With the excessive amount of germs and bacteria floating in the air, you may be worried about your baby’s health and welfare when traveling overseas. Ensuring that you have the right gear and accessories for your trip will help make traveling healthy, easy and stress-free.

Packing

It’s important to make sure you have the right things on hand when traveling abroad, and the area may not have the things that you would normally use for them. Bring things along that will treat a common cold, teething and upset tummy. A first aid kit will come with the necessities in case your child gets a small cut, scrape or bruise. The kit should include bandages, scissors, antiseptic wipes, thermometer, tweezers and ointment.

Rental Car

Babies love to explore, touch and put their hands in their mouth, and you want to do your best to keep them safe from harm. Public transportation such as trains, buses and taxi cabs can be filled with germs, and you don’t want the family to come down with a cold or flu while overseas, so renting a car for your own use, and keeping your child in the comfort of his own clean car seat, is often the best bet. When it comes to insuring your driving experience, you can discover substantial savings by using an online search company like Monkey Insurance that provides rental insurance options to travelers using a rental car. The search site offers prices for whatever size and style car for whatever contract length you may need during your trip.

Safe Feeding

If your infant is on formula, you want to bring a ready-made option in case the water source of your destination is questionable. The same goes for food, as your child may suffer tummy ailments if they eat items that are foreign to their palate.

Grooming

Even keeping clean can be questionable, and you may need to use bottled water to wash their hands, face and body. Having plenty of baby wipes on-hand can also aid in keeping your infant germ-free. Don’t be afraid to wipe down surfaces that they may touch or place them on a clean blanket instead of the hotel room flooring.

Easing Tummy Troubles

Doing something out of the ordinary can make an infant nervous or out of sorts. This could lead to tummy troubles such as diarrhea. Bringing along stomach relief products to ease diarrhea can relieve their discomfort. To prevent them from becoming dehydrated due to the flu, oral supplements with electrolytes can keep them healthy and strong. If your child is on any prescribed medication, you want to make sure to include these in your carry-on luggage. A pediatrician can also give you a copy of their prescription, and the contact information. Pharmacies overseas may not be the same as you would find in the United   States.

Vaccinations

Your child should be up-to-date on their regular immunizations from the pediatrician. Depending on the location you plan to travel, you may need to speak to the pediatrician to see if they will need additional vaccinations for vacationing abroad.

Traveling overseas can be a wonderful experience for you and your family. By implementing the above helpful tips, you can ensure that your infant has healthy and happy memories to take home from the adventure.

Having traveled with young ones, Ann Bailey encourages all new parents to plan carefully so that their travels with a new baby can be happily memorable. Being prepared for driving while on your trip, including having the peace of mind of good rental coverage through Monkey Insurance, will go a long way in giving you the tools to ensure your baby has a happily peaceful experience as well.

Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/icanchangethisright/6753369633/

It’s been an issue throughout the years and getting kids to eat their vegetables continues to be a painstaking process. Maybe children were born to dislike vegetables or maybe it’s part of a power struggle between kids and their parents. Whatever the reason may be, one of the best ways to get them to eat the carrots, broccoli and other vegetables you put on their plate is to have them help you with the gardening.

You’ll eat what you produce 

Who can refuse a beautiful fresh homegrown veggie that you’ve nourished with your own hands? When you get your children to help with the entire process from planting a seed all the way up to harvesting the food, there’s no way they’re going to reject something that they’ve grown themselves. At the very least, they’re going to give the vegetables that they’ve pulled from the garden a good honest try with an objective view point.

Kids can be fantastic gardeners! 

Some kids have just been born with a green thumb and gardening comes instinctively to these young individuals. While you are trying your best to get the carrots to start sprouting your little ones are working on the potatoes that are sprouting like weeds! It can be fascinating to watch little hands take over some of the gardening projects while you gently guide them along as progress is being made.

Even the younger ones can have fun mucking it up in the garden by helping with the planting, watering, weeding etc. At the beginning you may have to spend some time training your children but it won’t take long before even kids that aren’t naturally drawn towards this hobby catch on to things and start to produce wonderful vegetables in the earth.

