Babies Go Organic

Going organic is a positive trend that we see all around us these days.  Many parents are deciding to start their little ones on organic products early. There are many companies that produce and market organic baby clothes, organic baby toys and organic baby diapers. There have even been companies that promote organic baby yoga. These products and practices would definitely make sure that everything that you would be using for your baby or child would be safe.

One area of organic products would be organic baby food. The importance of good nutrition is something that most parents want to impart on their children. But with the continued rise in the popularity of fast food chains in today’s youth, it has become more and more of a challenge for parents to impart the importance of good nutrition. Thus parents are making some adjustments, as they are now training their newborn to appreciate healthy foods by giving them organic baby food. While this may appear like a mere rage for parents, many health experts agree that it is a good foundation to have babies eat organic food.

Most of us have discovered how beneficial and nutritional healthy foods are, specially those grown organically. Organic baby foods do not have any chemicals or preservatives in them, making them healthy for babies. With the health benefits they bring to those who eat them, it is not surprising to learn the increase in people eating more organic food, and not just choose to use organic products like organic baby clothes, organic baby diapers and organic baby toys.

For parents who do not want to have their babies eat chemicals, organic baby foods are important. What’s more, these organic baby foods are considered to be very easy on the pockets. They are also readily available in every supermarket. This is undeniably convenient to parents who wish to give their babies with organic baby food in place of regular baby food.

Baby’s Teething Stage

For the most part most babies are bothered by teething in the night. If they are it is usually when the molars come through and then only for a few nights. Typically, babies who wake in the night due to teething are more likely to have suffered from colic and have developed poor sleeping habits.

If your baby is teething and waking in the night but quickly settles back to sleep when given a cuddle or a dummy, teething is probably not the real cause of his waking. A baby who is gen uinely bothered by teething pain would be difficult to settle back to sleep. He would also shows signs of discomfort during the day, not just at night. It’s a good idea to check the section on excessive night waking and early morning waking to eliminate other reasons your baby may be waking. Usually at around six months of age many babies begin to kick their covers off, which can cause them to wake in the night. The major ity of parents who contact me regarding their baby’s teething and night waking report an immediate improvement when they follow my advice and put their baby in a sleeping bag at night.

How to cope with teething in babies

If you are convinced that your baby’s night-time wakings are caused by severe teething pain, I suggest you seek advice from your doctor regarding the use of paracetamol. While genuine teething pain may cause a few disruptive nights, it should never last for several weeks. If your baby seems out of sorts, develops a fever and suffers from loss of appetite or diarrhoea he should be seen by a doctor. Do not assume that these symptoms are just a sign of teething. Often what parents thought was teething turned out to be an ear or throat infection.

The Significance of Touch for Infants and Babies

Loving touch is so important for babies because it initially facilitates development of all other senses of the infant. That is why most experts, pediatricians and doctors would advise taking greater care of baby skin. Taking the time to learn how to properly handle and take care of baby skin is certainly worthwhile.

Touch is basically how newborn babies start to communicate. The warmth touch of the mom to baby skin is basically what the infant first encounters. Remember that after birth, it would take a few days before the eyes clears up, while the sense of taste is still not developed fully. Through touch, the baby is given an assurance of warmth, love, security and protection. And the baby somehow feels that. Thus, a mothers touch is a good pacifier to an uncomfortable and fussing baby.

Experts assert that aside from that, the touch of a mother is providing much more than just warmth and passion to baby skin. When a mom touches and holds her baby, she is unconsciously stimulating the secretion and production of the baby hormones for growth and more effective digestion. The mothers touch to the baby is just like how massage is good and health-conducive to average adult.

The sense of touch also complements and bolsters the development of all other senses of the baby. For instance, a mothers touch helps the baby initially discern verbal language and words used by the mom. For example, when a mom says the word, ‘my baby’, along with touching baby skin, the baby is learning how to associate the words with the warmth and pleasantness of the touch. After some time, the baby would learn how to listen to words although he or she would not be able to totally understand it yet. Eventually, the sense of touch would be separated from the verbal communication or comprehension.

Aside from that, the baby sense of touch very much tells about how the baby overall health is doing. When the baby is feeling bad, a mom could tell that something is wrong if the skin temperature is unusually high. Aside from that, a mom could sense a discomfort in the baby through the infants skin. Redness and swelling indicates that there is something troubling and annoying the baby.

