A Cure For Fussy Babies (Day 4)

Dealing With Fussy Babies and Infant Sleep Problems

On this Day 4 of my 5-Day Challenge my post is two fold.  Today I'm writing in response to a recent conversation on facebook - proud Mommies of newborns who are sleeping on their own  through the night AND I'm also testing out some more SEO with the use of the tag phrases, "fussy babies" and "infant sleep problems".  But don't you worry dear google, my post will be appropriate to the tag phrases.

Sleep; A precious commodity in a parent's life. 

Sleep; something we are ALL emotional about.

 
A most common question a mama receives in the first weeks of baby's life is, "how is your baby sleeping?"  Sometimes I'd like to knock that naive, well-meaning person over the head, when I get asked that.  How do YOU think a newborn sleeps? Like a baby.  Lots of waking, lots of nursing.


Infant sleep problems are normal for Most babies.  Dr. Sears provides a wealth of resources and encouragement to parents with fussy babies.  Our solution was to have our babies in bed with us.  It seemed natural to us, and it seemed unnatural to put our baby in a crib, alone in a room down the hall.  Hard core NINO mamas (Nine months In  Nine months Out)  feel that fussy babies best thrive in an outdoor womb, which would be baby wearing and co-sleeping.  Baby wearing can really help fussy babies and even cure infant sleep problems.  

Baby wearing and co-sleeping with babies, have been practiced in most cultures for millenniums.  It has only been in the last century or two amongst industrialized countries that fussy babies have been left to cry it out in their cribs alone.

There are 2 complaints I have received from disapproving parents of our sleep choices. The first, that parents will not get intimacy - I'm not going to go into detail here, except to say that this is not a problem.  There are many co-sleeping choices. Co-sleeper cribs, bassinets, hammock beds like ours, are just a few solutions for the infant with sleep problems.  With baby close by, it is easy to then bring them into bed to nurse. The second complaint is that we are spoiling our babies.  I assume that this is rooted in Christianity somewhat; "taming the flesh".  Here is my approach.  A mother working outside of the home may need or want to create an independent baby quickly and will train her newborn to sleep on their own for extended periods of time.   I will not argue with the fact that co-sleeping and wearing fussy babies can and may create a dependent baby, or even a needy baby.  But I do believe that there is more and more evidence that a worn, co-slept, dependent baby creates a more independent toddler and grown child.   Keeping baby close to us in these early years, we believe is creating a foundation of security and offers them a springboard into confidence and independence later - while still holding to a healthy respect and closeness with their parents.

The most valuable practice I learned as a new mama was nursing while lying down.  After my first and hardest birth, a home birth as well, I could not sit to nurse for several weeks.  The healing process was long and slow and I honestly did not feel I had a choice, when it came to co-sleeping and nursing in bed.   Now we thank God for the journey we had, as it laid the foundation for us in our parenting choices today!

My heart goes out to you Mamas if you have a fussy baby or are dealing with infant sleep problems - it can be hard on Mom and Dad.  We also have had seasons of fussy babies.  Joash, our 2nd, I was told he had colic - but I did not agree - Yes, he could be categorized with fussy babies BUT he was consolable in a sling!  

Wise blessings to you and your family in your parenting choices!

Day 4 - Fini

Beat the Flu

I just received this from my AboveRubies email subscription - and thought it was so valueable!  I'm tucking some of these wonder recipes away for sure!

BEAT THE FLU THIS WINTER!

Dear friends,

As we approach flu season, it is good to be reminded of ways to prevent it. There are better ways to prevent the flu than being vaccinated. Check out the following points to keep yourself and your family in good health during this winter season.

1. AVOID ALL SUGAR

This means to not only refrain from sugar, but all foods containing sugar, which are most foods on the shelves of the supermarket. Read labels very carefully. In fact, when you read the labels first, will find that you will have to put most foods back on the shelf.

Sugar makes a perfect environment for viruses. Sugar completely destroys your immune system. It destroys the germ-killing ability of white bloods cells to kill bacteria and viruses up to five hours after intake. It interferes with the transport of vitamin C which is needed to fight the flu and robs the body of nutrients such as zinc that are vital for the immune function.

