Air pollution is a problem that has existed for several decades that do not seem to end. Instead, with every year that passes, air pollution only worsens due to an increase in the use of cars, trucks, the release of chemicals in factories, bursting firecrackers, and more.
While everyone is susceptible to the dangers of air pollution, it is the most harmful for newborn babies.
This article consists of ten effective tips and methods that will help protect your little one from air pollution. To know more, keep reading.
Ten Effective Methods To Protect Your Baby
Let us look closely at the methods you can easily use and apply to protect your baby –
1. Make sure your baby stays indoors
An obvious but safe method is to have your children spend time indoors, especially during those days when the AQI levels are off the charts, or there is too much smog. While playing outdoors has its advantages, staying indoors and playing some games in the house can help them grow and develop.
2. Make your baby wear a light cloth mask whenever you take them out
Suppose you find your baby throwing a bit of a temper tantrum and truly wishing you to take them out. In such a situation, you can put on a light cloth mask. A helpful product would be an “air mask” that protects them from harmful air pollutants to a certain extent. Since they are made of cotton, they will also be comfortable and breathable for the baby.
3. Switch to safer cooking alternatives
Did you know that cooking can cause pollution in your homes? Especially when you use old school techniques to prepare food. Cooking on a stove using natural gas can release chemicals such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, etc., that are not just harmful to your baby but every living being in your home. Moreover, cooking using heating oils and fats at high temperatures are equally risky.
You can avoid making this mistake is by ensuring that your kitchen is properly ventilated. You may also switch to stoves that do not release too many harmful chemicals.
4. Avoid using scented products around your babies
Since your babies have fragile lungs, they will not take the fragrance of scented products such as perfumes, candles, diffusers, and other such products. On the contrary, exposing babies to such products can hamper the growth and development of their lungs and breathing processes as they contain aerosol.
5. Continue to breastfeed your baby
Breastfeeding provides all the necessary nutrients that your baby needs for their development. They contain antibodies that help fight off viral infections in their immunity system.
Moreover, if you can successfully breastfeed your babies without any formula, there is a strong possibility that your baby will develop lesser respiratory problems when they grow up.
6. Avoid active and passive smoking around your little ones
This tip is yet another obvious tip that you must keep in mind at all times! Whenever you are around your babies, please ensure that there are absolutely no traces of cigarette smoke on and around you.
You might associate with smokers at times even though you are not a smoker. However, you are still indulging in passive smoking, and you are carrying contaminants of the same cigarette on your clothes.
7. Invest in an air purifier
While investing in an air purifier can be expensive for most people, it is worth it if you can afford it without much hassle. As the name suggests, air purifiers keep the air in your homes clean and purified through mechanical sanitization processes.
Air purifiers have become seemingly popular in recent times due to high levels of air pollution. Some air purifiers may even significantly help eliminate air pollutants that can cause airborne diseases!
8. Plan carpools whenever possible
Carpools are an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. When fewer cars are on the roads, you automatically curb the carbon being released into the air. As a result, you do your bit to promote cleaner air for your baby to breathe.
If you wonder how you alone can make a difference, you should not doubt yourself. Instead, you must encourage others to follow the same method and promote a better, greener environment for future generations to follow.
Sometimes, you do not need cars to travel short distances. It is better to walk the distance and come back in such cases. Not only are you promoting a healthier environment, but you are also improving your health and fitness levels.
9. Be mindful of basic hygiene in your home
In addition to the sixth method, whenever you find yourself in a situation where you feel you have contaminants on you, you must clean yourself up before being anywhere around the baby.
Some basic yet mindful hygiene practices involve having clean hands, good odour, and fresh clothes near an infant. In turn, this helps your little one feel more comfortable and less irritated with unfamiliar fragrances.
10. Keep your indoor surroundings neat and clean
Last but not least, ensure your home is free of dust, pollen, and any form of dirt. You can install curtains made of heavy cloth that act as a protective barrier from outside dirt entering your house.
You can also use paint that does not contain too many harsh chemicals, which can emit toxic fumes, as this will have a similar impact as breathing toxic air.
The Final Takeaway
To tackle air pollution may seem tougher than reading about how to tackle and live with it. However, these abovementioned tips are a safe and practical way to protect your babies from the harmful side effects of air pollution. Moreover, they help you prevent contributing to this problem.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or advice that the readers can benefit from, kindly mention them in the comments section below.
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