That is why the sense of touch is practically deemed appropriate and useful to the baby. Because of that, there of course is a need to ensure that the baby skin is always well taken care of. Thus, as much as possible, it is imperative that baby skin care be always made conducive and very much in good status. Remember that taking care of the baby skin is far different from taking care of the skin of a child, a teenager and an adult. Baby skin is still very fragile and sensitive to handle it with extra care and make every touch as smooth and as loving as possible.

Shea Butter Benefits for Baby’s Skin

One of the many things that mothers and fathers do consistently for their baby is tend to their skin. They want to have the most protective lotions and creams, and the best quality products. There are products for diaper rash, regular rashes, to help calm your baby, and keep his or her skin healthy and soft. Many mothers and fathers are turning to natural products to put on their baby. Recent studies include frightening results for parents and others alike. Many of our products that we use everyday are pumped full of chemicals, preservatives and toxins that are damaging to health. It has prompted people to turn to something different.

Shea Butter that is all natural and unrefined is one of the best things you can put on your baby’s sensitive skin. It has healing properties and is amazing for many things. Here are just a few things that it is good for.

Diaper Rash - Shea Butter is great for treating and preventing diaper rash. For irritated and red skin that’s caused by diaper rash, it can be smoothed on for relief and comfort. To prevent diaper rash, all a parent has to do is smooth it on just like they would their old diaper rash cream. It creates an effective layer that will keep wetness off of your baby’s skin, and prevent diaper rash.

Calming - Shea Butter which has had a great essential oil, like Lavender, is great for soothing your cranky baby. After a warm bath, it can be rubbed on your baby, and the Lavender will sooth him or her and promote a good night’s sleep. The Shea Butter will protect baby’s delicate skin while the calming Lavender does it’s work.

Lip Balm - Shea Butter can be rubbed right on baby’s lips to keep them from becoming cracked if he or she has chapped lips. Often times, this can result from teething and constant moisture around the mouth. It contains latex, which provides a natural barrier against moisture while it soothes dry, chapped lips.

Protection against Sun - Shea Butter contains Cinnamic acid, which naturally protects baby’s skin against the sun. While it’s not a replacement for sunscreen, applying Shea Butter can help protect your baby’s sensitive skin. This is great for normal inside days when you wouldn’t apply sunscreen. UV rays can still reach your baby in the shade, on an overcast day, and even indoors with the windows open.

Baths - You can add Shea Butter to a warm bath to soothe your baby’s skin. Just heat the Shea Butter a bit until it’s melted and add it to the running water. Make sure that there are no ‘hot spots’ before you place your baby in the bath water. This is great for helping maintain your baby’s soft and healthy skin.

There are many things you can do with Shea Butter to help your baby’s sensitive skin. You can do some great things for his or her skin, and your own peace of mind. You know that you are not placing anything harmful on your baby, and that is a valuable thing to know.

Swaddling

Newborns just spent nine months “hugged” in the womb. Pediatric nurses swaddle newborns to give them back this feeling of security.

To swaddle, lay a receiving blanket out on the diagonal. Fold down the top corner about six inches. Place baby on the blanket with his head on the fold. Hold baby’s arms down and wrap the right side over baby and tuck it under the left side of baby’s body. Pull up the bottom of the blanket over baby, not too tight that his legs can still move slightly. Wrap the left side over baby and around baby’s back. Do all of this wrapping snugly, with only baby’s head exposed.

A crying newborn that is not hungry or wet should stop crying immediately after being swaddled. This also takes away your feeling of the baby being too fragile to hold.

If the baby doesn’t stop crying right away, don’t feel you’ll be spoiling him if you hold him for a while. Holding your baby helps you two to bond and get to know each other. And, he may just still be a little scared after the shocking experience of being born.

If he still cries, he may just be too hot. Letting his little feet out of the blanket will allow him to still feel the comfort of swaddling but will also cool him down quickly.

Baby’s Sensitive Skin

Your baby’s skin is highly sensitive. Before using any baby clothes or baby linens for the very first time, make sure to wash the baby items in a hypoallergenic soap formulated for babies. In addition, use only clean and natural products designed for babies when you bathe your little one. Products for adults are usually too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin.

It is not necessary to give your newborn a bath every day. Just be sure to keep your baby clean. Wash your baby’s face, head and diaper area daily. Wipe your baby’s face and head gently with a soft, wet washcloth or use dampened cotton balls. Make sure to get into all the skin creases, especially where dribbled milk and spit up can collect. Also, wash your baby’s bottom well with each diaper change to avoid diaper rash.

