Endocrine disruptors, these chemical substances capable of interfering with the human hormonal system, are present everywhere. As proof, in June 2024, ANSES (French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety) listed no fewer than 906 potentially disruptive elements , particularly for children. This is why the Élhée team offers you the opportunity to discover, in concrete terms, how to create the healthiest environment for your child.
SUMMARY :
- What are endocrine disruptors (EDs) and why should you avoid them?
- As parents, protect your baby from conception
- How to limit babies' exposure to endocrine disruptors?
- The BibROND, made from 100% healthy medical silicone
- In addition, zoom in on PFAS
What are endocrine disruptors (EDs) and why should you avoid them?
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are substances that are toxic to the hormonal system of both adults and children. 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 young children are more exposed to their effects, due to their developing bodies. This is also the case for the fetus throughout 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, protect your baby from conception
Pregnancy is a crucial time for your baby's development and future health. However, during these nine months and although protected in your womb, the fetus is particularly vulnerable , especially to chemical substances.
Why are PEs dangerous even before birth?
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The placenta is not an impermeable barrier , like the maternal nutrients and hormones that the fetus needs to develop, many substances, including EDCs (but also medications, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) cross it.
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The fetal endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems are still in the process of formation . They are therefore particularly sensitive to disruptions and alterations caused by PE.
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In the long term, and even more so if it begins before the child is born, exposure to PE leads to an increased risk of developing certain chronic and serious diseases in adulthood.
How to limit babies' exposure to endocrine disruptors?
It's true that endocrine disruptors are widely present in our daily lives, difficult to detect and almost as difficult to avoid. However, a few good habits can significantly reduce the exposure of young children. So, throughout pregnancy, during breastfeeding and the first years of your baby, raise your level of vigilance.
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Choose unprocessed, natural and organic food , from your garden if you can, or from organic farming in order to avoid pesticides and other contaminants in food. As for pregnancy and breastfeeding recipes , as for future baby food , put all the chances on your side with homemade food 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 whenever possible and choose glass, stainless steel or medical silicone , especially for your food containers and baby bottles.
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Also be careful with food packaging , in which it is best not to reheat food. Heat, for example from a microwave , promotes the release of harmful substances, such as endocrine disruptors and microplastics.
However, it is after birth that everything becomes complicated. Firstly because the points of contact with endocrine disruptors are more numerous, but also because quickly, in the nursery or at the nanny's , baby no longer depends solely on you.
PE hidden in toys and childcare accessories
In France, there are many standards to limit the presence of toxic and dangerous compounds in children's toys. However, whistleblowers and health scandals regularly remind us that regulations are not everything. Two precautions are therefore better than one.
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Choose plastic-free toys and accessories from the untreated or phthalate-free wood ranges. Before the first gifts, remember to inform your family and friends, and say that, although wooden toys cost more, they are more sustainable and limit the risks of overconsumption.
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Check for 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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In general, avoid perfumed or overly colored products that suggest the presence of artificial fragrances or colorings, and therefore the existence of endocrine disruptors.
Note that France strictly regulates the presence of phthalates in toys, changing mats, and other products intended for children. Similarly, the AGEC law (Anti-waste for a circular economy) adopted in 2020 imposes a ban on BPA in all food containers, baby bottles, and accessories related to their food.
The BibROND, made from 100% healthy medical silicone
At Élhée, we have always been committed to preserving the health of babies. This is why we offer you a range of baby bottles, learning cups and childcare accessories made of medical silicone. In addition to being flexible, resistant and soft to the touch, this material is guaranteed to be free of microplastic migration, parabens and BPA .
And while the bottle's clamping ring is made of plastic, the patented design of the BibROND prevents any contact between it and your baby's milk.
Healthy and with a poetic silhouette in homage to the curves of each mother, the Élhée bottle accompanies you throughout its childhood, at each milk meal, like the emotional and gourmet landmark of your serenity.
Baby care: focusing on transparency
If mothers' cosmetics are to be monitored, the labels of baby products must also be scrutinized, otherwise certain undesirable substances may slip through.
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Give him organic or natural care , without parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances. If you don't want to make your own liniment or if it's not enough for you, the brands Joone Paris and Monjour-Care offer you very gentle baby care products with a transparent composition.
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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, babies do not need to be washed every day? A bath every two or three days is enough to reduce the use of shampoo and soap.
And for special occasions, treat yourself to a touch of Eau Lactée Élhée to share between mom and baby. Without alcohol, solvent, parabens, phthalates or silicone , it distills soft extracts of white musk, jasmine and mandarin.
Textiles and clothing, a choice that matters for baby's health
In the manufacturing process of some clothes, chemicals are used. For example, phthalates soften the fabric , formaldehyde makes it wrinkle-free , and perfluorinated chemicals make it more resistant to stains and water .
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Choose clothes made from natural fibers like organic cotton (and its OEKOTEX label), linen (perfectly creasable), or natural wool (merino, lamb or alpaca don't itch 😉 ).
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Always wash clothes before first use to remove potential chemical residues. This applies to your baby as well as you, and opt for the most eco-friendly and artisanal laundry detergent possible or Marseille soap flakes, even if in the long term, it is not very good for your machine.
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As with other toddler gear, look for certifications like OEKO-TEX like the one on the organic cotton double gauze swaddle Joli Pois by Élhée . They strictly guarantee the absence of harmful substances.
A healthy home: air please!
As we know, cleaning products for washing floors, cleaning the bathroom or scrubbing the kitchen are mostly made from chemical substances used to increase their effectiveness. However, even if you don't use them in the baby's room, these harmful compounds are volatile , and therefore potentially present everywhere in your house or apartment.
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Ventilate regularly to reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants . Ten minutes a day of air flow with the curtains flying between the windows is enough, in addition to being poetic. A recommendation to follow even in winter.❄️
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As soon as possible, use household products from grandma, homemade or certified ecological such as white vinegar and baking soda which, when it comes to cleanliness, have the answer to everything.
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Avoid or limit the use of air fresheners , whether they come 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.
In addition, zoom in on PFAS
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are synthetic chemical compounds that persist in the environment. As such, these “forever pollutants” can have adverse health effects long after their use, including weakening the immune system and disrupting the development of babies.
What do PEs and PFAS have in common ? Their ability to accumulate in the body and cause long-term problems. A summary in this table:
| Characteristic | Endocrine disruptors (EDs) | Perennial pollutants (PFAS) |
| Main mode of action | Interfere with the hormonal system | Very persistent in the environment |
| Health effects | Hormonal disorders, fertility problems, neurological development | Weakened immune system, developmental disorders, cancers |
| Sources of exposure | Consumer products (cosmetics, plastics) | Non-stick coatings, fire extinguishing products, food packaging |
| Common point | Accumulation in the body, long-term health risks | Accumulation in the environment, persistence |
Ultimately, to limit children's exposure to endocrine disruptors and eternal pollutants, one solution is to consume as naturally and healthily as possible. Create a list of trusted brands for you and your baby, and for the rest, keep it simple .
Also, tell yourself that if it is impossible to protect your child from everything, thanks to your love, he is not at risk at all. 🩷
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