It’s a special bonding time

There’s nothing better than getting back to the simple things in nature to build up a good bond between you and your children. Things can get frustrating in society and working with some dirt can bring a lot of things back into focus. You’ll probably find that you and your youngsters are laughing and exchanging stories while the gardening work is going on and you may just end up with a new special relationship on your hands as well as a child that is willing to eat the vegetables that he has grown in his garden.

If you have any room in your yard to set up a garden or even have some balcony space, don’t let the opportunity slip away to teach your children how to grow their own food and better yet enjoy it later. Gardening is relaxing, fun and educational in so many ways and a great way to connect with your children through some special bonding time.

Author Bio: Anna Kaminsky is a mother of two little angels. She just started her graduate studies in educational psychology at the University of Toronto and works as an intern at Richmond Hill Psychology Center helping with psycho-educational assessments, gifted testing, and play therapy.

Fertility is something that every woman will have to think about during her lifetime, and there are literally millions of women in the United States who are doing everything they can to conceive and have a happy and healthy child.  The CDC estimates that there are 6.7 million women in America who are having difficulty conceiving, that amounts to about 10.9% of the female population.  Many of these women will try a variety of treatments and methods to increase their chances of becoming pregnant, and almost all of them will alter their diet.

Fertility food could be just what you need to better your chances of having a child.  Almost every woman knows about certain foods and substances to avoid when they’re pregnant or trying to conceive.  You don’t need to be told to stop smoking, limit your alcohol, or avoid raw fish.  But you may need some advice on what you should put into your body instead of being concerned about what to not put in it.  If you’re trying to add another member to your family, try loading up on these foods when you’re trying to conceive.

Opt for Whole Grains

Eating a few slices of Wonder Bread and having a bowl of white rice won’t directly lower your chances of becoming pregnant, but they won’t be giving your body the essential vitamins and minerals it will need to form a baby.  The refining process strips away a lot of valuable nutrients, and they significantly decrease the amount of iron, B vitamins, and antioxidants.  All of those nutrients are known to boost fertility, so you can’t afford to loose any of them in your foods.  Cutting out refined grains doesn’t have to be difficult, and thanks to changing dieting trends almost every major grocery store carries whole grain versions of your favorite foods.

Make Your Salads More Colorful

Your produce aisle has almost everything you need to improve your fertility.  A lot of vegetables a lauded for their high amount of vitamins and minerals, but their main nutritional features are their micronutrients like phytochemicals and antioxidants.  Phytochemicals and antioxidants help rid your body of free-radicals, and those free radicals can damage the ova, sperm, and reproductive organs.  If you want to have a nutritious diet, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored.  Red and yellow peppers, kale, and pomegranates and other colorful vegetation should be stocked in your crisper.

Load Up On Iron

A lot of women are prone to having low iron counts in their blood because of their monthly periods, and iron is very important in conceiving.  Bodies tend to have trouble keeping a healthy iron count during pregnancy because the baby siphons so much nutrients from the mother, and iron is crucial in fetal development.  A lot of soon to be mothers can get enough iron from a daily multi-vitamin, but they should still eat iron rich foods like red meat and spinach.  If you have heavy periods or have a bleeding disorder, be sure to ask your doctor to regularly test your blood to make sure that you’re getting enough iron. Get as many nutrients from these fertility foods as possible!

Citations:

• photo credit

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Ashely is a part of a team of writers who have contributed to family and pregnancy blogs and news sites. Follow her @AshelyMarie1985 to see what else she has to say!

May is National Water Safety Month, and while water awareness should be practiced at all times, prepping children for the swim season is now more opportune than ever.  While it is never too early to introduce kids to this lifelong skill, how you approach is dependent on age.

Children Younger than Four – How to Approach Swimming

Most specialists agree that children younger than four are not yet ready for swim lessons as they are still developing motor skills that will help them stay afloat – i.e. the constant kicking of the legs.  So until your child is ready for formal lessons, focus on getting them used to and comfortable in the water.

