Continuing on from the previous article, we now look at the importance of choosing a holistic lifestyle by eating organic fresh foods, and identify some adverse affects of food colourings. But first, some general advice for new mothers about diet…

Dietary tips for Mother and Baby
-    Mothers need plenty of healthy calories and proteins in the diet. These are directly related to the quantity of milk produced. A new mothers diet should contain ample organic vegetables and protein foods such as almonds, along with a good vitamin & mineral supplement.
-    An organic diet for your infant may quickly and dramatically reduce pesticide levels in the blood. This supports overall health as well as supporting healthy  brain and neurological function.
-    In clinical trials,  the probiotic Lactobacillus was shown to successfully reduce the severity and occurrence of eczema in babies. It can be taken by your baby in the form of a dedicated baby probiotic where necessary

Tips for dealing with a food sensitivity
-    If you have to remove allergenic foods from your diet, see a dietician or nutritionist to ensure that you and baby are still receiving adequate nutrition.
-    There is an increased risk of chronic skin allergy in infants where solid foods were introduced before 4 months of life. Delay introduction of solid foods until 4 - 6 months of age.
-    To help your baby build digestive immunity, do not re-introduce identified allergenic foods before 3 years of age. For your information, milk and peanut residues are the most common allergens that filter through breast milk to baby
-    Delay the introduction of eggs to your infant until 2 years of age
-    Read and become familiar with food labels. With practice, you will be able to recognize the additives or particular foods that cause discomfort for you or your baby.

Non-organic Foods
Evidence shows that non-organic food is a true source of pesticides and other harmful chemicals in an infants diet. Even in utero, many pesticides are able to cross the placenta. For example, exposure to high levels of organophosphorus pesticides have been shown to reduce head circumference and increase the risk of behavioural problems in newborns. Immediately starting an infant on a diet of organic fruits, vegetables and meats will very soon reduce levels of pesticides to non-detectable levels, and maintaining an organic diet will ensure that these levels do not rise again. The benefits of an organic diet for infants is important for all body systems and supports normal neurological and brain development.

Food and pharmaceuticals colourings
Food additives and colourings may not affect you or your baby, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of their potential adverse effects. Approximately one eighth of all approved additives in Australia have been linked to an adverse reaction such as irritability, skin rashes, respiratory problems, hyperactivity and digestive complaints. Tartrazine is a dye associated with respiratory congestion, itchy skin, hives and swollen mucosal tissues. Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow and New Coccine have all been linked to skin rash and digestive disturbance. Asthma with allergic skin reaction, respiratory difficulties such as sinusitis is thought to be associated with all of these dyes: Amaranth, Erythrosine, Indigo Carmine , Ponceau, New Coccine, Sunset Yellow and Brilliant Blue. Sunset Yellow may cause digestive upset and vomiting. Erythrosine may cause increased sensitivity to light. A more prevalent condition, skin dermatitis, has been linked to consumption of Neutral Red, Indigo carmine, Quinoline Yellow, Gentian and Violet dyes.

This month we look at common problematic foods and chemicals for Mother and Baby. Some foods will trigger an adverse reaction in either or both mother and a breastfed baby. These are most commonly eggs, cows milk, peanuts, wheat and fish. Some of the symptoms to look out for include headaches or migraines, diarrhoea, skin rash, irritability or fatigue. These symptoms are associated with an immune response to specifics foods (allergy) or a reaction to ingesting certain chemicals (intolerance).

Tip: If you know that you react badly to a specific food, it is best to avoid consuming this during pregnancy and lactation. Doing this may reduce the risk of your baby inheriting a sensitivity to the food.

