What Is Blue Baby Syndrome?
10. Prevention
Parents can decrease the chances of their child developing blue baby syndrome by taking steps to prevent the underlying conditions that cause it. Women who are pregnant should avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke and abstain from alcohol and illicit drugs. Prescription and over-the-counter medications should only be taken with a doctor’s supervision. Expectant mothers should also eat a healthy diet and keep diabetes under control, if applicable. Bear in mind, however, that some heart defects are caused by factors beyond the parents’ control, and it is not always possible to prevent them.
Bottle-feeding a baby with formula mixed with well water can expose the infant to high levels of nitrates. This is especially true in rural areas where the water may be contaminated by run-off from farms. Breastfeeding the baby for at least six months avoids exposing the baby to high nitrate levels and offers other health benefits as well. Once the baby becomes old enough to eat solid foods, parents should be careful about feeding him or her foods that are high in nitrates. These include otherwise healthy foods like beets, broccoli, carrots, and spinach.
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