Besides taking the obvious safety precautions, approach swimming with your child with confidence.  Whether you are at a public pool or your own backyard aboveground pool, it’s important that the child feels protected, that he or she trusts you.  If you are feeling nervous or anxious, the child will sense it.  A good way to get young toddlers introduced to the water is to simply help them float on their back or stomach by holding your hand underneath the respective area; work their way up to wetting their face.

For infants older than 12 months, try a child-parent swim class, frequently named “mommy and me” or “mom and tot” classes (you can find classes for younger infants, but these classes are generally better at the 12+ month level).  These classes focus on getting children at ease in the water while incorporating games and different activities – things that you can take home to work on in your own pool.

Incorporate flotation devices – use arm “floaties” or invest in a swimsuit with detachable devices – if the child is struggling to trust the water.  At a couple of years old, flotation devices are also a great way to give children a sense of independence in the water.  These devices, however, should never take the place of adult supervision.  An adult should be in the water with any young child at all times.

For children younger than four, the key to swimming is to first make them comfortable and have fun in the water.

Older than Four

At the age of four or older it is very appropriate and common for children to start formal swim lessons.  Most health clubs, gyms and natatoriums offer structured swim classes where children are separated into small groups by skill level, ensuring that they receive attention in the skills that need developing as well as essential water safety.

Can’t afford swim lessons, or don’t have the time?  Luckily, there are endless resources on the Internet to help you introduce your child to a swimming lifestyle.   There are many great online resources that include printout lesson plans as well as video tutorials.  Study these and implement them on your own time in your own pool or the neighborhood pool.  When it comes to learning and developing techniques, practice patience – all children having different learning styles and learn at different rates.

If you will be proctoring your child’s swim lessons at home, it is an excellent and safe idea to learn CPR.  Additionally, remember to have fun with your child.  Teaching children to swim – and to enjoy it – will set them up with a lifelong skillset that provides health benefits, recreational opportunities and above all else, safety.

With the rates of childhood allergies on the rise, many parents are looking for ways to safeguard their babies against this life-disrupting problem. Therefore, it becomes very important to choose the safest possible products for your baby. Many products are made using ingredients or materials that are widely known to cause or promote allergies in infants and children. These allergies can take relatively innocuous forms that are much life seasonal allergies, but they’re still an annoyance to baby. Meanwhile, some allergens can cause more severe problems such as dermatitis, respiratory distress, food allergies and even anaphylaxis. Here are some of the best baby products to avoid allergies.

Bath and Skin Care Products

A baby’s immune system and skin are much more vulnerable than an adult’s. For this reason, many baby products can cause low-level allergic reactions that result in skin irritation. Petroleum by-products in baby lotions, shampoos, baby oil and other skin care products are a common culprit. Other possible troublemakers include artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates and alcohols may also cause symptoms of dermatitis.

Make sure that any bath and skin care products you use on your baby contain as few ingredients as possible. It’s also important to make sure that they don’t contain anything that you don’t immediately recognize. If you can’t pronounce it or if it sounds like a chemical, it’s best to avoid it. A good alternative to baby lotion would be virgin coconut or olive oil. For a hypoallergenic soap and shampoo, consider an all-natural handmade glycerine soap.

Baby powder is also something that you should exercise caution with. Conventional powder made from talc is known to cause skin and respiratory allergies in infants, as are the artificial fragrances used. Cornstarch baby powders are better, but they also typically contain added fragrance. Instead, consider making your own baby powder from plain cornstarch.

Hypoallergenic Mattress and Bedding

The safety of conventional infant bedding has been under heavy scrutiny in the last few years. It is well known at this point that such products contain a wide variety of harmful man-made chemicals, many of which cause serious allergic problems. These include substances like benzene, phthalates, chlorine, boric acid, antimony and formaldehyde. Even the flame retardants that are supposed to protect your baby may be making him or her sick.

In light of this, there has been an increase in the availability of natural and organic baby mattresses, like those provided by Naturalmat. Made from natural materials like coconut fiber, wool, latex and mohair, these mattresses are free from the harmful chemicals that cause allergies and other serious illnesses.

