Birth and Other Acts of Nature: Natural Childbirth

This is part two in a three-part article. We have also discussed home birthing and we will give tips on choosing a midwife and/or doula.

"Oh! That's not what labor and delivery are like," my mom would say each time she'd see the "comedic" freak-outs of a birthing mama on a TV show or movie. "She'll never get the baby out like that."



All comedy routines aside, your birth most likely won't mimic what you've seen and heard on TV. That's not to say that screaming can't be a part of a peaceful birth. Sounds like an oxymoron: yelling and peace? Naw. Any woman who has given birth, naturally or otherwise, knows that we make some pretty crazy sounds when working things out with our bodies.

But what my mom would point out, and nowadays most birth educators second the motion, is this: the classic lounge position and cussing out your husband? They just don’t cut it.

The Why: Think of gravity. Your body pushes everything out when in a sitting or squatting position than when lying down. As my birth class teacher said: “Think of the vagina as a pipe. Horizontally, things don’t move as fast as they do vertically.”
Well, duh. (BTW: I don’t love to think of the vagina as a pipe.)
But as a birthing culture, we’re so caught on a few hooks that are liable to hang us: Pain Free! Quick…Like Now!
There IS are reason it’s called labor, people. I’m not here preaching natural childbirth because it’s a pain-free, easy ride. It’s not.

But the benefits are well worth it:

• Giving birth is one of the most meaningful, memorable experiences of a woman’s—a family’s—life. If you are drugged up during or after, you may be missing out on the whole experience. But I can handle not experiencing pain! You think. Sure, sure. But…
• Pain is useful. During my natural labors, the strength of the contractions showed me what to do. Especially for the second, I knew before the attendants when I went through Transition. I knew when I was supposed to push. I listened to my body and doing so made my labor more successful; I was having back labor, so I breathed through contractions—and delivered—on all fours. Medical Childbirth: Because an epidural numbs your body, you are not as able to respond to the vital signs it’s giving you, the most important being Push! BTW: Having an epidural does not mean you will not experience any pain. But it will vastly change your birthing experience.
• Move it, ladies. If you had an overhead camera on me during either labor, I would probably look pretty erratic. Sit, stand, walk, down on all fours. Walk, walk, look like I’m dancing, walk, pee pee dance, walk. Medical Childbirth: Once you’re drugged, you must be monitored. That means no moving, which helps get that baby out!
• Afterward, you will feel like a superhuman. You could run a marathon. You could fight evil in a fancy costume. Never mind that all will do is cuddle up with that new baby to your breast. You’re strong, and you’ve just given natural birth.

Some Myths:
You have to be a “granola” or “hippie” to give birth naturally. Nope. You simply have to trust in your body. You already know your body can do some pretty amazing things, like hike a miles-long steep slope or jog every morning. You trust it for those little journeys. Trust it now for this monumental step in your life.
You better be a superwoman. Not at all. I am tall, of average weight. I have never run a marathon, but I did prep my body for both labors by taking walks. Your body knows what to do, no matter who you are!
You’ll turn into a screaming crazy woman without those meds. You won’t turn into someone you’re not. How do you deal with pain now? I mean, think about a larger injury, one that wasn’t healed immediately, like a sprain or a broken bone. I apparently get quite quiet, like I did with an Achilles’ tendon injury. I go internal and work through the pain mentally. You’ll “deal” with contractions in a very similar way to other painful moments.
You choose a natural birth, and you’re “stuck” with that decision. First things first: nothing is set in stone for a vaginal labor and delivery. No matter what you plan, the birth won’t go exactly that way. It’s Parenting 101: nothing goes exactly as planned, so be flexible! When you make your Birth Plan, choose as little interventions as possible if you’d like, and the conditions for which you’d like those interventions offered. Natural birthing doesn’t mean tossing all other options out the window; it means trusting your body to bring that baby out before those interventions even cross your mind.
You are a “failure” if your planned natural birth becomes one with interventions. This discussion isn’t meant to judge, ladies. One of the best birth stories I have heard was a friend’s labor. She was exhausted from over a dozen hours of hard-core pushing and turned to an epidural, which gave her some rest. When she recouped, she was ready, had a quick delivery, and then bonded beautifully with her baby. Here's the thing: You are not a failure. You have carried and nourished and given birth to a wonderful babe. That's really what matters.


Yes, I am an advocate for natural childbirth. I believe our bodies were made to give birth. This is not because of divine retribution, but because our bodies were designed this way. As a feminist, I believe that we should have all options available for our bodies. But also, we should trust in the amazing thing our femaleness can do: give birth.

The How: You didn’t think I’d “push” you to go au naturale without giving you some tips, did you? Prep:
Prenatal Yoga: All that stretching and moving is designed perfectly for a blossoming belly. You’ll get exercise while learning relaxation techniques, which will come in handy during your labor and once baby is here!
Walking: Every care provider recommends light exercise, providing you are not a high-risk woman. Walking is great way to “engage” baby’s head in the correct down position. That whole gravity thing again.
Sex: Get that baby out the way it got in! You’ll be storing up lovin’ for those “don’t insert vaginally” weeks after giving birth. Generally you have to abstain for six weeks for vaginal birth, and even longer for a C-section! (Another reason to go natural.) But there are other benefits besides the obvious fun of it:

• Prostaglandins: Semen contains prostaglandins, which cause the cervix to "ripen" and begin to open up. Prostaglandins are also the active ingredients in some of the hospital treatments for induction.
• Orgasm: When you enjoy yourself, your body releases oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. So you might as well get labor going the same way you conceived...with an act of love!

