Did you know that the average newborn baby has 200 pollutants and chemicals present in her cord blood? The nonprofit group, Environmental Working Group (EWG) was responsible for a 2005 study that looked at chemicals in newborn cord blood. The EWG found that some of the chemicals and pollutants come from common household products, such as fabric strain removers. Many of these chemicals have been outlawed in the United States, but they’re still present in our food chain, soil, and groundwater.
Importance of a Eliminating Toxins in the Baby Nursery
Thinking of toxins being near your baby much less in their blood stream is a very scary reality. And since your newborn baby will spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping in the nursery, it’s important that you create a toxin-free nursery environment for your precious baby. Here are three tips to help you eliminate toxins in your baby’s nursery.
3 Tips For A Toxin Free Baby Nursery
Choose an Organic Crib Mattress
Buying an organic crib mattress is a perfect way to start protecting your baby’s health. Traditional crib mattresses come fresh from a factory with tons of fumes. (Just sniff one, and you’ll see what I mean). Since your baby is still young with an immature immune system, their bodies can’t handle the same toxic loads as you can, and this can lead to serious health problems down the road. On the other hand, organic crib mattresses are made with only organic ingredients and non-toxic materials. When you go organic, you can help your baby avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals.
Buy VOC-free Paints
In addition to an organic crib mattress, you can create a toxic free nursery environment by choosing low or zero-VOC paints. A majority of the paints on the market are high in VOC (volatile organic compounds). Some VOC paints that are mixed with sunlight create smog – and you definitely don’t want that in your baby’s lungs. You can find VOC-free paints at many local hardware stores and even Home Depot.
Diaper Your Baby with Cloth
If you want to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, you will want to choose cloth diapers. Regular disposable diapers have a huge impact on the environment, representing 4 percent of solid waste in the landfills! Plus, disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin (a carcinogen) and other harmful chemicals. Make the best choice for your baby’s health and choose cloth diapers.
Another perk of cloth diapers is that your child will get a head start on potty training. Babies on cloth are more aware of when they are wet, so they can be potty trained up to half a year sooner than babies on disposable.
I hope you found these tips to eliminate toxins in the baby nursery helpful. Share your ideas in the comments below. Thanks!
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