Clothing

Normal baby clothing presents many of the same allergy risks as conventional bedding, particularly where flame retardants are concerned. Even the way the materials are made can cause problems. Polyester, spandex and nylon are synthetic fibers made from petroleum and can cause dermatological allergies. Cotton is even worse because of the multitude of toxic chemicals used to process and whiten it. Even the artificial dyes used in clothing are suspect. Fortunately, parents who want to avoid the risk of allergies can opt to buy their baby clothes made from all-natural, organic fibers that are colored with natural plant-based dyes.

Air Purifiers

In the average household, the air quality indoors is many times worse than outside. Dust, pollen, dander, mold and chemicals swirl around in the air inside your home, triggering your baby’s allergies. You can use HEPA filters on your home’s central air unit, but the benefits are limited. Instead, it’s recommended that you place a quality air purifier in your baby’s nursery. This will remove a far greater number of allergens from the immediate vicinity, helping your baby to breathe easier and wake up in a better mood.

Baby Foods

Sadly, parents must also be cautious about what they feed their baby. Many foods on the market today are less than wholesome. Check labels for artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners, chemical preservatives and anything else that looks suspicious, such as mineral oil. These things aren’t just unnecessary. They are also potent causes of food-borne allergies. Stick to all-natural foods that are made from simple ingredients. These include foods sweetened with fruit juices, colored with vegetables and preserved with nutrients like vitamin E (tocopherol).

Josh Hervall is a proud parent and environmental blogger. He supplies this article for www.naturalmat.co.uk, UK-based organic baby products specialists.

The world of children’s clothing is a competitive one with designer labels, ethical brands, high street favourites and the big supermarket chains all offering collections at varying price points. It is difficult to imagine any corner of this market which has yet to be explored and I am sure there isn’t one but new brands are still appearing all the time. It has to be said that there has never been such an amazing choice in kids clothes and whether your primary concern is cost, helping the environment or designer style you won’t have to look very far to find what you want.

Children’s fashion is now so high profile that kids have their own fashion week complete with catwalk shows and there are numerous blogs keeping tabs on what celebrity kids are wearing. It is into this challenging market that new labels have to thrust themselves and here are three which have launched in the last few months.

Nutmeg

With the huge success of the low cost children’s clothing ranges available at Tesco and Asda it was inevitable that eventually rivals Morrisons would seek to follow suit. The supermarket has now launched Nutmeg a diverse collection of practical but, it has to be said, colourful and contemporary designs with over 500 different styles to choose from. The emphasis in producing the range has been on practicality with easy fastenings for baby and toddler clothes and soft but durable fabrics for the older kids. Pretty much everything on offer is £10 or less and Morrisons should grab a good share of the market with Nutmeg.

Little Bird

This collection is the brainchild of model turned fashion designer Jools Oliver, wife of TV chef Jamie. The range is exclusively available at Mothercare who are seeking to repeat the success they had with a collection designed by celebrity Myleene Klass in 2007. The emphasis here is on quality at a reasonable price the very values that parents associate with the Mothercare brand. Jools herself describes the clothes as having been inspired by her own childhood memories and there is certainly a classical flavour to the garments and a colourful playfulness that kids will enjoy as much as their parents.

Indikidual

For a start I would say that this company have chosen a splendid name which manages to say exactly what they do in one word that is memorable. The twist with this new range is that the pieces are unisex and the traditional boundaries of colour have been abandoned in favour of funky primary colours and simple lines that that suit both boys and girls. The Indikidual garments are highly practical and designed to be layered. All of the mix and match pieces are fashioned from organic cotton and the price point is reasonable although higher than Little Bird and Nutmeg. The ranges within the collection are named for the nicknames of the kids who inspired the owners to launch the label.

Choices

There was an amazing choice of children’s clothes to explore before these new ranges arrived on the block but they all have much to recommend them and I am sure they will claim many fans before too long.

Sally Stacey is a keen blogger who writes on a number of interesting topics. Check out her profile on Google+

While many new mothers may like to stay home and tend to their babies, most need to return to work in some fashion. Busy professional moms who work outside the home often find that they need to bring work home from the office. Other entrepreneurial types have either begun or plan to start a business.

