New To Parenthood? Wondering How To Keep Your Baby Safe?

It’s your baby by Dr Saroja Balan covers the basics like sleep and breastfeeding and includes essential, up-to-date information on vaccines and Covid 19. An excerpt on how to keep your baby safe:

Babies born in recent times are more exposed to toxins from different sources than any other generation in recent history. And with technological advancement, these babies are going to live longer, exposing them further. These toxins can be present in the air or ingested through food and water. Babies are more prone to pollution because of certain features that are unique to them.

* They breathe faster than adults, hence they shift more air. So they are exposed to more air pollutants like second-hand smoke, carbon monoxide and industrial chemicals.

* For their body weight, they drink more fluids. So, if our water source is contaminated, they are more exposed to the chemicals.

* In the first year of their life, babies are constantly putting everything in their mouth. This exposes them to chemicals such as lead.

* For their body weight, they eat more food than adults. Therefore, contaminated food affects them more.

* Their body surface area is larger than an adult. So, the skin absorbs more toxins as there is more surface for absorption.

* Unborn foetuses exposed to toxins can have problems with organ formation. Let’s look at some of these toxins that occur naturally, and those that are man-made.

Naturally occurring toxins:

* Lead

* Mercury

* Radon

* Formaldehyde

* Benzene

* Cadmium

Man-made toxins:

* Bisphenol A (BPA)

* Phthalates

* Pesticides

Many of these:

* cause cancer (benzene, radon and formaldehyde)

* act as endocrine disruptors (BPA, pesticides, phthalates)

* cause organ failure or developmental problems (lead, mercury or cadmium)

Lead

Most people are aware of lead poisoning and aware of the sources of lead, like old lead pipes and lead paint.

Cadmium toxicity

Cadmium is a toxic non-essential transition metal that poses a health risk for humans as well as animals. It is naturally occurring in the environment as a pollutant that is derived from industrial and agricultural sources. Industrially, it is best known for its use in electroplating and production of nickel-cadmium batteries. You can be exposed to cadium mainly by consuming contaminated food and water and also through cigarette smoking. Cadium can accumulate in both animals and plants and has a very long half life of 25 years. Occupational and environmental exposure to cadmium can lead to various cancers, involving lungs, breast and kidney, and osteoporosis in adults .

Mercury

This is a heavy metal that is present naturally in the environment (soil, minerals and fossil fuel). This exists in 3 forms.

* Elemental (thermometers, dental fillings)

* Inorganic (batteries, disinfectants)

* Organic (methyl mercury in fish, pesticides, fungicides,insecticides) Mercury can be introduced into the food supply in a variety of ways, most commonly as a by-product of pollution. Burning fossil fuel and mining (mercury is used to extract gold) can emit inorganic mercury vapour into the air. This mercury floats around and finally enters into our water systems. In water, it is converted to its organic form, methyl mercury, by microorganisms. The greatest risk of mercury poisoning comes from the mercury that is in our diet.

It can also come from the following:

* Livestock that has been fed fishmeal

* Plants grown in water contaminated with mercury

* Foods stored in pottery with mercury-based paint. The older the piece, the more chances of it having both lead and cadmium. Mercury is used in paint as it’s a fungicide as well as an antibacterial. All paints have some mercury and unfortunately, here in India, they don’t have any body to regulate the level of toxins in our everyday household cleaners and paints.

* Duck eggs

* Pesticides

* Fish oil

Mercury accumulates in the tissues of both humans and fish. Larger fish have more mercury as they eat more and live longer. Farmed fish has less mercury because they have a shorter life span. Cooking and cleaning fish does not help to get rid of mercury. High mercury levels in pregnant women can cause irreversible damage to the foetus. Mercury poisoning has been linked to problems in the nervous system and kidneys. The body can eliminate mercury with the help of fruits and vegetables and non-contaminated omega3s, such as:

* Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, and others like garlic, onions, leeks, avocados and asparagus

* Fruits like watermelon

* Nuts like walnuts, cashews

* Coconut

* Seeds like flax and chia

* Wholegrains like oats and lentils

Endocrine Disruptors

These include a wide range of substances that are natural or manmade that may interfere with body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, neurological and immune effects. They mimic oestrogen and are found in many everyday products:

* Plastic bottles and containers

* Food can liners

* Detergents

* Flame-retardants

* Toys

* Cosmetics

* Pesticides

The most potentially dangerous ones are BPA, phthalates and pesticides.

These endocrine disruptors pose the greatest risk during the prenatal and early postnatal life.

BPA

BPA is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are used in food and drink packaging, water and baby bottles, bottle tops and water supply pipes. Low-dose exposure can lead to obesity, aggressive behaviour, early onset of puberty, hormone-dependent cancers like breast and prostrate and low sperm count. This chemical leaches out of plastic into food and water when containers are stressed (from heating or using a dishwasher with high-temperature settings). The highest levels of these compounds are usually seen in infants. Canada has been the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance. You can reduce BPA exposure by:

* Minimising the use of plastic containers that have ‘#7’ and ‘#3’on the bottom

* Not heating food in plastic containers in the microwave

* Using glass or steel containers

* Using BPA-free baby bottles

* Eating less canned foods

* Using glass or porcelain to warm and serve food

Pthalates

This is the second big group of endocrine disruptors and animal carcinogens. Phthalates are found in plastic cooking wrap, shampoos, diaper rash creams and even toys. These compounds are absorbed through both the skin and the intestine and is finally excreted through urine.

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So please always read labels when you buy plastic toys to ensure they are phthalate free – especially teethers. Don’t use plastic lids and wraps when warming food in the microwave.

Air Pollution

Children face a special risk from air pollution because their lungs are growing, they are extremely active and they breathe in a great deal of air.

Most of the lung growth happens after your baby is born and lung development carries on till adulthood. The air sacs or alveoli develop mainly after birth. This is where the air exchange happens and oxygen moves into the blood to be carried to the tissues. Since the immune system is still developing in young children, they are also more prone to frequent upper respiratory infections. Little children are also outdoors more often and hence inhale more polluted outdoor air.

There are studies linking air pollution and preterm births. Studies have linked prolonged exposure to air pollutants to reduced lung growth which may never recover to its full capacity. Air pollution also leads to more episodes of chronic cough, common cold and conjunctival symptoms.

Excerpted with permission from It’s Your Baby by Dr Saroja Balan, published by HarperCollins India.

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