Finally after month’s of waiting for our little bundle to arrive.. This little darlin’ made his big debut.. Meet Luke! Born 8/3… so my posts may be sparce for awhile…

Ok Mamas…  We all know that when our little one’s gets diaper rash he/she is completely miserable and that makes us miserable too!  A severe case of diaper rash can be torture.  I learned how important it is to prevent diaper rash more than waiting for it to occur and treating it after it becomes a problem so I thought I would share my tips for success.  Your baby and your sanity will thank-you!

What causes diaper rash:

Usually the cause is prolonged exposure to moisture along with irritation from chafing or friction from the diaper itself.

What baby eats can also contribute to an outbreak.  Introducing new foods or stomach upset can cause diarrhea.  Diarrhea will irritate the skin and can cause the diaper rash all on its own.

So how do we keep the little buns free from uncomfortable rash?

Most important is to air out baby’s bottom area.  Each day your baby’s skin needs to breathe.  When you are having a little quiet time on the blanket and playing with baby let those buns free!  Make sure you remove the diaper, clean skin and let it breathe at least once or twice per day for a good 20 minutes if you can.  Yes there may be accidents but its worth the risk if you’ve ever had a baby with severe diaper rash.

After baby has some ‘free bird’ time be sure to apply an ample layer of baby bottom protection ointment before replacing diaper (make sure skin is still clean and dry).  I personally recommend my Sweet Cheeks Bottom Butter as it is made from completely natural and organic ingredients, contains nutrient rich oils and butters and does a great job of protecting (which is why I created it).  Mom’s will also love it for chaffed chins and to sooth any cuts and scrapes.

Also mentioned in the Organic Baby Treasury by Charmandwhimsy!  Yay!

Of course if your poor little bundle does get diaper rash you will need to treat it.  This is when it becomes crucial to let baby air out after skin has been cleaned.  When my daughter had a severe bout with nasty diaper rash her little hiney was so sore that I had to let her air out for a long time twice per day until it cleared up.

When cleaning skin be GENTLE.  Use sensitive skin wipes and clean gently.  What I did to clear things up was I bathed her and washed the bottom area very gently using a mild lavender and chamomile baby wash, let her air out on the blanket for a good while and then applied the protection cream.  Using harsh chemically laden creams and ointments can sometimes irritate the skin especially once its already rashy.  Of course I believe that natural products work best.  And as always if condition persists see your pediatrician.

Essential Oils are very powerful and should be used with caution especially during pregnancy.  As a pregnant mama myself I thought it appropriate to put together a simple list of oils that are considered safe and also those which should be avoided.

The safe oils can be most helpful in relieving those common yet sometimes very uncomfortable pregnancy woes.  Here is a list of safe essential oils to consider using during pregnancy and also what their benefits are:

Bergamot:  Analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, uplifting, and refreshing.

Cypress (After 5 months along):  Antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent and diuretic. Helps sooth varicose veins, hemorrhoids and swollen ankles.

Frankincense:  Antiseptic, astringent, sedative and warming.

Geranium (after 3 months along):  Antiseptic, antidepressant, astringent, refreshing and uplifting. Helps sooth achy legs and improves circulation.

Grapefruit:  Astringent and stimulant. Helps to ease water retention.

Lavender:  Antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, antidepressant, healing and relaxing. The most versatile oil as it soothe all kinds of tension, aches and pains of pregnancy.

Lemon:  Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, stimulant, tonic. Helps to sooth varicose veins.

Mandarin:   Antiseptic, refreshing, tonic and mild relaxant. May ease fluid retention in legs and ankles and makes a nice addition to massage oil.

Neroli:  Antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and relaxing. Helps ease stress and tension.

Patchouli:  Antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and nerve sedative.

Roman Chamomile:  Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Soothes pain from muscular aches and headaches.

Sandalwood:  Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and sedative.

Tangerine:  Antispasmodic, lymphatic stimulant, calming, sedative.  Helps prevent stretch marks.

Ylang-ylang:  Antiseptic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sedative and helps lower blood pressure.

Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy are cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, fennel, hyssop, myrhh, pennyroyal, thyme, thuja and wintergreen.  You may come across the use of Clary Sage in some pregnancy massage oil blends.  This oil should be avoided during pregnancy and only used during labor.

As always use caution when dealing with essential oils.  It pays to be safe and do a patch test if you have never used a specific oil before especially during pregnancy when your skin is extra sensitive.

I highly recommend using Lavender and Roman Chamomile Oil to sooth and calm any skin ailments.  I found them very helpful in relieving a terrible bout with Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) as they helped relieve the itch and calm my skin.  I was actually using my Soothing Baby Lotion with Lavender and Chamomile. I heard from other mamas they too love this lotion for themselves and that it was great for skin ailments such as dry patches and even eczema.  Its amazing what we discover when we are not trying to.