Nipple Stimulation: More fun for all! And why not ready your nipples to breastfeed? Prolonged nipple stimulation, like sex and orgasm, can also help your body produce oxytocin and help stimulate contractions. Oxytocin is also given in a synthetic form in hospitals to produce contractions. But again, why not use your own body?

Herbal Stimulation: As with all methods mentioned here, check with your care provider!

• Step 1: Red Raspberry Leaf. A quite common pregnancy herb, red raspberry leaf tea is great for pregnant women, as well as for menstrual cramps. Why it may work: Helps prepare the uterus for labor by strengthening and toning the uterus.
• Step 2: Evening Primrose Oil. Contraindicative before 38 weeks of pregnancy, Evening Primrose oil is to be administered in tablets as a vaginal suppository (when no rupturing of membranes have occurred). Why it may work: It can soften the cervix and perineum, therefore allowing softer passage or allowing you to "ripen." This is also great for women who have heavy cramps during their period. You can take orally then to prep your womb for your cycle.
• Step 3: Cohosh (Black or Blue). Another very common herb for late pregnancy, usually administered through a ticture or balm. It is not recommended for use before 38 weeks and is considered contraindicative for earlier stages. Midwives, rather than doctors, generally prescribe them. But one study shows that many did not learn of cohosh in their formal training and have come to rely on it through their own experience instead. Why it may work: They may stimulate uterine contractions or help regulate them and make them stronger. Cohosh may be taken a couple weeks before your due date and also during labor, but always under medical supervision!
• Step 4: Castor Oil: The most common natural "herbal" induction method, it is taken orally through a variety of suggested cocktails. It is not recommended except under the care of your midwife or doctor, as some believe it may also cause the baby to release meconium, which can be dangerous. Why it may work: your uterus is closely tied to your bowels. For some women, expelling the intestines stimulates the uterus and causes it to produce prostaglandins. Just make sure you don't mind starting your labor on the potty.

Still scared? Totally normal. I was scared during both my labors. You hit a moment where you go Can I do this? and your body then answers Yes...Push Now!
A big part of birthing natural is going through each stage feeling differently. It's okay to feel afraid, but just like in life, don't let that fear hinder you.

For more resources:
GivingBirthNaturally.com has many helpful pages and links, including one on Relaxation Techniques.
BirthingNaturally.com answers your FAQs about natural childbirth.
I snagged my Birth Plan using this interactive guide from the Childbirth.org site.

Birth and Other Acts of Nature: Home Birthing

This is part one in a three-part article. We’ll also discuss the benefits of natural childbirth and choosing a midwife and/or doula.

I haven’t written about birth in a while. I suppose it’s because I haven’t done it in approximately 8 months, 6 days, 2 hours, and 7 minutes. But my lovely friend Amy Noel is readying for her second child, and I’m back to birth thoughts.

Here in Charlottesville, Virginia, there is one midwife who is so popular, there’s a joke: you have to call her when you and your husband plan a date night…before conception. She practices through a local hospital, so women get the best of both worlds: the hospital can intervene if need be, and families get the peaceful support of a midwife.
But there are other wonderful options available, especially to those families who turn to home birth. Amy is lucky to have an award-winning care provider, one in a pair of midwives who delivered a couple of Nature's Child babies. Amy's home birth will be in just a few weeks!

I was a home birth. I have a special connection with home birthing and mourn just a little (*sniffle*) that I didn’t experience that with my own children. Both my sons were [natural, quick] hospital births, though Baby E did cut it close! Mark and I: we’re done making babies. (Anyone need to borrow a womb?)

Home Birth: Not just for “granolas” anymore. The New York Times recently featured an article (interestingly in the Home & Garden, not Health section) that focused on the rising popularity of home birthing. It even had a surprised tone that--wow and gee whiz!--doctors and lawyers are even going for it for their own deliveries. And *gasp*: even people afraid of what their neighbors might think!
Much of the popularity is attributed to The Business of Being Born, which points out that hospitals and doctors' offices are businesses and consider the bottom line when taking care of you and baby. I saw it after Baby E's arrival and it hit home. If you haven't seen it, you simply must!

Home birth is a decision that families should consider early in pregnancy. The longer you have to prepare other children and extended family (who also may look at you differently), the better!

Benefits:

• Chill: At home, you're in a peaceful, familiar environment. Worried about that Persian rug? Shower curtain it. Shower curtain it all!
• Move it. Wait, don't: no transporting from home to hospital, hospital to home.
• Med free. Little or no medical interventions. By the time you want ‘em, it’s often too late to get ‘em anyhow! Truck on through that Transition, ladies; you’re almost there!
• Guest room. You can invite anyone you want, including your children, who are definitely banned from delivery rooms. Guests galore! Or no one but you two, the midwife, and the birthing assistant.
• Safe. In multiple recent studies, the infant and maternal mortality rates were comparable or even lower for home birth than hospital birth. Further, even those women who intended to have a home birth but ended up transferred had half the intervention rate than those who started out with an intended hospital birth. The WHO agrees that healthy women are certainly capable of a safe home delivery, providing they have access to a health facility if needed.
• “Birth is not a medical problem” is a favorite quote from my mom. Hospitals are for sick people. You are not sick. You don’t really want to birth your baby in a sick house, do you?
• The Alternatives: Considering the U.S. ranks 28th among industrialized countries for healthy births, hospitals have nothing to brag about. Might as well do it in the comparably safe enviro you already know and love: your home.
  

Indications: Are you a home birth candidate?