From the moment a woman becomes pregnant, her world begins to change. For instance, once baby is on the way, the extra room in the house that was used as an office may become the nursery. When that is the case, finding a suitable spot at home to work comfortably can be challenging. However, below are some tips on how expectant mothers who work from home or have home offices can prepare their work environments for baby’s arrival.

Make a Schedule

Few people realize how having an infant changes how they live and what they do. It is easy to imagine what it is like to have another human being to care for, but few actually understand it until it happens. While nothing is set in stone, particularly when it comes to babies – making an outline of what a typical day may be like will go a long way toward designing a comfortable home work life.

Use a Baby Playard

A baby playard is a necessity that no mother can really do without. Kind of like a little portable house for baby, not only is it a fun and safe space, but it allows mothers to do everything from chores to office work and even just take a break. One of the best things about playards is that they serve so many functions.

Baby playards entertain and educate with activity centers, while also providing a place for naps. Detachable bassinets often double as a bouncer or car seat. With a changing table and storage areas, playards are like a fully portable oasis that can be moved from room to room and taken outside, to the office, or on trips away from home.

Organize Your Space 

Treat the home office like a living and breathing experiment. Keep work areas tidy to avoid additional distractions. Moms will find that there are plenty of interruptions already, so staying organized is the best way to manage any work at home situation. As baby’s needs change, the home office will most likely need to adjust as well. Being flexible is the best way to deal with all of the necessary changes.

Within Arms Reach

Use walls as storage for essential things like files, books and supplies. Also keep baby items nearby, including extra diapers, pacifiers, toys and bottles if needed. Time is of the essence as a mother, so the less of it that is wasted, the less stress for mom. Remember that babies can get fussy and agitated when they sense that their mom is stressed out. Also nearby should be baby, to avoid having to run up and down stairs or to other rooms. Using a baby playard is one of the best ways to keep them safely close by. It also houses most all of the essentials needed to entertain and tend to your young one.

Even mothers who had an office before they gave birth will find it necessary to make adjustments to their home working environments. Above are just some of the ways that mothers can make working at home more pleasant, while still attending to their most important job – motherhood. 

Self-employed and mother to 4, Lisa Coleman offers some tips that would be beneficial for any new mom or mother-to-be on ways to help transition a home office environment into part nursery. The things she has found most helpful while trying to work was having the baby in a nearby playard, sticking to a daily schedule, and keeping the office space well organized. Though working moms must be flexible, sticking to these tips helps to reduce any added stress that might otherwise happen.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalinn/8365144476/

By the time a prospective mother gets to their ninth month, the anticipation of the new baby’s arrival can be replaced with fatigue and possibly worry. Working mothers in particular find that juggling a marriage and family is taxing enough, without having to think about the baby that is on the way. Nonetheless, preparation is the best medicine to make everything go as smoothly as possible after baby’s arrival. The below constitutes some essentials that mothers expecting new babies should consider having to make motherhood less stressful.

ACCESSORIES

• Baby Bouncers- A bouncer for baby can offer a safe place for them to sit in any room or space, while providing one of the most comforting, as well as stimulating places. The gentle rocking motion both calms and invigorates the child as they learn to interact with others in their environment. Most types also come with built in activity centers to entertain babies for hours.

• Combination Strollers- These kinds of strollers can be used as a transporting device that transforms into essential car, booster and certified airline seats.

CLOTHING

• Baby Clothing Extenders- Babies usually grow faster than parents ever expect. Before you know it, it is time to buy new clothes for them. This is why baby clothes extenders are so useful. It is also a more economical solution than buying new clothes right at the point that they outgrow what they have been wearing. Extenders are also great to use when heavier night diapers take up more space in the infant’s clothes.

• Nursing Covers- They are not only essential for mothers who breastfeed, but they can also double as a shoulder blanket, which many new mothers find they can never have enough of.

GADGETS

• Baby Care Timer- Because they are made to be put in the pocket, these can be indispensable for new mothers. Often distracted by lack of sleep, it is easy for new moms to get off track. Because it is portable, these timers may be taken anywhere. They may also be used by care givers when mom takes a break.