When it comes to adverse reactions to food, it helps to think also about any added chemicals, colouring, flavourings or preservatives. For example, when purchasing supplements like vitamins, be aware of the sources of materials used to make up the capsules. Some vitamins such as soy-derived vitamin E may irritate a baby with a soy allergy. And many food colourings are associated with intolerance symptoms such as lethargy, irritability and poor concentration. The anthroposophic approach to nutrition stresses lots of natural, organic and biodynamic vegetables and grains. Whether it’s a skin lotion applied topically or a meal internally digested, the purity of the product or food is paramount. The anthroposophic diet provides extra nutrition for the digestive system and less toxicity symptoms such as constipation and headaches.

Sugar
I thought it useful to mention sugar in this article, as sugar cravings are common among new mothers. Highly refined sugars are prevalent in the modern diet, and in some people, they trigger symptoms in the body that resemble an allergic response, such as skin irritation, headaches, inflammation and hyper-activity. If this sounds like you, it is best to avoid over-indulging in sugar by following these simple tips:

• Ensure you eat enough protein so that your energy levels are balanced.
• Avoid eating a sweet breakfast such as sweetened cereals, as this set you up for energy spikes and dips for the rest of the day.
• Check with your naturopath or doctor for any evidence of poor blood glucose management. This is associated with many common health conditions like metabolic syndrome, obesity, polycystic ovaries and adult acne.
• Chewing licorice root is thought to help not only to modulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings, but also to reduce addictions such as smoking.
• Eat plenty of bitter foods like rocquette, cress, radicchio and sprouts and give your digestion a boost!
• Pumpkin, beans and aniseed in a casserole for example offers a high protein, lactation stimulating meal.

Not all new mothers will experience symptoms of sugar indulgence however, and many can benefit from the energy provided by this carbohydrate. The physical demands of motherhood require a lot of energy, and it is usual for new mothers to experience fatigue! Sugar is necessary for this as well as brain function.It also provides a strong anti-bacterial preservative for many medicines and herbal tonics such as Blackthorn elixir.

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Continuing on from looking at harmful chemicals in common baby products we look at some highly controversial chemicals that have been shown to be detrimental to a babys’ health.

Phthalates are softening agents added to many toys, lotions and creams for all age groups especially in industrialised countries. Recent studies have shown that when a baby is exposed to these chemicals, even in topical products, that the phthalates and their derivatives are absorbed into the blood stream and also present in the urine. One of the better known effects of phthalate exposure in babies is an underdeveloped male reproductive system. There is an indisputable link between high phthalate exposure either in utero or after birth, and several developmental abnormalities such as those listed below.

Some Recognised Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Phthalate exposure in Babies
-    incomplete dropping of the testicles
-    reductions in the masculinsing hormone dihydrotestosterone
-    reduced distance between the anus and the base of the penis (AGD) – which is used to predict abnormalities in adult reproductive development. The AGD should normally be twice as long in males as it is in females, however studies have shown that significant phthalate exposure to male infants may shorten this measure. The shorter the anogenital distance the more feminised the body in question.
-    the development of proliferative lesions in Leydig cells, which are located in the testicles

Vitamin e is a soothing and softening addition to adult skin products. It’s not necessarily harmful to a baby unless they display an allergy to it. If your baby reacts to vitamin e, there are alternative skin nourishers such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or grapeseed oil. Infusions of herbs like calendula and chamomile and nettle are also good skin tonics.

Oestrogenic chemicals and derivates in the environment, processed foods and in skin care products are part of the phthalate controversy. So when purchasing any products, be sure to choose those that use natural organic and biodynamic ingredients. These are less likely to contain environmental hormones.

Perfumes & Fragrances
Perfuming is a highly sophisticated art form, and it has its place in the adult world. Its creative use of classic and aromatic plants is music to our olfactory ears. However when it comes to perfumes in baby products, its helpful to arm yourself with some knowledge about what is safe and appropriate, and what is harmful.

