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You’ve Been Moby’ed

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At nearly 3 weeks old, our little one has decided he no longer wants to be put down in his bassinet, which is making it tricky to get anything done. So I figured this was my cue to master the Moby! I’ve been trying to get him in the Moby off and on for the last week without success. What with yards of fabric and a squirmy newborn, it is not as easy as first anticipated! We’ve had it too tight, too loose, too low, and his feet hanging out on one attempt! However today I think we may have just got it!

We’ll see if he likes it…

The Bomb

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NaturalBirthingCompany

Whilst in England recently, I came across the ‘Natural Birthing Company’ at a baby show event. They are consist of a group of Midwives with a holistic approach to Maternity care. They offer a number of services including doula support, … Continue reading →

Honest Bananas & Bunz

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Diapers on a Line

I came across an article earlier this week on Honest.com titled, ‘What’s Inside Disposable Diapers?’, which discusses, as you may have guessed, the contents of your average disposable diaper. They revealed that disposable diaper companies have no obligation to state … Continue reading →

Nutrition is Key

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“Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.” -Hippocrates, ancient Greek physician

We have all heard the phrase, ‘You are what you eat’, but now according to an article in Time magazine, ‘We are also what our mothers eat’!

Your baby’s health is directly related to what you eat before, during and after pregnancy. ‘Healthy Mothers have healthy babies’, as Robin Lim states in her book, ‘Eating for Two’. Nutrition is key to a healthy pregnancy and birth and is the biggest and best tool you have for avoiding discomforts and complications, such as…

  • Constipation
  • Hemorrhoids (Piles)
  • Leg Cramps
  • Heartburn
  • Insomnia
  • Swelling
  • Pre-term labor
  • Anemia (Low Iron)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Lactation problems

Since around 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, living a healthy, eco-conscious lifestyle may be the best thing you can do to prepare your body for having children, planned or not.

It is important to focus on good nutrition as soon as you can. Eat wholesome organic foods whenever possible. Remember that good nutrition is like an investment-You have to pay upfront to get the desired result. The majority of birth defects occur in the first three weeks of pregnancy, often before many women know they are pregnant. It is therefore important that you already have your nutrient reserves boosted. If you are currently trying to conceive, now is the perfect time to make changes to your diet, to ensure you are getting the essential nutrients for your pregnancy. Often perceived ‘infertility’ can be resolved through dietary changes and/or alternative therapies, such as Acupuncture. Start taking a prenatal multivitamin (even if you are not pregnant yet). This acts as an ‘insurance policy’ for anything you may be lacking in your diet. In our modern world, unhealthy farming practices, such as spraying crops with chemical fungicides and insecticides, rob our soil and therefore our foods of vital nutrients, which is why I would recommend taking a prenatal vitamin, even if you already have a healthy diet. However, simply taking a multi-vitamin, is not enough by itself. Supplementation should not take the place of food. It is always better to get nutrients direct from food sources rather than from a synthetic source, as your body will be able to digest and absorb them more readily.

If you are already pregnant, don’t worry-it is never too late. You may find completing a food diary helpful. Jot down everything you are eating over the course of a week (and be honest). It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you will find you pay more attention to what you’re eating, and you’ll be more cautious about your food choices when you know you have to write it down. Show it to your healthcare provider, to see if they have a recommendations. It is also important to remember that the benefits of eating wisely during pregnancy are not just confined to the womb, it lays a strong foundation for our children’s future health and their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

As some of you may already realize, Folic Acid, or Folate,  is one of the important nutrients a woman needs during pregnancy (especially in the first 3 months) to prevent against Neural Tube Disorders, such as Spina Bifida, but how many of you know that Folic Acid is great to take PRE-pregnancy too? Folic Acid can be depleted by oral contraceptives and is helpful for enhancing fertility in both men and women. Think, leafy greens, nuts, green beans, asparagus, legumes, lima beans, wholegrains and oranges for healthy sources of Folic Acid.

Below are my 2 favorite Prenatal Multi Vitamins. There are both organic whole food based supplements, rather than synthetic versions.  This means the nutrients are more easily broken down, processed and absorbed by the body (bio-available), and you are highly unlikely to get any allergic reactions or unpleasant side effects.

New Chapter Organics-Perfect Prenatal

Rainbow Light-Certified Organic Prenatal Vitamin

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Related Article - ‘Ten tips to prepare for your pregnancy’ – Healthy Child, Healthy World

Coconut Water-An Essential Item for the Birth Bag

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Fresh Coconut

Coconut water has become a new addition to my birth bag. I believe every laboring woman should keep this little trick up her sleeve. Everybody knows that labor is hard work-hence the name. Unfortunately there is no getting away form … Continue reading →

Taste the Exotic

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Coconut has become my new best friend! Finally a superfood that not only works wonders for our bodies, but also tastes delicious! It is creeping in to my diet in a variety of different forms, and I just can’t get enough-coconut water, coconut oil, coconut cream, coconut milk… It is enlightening to know that something so yummy can actually be this good for me!

