A Few Basic Facts

Here are some straight forward facts to consider on the topic of sun protection. The sun radiates two different rays that are cancer causing, UVA and UVB. The UVA ray is longer and it affects the skin much deeper than a UVB ray. The UVB ray is the one that gives you sunburn. Both can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
When you buy a sunscreen and you look for a sun proof factor (spf), you are looking for protection from the UVB ray. The thing is, most sun blocks are only keeping out the UVB. So, you can have sunscreen on, thinking you are safe, but still get skin cancer from the UVA rays.

SPF, an abbreviation for sun-protection factor, is a number such as 15, 30, or 50 that indicates how long a topical sunscreen remains effective on the skin. A user can determine the duration of effectiveness simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer with almost 1 million cases each year in America. Treatment includes a procedure to remove the cancer, typically by cutting out the affected area or treating with a topical chemotherapy. If left untreated, the cancer will continue to grow. Individuals who have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma need sun protection to minimize UV exposure.

Bottom line – the sun is our friend. We need it and it is wonderful for our spirits and our health. Enjoy it but safely and in moderation.

Top Five Sun Care Picks From EWG

We’ve established the importance of sun care, for your baby, and the entire family. At this time there aren’t any safety standards set by the FDA for sunscreens. So it is important for parents to know what they are truly rubbing into their baby’s bodies. A good example of the standards set for our sunscreens is the use of PABA (”a skin damaging chemical”, EWG) that was more widely used in the past. It still is, however, since there was an outcry from consumers with allergic reactions, companies use it less.

The bottom line is that we parents need to be aware that some sunscreens may be potentially more harmful than good. “Studies show that some traditional sunscreens like oxybenzone and octinoxate definitely absorb into healthy skin – in large amounts according to some studies – and act like estrogens in the body, raising risks for breast cancer, and showing effects like hormone-driven uterine damage in other studies”. 1

Take a look at your current sunscreen and you will probably find one of these ingredients, if not both. There is also some controversial concern with the micro sized (nanosize) titanium and zinc. Are these particles so small that they can absorb through the skin and into our blood stream? For now it is considered safe (as long as the particles aren’t too small) on healthy skin. A good way to test is this, if the sunscreen rubs clear onto your baby’s skin, it is nanosized. If it rubs on with some white, the particles are not too small.

Below we’ve listed the top five choices according to the Environmental Working Group. We always suggest, however, to do your own homework and then you can make an educated decision as to what is right for your family.

Environmental Working Groups Safest Sunscreen Picks

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock
2. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance
4. Badger Sunscreen
5. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum

Just Say No to Phthalates

Phthalates, while not a household name, are abundant in a lot of skin care products. Phthalates are making their way into the news lately due to the potential dangers to the long term health of our babies. This potentially harmful man-made-chemical is often hidden in “fragrances” to help a fragrance stay on the skin longer. Skin ‘care’ for babies should be gentle, clean and kind.

But a deeper look shines the light on this sneaky use of wording!

“At this time, we do not know what the potential long-term effects might be, but there is a large body of animal studies to suggest developmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a few human studies with changes in health outcomes as well,” Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana (from the University of Washington) told Reuters Health.

Better safe than sorry is a good rule of thumb. Get into the habit of reading every label for ingredients. When in doubt simply move on. We’ll keep you posted on new research that develops regarding potentially harmful products.

Care For the Umbilical Site

For the first week or so the umbilical site needs special attention. If the area surrounding the navel becomes red and tender, or the umbilicus itself shows a puslike discharge or emits an unpleasant odor, these signs indicate an infection and medical assistance should be sought. Herbal powders in single or combination form have proven to be potent allies in this instance. The following powder has a reputation for completely drying the umbilical stump within three days after the birth. The powder can be gently applied several times daily, usually at diaper changes, with a cotton ball or swab. It will also help to be certain that the diaper is not rubbing or chafing this delicate area, and that it is in general kept clean and dry. In fact, if weather permits, it helps to expose the area to fresh air and sunlight for a time each day to promote healing.

