Nightwriter
New member
Hi Becca,
I'm so glad that you found this site BEFORE the baby is born and you are so far ahead of the game by asking the questions that you are asking. I can tell you from personal experience that your baby's environment can make a huge difference in her health. I was someone who has much lung involvement, was at a very low point and was completely able to turn the course of my disease around once I found a doctor who taught me how important environment is.
You can learn these things BEFORE there is lung involvement. The thing that you must realize is that people aren't always aware of what affects them and what doesn't. If they have exacerbations (usually either as bronchitis or pneumonia) and/or have declining lung function, their environment can cause inflammation in the lungs that in turn can lead to infections.
So here's the good news. The air that you breathe does matter and there are many studies to support this - whether it is outdoor air pollution or indoor air pollution. And there is much you can do to control this. Babies with CF are born with normal lungs. But soon inflammation starts to cause these exacerbations that can damage the lungs. Most CF'ers have an asthma component to their illness (that's why they are on asthma meds) so when the airways swell, they trap the thick mucus that may contain bacteria. If the mucus can't get out - you end up with a problem.
While newborns don't have allergies, their lungs are still irritated by allergens and chemicals, so that is why it is essential to get rid of toxic cleansers, chemicals, and fragrances in the home. I have noticed that a lot of CF kids have autism, and ADHD and my doctor has told me for years that the increasing chemicals in our environment is going to cause an increase in these conditions (for a lot of different reasons). So I found it interesting that in today's AOL, there is a new study that connects vinyl floors to increased incidences (double in homes that have them) in Autism in Sweden.
Best case scenario: No carpet. Wood floors best. Use paints with no VOC's. Buy furniture that doesn't contain formaldehyde. Get a doctor's prescription and you can order any mattress without flame retardant (many studies about how dangerous about this.). Also best to feed the baby while sitting in a chair that doesn't have this. Leather furniture is best or tightly woven fabrics. Encase bedding in allergy mattress protectors. Clean with either "green" fragrance free products or just vinegar and water. Depending how far you want to go - organic cotton diapers best - because the chemicals of other kinds of diapers can leach into the baby's body.
A good air filter with a thick charcoal filter is best. I use the Allerair 5000 for chemical sensitivities (there are many good brands) plus I have a charcoal filter on my central air/heating. The filters are pretty dirty when you clean them, so I know they work well. Get a HEPA vacuum with a charcoal filter, so that you are not kicking back dust into the air. There are many studies that show that a good air filter can reduce asthma. Here is just one majot study thayt was in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In part:
In a September, 2004 study co-funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and published in the New England Journal of Medicine it was found that a HEPA air filter, when used in conjunction with dust mite proof mattress and pillow covers, cockroach extermination and a HEPA vacuum, dramatically reduced asthma symptoms.
Though no air cleaning system can remove all allergans from a home, studies have shown they can significantly reduce the levels of airborn allergans and irritants, in some cases, by up to 90%. The HEPA filter has long been used in laboratory experiments, and has been proven to reduce the level of particles in the air. Many air filtration systems rely solely on HEPA technology, or, include a HEPA filter as part of a multi-filtration system.
-----
Use fragrance free shampoos, soaps, deodorant for yourself and your baby...plus all family members who are in close contact with the baby should not wear perfume. Room temperature drinks --nothing cold including cold air because it constricts the lungs.
As far as food, once the baby is on solid food - no chemicals, preservatives, or artificial anything. Organic is best if possible. Ask your doctor about probiotics - studies are showing babies need to be supplemented.
This is just to get you started. There is much you can do. I will give you a link to a thread that talks about inflammation. Even though this is about adults - there is much that may be useful to you.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=42322
">http://forums.cysticfibrosis.c...&threadid=42322
</a>
This is the AOL article I mentioned which has a great list of how to eliminate dangers in the home:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://home.aol.com/new_in_home/photogallerytall/_a/dangerous-home-products/20090211120009990001?feeddeeplinkNum=1
">http://home.aol.com/new_in_hom...eddeeplinkNum=1
</a>
Congratulations for your baby girl.
