Flame retardants - Saving or killing your baby?

Controversy:  Putting your child to bed wearing clothing treated or not treated with a flame retardant.

Tetrakis hydromethyl phosphonium chloride (THPC) and Polybrominated dipheny ether (PBDE) are CHEMICALS used to treat children’s pajamas.  If a flame comes into contact with this treated cotton, an insulating char forms and protects the fabric from further damage. 
 
The US Fire Administration  warns that parents should be careful to buy only fire retardant sleepwear for their children in order to enjoy the fire safety benefits of these garments.  Yet, Health Canada  in 2009 said that PBDEs have been found both in the environment and in humans, including in human breast milk in Canada, the United States and Europe.  In animals, effects on behavioral development, nervous system development, as well as on the liver and thyroid have been seen in studies on rats and mice exposed to PBDEs. 

Other sites state that the THPC used in the process has been linked to genetic abnormalities as well as damage to the liver, skin and nervous system. It also promotes the growth of cancerous tumors.
 
Scenario:
(Flame retardant clothing made for infants who are not mobile) House catches on fire and God forbid reaches baby's room

Reaction:
Go rescue baby
 
Truth:
As hard as it is to think about, if your house is engulfed in flames and it reaches your baby's room, do you think your baby will be sitting in her crib surrounded by an imaginary shield in which the fire cannot get through.  Smoke inhalation may be the bigger worry at this point.
 
Scenario:
(Flame retardant clothing made for toddlers) Finds a lighter, tried to burn his clothes..Nope won't work.  Moves on to the sofa or some other flammable material.
 
Reaction:
Hopefully a parent is not too far, damn people keep your lighters out of reach!
 
Truth:
There are a lot of what if's in the case of flame retardant clothing, "What if he finds some matches", "what if he gets into the fireplace".  People..........WATCH YOUR CHILDREN, it isn't that hard!
 
Conclusion:
In the end, parents must make an informed decision and continue to educate themselves about this issue.
Your choice is clear, buy untreated cotton pajamas that meet CPSC guidelines if they are snug fitting or buy flame retardant pajamas which are made with CHEMICALS.

What will my blog be about?

*Acid reflux in babies and children
*Motherhood
*Being eco-friendly
*Cleaning without chemicals
*Recycling
*Foods-additives and preservatives
*Cooking/recipes
*Weight management
*Animals-pets

Who am I?

I am first time stay at home mother to 4 babies.  I have a 2 and a half year old baby girl, two 5 year old dogs and one 7 year old cat.  I enjoy the outdoors, pretty much anything there is to do. I enjoy music and playing guitar. I enjoy arts and crafts, sewing, cross stitch etc. I am an environmentally aware, open-minded person who tries to put an organic and natural emphasis on living.

I grew up in a very small town with my parents, 2 brothers (1 older, one younger) and my sister (1 year younger) who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2. Living with a family member having special needs wasn't always easy but it certainly played a huge role in the type of person I would turn out to be.  After high school I moved away to work for a year before entering college and receiving a diploma in Community recreation. 

Through the years I have had several health issues and made a promise that I would live a healthier life.  After giving birth to my beautiful daughter, my vow to be healthy turned into a near obsession.  Here I am today doing my best to inform my friends, family and you about ways to live a more natural and healthy life.