Herbal Cord Care Powder

Barberry root

Oregon grape root

Goldenseal root

Combine equal parts of each and blend well with a wire whisk. Store in a clean, dry glass jar. These three roots share the berberine alkaloid, which is a powerful astringent and antimicrobial. These herbs must be ordered from ethical sources, such as organically grown, as the wildharvested variety contributes to their preca rious status as endangered plants. Goldenseal especially has been overharvested to a point of extinction from its natural habitat to meet the huge consumer demand. Using organically grown herbs gives the environment an opportunity to replenish and grow strong again, ensuring that these valuable plants are not lost to us.

Honey is another option and an old remedy for protecting and drying the umbilical stump. Traditional midwives praise honey for its natural antibiotic properties, as well as being nutritive and healing for the skin. Apply honey to the umbilical site following the birth and thereafter several times a day.

Continue your chosen remedy even after the stump drops off for a few days, to protect while the healing process is fully completed.

News for Infant Eye Care

The most common advise for caring for such a delicate area is antibiotic eye ointment, usually erythromycin, to be applied to the newborn’s eyes as a precaution against any bacteria which may have been transmitted from the birth canal to the baby’s eyes. Bacteria that cause syphilis and gonorrhea can cause blindness in the infant. While the ointment is mild and not as dangerous as its precedent, silver nitrate drops, which also caused blindness, there are effective herbal alternatives.

Washing the eyes with a warm echinacea root decoction is an excellent, safe, and effective alternative to the conventional ointment. This eyewash can also be diluted with mother’s milk, if any is available. Mother’s milk is abundant in natural substances called lysosomes, which can also be found in saliva and tears. These convey remarkable protective antiseptic and infection fighting qualities, and it is fine for this new milk to go into tender new eyes. These same options can also be used if an eye infection does develop. Newborn eye infections are common, as before baby’s tear ducts begin working things can become congested. Regular washing of the eyes with tepid water will serve as a preventive measure. If pinkeye, or conjunctivitis should develop, the echinacea eyewash with or without mother’s milk will soothe, protect, and initiate healing.

Using Herbs While Breastfeeding: Part I

Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding your newborn, if circumstances allow, for many reasons. Nursing your baby is a natural and normal conclusion to the experience of pregnancy and birth. In fact, it serves as a powerful link from the period of gestation to parenting. It is the new umbilicus, a living link between mother and child, still providing nourishment on a level that exceeds the physical.

Breastfeeding encourages the postpartum rebalancing of hormones. It also is responsible for the production and circulation of prolactin, the “mothering” hormone. Breastfeeding fosters the bonding of mother and infant, and is a profoundly intimate human experience. It is the ultimate fulfilled expression of one’s womanhood to satisfy her new babe’s hunger with this perfect first food from her own body.

Breastmilk is natural immunity. Mom’s white blood cells are passed on to baby through her milk. Colostrum, or the richer “pre-milk” is loaded with antibodies from the mother to help protect the baby from illness. Breastmilk is also naturally abundant in essential fatty acids, or EFAs. These substances are responsible for a variety of important physiological functions in the body, most notably brain cell health and development. EFAs support the rapid cognitive development in growing infants. In fact, European infant formulas must be made with an EFA supplement in order to be approved for sale and consumer use. The U.S. unfortunately has not adopted this policy. Breastmilk is wise; it changes to meet the unique needs of your baby as your baby changes and grows. Formula will never do that.

Galactagogues

Galactagogues are those herbs that establish and promote the flow of mother’s milk. They often have high calcium contents and vary in taste. The recommended use of the following herbs is in tea form, as the added liquid intake will also help to increase milk. It’s important for nursing moms to pay attention to liquid intake and stay well hydrated.

Blessed thistle root (Cnicus benedictus): bitter tasting, this one is best used in combination with others.

Hops flowers (Humulus lupus): also somewhat bitter, hops is an effective galactagogue with the added benefits of sedative, relaxant qualities. The addition of hops to a galactagogue brew will help both mother and baby to settle down at the day’s close.

Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare): sweet fennel seeds add flavor and palatability to a galactagogue tea blend. They also have value in treating digestive upsets, making them ideal if baby has bouts with gas bubbles in her sensitive tummy.

Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum): another sweet seed, fenugreek is mild tasting and reminiscent of maple syrup. These seeds are wo nderful for increasing and enriching a scanty milk supply, and like fennel they are also useful for colicky complaints.