We all know that a pregnant woman is eating for two… but how much more are we supposed to eat?  (Yes I’m eating for two also) Mainly its about the food choices we make and sometimes this is not so easy.  I for one try and eat healthy but suddenly those cravings take over!  I’m not much of a dessert eater until I’m pregnant and then I feel the struggle each day almost with healthy vs. indulgent food or as I call it, happy food.  So really how much more are we mama’s to be supposed to eat?

By the 4th month we are supposed to consume about 300 extra calories per day.. which isn’t much if you think about it.  About the equivalent to 2 fruit bars or granola bars.  You may need to add a little to your breakfast or have an afternoon snack.  As a general rule look for whole-grain foods and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to get you through the day.  Also foods with low fat and higher sources of protein help to sustain your cravings.  I like to eat low fat granola cereal for a snack personally.. it seems to sustain my hunger longer.

Here are some other great choices:

Strawberries~ Low in calories but packed with Vitamin C and Folic Acid.

Tofu~ Great source of protein, calcium, magnesium and zinc and also low in fat and sodium.

Wheat Germ~ High in Folic Acid, magnesium, iron and zinc.  Add a sprinkle to your cereals or salads.

Eating a healthy diet makes me feel so much better.. I even sleep better when I eat right.  Plus I know that my baby will develop well because a baby’s brain is especially sensitive to the nutrition that he/she receives while in the womb.  Studies show that a baby’s brain will benefit from good nutritional choices made by mama which results in higher IQ scores in the baby and better behavior.  Its worth the effort on my part.

During pregnancy you may notice a variety of skin changes.  The increased production of melanin is the cause.  No worries though because these changes are temporary.  Still none the less, some women have a harder time than others with these changes or find their skin especially problematic during this time.

Some unlucky women suffer from increased acne.  Sounds wonderful right?  Well you are not alone as this is fairly common.  The best way to handle it is to use a gentle cleanser and toner in the morning and before bedtime.  If you would like to use a cover up make sure it is water based and only use on clean skin.  Some acne products are not considered safe to use during pregnancy like Accutane (isotretinoin) which can cause birth defects.  Also Tetracycline should not be used.  Retin-A and benzoyl peroxide are considered safe to use but use cautiously as they may irritate the skin making your condition worse.

Another skin condition brought on by pregnancy is Chloasma, often referred to as ‘The Mask’.   This condition is when some women get brownish marks around their eyes, nose and cheeks.  Pregnant women should reduce their sun exposure as this may increase this condition.  Again this is only temporary and will go away after delivery as hormone levels decrease and return to normal.

Other conditions include red palms, spider veins and skin tags.  None of these sound pleasant and they really aren’t.  Some experience red, itchy palms which are pretty self explanatory.  Others develop spider veins that may show up on your face or legs.  Redness should decrease after hormone levels return to normal but they don’t now go away on their own.  Skin Tags are little flaps of skin that can develop on breasts, neck or armpits.  Unfortunately these will not go away after deliver but can be removed.

Stretch marks… The ever so unwanted ugly marks left on once picture perfect bellies, breasts, thighs and buttocks are very common and very tough to prevent.  Medical science says there is no real way to prevent these from happening but I say it cannot hurt to try.  Supposedly some women’s bodies are more prone to getting them.  I personally have been successful at warding them off twice by using my Shea butter belly bar morning, noon and night.  It is a commitment but worth the effort.

Look at this face…

So why should you avoid Chemical Ingredients?

I come across people almost daily that think that the products they buy at there local stores are fine.  They don’t understand what is wrong with commercial personal care products.   Yes store brands are much cheaper but in the long run its hard to put a dollar amount on our health and the health of our children.

Did you know that the average adult uses about 9-10 personal care products daily??  Many don’t even realize that there are about 120 or more harmful chemicals spread between them all and ending up in their bodies.  Toxins penetrate your skin and end up in your bloodstream so its time to stop and realize how important this really is.  Beauty is more than skin deep!

The chemicals listed below are what are commonly referred to as the ‘Dirty Dozen.’ From the “Green Guide” These chemicals are the most important to avoid.  Even though they are not likely to cause adverse effects right away, used frequently and over time they can prove to be harmful.   Have you checked the labels in your bathroom lately?  You’ll probably be irritated once you do but you are doing yourself a favor.

Avoid these BAD Ingredients known as the Dirty Dozen:

1) Antibacterials
Overuse of Antibacterial chemicals can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella Enterica. (Reminds me of the overuse of antibiotics problem several years ago.)  Triclosan, a chemical which is overly used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs. (just make sure you use the good stuff!)

2) Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3) Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of Choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as Cocamide DEA.

4) 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate and ingredients that include the terms “PEG,” “-xynol,” “ceteareth,” “oleth” and most other ethoxylated “eth” ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove Dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children’s bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5) Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6) Fragrance
The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead. (Exactly)

7) Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men’s hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You’ll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels.