• Low risk: within a healthy weight range, of a reasonable age, and with no complications. Discuss this with your care provider.
• Planned: Whether you decide to do a midwife-attended birth or an unassisted birth, the successful home birth is the planned home birth. Your midwife and doula will work out the birth plan with you.
• Hospital: Just in case, you should live reasonably close to a medical facility. Many midwives call for about a ½ hour drive.

Prep: What your home and fam might need for the occasion.

• Kiddos: if you have other kids, how exciting! Talk to them about what to expect when the big day arrives.
• The Good Doctor: Do you have a pediatrician yet? See if there’s a prescription for a home visit. Then set it up with the care provider to come visit a day or two after baby arrives.
• Month 10: Set up a bit of help after baby arrives. Of course, hopefully you and daddy can be home enjoying new baby time together. If you need extra help, accept the hand offered by close family and friends: cleaning, food, cuddling the newborn. This goes for all new parents, no matter where baby is born.
• Suitcase-free: In the comfort of your own home, there will be no need to pack a hospital bag. You may want a few things on hand: Music, old sheets, shower curtain (or painter’s tarp to avoid PVC), bath, birthing ball
  

Home births are indeed gaining in popularity, but that’s not a good reason to choose it. Decide what is right for your body, your baby, your family.
No matter where you give birth, know that you’ll never be “ready”! It’s our induction into parenting: nothing ever goes exactly as planned.
But no matter how and where babies come, they are a blessing every time.



Need a bit more "pushing"?
Check out the Midwifery Today Web site and their article on The Homebirth Choice.
On GentleBrth.org, a dated but well researched article on "Is Homebirth for You?" (Hey...home birthing has been around for so long, this 1990 article is new comparatively!)
The oft-quoted study comparing home and hospital births from the British Medical Journal.
Our blog on Unassisted Childbirth. The women who do this are inspiring.

Motrin Responds to Mad Mammas -- Takes ad Down

Crunchy Domestic Goddess reports that Motrin is taking down their anti-babywearing, generally offensive to moms ad. The response she received from Kathy Widmer, VP of Marketing for McNeil Consumer Healthcare (parent company of Motrin), included this:

We certainly did not mean to offend moms through our advertising. Instead, we had intended to demonstrate genuine sympathy and appreciation for all that parents do for their babies. We believe deeply that moms know best and we sincerely apologize for disappointing you. Please know that we take your feedback seriously and will take swift action with regard to this ad. We are in process of removing it from our website. It will take longer, unfortunately, for it to be removed from magazine print as it is currently on newstands and in distribution.

Kudos to all of the blogs and tweets and Facebook pages and communities that raised the alarm about this ad and funneled the collective outrage of babywearing parents into action. I'm glad to see that the company responded so quickly to this. (Over the weekend, even!) It still saddens me that the sentiments of the ad were ever seen as acceptible and appealing by the company.

Mom-to-Mom: Motrin gets it Wrong

Does she look like she's in pain?

Oh, Motrin ad writers.... you were trying to be so hip, so sensitive to the real pains of real moms, and boy! did you blow it.

You can watch the new "In theory, it's a great idea..." video on Motrin's website, but the voiceover goes something like this:

Wearing your baby is in fashion. There's the front, back carrier, sling, schwing and the pouch. Holding your baby so close is supposed to make them cry less. But what about me? I think I cry more. Carriers put a ton of strain on your back and shoulders. But I'll put up with the pain because it's a good pain, a worthy pain. It's for my kid. And it totally makes me look like an official mom, so if I look tired and crazy, people will know why.

Sure, there's many a mom out there who's gotten a popular front carrier (we won't name names, so let's just give it a pseudonym: "Baby Bear") only to find that it killed their back. We see these parents all the time in our store, and the sigh of relief when they find out that they can hang up their "Baby Bear" carrier and get a carrier that is ergonomic, supportive, versatile, let's them breastfeed, let's them wear their baby for hours in comfort.....

This ad campaign really irritates me because it normalizes babywearing as a painful experience. I'm afraid it's going to turn new parents off from one of the greatest parenting tools out there, or make them suffer in silence with ill-designed mass market carriers that are uncomfortable.

Sure, there are special aches and pains unique to parenting. (Who knew that a one-year-old could throw a wooden block with such force. And such accuracy. Ouch!) The fact of the matter is: babywearing shouldn't hurt. If it hurts, you're doing it wrong! (Just like breastfeeding.) There are way too many great reasons to wear your baby, and way too many great baby carriers out there for any parent to have to put up with a painful experience.

If you're near Charlottesville, Virginia, stop by our store for a personal baby carrier fitting. Or check out our online guide to choosing the perfect baby carrier. We have a generous exchange policy, you can keep trying until you find the perfect carrier for you and your baby.

Weekend One Thing: Take The Plastic-Free Holiday Challenge

You and I, we've discussed plastic. We know all about the bisphenol-A and the phthalates. We're both steering clear from dollar stores and bargain bins due to the threat of "liquidated" recalled or dangerous toys.

This Weekend One Thing has a safe holiday edge to it. Amy over at Crunchy Domestic Goddess has presented this challenge to her blog readers, and I thought it was important enough to pass on.
No Plastic Holiday Challenge: Avoid plastic in gifts and their packaging, and also in decorations and holiday trimmings.
Sounds easy peasy, right? Wood toys? Check. Plastic-free "big" gifts? Check.

