Food additives, chemicals in household products and behavioral problems?

[ghannit]

Any mama's here have any experience with food additives/preservatives/colorings and your toddlers behavior? How about chemicals in the household and behavior (dryer sheets, air freshener etc...)

I'm getting into a rough period with my DD which I know is normal to some extent for her age (17 months) BUT I am wondering if certain foods (or her dad's insistence on using dryer sheets ) might be aggravating anything.

I only introduced solids at 10 months & she generally eats organic unless fed by others in the family .

I have read some things about chemicals aggravating tantrums in the toddler years.

[spmamma]

I have read that TBHQ and food dyes can lead to problems in some kids, but it sounds like you've been staying away from food additives if you've got her on an organic diet.

You mentioned that your DD is 17 MO. I always laugh when people talk about "the terrible twos" because our DD started her tantrums around the same age as yours. It's completely normal as far as I can tell.

[OTMomma]

I responded to you in the other thread- but saw here you were asking about dryer sheets- my dd is allergic to fabric softner in all its forms- she will break out in a rash and have tantrums that are WAY outside her normal. I quit using it when she broke out from it as a tiny baby- but even just cuddling with a friend's blankie can give her an attack.

[St. Margaret]

You can use some Heinz (it's not synthetic) white distilled vinegar in the wash instead of dryer sheets. We switched over years ago and hardly ever have static issues

I think it can definitely make a huge difference-- especially artificial colors and flavors. I have seen some kids go CRAZY with just a taste of red dye. I am hardcore about avoiding artificial stuff now in food, even if we do have "bad" stuff sometimes. That's a line I don't cross anymore. Too many moms here can tell you about how it makes their kids sick and crazy and unhappy.

For your daughter, hang in there. I would check what chemicals you can eliminate from your lives, because that's a good thing to do, but my DD will go through really high needs, straining patches, and then be a joyful presence, and then a hard patch, etc. I figure teeth, development, etc etc. Just hang in there

[eastkygal]

I just did some research on additives for a blog entry on the 10 Scariest. I was shocked at some of the reactions people have to this stuff. It is scary what is allowed to be in food. Food dyes especially the red ones are believed to aggravate hyperactivity disorders.

I think that the chemicals we use just add to the madness, but I haven't researched that as much. I use all natural cleaners and things anyway.

I would definitely research more into it and give some thought as to what might be the cause.

[ghannit]

Somehow I missed the replies here! So a belated thanks!

So now DD is 3 years old (seriously, where did the time go??), and we made it though that period...

and then the next and the next...

I still feed her a chemical free diet and clean with vinegar and baking soda... and I still struggle (and avoid struggling) with other family members

over this issue. I do notice that any sort of fake food makes her kind of wonky, but some more than others. I also notice that grains can lead to a mood issue later on while avoiding them makes her more even. She, like myself reacts to laundry detergent and fabric softeners with a mild rash.