9) Parabens
(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-) Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures. (We do not use these nasty little bens)

10) Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms “petroleum” or “liquid paraffin.”

11) P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It’s also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12)  Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

Do you have a sun baby?

I certainly do.. My daughter is bugging to go outside before breakfast sometimes. Unfortunately before breakfast or later in the day are the only times it is really safe to be out in the Sun. For years we have been brain washed into thinking that that if we are going to be out in the sun then to protect ourselves but are we really doing that or are we just thinking we are safe because we slather on the Sunblock?

Sunscreen is a product that most people take for granted because we assume that we should use it to prevent getting sunburned or even worse skin cancer. We especially think it’s important to use it on our children to protect their delicate skin from painful burns… so one would think overall that sunscreen products are good, right? Unfortunately we have all been duped into believing this myth. If you read the ingredients on a variety of baby sun block products, you will be overwhelmed with a list of chemicals. And when you try and figure out what is considered safe vs. what is not you will be very confused. I know sometimes it’s easy to take our skin for granted but when it comes to our children we have to stop and think, “Hey…is this stuff safe or what??” Children do not know what is good for them so it is up to us to protect them as parents so I would like to share with you what I discovered about the safety of sun protection.

During the daunting task of research, I read article after article, trying tirelessly to weed through all the sometimes helpful but usually confusing mess. See here’s the dilemma, we need to block the harmful rays from damaging our skin, but we also need to use a variety of chemicals that are not considered safe to do an entirely effective job.

According to the Environmental research group, the bad news is there is no clear cut solution to the problem. As I mentioned in order to protect against all of the harmful rays there needs to be a combination of ingredients used to be 100% effective. But in order to protect yourself fully you will be exposing yourself to some toxic ingredients. Choose your poison wisely! The same ingredients that protect you from the sun may also have adverse side effects because some of the chemicals are able to enter our bloodstream through topical use and over time have hazardous effects disrupt normal hormonal functions on the body. Makes you want to slather some on right now doesn’t it?

Common sunscreen ingredients that are suspected or known carcinogens and/or hormone disrupters, include diethanolamine, triethanolamine (DEA, TEA), padimate-o, octyl dimethyl PABA, benzophenone, oxybenzone, homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), salicylates, and parabens.

Studies suggest that because many of the popular sunscreens contain these radical generating properties, that they could contribute to cancer or interfere with normal development and may cause reproductive problems in developing children.

Many popular sunscreens contain the chemical ingredient Benzophenone (Benzophenone-3 or Oxybenzone) since it is one of the best of the chemical sunscreens in protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. However, sunscreens containing these chemicals are NOT a good choice because Benzophenone is a powerful free radical generator activated by ultraviolet light. These free radicals could initiate a reaction that may ultimately lead to melanoma and other skin cancers. So in this case protection from the sun is worse than sun damage. It’s sad that we have to choose to damage our skin as apposed to exposing it to such harmful chemicals but that is the choice in this case.

Sun products that contain triethanolamine (TEA) are also considered dangerous. When combined with nitrite which is a type of preservative it can possibly cause the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines. BUT the catch is that Nitrites are not disclosed on cosmetic labels so there’s no way of telling which products are contaminated with nitrosamines. What is most harmful about this ingredient is that supposedly up to 35 % of it can enter the bloodstream. These are just a few examples of the harmful potential of above ingredients.

In my mind it only makes sense to use the most natural ingredients possible when we have to compromise between two important issues.

One ingredient that is considered safe is Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide is a mineral that provides complete UVB/UVA protection and is FDA approved for children under 6 months of age. The reason it is considered safe is that it does a great job of blocking the sun as it provides a layer of protection on the top of the skin. It is important to note that even though you may read zinc oxide listed as an ingredient it does not mean that it is safe when combined with any of the above harmful ingredients. And I found that trying to find plain zinc oxide is not an easy task. The reason is that pure zinc oxide leaves a strong white residue on the skin which is unfavorable to some and so makers of sun block products have determined that it won’t sell in that form. Instead they took a safe ingredient and broke it down into nano-sized particles so as to prevent the white residue look. The smaller sized particles would absorb into the skin faster without leaving behind the white residue which sounds great but there is major concern about the toxicity of the nano-particles because a large percentage can be absorbed into the skin and get into the bloodstream. Unfortunately there is no clear cut solution to the problem.

So what can you take from all this? Use caution when applying sun block or sunscreen products to you and your children’s skin. It is wise to try and stay out of the sun between the 11am and 4pm when the suns rays are most harmful if possible. Sun block is not usually necessary before 10am and after 5pm. If you will be out in the sun for long periods of time, try to use a zinc oxide sunscreen that is not made in the form of nano-particles. Some exposure to the sun is healthy but when our children’s skin is exposed for longer periods of time, we need to protect them with the least toxic form of sun block as possible. I have decided to make my own sun block for my daughter using plain or as close to plain zinc oxide as I can find. I will post the recipe next. Enjoy!