Why I Make My Own Baby Wipes...

So the story begins with me trying to conceive...I had some issues and decided to change my diet and remove dangerous chemicals from my products. One of the culprit chemicals that attacks your reproductive system are from the Paraben family. Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The family of Parabens include Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Heptylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben. Read more about the dangers of Parabens HERE. So what does this have to do with making baby wipes... Well most baby wipes contain them and I had no idea...

I received a case of Pamper's baby wipes for my baby shower. The case contains three bags of wipes inside that are unmarked and unlabeled. So when baby Oliver was born I asked my husband to get me some baby wipes and he brought me one of the bags. Since I was exhausted I did not think to investigate the ingredients in the wipes and since the bag had nothing on it I just ignored it. When I got myself together after the birth and started getting back into daily routine, I went to the room where all the baby stuff was. I picked up the case of baby wipes and the word Paraben jumped out and slapped me in the face. Here I am trying to protect my baby from these crappy chemicals and I have been washing his genitals with them for some time. I immediately threw them out....

I realized baby wipes are a new invention for convinced so I went online to see if anyone else made their own baby wipes. I found out a lot of people do. Some to save money, others to save the planet from waste, and some to save our babies from horrible chemicals. 

So I found some online recipes and was quite happy with the results. Since I cloth diapered washing the wipes wasn't a big deal I just washed them with the diapers.

Here are some good ones:
http://wellnessmama.com/1459/homemade-baby-wipes-recipe/

http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/mama-resources/expert-panel/diba-tillery-rn-bsn/making-homemade-baby-wipes

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2012/05/10/cloth-wipes-diy-free-or-fancy/

http://simplehomemade.net/how-to-make-and-use-cloth-wipes/

Since then, Oliver and I started venturing out more and I found it easier to carry a small spray bottle of diluted solution and dry wipes. I just spray him , wipe and then throw the wipes in our wet bag with the soiled diapers. 

At home since Oliver started squirming around during diaper changes I found it much easier and much more hygienic to walk his tush and other parts in the tub after pooping...so I don't even use wipes at home. I just hold his tushy under the running water and soap him up. 

Ladies I would highly recommended that you carefully read all your products as well as your baby's products to make sure these bad ingredients aren't in there. They are in almost EVERYTHING! What is crazy to me is that face creams I use to spend tons of money on contained them too. So just because something is pricey doesn't mean it is good.  Don't be ignorant do research and protect yourselves from the poisons that these money making companies are trying to expose you to. I am not willing to be a guinea pig for no one especially when I am paying for the products. I hope I spread some awareness. Remember a good rule of thumb is if you would feel safe putting it in your mouth you shouldn't put it on your body. Your skin is a living organ, it absorbs everything you put on it...

The Truth about Snot Sucking! (Neti Pots, Bulbs and Snotsuckers)

   All three of us have been sick... it started with my husband last week and finally got to Oliver and I this week Tuesday. I figured this is a very appropriate topic since we are dealing with these issues at the moment.

   Until you have a baby you probably don't pay much attention to snot unless you have allergies or frequent colds.  This post is covering both scenarios (babies and adults).

    Towards the end of my pregnancy I had the misfortune of having a really bad cold and flu, back to back. The crappiest part about it was not being able to take anything that could knock you on your ass to sleep. My mid wife turned me to many homeopathic and natural remedies that got me through and also got me thinking about never using some of those poisonous typical  medications out there (like NyQuil to name a popular one). However my issue with being sick typically has always been the runny nose and not being able to breathe well at night because of it...so a friend of mine suggested using the Neti Pot? She described it to me as a little teapot with a tip that looks like a penis, that you put in your nose and flush it out. Not being one for putting things up my nose (especially something shaped like a penis..lol) and nasal sprays freaking me out, I had no intention of trying this Neti Pot thing...but one night out of desperation I sent my husband to Walgreens to get me this contraption. I must of watched 20 video demonstrations on Youtube that night before I got up the courage to try this thing. Once I did it I was amazed at how much snot came out...SO MUCH and I could breathe clearly. The new question was, why didn't I know about this sooner?  In case you don't have a clue what a Neti Pot is, here is a video.  It is an ancient Indian technique practiced all over the world! There is a lot of interesting history behind this technique...

The Neti Pot!
There are many styles out there. 

The Snotsucker that Sucks
because it DOES NOT suck! (You got that?)

  Ok so now let us fast forward to having Oliver. Now my mindset is geared towards "baby". Babies will eventually have snot issues and they can't blow thier nose or use the Neti Pot until much older. So, what the heck are you suppose to do for them? Well in every Baby Medical Kit they give you these "bulb nasal syringes" which couldn't suck out snot if your life dependent on it. They are useless! You might as well use them as bath toys or baste a chicken with them. Ok so if those don't work, what are you to do? Well...

    You use the most awesome invention of all time "Nosefrida the Snotsucker"! This handy dandy little device is like a snot vacuum that you control with the sucking power from your mouth! Here is the company's overview (I think it is cute):

The Snotsucker that actually SUCKS SNOT! 

• It’s smart.
• It’s Swedish.
• It’s maybe a little strange.
• It’s doctor invented & recommended.
• It’s 100% hygienic due to the included filters (4).
• It’s fabulously reviewed (Rachel Ray, Parenting, & more).
• It’s a nasal aspirator that ACTUALLY WORKS!
• It’s NoseFrida.  The Snotsucker.

It has been the best $15 I have ever spent! 

   I have had to use this a few times already, and all I have to say is that it is a great invention that works flawlessly every time. 

