Organic Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

Care for Baby & the Environment with Organic Baby Products

September 27th, 2011

It is important to use organic baby products around your little ones. Organic products use natural ingredients and materials and are made with earth-friendly manufacturing processes. These products are especially important for babies, because they eliminate the danger of exposing your children to harmful chemicals and substances. Parents naturally want the best for their babies, and organic, natural baby products help them achieve this.

Cuddle your baby in soft, snuggly, and eco-friendly fabrics. Organic baby products like %100 cotton items are safe and comfortable for your little one. Onesies, shirts, shorts, skirts, and more can all be found made from certified organic cottons and natural, low-impact dyes. Baby bedding is also an important choice for new or expecting parents. Organic baby products centering around infant and toddler bedding are becoming more and more popular. Baby mattresses, padding, and linens sometimes incorporate dangerous chemicals and pesticides that can harm your baby. If you choose non-toxic, %100 organic baby bedding materials, you can ensure the safety and comfort of your sleeping little one.

Protect your new bundle of joy, and keep them healthy and safe with organic lotions and bath products. Natural diaper creams, body washes, and shampoos are perfect for your baby’s sensitive skin. Using organic baby products can lessen the exposure to allergens, irritants, and toxins which will keep both you and you baby comfortable and safe. Organic soaps and cleansers are good for the environment too, making everyone happy as well!

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Give Your Child A Great Start With Organic Baby Products

September 22nd, 2011

As a parent, you want the best for your baby. One way to give your child a healthy start in life is to use organic baby products. Organic products are free of pesticides and toxins that can cause health issues for your child.

Your baby’s nursery should have organic baby products. Sheets, mattress covers and blankets are available that have no pesticides or harmful dyes. Babies have more sensitive skin than adults, so selecting these types of items when purchasing bedding is good for your child.

To further protect your child’s delicate skin, buy organic clothes. The clothes will be in mostly neutral colors because they do not have the dyes used in non-organic clothes, but giving up vibrant colors is a small price to pay to have healthier items for your child.

When you choose organic clothes and bedding, there is less risk of the baby getting rashes from the pesticides used to grow the cotton or the dyes used to color fabrics. In addition to choosing organic fabrics, use organic lotions, soaps and shampoos as a way to care for your child’s skin.

You should consider organic baby products when buying milk and food for your child. Some studies show that organic foods have higher nutritional values than foods grown with pesticides.

Organic baby products such as toys are also good for your child. Babies stick things in their mouths. When you purchase organic baby products, the toys your child plays with will be safer to put in the mouth. There is a variety of organic stuffed animals and wooden toys available that are fun and healthy for your child.

Organic baby products may be a little more expensive, but they are a great way to ensure that your baby gets off to a good start in life.

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How to Shop for Organic Baby Products

July 27th, 2011

Organic baby products are the best option for infants and toddlers. These products are made from all-natural materials that have not been treated with harmful chemicals or toxins. Plastics have been a source of negative attention, as the BPA and PVCs are found to be harmful, especially for small infants who have underdeveloped systems. With organic baby products, you can rest assured that the materials are in their natural form and safe for baby, no matter how many times he or she puts things in the mouth!

There are many different types of organic baby products on the market, including toys, bedding, blankets, clothes, bath products and nursery décor. These products are made from wool, bamboo and organic cotton that have not been treated or dyed. To cut down on the chemicals, organic baby products feature simple designs and minimal colors. This makes it easy to shop for a baby of any age or gender and to pass the products down to another child.

Many people expect the cost of organic baby products to be much higher than regular products. While organic materials are more expensive, with more demand, there is a larger selection and more competitive prices. Your best option is to shop online, as many websites are dedicated toward carrying all organic baby products, from soaps to bedding to mattresses. This allows consumers to get their hands on all types of organic gifts, while being able to price compare and find the best deals.

It’s also important to learn about the product you’re about to buy. Just because it says it has the organic stamp of approval, doesn’t mean this is true. Some products are only part organic, which could make a difference in the type of bedding you choose, as you want to avoid chemical exposure, not just reduce it. Learn as much as you can about where the product comes from and the ingredients used. For example, the very finest wool will come from free-range sheep that are fed healthy diets. Another example is organic baby bedding, as some mattresses still douse the fibers in flame retardants, while others rely on the natural fire wicking properties in wool.

Organic baby products are the best way to ensure that the youngest members of society are given the best start. By limited chemical exposure and introducing healthy and safe toys and products, we can feel confident knowing that our little ones are surrounding by the safest products.

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Twin Babies Discuss The Finer Things In Life

May 12th, 2011

Tags: baby, funny, humor, video
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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

December 25th, 2010

From our family to yours…

Breastfeeding with Santa

Tags: breastfeeding, holidays, humor
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Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

November 9th, 2010

According to medical reports, around 30% of pregnant women suffer from varicose veins. Pregnant women in their second trimester, that is, approaching the 6th month of pregnancy, may find the veins in their legs bulge and may become tortuous. It not only affects their appearance, but also causes physical discomfort.