Sugar affects everyone, but has more serious consequences for children. Keep your children away from all sugar and especially when flu viruses are around. That means at Christmas time too!

Also, please reduce carbs as they turn to sugar in your body. Especially eliminate all whites--not only white sugar, but white flour, white pasta and white rice. Completely eradicate pop and sweet teas. I refuse to have sugar in my pantry.

2. BUILD UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

The stronger your immune system, the less likelihood of getting the flu or any disease.

Here are some ideas for building up your immune system for you and your children. You can do what suits you best--or do them all!
My daughter, Serene, who has eight children, gives herself and the children the following once a day or more as needed.

COLD AND FLU FIGHTER
½ cup chopped onion
A whole bulb of chopped garlic
2 TBS chopped fresh ginger root
1 chopped jalapeño
Put all ingredients in a quart jar, cover with raw vinegar and let sit 4 - 6 weeks. Strain out vegetables and use 2 TBS. or more each day. If you do get a cold or the flu, take every hour. Serene gives her children 1 TBS. each day as a preventative.

VITAMIN C
1, 000 mg morning and evening

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT
Give children three drops in water once a week. If you notice any signs of flu or colds in the family, give three drops in water once a day. Adults should take 10 - 15 drops in water at the slightest sign of a cold or flu. You can obtain this extract at a health food shop.

TODDLER MIX
To make it easier for toddlers to take these vitamins, mix the following:
1 TBS. or more of yogurt (no sugar added)
Crushed Vitamin C tablet, smaller dosage for toddler
Juice of ½ orange
2 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
Stevia for sweetening
Mix together and give to toddler as needed.
VITAMIN D3
1,000 mg each morning to children
1,000 each morning and evening for adults. Most adults need much more than this. The consensus is that anything up to 5,000 mg a day is safe and beneficial for most people. After a hydroxyl test, most people find they need more than this. The optimum levels for the body are 60 - 90 ml. Vitamin D builds the immune system and also fights cancer.

COCONUT OIL
This is a marvelous food that builds up the body's own natural defenses against viral infections, disease and cancer. Take as much as you can each day. You can't take too much. Use the Extra Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil for medicinal use. Put 1 TBS. or more in your smoothies. Use it for all your cooking instead of other oils. You can use Expeller Pressed for cooking.


If there are any signs of flu in even one of the children, Serene gets her children to take a banana and dip it into coconut oil (about 2 TBS coconut oil). This is an easy way for the children to eat it. You can also get the children to put the coconut oil behind their ears and massage it into their lymph glands and also in their nose.

Use coconut way every way you can. Use it for all cooking instead of other oils. To try some delectable recipes with Coconut Butter (it is called butter when it is cold and goes hard, and oil when it is soft in the summer or heated) you can order COCONUT RECIPES by Serene Allison from the Above Rubies website: www.aboverubies.org

RED PALM OIL

This is another super oil. I only use Coconut oil or Red Palm oil for cooking in our home. Every other oil turns to Trans fat when it is heated. Not only are these safe oils to cook with, but they add many nutrients to your body. Both Coconut oil and Red Palm oil strengthen the immune system.
You can put a little Red Palm oil in your smoothies. My husband spreads it on his bread, but I have to admit, I cannot take it that way. But use it as much as you can in your cooking. The following is a smoothie recipe to try:

Ginger Sunrise
2 fresh oranges
2 lemons, peeled with knife, removing yellow rind, but keeping the white pith
1 - 2 bananas (great for children, eliminate for adults as fattening)
2 TBS. Red Palm Oil
1 large handful of flax seeds or chia seeds
2 TBS. Coconut oil
2 chunks fresh raw ginger (about 1")
Sweetening - Stevia
Ice cubes
Blend very well in Vita Mix or good blender until smooth.