As adults, with our well developed detoxification systems (such as the gut, skin and liver) we are better able to manage chemicals in our bodies than are babies. A babys gut immunity takes many months to develop, and they absorb more through their highly permeable skin than adults. Selecting products that derive their fragrances from natural essential oils  are the way to go! Plant extracts and essential oils offer not only scent but other therapeutic benefits such as:
-    killing infective bacteria
-    reducing spasm and pain
-    inducing sleep and healing damaged skin

There are naturally occurring fragrances such as those of the Calendula and Chamomile. Look out for perfumes that are added to products such as talcs and lotions in particular and stick with the mantra Pure & Organic is Best.

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Some Common Irritants in Baby Skin Care Products
It is not uncommon for an infant to develop an allergic reaction to a whole range of baby products, and a little extra knowledge and insight can make it easier for you as a parent to identify the best and safest products to purchase. In the past, studies have revealed dangerous chemicals used on the surfaces of toys and other commodities such as multivitamins for babies. Even dietary proteins are known to cause many allergies in infants. There are concerns with topical lotions and creams that despite their good intentions, can actually irritate baby skin or worsen an existing skin condition. Let’s look first at the skin, and its role in protecting infants from the external toxins.

Functions of the Skin
-    Acts as a physical barrier to chemicals, bacteria, fungi and viruses
-    Protects us from physical impact
-    Vital part of the immune system
-    Protects us from UV rays
-    Production of vitamin D after exposure to sunlight
-    Absorbs nutrients and other substances topically
-    Regulates body temperature
-    Receives and communicates sensations to the brain

Skin is a vital organ of detoxification and elimination, and when it comes in contact with foreign agents, becomes an important protector to the rest of the body. It is in fact, the largest organ of the human body! Keeping skin healthy requires maintaining hydration, oil and acidity levels, clean and unclogged pores, and essential nutrition through the diet. When any of these qualities are compromised, the ability of our skin to function normally is diminished. And while we often think of the potential benefits and dangers of substances we ingest through the mouth, we tend to forget that the skin is a major absorption organ too. The surface of baby skin is considerably more permeable than adult skin, so it will absorb an even greater amount of product applied to the skin. The reality is that babies absorb a lot.

For this reason alone it is worthwhile ensuring that your babys skin care products are as pure and toxin-free as possible. For example, mineral oil is used in many baby product lines, however not only does mineral oil introduce foreign toxins into a babys body, it also sits on the skin and creates a mask through which the skin cannot breathe.

Looking after your babys skin may at some stage require you to work on their digestive health too, because the other major absorption organ in a babys’ body is the gut. In the first month of life as the digestive system develops, there is a marked lack of cohesion between cells, thus it is more open to the invasion of larger particles and proteins. Allergies in the skin can manifest as a result of irritations or disharmonies actually arising from the gut.

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The  Weleda monthly giveaways are going strong and our winners have been delighted with the arrival of their Weleda products.

Here is some feedback from one of our lucky winners of a Baby Gift Care Pack:

Calendula Soap
Weleda baby’s Calendula Soap is lovely it has a pleasant fragrance and is great on all three of my children, not only the baby. One of my son’s Jonathan suffers from dermatitis and I have found an improvement in his skin from using the soap already and he has only been using it for a fortnight!

Calendula Nappy Change Cream
I have been lucky with all my children to have never had to deal with nappy rash, but I have been using Weleda Calendula Nappy Cream on my son Timothy (6mths) after nappy change. The cream has a great aroma and helps freshen up baby especially after a dirty nappy.

Calendula Oil
I have been using the Weleda Calendula oil to massage all three of my children since birth. I was given a bottle for my first son over 3.5 years ago by my Osteopath. I love the aroma of the oil and how well it absorbs into the skin. I have massaged my babies until they were about 12 to 18 months old, or until they could run away, I find that it is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and have some one on one time with them. My hands always smell great afterwards, and are soft and smooth. So the Calendula oil benefits both baby and me!

Thanks again,
Lyndal

If you like weleda, tell us why! Send your thoughts to us using the comment box below.

