Lets Gift Them A Less Toxic Future...

Many chemicals today are known or suspected to be linked to cancer, early puberty, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, autism, and other serious health issues. As we look at protecting children's health, we need to look not just at nutrition, diet, and physical activity, but also exposure to chemicals. So we need to keep a tab on the food, toiletries as well as storage options to counter these problems.

• Homemade baby foods can have a nutritional and economical edge over the readymade versions if prepared thoughtfully. Over the counter options tend to have more sugar and sodium, and less fiber(due to processing) and they’re much more expensive. I understand that it becomes difficult for working moms to prepare all meals of the day. Moms act tactfully. Freeze single servings in small mason jars that you can defrost later when in need (There are lots of great websites and books for inspiration). Not all packaged foods are evil. Feeling guilty because you’ve been relying on packaged foods to feed your kid when you get home late from work? Don’t !!! We lead very busy lives where we juggle parenting, work, school and after-school activities for older kids. Make as much of your children’s food as you can, but there’s nothing wrong with having packaged foods occasionally or eating out as a bit of a lifesaver.

• The kind of marketing companies are doing for their Baby products to keep your baby’s skin perfect is insane, making you think you need them. Sometimes I think of using them to make my freckled skin look like the skin of a toddler.....aaaah....how flawless and smooth....muaaaah. Your baby’s skin is far better off with minimal intervention. Moms n dads don’t fall into the trap of labels claiming as “extra gentle”, “hypoallergenic”, “dermalogist tested” and “safe for Baby’s delicate skin”. Most of the top-selling children’s bath care products contain trace amounts of the toxins. Sometime back there was a huge hue and cry about a big brand. I hope u remember....if not, search online....google indeed is quite helpful;) There is no immediate risk of toxic poisoning from any of these products but I believe real risk is present—little bit of carcinogen can be absorbed through the skin. Use natural and nourishing sweet almond and coconut oils and fragrance-free bar soap. Your baby may not have that stereotypical baby-powder smell, but he or she will be healthier in the long run, and that’s all that matters.

• Plastics contain BPA, a chemical that can promote human breast cancer cell growth and lower sperm counts. Pregnant women, infants and children are especially at risk. Repeated heating and cooling causes more chemicals in that container to break down into the food inside and leach it. Use glass baby bottles, or plastic bottles and containers that specifically say “BPA-Free.” Glass is safe. Stainless steel containers can also be used.

• My discovery of what was in baby wipes gave me almost a month of sleepless nights. I found out that they contain neurotoxins, endocrine disrupters, allergens and irritants. Just imagine what are you exposing your baby’s skin to especially when you’re using them around very sensitive areas like bottoms and mouths. I tried to search for healthier alternatives and stumbled upon this recipe. Mix one cup of distilled water with a tablespoon of pure aloe vera, one teaspoon of liquid Castile soap(Dr Bronner’s is a famous and trusted brand available on flip cart as well as amazon) and one teaspoon of almond oil. You can store this in a spray bottle for almost a week and spray on a paper towel to use.

• Bacteria(from illness) can release toxins too. So proper vaccinations need to done by a qualified doctor.

You need to choose wisely. Consumers, manufacturers, and governments should be committed to reducing toxins in our environment and in the lives of children.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Momspresso.com (formerly mycity4kids). Any omissions or errors are the author's and Momspresso does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.