3. SLEEP

There is nothing like lack of sleep to run down your immune system. Sleep and a healthy diet are your best preventatives against the flu and colds. Make sure you have adequate sleep, especially during flu season. Try to get to bed early.
I grew up with the old wives' tale that the hours of sleep before midnight are the most beneficial. Science has now proved this adage, although I must admit I have broken the rule most of my life. I am now trying to go to bed earlier. The plan is to go to bed no later than 10.00 pm--9.00 pm is even better.
Staying up much later than 10.00 pm causes your adrenal glands to make cortisol. This is taxing on the adrenal gland and can lead to adrenal fatigue. Does this sound too hard? It is actually better for your health, and you will accomplish just as much by getting up earlier in the morning. And remember, I am preaching to myself!

4. OTHER PREVENTATIVES

I have a friend who uses the following for her family. The taste is wonderful.

ELDERBERRY COLD AND FLU FIGHTER SYRUP

½ cup elderberries (check the Internet for dried elderberries)

4 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 TBS grated fresh root ginger

2 cups water

Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes. Add ½ cup honey. Store in refrigerator. Take 2 TBS. each day to prevent colds and flu. If you have the flu, take every hour. This recipe only keeps two weeks in the fridge so you will need to make a fresh batch every two weeks.

CHOPPED GARLIC

Any easy fighter is to chop up 1 or 2 garlic cloves very, very finely. Pop in your mouth and swallow before you have a chance to taste the flavor or imbibe the smell. This is an easy and wonderful way to fight the flu. I find this simple and effective.

THIEVES OIL

Many folk use the following Natural Antibiotic Recipe using Young Living Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils. Here is the recipe from Quick Reference Guide for Using Essential Oils, compiled by Connie and Alan Higley, 10th edition.

12 drops Thieves Oil

6 drops Oregano Oil

2 drops Frankincense Oil

Put drops in a "00" size capsule and ingest one capsule every 4 hours for 3 days, then every 8 hours for 4 days.

HORSERADISH

Horseradish root is a powerful antibiotic and useful for fighting the flu, as well as urinary tract infections and even cancer. I have just harvested the roots from m y garden and am getting ready to prepare it as a sauce and to use in other recipes. Check the Internet for all kinds of wonderful recipes.

Prepare the following to use as needed. Slice or chunk the horseradish root, place in blender and grind, adding small amounts of vinegar for a good consistency, about 1 TBS vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar) to 1 cup horseradish. The vinegar preserves the horseradish and enhances the flavor. Vinegar stops the heat-building enzyme activity that grinding causes. If you want hotter horseradish, wait before adding the vinegar. Adding the vinegar right away will make the horseradish milder.

Horseradish will take your breath away, bring tears to your eyes, but at the same time clear all your sinuses, help ward off the flu and make you feel great!

You can add 1 TBS. of horseradish to your coleslaw or even to your meat loaf you are preparing.

CUT AN ONION

This is another old wives' tale that I grew up with, but I still do it and believe it works. If someone gets a cold or flu in the house, I cut an onion in half and put it in a strategic place. Supposedly the germs go to the onion. If my husband has a sniffle, I cut an onion and put half by his side of the bed and half by my side of the bed. He complains of the smell but puts up with it!

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

A lot of germs come through the ears. As a preventative, pour a little Hydrogen Peroxide in the ear. I love to feel it bubbling in my ear. Do it once a week (perhaps on the weekend), one night in one ear and the next night in the other. I find it easier to do it this way as the peroxide doesn't run out from one ear when pouring it in the other ear.

THYM-UVOCAL

An herb which strengthens the immune system and fights off infections. Check the Internet for purchase. Adults only.

5. WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY

Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating. Wash under running water for 20 seconds or sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY while washing. It is most important to train your children to do this.

6. DO NOT TOUCH EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH

I find myself doing this and am having to get into the habit of not rubbing my eyes, mouth or nose. Teach your children about this also.

7. NETI POT

Check the Internet for a Neti Pot to clear nose and sinuses.

8. AVOID FLU VACCINATIONS, ESPECIALLY THE H1N1 SWINE FLU VACCINATION

The H1N1 vaccination has many dangers. Check out more information before allowing yourself and your family to become a victim to these shots.