Constipation and Thrush

Constipation in babies
Constipation is a lack of bowel movements that causes pain and intoxication. Nobody likes to feel constipated, sluggish and stuck. So it is relieving to note that there are many things you can do for your baby to relieve this condition.

It occurs in babies for both anatomical and dietary reasons. Also, breastfed babies are less likely to experience constipation, but if it does occur then check for allergy to foods consumed in the mother’s diet such as the wheat and dairy. Check that your diet contains adequate vitamin C and magnesium, which support healthy bowel function, and can be shared with baby through the breast milk. Food rich in vitamin C include guava, strawberries, parsley, papaya, watercress and oranges. Foods rich in magnesium include brazil nuts, almonds and leafy green vegetables. For some babies, giving prune juice diluted in water twice daily will help ease constipation.

With formula fed babies experiencing constipation, check for food related allergies again and introduce into the feed some calming herbs to improve digestive function such as aniseed, fenugreek, caraway and fennel.  A great way to ease the discomfort of constipation is to drink a nursing tea. These will reduce any indigestion symptoms as well as stimulate breast milk production.

Massage is also helpful in baby constipation as it stimulates the intestinal movements and the bowels. Apply gentle massage in circular strokes around the abdomen, and to enhance the effect use a tablespoon of warm sesame oil. Calendula oil possesses gentle calming qualities that can be imparted through the skin and also through inhalation of the essential oil. This makes calendula oil a good choice for baby massage. Baby probiotics may or may not be useful, ensure that there is no bloating or colic first before trying this and seek professional guidance. Natural yoghurt may be a better choice.

Steps for Mothers to treat Constipation in Babies
-    Check for food allergies in formula feed or your own diet
-    Take a good multivitamin
-    Apply gentle massage to the abdomen using warm sesame oil
-    Consume a Nursing tea including fennel, dill, caraway and aniseed
-    Ensure the baby has adequate water intake (particularly if you are weaning your baby off breast milk)
-    Eat natural yoghurt

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Skin Rash & Cradle Cap

There are many ways that you can make your newborns transition into the world more comfortable and reassuring. From skin irritations through to painful colic, nature offers an abundance of plants to heal these conditions. The trend toward natural and organic preparations of these plants is becoming evermore popular due to their efficacy, purity and concerns about harmful environmental toxins in non-organic products. Herbs and homeopathic medicines such as chamomile for pain, are pure and simple and can be administered through the breast milk, by rubbing it on to the nipple before feeding or by giving it to the baby orally.

The most common complaints of newly borns in the post partum period are:

• skin-rash & cradle cap
• colic
• jaundice
• constipation
• thrush

Any health imbalance will disrupt a babys sense of harmony. So crying and looking ill at ease are a calling for some natural remedies.

Other reasons why babies cry a lot and treatment suggestions

• For pain try homeopathic Chamomilla, Hypericum
• Soothe stress and restlessness by adding some Lavender Bath Milk to your babys bath water. Baby massage also helps.
• Avoid distractions or mess in the babies living area as this can cause stress.
• For infections try homeopathic Ferrum Phos and Thuja. A tincture of Echinacea will also be a useful cleanser in small doses.
• Teething can cause chronic crying and pain. Use a teething powder that incorporates the homeopathic medicine Chamomilla, thought to to bring about pain relief for sensitive beings. In holistic anthroposophic medicine, chamomilla root is thought to provide the best results as it is has an affinity with ailments of the head region.
• Over-heating or not being warm
• Soothe sunburn with a small regular application of herbal ointment. Good herbs include nettle for calming irritated skin and arnica to reduce inflammation. Combudoron Gel is well known as a sunburn soother for babies throughout Europe and it contains both of these herbs.

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Continuing on from our look at Arnica and Hypericum (St Johns Wort) to help manage pain from birth, we now explore other techniques such as deep breathing and restorative herbs to help you on your journey. Approaching healing after birth naturally will ensure that you are treating your body and your baby with respect and kindness, just what you need if you are not yet feeling one hundred percent!