But the actual gifts aren't the only "givers" of plastic. Some other sneaky plastic sources:

• Bags: If you shop for pretty much anything, you'll probably be handed those goods in a plastic bag. That is, unless you're brilliant enough to remember those reusable ones. If you're looking for more, Reusablebags.com has a sale going on, so stock up and cut back on those plastic grabs. Us and Them: Nature's Child gives handy (and easy to tuck into any bag) Chico bags to our in-store customers.
• Product Packaging: Why do so many toys (not to mention small electronics) come in that excessive packaging? You know what I mean: twist-tie here, inches-thick plastic there. Amazon.com wondered the same thing, which is why it launched the "Frustration-Free Packaging." That's all fine and nice. Frankly, I was getting tired of bloodying my hands (and gums) trying to get some products open. But more important than how we feel about this packaging is what it does: minimizes. And we should all maximize our minimalization! Us and Them: Nature's Child does this too! Many--if not most--toys are in very minimal packaging. And, of course, all the floor models are for sale, cutting the packing to nil.
• Gift Wrap. No, the wrapping paper isn't a secret source of bisphenol-A. But what about all those bows? All that tape? If you want a truly eco-wrapped gift, go fabric. My lovely friend Amy Rain (maker of recycled cashmere stuffed animals) has given me gifts for years wrapped in fabric scraps. Yep, she's been out-eco-ing me. She simply used the fabric like wrapping paper, then used cloth ribbon scraps to secure. But for those who'd like to give the wrap that keeps on giving, mosey on over to Crafting a Green World, where she gives step-by-step directions (and pictures) on how to make a gift bag. These dimenstions are specifically for gifting your Homemade Wine, but you're a crafty one. I know you can figure out how to make them bigger!

Plastic is Evil Because:

• We hate hate hate Exxon-Mobil. I know, I know: I used the "h" word. (Please don't tell my word-police son!) Plastic production uses 8% of the world's oil supply. When you buy plastic, you are supporting the oil companies. And considering some, like the aforementioned giant, have had record profits for the past few years, let's minimize our donations to their coffers, shall we?
  

• Plastic Soup. Sadly, this is not a delicious low-fat meal. There is an actual toxic floatee in the Pacific Ocean, estimated to be twice the size of the continental United States. The Independent reported in February that Charles Moore, the American oceanographer who discovered the soup (and formerly an oil company heir, until this muck pushed him to become an enviro) calls this mess the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" or "trash vortex". Sadly, there are actually two commingling soups: the Western and Eastern Garbage Patches. (Isn't it disgusting that we have to come up with these names, without referring to kids' trading cards from the 1980s?) They stretch from the California coast almost to Japan. They are overwhelmingly made of plastic and according to the UN Environment Programme, plastic debris kills more than a million seabirds every year, as well as more than 100,000 marine mammals.
• It Doesn't Biodegrade. Plastic simply breaks down, or "photo degrades", until it makes its way into the environment in the form of tiny toxic bits. There, they enter the food chain and eventually make their way back to us!
  
• Boy, is it durable. Scientists think that plastic takes between 400 and 1000 years to "break down". They can't be completely sure, however, as this material is relatively new (1950s for mass production).
  

You ready? Here are a few ways to avoid plastic. Some of them involve your craftiness and ingenuity, so they actually are great for the environment and your pocketbook.

Get Wood. Buying wooden or other natural toys is the most obvious answer. When you see your child's shiny plastic Christmas list, talk about it. Explain why "Santa" (or grandma) likes to give wooden gifts. Plus, you won't feel sketchy about giving great chemical-free toys!

Rerun. Plastic is mighty fine the second time around! I don't suggest that we all go out and buy plastic goods that are a small percent (hey, zero is a percent) made of post-consumer waste. But if you go for fun gear from Green Toys, totally forgivable and a fabulous gift idea.

Get Crafty. Making your own gifts is a great way to supplement those presents. If you already started making your own wine, you've got a great grown-up gift. But what about the kiddies? A few greats, made from household goods:

• Finger Paint. Check out our blog on Homemade Fingerpaint.
• Eco Child's Play gives the lowdown on making Recycled Crayons. Instead of muffin tins, use cookie cutter shapes, and viola! Great gift for a tot.
• Again, with the Eco Child's Play. They also have a tutorials on other gift ideas, including the oh-so-cool Disappearing Ink. Neato.
• The always favorite Homemade Play Dough. I love different colored beet juice (from golden or red beets) or tumeric for the colors!

Need more inspiration? This BBC writer went plastic-free for a month. We blogged on it a while back.
Sad but true. PlasticBagFree.com is rich with videos, pics, and info. It will convert anyone to minimize!

GM Foods and Lowered Fertility

I'm pretty sure that I got pregnant with Baby E because Mark and I sneezed next to one another. We're not merely fertile, but hyperactive in that department. It may be genetic, at least on my side; I have six sisters, and no, we're not Catholic. (What's up with that question, anyhow?!)

But something is going on with fertility. And if phthalates aren't the cause (men are often asked about exposure to the hormone-affecting chemicals when they go to fertility clinics), it may just be genetically modified (GM) food.

As reported by the UK's Daily Mail, a study presented at a scientific conference in Vienna yesterday linked GM foods with lowered fertility rates.

Mice that were fed a diet of 33 percent GM corn had, by litter 3 or 4, fewer offspring and lower birth rates. The changes were "statistically significant", said the study's authors.

The Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials with laboratory mice over a course of 20 weeks. One group was fed the GM/regular feed mix, and one was fed GM-free food. Dr. Jurgen Zentek, Professor for Veterinary Medicine at the University of Vienna and lead author of the study, said a GM diet affected the fertility of mice, with no changes for the control group.

I can only imagine the consequences of a 100% GM diet for those critters.


Greenpeace, those frontline GMO fighters, released a statement from one of its scientists and GM experts Dr. Jan van Aken,

Genetically Engineered food appears to be acting as a birth control agent, potentially leading to infertility. If this is not reason enough to close down the whole biotech industry once and for all, I am not sure what kind of disaster we are waiting for. Playing genetic roulette with our food crops is like playing Russian roulette with consumers and public health.

