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Helping Baby Breathe Easier

In the Fall, many moulds and contaminants find their way inside our homes, where they linger in the air we breathe. Dampness and dust inside the home can further harbour moulds, bacteria and dust mites. These irritating substances can give rise to respiratory tract infections, allergies and asthma - conditions that are particularly upsetting for babies and young children. Read on...

If you have a baby or young child at home, you will want to be especially sure that the environment is as clean as can be. Keeping your little one’s air free of pollutants makes it easier to breathe, and reduces the number of bacteria and other germs that he or she inhales. A clean environment is especially important if your baby or young child has asthma.

Babies and Asthma
Some babies develop asthma when they get a cold or other upper respiratory infection, while others have an attack when they come into contact with an allergen. Dust, pet dander, moulds and pollens are common allergens that may trigger an asthma attack.

If you suspect your little one has asthma, you should seek medical advice promptly. A number of excellent therapies are available for babies and young children. Here are some more insights into how you may help your little one breathe easier:

Control Your Pets
Household pets (including hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits), should be kept as far away from your baby as possible, and off carpeted areas of the house. Pet dander falls between the pile of carpets and is easily inhaled by a crawling baby.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Keep your baby’s room as clean and dust-free as you can. Remove carpets and cover hardwood floors with rugs that are easily shaken out. Ensure that baby’s bedding does not contain feathers and is washed frequently. Stuffed animals should be frequently laundered or, preferably, kept away from your baby altogether.
Breastfeed if Possible
Studies strongly suggest that breastfeeding a baby reduces his or her chances of developing allergies and asthma.
Don't Smoke
Cigarette smoke is a known allergen for babies. Never smoke around your little one, or even in remote areas of the house. If you need to have a cigarette, go outside to do so.
Avoid Wood Fires
Smoke from wood fires and stoves can irritate your baby’s airways. Avoid these forms of heating whenever possible.
Invest in an Air Purifier
Air purifiers that employ a HEPA filter remove particulate matter such as dust (and dust mites), pollens, moulds and pet dander from the air. This greatly reduces exposure to allergens.

What is a Hepa Filter?
True HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters employ a tightly woven paper made from glass fibres that are pleated to maximize surface area. The increased surface area ensures that 99.97 percent of all airborne particles are effectively trapped.

HEPA filters trap particles as small as .03 microns - or 240 times smaller that the width of a human hair.

Health professionals frequently recommend HEPA filters to maintain healthy air quality. These filters are widely used in hospitals and laboratories and maintain consistently higher performance standards over time than other filters.