‘Forever chemicals’, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are rife in products that are resistant to stains, water, and grease. As parents of young kids, the Leaf Score team knows all too well that babies are apt to soil and stain things, but we still do our best to stay away from these chemicals. That’s because PFAS are now linked to damaging effects in pregnancy and early childhood.
Here’s what parents need to know about PFAS in baby products, to make informed choices without panic.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are man-made substances that are called forever chemicals because they don’t break down easily and can persist in human tissue and the wider environment for many years.
In the U.S., the most commonly known PFAS is likely PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, which was used willy-nilly in non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, outdoor rugs, and various other household goods for many years.
Thankfully, regulations have helped to reduce the use of PFOA in recent years, but PFOA and related chemical perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been largely replaced by other PFAS compounds, most of which haven’t been studied much at all in terms of health and safety.
Why you need to know about PFAS (as a parent)
Early infancy and childhood is a time of rapid growth. While all that growth and development is a joy to witness, it also creates great vulnerability to chemical exposure. As a baby or child’s immune system, brain, and other bodily systems are developing, PFAS exposure risks abnormal changes.
Indeed, some reports suggest that prenatal and early childhood exposure to PFAS may inhibit cognitive, motor, and language development in children. This was the conclusion of a 2025 narrative review in Current Environmental Health Reports. The authors also noted an increase in behavioral issues linked to PFAS exposure, including hyperactivity and inattention.
PFAS exposure is little better in adults either. These chemicals have been linked to undesirable changes in cholesterol, immune function, and certain cancers, as well as reproductive issues.
How babies get exposed to PFAS
PFAS can cross the placenta, meaning that exposure begins even before birth. PFAS also transfer through breast milk and are often found in water used to mix formula.
This isn’t to say that anyone nursing their infant should feel pressure to stop. The benefits of nursing outweigh the potential risks of PFAS and other contaminants. And if your tap water is not filtered for PFAS, you wouldn’t want to use it to mix up formula anyway.
PFAS are also present in food, dust, and consumer products, especially those marketed as resistant to water and stains.
Baby products with PFAS
Many products intended for infants and children are made with PFAS. The most common include:
- Strollers
- Car seats
- High-chairs
- Bibs
- Changing pads
- Play mats
- Crib and bassinet mattresses
- Mattress protectors
- Nursing pillows.
Watch out for baby and toddler gear that promises to be:
- Wipe-clean
- Stain-resistant
- Water-repellent
- Easy-clean
- Non-stick.
Many of these products use PFAS-based durable water repellents (DWRs).
Some products meet these claims by being covered in a food-grade plastic that may well be free of PFAS. If the fabric is a treated knit or woven textile, though, and is said to be water-repellent or stain-resistant, there’s a chance it has been treated with PFAS.
Some products also just don’t need to be ‘high-performing’ technical fabrics. Swaddles, onesies, PJs, sleep sacks, and diapers, as well as sling rings and other baby carriers, can all be made with natural fibers that are easily washable.
Finally, if it’s not possible to avoid PFAS in products in your home (maybe you have a stain-repellent couch or rug you can’t replace right now), there are things you can do to reduce dust exposure to PFAS:
- Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum
- Damp dust regularly
- Wash removable covers and bedding regularly
- Avoid having your baby crawl directly on PFAS-treated materials.
PFAS-free Certifications
The good news is that a lot of baby gear brands were created by parents looking to avoid PFAS and other chemicals for their own kids. These companies offer PFAS-free products that carry certain certifications showing they’ve been tested for forever chemicals.
Look for products that carry certs like:
- Bluesign
- OEKO-TEX
- ZDHC.
If a product just says it’s PFAS-free but isn’t certified and doesn’t explain how it can be stain- or water-repellent, consider an alternative.
In some cases, the material composition or design of a product confers these benefits, without the need for chemical coatings. For instance, some super tight-weave fabrics are water-resistant or even water-repellent, others have a polyurethane membrane, and some have washable liners or covers and replaceable parts in case of serious soiling.
Advocating for a PFAS-free world
Being a parent doesn’t just mean looking out for your kid right now. At least for us at Leaf Score, it also encompasses advocating for a safer, healthier world for all kids in the future.
Avoiding PFAS for your own family is a good step, and helps to reduce the market for such products. You may also want to contact your local politicians to urge them to enact stronger regulations against these chemicals.
If you have concerns about PFAS in your water supply, check to see if your local water authority tests and filters for PFAS. Also consider asking if your child’s daycare or school tests and filters drinking water. The same goes for wherever you work, swim, or are otherwise exposed to water.
Local firehalls, airports, and military training grounds are also common sites of PFAS contamination. Check to see if those local to you are making the switch away from PFAS, and offer support for funding, expertise, and other resources if they need encouragement.
Final thoughts
It’s practically impossible to totally avoid PFAS, but given the risks associated with these forever chemicals, it’s wise to at least try to minimize exposure, especially in early life.
Focus on high-impact actions, such as:
- Choosing PFAS-free everyday gear (carrier, stroller, car seat)
- Dusting and vacuuming regularly
- Testing and filtering water for PFAS.
There’s no magic way to remove PFAS from your body or your child’s, so don’t be taken in by any detoxification claims. Prevention is the best approach, but don’t let perfection stand in the way of making even small changes to minimize risk.