All natural baby soaps-No Johnson & Johnson for us. It contains harmful known cancer causing chemicals and formaldehyde. We use plan derived all natural and usually organic soaps and lotions with no dyes, preservatives, additives and junk.
Baltic Amber necklaces- Baltic Amber is supposed to release succinic acid when heated against your skin. When worn on the neck, they supposedly help with teething pain and some people put them on the ankle of their newbon for colic pain. I have even seen some people wear long strands on their lower back for pain management. Do these work? I'm still skeptical, but I still use them for my babies and wear one myself because they are cute, and it doesn't hurt to try. A lot of people swear by them.
No-poo- I washed mine and my boy's hair with baking soda and a drop if essential oil, and followed it up with an apple cider vinegar rinse for my own longer hair. You strip your hair of build up caused by the chemicals in shampoos and conditioners sold in stores. Go ahead, read the backs of your shampoo bottles and tell me what it contains..
Homemade soap- I made batches of soap from scratch with vegetable and essential oils in my kitchen for a few years. I loved having a stash, and was able to make a little extra money by selling it. It got harder after having Nixon so I stopped. But I can't wait to start up again!
Plant based laundry detergent and household cleaners- I used natural plant based detergent to wash our clothes instead of the store ought heavily perfumed ones full of chemicals that don't fully rinse out of your clothes and sit on your skin, fabric softener? The worst. I also used organic lemon and orange peels that sat in a jar with vinegar and sugar for weeks to make a natural and powerful enzyme cleaner in a spray bottle and sprayed cinnamon and peppermint oils around the perimeter of our house to keep spiders out. We don't even keep chemicals in our home.
Wool pants and full time cloth-Hayden and Nixon were both full time cloth diapered and ran around in brightly colored wool pants. Wool has natural antibacterial qualities that lock in moisture in case of leaks, and doesn't smell. I washed and conditioned them with homemade lanolin soap of course.
Farmer's markets- we visited the farmers market weekly to get fresh produce from local farms and bought free range eggs from nice old ladies.
Trade- I traded with other moms who made and sold things. Christmas of 2009, I traded for almost all of the Christmas presents for our family.
Midwives and home birth- I used a midwife for well woman check ups. Do you know how comfortable it is to get your yearly pap in the comfort of your own home?! Then when I got pregnant with Nixon, I planned a water birth. Although plans changed when I ended up transferring to a hospital because he got stuck after 50 hours of labor, I was thankful for the relaxing time I had at home, and would do it again under the right circumstances.
Breast feeding- I was determined to successfully breastfeed all future children after failing with Hayden. I did a ton of research and surrounded myself with knowledgable friends and attended play groups of mostly all breast feeding moms. I nursed Nix with minimal issues until he was 2 years and one week old.
No food preservatives or dyes-
We keep food with dyes, artificial preservatives and sugars out of our home.we try and eat whole foods without anything added as much as possible.
Skin care- I have used coconut oil mixed with essential oils for diaper rashes, as a moisturizer and we use toxic free natural sunscreen. I research everything before putting it on our skin, because your skin is the largest organ and absorbs toxins.
Vaccinations- controversial topic, but we do not vaccinate. My children have a healthy immune system. We have been very lucky to have not had any major illnesses. They have never needed to be on antibiotics and have so far never been hospitalized. We have gotten through ear infections, colds, bronchitis once, cuts, scrapes, growing pains, fevers and 5ths disease. All of which we have survived and I believe it is due to the fact that my boys don't have bogged down overworked immune systems caused by the harsh vaccine schedule. Will we change things and get a very select few in the future? Maybe. Is it scary? Yes. Going each way scares me, but it's so,shying I have chosen and both fathers of my children are on board with after doing research together. I have nothing against anyone who chooses otherwise, but that's what we do.
Circumsicion- another controversial topic for some. First son, yes. I did not do my research, and his father refused to go any other way with the decision. Last two son's..no way. The reason why we don't is simple. It's not our body, it's not our choice. It is not recommended by any health organization in the world and there are a TON of myths out there about cleanliness, care and even sexually transmitted diseases. If one of our sons decides they want the cosmetic procedure done later in life, then go for it. I refuse to alter something that is there for a reason. I refuse to take that choice away from them. But I know for some, that's important, and to each his own.
