The video below will show you exactly how to wrap all that material, and with a little practice, you'll be an expert at babywearing in no time!

Hana Baby Wrap tying instructions: Classic method with X tie

To see Hello Charlie's range of Hana Baby Wraps, just click here.

Want to know how to use the ERGObaby carriers in the front, hip and back carrying positions? Not sure how to use the infant insert with your ERGObaby?

We've collected a whole bunch of useful videos and put them all in one place for you. Use these videos to learn how to carry your baby in the most comfortable way for you, and the happiest way for baby.

Using the ERGObaby carrier with a newborn insert

There's a lot to learn when you have a newborn baby, and using your baby carrier for the first time can be especially tricky. Watch this video to learn how to use your ERGO with the newborn insert.

How to use the ERGObaby carrier in the front carrying position

The most popular baby wearing position - the front carry. It looks a little tricky to start with, but watch the video a couple of times, have a couple of practice runs, and we guarantee that you'll soon be donning your ERGO without thinking - even if you are suffering from sleep deprived baby brain!

How to use the ERGObaby carrier in the back carrying position

The ERGObaby back carry position looks scary, but it's really not. Great for carrying older babies, and wonderful for long walks or hikes.

How to use the ERGObaby carrier in the hip carrying position

The hip carry position with the ERGO is the only position in which your baby can sit ergonomically at your hip and look forward. Older babies are super interested in engaging with the world, so this might just be the ideal position for a toddler who is keen to see as much as possible, while remaining close to you.

To see the Hello Charlie range of ERGObaby carriers and accessories, just click here!

Seventh Generation nappies are sized by pounds rather than kilograms, which can be confusing for those of us who work better in metric!

Here's our handy guide to the nappy sizing of Seventh Gen.

We do find that the Seventh Generation nappies run a little on the small side, so you're best to size up if you're not sure or if your baby is on the outer range of these nappies.

For newborns under 3kgs, Seventh Generation do have a newborn size, but it's not available in Australia. You may want to have a look at the Bambo Newborn nappies instead, as these are sized from 2 to 4 kgs.

Of course, you can always try one of our eco nappy sample packs if you need to see them before you commit to buying a full pack or carton.

Puzzles:

• Three-year-olds are developing their logical reasoning skills as they play. Your child can put together simple puzzles, and understand that a whole object can be separated into parts. Encourage his reasoning by asking him about the pieces and describing the pieces he is working with, “The cow’s head goes with the cow.”
• At this age, toddlers are developing their hand-eye co-ordination and problem solving skills. A great way for your child to encourage these skills is by using puzzles with large pieces and recognisable pictures.
• Your child may be ready to graduate from puzzles that have pieces with knobs that fit into individual slots to more complicated puzzles with multiple pieces.

Shape Sorters and Beginning Board Games:

• Your toddler's brain development will benefit from learning how to play and practicing simple games such as Dominoes or Tic Tac Toe.
• Your child is increasing his spatial awareness and should be able to identify things by size – small, medium and large.
• Expose your child to a wide range of topics. If he takes an interest in a particular subject, find activities, books and movies that are about the topic.

Toys for Imagination:

• A play kitchen is a place where your child can whip up imaginary concoctions. Include yourself in the fun and ask your child, "What will you make? What will you put on your pizza?
• If your child needs a few ideas to get his imagination started, act like the customer and give “the cook” a meal order. "Can I please have a strawberry milkshake with extra whipped cream?”
• Take turns playing imaginary games with your child, and listen carefully to what he says in each role. You'll gain new insight about his personality, and he'll gain new confidence playing different roles!

Practise, Practise Practise:

• Your child might have mastered stacking several blocks, but that doesn't mean the game has lost its appeal. Help your child try out all the different things a toy does, and take notice of which activities he seems most comfortable with. Repeating things over again, and then adding a step further is a great way to consolidate skills he's already learned, and develop them further.
• A great fine motor activity is to work on lacing and threading beads, or using skills boards where your child can practise zipping, buckling, snapping, lacing and tying.
• A fun way to learn is to get down on the floor and play right alongside your child. Bring vehicles and other toys to the game and then find yourselves in a race or a parade!