Why should we care? As Americans, we've been eating genetically modified foods since about 1994, when pioneering GM foods were approved for consumption in the U.S. The FDA should have strict regulations on labeling, but--gasp!--does not. Right now, we're ingesting GMOs mainly through soy and corn, but also through the vast array of products made from these crops. And some studies have shown that children are more susceptible to the adverse affects of these crops, such as allergies, resistance to antibiotics, and nutrient deficiencies.

And now fertility issues. Further studies are indeed warranted, but let's take precautions with this one, as we have with bisphenol-A and phthalates. Let's try to get all those hormone-affecting nasties out of our lives. The FDA won't do it.

So protect your womb; buy organic.

Babywearing and Your Back

Oy! The sciatic problems I had during both pregnancies were so bad that I should have run screaming from even the idea of babywearing. Luckily for me--and my sons--those nasty sciatic issues cleared up as soon as those rascally boys were born and off my nerve. (Well, at least until they were older and therefore affecting different nerves!)

But like all parents, I get my share of backaches.
That's why babywearing properly is so important. You wouldn't believe the number of times I have heard, "I tried babywearing, but the Baby Bjorn hurt me once my baby got too big." True, true. The Bjorn is quite the popular backache inducer.

During our Local Festival, we paired with local chiropractor and mama Dr. Dolly Garnecki to learn the basics for babywearing and back health. She instructed us: no matter what we're doing with our lovely babies, we should try to keep our backs happy. And that means balance: there should be an almost straight line vertically from our ears to our hips to our heels. And babywearing doesn't always seem to provide that.



There are fantastic alternatives to the Bjorn, and this is what you have to know about a few of them and how they interact with back health:

Ring Sling or Pouch carriers: These are mighty easy for those new to babywearing, hence their popularity. This type of carrier is not so intimidating, as you literally "sling" it over your shoulder and pop your little pea in its pod. Back Up: For a healthy happy back with these carriers, make sure to switch shoulders if used for longtime wear. This may be tricky for those of us who are not ambidexterous, as we tend to favor one hip, one shoulder, etc. Dr. Dolly suggests practice: grab the groceries with the "opposite" hand, or wear your purse on the "other" side. You'll hopefully soon feel comfy with the carrier on either shoulder.

Wraparound Baby Carriers: Ahh! My favorite carrier when Baby E was a newbie. I loved that he was close to my body and I could actually load the dishwasher without feeling like he'd fall out. Wraps consist of a long piece of fabric. And though I was initially intimidated by all that fabric, after all of, um, 2 times tying, I was hooked. The type of fabric you want depends on your babywearing needs. Stretchy (like the Moby, Wrapsody Bali Stretch, or the locally made NiNo) fabric is great because it has a large learning curve. If you get it a bit twisted in your wrapping experimentation, you and baby will still feel great. Some stretchy wraps may feel like they loosen up when baby gets heavier, though Moby enthusiasts say there's a tie for every baby, no matter how heavy. Woven wraps (like other Wrapsody carriers and Storchenweige) are generally made of woven fabrics, and can therefore feel more durable: perfect for those heavy tots. Totally comfortable, especially when you master these pretty fabrics. Back Up: For all wraps, you want balance. That's the point, as they tie over both shoulders. They're great for longtime wear with very little adjustment. If you choose a woven wrap, you'll want to make sure the fabric is neat across your body, so it doesn't pinch any nerves. Overall, I loved my Moby and only passed it on because I also love my pregnant friend!

Pack Carriers: Ergo is the most recognized brand of this type of carrier, but other notables are Beco, Action Baby, and now even Phil & Ted's has gotten into the carrier trend. The beauty of these carriers is that they adjust well between moms and dads, they provide a "seat" for baby, they can handle heavy toddlers, and they evenly distribute the weight. The buckles allow you to correctly position baby so you're both happy, and there's a reason these might remind you of a backpack: they're perfect for backpacking and hiking with your little one. Back Up: Dr. Garnecki reminds us that they should help us with our own posture, not only whether baby is comfy. Make sure that once baby is on, you still have that straight line between ear-hip-heel.

Mei Tais: I could go on all day about how much I love my BabyHawk. This is only one brand in a wide array of mei tais. Other notables are the Free Hand, the locally made Kozy, Ball Baby, and Ellaroo. After I "graduated" from the Moby (though Baby E and I could certainly go back; I loved that wrap!), I knew a mei tai was my next step. A couple ties, and that's it! They distribute weight well and, like the pack carriers, can handle quite the heavy kiddo. Back Up: I prefer this over a pack carrier because I feel like I'm babying my previous back problems, as I am in control of the ties and therefore the balance of weight. This may not be true for everyone, but if you choose a mei tai, simply make sure you're adjusted evenly, so there's no pinching. These are also great for longtime wear and family hikes.


Now, friends, the only part of babywearing that should be "painful" is hearing that sweet baby whimpering when he's taken off...don't you agree?

The PTA Pushes Flu Shots

The pharmaceutical company Novartis has partnered with the PTA to "Flu Bust."
For $30, you can go to your kids' school, get a shot, and the PTA will profit. You'll reduce your chance of getting the icky flu this season, and the pharmaceutical company Novartis will donate to the Parent Teacher Association.
Sounds win-win, right? I mean, who doesn't want to support the PTA?
Well...only if the Flu Busters clinic you attend happens to have any of the nasal spray on hand. I spoke with someone at Flu Busters, and he confirmed that they give Fluvirin, which has a low dose of the preservative thimerosal. They don't have many doses of the nasal mist, the mercury-free alternative to the traditional flu vaccine.
No luck, though. As I was told,

It depends on where in the country you are, because only a certain amount of thimerosal-free flu vaccines were requested.