Borage leaf (Borago officinalis): high in calcium, borage leaves are mild tasting and make a strong addition to any galactagogue brew.

Making a Safe Family Bed: Part 2

If you and your partner want some time alone in bed at night, you can start your baby off in a bassinet or crib and bring baby into bed with you when you are ready to. Some parents find this is a wonderful arrangement that keeps everyone happy.

If you find that you feel cramped in bed with your baby, you may want to consider getting a bigger bed! A king-sized bed is a wonderful investment for years to come. You might also choose to make your bed bigger by adding a twin-sized mattress beside it. Some families literally have a “bed room!

Other families want to share sleep but don’t want the baby directly in the bed. There are yet more co sleeping options if this is how you feel. A sidecar arrangement can be made in a number of ways. You can sidecar your baby’s crib to your bed, you can buy a co sleeper, or you can put your child on some type of mattress on a lower level than yours.

You may choose to lower or remove one side of your baby’s crib and adjust the mattress to the height of your mattress. You can then use clamps to clamp the crib to the side of your bed. Some parents find that putting a piece of plywood under baby’s mattress and under theirs helps the sidecar. If there is a gap you can fill it with tightly rolled blankets. Another solution is to put a pool “noodle” (made of a very firm foam) in the crack.

There are also commercial co sleepers. Some moms love these, and enjoy the piece of mind from a product made especially for co sleeping. Arm’s Reach makes a wide variety of options. Once your child is older, you may wish to put a firm crib mattress or futon down beside your bed for him to sleep on. This works well for some families transitioning from the family bed, or who are adding a new baby. The older child still feels the security of being with the family, but is not directly in bed with parents.

You can also choose to have your baby’s bed in the room with you, but not have baby in bed with you. By having your baby’s bassinet or crib in your room, you can quickly respond to his needs.

If you are trying to work out a family bed with a growing family, there are several choices for you. You might want to invest in a king sized bed, or even add a twin sized bed mattress next to your king mattress. You will want to separate your toddler from your infant (see safe co sleeping.) You can choose to have your toddler on one side of you and your infant on your other side. Or you may want to have your toddler on the opposite side of your bed, next to your partner.

You can put your infant in a side car arrangement while your older child is in bed with you. Or you can put your toddler on a separate mattress beside your bed. Maybe your older child feels ready for his own bed, but still in your room. A compact toddler bed may be a good idea for your family. Some older children like to have their own mattress or small bed at the end of their parent’s bed.

Co sleeping can be a joyful experience. There is nothing like waking up to your sweet baby grinning at you! At the end of a long day it can be delightful to cuddle up to your darling baby. It is a time of connection for a family, and millions of families all over the world have been enjoying co sleeping throughout time.

A Few Basics

Those first few moments with your baby, no matter when they come, are precious. Guard and treasure them to give you and your baby the best possible start.

Your first few days taking care of a baby may seem overwhelming. But baby care basics are really pretty simple and you’ll quickly master them.

Your baby really just wants to be with you – and be warm, full, clean and dry.

You’ll want to give your natural baby a bath after the first couple of weeks (or sooner!) – bathtime can be one of the most fun aspects of parenting your new child, and it can become very relaxing as well.

Following your baby’s bath with infant massage is a great way to bond with your baby. Mastering the gentle art of infant massage will also help you soothe your baby and learn his or her cues.

Routines and a baby schedule can help bring security to your baby as your baby becomes gently accustomed to them. I also have lots of practical advice on managing your home with a baby (and older children) that’s helpful as you develop a daily rhythm with your babe.

If you have been blessed with a baby boy you might find circumcision is an issue you need to consider. Please research very carefully, no matter what your religious or cultural background is. Caring for your uncircumcised son is actually quite easy!

In the early days, your baby will thrive on milk. But you may want to research starting solids so that you can be prepared when your baby is ready.

Essential Oils for Immune System and More- Part One

In the quest to find viable ways to strengthen a child’s immune system, I have discovered essential oils. These oils are volatile substances extracted from plants. Pure essential oils have powerful therapeutic effects. Most of them are natural antiseptics, and certain oils have highly effective, immune-boosting, disease-fighting properties that can kill airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi. They can be used preventively and also to treat colds and infectious disease by reducing discomfort, helping to shorten the duration and preventing secondary infections.

