Do not use a cell phone near a baby's head! |
On 28 June 2017, we sent this message to the person responsible for the mid-wife team at Geneva’s University Hospital (HUG) and to the Swiss Federation of Mid-Wives. The information comes from articles published recently on the subject in French (media, health sites, consumer associations). For the English translation, we have added recommendations and resources.
Risks to babies exposed to radiofrequency radiation from wireless technologies
Dear Madam,
We have read with interest the article « Quand le smartphone fait de l’ombre au bébé » [“When the smartphone overshadows the baby” – about the use of smartphones in delivery rooms], published by the Tribune de Genève on 15 June 2017.
We encourage mid-wives to raise awareness of young parents of the risks of exposure of their babies to electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by wireless technologies (cell phones, tablets, baby monitors, Wi-Fi, connected toys, smart meters…) not only during the mother and newborn’s stay at the hospital but also afterwards at home. This radiation was classified in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans. The awareness-raising could take place at the maternity hospital during the stay of the mother and newborn and in the form of a brochure including risks during pregnancy and after the birth of the child. It could recommend precautionary measures to reduce exposure of babies and young children to EM radiation.
Information and recommendations :