Photo by Irina Murza on Unsplash.

The most awaited day has arrived, the day your baby will leave the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and will finally feel at home and totally under your care. Most importantly, will have your uninterrupted, unconditional love that extends to the seemingly superficial aspects of newborn care, which includes the house prep and cleaning you must take into account before the arrival of your baby. Especially, one that uses plant-based cleaning products and is free of synthetic  fragrances, so that your premature baby has minimal exposure to respiratory allergens and chemical sensitivities that can hinder growth and development.

We know that totally avoiding chemicals is an impossible mission, but we can make small and effective changes in our cleaning habits to reduce your baby’s exposure to toxins. You, more than anyone else, know how delicate premature babies are and the risks they have while their immune system gains strength.

So these are the cleaning habits that we recommend before the arrival of your baby at home:

• The days after delivery have been exhausting, in addition to the months in pregnancy, giving birth, the stay, care, and feeding in the intensive care unit can be overwhelming. So keep stress out of the way, days before your baby’s discharge, schedule a deep ecological cleaning service, in Gmaids we use plant-based products free of toxic chemicals, check our website for rates for your home.
• If you are remodeling or have just moved to a new home, keep in mind that there must be a large amount of accumulated dust and surely, fresh paint with a pungent smell in the environment. I anticipated this change beforehand so that this change is not negative.
• Establishes a rule of no shoes inside the home, especially to people who go out and enter several times a day, because the shoes trap a lot of dirt and germs from the outside. In addition, the cleaning that you have already done won’t be in vain, it will last longer. This rule extends almost indefinitely because as your baby grows their contact with the floor will be greater.
• Eliminate completely from your home air fresheners with artificial fragrances, as they have compounds toxic to health. You can make the switch to essential oils, and also take advantage of the aromatherapy properties (read here our entry on essential oils vs. artificial fragrances.) Remember to consult with the pediatrician the use of essential oils at home during the stay of your premature baby.
• Wash everything that accumulates mites and dirt such as blankets, curtains, sheets, and new clothes, and if you do not have time, book with us Laundry Services or hire an ecological dry cleaner.
• Pets are important members of the family, which is why you should not take them away from home when your baby is present. Before your baby is discharged, prepare your pet by familiarizing them with the scent of a garment from your baby. Train them so they don’t enter the baby’s room and little by little they’ll get used to the new family member  and their new routine. It doesn’t hurt to do a little extra wiping of your pet’s paws and of their bed, preferably by your partner or another member of the household. The same applies to their litter box or when cleaning up after them. When the time is right to be near your baby, never leave your pet unsupervised. Talk to the pediatrician about your pet, their recommendations are very important, so always run your questions by them.

And now, I just want to make a brief digression here and show you some pictures of our little baby in the NICU and when finally she was at home.

Some of these suggestions apply throughout during your baby’s stay, but it is very important that you consider them beforehand. Now, it’s time to continue with the recommendations during the stay:

• Premature babies have an increased risk of contracting viruses, especially respiratory viruses. This is why you must adopt new measures of hygiene at home. The first and most important, is the washing of hands, frequently. Your baby’s health starts with yours and is just as important so use sulfate-free, fragrance-free and non-petroleum derived soap.
• Avoid sick visitors from coming in contact with, much less touching, your baby. Do recommend your guests at home to make use of face masks for further prevention.
• Always have hand sanitizer without alcohol and without fragrances, so you can make sure that your guests can easily use it without problem.
• The general cleaning of floors and carpets should be constant and preferably with a vacuum with HEPA filters, to reduce the spread of mites and avoid recirculation of dust. This is especially important in daycare centers and the baby’s nursery.
• If you like candles in social areas and bathrooms, we suggest you change them for vegetable-based ones, such as soy candles. Since the paraffin waxes are derived from petroleum they can emit toxic fumes in the air.
• We recommend a weekly general ecological cleaning so that not much dirt accumulates and it’s easier to clean. The eco-friendly multi-purpose wipes are specifically for immediate cleaning (let’s say a spill) and specially useful for high contact areas such as door handles, toilet handles, light switches, and cell phones.
• It is important that you designate a specific area of your room for the baby: a cool place, with little noise and if possible with natural light. A spot with an adequate temperature and without many electrical appliances connected, that has just the right space for each baby item such as clothes, diapers, bottles, and toys.

And here, a Gmaids takeover from the amazing @dallasbirthguide account talking about the advantages of using ecological and chemical-free cleaning products in your home. Learn the main cleaning tricks in bathrooms, nurseries, and kitchen that truly work! Perfect to learn what you need to know and do before a baby arrives. Both from personal and professional experience.

 

To finish, make this all become a routine, this way it will be easy to continue throughout the growth of your baby. Either way, when your baby is home, you will experience and see what works best and what you should focus on more. Everything depends on the care and priorities you should have with your baby and how these adjustments become a part of your normal life. You got it parents!

Subscribe to our blog, you will always find natural cleaning tips, and other tips that will help you in the routines of your daily life. Stop complicating yourself with the housework, try our professional ecological cleaning service, you will love it.