Essential oils can be valuable in treating many other childhood ailments. Some are analgesic or anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce aches, pain and swelling. Others can alleviate insomnia or hyperactivity and calm anxious or troubled children. They can also be used to treat minor injuries. In addition to being very safe and effective, essential oils are fun and easy to use.

Choose High-Quality Oils

Not all essential oils are created equal. They must be chosen and used with great care. Many are highly adulterated and over-processed with chemicals. To obtain the beneficial therapeutic qualities, you must use pure essential oils. Many people have purchased inexpensive oils and have been very disappointed with the results, leading them to believe that “essential oils do not work”. Some pure essential oils can be expensive since they are hard to come by. It can take as many as 500 to 2,000 pounds of raw plant material to produce a single pound of pure essential oil. These plants should also be organically grown whenever possible. In addition, the harvesting procedures and extraction processes are critical to quality. It is important to have documentation of the purity and quality of an essential oil so you don’t get something that just smells nice, without the therapeutic qualities. Always buy oils in dark glass bottles. Never buy essential oils in plastic containers or put them into anything made of plastic. They not compatible with plastic. Store in a cool, dark place, away from heat and tightly capped.

How to Use Essential Oils

Inhaling the oils by diffusion produces immediate beneficial effects and is one of the easiest ways to use essential oils. Diffusion releases the highly aromatic molecules of the oils into the air so that we can breathe them in. Inhalation sends impulses directly to the brain and will trigger various healing responses, depending on which oil is being used. The physical body as well as the emotions can be therapeutically affected. Many oils have good germicidal properties and can be very effective in disinfecting a room without using harmful chemicals. When diffused, these oils can cleanse and purify the air by removing toxins and killing pathogenic bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi. They can also destroy odors. Regular diffusion can keep you and your kids healthy through out the cold and flu season.

A spray bottle used to mist houseplants can also be used to diffuse the oils. Fill with water and add 15 or 20 drops. This will clear and clean the air, but does not have the long-lasting effects of a diffuser or nebulizer. A diffuser or nebulizer sprays an ultra-fine mist into the air.

Diluted oils can be applied directly to the body by massaging the affected area, the bottom of the feet or with a full body massage. The tiny molecular structure of an essential oil allows it to be filtered through the skin via the hair follicles and into the bloodstream or to other parts of the body. The oils can nourish and oxygenate every cell of the body. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 7 hours for essential oils to be completely absorbed through the skin, depending on how much body fat there is. In children, they are usually absorbed very quickly.

Essential oils can be very powerful. They should always be diluted before applying directly to the skin or to the bath of a child. They can be used in a carrier oil, mixed with water or added to creams or lotions. Patch testing can be done for children with sensitive skin or allergies. This is done by applying a little diluted oil to the inside of the elbow. Leave it unwashed for twenty-four hours and if any redness or itching occurs, that oil should not be used.

Caution: Essential oils should never be taken internally, without the advice of a professional. Keep all essential oils away from the eyes. Keep all essential oils out of the sight and reach of children. Never attempt to treat a serious illness yourself without first referring to a qualified practitioner.

Many books have been written on aromatherapy and the use of essential oils. Instructions in applying the oils vary widely with different aromatherapists and authors. Simplers Botanical Company has been making essential oils and extracts since 1981. Their oils are absolutely pure and guaranteed to be organic or ethically wildcrafted and properly distilled or extracted. They have written the Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils, which is a brief summary of the views of a wide variety of experts in the field of aromatherapy. In this booklet, they suggest the following guidelines for application of essential oils for use with adults. In parenthesis and italics, I’ve added general recommendations for use with children.

Coolibar, Girl’s Swim Romper

Shopping for infant swimwear? Smart move. The youngest members of your family have the most sensitive skin—and are the most difficult to keep protected from damaging UV rays. The Coolibar Swim Romper offers a host of sun-safe and parent-friendly features:

Full-length coverage, wrists to ankles from these baby rash guards
Generous lap shoulder neckline for easy on and off
Snap-close bottom for on-the-go diaper access
Extra-soft aqua SUNTECT® fabric
Easy care: machine wash, line dry
Imported
Rated UPF 50+

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