The nine months that a woman grows a tiny human inside of her is an exciting time, but it’s also an important time to live as healthy as possible. One of the best things that you can do for your unborn baby is to avoid toxins and chemicals during pregnancy. Chemicals are all around us every single day, but wouldn’t it be nice to prolong the time your baby is not exposed to them for as long as possible?
Chemicals that have been linked to pregnancy and birth issues include pesticides, phthalates, triclosan, aluminum, and bisphenol A. An unborn baby’s health is totally dependent upon the mother’s health, so there’s a lot you can do right now to make his or her world a safer and healthier place. So here are a few tips for keeping chemicals away from your new baby girl or boy as much as possible.
Eat Organic Foods
To avoid as many pesticides as possible, choose organic foods whenever you can. This goes for fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat, so understand the source of your food and how it’s raised before you buy. Also, choose fresh instead of canned or frozen foods to bypass unnecessary preservatives in your meals.
Avoid Chemical Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are one of the biggest culprits of chemicals in the home. Read the labels for any commercial cleaning products you buy, and choose all-natural versions of products you use, like our Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner. This is a natural approach to washing away germs without the use of chemicals or other harmful ingredients, and its’ even safe to use on the baby’s crib and toys after birth. Also, check out our recent article, “DIY Natural Cleaning Product Recipes You Can Make at Home.”
Reevaluate Your Personal Care Products
Cosmetics and toiletries are often packed with chemicals, but you don’t need these types of products to maintain your hygiene and feel beautiful. When you shop for shampoo, soap, lip balm, lotion, and creams, check the label for chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and triclosan. Instead, choose products like Seagate Smooth Skin, which is a therapeutic skin ointment rich in Omega 3 fatty acids blended with extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, natural vitamin E, and vanilla oil.
Modify Your Beauty Treatments
Similarly, some professional beauty treatments pose serious risks to expectant mothers as well. Steer clear of hair dye, which is often loaded with unnatural chemicals, during pregnancy and let your natural color shine through. If you must color, wait until the second trimester and use ammonia-free dyes that are naturally based.
Stay Away from Synthetic Fragrances
Lots of personal care, laundry detergents, and household products are made with synthetic fragrance. Look for products that are fragrance-free because you never quite know what chemicals are contained in “fragrance.” For example, many fragrances contain phthalates that can cause reproductive and developmental harm.
Control Pests Without Pesticides
Pesticides are packed with toxins to kill insects and rodents, but those same ingredients pose serious risks to human health – especially fragile humans like unborn and newborn babies. Use natural alternatives to control pests around the home, and take your shoes off before entering the home so you don’t bring lawn pesticides in from the outside.
Hydrate with BPA-Free Water Bottles
Plastics can be harmful to a developing baby and mother because they are known to disrupt hormones. BPA is commonly found in everything from water bottles to cash register receipts and canned foods. It’s impossible to get away from it entirely, but limit your exposure when possible.
Don’t Paint the Nursery
Painting the nursery is a common checklist item to do before a new baby is born. However, paint contains toxic fumes, so pregnant women should stay far away during the painting process and while the paint dries. For the friends or family members you enlist to do the job, have them paint with a low-toxic, non-VOC paint and prop the windows open for good ventilation.