Tips for Children

At the same time, children breathe, eat, and drink more for their size than adults, which means that chemical levels can be higher in children than in adults doing the same activities. They also spend more time closer to the ground and frequently put hands, toys, and other things in their mouths. By limiting harmful chemicals in children’s products and around the house, you can protect them from everyday exposures.

Top 10 tips

1. Control lead dust and paint fumes when preparing the nursery. Have a non-pregnant friend do the work, or if needed, use protective gear.

2. Look for furniture and kids' products (like nursing pillows and nap pads) with padding made from polyester, wool, cotton, or flame retardant-free foam.

3. Set up the furniture and air out the baby's sleeping and play spaces well before your due date.

4. If formula is needed, choose powdered instead of concentrated or ready to drink formula.

5. Buy snug-fitting cotton or polyester children's pajamas, and avoid sleepwear treated with flame-resistant chemicals.

6. Avoid soft vinyl plastic found in things like mattress protectors, toys, and rain gear. For waterproof materials, choose polyurethane coated fabric instead.

7. Choose simple fragrance-free personal care products made from plants, like castile soap and olive oil. Use fragrance-free baby wipes and diapers.

8. Choose glass or stainless steel over plastic bottles and sippy cups.

9. Teach kids to wash their hands before eating.

10. Choose smaller seafood over big fish. Chunk light tuna has less mercury than white or albacore tuna, and salmon, shrimp, cod and tilapia have less mercury than mackerel, swordfish, bass, and grouper.