Safety & Hygiene Gear Deep Dive

Monitor
Recommended: Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro
I spent hours researching baby monitors prior to Miss F’s birth because I had two primary concerns—first that someone nefarious would be able to hack into it, and second that it would emit harmful levels of EMFs. I quickly learned that monitors using a digital signal are much harder to hack than those using an analog signal; however, those that are connected to a wifi network can also be easier to hack. We also turn off our wifi router at night, so a wifi-connected monitor was out of the question. I also learned that the lowest-EMF monitors are audio-only, and it was important to us to also have a video feature. However, some video monitors emit lower levels of EMFs than others, and if you place the camera far enough from the crib, you can really minimize your baby’s exposure.
After all this research, I found that the Infant Optics DXR-8 was the best all-around option (the Pro was not available when Miss F was born). It uses a digital signal, and while it uses the same radio frequency as wifi, it is not connected to a wifi signal. An added bonus to this is that it’s very easy to travel with (wifi-connected monitors are not). It also emits some of the lowest levels of EMFs compared to other video monitors. We’ve now used the DXR-8 for over three years and are generally very happy with it. Adding a second camera when we had Miss E was also a breeze (you can add up to four cameras!). Our one complaint is that since it uses the same radio frequency as wifi, but is not actually connected to it, using too much “bandwidth” of wifi around it can interfere with the monitor’s signal. For example, if my husband and I are watching Netflix and both have our phones, sometimes the monitor will lose signal. We either put it in the next room over, or we turn the wifi off on our phones. Inconvenient—but not a deal-breaker for us. I have not had a chance to test the upgraded Pro version, but I imagine its connectivity is even better.

Thermometer
Recommended: FridaBaby Rectal Thermometer
I was in denial that I would need to take my child’s rectal temperature for a long time… until Miss F woke up with what felt like a fever one night and we couldn’t get an accurate reading with her forehead thermometer. Since then, I’ve always taken both girls’ temperature rectally and it’s much less of a hassle than I imagined (just make sure you always use some sort of lube!). While you can take a rectal temperature with a traditional thermometer, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a rectal-specific thermometer so you don’t accidentally stick it too far into your little one.

Humidifier
Recommended: Vick’s Warm Mist Humidifier
This choice is probably a little more controversial, and I almost didn’t include it because most people recommend a cool mist option instead. However, we did thoughtfully select this one for a reason, so I decided it was worthwhile to share. From my research, I learned that cool mist humidifiers grow mold much faster and easier than warm mist models do. All humidifiers can grow mold and should be cleaned frequently, but I didn’t want to have to worry if we skipped a day of cleaning. The biggest downside to warm mist humidifiers—and it is a notable one—is that they do get extremely hot and can cause burns, which I imagine could be life-threatening to a little one. While this is an extreme safety concern, we decided that before the girls were mobile, the warm mist model was still the best option for our family. We are always careful to keep it out of reach, and that it was placed on a very steady surface that wouldn’t be knocked over. You’ll have to decide which model works best for your family, and definitely consult with your pediatrician about your options if you’re unsure.

Nose care
Recommended: FridaBaby NoseFrida
Before Miss F was born, the thought of sucking snot out of a nose with one of these contraptions was repulsive. However, when she caught a cold from me at birth, I quickly changed my mind. It is so much more effective than a traditional sucker bulb, and I liked that we could control the level of suction to prevent nose tissue damage (always be gentle!). It also is designed with filters to ensure that no snot accidentally makes its way into your mouth—my primary concern.

Nail clippers
Recommended: FridaBaby SnipperClipper
There’s no way around it—clipping an infant’s nails is very challenging. Lots of people advised us to do it while the girls slept, but we were never able to master doing so without waking them up. While it is possible to accidentally cut a baby’s fingers or toes with any clippers, the FridaBaby are very easy to line up to ensure that you’re avoiding skin. They also are very sharp, so you don’t deal with hang nails or needing to re-cut.

Hair brush
Recommended: Wooden Hair Brush Set and FridaBaby DermaFrida
When your little one is small, a brush like the FridaBaby silicone model is a great option to gently massage their scalp. This also helps a lot with cradle cap, which most babies will have at least a touch of. As Miss F’s hair grew and we actually needed to comb out tangles, we liked using a wooden hair comb in the bath (with Honest Company Detangling Spray) or wooden hair brush when her hair was dry. While any set will do, we’ve used the linked one for over two years and it has held up very well.

Toothbrush
Recommended: FridaBaby Training Toothbrush*, Jordan Baby Toothbrush
Even before your little one has teeth, it can be helpful for them to become familiar with the sensation of bristles in their mouth. Chewing on a training brush like the FridaBaby one is also good for gum health. Once your little one pops his or her first tooth, you will need to start brushing those little teeth to promote good dental hygiene. We really liked the Jordan Baby Toothbrushes when Miss F was small and plan to use them with Miss E as well. While they are made with plastic, we never get them warm, and we weren’t comfortable using a long-handled wooden brush since it would be easy to stab the throat of a wiggly infant.

Toothpaste
Recommended: Risewell Natural Kids Toothpaste (NOT the “pro”, or nano, version)
Many families choose a fluoride-free option for their little ones (for good reason), but you also want to ensure you’re maintaining your child’s dental health. From my research, hydroxyapatite is a phenomenal substitute for fluoride—it protects and remineralizes teeth just as effectively, and it is a substance naturally found in the body instead of a neurotoxin. So instead of just looking for a fluoride-free kids toothpaste, I highly recommend using a hydroxyapatite option. Several varieties exist, but our whole family uses the Risewell brand and we’ve loved it. Some other brands of hydroxyapatite toothpastes use an artificial form of the compound, while Risewell uses the natural form, which is a big reason we like it. Both our adult and pediatric dentists approve, too, and they are by no means “crunchy” or holistic.
We do currently avoid nano hydroxyapatite, but in all honesty I’m still doing my research on this. Europe just banned nano hydroxyapatite, and its standards are usually years ahead of the U.S.’s. From my understanding, nano hydroxyapatite is more effectively absorbed by teeth (which is good!), but is also likely absorbed by other tissues in the mouth, and could build up to dangerous toxic levels. It just hasn’t been studied enough for us to know. So until we know more, I am most comfortable using non-nano!
Recently there have been a couple studies showing that the glycerin included in Risewell and other natural toothpastes unfortunately coats the teeth so the hydroxyapatite cannot be as readily absorbed, so I have been looking into alternatives. Unfortunately, I haven’t found another option that 1) Contains non-nano hydroxyapatite, 2) Is safe enough for kids to swallow, and 3) Doesn’t contain essential oils that I typically try to avoid. So for now, we are continuing to use Risewell.

Sunglasses
Recommended: Babiators
Helping your baby wear sunglasses outside is a great way to protect their sensitive eyes. Babiators are a great option as they offer great UV protection, are nearly indestructible, and fit little heads so well they don’t slide off. Although they are plastic, they are BPA-free. They also now come in several different styles, so you don’t have to stick to the traditional aviator look (although it’s pretty cute, in my opinion!).