Art supplies:

• Your child will love to experiment with arts and crafts of all kinds. Introducing crayons, Play-doh, collage supplies like magazines and old mail, glitter, and sticky coloured shapes are all sources of endless fun. Just make sure everything is washable and non-toxic.
• Select a special box just for your child and fill it with a variety of interesting craft materials such as colourful paper scraps, fabrics, pipe cleaners, pom poms and sticky project paper. Your child now has an easy and organised way to make fun creations independently.
• If you can, stop what you're doing and show interest in your child’s creations. Setting aside this special time so you can focus on your child will build a connection of caring. Your child will simply love that you notice the details by telling him what you observe, “Look at the big blue circle you made!” and “The glitter makes the ocean look so sparkly!”.

If you're looking for great, age appropriate toys for three year olds, check out Hello Charlie's range of three year old toys here!

The Hello Charlie Guide to Toys for 2 Year Olds

Two-year-olds are full of energy, enthusiasm, and growing independence. A great deal of time is spent exploring his environment and testing his limits. Your child’s emotions take on a roller coaster-like quality as he can go from happiness to anger within a few moments. Your child has the desire to try out new ideas and test his independence while still staying close to you as he still needs your support and comfort.

Along with independence, your will recognise new language skills developing in your child. He can now speak in short sentences and has become more decisive; telling you what he needs or wants. His memory is improving and he may be able to tell you at the end of the day about an activity he did, or what he had for lunch.

Your child’s social skills are growing which gives him the desire to interact with other children. Toddlers are energetic little people, so look for toys and activities that give yours a way to channel his energy.

• Although your two year old will probably find pedaling a little beyond him, ride on wheels where he balances on the toy will help develop his gross motor skills.
• Children love to take items along with them on rides and store them in the compartments of the riders. Help your child select a "friend" to take for a ride, or pack a little snack to enjoy on a break.
• Give your child a "parking spot" where he can park when he is finished playing. Say, "This is your special parking spot—just like mummy and daddy park the car."

Puzzles and sorters

• At this age, your toddler’s hand-eye control and ability to think and plan is developing at a rapid rate. Providing quality shape sorters in bright colors allows your child to fit the shape through the slot and take the lid off to start all over again.
• Your child's new dexterity allows him to more easily stack toys and organise cups so that one nestles inside another. Provide activities like Melissa & Doug Wooden Geometric Stacker to encourage his improving fine motor skills.
• Providing more complex puzzles with at least four or five pieces encourages problem solving skills and helps your toddler develop concentration.

Imitate real life

• Provide toys that encourage your child to use his imagination and develop his creativity and social skills. Kitchen toys, tea sets, tool sets—they all help your child learn about the world around him by bringing it down to size.
• Create a selection of dress-up clothes in a special box just for him. Dress up right along with him! Drape some sheets over the furniture and make a space station as you explore the moon together.
• Let your child participate in household tasks by providing washcloths, brooms and a little vacuum cleaner that are sized for his little hands. He will be very satisfied helping mum take care of the house, and it’s a fun activity to do together.

Toys for creation and play

• Your child will love exploring his creativity using his hands (and body if you are willing to clean up a mess!). Providing art supplies like finger paints is a way for your child to express his inner artist. Roll out some paper, put a smock on him, and let him dive in! Another easy way to create is simply providing a set of crayons and paper. Let him strengthen his fine motor skills, and you can work on drawing shapes and identifying his colors, letters and numbers.
• Your child may become interested in construction and building toys. Toys with pieces that can be linked or snapped together are particularly interesting. Your child may be able to create wonderfully unique houses, towers, bridges, castles.
• Your two year old will still love balls, and may even be able to throw to you. Use a ball in the backyard to kick into goals and practice doing gentle throw and catch games. 

Musical instruments

• Children love to sing along with, dance to, and control the music – blasting the volume and turning it down low. Providing some child-appropriate CD’s and a durable CD player are highly recommended for easy fun and a tool for distraction if your little one needs a new activity.
• Songs with actions are particularly important—they improve coordination and stimulate the memory and imagination. Playing familiar tunes over and over establishes a comfortable routine with your child and he will inevitably learn the words and movements to the song – adding to the fun.
• This is the age when music inspires your child by jumping, clapping, spinning, and hopping -- so why not add to the fun by handing over a tambourine, or drum, or maracas? Experiment with different genres of music and invite your child to join in.

If you're trying to decide on the best toys for your 2 year old, why not check out Hello Charlie's great range of toys for 2 year olds?

