From toxic toys made in China to the dangerous additives in vaccinations, the health and safety of children should always be a priority when raising a family. Parents today need to make informed decisions when faced with choices. Let’s look at the issue of using disposable diapers as an example.
What type of diapering to use is one of the most important decisions parents need to make for their toddlers who can be in diapers around the clock for up to two years or more. Although few people seem to question the use of disposable diapers, research indicates that there is cause for concern. A report by the Archives of Environmental Health indicates that disposable diapers may actually be toxic affecting the children who wear them. The report indicates that the chemical emissions from disposable diapers may trigger asthma and respiratory problems.
Using rats to assess breathing patterns, they tested the emissions of three different brands of clean disposable diapers and compared it to the emissions of clean cloth diapers. The report showed that rats exposed to the disposable diapers ended up with serious respiratory problems while those exposed to cloth diapers only had slight changes in respiration. Anderson RC, Anderson JH. Acute respiratory effects of diaper emissions. Arch Envir Health 1999; 54 (5): 353-8
Decisions about what diapering product to use should not be taken lightly. Mindful parenting is the key to ensuring that children have the best start in life possible. The use of organic cloth diapers has also been proven to be more cost effective and healthier for the average consumer. For more great information on natural and holistic health strategies for your child visit the site www.holisticmoms.org.
For those living in San Diego County, there is also a fabulous group called the Holistic Mom’s Network forming in San Diego. If you are interested in meeting more parents who embrace a natural and health lifestyle, give our office a call to find out more about how you can get involved. If you live outside of San Diego, we encourage you to look for a holistic parenting group in your area or consider starting one. Just think how rewarding it would be!