Back in the day, coconut oil was wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels and was considered a ‘bad fat’. It is only in recent years that modern medical scientists are discovering what traditional islanders have known for thousands of years. All over the globe people from different cultures, races, languages and religions have honored the coconut as a valuable source of food and medicine. Wherever the coconut palm grows, the people have known its powers as an effective medicine. It has long be used in traditional local folk medicine for treating a number of different health problems including, asthma, bronchitis, burns, colds, constipation, cough, flu, irregular or painful periods, jaundice, malnutrition, nausea, rashes, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throats, swelling, syphilis, tuberculosis, tumors, upset stomaches, general weakness and wounds.

Coconut Oil

Although the coconut is renowned for its health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it is the coconut oil, which is the true beauty.

“Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth.”
-Bruce Fife, N.D.

Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid and is one of the most prized substances of coconut oil. Pure coconut oil contains around 50% Lauric acid, making the most abundant natural source of Lauric acid available. The only other abundant source found in nature is in human breast milk.

When Lauric acid is present in the body it is converted in to Monolaurin-a monoglyceride, known for boosting the immune system due to its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Monolaurin also specifically targets bacterial infections as well as lipid-coated viruses like herpes, measles, influenza, cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C. Which in other words means it is incredible good for you! Researchers in the Philippines have even begun studies to prove the effectiveness of Lauric acid against HIV/AIDS because of its strong antiviral properties. Without sufficient levels of monolaurin in the body all of these benefits are lost. Many people who regularly consume coconut oil experience less sickness, which could explain the drastic decrease of infections in breastfed babies. Other benefits of coconut oil includes stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, candida (yeast) overgrowth, proper digestion and metabolism, improved dental health, weight loss, strengthened bones, and relief from kidney problems, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Tips when looking for coconut oil…

- Don’t settle for the cheap brands found next to shortening on grocery store shelves. Much of this coconut oil is hydrogenated, which negates all of its benefits. In addition, this is commercially-processed coconut oil that has been stripped of its natural properties. Be sure not to buy coconut oil that has been hydrogenated. This destroys the beneficial attributes of coconut oil and makes it high in dangerous trans-fatty acids. The best type of coconut oil is the organic extra-virgin unrefined variety, which is closest to its natural state. It will also retain its light coco-nutty aroma and taste in addition to its amazing health benefits.

Read more…

Use coconut oil to fight the common cold (www.naturalnews.com)

Benefits of Lauric acid in coconut oil (www.naturalnews.com)

Coconut oil increases beneficial properties in human breast milk (www.emaxhealth.com)

Coconut Water

Coconut water has been a popular beverage in the tropics for generations, and acts as another lifeline from this wonderful palm. Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young green coconuts (in stores, they are usually shaved white). It is a natural isotonic beverage filled with immune boosting vitamins and nutrients.

Coconut water is actually more effective in treating dehydration than plain water, and (bizarre as it sounds) has even been used as an IV fluid. During World War II Japanese and British military doctors were using IV coconut water in field hospitals to treat the wounded. After the war the successful use of IV coconut water sparked further investigation and led to publication of a number of studies involving its use, which found it to be a suitable alternative to commercial IV fluids. Not only is fresh coconut water sterile, but it also contains a very similar chemical profile to human blood plasma, making it well tolerated by the body. Research has also found it to be just as effective in oral hydration. It has been used as a treatment for dehydration-related diseases such as cholera and influenza, where dehydration in these cases can often be fatal. Coconut water contains a mixture of natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, amino acids and hormones essential for rehydration, as well as growth and development. In fact due to its unique chemical profile coconut water is absorbed into the intestinal wall quicker than plain water, bringing faster recovery and in many cases eliminating the need for intrusive IV rehydration therapy.

More Than Skin Deep

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Although we may not think of skin as an organ, it is actually the largest organ in the body, yet we often neglect it. The skin is a gateway to the rest of our body, and plays an important role in protection. It is our first line of defense when it comes to extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight and harmful chemicals. Many of us think carefully about the food we put in our bodies, or the food we feed our children. But are we really thinking so clearly about the products we put on our skin? Many of the chemicals in our body care products are absorbed through the skin directly in to our bloodstream within minutes. What worries me the most, are the products we use on our babies. Babies are not just ‘mini adults’, their skin is 30% thinner than adults, making them more vulnerable to harmful chemicals. Their immature organ systems make them less capable of fending off chemical damage that could lead to damage later on in life. The blood-brain barrier that helps to block chemicals from penetrating the brain tissue is also not fully formed until 6 months of age, meaning we have to be extremely cautious when it comes to selecting baby products.

Parents are constantly concerned with getting the best products in the market and doing everything right so that their child is safe. But as we are perusing the baby aisle at our local supermarket, how do we determine which products are the best, and which ones are simply claiming to be the best?

Research carried out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that children are exposed to an average 61 different chemicals every day from the most popular baby products, many of which have not been found safe for children. The EWG found that 77% of ingredients in 1700 children products have not been assessed for safety. According to the FDA, companies can use marketing terms such as ‘natural’, ‘safe’, and ‘gentle’, to ‘mean anything or nothing at all’ (FDA 2000).

Many children’s products contain potentially hazardous ingredients that contradict label claims.

 

Check out the EWG Skin Deep website to see how safe the products you are using are….

Nation’s Pediatricians Call on Congress to Protect Kids from Toxic Chemicals

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