A pregnant woman may find her legs swell and ache after prolonged standing and walking, due to pooling of blood in the leg veins. The condition usually improves after pregnancy; however, if the structure of the leg veins has been damaged during this process, varicose veins will appear.

Varicose veins result from the malfunctioning of valves inside the veins. These valves normally ensure blood flows in the upward direction only; however blood flows reversely when the valves are damaged. With the blood pooling in the legs due to gravity, such reverse of blood flow results in increasing pressure in the veins causing them to bulge and become varicosed.

Varicose veins are frequently seen in women during pregnancy as the growth of the baby and uterus during pregnancy compress the veins in the pelvis and lower abdomen resulting in increased venous pressure that may damage the vein valves permanently. Varicose vein will develop when the vein valves cannot function properly.

Preventing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can wear graduate compression stockings upon medical advice. Adequate rest may avoid any worsening of varicose veins and prolonged standing should be avoided. Appropriate exercises such as regular walking, leg lifting and massage can help the blood flow back to the heart. They should seek proper medical advice in case of worsening symptoms like skin itchiness and pain.

Therapy After Delivery

Although most of the dilated veins during pregnancy will naturally resolve after delivery, there may be some cases where permanent damage of the valves within the veins has occurred. Detailed examination and therapy are necessary if the legs continue to ache and veins still bulge.

In the past, open surgery was the only treatment for varicose veins. It involves making two cuts of several centimeters at the groin and around the knee. The varicose vein is then tied off where it meets the deeper veins and then is stripped out. This inevitably causes significant pain and leaves unsightly scars. The operation is usually done under general anesthesia, and recovery may take at least a few weeks. Nowadays, minimally invasive endovenous treatment for varicose veins has comparable effectiveness as open surgery – but with the advantages of smaller wound, less pain, faster recovery and better cosmetic outcome. They can be done under local anesthesia with or without sedation, in the form of day surgery. Disturbance to daily life can be minimal. Endovenous ablation of varicose veins with radiofrequency or laser energy and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy are the two commonly adopted treatments, which are especially effective in treating varicose veins at their early stage.

Endovenous ablation refers to removing the abnormal vein by applying radiofrequency or laser energy inside the vein to destroy it. The radiofrequency or laser fibre is introduced into the vein through a needle hole, whereas ultrasound guided sclerotherapy involves injection of medication into the lumen of the abnormal vein to collapse the varicose vein. Both procedures are guided by ultrasound in a very precise manner.

Varicose veins always worsen in subsequent pregnancies, usually with more severe symptoms. Therefore, a detail examination should be conducted should the bulging and dilated veins persist after delivery.

Tags: pregnancy
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Life After Birth – Postnatal Care

October 29th, 2010

Although your new baby will probably give you great emotional satisfaction, you may be physically uncomfortable. Your body has gone through many changes during pregnancy and it will take a while for it to return to its pre-pregnancy state.

Six weeks after the birth your doctor will examine you to make sure that everything is returning to normal; this also gives you a chance to discuss any worries you may have. The doctor will take your blood pressure and check a sample of your urine. Your breasts and abdomen will be examined and the doctor will make sure that any stitches have healed properly. You will probably have an internal examination to check the size and position of your uterus and you may have a cervical smear test if one is due.

If your baby was born in hospital, a midwife or doctor will probably talk to you about contraception before you go home. Alternatively, you can discuss this at your six-week check. Don’t take any risks; to avoid getting pregnant again you should use contraception as soon as you resume intercourse. It is an old wives’ tale that breast-feeding prevents conception.

If you were not immune to rubella (German measles) during your pregnancy, you will probably be offered the immunization before you leave hospital or at your six-week check- up. Ask your doctor if you are at all unsure about your immunity.

Mother’s Body

Immediately after the birth your breasts will produce colostrum, a high-protein liquid full of antibodies. Then, after the pregnancy hormones decline, your main milk supply should come in around the third or fourth day. At this time the breasts swell, feel hard, and can sometimes be painful. Bathing them with warm water is soothing, and letting the baby have frequent feeds will also help.

This initial swelling subsides after a few days as both you and your baby get used to feeding. However, if you have decided to bottle-feed, your breasts will remain full tor a few days until they gradually stop producing milk. Your breasts will probably never be quite as firm as they were before pregnancy, but a well-fitting support bra will help greatly.

After delivery your abdomen will probably be quite flabby and wrinkled because of slack muscles and stretched skin. Gentle post-natal exercises will help tighten up your abdominal and vaginal muscles, so make time to do them every day. If you feel you’re not disciplined enough to exercise on your own, join a local post-natal class.

