These days, parents often feel overwhelmed when trying to select products that are safe for babies, especially with the occasional news story or study that suggests some items may contain cancer-causing chemicals. Here's a brief Q & A to help you decide whether you really need to worry, and what products might be best bets for your little one.\

A quick note: I don't have any commercial or financial relationships with any of the companies and products mentioned below.
 
Shampoos & Body Washes

Question: At least one recent studies found that some baby bath products contain cancer-causing chemicals, like formaldehyde and dioxane. What should parents look for when purchasing a baby wash?

Answer: This is a tough one, since you can’t know for sure which bath soaps have the questionable chemicals, as they aren't listed on the product label. But the good news is the risk of actually harming your baby is really, really tiny. Even so, I give parents two tips: 1) Stick with products from well-known companies, since they usually have good manufacturing standards, and 2) Don’t always assume that organic products are better. 
 
Also, keep in mind that some shampoos containing lavender, tea-tree oil, or placental extracts may cause hormone problems, like breast development in young kids.
 
Two pretty good bets are Aveeno Baby Soothing Bath Treatment—which got the highest rating from one group that issues the report on cancer-causing chemicals in baby bath products—and Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo.  
 
 Lotions & Potions

Question: What about baby lotions and diaper creams? How do I pick the safest options for my child?

Answer:  First, parents should steer clear of powders, since some contain asbestos and can cause lung problems. Honestly, body creams aren't necessary unless your baby has 'atopic dermatitis' or dry skin. In that case, I'd recommend a fragrance- and color-free ointment, preferably one that's mostly oil-based to lock in moisture.  I like Aquaphor and Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly.

For diaper rash, stay away from corn starch and baking soda, which are folk remedies that actually worsen the problem. Diaper creams containing zinc oxide are considered safe from toxins and usually work well if you remember to slather it on liberally. You don't need something with vitamins or other additives. A good bet is Desitin, which you can also get as a cheap generic in most drugstores. A quick caution: Some diaper creams may contain peanut oil, which can cause babies to develop peanut allergies.
 
Toothpaste

Question: Are there any dangerous ingredients in baby toothpaste?

Answer:  Thankfully, we don't know of any cancer-causing products in toothpaste. That said, kids under six tend to swallow toothpaste, which can cause 'flourosis,' a harmless but unsightly tooth staining affecting one in five kids.

Until age three, brush toddler teeth either with just a toothbrush or a fluoride-free toothpaste like Oragel Training Toothpaste, which gets kids used to the taste. Between ages three and six you can use a pea-sized amount of any regular fluoride toothpaste, but parents should supervise kids to make sure they spit it after brushing.  
 
Sunscreen

Question: Are there particular sunscreens that are safer or more effective for babies?

Answer:  We don't know if sunscreen chemicals like oxybenzone can harm babies, though we do know they enter a child's bloodstream. For concerned parents, I recommend sunblock -- not sunscreen -- for babies, since they just sit on top of the skin and don't get absorbed into the blood. (To be honest, though, there's still a lot of controversy over this designation.) \

Children under six months should just be dressed in protective clothing. After then, I recommend sunblocks containing only titanium or zinc oxide, like Blue Lizard Australian Suncream or Neutrogena Sunblock for Sensitive Skin SPF 30. These also protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and work immediately instead of needing half-an-hour to activate, like typical sunscreens.