Detox your child/s bedroom
DETOX YOUR CHILD’S BEDROOM:
ELECTRONICS- Keep electronics on the opposite side of the bedroom or as far away from the child’s head as possible. Anything you plug into the wall will release an electric current so distance is key. Diffusers, heaters and baby monitors.
BABY MONITORS- If you have a baby monitor please consider removing it all together or at least as far away as possible from the baby. Remove cameras near the cot or on cot and do not use devices on the baby, especially if operated with WIFI or Bluetooth. I understand parents needs for these devices, especially if there is a medical condition, however consider placing the monitor just outside the door so you can still hear your baby if they need you or position a camera on the other side of the room so you can still your baby but there is a distance away from the device. Keep the parent unit away from your head too, ideally on the other side of the room.
DUST- Keeping rooms as dust free as possible, especially pulling out furniture and getting in and behind things for a really deep clean and checking for mould. Stuffed toys sitting on a shelf also harbour dust and possible dust mites, so I often give them all a good clean in the washing machine every few months. An air purifier is a great investment to help control and trap dust, ensure it has a HEPA filter which often contains dead skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, bacteria, dead bugs, pollen, microplastics and pesticides.
BEDDING- Babies sleep in their beds longer and more often, so babies mattresses also need airing in the sun ideally and outside ideally. A great habit is when baby wakes up, place the blankets over the side of the cot to allow them and the mattress to dry out. Basinet mattresses can also be turned on their sides to air out in between naps. Mattresses ideally should be organic or made out of natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, wool coir or rubber (latex) So if you are looking to invest in a new mattress definitely consider something like this. Mattresses are SUPER toxic and can take years to off gas along with sheets, doonas and pillows they to should be made of natural fibers like cotton, latex, linen, silk, bamboo or hemp. Silk is naturally dust mite resistant. Definitely consider organic to avoid pesticides and harmful azo dyes. PVC mattress protectors also need to go because they leach phalates which have estrogen like effects or hormone mimicking chemicals. Try to always buy Australian made as products from other countries may contain formaldehyde and fumigants. When making your bed each day, pull the doona and blankets back to allow the bed to air and dry. Avoid laundry products that contain fragrances, optical brighteners and fabric softeners.
FRESH AIR- In the morning opening windows and allow fresh air to fill the room everyday.
TOYS- Minimising the amount of toys children have in their room as most toys are plastic and synthetic and are constantly off gassing. Toys can also contain things like Azo dyes, cadmium, ink, paint, BPA, phalates in plastics, and flame retardants in plastic and soft toys. Avoid toys from cheap $2 shops as these toys are not safety standard tested and often contain very harmful ingredients. Australian Standards still allow for low levels of lead to be in children’s toys. Major toy brands however invest heavily to ensure their products meet compliance. Always wash a new stuffed toys and place them in the sun before giving it to a child or baby as a bare minimum one wash. Ideally you can wash several times air outside to help release any VOC’s (Volatile organic compounds). Avoid baby toys with PVC as they contain plasticizers which can disrupt hormones. Antique and imported toys can be tested using a lead testing kit from hardware shops. Stuffed toys that contain foam are likely to contain flame retardants, formaldehyde and dyes. Second hand is a good option as they have had the opportunity to off gas.
