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Mattresses are a primary source of chemical poisoning in babies. The majority of baby mattresses today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC), phthalates, chemical fire retardants, and an extensive list of added industrial chemicals. These chemicals can leach out of the mattress or off-gas to expose the baby through inhalation and through the skin.
A mattress exposure is particularly problematic because it is up-close and long-term. Sleeping on typical crib mattresses, babies breathe and absorb these chemicals for ten to 14 hours a day or more for a period of two or more years during the critical developmental period of their brains, nervous systems and immune systems. Babies who spend over 50-70% of their early life on baby mattresses are likely to receive pretty high doses of these chemicals and gases.
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Excerpt from FLU: Alternative Treatments and Prevention by Randall Neustaedter OMD, North Atlantic Books, 2004
Some special issues apply to children with the flu. First, children can develop high fevers with much less severe accompanying symptoms than adults. A child with a 104 (40º C) temperature is miserable, but can also quickly rally. An adult with this level of fever feels as if he will die. Second, because children have easily weakened digestive functions, they tend to develop more digestive symptoms than adults. They often have vomiting and diarrhea with the flu, sometimes as one of the first few symptoms of illness. Third, children go through stages of the flu fairly quickly and the treatment regimen may need to change frequently during the course of the illness to match the symptom picture. This applies especially to homeopathic medicines. A medicine that fits the picture on day one may transition to a new medicine on day two and again on day four.
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We've all been alarmed by the recent reports about lead in toys, but there are many other toxic chemicals used in baby and children's toys, including phthalates, cadmium, chlorine, and arsenic. Soft squeeze toys and bath toys are likely made from PVC with added phthalates that off-gas. In order to make toys more flame retardant, durable, flexible, or rigid, manufacturers add chemicals to the fabric, paint and plastic materials. Babies are exposed to these chemicals when they put the toys in their mouths. They can also be exposed from breathing the air around the toys.
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