Home of the SafeMama Cheat Sheets!

Sourcing Safer Products For Families Since 2007.

Ditch the Dyes Cheat Sheets

Dear SafeMama: Shower Etiquette, Reader Feedback

By Kristie Turck •  Published 04/23/09 •  2 min read

Last updated on August 20th, 2022 at 12:18 am

dear safemamaI’m pregnant and have baby showers coming up and I’m pretty frustrated and worried with the baby gift shopping.

Here is what I don’t want:

1)  People supporting companies that use BPA and other harmful chemicals to buy gifts for me.  It feel like they’d be doing a very unhelpful thing in my name, and I don’t want these companies to be encouraged or benefit from what they are doing.

2)  The waste.  I try to be as green as possible and either use or donate everything.  I ethically can’t donate a product that I wouldn’t use on my OWN baby to anyone.  So what then – all these products I won’t use will end up in a landfill somewhere?   It would be easier if I could just return the items I don’t want, but I noticed that a lot of these people coming to showers like to take products out of their original packaging or don’t include gift receipts.

How can I convey this information in my shower invitations?  I don’t want to offend everyone, and I don’t want to come across as unappreciative.  Do you think I should include an insert about what BPA is and why it is harmful?  Should I go into some kind of explanation as to why I hope people will buy from different companies?  Is there any way for me to do this with a little class without making some kind of horrendous etiquette faux pas?

Good morning SafeParents!  No judgements here… this is a legitimate concern for many women now that things like BPA and Phthalates in baby skin care are on the forefront.  What’s the best way to handle it? We received this question from a reader and while we have our own thoughts on handling baby gifts we thought we’d turn this one over to you.  We’re interested in seeing what other parents would do or what advice you’ll have for her.  We can imagine she isn’t alone in this scenario and we’d love your feedback.  Comments are open on this entry for you to share your advice.  We defer to you…

Keep Reading