Good luck, then.

In case you haven't been following along:
There is suspicion among activists, some medical professionals, sassy natural parenting bloggers, and parents in general, including those of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), that heavy metals like mercury (which is in thimerosal at a rate of 49%) cause or trigger ASD. Due to these concerns, in 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Public Health Service agencies pushed vaccine manufacturers to remove thimerosal from all of those on the Reccommended Immunization Schedule, but not for those that are only suggested, like the flu vaccine.

But they can still slip that lovely heavy metal in the back door, by promising the PTA some funds for a supposed job well done battling influenza.
And I get this. According to the Flu Busters Web site,

• Of the 68 influenza-related pediatric deaths last season, 58 were children who had not been vaccinated against influenza according to CDC recommendations.
  
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, 20,000 of whom are children
• Approximately 36,000 United States residents die
• An estimated 38 million school days are missed by students
• Parents miss over 10 million work days caring for these sick youngster

I know, those sound like shocking statistics! But let's wash away the layer of marketing there:

• Children might make up a tenth of the hospital visits for flu, but they make up a quarter of the population.
• 68 of 20,000 kids died from the flu last year. That's .0034 of the hospitalized population, or .00189 percent of all deaths.
  
• "Influenza and Pneumonia" are the number 9 cause of death for kids aged 5-9, at 1.24 percent.
  

What they also fail to mention is that the vaccine isn't guaranteed to work. If it follows recent years' patterns, it very well could not. As I wrote in a blog commenting on the CDC's recommendation that all children receive the flu vaccine, a Harris Poll showed

In three previous winters people receiving flu vaccines were 33 percent, 43 percent and 24 percent less likely to get the flu than people who did not get flu shots. This year (2007-2008 season), people who received flu shots were just as likely to get the flu as those who did not get flu shots.

So go ahead and support your local PTA. Do it by baking some of those fancy Lactation Cookies, which incidentally don't leak milk.
But choose those vaccinations wisely.

Weekend One Thing: Holistic Family

I know you probably don't reach for the Tylenol at every ache. As baby holders, breastfeeders, and parents in general, we would be strapped to an IV of it if that were the case!
But just in case you're looking for that one more holistic remedy, I’ve got your cure.

Here’s my Weekend One Thing challenge: Go Holistic. Make sure your cabinets are stocked with a few natural remedies for the sniffles and tummy aches that are sure to befall your family, no matter how healthy y’all are!

Please note: I am not a doctor. Check with your family practitioner when your family is ailing.


For Colds:

• Vitamin C: You know this one. It was drilled into you by your grandma and your mama, but you may not take it to heart. I can admit myself that this isn’t a regular supplement I take, though I do get C in the form of greens. Kale is a good source of Vitamin C, and if this veggie had the power to tint my family’s skin, we’d be the “greenest” family you know! But besides your regular diet, when your throat starts to ache and your nose is runny, dose up. Vitamin C is water soluble, which means that what your body doesn’t use, it will dispose of. So pop Vitamin C a few times a day; it will help your body fight that cold.
• Thyme: I snagged this remedy from The Daily Green. For coughs: add three tablespoons of dried thyme to one pint of boiling water. Let cool, then add one cup of honey. Take one teaspoon every hour as needed. You can store the mix in the fridge for up to three months.
• Fennel: If you’re a breastfeeder, hopefully you already have this remedy around. I heard this on The People’s Pharmacy last cold season, and didn’t forget it: Add one teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to an average “cup” of tea or boiling water or tea, then add honey. It will help!
• Chestal: Occasionally, my 3-year-old L will have a cold that migrates down to his chest (and lungs), thoroughly worrying for the mama. I head for the "medicine" cabinet in this case, for this alcohol- and drug-free remedy, which helps him kick that throaty cough.
• Chocolate and Cayenne: This is a big person remedy, as far as I'm concerned. But if you have carob and a kiddo who can handle some spice, here you go: melt a few ounces of dark chocolate in a cup of warm milk and sprinkle with cayenne, as much as your palette can handle. A delicious way to clear those sinuses!
• Garlic: This is the prevention and the cure. You must, however, have very forgiving people in your life! Eat garlic regularly, and you may just find your luck with cold improving. However, when you have a cold, press 1/2 a fresh clove of garlic into hot water, add a tad of cayenne, and if you have a sore throat too, a dash of salt, and drink up! Follow with breath freshener.
• Neti Pot: I will admit, I have never used this, for my own freakish reasons. But everyone I know swears by it. It helps congestion, and it can even ease those sinus problems during allergy season!

Stomach Issues: First off, know the difference between stomach problems. If it's a simple tummy ache, as in, I did not eat well and am now being punished, these remedies can certainly help. If it's: I did not eat well and haven't pooped in a few days, that's an entirely different matter, and go holistic as in prunes and high-fiber fresh fruit.
Special thanks to Eco Child’s Play for this list.

• Ginger: One of the best known tummy helpers. Grate fresh ginger root into boiling water and steep as you would a cup of tea.
• Fennel, Part 2: The Wonder Cure. I make milk, I help sore throats, I soothe tummies! Make the same “tea” as described above. For your sake, I’m crossing my fingers that both the sore throat and stomach ickiness didn’t hit you at once!
• Tea Bag It: Chamomile: Not only for putting your body to rest, it also calms an aching belly. Make some tea, curl up with a good book, and rest your weary body. Or Peppermint: drink down this refreshing tea, as it’s been a holistic remedy since green met hot water.
• Baking Soda: It’s the natural Alka Seltzer. Add a bit to warn water and drink up. Nose plugging may help. Baking soda is also a great on-hand cure to canker sores, applied directly.

