Tag

motherhood

Browsing
In Natural Parenting

Winter Home Birth Plans: Planning for a Winter Birth

Winter pregnancy belly peach neutral baby clothes

As the winter season brings its chilly charm, it also calls for some extra preparation if you’re planning a home birth. Winter home births can be serene and beautiful, offering a cozy, intimate setting for welcoming your new baby. However, the colder weather and for some, the potential for snow and ice, mean it’s essential to be well-prepared. Here are some valuable tips and tricks to ensure your winter home birth goes smoothly.

CREATE A WARM COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT

The comfort of your birth space is paramount, especially during winter. Ensure that your home is adequately heated and that you have extra blankets, heating pads, and cozy attire on hand. Space heaters can be a great addition to your birthing area to maintain a warm environment. I had my fourth baby in front of the fire and it was the most beautiful experience! Don’t forget to have plenty of warm socks and slippers to keep your feet comfortable.

PLAN FOR POWER OUTAGES

Winter storms can sometimes lead to power outages. Be prepared with battery-operated lanterns, flashlights, and candles to ensure you have sufficient lighting. A portable, battery-operated heater can also be a lifesaver in keeping the birth area warm. Make sure your phone and other essential devices are fully charged, and consider having a backup power source if possible.

STOCK UP ON ESSENTIALS

Before your due date, stock up on all the essentials you’ll need for your home birth and the days following. This includes groceries, toiletries, and baby supplies like nappies and wipes. Having plenty of nourishing, easy-to-prepare meals on hand, such as soups and stews, can be incredibly helpful. Don’t forget to stock up on herbal teas and snacks for during and after labour.

STAY HEALTHY AND BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

Winter is also a good time to keep your immune system strong. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and immune-boosting foods like garlic and ginger. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. Continue taking nutrient rich teas, avoid big crowds and use your essential oils!!

PREPARE YOUR BIRTH TEAM

Ensure your midwife and any other birth attendants are aware of your plans and have clear instructions on how to reach your home, especially if the weather turns bad. Discuss backup plans in case your midwife or doula is unable to reach you due to severe weather. It’s also wise to have a reliable method of communication, like a landline phone, in case cell service is disrupted.

PLAN FOR POSTPARTUM COMFORT

The postpartum period is a time for rest and recovery, and the winter season can provide a cozy backdrop for this special time. Prepare a comfortable space with plenty of pillows, blankets, and easy access to all necessary supplies. Warm baths, herbal teas, and nourishing foods can aid in your recovery and provide comfort.

STAY INFORMED AND FLEXIBLE

Winter weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to stay informed about the forecast and be flexible with your plans. Have a backup plan in case of emergencies, and stay in close communication with your birth team. Being prepared for any scenario will help you remain calm and focused.

Preparing for a winter home birth involves thoughtful planning and preparation, but it also offers a unique opportunity to create a warm, intimate setting for welcoming your baby. Embrace the tranquility and beauty of the season, knowing that you’re well-prepared for this special moment in your life.

Continue Reading
By
In Natural Parenting

Natural Medicine for Childhood Ear Infections

ARE ANTIBIOTICS NECESSARY

Ear infections are the most common of all childhood infections and when your little one has one, you certainly know about it. It can be very distressing for your child. The usual route is to take bub to the doc and a round of antibiotics is prescribed.

In many cases, antibiotics are not necessary. A build up of fluid in the Eustachian tube can cause a lot of discomfort but it does not mean your child has an ear infection. Even redness of the ear drum does not guarantee an infection is present. Prescribing antibiotics ‘just in case’ is not only harmful but often sets the child up for recurring ear infections. This was my story with our eldest.

A BUILD UP OF PRESSURE

Children’s ear canals are horizontal in structure. They don’t slant down like they do for adults. This makes it more difficult for the body to drain lymph from the ears and nodes, down into the throat for removal. When the lymph fluid doesn’t drain as needed it moves back up into the Eustachian tubes which presses on the back of the ear drum, causing swelling and pain. This is why it is commonly mistaken for an infection. If left untreated, this can advance to an infection so taking measures to address this stage is important.

TEETHING AND EAR INFECTIONS

When babies are teething there is a lot going on in the gums and mouth.

Being close to the ears, there will naturally be some discomfort and stress in this area. Sometimes this will present as swelling, redness and irritation.

If your child is running a mild fever, you will have to be the judge whether you need to take action to stabilise body temperature or just make bub as comfortable as possible.

