If you suffer with allergies and having a baby soon, then you might be concerned about passing this along to the newborn. Most parents want to pass along their best traits and features, not issues like allergies.

The sneezing, coughing, headaches, runny nose, itchy eyes, and irritability are nothing I ever wanted to pass along. But, unfortunately, I did.

It’s bad enough for adults, who can understand exactly what it is that is happening, but with an infant it can lead to more irritability.

The concern you have is reasonable. As an adult, you can use most hay fever treatments. However, your infant cannot.

I read a quote that made me realize that I need to do some research on my own. That quote is “Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord”. – Plutarch

I am going to share what I found. These ideas work for anyone, even those who do not have allergies.

Bedding

When you are preparing the nursery, think about using crib sheets and blankets made of organic cotton. Traditional cotton has been processed with chemicals, and can be harmful. Think about how often your little baby will be in that crib.

Also, hypoallergenic mattresses are available, and work well in creating a healthy atmosphere.

I like to use air purifiers in our bedrooms, because that is where we spend a lot of time, just breathing…breathing in air. So, you want it to be fresh and clean. It also doubles as a ‘white noise’ maker, which is great for napping during the day. When using these, I found I didn’t have to be quiet while they napped.

Organic Baby Food

Of course it will be a while before your infant will eat solids, but knowing what you want to do ahead of that time is a good idea, so you can prepare. I remember the first time I thought I should try solids with my youngest. I thought it would help with sleeping through the night better, after a couple rough nights, but I didn’t have any in the house.

I don’t think anyone could reasonably argue that organic food tends to be healthier, because there are no chemicals, or synthetic pesticides used on them.

Organic baby foods can either be bought from the store, or you can put your apron on and make your own. I prefer to make my own, so I have even more control over what goes into my child’s mouth. There are many websites with recipes, and instructions to help you with this.

If you are undecided if you want to go with organic foods, consider that a baby eats more fruits and vegetables than an adult does, as far as percentage of food intake. And, non-organic fruits and vegetables are sprayed with fertilizers and pesticides.

Also, studies are out that show organic foods tend to be higher in nutritional levels than non-organic foods. Regardless, I knew I didn’t want pesticides going into my little bundle of joy.

There is also the consideration of food allergies. I know that when I was switching to solid food for my children, the pediatrician wanted me to try one new item at a time, for about 3 days in a row. That way, if there was a reaction, we immediately knew what it is.

But, that put enough fear in me to realize that I wanted to avoid all common allergies for a long time. I didn’t want to chance it with them, because as I mentioned earlier, an infant cannot typically use allergic rhinitis remedies, as an adult can.

Toys for the Toy Chest

The last area I want to share with you is toys.

Many toys, even for infants, have some toxins and chemicals within them, through either the plastic parts or the paints. These are the same items that will eventually find their way to your child’s mouth, which is like a magnet for all things.

This is why I thought it was important to stock our kid’s toy chest with organic toys. If you are not sure what types of toys would be available in a non-organic form, take a look:

·         Rattles
·         Teething toys
·         Bath toys
·         Building blocks
·         Sand box toys
·         Car
·         Crayons
·         Chalk
·         Dolls
·         Puppets

When I first started looking into organic, I was surprised at how many toys you can get that are free of chemicals and toxins. If you search on the Internet, you will see these, as well as where you can find them.

I certainly hope I was able to help you with your decision, and give you some ideas to make it an easier choice for you and your new baby.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Living in Texas, Melissa Cameron enjoys her career as a freelance writer. The topics she often writes about are those that have helped her family, such as allergies and saving money. She and her husband are the proud parents of two young children. When she is not working, or playing with the family, she is searching for new ideas to share.

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