Best Eco Toys for 18 Month Olds - A Hello Charlie Guide

Your toddler is becoming more independent at this age, and “I do it myself!” is her mantra. She is embracing every opportunity to learn and do things on her own.  She is using her hands to explore her environment and her natural curiosity will herlp her to learn at every opportunity. If a door knob is there, she'll turn it. If there's a door, she'll open it!

Toys with interlocking parts like nesting blocks, sorters and trucks with doors to open and shut will provide endless opportunities for your toddler to explore and push her limits.  Your toddler will love to be busy and, offering opportunities for unstructured play by keeping toys available to use will enable her to thrive.

Your toddler is on the move, climbing over, under and up, and onto things. She will squat to pick up toys, and she even might enjoy hauling objects in vehicles and bringing them place to place. 

Your toddler needs plenty of space free of obstacles, and with time, she will develop better coordination and learn to steer around obstacles.  Creating a route for her to follow, with flags or guides along the way will challenge her coordination and thinking skills as she figures out how to reach the next destination. 

 
Working with blocks lets your toddler build her fine motor skills by grabbing, stacking, and sorting. Large bricks can become toddler-size forts and hiding spaces. Small wooden ones can be sorted and organised into towers and organizational designs.  Your toddler will enjoy opening and closing the doors on toy vehicles, and putting objects inside and “driving” them to their destination.

 
When playing with your toddler, strengthen her problem solving skills by talking about what you are doing and asking questions like, "I wonder what happens when we put the ball there? … What do you think will happen when we pull this handle?" Put words to what’s happening with a toy so your toddler can understand the concepts behind language. Putting pieces together using toys like Mix and Match Magnetic Wooden Animals allows your child to experiment with different animal parts to see which ones fit; a problem solving opportunity, indeed!

 
This is the prime age for your toddler to be making connections between colors, shapes, etc. and their names. You can help your toddler reinforce these connections by pointing to an object and saying the color and/or shape, and also the features, “You are putting the blue triangle in the triangle slot”. Provide gentle encouragement for your toddler as she explores how to use a toy. Your enthusiasm now will give her the confidence to tackle bigger challenges later on.

 
Using your imagination with your toddler opens up a whole new world of fun, and pretending will help her understand new experiences. Foster imaginative play with your toddler by creating a scenario and having her participate in it, “We are driving on our big tractor, can you buckle your seatbelt?” You can use play food to bring along for a picnic and bring stuffed animals along for the ride. Encourage your toddler to role play by pretending to be things your toddler is familiar with, “Swing your trunk like an elephant”, “Fly like a bird”, “Sway side to side like a giant tree”.

If you're looking for age appropriate, educational toys, check out Hello Charlie's range of toys for 18 month olds.

Your baby loves working on her cause and effect skills - seeing what happens when she pushes this or empties that. Your baby will do things over and over again until her memory is developed enough to remember what happens next. Providing blocks and nesting containers will help her develop problem solving and fine motor skills by sorting, stacking and spilling. Larger building blocks are great for building tall towers and then your baby can knock them over.

 
Your baby might be saying a few words and stringing together ideas. Her communication is developing everyday and reading is such a great way to improve speech and language development. Story time can include big picture books and you can point out objects and ask your baby to name them with questions like, “What’s the name of that animal?”, “What sound does a cow make?” while pointing to the picture. Babies are fascinated with animals, and sometimes can only make the sound of an animal before being able to say the name. Introduce puzzles with fun pictures and knobs so your baby can easily pick up the pieces. Ask your baby if she can find where the missing piece belongs looking at the overall picture. She might be able to spot the missing cow piece that goes to the farm puzzle.
 

Your baby wants to be just like you so don’t be surprised if she is imitating your every move. If she sees you talking on the phone, your baby wants to do that too! Provide your baby with items that allow her to use her imagination such as play phones, tools, tea sets, and articles of dress up clothing which allow your baby to pretend to be just like you! You might also invite your baby to help clean up after meals and put away her own toys. This will raise your baby’s confidence that you trust her to complete tasks along with your family.

 
There is no such as thing as too much singing and dancing with your baby at this age! She might stand back and observe you for a little, but soon enough she will start moving right along with you when she gets the hang of it. Incorporate musical instruments so your baby can use her coordination and fine motor skills to beat the drum or the xylophone.

If you're looking for age appropriate, educational toys, have a look at Hello Charlie's range of toys for 12 month olds.