When it is time to dress your baby, choose loose-fitting, soft garments. Baby’s clothes can be layered for warmth. Be sensitive to your baby’s environment and make sure to peel off or add a layer or two when in a warm or cold car, store or restaurant. If you find your baby has little pimples along skin folds, especially on the neck, back, shoulders, chest or diaper area, he or she may have prickly heat, which can be remedied by avoiding heat and humidity. Give your baby cool baths and dress him or her in light, loose-fitting baby clothes.

It is healthy and recommended to take your infant outdoors to get fresh air. Simply dress your child appropriately. You may need to protect your baby from the sun and from insect bites. While the sun is an important natural source of vitamin D, it can also do damage to your child’s skin. Shield your baby from direct sunlight by keeping the stroller hood up. Once your baby is six months old, get in the habit of using clean but effective sunscreens on your child year round, even on overcast days. Choose a hypoallergenic, PABA-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. When applying sunscreen, avoid your baby’s eyes and keep it off your baby’s fingers as your child might rub his or her eyes. Also, avoid or limit exposure to the sun between 10am and 4pm. To keep bugs away from your little one, use an all natural insect repellent and for insect bites.

Can Your Baby Talk To You?

Most likely not, so seeing and understanding your baby’s skin will help you to understanding whats happening with your baby’s body.  Many of us have heard it before, “Be sure to take your vitamins every day if you want to be healthy.” These days, vitamin intake has gone beyond just being healthy, it has become imperative. We are finally learning what years of eating processed, fast foods or ‘take out’ meals have done to our bodies – not to mention our environment – and the reports aren’t good. Processed foods that contain high amounts of salts and fats, have been found to cause increases in cholesterol, blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and even liver failure.

One of the most visible signs of poor nutrition can immediately been seen in the condition of our skin. So, the question is what DO the vitamins do? How can you tell if you need one or another. Obviously, every body is different and to make a truly informed choice, a visit to your family practitioner or your local nutritionist may be in order. If you just want to get some general information to start, and see where you might be lacking, the following is a list based on the Recommended Daily Amounts (RDA) from the EU guidance that is used for nutrition tables on food products. If you think you may be vitamin deficient in any area, these would be good points to bring up when you do go in for your next checkup.

Facts and Myths About Sun Care Protection

Sun protection has become a way of life for individuals, who are intent on keeping their skin healthy, and avoiding wrinkles and leathery skin. Getting sunburn repeatedly can increase your chance of getting skin cancer. Melanoma in children has been increasing each year! So it is important for us all to take a practical approach and properly use natural sunscreen and develop healthy skin care habits. Surprisingly, not everyone knows how to apply sunscreen. Only a small percent of the population uses sunscreen protection and only half of those people apply sunscreen correctly. In addition, regardless of the SPF or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every 80 minutes or less. Sunscreen users mistakenly believe that high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen products will protect them all day with one application, when in fact; all sunscreens must be reapplied regularly.

Two Sunscreen Myths

Myth: Sunscreen provides total sun block.

Truth: No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of Ultra Violet (UV) rays. SPF 15 can protect against 93 percent. SPF 30 protects against 97 percent. SPF 50-60 shuts out 98 percent. The higher the SPF the more harsh chemicals are in the product.

Myth: An SPF 60+ sunscreen provides double the protection of an SPF 30 sunscreen.
Truth: This is exactly why the FDA is putting a cap on high SPFs. SPF 30 provides skin with 97% protection, where as SPF 60 provides skin with 98-98.6% protection. There is less than 1.6% difference in protection factor. A SPF 60+ needs more chemicals to achieve a higher SPF, potentially putting more toxins in your body.

The real confusion to consumers has been what a product can do and can’t do. There are a number of sunscreen products are available on the market today. The trick is to become educated! Do you believe that just because sunscreens are labeled “sweat proof” or “waterproof” that they are? Currently, the FDA is banning the word “waterproof.” Now the term, “water/sweat/perspiration resistant” is accurate, however; this only means the sunscreen offers SPF protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. The term, “very water resistant” gives 80 minutes of protection. So to be safe, use this basic rule of thumb: re-apply, re-apply, and re-apply!For people who don’t have a lot of time, especially parents, a trend today has been to use aerosol sunscreens because they find them easier to apply. However, people may not be effectively protecting their skin! While being applied, aerosol sunscreens can lose much of their protection during the transfer from the bottle onto the skin. This is because not all of the molecules land on your body.