The Swine Flu Vaccine, unlike other flu vaccines, contains squalene, an additive which when introduced into the bloodstream, causes crippling auto-immune diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Squalene in vaccines has been strongly connected to the Gulf War Syndrome. The H1N1 vaccine contains 1 million times more squalene than the vaccine given to Gulf War soldiers (which resulted in 140,000 veterans contracting the auto-immune disease Gulf War Syndrome). The use of squalene is illegal in the USA and UK but is being allowed under the emergency pandemic decree. Dr. Russell Blaylock states, "If you receive the vaccine, there is little you can do to protect yourself--at least by conventional medicine. It will mean a lifetime of crippling illness and early death."

The US government has given vaccine manufacturers (Novartis, Baxter, Glaxo-Smithkline, CSL) complete legal immunity from any deaths or injuries resulting from their vaccines.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

http://www.aboverubies.org/

I hope that was as valueable to you as it is to me!

Update: We have since started buying essential oils as our main medium of treatment and healing in our home, alongside healthy eating and supplements. Buying pure essential oils at wholesale is very easy to do. If you are interested in helping families do the same OR just simply want them wholesale for yourself, leave your email in a comment OR get your introductory kit here. You can also check out my page at the top entitled Essential Oils.

The best baby bed ever!

"Teej" reminded me today that I had planned on blogging about our homemade baby bed. We call it a Malaysian hammock, because our friends have one that is similar, and they got it from Malaysia. After scouring the web for how to make one - I found that there were very few, and they seemed a little more common in Eastern countries, where they probably jimmied some steel hangers into their creation. It has been the most brilliant sleep aid that we've had for our babies (and our selves) so far. Joash was a little colicky, or so they said, but he was always consoled in a sling. So when we saw this, we were sold. It's on a spring - so you give baby a little bounce and they are all set to dreamland. We are planning on making about 100 and selling them later this year. We have a couple orders already. I have been a little hesitant because - I don't know if we need a waiver form - or a label "never leave your child unattended" - and yet people sell slings and homemade baby carriers all the time.

Sleep....

::It is always intriguing to me how co-sleeping families are usually proud of their co-sleeping-ness, while non-co-sleeping families feel just as proud that they have chosen not to co-sleep. We happen to be a co-sleep-friendly family. We are not hardcore. Babies are almost full time until a year (older babies may start the night in a crib or basinette, and they move into bed beside mama later into the night). The other "littles" may join in the wee hours of the morning....sometimes depending on space, feelings of mama and papa.

:: Before starting a family - I think I probably thought that co-sleeping families were a little weird. As I began reading good authors like Dr. Sears, and such, my mind became open to the possibilities....or enlightened, I guess one could say...that perhaps the North American way ain't the #1 way - and that historically and globally non-co-sleeping families are extremely the minority. I wasn't impressed with the history of the come abouts of children being separated from their parents, and when I presented my research to the papa, he was in agreement. So that settled it (it's not worth the trouble if mama and papa aren't on the same page).

:: So then came the space dilemma. Papa built a bed, and bought a foam mattress cut to fit. Nope not this cutie from Allan Lake Sculpted Furniture. He built one just a hair shy of a King size bed, and then, since we are both not very tall, we turned it sideways. So, it is indeed a really wide bed now! With baby #3 immanent and the 22month old, blue eyed teddy bear climbing into bed, I'm grateful for the abundance of bed.

:: My big dilemma these days is covers. Oh yes, I'd love a lovely like this one from Quilt Lover's Etsy shop. We have a queen duvet that barely floats on top. So once Papa and I finish the Malaysian Cradle (which I'll reveal later)...I gotta get down to covering our nest.

:: Like most parents, sleep is so valuable...and with nursing on demand, babies tummies aren't always as full (especially as it appears that I produce more like a 1% milk, while some friends seem to produce 35%) and so night waking is a nightly routine in our home. If I can nurse and sleep at the same time, we feel productive and well rested!

::Bonne Nuit et Beaux Reves!