   All I have to do is put some saline in the baby's nose and then suck out everything with the Nosefrida. It is fool proof. However poor Oliver does not like the saline or the sucking for that matter and cries through the whole procedure. So I try to use it sparingly when really necessary.  Also as a word of advice, wash after every use immediately! If you fail to do so the snot is difficult to get out of the tube. So here is their official video! 

Good luck with the suck! 

Slingin' in the Rain!

Well actually we were wrapping in the rain but slinging was a better fit for the title :).
   
    Just want to add some more benefits of wearing your baby. Today has been a non stop rainy and dark day so it was a stay indoors type of day. Baby Oliver was getting cranky, don't know if it is because of teething, maybe has daddy's cold, or was just bored to death... so I decided to take him out doors. Since the rain wasn't very strong I wrapped him up, took an umbrella, and around the blocks we went. He was so peaceful and happy to be outdoors regardless of the rain. I couldn't have done this with a stroller... it is just more natural for me to wear him, and he loves it too.  Also the wrap turned my pajama/night gown into a dress, hid the fact I wasn't wearing a bra and also protected the baby from mosquitoes (notice I tucked his feet into the wrap). Also, if  wrapped correctly with good wrap, it is extremely comfortable to wear your baby.

I am using a homemade cotton gauze wrap which is ideal for
Florida because it is so HOT. There are many options out
 there for materials for wraps... not all are created equal! 

That's our new $2.99 Ikea Umbrella.

 
Another awesome benefit of baby wearing is that you can breastfeed your baby in the wrap... this is great on many occasions. Here are some pictures of how this is done. Obviously baby has to be nice and high on your chest and have easy access to his milk supply. 

Oliver got hungry from the walk!

He is getting sleepy....

He is OUT! Within minutes!

Feeding with no hands. I was able to take these pictures myself!

When in public you can raise the wrap up to cover the back of baby's
head for more privacy or even wear a jacket  as well. 

It has been such a crappy day and my hubby is feeling crappy so I will leave you with some cute baby pictures to make it better!

Playing soccer indoors with my 1st soccer ball
given to me by my uncle Carlos! 

Getting stronger... preparing to crawl!

My rainy day friends!

TOES

Daddy's coughing and sneezing are funny to me!

A Necklace that Helps Babies with Teething....REALLY?

Since I gave birth to my little boy Oliver on April 7, 2012, I have been doing nothing but researching on the best things that I could do for my son. Not the most expensive or popular, but what is authentically good for him. I am on a mission to do everything for my child via homeopathics versus the typical allopathic route. So listening closely to some homeopaths...and reading articles, I kept hearing how Baltic Amber is used for teething. I thought the babies had to chew on the necklaces, but quickly I learned they just have to wear them. Really? Just wear them? How does that work? Curious to know more I did some more research and asked questions, which led us to our first purchase all the way from Lithuania .... and this is what we bought...

These were the necklaces we purchased from Aidas Vizgaudas on http://www.etsy.com/shop/BalticAmberGiftShop , two for Oliver one for daddy and one for mommy. I love how he put the little angles on the baby ones.

Here is some information on Baltic Amber ( via http://www.amberartisans.com ):

"Today, more than ever, parents are looking for natural ways to care for their infants children instead of reaching for over the counter or prescription drugs. Especially when it comes to teething, a perfectly natural event that marks various growth stages in infancy and childhood. As parents explore how to soothe and calm teething infants and children and give them comfort during these very uncomfortable times, they often turn to one of the oldest, most widely used, and complete natural solutions...amber teething necklaces.

For thousands of years, Baltic amber has been recognized for its incredible healing properties and analgesic pain relief. Completely non toxic, natural amber also supports the immune system which is especially important for infants and children when their young bodies are still in development. So how does Baltic amber provide such incredible relief? We’re glad you asked that question! Over 45 million years ago, an organic substance known as “fossil resin” was produced by unique pine trees in a very large forest in Northern Europe. When the temperatures in the forest went from cold to much warmer, the trees exuded a “sap” or “resin” which became part of the earth around them. As waterways in that area grew in size and strength, the “fossilized” resin reached the bed of the Baltic Sea and subsequently drifted in varying shapes and sizes to the shores. First recorded in 460 BC, amber became the most precious substance of its time as the “gold” of Lithuania, the messenger of ancient history to scientists (the resin having inclusions of tiny insects and plants of that period), and a most unusual healing solution. The healing properties of Baltic amber are attributed to its primary ingredient, Succinic acid, which is mostly located in the surface layer of the amber, and is an exceptionally powerful therapeutic healing agent. So how does amber achieve its role as the primary natural solution to relieving teething pain in infants and toddlers?

In order for Baltic amber to perform its analgesic function, amber artisans designed amber teething jewelry that could be worn comfortably and safely against the child’s skin. When the skin warms the amber, it begins to exude its healing properties providing not only pain relief but a calming effect. The relief will last for long periods of time so you can remove the necklace when your infant is sleeping or unattended. The necklaces fasten with a screw clasp and strung by hand with special knots in between each and every amber bead so if the necklace should break, the rest of the beads will not scatter.

So remember…your child doesn’t need to endure teething pain and the irritability that comes with it. At the first sign of teething, which is most often drooling, find a respected and reliable source for a Baltic amber teething necklace. And then relax and let nature take its course."  

You can also find information on Baltic Amber on http://www.itmonline.org/arts/amber.htm . 

First Day Oliver is wearing his Baltic Amber!

Daddy has a matching one too!

So stylish :)

We are happy with our necklace!

Baltic Amber Necklace, so far so good!

So far I think the Baltic Amber is helping...we don't actually have any teeth out yet. However I have noticed a little less drool and discomfort! We will see as we progress on our teething adventure.