Making the decision to have my babies in the comfort and privacy of my own home was for me, natural. Since becoming interested in health, as an avid reader since childhood, I have sought knowledge in libraries and secondhand bookstores. A truly revelatory book was Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin. This colourful book is filled with pictures, drawings, and birthstories,
featuring all sorts of women giving birth with minimal intervention. Even before I wanted children, reading so many stories convinced me that it could be done. I will not address pregnancy or birth at this time, as I hope to focus on childhood here.
Once the miracle is accomplished, there are immediate applications for natural medicine. Perhaps not the first day, but after the first bath, lavendar oil can be applied to the belly button. Depending on what sort of bottle your lavendar oil is in, if large, you may choose to decant some into a smaller bottle with a dropper. A drop or two after baths, or a particularly messy diaper change, will keep things healing nicely and cause no discomfort to the babe. Essential oils are one of the most useful natural remedies for babies, who are not eating food yet, and will not swallow on command. If baby develops a cold, boil some water, add a couple drops of lavendar, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil ( or a drop of each, and place in the room baby is in. Even a newborn will not be harmed by this sort of gentle, noninvasive treatment. Most times I gave them baths I would put in a single drop of lavendar, later on tea tree is one of my favourites for the bath, but at first, lavendar (inexpensive) or chamomile (pricey but heavenly) oilas they are prone to rashes when fresh and this helps with any ear or nose issues as well, and if they swallow some no harm done.
I also highly recommend herbal teas for the mother when breastfeeding, as the babe will receive benefits. Peppermint tea for feverish or gassy fussers. Chamomile and fennel tea both help with producing milk for mom and soothing immature digestive systems. Mild nutritional or soothing teas such as chickweed, oatstraw, or nettle, will also be mutually beneficial.
Speaking of immature digestive systems, after reading that babies who nurse for the first six months exclusively have fewer allergies, that is what I did. I realize not everyone can or wants to do this. For me being a stay at home mom was something I had to do, and we have sacrificed the glamorous lifestyle, such as vacations, that my being a working mom would have brought. The first foods I introduced were simple, bananas, avocado, home made applesauce, working our way upwards to oatmeal, brown rice, vegetables. All organic, as much as possible. In general, keeping the environment that babies and toddlers are in everyday as organic and natural as possible provides much less of a barrage of allergens and toxins on tiny immune systems. Everything from laundry soaps, household cleaners to clothing contains chemicals. While "a little bit won't kill you", every piece forms part of the whole picture. I would grind up rice, veggies, etc. in a foodmill with a little water, add a dash of hemp or flax seed oil, a few seaweed flakes, and stir. Babies don't need all the spice and salt we do. There is so much more available these days in organic babyfoods. The health food stores carry a broad range.
I believe it was just as important what I didn't give them as what I did. Babies taste buds and intestinal flora only know what we give them. Once they have been introduced to the extreme intensity of processed sugar and salty foods, they will not be satisfied with wholesome foods. As well as the fact that these so called foods are a direct assault on immune systems. Every teaspoon of sugar lowers our immune system for 2 hours, rendering us more vulnerable to illness and disease. Much the worse for the wee ones.
The first three years of life are widely recognized to be the most important in determining certain factors in a persons' life. Good nutrition during this time is crucial to our later health. Especially when they are growing and developing at such a rapid rate, vigilance in this department has its rewards. Another book that had a great deal of practical information as well as looking beneath the surface of childhood development and needs is You Are Your Childs First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin. It was this book that prompted me to do my best (grandparents never understood!) to ensure the children ate no meat during their first 3 years. She explains why so much better than I could.
If children are sick during this time and require antibiotics, there are specific strains of acidophilous for children, to establish healthy intestinal flora, which in turn helps the body extract nutrition from the foods we eat. If there are heavy foods such as meat eaten, or strange combinations, resulting in tummy upset, a drop or 2 of Swedish Bitters, the water extract, doesn't taste good but helps, or an herbal tea such as chamomile. After the age of one year, A sore throat can be soothed with a bit of raw honey, which has antibacterial properties.
One last quick word about diaper creams. I started out using Penaten diaper cream which comes in a flat blue and gold tin and is found everywhere. It does coat an existing diaper rash nicely. When no diaper rash was present I liked using a locally made salve called Baby Bottom Better. But truly the best diaper cream is made by Weleda and available in most health food stores. When this is used, they don't get a rash, it really is lovely. The Weleda baby products are all wonderful, they have wonderful moisturizer for after bath too. I received a gift, when I had my second baby and I can't say enough about their products, a splurge perhaps, but worth it!
