feedback on this website about making newborn baby's room safe (e.g. non-toxic paints and mattresses)

[Gemzooks]

I am a regular member working for a charity called Women in Europe for a Common Future, we work on different topics where environment can affect children's health. I would be glad to know what people think of this website: ould be grateful for any feedback as to how useful this website is (it's a charity website produced by Women in Europe for a Common Future, an NGO which works on different topics where environmental pollution can impact on children's health). We want to advise pregnant and new mums on creating a safe 'nest' for the baby. The website is www.projectnesting.org

any thoughts appreciated, whether positive or negative

thanks!

You'll get much more response if you post this as an active hyperlink - like this www.projectnesting.org

Okay, I've had a look, it's very nicely designed (works on a Mac too ) but the info is not reference - e.g. the bit about wireless systems not being in a baby's room - it doesn't say why that's a bad thing or refer to any scientific evidence.

thanks WMMC for your comments..

I should learn how to post it as active hyperlink...

I suspect we need a lot more 'authority' as well, like you say we do not talk about the scientific evidence..

bump.. any feedback on www.projectnesting.org would be really appreciated!

Yes, I think you need to be a bit more authoritative. Some of what you say is contentious, eg don't expose babies to wireless systems - obviously mobile phone companies and other commercial interests would vigorously dispute that. Great to see the link to Powerwatch - could you ask them to help you with backing up what you say with scientific evidence?

I'd like to see more on the site as well, eg most flooring has disadvantages, such as carpets treated with chemicals etc. Very hard IMO to find your way through all the info on having a genuinely healthy home.

Some of the passages read like translations - you might do well to find an English editor to go through them quickly so that they read more fluently.

I would love to read about what other European countries say about risks to babies, eg from mobile phones/masts. I know regulations vary from country to country and ours is quite lax. That could be a really useful role for your NGO - pointing out how some European countries take mobile phone risks much more seriously than the UK.

I think you miss the opportunity to reinforce the SIDS guidelines that the child should sleep in the parents' room for 6m - not jsut because "the sound of the parents? sleeping, calms a baby down" but because it reduces the risk of cot death.

"soap and water and a little olive oil on bottoms after changing will suffice" - except they don't need soap, at least not for the first six weeks.

thanks for comments! really useful! keep them coming!

final bump, any feedback on [www.projectnesting.org] would be really appreciated! Thanks!

Would you be able to do links to government guidelines on child health in other EU countries - translated into English?

The website is nicely designed but I think all the information is very 'fluffy' and general. Do people really need to be told to wash clothes at 30, 40 or 60 degrees, or how to remove wallpaper?

The Powerwatch stuff is based on very dodgy science, by the way -- Ben Goldacre's Bad Science column in the Guardian covered it a while ago, I'll see if I can find the link. Phrases like "Electro-magnetic radiation also pollutes the indoor air quality and therefore the human body" are unscientific and meaningless.

Here is Ben Goldacre on Powerwatch.

one more bump, please check out www.projectnesting.org a site on making babies' bedrooms safe, and let me know what you think, both good and bad! thanks so much!

Nicely designed but material needs a really thorough edit (the bit about nappies needing changing a couple of times a day - try 7-8 times for a newborn and 4-5 for a toddler!