Teeth- We stay away from fluoride because it's toxic. It is literally considered toxic waste by the EPA. Because teeth are bones, they can actually heal themselves from cavities. Just as a fractured arm would. We brush with a natural paste without whiteners, artificial sweeteners and fluoride. Usually it's a base of essential oils, baking soda and clay. My boys have great teeth until I forget to be on top of their brushing -_-
Water- Spring water usually doesn't contain fluoride, chlorine or anything harmful, but it does have naturally occurring minerals that most diets are lacking. And speaking of...
Vitamins and minerals- we supplement with daily mineral drops and plant derived dye and crap-free vitamins.
Rear facing- Extended rear facing is some crazy number like 107 times safer than non rear facing your children. I'm not a memorizing numbers type of person and I'm too exhausted to google it, but I've don't my fair share of car seat research. Hayden's car seat rpstayed rear facing until 4. Nixon was 3.5 and Mycah will be until around then as well. Basically, your child's spine is not fully developed or formed as strong as an adults until they are about 5-7 years of age. (Again I'm not exact with numbers but I know it's around there.) If you were to get into a high impact car accident and they wracked forward,they have a high chance of being internally decapitated. Luckily, the AAP is catching on to the statistics, and are now recommending rear facing to AT LEAST two years of age. But don't just take my word for it, look it up!
Cosleeping- we don't use a crib. I know there have been lots of cases of SIDS where they reported deaths from cosleeping. Yes. It can happen. But we don't drink a ton, and we don't do drugs and I'm not a light sleeper. I have a strong desire to keep my babies close to me, like most mammals do. We feel safe with our decision, but if you don't, again. No judgment. This works for us.
Essential oils- we use pure therapeutic grade oils from doTERRA instead of over the counter drugs. Peppermint for headaches, digestive issues and fevers, lavender for cuys, burns, sleep and anxiety, clove for tooth aches, melaleuca and On Guard for infections..etc etc the list goes on and on. We have been lucky enough to beat kidney infections, ear infections, colds, flu, burns and depression in our home so far. I don't know what I would do without our essential oils.
Baby wearing- we practice baby wearing. It's basically what it sounds like. You wrap, buckle or sling your baby onto your front or back. There are many differnt baby wearing styles and techniques, but they all come down to you keeping your baby close to promote bonding. Also..getting crap done with the use of both your hands! They have found that your baby can regulate their body temperature and heart rate better when up against their parent. It's beneficial and convenient!
Nurturing not shaming- I need a lot of mental reminders on this one, but nurturing our children so they grow up to be good fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, providers, listeners and just all around good people. Who wants a violent mentally detached butthole for a child? Not me. People can pollute and corrupt our world, just as much as trash and toxic waste can. The way you discipline, guide and teach your children will shape the kinds of adults they turn into.
Toys- I'm picky about toys. Not because I want to deprive my children. Because I want them to use their brains. Wooden cars make no sounds on their own, but when you hand them to a child, they turn into a loud racing machine flying down the track on your living room floor. I want creative play. No batteries, no blinking flashing lights and obnoxious sounds that leave nothing to imagine. Sorry Iron Man, but I will be ripping out your electronic mechanism with a screw driver if you enter my home. I would much rather hear my three year old shout "I I-don-man!" Than the recorded message over and over and over. And over.
Homeschool- with Hayden's challenges, and the one-size-fits-most approach that most public schools have, I want to homeschool. Each and every one of my children will learn differently, yet everyone is taught the same. Imagine your child taking an interest in something like photography and being able to obsess over that until they aquire the knowledge and skill because they aren't in a strict classroom setting, and they are allowed to explore. Whichever way we end up doing things, I guarantee our children will at the very least..be able to read, write, spell, discuss, argue, add, subtract, divide, multiply, cook, bake, sew, make change, grocery shop, fish, shoot a gun, take pictures, make music, follow directions, assess, make decisions, take a test, pass a test, drive, hammer, use a saw, cut wood, talk to people, swim, play a sport or two, do laundry, feed animals, grow food, make soap, effectively wash dishes, paint, and ride a bike by the time they are 18.
I'm sure there are a few other things I'm forgetting, but this just about sums up our lifestyle!
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