Your baby is hitting some pretty incredible milestones at 6 months old, from learning language and developing motor skills to discovering exciting ways to play. Instead of being the tiny helpless baby she was as a newborn, she is blossoming into a little person that needs lots of stimulation and learning opportunities. Your baby should be smiling, laughing and babbling away, and there is nothing better than to help your baby along on her language development than reading stories together. Soft books and board books are durable even against baby dribble and new teeth, and are a great way to introduce objects and simple themes. Your baby will love books about animals, food and babies making different expressions: laughing, pouting, crying, eating. Your baby spends most of her time looking at grown-ups laughing, pouting, crying, eating, she will be thrilled to see baby faces for a change. You can let your baby hold the book and “read” it back to you. You can also make up stories as you read along, your baby will love this! Since you are regularly talking to your baby, why not make it even more fun and sing to her? Playing light music and singing along is a fun way to encourage baby’s communication skills and development. You can grab some instruments and have your whole family join in.

Your baby is starting to develop her motor skills, and may already be starting to sit up alone and roll from her back to stomach. Her motor skills are developing at a rapid pace, and she may be able to pick up small objects like raisins and pass toys from one hand to the other. You can encourage development of your baby’s motor skills by providing blocks or other objects like spoons and plates so baby can bang them together. Placing toys just out of reach on the floor encourages your baby to start crawling towards the objects. Practice rolling a soft ball back and forth between you, or perhaps roll it a short distance so your baby will towards the ball.

 
Your baby is learning object permanence, becoming aware that objects still exist even when she can no longer see or feel them. This means when you hide her teddy while she's looking, and she'll find it right away – and be very proud when she does. Games like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek are fun for you and your baby to play together. They will also help her to develop her problem solving skills - helping her to work out a way to find teddy.

You can also start baby on basic jigsaw puzzles, showing her where the pieces fit, or perhaps a shape sorting puzzle where she needs to turn the pieces around to get them to go into the hole.

Your baby is beginning to learn that she can do things to objects - so poking, twisting, squeezing, shaking, dropping, and opening things will fascinate her. Your baby will love playing with toys that can be pushed around or things that pop when your baby hits them in the right place. Make a tower with blocks or nesting bowls, and then knock them over while using your words to describe what you are doing – such as “big”, “little”, “top”, “bottom”.

Your baby at 6 months old will start to become attached to objects, and will miss them when they are gone. When you leave a room, your little one might start crying because they realize you are not there! Your baby might comfort in a favourite toy that is soft and familiar. For this reason, it’s a good idea to ensure that you have duplicates of any favourite toys, in case of mishaps or washing time outs! Look for high quality items that are free from bits that can be pulled off by little fingers or teeth.

Other Creative Ways to Play:

Household objects like plastic bowls, and wooden spoons can be big hits! It’s worth keeping some safe household items in a low cupboard where your baby can reach them and play with them while you’re cooking.

A baby-safe mirror provides endless entertainment for baby since she loves looking at herself and hearing her own voice. Babies are naturally attracted to human faces, and her own is fascinating to her!

Fill a box full of interesting and baby-safe treasures and let your baby rummage around inside and explore the objects.

If you're looking for age appropriate educational toys, have a look at Hello Charlie's range of toys for six month olds.

What are Fine Motor Skills?

Fine motor skills require the use of small muscles, such as those in the hands, fingers and thumbs. These are the skills required to grasp small objects, write, draw and fasten clothing. You can help your baby develop fine motor skills easily by practising every day in your usual routines. Your baby can pick up small foods with her fingers at mealtimes, scoop and pour water out of containers at bath time, and string colourful beads on a string at playtime. Before you know it, your baby will be able to complete more complex tasks like zipping up clothes, use eating utensils, and form letters with a pencil.

How can you help your baby develop fine motor skills through play?

Newborn:

• Encourage your baby to reach and grasp for things like your fingers, rattles or soft toys.
• Try giving your baby toys that make sounds, and shake or rattle them to encourage her to hold them.
• When your baby is on her tummy, put toys just out of her reach so she can reach and grasp them.
• When your baby is sitting on your lap, give your baby toys to hold on to with her hands.

