Simple Steps Blog
What to Look for in Baby Food (And What to Avoid at All Costs)
Baby food should be simple — just real food, nothing else. But walk down the baby food aisle in most stores, and you'll find jars and pouches filled with sugary fruit purees, low-quality oils, and ingredients you’d never cook with at home. At Simple Steps Market, we believe your baby’s first foods should be as close to nature as possible — nourishing, clean, and free from anything that doesn’t belong in a baby’s body. Here’s what we require from every baby food brand we carry — and why it matters. ✅ Organic Why it matters: Organic baby food is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers — meaning no glyphosate, no GMOs, and no chemical residues. Since babies are still developing detox systems, they’re far more sensitive to environmental toxins. Organic is the first line of defense. ✅ Real Food — Not from Concentrates or Reconstituted Purees Why it matters: Most baby food is made from cheap fruit and vegetable concentrates or watered-down purees that are heavily processed and stripped of natural fiber and nutrients. We only allow baby food made from whole, real food ingredients — just like you’d make at home. ❌ No Added Sugar Why we avoid it: Babies don’t need added sugars — not now, not ever. Early exposure to sweeteners can lead to sugar cravings, insulin resistance, and a preference for overly sweet foods later in life. We look for foods that support balanced blood sugar and natural taste development. ❌ No Added Vegetable Oils Why we avoid them: Seed and vegetable oils (like canola, sunflower, or soybean oil) are high in inflammatory omega-6 fats and can oxidize during processing. That’s the last thing we want in a baby’s growing body. Instead, we prioritize healthy fats from egg yolk, grass-fed meats, and olive or coconut oil (when used minimally and properly). ✅ Nutrient-Dense Ingredients Why it matters: Babies need more nutrients per bite than adults, which is why we look for baby food with ingredients like: Pasture-raised meats & organ meats (rich in iron, zinc, B12) Wild-caught fish (for DHA and brain development) Organic root veggies & squashes (gentle, fiber-rich) Bone broth, ghee, or coconut cream (for healthy fats) We go beyond just avoiding harmful ingredients — we look for true nourishment. ✅ No Fillers, Gums, or Preservatives Why it matters: Many shelf-stable baby foods are preserved with citric acid, ascorbic acid, or gums to extend shelf life and preserve color. These can irritate sensitive digestive systems. We only allow baby food that is preserved naturally through freezing, pressure cooking, or safe heat sealing — never at the cost of your baby’s gut health. ✅ Transparent Sourcing & Labeling Why it matters: We require brands to be honest about where their ingredients come from and how their food is processed. No vague terms like “natural flavors” or “fruit blend.” If you wouldn’t cook with it in your own kitchen, it won’t be on our shelves. Final Thoughts Your baby’s first bites shape their long-term health, taste preferences, and metabolism. At Simple Steps Market, we make it easy to choose foods that are real, nourishing, and 100% free from the junk hiding in most mainstream brands. Every baby food product we carry is: ✅ Organic ✅ Made from real, whole foods ✅ Free from added sugar, seed oils, concentrates, gums, and preservatives ✅ Designed to nourish — not just fill Because your baby deserves more than just “safe.” They deserve truly clean. Simple choices. Real food. Healthier beginnings. Shop our curated list of baby food now!
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How We Choose the Safest Baby Lotions
Your baby's delicate skin deserves the safest, most nourishing care. However, many conventional baby lotions contain harsh chemicals and toxic additives that can cause irritation and long-term health concerns. At Simple Steps Market, we go beyond labels and marketing claims to ensure that only the safest, most natural products make it to our shelves. Why Conventional Baby Lotions Can Be Harmful ❌ Synthetic Fragrances contain undisclosed chemical blends that can trigger skin irritation, allergies, and hormone disruption. ❌ Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben) are preservatives that disrupt hormones and may contribute to long-term health risks. ❌ Phthalates (commonly found in fragrances) are linked to reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruption. ❌ Phenoxyethanol, a common preservative, can cause skin irritation and potential endocrine disruption with prolonged use. ❌ Petroleum-Based Ingredients (Mineral Oil) create a barrier that can clog pores, trap toxins, and may contain carcinogenic contaminants like PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). ❌ BHA & BHT are synthetic antioxidants that can cause skin irritation, hormone disruption, and have potential carcinogenic effects. ❌ Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Imidazolidinyl Urea) pose risks of skin irritation, respiratory issues, and increased cancer risk. ❌ Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs) may be contaminated with harmful carcinogens like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, and can strip the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Our Standard: What We Choose Instead ✅ Fragrance-Free or Naturally Scented Options using essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. ✅ Safe Preservatives like ethylhexylglycerin and sodium benzoate to prevent bacterial growth without irritation. ✅ Natural Oils & Moisturizers like jojoba oil, shea butter, and coconut oil to nourish and protect delicate skin. ✅ Non-Toxic, Baby-Safe Formulations free from endocrine disruptors, skin irritants, and harmful chemicals. Your baby deserves a lotion that is as pure and gentle as they are. By choosing safe, natural products, you’re ensuring the best care for your little one’s sensitive skin.