• Lullaby Machines- These are great to soothe both babies and moms. In fact, there are similar personal models made for adult use. For babies, they can be essential in helping get them into an eased state to fall asleep more quickly. There are also stuffed animals with audible soothing sounds that are comforting and portable too. These are not only great for use at home, but also on the go, particularly when taking extended visits elsewhere.

• Pacifiers- Some are naturally designed pacifiers and are used by mothers to soothe fussy babies in between feedings. The new models mimic natural nipples making them more comforting for babies.

• Baby Monitors- These can offer peace of mind for parents as they transition to moving newborns into their own rooms. These portable devices can be taken around the house or any other environment so that parents can be alerted should the baby become restless and need attention.

The above mentioned are just a few of the items that prospective moms might consider getting during their last few months of pregnancy. Also, these are items that would make good shower gifts for the mom-to-be, or thoughtful gifts to consider getting for the mom that recently gave birth coming home from the hospital. Any of the above would certainly help a new mother ease into motherhood and help for a more stress free experience. 

With many nieces and nephews and mother to four of her own, Lisa Coleman writes to help mothers-to-be remember some of those last minute items that might be overlooked that will help. She has found the bouncer for baby and baby monitor to be the most useful when trying to accomplish tasks around the house, but the pacifier to be the most helpful when trying to soothe baby.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meaganjean/3755981125/

Spring, with its beautiful weather is a favorite time of year for many–and kids are no exception. Here are a few different ways to get your kids away from the TV and video games and experience all the joys of spring.

Back-to-Nature Activities

There is no better time than spring for you and your kids to experience nature at its finest. If you happen to live near the coast, a trip to the beach can be a lot of fun. Even if the water hasn’t warmed up enough for swimming, walking along the water’s edge, wading and looking for seashells is an option. Hiking is another great way to experience nature and a nature scavenger hunt can make a hike even more intriguing for kids.

Creative Spring Crafting

After a nature scavenger hunt, why not have your kids create a collage from the items they collected along the way. Pressing flowers is another great idea for bringing out your children’s creativity.

Spring Cleaning Fun

Although spring cleaning and kids may not seem to go together, getting them involved with helping can actually be a lot of fun. Making cleaning solutions out of natural ingredients is a good way to raise your children’s environmental awareness. Spring is a time for new beginnings. Motivate your children to get rid of toys they no longer need. Gather up all these items for a garage sale. Even better–show your kids how good it feels to donate their toys and outgrown clothing to charity.

Make it a Healthy Spring

Spring is the perfect time for getting back in shape. Getting your kids involved in sports such as soccer, track, or baseball is a fun way to get them moving. If team sports is not their thing they might enjoy taking regular walks or riding their bikes through the neighborhood.

Spring Activities for the Whole Family

When the weather is nice, there’s no excuse for not getting out and doing things as a family, such as going to the zoo, an amusement park or a baseball game. A trip to the local farmer’s market is another great option. Spring is the perfect time for a camping trip, which can be as easy as setting up a tent in your own backyard.

Community Projects

Getting your children involved in helping the community can be very rewarding, whether it’s picking up trash in your neighborhood, volunteering to mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn or washing their car. How about encouraging your kids to participate in a walkathon to raise money for charity?

Educational Activities

Who says learning has to always take place inside a school room? Whether it’s enjoying a book under a tree, identifying different types of birds and insects, or planting a vegetable garden and watching it grow, the great outdoors makes the perfect classroom.

Simply Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Outdoor activities can be as simple as playing a good old fashioned game of hopscotch or tag in the yard. providing your kids with sidewalk chalk or finger paint and large sheets of paper will keep them busy for hours. Being outside will make clean-up easy. if the weather is warm enough let the kids play with the hose, run through the sprinkler, or play games with water balloons.

Indoor Ideas for a Rainy Day

On those rainy days when you’re stuck inside there are still plenty of things to do. Try a sponge garden for a fun indoor gardening experience, or look on the internet for all kinds of spring-related science experiments and games. There’s no end to all the fun activities that spring can bring.

