The above photograph of our oldest son was taken yesterday during the "pirate" episode of Backyardigans. He's not quite old enough to appreciate the 'real' Pirates yet, but he loves to say "arrrrrr!" just the same.

UPDATE: Blogging Baby has now picked up this story...

Our house is pretty much 'baby proofed' now that we have a 29-month old and a 13-month old. We do our best to read labels, slip them cleverly disguised health(ier) food when they least expect it, avoid high-fructose corn syrup as much as humanly possible, buy organic when available... I mean, by no means are we "hippies" or granola. I down about 15 Diet Cokes a day, York Peppermint Patties are my personal lunch of choice, and it's not uncommon to hear "Happy Meal" when the oldest's dinner order is placed.

But in all those "ohmygodweareallgonnadie" parenting freak-out stories we've read on teh intarwebs since breeding, not once have I come across something that said "the diaper wipes / diaper rash ointment / baby lotion / baby wash you're using could eventually kill your child, even if used properly and externally". That is until Channel 8 ran a special report on tonight's evening news.

A consumer group named the "Environmental Working Group" has been independently testing baby hygiene products for harmful ingredients. (You can enter without registering by clicking the "No Thanks" button. Under the "Browse Popular Products" menu at the top, use the pull-down to select "Baby Products" under "Other Product Types". You can also use the search box to type in product names.) Apparently there is no FDA regulation on the words "natural", "gentle", or "#1 pediatrician recommended". A company can slap whatever they want on the label without legal-worry.

There are two main ingredients to watch for that are known carcinogens -- one is DMDM Hydantoin (which can turn to formaldehyde), and the other is Sodium Borate.

Products we owned and pitched tonight after doing a bit of research? Desitin (both forms are considered 'bad', the creamy version is worse - thank goodness that one was a gift and has barely been used). The Huggies Extra Gentle newborn-safe baby wipes. About half of the Huggies bath care products on the shelf (we had quite a few because full-sized bottles of it came free with baby wipes for several weeks)...

Just go to this site when you get a chance and research your own family's tried-and-true baby products. If it doesn't make you wake up in the middle of the night screaming "no more wire hangers", I don't know what will.