New parent? Congratulations! As you may have realized, having a baby is a new and exciting world and there are tons of information and resources out there. Sure, you’ve got the car seat, the crib, the top of the line stroller on your list, but have you thought about your air or water filtration?
September is Baby Safety Month, so we’ve scoured the web to compile as much information as we could to help you make smart choices for you and your baby.
Water
Drinking
Water is vital to a child’s health and development. Whether your child is breastfeeding, on formula, or doing a combination of the two, it’s important to ensure that the water that you and your baby are drinking is filtered and clean.
Is tap water safe for babies?
While tap water is “technically” safe, there are three chemicals that tap water can contain that are not safe for babies.
Fluoride:
Fluoride is added to 75% of municipal water supplies in the United States. If babies consume too much fluoride, they can start to develop streaks on their teeth which is called enamel fluorosis. It is best to always use FILTERED water (make sure your filter removes or reduces fluoride, lead, and nitrates) when mixing formula or giving them water to drink.
Lead:
Lead is one of the most serious toxins out there and is present in water where lead pipes have corroded. Pipe corrosion is more likely to occur when water has high acidity and low mineral content. Houses built before 1986 will most likely have lead pipes. Children who are exposed to lead have been associated with low cognitive function, lower IQ and increased attention-related behavioral problems. Boiling water will only increase the prevalence of it, so please make sure that you have proper filtration device that removes lead if there is a possibility of lead water.
Nitrates:
Infants who drink water with high levels of nitrates may develop serious health conditions. Nitrates are a common groundwater contaminant in rural areas. Babies who are exposed can develop a condition called methemoglobinemia, also known as blue baby syndrome. Low levels of nitrates in water will not have a long-lasting effect on your baby.
In summary, make sure that the water that you and your baby are drinking is clean. You can drink your water with confidence by changing your refrigerator filter every 6 months as recommended or installing a whole house water filter system or under sink water filter system and changing the filters regularly too.
Bathing
Believe it or not, but chlorine is added to the majority of municipal water supplies in the US. Exposure to chlorine during bath time can lead to negative effects on skin, hair and the lungs. Although there have been multiple studies done to find whether inhalation of chlorine is not good for children, a conclusion has not been reached yet.
Want access to cleaner water throughout your whole house? Consider investing in a whole house filter.
Not sure how your water measures up? We recommend testing your water with a water test kit. It is not our mission to scare you into thinking that all water is bad for your baby, but it is our intention to share that water is an important part of your child’s development and choosing the right water filtration system for your home is important.
Air
The average person takes 25,000 breaths a day, as a baby is developing, every breath it takes is critical to their lung development and health. Although airborne contaminants are virtually invisible to the naked eye, things like bacteria, viruses, pet dander, and air pollution are not things you want entering your baby’s nursery.
Here are two ways you can ensure that your baby is breathing clean air:
- Change your air filter every 1-3 months
- Invest in an air purifier
One of our favorite products when it comes to keeping tabs on your air quality? The Awair Glow.
Similar to the size and shape of a night light, the Awair Glow is designed with an air quality status beacon that is embedded in a wood panel atop the device. A green light indicates good air quality, while yellow bars mean the air is fair, and a red light indicates poor air quality. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, the Awair app will give you personalized recommendations that are proven to improve air quality. Let the Awair Glow guide you and your family to better, breathable air.
Having a baby is one of life’s most precious joys and at FiltersFast.com, we’re here to equip you with the information and access to the products that you need to make the right choices for your air and water filtration easy.
Have a question about air and water filtration for babies that we didn’t cover? Leave us a comment and we’ll answer it.
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