5 Most Ignored Aspects of Baby Care in the Family

The happiest moment in my life was when my little bundle of joy finally arrived home. The simple presence of the baby makes the very atmosphere elated, and the family seemed happier and healthier. But what about the baby's health, I thought to myself! The baby's health depends as heavily on his surroundings as it does on his food. Hence, you need to know exactly how to keep your home and other surroundings hygienic.

 I was thinking I am being extra cautious when I used sanitized towels, pillows and only boiled water for my baby. When I visited the pediatrician for vaccinations, I was surprised about how narrow my focus had been about hygiene for my baby. I sure was lucky we did not experience anything serious and he grew up fine. What are baby-proofing tips & hacks?

Overlooked Household Items Where Germs Found The Most

Now when I'm planning for my second child, I'm not leaving anything to chance. Baby's arrival is always a moment of joy for the new parents and induces a number of changes within the household. Here's why my pediatrician has advised using anti-bacterial paint for baby rooms.

The house

Problems of indoor air quality of home and day-care centres bring about microbial pollution. Infection causing bacteria tend to grow and spread on walls without our notice which can create many health hazards. It’s even more harmful to the kids when you have pets at home. As they have weaker immunes compared to adults.

The risk is even higher with toddlers and newborns. They tend to cling to the wall and other surfaces while trying to walk. While we can wipe the furniture and other stuff with disinfectant, walls need extra precaution. Fortunately, in today’s time, we can use anti-bacterial paint for the interior walls. Much to our relief, Asian Paints has come up with this paint range Royale Health Shield. The paint reduces indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde and improves air quality. It also kills 99%# infection-causing bacteria. It’s the first paint in India with Silver Ion Technology, that is recommended* by the Indian Medical Association.

Apart from this the paint range also gives a luxurious sheen finish to the walls. So, here’s to make your house happy-healthy and all set to welcome the new member.  It also helps clean the toughest of stains from your walls. [Read -How do you get germs out of your house?]

The Vehicle

We love to travel a lot and the vehicle is more or less the second home for our baby. Not to mention, how it’s a wonderful instrument for family bonding, with all the needlessly long rides we do. Since the baby might spend an extended amount of time in the car it becomes important to keep the vehicle clean and hygienic for our little one.

Allergy or disease-causing microbes can are abundant inside the car. Eating crumbly or messy food which can easily spill over in the vehicle invites the harmful microbes inside. Vacuum cleaning for inaccessible areas should help remove the dust and food crumbs which accumulate bacteria.

Refrigerator

When the majority of food items are stored inside the refrigerator, how can we leave that without proper sanitization? When one of my friend’s kid got admitted to the hospital for food poisoning problem food came from the refrigerator (and not outside as suspected earlier).

Also, the little ones are always curious, the moment they realize that the refrigerator is the place for all the food, they will start poking their little heads inside. My baby would sometimes just use the refrigerator as a make-shift air conditioner.

Avoid placing hot foods, and anything else that may hinder the cold air circulation in the fridge. It can affect the refrigerator hygiene and cause the food items to go stale.

Washing Machine

Your washing machine may not be as safe as you think. On many occasions, I could find my little one scratching his skin even after I make him wear freshly washed and dried clothes. Microbes, especially viruses, can survive the rigours of normal washing and drying.

Therefore, regularly sanitizing the washing machine’s insides and wiping the outsides with disinfectants should help keep it safe from infecting bacteria.

Making Interior Child Safe

Baby proofing our home is an essential step in keeping our baby safe from physical injuries when they start to explore. The area that needs baby proofing can change as our baby grows. And it should continue until he/she starts to follow safety rules themselves. [Read - 6 Dirtiest Places Where Germs Found in Houses]

How to Baby Proof Your Home or Baby Proofing Tips & Hacks 

Everyone becomes cautious and hygiene acquires new priority. But did you miss these household items, places or areas? Be sure to have baby-proof rooms: 

• Electrical Fitting: Keep electrical outlets covered. Make sure the wall outlets are tamper-resistant. Keep power strips out of the reach of a crawling baby. Place it in high spots rather than leaving them lying on the ground

• Sharp Edges and Corners: Insert edges and corner guards on tables, chair, and all sharp edges that a baby can access. Use edge banding.

• Block the Stairs: Get a baby gate and anchors that work well. Get a bannister guard that goes along the length of your bannister. Remove unstable furniture, vases, etc. from stairs and landings.

• Bath Room Proofing: Put a hair tie around the toilet roll. A baby may unroll the toilet paper and then shove a bunch into the mouth. Put childproof latches on the insides of cabinets and drawers.

Some Facts Which Everyone Should Know

1. #Royale Health Shield with Silver Ion technology, within 2 hours of exposure kills 99% bacteria on walls
2. Refer to 'Antibacterial Silver', 1994, School of Chemistry & App Chemistry, the University of Wales by Julia Clement & Penelope Jarrett.
3. * Fomite Infections (bacteria) can spread through infected walls among other indoor surfaces in homes and offices

I hope these important aspects of home hygiene for babies will help you and your baby stay safe, and enjoy a healthy home. Please feel free to mention your views and opinions in the comments below.

Disclaimer:  This article is sponsored by  Asian Paint- Royale Health Sheild