Your Amazing Growing Baby­– How to Protect Her From Head to Toe

From conception to birth, each step in this process is crucial for your baby. Read on to learn more about how to protect your growing baby from being exposed to toxic chemicals.

As parents, we all strive to help our children reach their fullest potential.

Child Development Begins in the Womb

We send them to the best schools, feed them with the most wholesome ingredients, and foster their passions in the areas they choose. However, there is an additional way to ensure our kids stay happy and healthy, and it starts in the womb.

Chemical Exposure & Pregnancy

 Research shows that many types of chemicals found in plastics and other man-made goods are linked to  health risks in fetuses and infants. Two of these are called phthalates (pronounced “tha-leits”) and bisphenols. You might have heard of one type of bisphenol, BPA, the hard plastic that some reusable water bottles are made of (plastic #7).

Pregnant women would never knowingly expose their babies to harmful toxic chemicals. But these chemicals are present in all areas of our everyday life. Just how harmful are these chemicals to babies in the womb?

What We Know

BPA and phthalates are dangerous because they behave as “endocrine disruptors.” 

This means that they act like hormones in the body. They can change how our bodies function. As babies develop in the womb, hormones control almost every aspect of the baby’s growth. The growing brain, reproductive organs, lungs, (and more) all require a proper balance of hormones. 

Exposure to phthalates during pregnancy alters hormones in babies

Testosterone is a hormone that is needed for genital development. Exposing pregnant rats to phthalates decreased testosterone in the male pups. Phthalate exposure can also change thyroid hormones in human babies and their mothers.  

Fetuses and infants may be at a greater risk than adults from chemical exposures.

Babies in the womb are more vulnerable than adults. Their fragile bodies have fewer safeguards against toxic chemicals. There is concern that chemical exposure at a young age can lead to childhood disorders, including ADHD and reduced IQ. 

Exposure in the womb can cause problems in children. These problems may include:

  • ADHD and other neurologic (brain) issues

  • Stunted growth

  • Obesity

  • Changes in appetite

  • Problems in the liver

Individual chemicals might be working together to have even more dangerous effects on the fetus.

Some studies have shown that toxic chemicals can magnify each other. Thus, the “chemical mixture” we are exposed to every day might be worse than individual exposures.

How Can I Protect My Unborn Child and My Family?

We at Million Marker are here to help you keep your growing baby healthy. We think it is unfair that people can be exposed to toxic chemicals without knowing. Even worse, these chemicals can cause life-long health problems. Our goal is to end needless chemical exposures of the most vulnerable: fetuses and infants. Luckily, you can keep your family safe from phthalates and bisphenols by testing your exposure to these dangerous contaminants. We have designed a simple, safe test that will help you:

  • Identify your chemical exposures

  • Find the sources of exposures

  • Eliminate toxic chemical exposures 

  • Ensure exposures remain minimal with follow-up testing

When it comes to toxic chemicals, prevention is key. Million Marker is here to help protect the development of your child so that they can reach their full potential.

For a Fact Sheet on this topic, click here.