DIET & ENVIRONMENT

I feel that every parent has a right to know that what a pregnant woman eats, drinks and breaths in on a regular basis, can have an profound effect on the long term health of her baby, if she is producing antibodies to allergens in her bloodstream. These allergens and their antibodies, can cross the placental barrier and into her baby's bloodstream, sensitising the child before it's even born.

This is a medically proven fact. I don't want to sound alarmist, but just think of all our children - those with asthma, eczema rhinitis ,arthritis as well as behavioural problems and low concentration.

It horrifies me to think how many doctors are in favour of prescribing drugs to small children to control antisocial behaviour in the class room.

Would it not be kinder, as well as more sensible and mindful of their long term health, to take a look at their diet and environment? Many parents can make a huge difference to their children's health by taking a few radical steps such as :-

• Eliminate all artificial additives from the child's diet this includes coloured sweets, fizzy drinks, dilute squashes and processed foods with little nutritional content, as well as proprietary brands of cough and cold remedies laced with unnecessary additives which are only there because the colour sells the product! .

• If you or your partner is a smoker, please make an effort to stop. This will reduce the horrendous cocktail of toxins your child is forced to breath in.

Think about the size of your body compared the that of your child and work out the ratio of the level of pollutants you child is ingesting. You have a choice in this, your child should be allowed one too!

• Don't use air fresheners They don't really freshen the air, they just mask the smells that are already there and produce solvents and other toxins to overwhelm an already fragile immune system.

Many people also develop a sensitivity to perfumes and cosmetics, scented baby cleansers, heavily perfumed disinfectants, household cleaners, soap powders and conditioners as well as bleaches etc. There are many fragrance free alternatives around these days if you look around.

• Buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to reduce to dust mite population in your house.

• Don't use commercial carpet freshening powders in your carpet if you child has asthma The minute dust particles get airborne as you scatter the powder across the carpet and can cause an asthma attack in a sensitive person young or old.

Buy dust mite proof bedding and pillowcases.

Boil wash duvets to kill off dust mites. Any favourite cuddly toys should be regularly washed or at least popped in to a carrier bag and left in the freezer for a couple of hours regularly as this also kills off the mites.

Contrary to popular belief, vacuuming mattresses is not a good way of getting rid of dust mites. It just brings more up to the surface. It's better to buy a good dust mite proof cover to seal them in and just wash that regularly. Lino on the floor is better than carpet and this and all furniture should be damp dusted every day. It's best to avoid spray polishes as these are usually scented and include solvents and propellant gases which may provoke a reaction. Old fashioned borax, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda will still work their magic in cleaning the house - without causing irritation to a sensitised immune system. There are now several manufacturers who are producing ranges of fragrance free shampoos, cosmetics, and soap powders etc. Most of these are available in your local high street shops and supermarkets but I have included a detailed list of suppliers and manufacturers in my book. If your house is damp, it may well be worth investing in a de-humidifier. This will reduce the overall dust mite and mould populations which both thrive in a damp atmosphere. You may hesitate at the cost of one of these, but as well as making your home drier by taking up to a gallon of water out of the air every day, they also warm the air and so reduce your heating bills.