6-12 Months:

• During mealtimes, give your baby small items such as raisins or small crackers and watch her use her pincher grip.
• Try giving your baby objects that she can move and stack.
• During bath time, give your baby containers to scoop with and pour water out of. This can also work outside, scooping and pouring sand in a sandpit.
• Objects like building blocks will help your baby practice banging together.
• Teach your baby to clap her hands and wave bye-bye!

12-18 months:

• During mealtimes, give your baby her own spoon to feed herself with.
• Make homemade play dough and have fun squeezing and rolling with your baby.
• When dressing or undressing your baby, allow her to take off an easy article of clothing such as her sock or hat, and put it back on again.
• Stringing colourful beads or stacking wooden pieces on a wooden post are wonderful ways for your baby to develop fine motor skills.
• When choosing puzzles, look for chunky wooden puzzles with knobs on them to make it easy for your baby to grasp.
• Shape toys that need to be pulled, twisted and pushed through holes are great for your baby’s fine motor skills development.
• In the kitchen, show your baby how to stir in bowls with wooden spoons and bang saucepan lids together.

18 months to 2 years:

• During story time with your baby, let her turn the pages by herself.
• Give your baby crayons to colour with and show her how to draw different shapes. Let her try master fine motor skills by creating shapes on her own.
• Encourage your baby to help get herself dressed.
• Provide your baby with open boxes with lids to take on and off, or drawers to open and close.
• Encourage your baby to wash and dry her hands herself.

 
2-3 Years:

• Use child safe scissors and let your child cut shapes out of paper.
• Give your child a peg board and let her put round and square pegs into holes.
• Lacing and threading activities are great practice for your baby’s fine motor skills.
• Make snack time fun by providing ways for your child to prepare her own snack such as taking lids off of containers and using a child-friendly knife for cutting soft foods.
• Make music together with instruments like keyboards, xylophones or drums that use your child’s hands.

 
3 years and older:

• Your child will enjoy activities involving lacing, buttoning, strapping velcro straps and latches on a doll or activity board.
• Let your child hold books during story time and turn the pages herself.
• Tool sets allow your child to create and assemble objects using nuts, wrenches, screws and screwdrivers that are just perfect size for her small hands.
• Allow your child to practice balance by pouring water in to a cup or carrying a container full of liquid across the room without spilling.
• Build structures such as towers or bridges and assemble tracks and roads.

If you are looking for toys to help your baby or toddler to develop fine motor skills, have a look at Hello Charlie's range of great toys to help your baby's development.

I grew up in Queensland, and although my mum was pretty careful about making us wear sunscreen (remember fluorescent zinc?) and a tshirt, awareness about the dangers of too much sun just wasn’t as widespread as it is today.

Both my brothers and I are now hyper-vigilant about sun protection, as we are all in our thirties and have all had melanomas (fortunately benign) cut out.

In fact, I’m so vigilant about sun protection that I was recently diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency from not getting out in the sunshine enough!

So how do you find a balance between too much sunshine, and not enough?

Protecting Babies from the Sun

Babies under 6 months don’t belong in the sun. They don’t need sunscreen, because they shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight.

Babies skin doesn’t have melanin (tanning pigments) which protect skin.

• Babies need a hat.
• Babies need to be clothing that covers them up.
• Babies should be kept in the shade.

Be careful of the shade, too, as putting a baby under a tree might still mean that their sensitive skins get burnt because of the way sunlight filters through leaves.

Start your baby wearing a hat from a very young age, and they’ll soon get used to it and not pull it off every time you put it on. It’s a good idea to get a hat with a brim all around to protect ears and necks, rather than a cap style which only protects the face.

Children and Sun Protection

Choose your own sunscreen, and send your child to school with this.

Make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently, especially if children are swimming or sweating a lot.

Make sure your children have a good rash vest for swimming.

Adults and Sun Protection

Be good role models – make sure your children see you covering up with clothing, sunglasses and hats.

Follow our four top tips, and make sure that your children do, too.

1. Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day

Recent research has shown that morning sunshine is better for you than afternoon sunshine, so get out into the garden in a tshirt and peg the washing out while your little one plays in the garden. Have your morning coffee in the sunshine, or get out and walk the dog early in the day!

If you can’t get out in the morning, go out after 3.00. Just ten minutes of sunshine a day, without sunscreen, will get you enough rays to produce Vitamin D to keep you healthy.

Going out between 11am and 3pm when the sun is hottest, however, can damage your skin.

