Decreasing Your Child's Asthma Risk: The First Few Months of Life
Bringing home a new baby is a great joy. As a parent, you want the best for your child in terms of protection. From car seats and safeguarding from loud noises, to purchasing organic foods, your priority is giving your baby the best possible start in life. However, with all the beautiful experiences that come with caring for a baby, there are also stressful times such as sleepless nights and balancing responsibilities. During those times, keeping the house clean is also a priority, although it might seem like an afterthought. However, there may be dangers lurking for babies in our home cleaning products. According to an article published on U.S. News & World Report, there is a link between infant exposure to household cleaning agents and the later development of asthma.
Why is it dangerous?
The article indicates that because babies spend more time indoors and have significant contact with household surfaces, they are at a higher risk from the adverse impacts of these chemicals. The side effects have shown a connection to young children developing asthma due to the damage caused to the respiratory lining as infants.
What are the dangers?
- Exposure – Infants who had the highest levels of exposure to cleaning products had a 37% greater chance of developing asthma by age 3, and a 35% greater chance of developing wheezing by age 3.
- Product Type – The products that presented the most considerable risk of wheezing and asthma were those that were scented and sprayed.
How can you keep your baby safe?
The research recommends that parents choose products that are scent-free and only sprayed when there is good ventilation during cleaning. In addition, Eartheasy offers several healthy home cleaning tips to help parents minimize a baby's exposure to harm that is not solely related to product usage, but can limit exposure to allergens which can also be triggers. Here are some suggestions when cleaning:
- Use gentle or homemade cleaning products
- Exchange indoor air
- Minimize dust
- Clean up after pets
- Keep pets out of bedrooms
Having a clean house and making sure it is not a danger to your child’s health should be part of wanting the best for your baby. By taking some small steps, your home can be both sanitized and safe for your little one. Contact us for more information.