The Etceteras:

• Chamomile: Boiron makes fancy little pills that will help your crabby teether.
• Arnica: Oh! The Pain! This will help any aches (head) when taken orally, or bruises, when applied as a cream.
• Rhus Tox: Remember that I’m the girl with crazy allergic reactions. I mean, seriously, who looks like “Sloth” from Goonies from poison ivy? After I told my holistic care provider that I wanted to “claw my skin off”, she recommended that I keep a bottle of this at home. Another Boiron savior, and it works!

If you have any more, please share them with us. And have a healthy winter!

Skuut Along, Kids!

Remember that first wobbly bike ride?
There you were, sidewalk laid out seemingly forever in front of you, and you took the plunge. You struggled a bit with balance, but you had that pedaling down pat. You were, after all, a champion Big Wheel rider.
Then, after you screwed up enough confidence in your ability to balance, you did it! You rode your bike for the first time. All the way to the neighbors' driveway. Wow.

You want the same experience for your critter, don't you? Perhaps with fewer cuts and bruises along the way?


The Skuut Balance Bike is the perfect transitional bike for kids. Pedaling is the easy part; learning how to balance that scary two-wheeler is much more difficult.

How it Works:

• Short. It's lower to the ground than that first "big kid" bike your child may have, the adjustable seat at between 13 1/2" to 16 1/2" tall. This allows her to catch herself with her feet when she begins to tip, and then push herself along and begin again.
• Coordination. It helps kids manage both steering and coordination simultaneously. This can't be easily learned with training wheels. But the Skuut gives the kiddo the power to scoot herself along, left and right, all while managing the balancing act.
• Durable. This one is always important to me. If you have more than one child, you're probably looking for the same. Skuut is made of sturdy wood and features treaded wood tires. This "bike" will last through not only this bike riding trainee, but your next one (and the one after that) too!
• Control. Think again back to when you learned to ride a bike. Do you remember how you stopped? Oh, yeah...by crashing that crazy thing into the lawn! The Skuut gives your child much more control, by allowing her to stop herself with her feet and then scoot along again when she's ready. That lawn sure looks nice, but lets leave it off our clothing, shall we?
• Confidence. With great power comes great...confidence. Your kid will be so proud to be able to "ride" a bike without training wheels, even before she can actually balance. And that is priceless.
• Affordable. For "big" holiday gifts, I prefer those that cost less than $100. The Skuut will look lovely under the tree and on your credit card bill at under $80.

Hmm, let's see: your child will be delighted with this gift, and you will be relieved that it fit your budget. You both win!
And when you see her Skuut along happily the first time, it'll be worth it!

Can It. Or Wine.

Sure, "Can it" may be what almost half the electorate is saying today. But I'm not talking politics right now (for once).
Here in Virginia, the political color of the state is not the purtiest color change.
The hues of the leaves have changed, and my mountain view is a palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. Fall means the "pick-your-own" apple orchards get picked clean. But I can still swing down the road and grab many a cold stored apple.

On a budget? Thinking about supplementing holiday gifts with homemade goodies? Make a basket of your favorite canned recipes, and pair it with make-your-own organic wine!

We're stocking up on apples to work on one of my favorite fall creations: apple butter.
I already know how to do basic canning, but I worry about the acidity of certain foods I want to can, like salsa.

Here's where the Free Home Canning Course comes in.
Simply click, register, wait a bit of time (I waited about a week), and then enter the canning course. It offers these helpful tips:

• Introduction to Food Preservation
• General Canning
• Canning Acid Foods
• Canning Low-Acid Foods

While you wait for confirmation: Wine!
Get started now, as it takes 6 weeks to ferment.
The Crafting a Green World blog passes on this wonderful Organic Wine Recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 quart of mashed local and/or organic fruit (Yep, even apples!)
• 3 quarts of water
• 6 cups of sugar
• 1 packet of yeast
• one-gallon, air tight container
• funnel
• strainer or cheesecloth
• 4-6 empty glass bottles, for decanting
  
• recycled paper, for labeling
• tape to attach the label, measuring tape, scissors, and supplies to decorate

The Process:
Dissolve the sugar in the water, and mix in the mashed fruit. Sprinkle yeast on top. Do not stir until the next day, then stir the mixture once a day for a week. Strain off the liquid into your air-tight container, and set in a cool, dry place to ferment for 6 weeks. Strain your wine again into the bottles you collected, leaving one empty bottle. Cork them lightly for 3 days to allow for any more fermentation to cease. You’re ready now to strain one last time! Strain the first bottle into the empty one, then rinse and repeat until all of the bottles are strained and ready to be decorated.

Decorate it however you'd like, even with the scribblings of your favorite munchkin. Give to your nearest and dearest, but make sure to save a bit for you and yours for holiday celebrations!

What Happens to Recalled Lead-Paint Toys?

Earth Talk recently brought up an important question: what happens to all the recalled toys?

While you're careful about buying lead-free wooden toys or safe plastic goods, especially as as the holiday season nears, the fact remains: recalled lead toys are still out there. They may not be haunting store shelves, but only a small fraction of them are sent back to the careless manufacturers. So where do they go?
Unfortunately, not everyone is as green as you might be, dear friend. Many simply end up in the trash, a practice the Consumer Products Safety Commission wants consumers to, uh, dispose of.
In an NPR report last year, Scott Wolfson of the CPSC said:

"We do not want consumers simply throwing the toys away. We do not want there to be secondary lead effects"

The CPSC says they issue recalls, but they can't control getting the items back to the manufacturers. They only make sure retailers get rid of them. And though Congress tightened CPSC rules in July, that's not likely to change anytime soon.

