Childhood Crohn’s & Colitis: Mistake #3
Hazardous synthetic fabric in children’s clothing and bedding.
Your children’s clothing and bedding can expose them to chemicals through fiber content, dyes, and pesticides. Synthetic fibers, which are derived from petrochemicals, include polyester, acrylic and nylon. Because children (and adults) are in contact with their clothing or bedding 24 hours a day, reactions to these fibers can be a significant source of stress to children’s digestion, immune systems, and nervous systems.
Chemicals in fabrics that are next to the skin can be absorbed through the skin, through the nose (because of their lingering smell) or through the mouth, as children sometimes chew or suck on their clothing. Adults and children with Crohn’s, Colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome can quite sensitive to chemical toxins and may even experience multiple chemical sensitivity.
To avoid these hazards, buy natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, hemp, rayon, ramie and wool. If at all possible, buy organic cotton sheets and pyjamas; this avoids chemicals and pesticides and allows the hours of sleep to be as restful and restorative as possible. If your budget won’t allow for organic cotton then white or lightly coloured regular cotton is an excellent second choice.
A horrifying danger of synthetic fibers is that they go up in flames almost instantly when they come near an open flame such as a candle or a spark from a hearth fire…
The answer to this is not to buy flame-resistant children’s clothing but clothes made from untreated, natural fibers. Flame retardant is a toxic chemical that is very hard on children’s small, developing bodies. If you can’t find untreated, natural fiber sleepwear for babies and children, buy them cotton sweatshirts and sweatpants or longjohns to sleep in. Try Hanna Andersson, LL Bean, or Land’s End.
All new items of clothing or bedding should be washed prior to use. This will remove any sizing or lingering pesticides that could cause problems to your child’s digestive system and health. Be sure to use natural unscented laundry soap and skip the fabric softener or add plain white vinegar to the final rinse.
Go to Mistake #2 Infant Colic & Temper Tantrums from Fabric Softener Folly
Go to Mistake #4 Toxic Particle Board in Kids’ Bedroom Furniture
Artificially manufactured fibers were made from cellulose that comes from plants. Synthetic fibers account for about half of all fiber usage, with applications in every field of fiber and textile technology.
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