Massage For Your Infant

Massaging your infant is healthy in so many ways. It is a wonderful way to bond with your newborn baby and spend quality time together. It is another beautiful way to express your love. More and more studies now show that a loving baby massage with a natural baby massage oil may help support a healthy immune system, relieve colic and even enhance an infant’s intellectual development and motor skills. A gentle massage and a few minutes of quiet time can improve sleeping through the night better.That means sweet dreams for everyone!

Since skin is the largest organ in the body, touch is extremely important. The following preparation and useful techniques can assist you in giving your precious baby a spa experience!

How to Begin

You will need: 2 soft towels, a clean diaper, natural baby massage oil & natural baby shampoo. Baby your little baby! Begin the baby massage when you and both in a relaxed, calm state. The best time is usually before your baby’s bath, at least a half hour after the baby has eaten. Sit comfortably on the floor with the soles of your feet together and form a diamond shape with your legs. Be sure to select a place without drafts and make sure the room temperature is a warm 78 degrees. Then drape a soft towel over your lap. Undress your baby, just leaving on a clean diaper and rest your baby on the towel over your legs so your baby will feel comfortable and secure. Cradle your baby’s head with your feet. Then put some baby massage oil on your clean hands and rub them together so they will be soft and warm before you start. Your baby will not be happy if he or she receives a massage from cold hands! Then using massage oil for baby, begin with long gentle strokes from your baby’s head to his or her toes. If you find that your baby responds well to the massage, proceed to gently massage your baby’s body section by section. If your baby does not cooperate, simply massage him or her at another time.

While you massage your baby you may want to softly talk, hum, sing and/or play healing meditation music during the massage. To further bond with your baby, give your little one eye to eye contact during the baby massage.

Baby Massage Tips:

Make your strokes gentle but not ticklish.

With soft and gentle touches the baby massage flows from the head to the toes. Tenderly begin on the head and then move to the face, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, stomach and down to the legs, feet and toes.

Follow your baby’s mood signals about when to stop the massage. If the baby wants to change position let him or her do so. A baby massage can comfortably last anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on his or her mood.

When you gently massage her body parts, you may want to cover the areas of her body that are not being massaged with a second towel to avoid getting a chill. Run your fingertips lightly over the body using circular motion. Avoid massaging your infant’s navel area, if the cord hasn’t completely healed, avoid pressure on the spinal cord and avoid the genitalia area.

You can hold under her knees and gently press the knees up toward his or her tummy. This position can help your baby to expel gas. Massage the scalp in small circles with your fingertips as if you were shampooing.

Following the massage, wash hers hair with a natural baby shampoo. This may require two washes to remove all the oil.

Make it a good habit to give her a baby massage as part of your baby’s pre-bath schedule. After the massage, caress your baby and then give her a warm bath

The Basics Of Healthy Skin Care

After the early months of babyhood have passed the skin of most children has a more than adequate layer of fatty ‘padding’ which gives it a beautiful smooth appearance, often described as having the quality of ‘purity’. All the functions are very active, and because the stratum corneum is functioning effectively the skin is very well hydrated. Indeed, by and large children’s skin is the healthiest we ever see.

A child’s skin shows little or no damage from sunlight. Children have more leisure time than they will ever enjoy again, however, and many of them play outside whenever they can, often spending most of the summer out of doors. There is often massive exposure to the sun during childhood, which will have long-term consequences.

The care of the skin of small children is almost entirely in the hands of parents or other carers. Nevertheless it is never too soon for them to begin to learn about skin care. The skin does not need moisturising unless there is atopy or eczema, or after prolonged exposure to sun or sea, but regular protection against the sun should begin now.

Products for babies and young children are usually highly fragranced. That sweet, recognizable aroma you could smell a mile away is nothing more than added fragrance, which we know can cause irritation. Moreover, baby products almost always have a pretty yellow or pink tint, which is contrived by coloring agents, another group of problematic skin-care ingredients for sensitive skin. If baby products were really gentler than those that adults put on their skin, they would be fragrance free and contain no coloring agents. Sadly, few of those existed just a decade ago. But now there are many clean, healthy skin care products lines to choose from.

Cosmetics and hair-care companies know that mothers have an impulsive emotional pull toward scents that trigger the image of their babies. That subconscious pull is difficult for a marketer to ignore, given the way women gravitate to the fragrance generated by other perfume-laden products. In other words, hair and skin-care companies don’t have much motivation to take these problematic ingredients out. That means you, the mother and consumer, as an advocate for your child, need to pay attention to this issue and choose fragrance-free and color-free products whenever you can!

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