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5 Hidden Toxins in "Natural" Baby Products (And What to Use Instead)
As parents, we all want what's best for our little ones. When we first found out we were expecting, like most parents-to-be, we immediately started researching the safest products for our baby. What we discovered was shocking: many products marketed as "natural" or "gentle" actually contain ingredients that might be harmful to developing bodies. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on five common toxins hiding in supposedly "natural" baby products – and sharing our favorite truly clean alternatives. 1. Fragrance/Parfum: The Mystery Ingredient The Problem: When you see "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label, it might seem harmless – after all, who doesn't love that "baby fresh" scent? But this single word can legally hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates, which may disrupt hormones and affect development. Look for instead: Products that specify "fragrance-free" (not just "unscented"), or those that disclose all fragrance ingredients with terms like "scented with essential oils of lavender and chamomile." Our pick: Blossom Baby Fragrance-Free Wash that uses gentle cleansers derived from coconut and contains absolutely no synthetic fragrances. 2. Parabens: The Preservative Problem The Problem: Parabens (including methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben) are preservatives found in many baby lotions and shampoos. They prevent bacterial growth, which sounds good – but studies suggest they may also mimic estrogen in the body. Look for instead: Products preserved with natural alternatives like radish root ferment filtrate, sodium benzoate derived from fruits, or simply products with shorter shelf lives but cleaner ingredients. Our pick: Pure Baby Organic Lotion, which uses a proprietary blend of plant-based preservatives and comes in airless packaging to maintain freshness without harmful additives. 3. Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs): The Thickening Agent The Problem: PEGs are petroleum-based compounds used to thicken products or help ingredients penetrate skin. They can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane – both carcinogens. Look for instead: Natural thickeners like plant-based glycerin, aloe vera, or xanthan gum. Our pick: Nurture Baby Cream with organic shea butter and aloe vera providing moisture without petroleum derivatives. 4. Flame Retardants: The Silent Sleeptime Threat The Problem: Many conventional baby pajamas and mattresses contain chemical flame retardants that have been linked to hormone disruption, lower IQ, and other developmental concerns. Look for instead: Naturally flame-resistant fabrics like wool or snug-fitting cotton pajamas (which meet safety standards without chemicals). For mattresses, look for those using wool as a natural flame barrier. Our pick: Dreamland Organic Cotton Snug-Fit Pajamas and our Peaceful Night Wool-Wrapped Crib Mattress. 5. Bisphenols (BPA, BPS): The Plastic Problem The Problem: While many products now advertise "BPA-free," manufacturers often substitute other bisphenols like BPS, which may pose similar health concerns. These chemicals can leach from plastic bottles, especially when heated. Look for instead: Glass or stainless steel bottles and food containers. If you do use plastic, avoid heating it and look for those explicitly labeled "bisphenol-free" (not just "BPA-free"). Our pick: Little Sippers Glass Bottles with Protective Silicone Sleeve – providing durability with none of the chemical leaching concerns. Why This Matters Your baby's developing systems are more vulnerable to environmental chemicals than adult bodies. Their skin is thinner, their liver and kidneys are still developing (affecting how they process toxins), and relative to their body weight, they experience greater exposure to anything in their environment. Every little reduction in harmful chemical exposure adds up to a healthier start for your little one. That's why at Simple Steps Market, we do the ingredient detective work for you – so you can shop with confidence, knowing everything that touches your baby meets the highest standards for safety. Begin Your Non-Toxic Journey Whether you're making changes one product at a time or doing a complete nursery overhaul, remember that every small step toward reducing toxic exposure matters. What non-toxic swaps have made the biggest difference for your family? Share in the comments below!
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