Mattel says that only about 6% of toys recalled actually made it back to the company. For its part, the toy company recycles what it can: zinc, resins, and other components. Then they hand off the lead to a company that specializes in proper disposal of hazardous materials.
Because yeah, the reality of it is that these toys must be treated like haz mat. Yikes!
The company that produced all the recalled Thomas trains, RC2 Corporation, said that about 70 percent of the recalled toys came back.

But they also end up, of course, at resale shops, eBay, and other purveyors of secondhand goods. And currently, there is no law against reselling recalled products.
I believe that buying secondhand is one of the greenest buying options. Lucky for me, I follow much of the recalled items through e-mail alerts from the CPSC and generally buy only natural, wooden toys at thrift stores on the rare occasions when I'm fortunate enough to find them. And luckily for consumers who don't pore through CPSC alerts, places like the Salvation Army has stopped accepting toys due to innundation with lead-laden toys.
Which makes me wonder, people, if you don't want lead toys for your kids, why would "poor" people want them for their children?

We must do better. Of course, we must expect manufacturers to provide toys that are natural or even recycled. Even if they're metal or plastic, we should in the very least receive only lead-free goods! And we should not simply toss out every recalled toy, even if it is tempting. Once a toy is recalled by the company, consumers have to right to return them and be reimbursed.

And as a parent:

• Purchase wisely. If you're on a budget (especially now!), think through the purchase, opting for a durable, long lasting toy instead of a bunch of suspicious ones. Make sure extended family spoils the kids the same way!
  
• Smelly. Avoid anything that smells "chemical", because chances are, if you sense it's creepy, it probably is.
• Cheapies. Also, avoid dollar store toys, as these are often the dumping grounds for toys containing harmful chemicals.
• Buy Safe, Buy Local. Talk to retailers, and you'll learn why selling safe, lead-free toys matters to them. For us, it's because we're parents, too. When you buy locally, you have a very real connection with people not unlike yourself, usually sharing the same safety values as you! Big box stores simply cannot replicate that.
• Healthy Toys? Double check it. Use this Web site to find the chemical content of specific toys. If you don't see the one you're looking for on the list, suggest it and they'll do the rest.
• The Cool Mom List. No, I'm not on it. Actually, this is a "Picks" list of safe toys for tots. You'll find many of our favorite organic and natural goods: Speesees teether, HaPe toys E-Racer, Green Toys recycled goodies, and ImagiPLAY. Yay for safer toys!

Weekend One Thing: Dump Phthalate-Laden Beauty Products

Freaky Phthalates...

In an Environmental Working Group report titled "Not Too Pretty", authors point out that

Chemicals that cause birth defects do not belong in products marketed to women of childbearing age.

I mean, we don't really want penis malformations, do we? Especially with Western culture's obsession with virility, lower sperm count and other reproductive issues should scare the heck out of American consumers.
In the very least, we should notice the irony in the fact that some beauty product companies have patents on a certain phthalate (DBP, or dibutyl phthalate) as a "penetration enhancer", to get the products deeper under the skin.

Whether you know it or not, you probably have phthalates in your bathroom drawer. Has anyone bought you a spa bath set? Bubble bath? How 'bout makeup: that Wet 'n' Wild circa 1998 should probably have been tossed long ago, eh?
I ask this because during my bath yesterday (i.e. the kids were asleep), I noticed on a sugar scrub that ominous term "fragrance." D'Oh!
It got me to thinking: how the heck should I get rid of these products?

So here's my Weekend One Thing for all of us: Get rid of the phthalates in your cabinets. You've already removed them from your kids' toys box. Now protect yourself and your not-yet-conceived kids by really making your household safe.



How:
Freecycle. I hate to see things go to waste, and other people simply may not mind the chemicals. In order to keep things out of the landfill, post it online on your nearest Freecycle. I would also prefer that it go online rather than to a thrift shop, because not everyone who shops at these may be online to pick up the latest news on this hormone-affecting chemical. But if you Freecycle them, I ask that you post with the disclaimer "contains phthalates" and link to this blog or the Environmental Working Group's report on phthalates and their effects.

Manufacturers. Though that lovely company Procter & Gamble says that phthalates are "safe" (heck! The FDA says they're fine!), we don't want 'em. And since this is one of the largest producer of personal care products, chances are, any goods you have could be from this company. Nature's Child has paired with a local activist to send BPA back to manufacturers. That's my inspiration for this tip: send the products back to the manufacturers along with the "Not Too Pretty" report! (Reuse your office paper, though!)

A few major beauty companies' addresses for you:

Johnson & Johnson
1 Johnson & Johnson Plaza
New Brunswick, NJ 08933
Check your cabinets for their products.

Procter & Gamble
1 Procter & Gamble Plaza
Cinncinati, OH 45201
See their complete product list here.

Unilever
390 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10022
Their product list.


Check out this site for more addresses! This features a list of companies that test on animals, which is a euphemism for "contains chemicals."
You should avoid these companies anyway, because they test on animals. Here's the thing. You buy natural products, and the manufacturers won't have to test on animals, because there won't be creepy chemicals in them!
If you want safe products, check out EWG's Skin Deep guide.
Safe for animals? This list provides the names and Web sites of companies that don't use critters for testing.
And don't forget to join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics!

Me? I've got some boxing and mailing to do!

Breastfed Babies are Better Behaved