Dear New Mommy,
Reducing exposure to toxins is essential for all of us, but especially for the tiniest of our clan. It’s not just their tendency to try to shove everything from a basketball to a window ledge into their mouths that puts little tykes at higher risk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, because of their small body mass and rapid rate of growth, infants and children differ from adults both qualitatively and quantitatively in their exposure to toxins. Children eat more and drink more water per unit of body weight, they breathe more rapidly than adults and can inhale more of an air pollutant per pound of body weight.
Each of us—every mom, dad and family member—knows it’s our responsibility to do the best we can for the next generation, and that responsibility is daunting. There are some simple things we can do, however, to give our children’s vulnerable systems a healthier start, while creating a healthier planet for them to inherit.
Don’t bundle or bathe your babe in toxins
New clothes are typically treated with some sort of preservative—very frequently formaldehyde—to keep them looking fresh on the store rack. Skin is a sponge and it can absorb toxins when they come in contact. Be sure to wash all new clothing before you put it on your child (this goes for YOUR new clothes, too). New underwear is especially important to wash before wearing since genitalia is particularly sensitive and vulnerable.
To avoid these toxins in the first place, buy used clothing or buy organic. Look for organic baby clothing, towels, bedding, crib sheets, nursing bras, mattresses and cloth diapers at the following websites: www.ecobaby.com, www.dandelionsummers.com, www.gaiam.com, and http://sagecreeknaturals.com.
Keep toxins off the skin when you bathe or pamper. Instead of disposable baby-wipes treated with chemicals, use moistened cut squares of an old towel or soft cloth, or look for baby wipes, like those available from Seventh Generation, that are not bleached with chlorine and do not contain alcohol or synthetic ingredients that can irritate baby’s sensitive skin.
Use chemical-free lotions, shampoos, baby oils and powders. A great line of products available in most of our stores is Burt’s Bees Baby Bee.
A glass act for baby bottles
There is growing evidence to indicate that a commonly-used chemical in plastic may be risky, even in the small amounts that can leach from bottles and food packaging. According to a recent report, Bisphenol A, the basic building block of polycarbonate plastic, can have some serious health impacts, including alterations to the development of the reproductive tract and the immune system.
While industry studies report none of these impacts, many who argue the precautionary principle suggest using glass baby bottles instead of plastic (yup, you can still buy them!). My nephew uses nothing but glass bottles, and as his babysitting auntie, I can tell you they withstand even his best shot-put attempts. Learn more about Bisphenol A at www.ourstolenfuture.org
Keep it clean
Everything from the floor to the ceiling can find its way into baby’s mouth. Any chemicals used to clean those surfaces can end up in baby’s mouth too. Many commercial household disinfectants and cleaners are made with toxic chemicals. Give baby non-toxic surfaces to investigate by using non-toxic alternative cleaners available at the store, or make your own hospital-quality disinfectant by dissolving 1/4 cup borax in 1 /2 gallon hot water and use it in place of bleach. Get more non-toxic cleaning recipes at www.betterbasics.com or by clicking here.
Junior loves to roll around on the carpet, but carpets act as reservoirs for the pesticides and fertilizers we track in from lawns, parks and playgrounds. They retain these chemicals for years because they are not exposed to the elements that break them down within days outside. Keep your carpet pesticide-free by removing your shoes at the door.
Babyhood doesn’t last long, soon they’ll be making their own choices (hopefully some better ones about what they shove in their mouths), but you can know that the choices you made for your children from the beginning helped give them a better start and a better environment.