WHAT DOES AN INFECTION LOOK LIKE

A lot of heat! High body temperature, hot to touch on side of face and head, pus oozing from the ear.. Obviously we want to prevent this from happening by supporting the body early.

If your child is presenting with a true infection, they may need urgent medical support. It’s always best to act quickly with small children.

WHAT CAN YOU DO

The first step is to help the lymph drain from the body so it doesn’t build up in the ear canal.

  1. Increase circulation to the area by wetting a washer with warm water and applying it over the ear and down the sides of the neck.
  2. Gently massage behind the ear and down the sides of the neck with extremely light strokes. Don’t apply too much pressure here. The lighter strokes will help move the lymph more effectively than firmer strokes. Keep the movement in a downward motion and you are doing it right.
  3. Use essential oils to support the immune system and promote lymph flow. I only use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils as I know their standards are extremely high and their farming and extraction processes ensure the healing potential of the oil remains intact.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

  • Assists with congestion and helps support the immune system. Dilute 1-2 drops in a little coconut or olive oil and apply to the sides of the neck using the same light stroke massage technique as described above.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

  • Contains properties that assist with inflammation. Apply directly to the bottom of the feet or at the site of discomfort. Dilute well for infants and small children.

COPAIBA ESSENTIAL OIL

  • This is THE oil for teething and discomfort. Blend with lemon and lavender or use on its own, diluted with carrier oil (coconut or olive). Apply in the same manner to help move the lymph out of the Eustachian tube. Some mummas will put a drop of Copaiba oil on their finger and rub onto swollen gums as needed.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

COLLOIDAL SILVER – A few drops of colloidal silver in the ear canal will help to kill off bacteria thereby reducing swelling and pain.

GARLIC OIL – Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and olive oil helps with inflammation. Gently heat 2 tbl olive oil in a pan with 1 clove organic garlic, crushed. Keep on low heat for 20 minutes then strain. Cool to skin temperature then apply two drops into the ear. Does not store or keep so make fresh each day if needed.

MULLEIN DROPS – Make the above garlic oil, adding 2 tsp dried mullein flowers to the recipe.

BREASTFEED – If baby is still nursing, keep feeding on demand. This provides the necessary antibodies to help fight off an infection as well as providing comfort and circulation to the area.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND SAFETY

NEVER drop essential oils into the ear canal, no matter how pure. This will cause undue pain to your child and risk irritating the thin mucosal membrane that lines the ear canal.

Only ever use essential oils that are trustworthy. Message me for a referral!

Continue Reading
By
In Recipes

The Ultimate Self Love Smoothie

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity! Don’t you agree?

As mummas we often put the needs of others before our selves and wait until we get a break before we do something, “just for us”. But what if we do the thing, when we need to?

Too often we wait until our body is screaming out for a rest or we literally flip out and yell at our kids because our emotional needs haven’t been met. It’s ok to need to stop. It’s ok to take 5, 10 or 20, whatever it is you need to do so you can keep on being the awesome mumma you are.

FRESH WHOLE FOODS

One of the simplest ways that you can nourish your body is with a hit of fresh whole foods. And my favourite way to do this is to whip up a superfood smoothie.

THE BENEFITS OF THE GOJI BERRY

Goji berries (wolfberries) protect the eyes and provide immune system support. They protect against cancer and promote healthy skin. Goji berries contain a high amount of antioxidants which fight harmful free radicals and inflammation in the body.

CHIA SEEDS

Chia seeds are rich in Omega 3 fats and provide a good source of fiber. They contain quercetin which is a bit of a buzz word at the moment, but basically quercetin is also another antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the body and keeps your immune and cardiovascular system working well.

STRAWBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES

Berries in general keep your mind and eyes sharp and help to promote lovely skin. They protect against heart disease and are considered a low GI fruit. This makes them a great addition to your smoothies. Berries are also a great source of antioxidants which helps keep those nasty free radicals at bay.

HEMP SEEDS

Hemp seeds are a great source of protein and pack a punch in your smoothie. They assist with healthy weight management by stabilising blood sugar levels and are a good source of essential fatty acids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED..

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tbl chia seeds
1 tbl hemp seeds
3 medjool dates (pitted)
1/4 cup organic goji berries
juice of 1 lime
3 drops of YL Lemon essential oil (optional)
2 drops YL Grapefruit essential oil (optional)
3 tsp organic coconut oil
1 cup filtered water
5-7 cubes ice

METHOD

  1. Blend frozen fruit, seeds, dates, goji berries and ice.
  2. Add water, juice of lime, essential oils and coconut oil and continue to blend until smooth.
  3. Decorate the top with shredded coconut, chia seeds and blueberries!
Continue Reading
By
In Holistic Health

How to Blissfully Welcome Your New Baby

Little babies need little more than warmth, comfort, love and milk. So when setting up space for the arrival of your little one, here are a few tips..

