As new or expectant parents, it’s natural to worry that you’re not doing enough to keep your baby safe. Inserting safety plugs into electrical outlets and blocking off stairs with safety gates are a big part of making your baby safe. But did you ever consider that a greener lifestyle would also contribute to the safety of your baby? Greener choices such as what your baby eats, what touches your baby’s skin and the air your baby breathes will all have an impact on your baby’s health throughout his or her life.
The following will focus on the three top safety tips that can be incorporated by new and expectant parents to make healthier, sustainable choices for the safety of their babies.
1. Sustainable Diaper Choices
Changing to sustainable diapers can keep your baby’s skin safe from toxins that cause diaper rash and other skin irritations. One type of sustainable diaper that’s becoming more popular is a diaper made of Bamboo viscose fibers.
Here is how diapers made with Bamboo viscose fibers contribute to the health of your baby:
- Absorb more liquid than regular cotton.
- More comfortable than most popular brand diapers.
- More breathable than most other diapers.
- Have built-in moisture wicking eliminating the need for gels or powders.
- Processed with no potentially harmful chemicals.
Because these diapers are not processed with potentially harmful chemicals, this makes them naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. In addition, the wicking properties of the diapers, the breathability, and the ability to absorb more liquid keep your baby safe from diaper rash and skin irritants.
2. Playtime Choices
Toys to keep your baby educated and entertained also have to be considered in ways to keep your baby safe. Not only in the ways that toys can cause physical harm, such as choking or injuries, but in the ways of long-term health as well.
Plastic toys can contain Bisphenol-A (BPA) which is an artificial estrogen. When babies touch plastic toys with BPA then put their fingers in their mouths or put these toys in their mouths, this increases their chances of BPA exposure. Infants exposed to BPA can have these possible health effects:
- Changes to nervous system function like thyroid function or brain growth.
- Changes to behavioral development, such as hyperactivity.
- Changes in the normal function of the prostate gland.
3. Cleaning Product Choices
Most cleaning products on the market have potentially harmful chemicals and fumes when used around your baby. Buying and using natural cleaning products that have nontoxic properties will contribute to the safety of your baby.
When shopping for cleaning products, look for the list of ingredients that only includes things like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. If you can’t find a cleaning product with just those ingredients, make your own. A gallon of vinegar will go a long way in killing germs, viruses, mold, and as a disinfectant for baby’s things like a high chair or toys.
After reading this article, new parents or expectant parents should be more knowledgeable about safe, sustainable and affordable products that make improvements to their home or lifestyle to keep their babies safe, healthy, and happy.