Following the birth you will have a vaginal discharge which is known as lochia. This will be like a very heavy period for a few days, with the flow gradually getting lighter until it disappears within a few weeks. Use maternity pads or large sanitary towels to absorb the discharge because there is a risk of infection if you use tampons in the early weeks after the birth.

Your uterus will take about six weeks to return to its original size. If you are breast-feeding you may feel it contract as you feed the baby.

If your perineum (the skin between the vagina and anus) was bruised during labour, or if you had stitches, you will find that anything that put pressure on the area painful. Take paracetamol to relieve the pain and ease the soreness with a gel pack held against the perineum or by sitting in warm water. Try drying the area with a hand-held hair dryer, set on cool, rather than with a bath towel. Do not put the dryer too close to your skin, or use it in the bathroom.

Tags: pregnancy
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Caring for Your Newborn Baby

July 14th, 2010

Your newborn baby will seem fragile at first, but is actually quite tough. It is natural to be worried about how to pick your new baby up and hold him without hurting him in any way. Before you pick up your baby make sure that you have his head and neck supported with one hand, then slide the other hand underneath his back and bottom to support the lower part of his body before lifting. Hold your baby firmly against you, either cradled against your chest with one arm still supporting the head and the other holding the bottom and lower back, or cradled in your arms with your baby’s head King in the crook of one arm while your other arm supports his back and legs. Always keep any movements gentle so that you don’t hurt or frighten your baby.

The Newborn Baby at Delivery

Your baby will also be weighed and measured by the doctor and will probably receive the first of three doses of vitamin K, by mouth, to prevent a rare bleeding illness which occasionally affects newborn babies. A second dose is given at 10 days and a third at six weeks. Vitamin K is given by injection to very premature babies or those who have had a traumatic birth.

After the birth, the umbilical cord will be cut and a plastic clamp placed about l-2cm from the infant’s body. Over the next few days the cord will shrivel up and after about a week it will drop off com­pletely. During this time the area around the cord should be kept dry and clean to avoid the risk of infection. Try to let the air get to the healing navel as much as possible so that moisture from wet nappies doesn’t affect it.

Some babies are born with a lot of hair, others arrive almost bald. Any first hair that a baby has will rub off within a couple of months, but this will be replaced with new hair growth. The new hair may be a different color.

Most white babies are born with eyes that appear to be blue-grey in color. This is because melanin, the body’s natural pigment, is not present in the eyes until some weeks afterbirth. Babies with brown or black skins may have brown eyes at birth. If your baby’s eyes are going to change color this will gradually happen over a period of weeks or even months.

Tags: newborn
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Choosing Green and Choosing a Better Future

April 12th, 2010

America, being the most unhealthy country in the world, is now learning that the ways we have always done things are killing not only our planet, but our irresponsibility is killing us.

In the past humans have practiced some extremely horrible customs such as, taking arsenic in small doses in the 16-19 centuries to make our skin pale, bleeding or leaching the sick to get rid of the infected blood, and burying meat in salt to preserve it for later consumption. All of these are easily identifiable as unhealthy and impractical ways of treating our bodies now, but at the time seemed not only sound but innovative.

Future generations, I’m sure, will look back and things like steroids in livestock, harsh chemical dyes used on fabrics, hormones in milk and even the harmful fillings used in adult and baby crib mattresses, and wonder how we could ever have thought such things were OK for us. They will read stories of wide spread obesity, growing numbers in types of cancer and cancer patients as well as other disease related deaths and think “Why didn’t they see that what they were doing was killing them?”.

If you take only one of these items listed, let’s say steroids in milk, and amplify it to list the possible health links you would find:

• Little girls bodies maturing to menstruate as early as age 7 and 8
• Early Sexual Maturity
• Early breast growth

These are but a few of the phenomenon that could very likely be linked to the hormones in milk and milk products. Are we robbing our little girls of being little girls?

So how to we proceed? Now that we are clued in as to the consequences our everyday choices have on our bodies, we can begin to change and see a decline in the what has been a rapid incline of unhealthy living. One way to go about that is to live organically.

Organic living is more than simply buying organic foods at the supermarket. Growing and eating only foods without chemical fertilizer’s and pesticides is the beginning of healthy living, but we need to realize the many areas where we can choose organic. Ways likes purchasing:

1. Organic kids clothing
2. Dye free toys
3. Non lead based paints
4. and even local organic fruits and vegetables.

Making those choices even when they are more expensive shows a great shift in our thinking. This thinking is moving us toward being a healthier country. Of course there are several more changes that need to be made (two words fast food) but if we start in the grocery store, move on to clothing and bedding and then shift into the other details of our lives, we can see a brighter future for generations to come.

Tags: crib, mattresses, organic
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Baby Yoga Instructor?!

April 9th, 2010

What better way let go of the daily baggage? 

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