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If you’re a new mom, or your kids are older and you are starting to wonder how the products you use ever day are effecting your daily life and your health, you’re not alone. I was never aware until I started to see the effects on my baby’s skin. Although he is 5 now, I still use the tools I learned today to feel more at peace and comfortable at home. In this post, I will share my journey to clean motherhood and the gentle swaps I made along the way, what you can do if you feel stuck, and the most important lesson of all… balance.
In this post…
My Story: The Days That Changed Everything
Like most moms, I’ll never forget the day my first baby was born. After hours of labour and interventions that felt overwhelming (that’s a story for another time), I found myself in an emergency cesarean. I was terrified, exhausted, and yet so grateful when my son finally arrived. The doctors and nurses saved both of our lives, and I’ll never dismiss that gift.
But when the dust settled, I found myself reflecting on what that led us there. Did the cascade of interventions, all necessary in the moment, bring me here? I wasn’t prepared me for how complex the postpartum and newborn journey could feel afterwards.
That was my wake-up call. Not because I wanted to reject medical interventions, but because realized how little I actually understood about how decisions, however necessary, can also sometimes have long-term considerations, and how that can be managed. I was a 26 year old first time mom, and I didn’t know how to ask those questions.
The Struggles of a First-Time Mom
As a first-time mom, I trusted the system completely. And in many ways, that trust was necessary. They guided me through the difficulties I faced as a first time mom. But, every problem had a quick solution offered, without much pause:
Trouble latching? Formula.
Reflux and constipation? Prescriptions and laxatives.
Angry red eczema? Steroid creams.
Another infection? More antibiotics.
At the time, I accepted it all, because I was scared and I was doing the best I could with the information I had. I didn’t understand that it was okay to ask questions or seek a deeper understanding of what was happening to my child’s body.
Over time, I noticed some symptoms kept returning. His eczema kept flaring. His digestion never fully settled. His little lungs became reactive and he was put on puffers at such a young age. Of course I was (and am!) grateful for the medicine provided — his care providers wanted the best for him, too. But the experience made me curious if there was something deeper going on that I could support at home alongside the medical care.
Choosing a Clean Lifestyle for Good as a Mom
The products I thought were “gentle” didn’t always agree with his skin. The medications I thought were healing were managing the symptoms but didn’t seem to address something deeper. That’s when I started making personal changes.
The first area I focused on more intentionally was my son’s eczema. Basically anything that touched his skin or that was breathed into his lungs, I swapped over.
Laundry detergent. Soaps. Lotions. Diapers. Wipes. Bedding. Clothing.
I swapped candles for essential oils.
And then it was swapping cleaning products (Read more about my favourite non-toxic cleaning products here, and why we will never go back). Eventually, it became a constant but gentle rhythm of questioning, learning, and choosing better.
It didn’t happen overnight. But little by little, our home transformed and so did I. Before my husband knew it, he had a Crunchy WifeTM.
What To Do: First Steps for Moms Who Feel Stuck
If you’re reading this as a mom who feels overwhelmed, here’s where I would start:
The following items are products I discovered through trial and error and loved; I then applied for discount codes to share with my readers. I earn a small commission when you shop through my links and use my codes. I only share products I actually use in my own home and love. This is not medical advice. Please read my full disclaimer for more details.
1. Look at what touches your baby’s skin every day.
Laundry detergent is huge. Most mainstream brands, even the “sensitive skin”, “baby safe” or “gentle on skin” brands, may contain things like fragrance. Choose a non-toxic or fragrance-free alternative. And ditch the fabric softener! We absolutely adore the Laundry Essentials Kit from EcoKind Cleaning — plant based detergent strips and wool dryer balls. (Tip… add a few drops of essential oil to the dryer balls for amaaazing smelling clothes — but skip this if skin is extra sensitive)
Baby soap and shampoo should be clean and gentle. I have tried many brands over the years and I finally landed on a favourite. I am obsessed with Arbonne’s Baby Hair & Body Wash. Ever since I started using it, my boys’ skin has had almost no eczema flare ups and their skin stays so soft. I often pair it with the Baby Body Lotion.
2. Switch your cleaning basics.
Whatever you clean your surfaces and floors with is bound to come in contact with skin or food. Swap with a safe, refillable option that cuts down on plastic and chemical residue. I love Ecokind Cleaning for this — non-toxic cleaning sprays that come in small tablets to dissolve! No paying for solutions made of mostly water. And for floors, just do water, vinegar and a tiny squirt of dish soap (and even add essential oils to make your house smell amazing if that is your comfort level!) I promise, your floors don’t need all the other stuff in the store brands.
3. Toss the scents and fragrances.
I mean it. Throw away the plug in air fresheners and scented candles. Instead, try diffusing calming essential oils, open the windows, or make a simmer pot on the stove. Not only do they smell better, they are better for the air and your body. I fell in love with these Saje blends, and I think you will too!
4. Rebuild from the inside out.
Gut health is foundational for healing. Whether through food, or probiotics, you and your baby’s microbiome matters (I will link my favourite Organika baby probiotic here, and they also have adult and kid appropriate probiotics!). Use code BRYANA25 to save 25% if you choose to shop Organika.
Focus on whole foods as much as possible, even in small steps, like picking one thing you’ll make from scratch for your family (if you want to start making more homemade food, you might like this blog post about 21 Low-Stress Snack Ideas For Kids (And For Moms Who Are Mentally Exhausted).
5. Trust your voice.
Don’t be afraid to pause. Ask, “What are the side effects? What are the alternatives? What happens if I wait?” You are your child’s only advocate. No one else will fight for them the way you will.
Why Advocacy Matters in Clean Living as a Mom
This journey taught me that my instincts are worth listening to. That being “just a mom” doesn’t make my voice smaller. It makes it essential.
Healthcare providers are incredible, and I fully acknowledge they have the medical training and experience I do not, but at the same time, they don’t live in our homes or walk through the day-to-day struggles. We do. And that means we have a say. We can research, pray, discern, and make choices with wisdom. And, 9/10 times, our questions and wishes will be respected. You can accept and be grateful for medical care and also do things alongside it at home to supplement it.
If You’re in That Place Too as a Mom
And if you are wanting to make the change to a cleaner and more intentional lifestyle, you don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one swap. Then another. And slowly, you’ll begin to see changes in your home, your health, and your confidence as a mom.
I share these stories not as medical advice (please read my full disclaimer here), but as a mom who is still walking this road too.
If you want encouragement, practical wellness tips, and even exclusive discounts on products that support intentional motherhood, you can subscribe to Let’s Glow.
And if you feel overwhelmed, and like you have to toss out everything in your home and overhaul every product, please know you are not alone. But remember the stress and pressure of “clean living” can be just as impactful as the products you’re wanting to replace. The most important thing is balance.
Clean living for me isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. And making informed choices. It’s about recognizing that the state of my home and the health of my family reflect the choices I make every day.
Because you deserve to feel equipped, not overwhelmed.
Subscribe, share, or comment below if this resonates. I’d love to hear your story.
