Helping Your Baby Breathe

Babies are continuously changing and developing. One way that parents can help their baby develop is by making it easier for their baby to breathe. Whether a baby has breathing problems or not, here are a few simple tips to help your baby breathe easier.

A smoke free environment will benefit you and your baby. Other than the warning on the labels, tobacco products that produce smoke linger in the air and babies have a problem breathing due to the smoke and/or the fumes. If you stop smoking, you and baby will breathe easier, as will the other people around you.

Keeping your house clean of pet hair and dander will also help baby breathe. If your child is allergic to animals, it will be imperative to keep your baby away from pets for easier breathing. Vacuuming floors and furniture will help cut down on pet hair and dander if you have an inside animal.

Dust and allergens are everywhere. Keeping your house vacuumed and dusted will cut down on the dust. It is also important to keep your air ducts clean. Air ducts can harbor mold, mildew, and dust. A professional may need to clean the air ducts once a year for best results.

Keep baby powder away from your baby. Baby powder can clog your baby's lungs and breathing passageways. It is easy to make dust in the air with baby powder and it is also easy for baby to breathe it in. Try using baby powder in a separate room, away from baby and then, put baby's diaper on him or her.

Use solid blankets without plush that will not hold dust. Do not let baby sleep with plush stuffed animals. Wash baby's blankets and stuffed toys to keep dust from building up.

Use gentle laundry detergent without harsh scents. Most laundry detergents will say whether or not they are perfumed. Stay away from the laundry detergents that have additives.

Although perfume smells great to adults, babies will not enjoy them as much. Keep perfume away from baby. Baby may have allergies to perfumes. If you wear perfume, choose a light scent and be prepared to wipe or wash the perfume off.

Turn your air temperature between 68 and 72 degrees. Lower air temperatures help baby breathe easier. If your baby has difficulty breathing, you may want to lower the air.

Using these tips may change your lifestyle. However, your baby will breathe easier and be healthier. Check with your baby's pediatrician before using humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and vaporizers.