I'm so glad that you found this site BEFORE the baby is born and you are so far ahead of the game by asking the questions that you are asking. I can tell you from personal experience that your baby's environment can make a huge difference in her health. I was someone who has much lung involvement, was at a very low point and was completely able to turn the course of my disease around once I found a doctor who taught me how important environment is.
You can learn these things BEFORE there is lung involvement. The thing that you must realize is that people aren't always aware of what affects them and what doesn't. If they have exacerbations (usually either as bronchitis or pneumonia) and/or have declining lung function, their environment can cause inflammation in the lungs that in turn can lead to infections.
So here's the good news. The air that you breathe does matter and there are many studies to support this - whether it is outdoor air pollution or indoor air pollution. And there is much you can do to control this. Babies with CF are born with normal lungs. But soon inflammation starts to cause these exacerbations that can damage the lungs. Most CF'ers have an asthma component to their illness (that's why they are on asthma meds) so when the airways swell, they trap the thick mucus that may contain bacteria. If the mucus can't get out - you end up with a problem.
While newborns don't have allergies, their lungs are still irritated by allergens and chemicals, so that is why it is essential to get rid of toxic cleansers, chemicals, and fragrances in the home. I have noticed that a lot of CF kids have autism, and ADHD and my doctor has told me for years that the increasing chemicals in our environment is going to cause an increase in these conditions (for a lot of different reasons). So I found it interesting that in today's AOL, there is a new study that connects vinyl floors to increased incidences (double in homes that have them) in Autism in Sweden.
Best case scenario: No carpet. Wood floors best. Use paints with no VOC's. Buy furniture that doesn't contain formaldehyde. Get a doctor's prescription and you can order any mattress without flame retardant (many studies about how dangerous about this.). Also best to feed the baby while sitting in a chair that doesn't have this. Leather furniture is best or tightly woven fabrics. Encase bedding in allergy mattress protectors. Clean with either "green" fragrance free products or just vinegar and water. Depending how far you want to go - organic cotton diapers best - because the chemicals of other kinds of diapers can leach into the baby's body.
A good air filter with a thick charcoal filter is best. I use the Allerair 5000 for chemical sensitivities (there are many good brands) plus I have a charcoal filter on my central air/heating. The filters are pretty dirty when you clean them, so I know they work well. Get a HEPA vacuum with a charcoal filter, so that you are not kicking back dust into the air. There are many studies that show that a good air filter can reduce asthma. Here is just one majot study thayt was in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In part:
In a September, 2004 study co-funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and published in the New England Journal of Medicine it was found that a HEPA air filter, when used in conjunction with dust mite proof mattress and pillow covers, cockroach extermination and a HEPA vacuum, dramatically reduced asthma symptoms.
Though no air cleaning system can remove all allergans from a home, studies have shown they can significantly reduce the levels of airborn allergans and irritants, in some cases, by up to 90%. The HEPA filter has long been used in laboratory experiments, and has been proven to reduce the level of particles in the air. Many air filtration systems rely solely on HEPA technology, or, include a HEPA filter as part of a multi-filtration system.
-----
Use fragrance free shampoos, soaps, deodorant for yourself and your baby...plus all family members who are in close contact with the baby should not wear perfume. Room temperature drinks --nothing cold including cold air because it constricts the lungs.
As far as food, once the baby is on solid food - no chemicals, preservatives, or artificial anything. Organic is best if possible. Ask your doctor about probiotics - studies are showing babies need to be supplemented.
This is just to get you started. There is much you can do. I will give you a link to a thread that talks about inflammation. Even though this is about adults - there is much that may be useful to you.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=42322
">http://forums.cysticfibrosis.c...&threadid=42322
</a>
This is the AOL article I mentioned which has a great list of how to eliminate dangers in the home:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://home.aol.com/new_in_home/photogallerytall/_a/dangerous-home-products/20090211120009990001?feeddeeplinkNum=1
">http://home.aol.com/new_in_hom...eddeeplinkNum=1
</a>
Congratulations for your baby girl.