EMFs & Babies: How to Protect Your Child from the Invisible
The fact that babies born today will be exposed to EMFs from cell phones from the moment they’re conceived until the day they die is concerning... It makes you pause for a minute and think.
How dangerous are EMFs for babies?
How do we keep our children safe from EMFs?
Can we even avoid them at all with the rollout of 5G?”
​
Most people are aware of simple safety measures like washing your hands before you hold a new baby but with the advancement of modern technology there is a new danger in town.
And many people are downright unaware.
​
According to a 2005 literature review, the most frequent place babies are exposed to EMFs is in the comforts of their own homes.
But before we go into the specific health concerns this may have for our youngest members, let’s first understand a little more about what EMFs are in the first place.
What are EMFs?
EMF stands for Electromagnetic Fields, which is a field of energy that surrounds a particular area or object.
Humans have been exposed to EMFs since the beginning of time, as the earth itself holds its own magnetic charge. You can visually see this during a thunderstorm!
However, with the creation of electricity, home appliances like microwaves, and wireless devices constantly surrounding us, we are exposed to artificial EMFs more than ever.
One report estimated that children under 8 years old are spending an average of 2 hours a day watching screens.
That is a lot of access to EMR emitting electronics!
EMFs are measured in wavelength and frequency with both electric and magnetic fields traveling side by side as energy flows from a negative charge to a positive charge.
A higher frequency, known as radiofrequency, makes shorter more frequent wavelengths. Things that transmit RF include radio, television, radar, cellular telephone antennas, and microwave ovens. These are meant to travel long distances.
Lower frequency makes wider wavelengths. The most common source of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields are power outlets and appliances inside our homes.
I hope I haven’t lost you yet! I know this topic is dry but it’s important for parents to be aware.
Check out this video for another visual guide to EMFs. It’s pretty entertaining too
What are EMFs?
EMF stands for Electromagnetic Fields, which is a field of energy that surrounds a particular area or object.
Humans have been exposed to EMFs since the beginning of time, as the earth itself holds its own magnetic charge. You can visually see this during a thunderstorm!
However, with the creation of electricity, home appliances like microwaves, and wireless devices constantly surrounding us, we are exposed to artificial EMFs more than ever.
One report estimated that children under 8 years old are spending an average of 2 hours a day watching screens.
That is a lot of access to EMR emitting electronics!
EMFs are measured in wavelength and frequency with both electric and magnetic fields traveling side by side as energy flows from a negative charge to a positive charge.
A higher frequency, known as radiofrequency, makes shorter more frequent wavelengths. Things that transmit RF include radio, television, radar, cellular telephone antennas, and microwave ovens. These are meant to travel long distances.
Lower frequency makes wider wavelengths. The most common source of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields are power outlets and appliances inside our homes.
I hope I haven’t lost you yet! I know this topic is dry but it’s important for parents to be aware.
Check out this video for another visual guide to EMFs. It’s pretty entertaining too
Only EMF protective onesie on the planet.
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, tablets are being linked to serious health conditions of all kinds today, from fertility issues to cancer.
Recently, we even learned of women who kept cell phones in their bra developing cancerous tumors on the breast.
But did you know that children are most susceptible to EMFs?
Indeed, young developing bodies are vulnerable to EMFs in all kinds of ways. Their tissues are still developing and hold more water, which makes their bodies more conductive to EMF radiation. And they’re the ones most likely to have a constant, 24-hour a day fascination with phones, video games, TV, and all things technology, especially with this new generation of “digital natives.”
We have to take young children with us everywhere we go. Anyone who’s stood in line, waited for food at a restaurant, wanted to concentrate on a conversation, or read a magazine at the doctor’s office has found handing their child a cell phone or tablet is a great way to quiet their accompanying child—right?
The problem is that today, we are now learning about a very strong connection between EMFs, ADHD, and other cognitive and behavioral disorders.
Startling new studies have found a strong correlation between ADHD and EMF radiation exposure. In fact, just since 2013, there have several studies published on the connections between ADHD and EMFs. This many studies in in this little time indicates a growing concern that warrants immediate attention.
How are babies exposed to EMFs?
​
Do you ever carry your cellphone in your pocket?
In utero, babies are exposed to EMFs when mom’s pregnant belly comes in close proximity with electronics that emit EMFs.
This means putting your laptop on your, you guessed it, lap could actually cause electromagnetic energy to reach your fetus.
Babies are exposed to EMFs after birth when moms hold their cell phones close-by, for instance while breastfeeding or they are set down near electronic devices and microwaves.
In addition, common baby associated EMF-emitting devices are baby monitors and the Owlet pulse oximeter monitor.
How do EMFs affect the body?
​
Human cells can be influenced by EMFs by absorbing both the energy and the thermal heat, which can cause an increase in free-radical production inside of the cell.
Free-radicals cause oxidative stress which damage the ion channels on cell membranes, impairs metabolic functions, and can even alter DNA.
All human cells contain antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) that help to keep these free-radicals from damaging our cells.
However, EMFs may interfere with our antioxidants’ effectiveness. In the long run with incessant overexposure, major body organs could be at risk
How dangerous are EMFs for babies?
​
Fetuses and babies are particularly vulnerable to complications from EMFs for three reasons
​
-
Their brains are made up of more water and are therefore more conductive.
-
They have more stem cells circulating in their system whose DNA is vulnerable due to being undifferentiated.
-
Their skulls are thinner and less resistive to EMFs.
There is now major evidence that increased exposure to EMFs in early childhood increases the risk of brain cancer and leukemia. If a fetus is overexposed to EMFs during pregnancy it increases the risk of behavioral problems and hyperactivity in school.
The real question now is how MUCH exposure could cause these types of problems and what steps do we take to prevent it from happening.
One study found that a 50 minute cell phone call increased the glucose metabolism in the brain. For those that are not science nerds like me, glucose is the meat and potatoes for our brain cells!
That study was done in adults by the way, not babies. So we can assume that less than 50 minutes would affect their brain cells' metabolism because a baby’s skull is thinner and therefore less resistant to EMFs.
Another study found that being exposed to cell phone radiation for only 60 minutes a day greatly decreased semen vitality. With so many of my own friends and coworkers struggling to get pregnant, news like that should be taken seriously.
​
Keep in mind all of these studies have been done on adult humans and we need way more research to know how EMFs affect our children’s long-term health.
Related: Home remedies for infant colds
It may not be worth keeping an eye on them with baby monitors unless we can find a way to block some of the EMFs.
How to protect your children from EMF radiation
You can place your phone inside of the silver fabric and it will completely block the call!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
​
With the evolution of wireless technology electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) exposure increases.
​This fabric is made with woven strands of real Silver (Ag). Silver is highly conductive and is used to create a shield against EMF.
Electromagnetic field shielding occurs when stronger field lines intercept with a conductive shield material (Silver fiber woven fabric).
If charges move freely enough to reorient themselves as fast as the field changes, cancellation of the external fields will occur.