2. Cover up with a hat, sunglasses and clothing.

Harsh sunlight can damage eyes, so it’s important that you wear sunglasses. Broad spectrum (UVA and UVB blocking) is best.

Babies and children need sunglasses, too. Make sure that they are good quality, and that they fit your child’s face properly.

Rash vests are perfect for the beach, as they have a high SPF factor. For getting out and about, cover little arms and legs. This is especially important in the pram, as it’s very easy to forget that your baby’s legs aren’t always protected by the pram shade.

There are pram shades specifically designed to shade your baby, so if you’re out with the pram a lot, it may be worth investing in one of these.

3. Find some shade

Sit under a tree, take a gazebo or an umbrella, a beach tent – anything that will keep you out of the direct sunlight.

4. Sunscreen is your last line of defence against getting sunburnt

While it is essential to wear sunscreen when you’re in the sun, remember that sunscreen is you’re your first defence against getting sunburnt.

Sunscreen is a filter, not a block.

Choosing A Good Organic Sunscreen

There are a few specific chemicals often used in sunscreens that are best to avoid:

• retinyl palmitate – a form of Vitamin A that may speed up the growth of skin tumours.
• Oxybenzone – a hormone disrupter
• Added insect repellant – buy insect repellant separately, and apply it before you apply sunscreen

Just as you would avoid suspect chemicals in personal care products, check the ingredients in your sunscreen, and avoid:

• Parabens
• Phthalates – fragrance (unless it’s from essential oils)
• polyethylene glycols
• propylene glycols
• phenoxyethanol
• SLS and SLES

Further things to avoid when looking for a sunscreen:

• Sprays or powders – they may sound convenient, but you don’t want to be breathing these in.
• SPF above 50+

Now that we’ve covered what not to use, what should you look for in sunscreens?

• Zinc
• Titanium dioxide
• Avobenzone or Mexoryl SX
• Cream – rub it in and reapply often
• Broad-spectrum protection – this protects against UVA and UVB
• Water-resistant for beach, pool & exercise
• SPF 30+ for beach & pool

What about micronized particles and nano particles in sunscreens?

Nano particles apparently have the ability to pass through the skin more easily and be absorbed into the bloodstream. There hasn’t been a lot of testing on nano-technology and it’s impact on human health, but it’s thought that nanoparticles produce free radicals and damage DNA, particularly when exposed to UV light.

Until more research has been done, it’s best to avoid nano-particles.

However, it’s better to wear sunscreen with nano-particles than no sunscreen at all. It’s not established whether there is a problem with nano-particles, but it’s very well established that exposure to the sun causes skin damage and cancer!

Which are the best organic baby sunscreens?

Name: Eco Logical Skin Care Baby All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+ Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (22%) (Prevention of Sunburn)Inactive Ingredients: Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Silicon Dioxide, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Cera) Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract (Organic), Persea Gratissima (Avocado), Rosa Canina (Rosehips) Seed Oil (Organic), Carota Sativa (Carrot) Oil, Botswellia Carterii (Frankincense), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract (Organic) EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1 (Low Hazard) Cost: $25.95 for 100g (Buy Some) Comments: My new favourite. It’s nice and moisturizing without being greasy, the list of ingredients is good, and it’s not too ridiculously expensive. Good broad spectrum protection, too.

Name: Graham’s Natural Sunclear Sunscreen SPF 30+ Ingredients: capric/caprylic triglyceride (plant oil derived), rose hip oil, grape seed oil, sesame seed oil, shea butter, hydrogenated vegetable oil, vitamin E, vitamin A, phenoxyethanol. Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 26% EWG Skin Deep Rating: 3 (Moderate Hazard) Cost: $26.95 for 150g Comments: Argh! This just goes to show that you should always, always do your own research. I got this in because I had been told that it was a good sunscreen, and it featured on the Friends of the Earth Top Sunscreens. It’s only now that I’ve double checked and realized that vitamin a is retinol. Retinol is an anti-aging ingredient, but it's controversial in sunscreens, as there is some evidence that it reacts in the sun and speeds the growth of skin lesions. That’s a real disappointment, because I really liked this one – all the other ingredients are okay, it goes on well, and it’s not too greasy. There are much worse sunscreens out there, but there's better, too. Interesting reading here on retinol, too: http://blogs.webmd.com/healthy-skin/2011/08/retinol-when-to-use-it-and-when-to-avoid-it.html http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/the-problem-with-vitamin-a/