Citations:

• Photo taken from Flick with CC license. Author: pixel8 (RCRD)

Ben Sawyer recently moved from Atlanta to New York with his wife and two kids. Since he is new in NYC, he started to discover possibilities for great outdoor activities he and his wife can have with their kids during the spring. Ben is currently working as an content contributor for ArverneByTheSea real estate project, often writing about advantages of living in oceanfront community where he bought a house.

Many parents assume that the baby products they buy are completely safe.  I mean, who in their right mind would create products that are unsafe for babies?  That would be inhumane, right?  Well for some manufacturers, the question is not about safety, it’s about profit.  And unfortunately, it is our children who pay the ultimate consequence.   The nursery is supposed to be a safe haven for your baby to grow and blossom, so if you could take measures to make your nursery completely safe, would you?

Toxins:  Not to sound like Debbie Downer, but the scariest things in the nursery are what you actually cannot see or smell.  Like most products, preservatives and chemicals are used to increase the shelf life of products.  The average person frequently comes in contact with these toxins on a daily basis.  However, a new baby is extremely sensitive to the environment and the chemical exposure could have adverse affects that are detrimental to your baby’s health.  Here are some examples of toxins in your nursery that can harm your new baby:

• Paint: Best way to change the look of your nursery, but full of harmful toxins.  Most paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that have been known to cause cancers, organ damage, damage to the central nervous system and cause irritation to eyes/throat and headaches.  Even after the paint has dried, it will vaporize and emit half of its VOCs within the first year.  The best solution is to use low or no VOC paint, or let your nursery air out for several months before you bring baby home.
• Crib Mattress:  Perhaps the most dangerous item above all.  Crib mattresses often contain chemicals like Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane foam, that is used for waterproofing, filling, and as a flame retardant to comply with federal standards.  Health risks may include Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), cancer, asthma, early onset puberty, immune suppression, allergies and more.  Opt for organic crib mattresses or wrap your current mattress with food-grade polyethylene plastic.
• Linens & Things: Most manufactured fabrics will contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, pesticides, flame-retardants and harmful dyes to preserve color and shelf life.  Exposure to these toxins can cause cancer, allergies, asthma and more.  The best thing to do is to buy baby bedding and clothing that is made from 100% certified organic cotton or wash your linens 2-3 times with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergent.
• Bisphenol A (BPA):  You may see the term “BPA-free” on my plastic items these days.  That’s because Bisphenol A is an organic chemical compound found in most plastics that release hormone-like properties, leading to early onset puberty.  The chemical also can disrupt the endocrine system, cause cancers, brain tumors, neurological issues and more.  Your best bet is to buy products made from untreated wood, paper, glass, stainless steel and anything other plastic that is BPA-free.

Eco-friendly: Being good to the environment is not merely an act of kindness.  With the rapid depletion in resources and increasing pollution, people are causing Global Warming and single handedly destroying the environment.  Most of us are dependent on the convenience of manufactured products, but the underlying fact is that everything we buy in mass scales are hurting Mother Nature.  We do need to use resources in order to survive, but I truly believe the combination of buying products from sustainable resources, along recycling and repurposing, will help save our Earth.

• Eco-Friendly Baby Furniture: A new wave of eco-friendly baby cribs is entering nurseries all over the world.  Many well known brand names have adopted the eco-friendly concept of manufacturing baby furniture using wood that is harvested from sustainable forests.  Which means that new trees are replanted the moment the previous batch is harvested.  A careful method ensures that the harvesting rate doesn’t surpass its regeneration capacity, while taking extensive measures to preserve the environment.
• Plants: I probably don’t need to remind you that the most important purpose of having trees and plants is not for the wood, but for the oxygen that is emitted.  Plants also help balance indoor humidity and absorb pollutants, so don’t waste your money on an expensive air filter and get air purifying plants that are non toxic when ingested.

Author Bio

Hi!  My name is Chantal Maddocks and I’m a blogger and full-time mommy.  With my beautiful family of four, I am always looking for new and creative ways to save money.  My husband, 2 year old and 10 month old daughters, are my world, and if there are ways to make my life easier so I can be with them, I am all ears!  I invite you to visit my blog at blog.simplybabyfurniture.com for helpful pregnancy, parenting and nursery design tips.  Happy Blogging!