Child Development

Why Eco Parenting is Best

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…the umbilical cord carries not only the building blocks of life, but also a steady stream of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides that cross the placenta as readily as residues from cigarettes and alcohol. This is the human “body burden” — the pollution in people that permeates everyone in the world, including babies in the womb. EnvironmentalWorkingGroup

Author: Velvet Woodly
If you are a parent or would like to be one, going green should be a major priority for your family. You may ask why. Dozens of cleaning and personal care products purchased at local grocery stores contain harmful chemical ingredients. Unprecedented exposure to chemicals contaminants, pollution, toxic products and stress increase unhealthy conditions, from arthritis and cancer to heart disease and even symptoms of aging.

What parents don’t realize is that storing some of the leading household cleaners in the home is no better than storing gasoline . Each year, over 1 million children are accidentally poisoned. Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured or injured through contact with chemicals in the home. The most common substance to poison children is a household cleaner.

Did you know…
That natural cleaning products work just as well as their caustic, chemical counterparts? Skip the name brands in the cleaning aisle (especially while pregnant, nursing or with toddlers around) and go straight for the food section of your grocery store. White vinegar and water will clean and disinfect just about anything and you can add table salt and baking soda to scrub out the tough ones.

Some leading, name brand cleaners are highly flammable, dangerous to inhale, can cause irritation and/or damage to skin, eyes and lungs. Some very popular name brand baby and women’s body wash contain the carcinogen, 1.4-Dioxane, which is suspected of causing cancer or birth defects. Actually ¼ of all personal care products sold in the U.S may contain this chemical. With over 150,000 babies born with defects each year or reasons unknown, it should make you wonder if toxins are the blame for a percentage. Another 500,000 babies are miscarried early in pregnancy or stillborn. Infertility is increasing and widespread with over 2 million couples unable to conceive. Environmental factors in childhood cancers are being researched and the cause of childhood cancer is difficult to prove. By now you should be saying hmmmm.

You may feel this is overwhelming and not even know where to start. The best time to start is when you are pregnant or trying to conceive. High levels of toxins can be found in the blood stream of newborn babies due to the mother’s level of exposure during pregnancy. Since exposure begins in the womb with toxins being transferred from mom to baby by umbilical cord blood, this is a vital stage to reduce exposure. With no one knowing the true effects on a developing brain and other vital organs, use natural cleaning & personal care products both during and after pregnancy. Choosing organic foods whenever possible will also greatly decrease your exposure level to toxins.

Now you may say my children are already here. What do I do now? Is it too late? It is never too late. Start where you are. Eating organic foods decreases toxins. Certain fruits and vegetables are more toxic than others and going organic in this group reduces your level of exposure to pesticides by 90%. These include potatoes, strawberries, peaches, apples, spinach, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, cherries, pears, imported grapes and lettuce. Searching for organic foods is not always the most convenient or affordable. If you focused on this batch, it would truly make an impact on your child’s toxin in take.

You can also make a healthier decision when it comes to your child’s mattress. Some crib mattresses are constructed of polyurethane foam enclosed in vinyl covers. The plastic products are made by combining highly toxic chemicals together. Every night your child breathes in these toxins. A healthier alternative would be to purchase a mattress made from 100% natural and raw fibers. You can find natural mattresses for all stages of your child’s life from birth to teens.

Standard crib mattresses are also soaked in flame retardants (by law). Some parents may rest easier knowing that the crib mattress is less likely to ignite but there are non-toxic alternatives available such as wool, which is a natural flame retardant. Toxic crib mattresses may be a key player in SIDS as well. If your child has a reduced immune system from recent vaccines or smoking in the house and then sleeps face down in a cloud of toxins, it is a recipe for disaster. Learn more at Cribs, SIDS and Cosleeping.

These are all baby steps to a more natural life style for you and your kids. Do take steps to a healthier home because your health is wealth.

Buy the Book: Eco Babies Wear Green

About the author:
Velvet Haygood Woodly is an Atlanta entrepreneur and owner of an online super store http://www.naturallyvelvet.com . Health and wellness has always been a passion of hers and she does consultation work regularly.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/jdbyford/468926200/

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