Name: Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15 Ingredients: *organic olea europae (olive) fruit oil, zinc oxide, *organic butyrospermum parkii (shea) fruit butter,*organic unrefined cera alba (beeswax), mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e), avena sativa (oat)kernel flour, *organic copernicia prunifera (carnauba) wax, natural coconut extract, proprietary blend of essential oils, *organic simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, *organic rosmarinusofficinalis (rosemary) CO2 extract, daucus carota (carrot) CO2 seed extract. *Certified Organic Ingredient EWG Skin Deep Rating: 2 (Low Hazard) Cost: $35.30 for 100g Comments: Nice ingredients, a little pricey, though. It's also a shame that it doesn't have a higher SPF.

Name: UV Natural Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+ Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (24.8%) and Caprylic/capric triglycerides Fumed Silica (Colloidal Anhydrous Silica) Zinc Stearate Vitis vinifera (grape seed) oil Macadamia ternifolia seed oil Camellia Oleifera(green tea) Leaf Extract Vitis vinifera (grape seed) extract Tocopherol ( Natural vitamin E) Iron Oxides EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1 (Low Hazard) Cost: $28.95 for 150g (Buy Some) Comments: I like this – I find it works well, it’s very moisturizing and I have absolutely no problems wearing this on my face as far as allergic reactions go. The only issue I have with this is that it’s very thick and can feel quite greasy.

Name: Wotnot Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+ Ingredients: aloe barbadensis extract, d-alpha tocopherol acetate (gmo-free vitamin e), beeswax-white, candelilla wax, grapeseed oil, maltodextrin, safflower oil, sesame oil, shea butter, silica, water-purified, naticide (all natural preservative) Active: zinc oxide 250mg/g EWG Skin Deep Rating: 2 (Low Hazard) Cost: $25.95 for 130g (Buy Some) Comments: I like this – I find it works well, it’s very moisturizing and I have absolutely no problems wearing this on my face as far as allergic reactions go. The only issue I have with this is that it’s very thick and can feel quite greasy.

There are quite a few brands that score well in the EWG’s sunscreen list that we can’t get here in Australia, such as Burt’s Bees and Badger. I was told by one of the suppliers that this is because it's so hard to get sunscreens passed by the TGA. I do know that Badger is currently working on getting TGA approval, and we'll update this cheat sheet as soon as it's available.

See all our natural baby sunscreens here.

There are also a few brands that seem to have been discontinued, or that I just couldn't get any information on.

Name: Invisble Zinc

Comments: I've used this before and liked it. Neither of my sons nor I had any reactions to this, even after long days in the sun. However, there is no ingredients list on the pack, nor did Invisible Zinc reply to my emails. Their customer service number hung up on me twice. Guess they don't want to disclose ...

Name: Natural Instinct Micro Mineral Sunscreen

Comments: Their website says that it's free from "Chemical UV Absorbers, Nano Particles, Titanium Dioxide, Fragrances, Parabens, PABA, Mineral Oils". However, I emailed multiple times trying to get an ingredients list and got no replies.

Name: Natralia Baby Sunscreen

Comments: There might be a bit of stock floating around, but this one has now been discontinued, so I couldn't get ingredients for this one, either.

Name: Soleo Organic Sunscreen

Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, macadamia oil, green tea extract, roman chamomile extract, sunflower oil, capric/caprylic triglycerides (plant oil derived), beeswax, theobroma butter (cupuassu tree), candelilla wax (candelilla plant), lecithin, vegetable oils, cucumber extract, natural vitamin E oil. Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22.3%

Comments: It doesn't look like this is being made any more. Our usual supplier didn't know, and I couldn't find a website or anyone to call. It's a shame, because I've used and liked this. 

Disclaimer:

I started Hello, Charlie! because I was concerned about some of the products that I was using on myself and my children. I’m no chemist, I’m just a mum who does plenty of research on products before I use them and before I’ll stock them at Hello Charlie.

Lots of customers and friends ask me about products that I’d recommend, and what they should be looking for when buying for their own families. These guides are the results of my research and reading.

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve read differently, or have opinions or great products that you’d like to share. Teaching yourself about better choices for our families and our environment is a journey, and I’d love for you to join me on it!

Vanessa Layton, founder of Hello, Charlie!