Soothe yourself
The journey of pregnancy and birth can leave a woman chronically exhausted, so it is important to make use of the many herbs that soothe the nervous system and promote a better quality of sleep such as Oats (Avena sativa), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).  Oats strengthens the adrenals, restores bone and muscle mass, supports normal hormone balance and enhances the health of capillaries and the circulatory system. Well known herbalist Susan Weed recommends it especially for woman after birth. Take it in extract form for best results. Valerian and Passionflower improve quality and duration of sleep so that energy levels and endurance during the day are improved. Both are thought to reduce insomnia and can be used in tea or tincture form for good results. Valerian is an especially good recovery tonic for states convalescence where fatigue and anxiety are present.

Healing on the inside

When it comes to healing tissues and preventing infection the delightful marigold flower, known as Calendula officinalis can provide these with virtually no known side effects. So it’s completely safe and natural. Use Calendula cream to keep your skin soft and supple as pregnancy can dehydrate the skin, and use it prior to the birth in perineal massage to reduce the risk of a perineal tear during birth.

To support healing from an episiotomy or any injury to the body, introduce calendula into your daily cleansing regime by diluting a strong organic Calendula lotion with water and applying as a wash. A couple handfuls of dried calendula herb can also be added to bath water for skin soothing activity or drink the herb as an infused ea for a cleansing and healing hot drink. Calendula has a long history of being used in casseroles and soups for a similar purpose.
The herb witchhazel is also useful in sitz baths to aid recovery from an episiotomy. If you find that swelling occurs or worsens, switch to cold water. Any pus or foul smelling discharge from the episiotomy location may indicate an infection and you should contact your care giver for assistance.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a powerful healing herb that prevents bacterial and fungal infections. Applied to the skin in the form of oils or creams, it provides deep nourishment and protection. It can be used for pre-birth massage of the perineum to lower the risk of episiotomy, and post birth in sitz baths to aid healing and prevent infection.

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Statistics show the period immediately after birth can be a challenging time for new mothers both physically and mentally, and there is increasing interest in specific herbs that have been used for centuries post partum with great efficacy. Two of these widely used herbs are Arnica (Arnica montana) and St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Speeding up your recovery time with Arnica
Arnica montana
In the mountains of Europe and all over the world, the delicate yellow flowered herb Arnica has played a critical role in wound healing and is an absolute must for any woman after birth. Used topically in cream form or internally in homeopathic form, arnica stimulates healing in a completely pain-free and non-invasive way. Words such as trauma, pain, great soreness and bruising will have any homeopath reaching into the dispensary for ‘ARN’. Also, if you are stoic, and dislike being touched or spoken to when in pain, then Arnica is a good choice of remedy. The homeopathic preparation of Arnica in spray, drops or pillule form is what I would recommend using after the rigours of birth as a healing medicine for muscles, birth trauma, perineal trauma and a bruised sensation. It helps get the recovery process underway quickly. It is also highly regarded as a remedy to use after caesarian section or forceps delivery due to the trauma and impact involved in both procedures.

Dealing with pain
Hypericum Perforatum (St Johns Wort)
The most commonly recorded types of pain after birth are backache, episiotomy pain and perineal trauma. To bring some relief to any of these look no further than St Johns Wort (Hypericum) an aromatic herb that is commonly used to boost healing after surgical or traumatic procedures. This herb has been proven in clinical studies to rival modern medications for both depression and pain management with fewer side effects - thus its usefulness after birth. It is great for healing strong radiating pains after trauma and injury to nerve-rich areas of the body such as the perineum. If you are looking to improve healing post episiotomy, start taking hypericum internally as an homeopathic remedy as soon as you are able to. Your stitches may take a week or two to disappear completely, and when you are sure that there is no open wound you can apply this healing herb topically as well. It works very well in combination with the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal herb Calendula in homeopathic cream form. Apply daily to boost recovery further.

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