KEEP THEM CLOSE

1. Keep them close! The closer your baby is to you, the less they will cry. It’s a very raw and biological instinct to keep your baby near you. If baby can smell you, hear your heartbeat and touch your skin, they will feel safe.

LESS IS MORE

2. Less is more! Babies don’t need all the bells and whistles or the latest pram, cot, highchair or toys. Let’s be real.. grown ups want those things, babies don’t actually care. Our precious little ones just want you to engage with them and teach them how to smile and laugh.

AVOID ELECTRONICS

3. Avoid electronics. Babies do not need the latest technology. They will actually be smarter and healthier without it! Babies are hardwired to learn about the people around them and their natural surroundings. Truly, that’s all they need! It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that they need so much more, but it simply isn’t true. Save your money.

REMOVE TOXICITY

4. Remove all toxic cleaners and personal care products from your home. These are an insult to the senses, especially for baby, and they are also harmful to their growing bodies. This is a priority!! You are better off washing your baby in plain old water then buying that “organic” baby wash from the supermarket that promises to take care of your baby “naturally”. Most products, even those that are marketed for sensitive skins, are full of harmful ingredients that are toxic to your beautiful bundle of joy.

USE NATURAL AROMAS

5. Use natural aromas to gently fragrance your home and to create a peaceful environment. This will benefit both you and baby. Just a word of wisdom.. go easy on the oils, especially in the early hours of birth, and only use the purest you can find. It is critical for bonding for both baby and mother to recognise each other’s smell. A blessing of Frankincense here and a drop of Lavender there will be beautiful, but heavy doses of any fragrance may disrupt this natural process.

GET YOUR REST

6. Get your rest, ask for help and RELAX. Listen to your body and the needs of your baby. They don’t come with a manual but both mother and baby have been gifted with this thing called intuition. The two of you have been working harmoniously for the last 9 months, living and breathing together. Read all you can, connect with your support network but keep the focus on reading your baby and tuning in to the signs that he or she is giving you. And above all else.. don’t be in a hurry. I promise you those precious early days will fly by and someday you will cry at how little they once were.

Continue Reading
By
In Holistic Health

How a stay at home mum increased her low energy in just 7 days without caffeine or stimulants

You know I love to share how this juice is helping people right!? Well this story really hit home for me because I remember what it felt like to be in that space. Tired, no energy, feeling like you can’t keep up.. The difference is, back then, I didn’t have access to this incredible drink. I was 5 kids in before I was introduced to it!

I have a small child who is very active and I was really struggling to keep up with him. After one week I started waking up feeling like I had energy to get through the day and now we don’t seem to catch every little thing anymore. So happy I’ve found this product.

A Mumma With Low Energy

When Sam first reached out, she was desperate. Her energy levels were super low and life just didn’t feel good anymore. She was struggling to get things done during the day and the constant demands of her little one left her feeling exhausted. Her relationship with her husband suffered because all she could think about was how everything was piling up around her and that made her feel resentful towards her husband, even though she knew he was doing all he could to help.

Sam had seen me talking in our Better Health Group about this all natural juice and how much it gave me the energy to get through my day and thought “What have I got to lose!!” And I tell you what, she has never looked back!

Immediately she noticed something different. In fact, the very first day she messaged me in tears saying she felt like this was an answered prayer. I wholeheartedly believe that too.

The Result

7 days in and she was waking up without the usual brain fog and noticed that she didn’t need to reach for that afternoon sweet snack or cup of coffee like she used to. Her mood had improved, she was feeling more connected to her hubby and overall life was great.

Oh and let’s not forget!.. she’s now experienced firsthand how the immune boosting qualities of this incredible product have improved her family’s health. But that’s a WHOLE other story for a whole other day.

Sam says that she is super excited to continue on with her superfood juice and is even now looking into the benefits of our 21 Day Wellness program to lose weight, get fit and detox from all the gunk that is so prevalent in today’s modern world.

If you’re sitting there thinking, “OMG that is me too!”, then comment below, email me, FB stalk me.. whatever you have to do to get my attention. I promise you, THIS is what you have been waiting for.

Continue Reading
By
Pin