your own garden if you can, or from organic farming to avoid pesticides and other contaminants in food. When it comes to recipes for pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for baby's future baby food, make the most of homemade recipes and temporarily reduce your consumption of red meat and oily fish, which are more easily affected by pollutants.
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Avoid plastic containers wherever possible, and choose glass, stainless steel or medical silicone for your food containers and baby bottles.
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Beware, too, of food packaging in which food should not be reheated. Heat, for example from microwaves, promotes the release of harmful substances such as endocrine disruptors and microplastics.
However, it's after birth that everything gets complicated. Firstly, because the points of contact with endocrine disruptors are more numerous, but also because, in the nursery or at the nanny's, baby no longer depends solely on you.
Hidden PEs in toys and childcare accessories
In France, there are numerous standards to limit the presence of toxic and dangerous compounds in children's toys. However, whistle-blowers and health scandals regularly remind us that regulations are not everything. Two precautions are better than one.
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Choose plastic-free toys and accessories from untreated or certified phthalate-free wooden ranges. Before you buy your first gifts, be sure to tell your family and friends that, while wooden toys are more expensive, they are more durable and reduce the risk of over-consumption.
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Check for the presence of safety labels on boxes, packaging or directly on the products you buy: "BPA-free", "Phthalate-free", "OEKO-TEX" or "EN 71" are the main ones.
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As a general rule, avoid products that are scented or overly colored, as they may contain artificial fragrances or dyes, and therefore endocrine disruptors.
In France, the presence of phthalates in toys, changing mats and other products intended for children is strictly regulated. Similarly, the AGEC law (Anti-waste for a circular economy) adopted in 2020 imposes a ban on BPA in all food containers, feeding bottles, and accessories linked to their feeding.
BibROND, made of 100% healthy medical silicone
At Élhée, we've always been committed to protecting babies' health. That's why we offer a range of feeding bottles, training cups and childcare accessories made from medical silicone. In addition to being flexible, resistant and soft to the touch, this material is guaranteed to be free from microplastic migration, parabens and BPA.
And if the bottle's clamping ring is made of plastic, BibROND's patented design prevents any contact between it and your baby's milk.
Healthy and with a poetic silhouette that pays homage to every mother's curves, the Élhée feeding bottle accompanies you throughout your baby's childhood, at every milky meal, as the emotional and gourmet landmark of your serenity.
Baby care: transparency is the key
If moms' cosmetics are to be watched, baby product labels need to be scrutinized too, lest certain undesirable substances slip through the cracks.
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Offer your baby organic or natural skincare products, free from parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. If you don't want to make your own liniment, or if it's not enough, the Joone Paris and Monjour-Care brands offer gentle, transparent baby care products.
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Limit the use of these products to the strict minimum, always favoring hypoallergenic alternatives. By the way, did you know that in the first few months of life, babies don't need to be washed every day? A bath every two or three days is enough to save on shampoo and soap.
And for special occasions, treat yourself to a touch of Eau Lactée Élhée to share with mother and baby. Alcohol-, solvent-, paraben-, phthalate- and silicone-free, it distills gentle extracts of white musk, jasmine and mandarin.
Textiles and clothing, a choice that counts for baby's health
Chemicals are used in the manufacturing process of some garments. For example, phthalates soften fabrics, formaldehyde makes them crease-resistant, and perfluorochemicals make them more resistant to stains and water.
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Choose clothes made from natural fibers such as organic cotton (with its OEKOTEX label), linen (perfectly wrinkle-free), or natural wool (merino, lambskin or alpaca don't scratch 😉 ).
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Always wash clothes before first use to eliminate any potential chemical residues. This applies to your baby as much as to you, and opt for the most ecological, home-made detergent possible, or Marseille soap flakes, even if they're not very good for your machine in the long run.
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As with other toddler equipment, look for certifications such as OEKO-TEX, like the one on the Joli Pois by Élhée organic cotton double gauze diaper. These certifications strictly guarantee the absence of harmful substances.
A healthy home: air please!
As we all know, cleaning products used to wash floors, clean bathrooms or scrub kitchens are for the most part based on chemical substances designed to multiply their effectiveness. But even if you don't use them in your baby's room, these harmful compounds are volatile, and therefore potentially present throughout your house or apartment.
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Ventilate regularly to reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants. Ten minutes a day of draughts with the curtains flying between the windows is enough, as well as being poetic. A recommendation to follow even in winter.❄️
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Whenever possible, use grandma's homemade or certified eco-friendly household products, such as white vinegar and baking soda, which have all the answers when it comes to cleanliness.
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Give up or limit the use of air fresheners, whether in the form of sprays, diffusers or scented candles, as they often contain alkylphenols or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene, which can affect your family's health.
Zoom in on the PFAS
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are synthetic chemical compounds that persist in the environment. As such, these "eternal pollutants" can have adverse health effects long after their use, including weakening the immune system and disrupting the development of babies.
What do EPs and PFASs have in common? Their ability to accumulate in the body and cause long-term disorders. A summary in this table:
| Features | Endocrine disruptors (EDs) | Eternal pollutants (PFAS) |
| Main mode of action | Interfere with the hormonal system | Very persistent in the environment |
| Health effects | Hormonal disorders, fertility problems, neurological development | Weakening of the immune system, developmental disorders, cancers |
| Sources of exposure | Fast-moving consumer goods (cosmetics, plastics) | Non-stick coatings, fire extinguishers, food packaging |
| Common ground | Accumulation in the body, long-term health risks | Accumulation in the environment, persistence |
Ultimately, one way to limit children's exposure to endocrine disruptors and eternal pollutants is to consume as naturally and healthily as possible. Build up a list of trusted brands for you and your baby, and keep everything else simple.
So tell yourself that if it's impossible to protect your child from everything, thanks to your love, he risks nothing at all.🩷
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
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