As parents, we always strive to keep our children as safe as possible. Some safety hazards are more easily overlooked - or maybe they’re just not common knowledge. One of those lesser known hazards: poisonous houseplants. The good thing is that there are very few houseplants that are extremely dangerous to children, and side effects of consumption or exposure to common poisonous houseplants are typically mild. (1) You don’t have to be a botanist to learn about the dangers of some houseplants. We’re here to breakdown which houseplants to avoid with a baby in the home and what to do if your child has been exposed to one.
Which Houseplants Are Known To Be Poisonous To Babies and Kids?
First, we’ll start by acknowledging the three categories that poisonous houseplants can be broken into: mildly toxic, moderately toxic, and severely toxic. While this is not a complete list of plants to display with caution, this does include many of the most common toxic houseplants. Side effects of consumption can range in severity accordingly.
Mildly toxic:
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Pothos
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Spiderplant
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Fiddleleaf Fig
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Peace Lily
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Philodendron
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Chinese Evergreen
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include nausea, diarrhea, and mild stomach ache.
Moderately toxic:
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Dracaena
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Jade Plant
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include more severe gastrointestinal upset and higher probability of vomiting or diarrhea.
Severely toxic:
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Cycad Sago Palm
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Easter Lily
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include liver failure, seizures, kidney injuries, and severe gastrointestinal irritation.
Its not only our two legged babies that these poisonous houseplants could effect, but our four legged ones as well. In fact, animals may be more sensitive to ill effects of the above houseplants.
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What Symptoms Should I Look For If My Child Has Ingested a Poisonous Plant?
Accidents happen. We do our best to to keep our children free of even the slightest dangers, but the fact is, we can’t possibly keep eyes on them every single second. If your child has consumed some poisonous houseplant, chances are they will be just fine. Nature has kindof a built-in babyproofing when it comes to poisonous houseplants: most of them have a very bitter taste. This usually prevents children and pets from consuming large amounts. Since the most common symptom of poisonous houseplant consumption is gastrointestinal upset, keep your eye out for vomiting, diahrrea, and stomach pain if your little one has ingested a poisonous plant.
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How Can I Prevent My Child From Being Exposed To Poisonous Plants?
Knowledge is power - and you’re already here learning. That is step one to keeping your child from being exposed to poisonous plants. Step two is removing any that may be toxic from your home if necessary or putting them in places where your child will not be able to reach them. Hanging pots, tall shelves, or in a part of the home that they do not have access to could be the best places to keep toxic houseplants. Keep in mind that plants do not have to be toxic in order to pose a risk. Heavy pots that your child could pull down, hanging pots that could pose an entanglement risk, and plants will rocks or pebbles (everything is a choking hazard once they’re mobile) should all be relocated if necessary, regardless of whether or not they are poisonous. Additionally, keep an eye on the soil of any plant for mold or bug infestations, as these are also common issues with houseplants that could be unhealthy for you and your children.
What Should I Do If My Child Ingests Part Of A Poisonous Plant?
If your child has ingested part of a poisonous plant, stay calm. Get on the phone with your child’s pediatrician or the local emergency room for the best advice. While you’re making that call, rinse your child’s mouth out with water. Keep the fluids coming so that your child stays hydrated and, hopefully, flushes out any toxins quickly.
If you are unsure whether or not the plant your child has ingested is poisonous, call the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222. They can help you identify the plant that has been consumed and educate you on any potential side effects.
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Are There Any Safe Houseplants For Homes With Babies and Kids?
Absolutely! Just because some plants may be toxic if consumed, doesn’t mean we should avoid them all together. Plants have many positive benefits including the ability to clean the air and create a happier and more relaxing atmosphere. (2) Plants that have been deemed safest around children and pets include: African Violet, Bamboo, Pepperomia, Wandering Jew, Geraniums, Orchids, and Swedish Ivy. (1) A quick trip to your local nursery may give you more comprehensive insight into which plants are safest for your home.
Conclusion
We know how important it is to you to keep your babies safe. Here at Dreamland Baby, we share the same passion for safety. That’s why we have enlisted the help of professionals in the field of sleep, medicine, infant care, and occupational therapy to provide us with their expert guidance and ensure that we continue to deliver safe, effective products that meet the highest quality standards! We partner with these experts in the field and real parents to ensure that our products are not only safe - but effective and comforting as well. Our gently weighted Swaddles, Sleep Sacks, and Transitional Swaddles are made with our patented CoverCalm® Technology for an even distribution of gentle weight from shoulders to toes and activates Deep Touch Stimulation. This gentle weight reduces stress and increases relaxation so that your baby (and you!) can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Sources:
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https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/lifestyle/which-houseplants-are-poisonous-to-pets-and-kids
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https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits
