I began this year with flu symptoms. This is pretty unusual for me since I can’t remember the last time I had the flu. We were at the Esalen Institute doing a workshop the last week of December. About half the people there were sick, and I didn’t have my usual remedies.

Normally if I know I’ve been exposed to something or if I feel something coming on, I will take my immune strengthening remedies and that’s all I need. These natural remedies do the job of keeping me well. But I wasn’t able to take anything and was also trying to combine work with vacation and not really getting enough time to relax. So it fully hit me right when I got home – I had the typical flu symptoms of fever, chills, congestion, sore throat, and body aches. Fortunately, I began treating myself for flu with natural remedies and was able to kick it out completely in a few days.

Then my 17 year-old daughter began to feel like she was getting sick, starting with a sore throat. So I gave her some immune-boosting remedies to prevent the flu and that was enough for her. She was fine by the next day.

So what are my natural remedies for flu? Here is my list of tried and true supplements and things that I did to treat the flu:

• Rest! – this is essential to recovery
• I ate mostly raw vegan foods plus homemade chicken soup from bone broth (without the noodles)
• Yin Chiao and Elderberry Syrup – I took substantial amounts of both of these 3 times a day
• Vitamin C – I took around 2000 mg every few hours
• Vitamin D – I took 50,000 IU a day for 3 days. Vitamin D levels in the body are substantially reduced during an infection, and I know my body can handle that level for 3 days ONLY. I would never take this amount for longer than 3 days.
• Cold Helper – Cold Helper is a brand that I get exclusively from my Naturopath and I’m not sure if this is sold in stores yet. It’s a combination of bicarbonates and chlorophyll to alkalinize the body. Another way to do this is to take sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). There’s even instructions right on the box of Arm and Hammer, and it’s a very inexpensive way to alkalinize the body.
• Raw Garlic – I chewed a large garlic clove (cut into pieces) 3 times a day. I admit this is really challenging, but raw garlic is very potent in eliminating viruses, bacteria, and it prevented the illness going deep into my chest and hanging on. Allicin is the medicine in garlic and it’s released via chewing or crushing and not as potent if cooked or heated. It’s the absolute best thing for sore throats, coughs, and sinus infections. It has to be eaten with food, not on an empty stomach, and it really helps to chew it mixed with another food to mask  the taste. Chewing on fresh parsley right after you chew the garlic helps reduce the garlic odor. No it’s definitely not fun to chew raw garlic, but in my opinion the one minute of discomfort is a lot better than dealing with a lingering illness.

Here is what I gave my daughter to prevent the flu:

Oscillococcinum – this is a homeopathic remedy specifically to take at the very first sign of symptoms to prevent the flu from taking hold.

Cold Helper

Elderberry Syrup

Yin Chiao

Vitamin D

Raw garlic for Jenna – no way! Not going to happen. But the other supplements were all she needed.

The above is not medical advice! – I’m simply telling you what I do to keep my daughter and myself healthy And please note that my soon-to-be-18-year-old daughter and I have adult bodies so the amounts we took are not the right doses for small children.

Here is advice from Dr. Neustaedter on Effective Treatment for the Flu

Flu season has arrived and emergency rooms are packed with those unfortunate souls who have come down with these dreaded symptoms. Unfortunately, conventional medicine has no effective treatment for the flu. Turning to alternative treatments is your best option.

Flu symptoms

How do you know whether you have the flu or a cold? If you have the flu you probably feel so miserable that you think you will die. You can’t go to work. You have a hard time even getting out of bed. Your muscles ache, and you have a combination of fevers, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, and congested sinuses. If you are just congested with a runny nose and cough and you are still taking the kids to school, going to work, and dragging yourself around, then you have a cold.

Holistic treatment

What should you do? First take elderberry extract. Elderberry has been shown in several clinical studies to reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms, and it is safe for children. Echinacea will also help the body defend itself against viruses. Vitamin C in hefty doses (6,000 – 20,000 mg/day) is a good idea as well. Children’s doses are usually about 1/3 that of adults. Vitamin A is helpful for viruses at a dosage of 20,000 – 40,000 IU/day. And finally, continue your regular dose of 5,000 IU vitamin D or even double it while you are sick.

Start taking a Yin Chiao Chinese herbal formula at the first onset of viral symptoms. These are usually available at health food stores and through online suppliers. The two primary herbal ingredients are Lonicera and Forsythia (Jin Yin Hua and Lian Chiao). A more specific Chinese herbal formula for flu symptoms with muscle aching and sinus congestion is Gan Mao Ling. These are inexpensive and everyone would do well to stock these two formulas in your first aid kit.

Homeopathic medicines are also mainstays in the treatment of flu symptoms. Often the most important homeopathic is Gelsemium, characterized by chilliness, lack of thirst, severe aching, and severe tiredness with headache and congestion. By contrast Bryonia is likely to be the correct homeopathic flu remedy if you feel warm and want cool drinks and cool air, you are thirsty, and have bad headaches and achiness. These medicines are also perfectly safe for children. Take a 12 or 30strength of one of these homeopathics every few hours until you feel much better.

This holistic treatment program along with plenty of water, soups, and fresh fruits will get you feeling back to normal and assure that you avoid the complications that sometimes accompany seasonal flus.

“But what about the marriage? The bed should be a place of intimacy, a place of retreat from the kids where husband and wife can bond, whether that be sexually or just alone together. Are there any studies on this or if co-sleeping makes husband feel neglected? In a society that is so wrapped up in upbringing their children correctly, are we neglecting the most important thing we can do for our kids? Give them a healthy family, with parents that love and respect each other by putting our husbands first? Sometimes in our beds at night is the only contact we get with our husbands in our busy lives of raising kids, shouldn’t that be valued and treasured?”

In my opinion, a healthy, connected family is one where everyone’s needs are met, and I don’t believe that a husband’s needs take precedence over a baby’s. Couples can work together as a team to first meet the attachment needs of the baby and then also decide how to meet each others’ needs.

And yes, intimate time for the parents is very important. Happy parents create happy children. There are many ways to be intimate together while creating privacy away from the baby, and still meet the baby’s dependency needs. Each couple needs to find what works best for them.

I will disclose that I’m not the best person to answer this question since I was a single mom when I co-slept with my baby. So I don’t pretend to know what I would do in this situation. I turned this question over to an expert with experience on this subject. And I would love to hear your opinions. Please share what has worked for you in the comments below.

I asked Meryn Callander, who wrote the new book, Why Dads Leave: Insights & Resources for When Partners Become Parents. Here is her thoughtful response:

“I would say firstly, co-sleeping is not for every couple, or not for every couple all of the time. I see each of the attachment parenting principles as building blocks, ideals that each couple approximates to the best of their ability, given their personal situation and dynamics. Many couples enjoy the intimacy of the family sleeping together. And mom and dad can do a lot of snuggling and make love with baby sleeping contentedly right alongside them. Then too, baby does not always have to be right in the bed—for example, she can be on a mattress/side bed right alongside the parents’ bed.

The more we are able to meet the basic needs of our babies, the happier baby will be. A contented baby is going to make for a more contented couple; crying babies aren’t conducive to sex and intimacy. While a couple cannot be as rambunctious as they might want to be, there are other places and times than in bed that a couple can make love.

The fact is, not only sex, but life is not the same post baby as pre baby. Attachment parenting is a day to day balancing of needs and priorities. We know the importance of the early years in shaping a child’s health and wellbeing as adults. And yes, absolutely, it’s very important to nurture the adult couple relationship! Sex is an important element of that. Remember too, there are many forms of intimacy as well as sexual intimacy, and our babies are with us for only a very short time. It’s vitally important for each couple to determine, together, how to navigate that terrain. Where the “building blocks” of Attachment Parenting and the issues raised in Why Dads Leave are so very important, are that they enable parents to make more informed decisions.” – Meryn G. Callander, author of Why Dads Leave: Insights & Resources for When Partners Become Parents
www.WhyDadsLeave.com

Why Dads Leave is an informative, important, wonderful book to read if you want to learn more about meeting the needs of your baby as well as your own and your partner/spouse’s. Meryn fully explores why many men leave, physically or emotionally, after the birth of a child. She provides a lot of insights and practical ways to understand and work with this  dynamic so you can support and love each other as a healthy, connected family. John (Jack) W. Travis, MD contributes to Why Dads Leave as he tells the story of his painful journey into fatherhood and how he struggled to deal with the challenges. – Jane

Meryn and Jack, along with 10 other experts in the field of birth and child development,  co-founded the Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children (aTLC). They spent over 10,000 hours developing a proclamation and blueprint that synthesize age-old wisdom and leading scientific research supporting optimal human development from preconception through early childhood.

Learn about Safe Co-Sleeping

What has been your experience? What is your opinion? We would love to hear your comments! Please post below:

Read about a decades-long campaign of deception by the tobacco and chemical industries. Among other things, the leading manufacturers of flame retardants created a phony consumer group that stoked the public’s fear of fire to protect and expand the use of their chemicals in furniture, electronics and other products.

The Chicago Tribune’s Flame Retardant Deception Playing With Fire series

Read about solutions to Toxic Flame Retardants in Our Homes

A new study has found toxic flame retardants in 85% of couches tested. (1) These couches were bought between 1985 and 2010 from all over the U.S. The researchers found that a 2005 ban of a main PBDE chemical did nothing to change health risks since it was replaced by other toxic chemicals. They also found toxic flame retardants in 100% of the couches bought in California since 2005. Another new study found that toxic flame retardant chemicals are in the household dust in 13 of 16 homes tested in Northern California. (2)

An essential solution to this issue is a good HEPA home air purifier that will trap and remove the dust particles. See below for more info about solutions to this issue.

This is not the first time we were warned about fire retardants. Back in 2004 the environmental Working Group (EWG) found unexpectedly high levels of neurotoxic flame retardant chemicals in the household dust of every home sampled. (3) And back in 2008 the EWG found that toddlers and preschoolers typically had 3 times as much hormone-disrupting fire retardant chemicals in their blood as their mothers. (4)

Some chemicals were banned several years ago, but children are still being exposed to PBDEs since they are leaching out of older household products. These chemicals are associated with learning and attention problems (ADHD), fine motor coordination, and IQ. (7)

Unfortunately, the banned chemicals were replaced with ones just as toxic or even more toxic. The study found that the most common flame retardant used now is chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), which has been found to change the DNA of people exposed and is listed as a carcinogen. This is the same fire retardant chemical that was removed from children’s flame retardant pajamas back in the late 70s because it was suspected of causing cancer. But it wasn’t formally banned, just voluntarily removed so now it’s in all our couches and mattresses! Tris is now officially listed as a carcinogen in California, and the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and the National Research Council have concluded that it’s a cancer risk. It is absorbed through the skin – that’s why it was removed from children’s sleepwear. It’s also now in the household dust of most homes.

Another chemical mixture found in the recent study is Firemaster 550. Not enough health studies have been done on this, but it’s linked to rapid weight gain and early onset of puberty in young rats. Firemaster 550 contains two brominated compounds, known as TBB and TBPH, and these are similar to a plastic-softening phthalate that was recently banned in children’s products because the phthalate is listed as a known carcinogen and developmental toxin.

Your couch and chair cushions and your mattresses and pillows are likely made of polyurethane foam saturated with these flame retardants. These chemicals are also in your television, computers and other electronics in your home. Flame retardants are even in the insulation of many  homes. Particularly disturbing is that flame retardants are found in a lot of baby products – they’re in most baby mattresses, including crib mattresses, porta-crib, bassinet, and cradle mattresses, car seats, changing table pads, toys, infant sleep positioners, and nursing pillows. (5 & 6)

It’s a sad fact that American babies are born with the highest concentrations of flame retardants of babies anywhere in the world. Elevated concentrations of these chemicals are found in breastmilk and in babies’ blood.

Fire retardants leach out of household products into the surrounding environment and accumulate in dust. In addition to spending a lot of time lying on and playing on couches and mattresses, babies and young children crawl and play on the floor and then put their hands in their mouths. Our babies are more vulnerable to these toxins than adults since they are in their most critical time of brain development and their elimination systems are immature. Many of these chemicals are linked to hormone disruption, lowered IQ, attention deficit, learning problems, cancer, changes in DNA, and decreased fertility.

A couch may contain up to two pounds of flame retardants, and it’s very hard to find one without these chemicals. There’s no way of knowing what specific chemicals are in your furniture and mattresses because they are considered trade secrets. Even the manufacturers may  not know the specific chemical make-up because the chemical companies make their flame retardant mixtures proprietary and do not disclose the ingredients. If you call a retailer or manufacturer and ask about fire retardants in their products, they may say they don’t use them, but most of the people you’re talking to don’t even know. If it’s made with polyurethane foam, you can bet it’s got flame retardants since this foam is highly flammable. Unless a company is specifically making non-toxic, chemical flame retardant-free mattresses or furniture, you can be pretty sure the foam products you are buying do contain chemical flame retardants and there’s no way of knowing exactly what these chemicals are.

The same fire retardant foam that is used in couches is also used in most mattresses. Manufacturers and retailers are not allowed to sell mattresses (baby, child or adult) unless they pass strict fire laws. The only way you can buy a mattress in the U.S. that has not passed flame testing is if you provide a doctor’s prescription saying you need a chemical-free mattress. The cheapest way to pass the fire laws is to use chemicals so that’s the way most are sold. There are alternatives, though. All the mattresses that Healthy Child sells have natural, safe alternatives of either wool or a non-toxic baking soda mixture. Even organic mattresses have to be fire retardant, so the ones that do not have a wool or baking soda flame barrier need a doctor’s prescription. Crazy, right? We need a doctor’s prescription to protect ourselves from chemical exposure. How did it get to this?

You may be thinking that at least these chemicals are protecting your kids from fires. This may come as a shock, but studies by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Underwriters Laboratories found that flame retardants in household furniture provide no meaningful protection from fires. And the flame retardants make the fire more toxic! Without the flame retardants, a fire releases carbon dioxide. But when flame retardants are present, fires release far more soot, smoke and carbon monoxide—which is what kills you in a fire. Some chemicals release highly toxic dioxins when burned. Flame retardants are even in the insulation of many homes, which also makes the fire more toxic.

There’s been a long campaign of deception by the tobacco and chemical industries to get us to believe that flame retardants reduce fires and save lives. Sadly, it’s all a bunch of lies. These lies and all the money behind them are what has created this mass toxic exposure in our homes and our planet, and it’s what’s keeping new laws from being passed to ban these chemicals.

Read more about the deception:

http://healthychild.com/healthy-kids-blog/flame-retardant-industry-campaign-of-deception/

I know this post is alarming and it may even make you angry. So what do we do? Are there good solutions?

The long-term solution is to get these chemicals out of our homes and environment, and unfortunately that’s going to take some time and effort and a major public outcry to override the money and power of an industry to get our government to take action. I’ll be posting links to take action to help pass meaningful legislation to protect our families.

But it’s critical now to do what you can to reduce exposures in your home as much as possible. To limit the toxic dust in your home you need to regularly vacuum and dust with a damp rag or mop. Washing hands also helps a little to reduce exposure.

A good HEPA air purifier is also essential. It will trap the dust particles and remove them from your environment. We recommend Austin Air purifiers since they use a 4-stage filter containing proven filter mediums for cleaning the air.  All the Austin Air purifiers have medical grade HEPA and activated carbon that address the worst household air contaminants.  These purifiers do not emit any toxic by-products such as ozone. Austin Air purifiers have been tested by respected labs, including Battelle Laboratories and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.  Extensive tests on flow rate, flow design, removal of vapors, gases and sub-micron particles have been performed on the Austin Air cleaners.

If you have a baby, you need a high quality Austin Air purifier. We recommend the Austin Air Baby’s Breath Air Purifier. It has the best protection to help your baby sleep with clean air. Austin Air Baby’s Breath traps dust particles with a HEPA filter combined with a gas trapping military carbon cloth, trapping up to 99.97% of all particles down to 0.3 microns. This system is known as High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA) filtration. In addition to dust, the Baby’s Breath Air Purifier also removes allergens, pollen, tobacco smoke, dander, chemical off-gassing (VOCs), environmental smoke, viruses, bacteria, and odors from  your baby’s room. Austin Air has a variety of air purifiers for your entire home to reduce or eliminate chemical off-gassing, toxic dust, allergens, viruses, and bacteria and keep your family breathing healthy air.  See recommended air purifiers

Replacing a toxic mattress is essential because this exposure is up-close and ongoing. We sleep on our mattresses for 6-8 hours every night while absorbing and breathing chemical off-gassing. And our babies and children sleep or play on their mattresses for 10-12 hours or more every day. We’ve been researching alternatives to toxic mattresses for over 12 years and have found the highest quality, healthiest, non-toxic solutions from honest companies we have thoroughly checked out. See our organic mattress recommendations.

Here is a list of companies who state that their furniture does not contain added flame retardants, or that it can be ordered specifically without them. Please note that we have not yet confirmed or verified these companies. Just because they don’t add flame retardants does not mean that these chemicals are not already in the foam they purchased for manufacturing their furniture. And they could be using other types of chemicals in their products. We will update the list as we investigate further.

I’m also checking into how to detox these chemicals from our bodies and will be reporting on this later. Sign up for the Healthy Child newsletter to get further information.

(1) Novel and High Volume Use Flame Retardants in US Couches Reflective of the 2005 PentaBDE Phase Out  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es303471d

(2) After the PBDE Phase-Out: A Broad Suite of Flame Retardants in Repeat House Dust Samples from California  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es303879n

(3) PBDEs – Fire Retardants in Dust  http://www.ewg.org/reports/inthedust

(4) Fire Retardants in Toddlers and Their Mothers  http://www.ewg.org/reports/pbdesintoddlers

(5) Identification of Flame Retardants in Polyurethane Foam Collected from Baby Products  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es2007462

(6) Fire Retardants Abound in Baby Products: ES&T’s Top Science Paper 2011  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es300730d

(7) In Utero and Childhood Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Exposures and Neurodevelopment in the CHAMACOS Study  http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/11/1205597/

21.  Get to Know Your Children Fully

Children have unique needs, temperaments, behavior patterns, talents and learning styles. If you can identify and understand your child’s inborn nature, you can develop a unique approach to parenting that’s best for your individual child.

22.  Reduce or Eliminate Processed Foods

If you don’t buy it, it’s out of sight and out of mind – at least at home. You can make whole foods very appealing with a little creativity. Read the shocking truth about how food is produced. Here’s more about food and nutrition for kids.

23.  Include Your Children in Food Shopping and Meal Preparation

This gives them the power of choice within healthy parameters. Here are some ideas on how to get your kids to eat healthy foods.

24.  Avoid Giving Your Children a Lot of Commercial Fruit Juice

Fruit juice is not a whole food and adds little nutritional value. Juicing removes the fiber, and unless the juice is freshly squeezed and consumed immediately, most of the nutrients are lost. Commercial canned, bottled, or boxed juices are mostly just fruit sugar (even if you buy unsweetened) and contain pesticides if not organic. See Are Fruit Juices Healthy Drinks for Kids?

25.  Regarding Parenting Styles: Do What Works for You and Your Children

There is no one right way to parent, and there are many parenting paths and choices within a holistic lifestyle. Many holistic parents are practicing “attachment parenting”. At the heart of attachment parenting is the principle of nurturing a strong bond of connection between you and your children.  There are many ways to create and maintain this bond and treat your children with respect, kindness and dignity. Find what works best for you and your family, and let go of placing rigid demands on yourself.  Go back to the #1 parenting tip – take care of yourself so you have enough energy and emotional stability to fully bond with and nurture your children!

26.  Allow your Children to Trust their Feelings and Preferences.

This is a follow-up to #3 about following your own intuition. Instead of raising your children to become what society deems successful and acceptable, you may want to consider nurturing, assisting, and allowing your children to follow their heart and tap into their own inner voice. Allow them to express their creativity and create their own path and dreams. Try to give up control and attachment to how you think your children should be, and allow them to be who they are by encouraging them to trust their natural inclinations and feelings.

27.  Consider Internet Articles as you would any other Parenting Advice.

Know how to research, scrutinize and discern what’s right for you and your child. Just because someone writes an article or a blog post and it sounds like they know what they’re talking about, don’t just accept it as fact. Check into it further.

28.  Understand how Scientific Research is Done and the Underlying Factors Involved in the Conclusions.

Most people just take the carefully worded conclusions drawn from a study as fact. Many times these are just sound bites created by the media to influence your opinion. But if you actually read the study, you might find that it’s not so cut and dry. Know how to decipher studies and discern between valid conclusive research and inconclusive or faulty studies. It’s also important to know who funded the research so you can detect any biases.

29.  Manage your Time Wisely so you can Fully Immerse Yourself in your Child’s World.

Your child knows when you are multi-tasking or have your mind on other things. When you make the time to fully be with your child, give him or her your full undivided attention and awareness. This teaches them to value themselves and others.

30.  Don’t Take it Personally.

Your children are going to act out, have tantrums, challenge your authority, and be disrespectful. It’s not about you, it’s about them and their needs. If you take it personally, you’ll be tapped into your own emotional baggage and won’t be able to respond in an effective way. When you are triggered, your children will react to your emotional stuff!

31.  If your Child is Having a Melt-Down in a Public Place, Disregard Everyone Else Around You.

This is between you and your child and no one else’s business. The biggest mistake that parents make (I did too) is worrying about all the eyes on us when our child is acting out. As moms we’re so concerned about how others are viewing or judging us. As if we’re responsible for our children’s unpredictable emotions. If we’re thinking about what others think we “should” do in this situation, we are missing what our child really needs and what the situation calls for. Ignoring what others think will alleviate much of the stress, and you’ll be able to come from your heart while dealing with your child’s needs.

32.  Understand that any Attempts to Control your Children are Pretty Much Useless. 

Trust me – it will backfire. Instead build a relationship of connection and respect.

33.  Let go of What Anyone Else Thinks.

Sometimes people have good insights and there can be a lot you can learn from others, but you know your child better than anyone else. When your children are grown and you look back on what you did early on as a parent, what is more important – how your children are doing or what your mother-in-law or your Aunt Margaret think of you? You’ll have to live with the consequences of your decisions, and your well-meaning peanut gallery will have probably forgotten all about it by then. Thank people for their opinions and advice, but only use what’s right for you.

34.  Hold, Carry, Massage, Rock, and Cuddle your Baby Continually.

This creates a bond and connection with your child, which is vital to emotional and physical health. Learn to massage your baby – it’s great for both of you.

35.  Actively Listen to Your Child.

They need to know they are heard and respected.

36.  When you Feel that you Messed Up, Apologize to your Children.

Sometimes we act out our stress on our children. If you can apologize and take responsibility for your own emotions, your children will feel respected. They will also learn that as humans we all mess up and there are healthy ways to interact with others.

37.  Create More Play Time with Your Children.

But follow their lead in the play activities.

38.  Let your Children Run, Jump, Leap, and Fully Express their Joy.

They need to be energetic and expressive.

39.  Allow your Children to Make Mistakes.

This helps them to learn about life and about themselves.

40.  Tell your Children you Love Them – Often

Treat them with the same or greater respect than you would your best friend. When you interact with them, model the way you would like them to interact with others.

(Part 1)

I have been parenting holistically for 18 years. I’d like to share with you what I consider the most important nuggets from all the years of being a natural holistic mom. While times are changing rapidly and things are a lot different now, much of what I learned from experience remains true today.

There is no such thing as a perfect parent. And there are fewer rights or wrongs than most imagine since each child is unique and may require a different approach than another child. I made some mistakes as a young mother, but I also did a lot of things that I know were best for my daughter. Some of the items on this list I’m still trying to live up to. Let’s face it, it’s an ongoing process.

In some of the tips I include a link where you can go if you want more information.

1.  Take care of yourself!

This is crucially important and at the #1 top of the list since if you don’t do this and you are constantly stressed and tired, you can’t be emotionally or physically present with your children. I’m not suggesting you neglect your child. I am suggesting you honor yourself and take time for what you need. Do what it takes for you to be healthy. Children often mimic behavior they witness versus what they’re told to do. In the long run everyone will benefit from this.

http://www.healthychild.com/the-art-of-self-care-for-mothers

2.  Ask for help.

Seriously. Just pick up the phone and ask a friend or family member for what you need to make your life easier. You’ll be surprised at how much others are willing and able to support you and your child.

 3.  Develop your intuition and learn to listen to it. Trust your instincts.

Moms have a great gift – intuition. This intuition is driven by powerful maternal hormones – prolactin and oxytocin – that are stimulated by holding and breastfeeding babies. All the mind clutter and outside stuff trying to get your attention can interfere with this. When you can loosen the grip of all the other voices and tap in to your own inner guidance to parent from your heart, you will naturally know what to do to meet your children’s needs. Go with what feels right, what your natural instincts are telling you.

4.  Find a doctor you can trust.

Find a doctor you can easily talk to and who respects you and your decisions. When I was pregnant I interviewed several pediatricians. When I said I was unsure about vaccines and wanted to do some research before making a decision, all of these doctors except one told me that if I didn’t vaccinate they would either kick me out of their practice or harass me each time I went in. Only one had a meaningful, respectful conversation with me and supported me in making my own choice. Guess which one I chose?

5.  Question your doctor if what he or she says does not feel right to you.

Your child’s doctor cannot possibly know everything that you know about your child. Ask questions until you feel satisfied that what your doctor is recommending is the right thing for your child. If you’re really  not comfortable with your doctor’s opinion, get a second one.

6.  If possible, create a team of doctors.

You may want to have a chiropractor, a naturopathic physician, a pediatrician, and a Chinese medical doctor/acupuncturist available as primary care doctors or as needed, depending on your child’s needs.

http://www.healthychild.com/choosing-a-health-practitioner-for-your-child
http://www.healthychild.com/health-professional-directories-and-holistic-parenting-communities

7.  Learn as much as you can about typical and serious childhood illnesses.

If you know the signs and symptoms of diseases and know which ones are serious, you will know what you can manage at home and when you should call a doctor on your team.

http://www.healthychild.com/kids-health-holistic-parenting-education

8.  Learn all you can about herbs, homeopathy and nutritional supplements so you can treat the minor stuff on your own.

http://www.healthychild.com/kids-health-holistic-parenting-education

9.  Do whatever you can to reduce or eliminate toxins in your children’s environment.

Young children are especially vulnerable to toxins. Find out how they may be exposed and take whatever steps you can to reduce exposures. It’s impossible to completely eliminate all chemicals from their environment, but make sure you take care of the big things that you do have control of, especially their sleeping environment. Make sure this space is as toxin-free as possible by providing a non-toxic mattress and bedding, and an air purifier for breathing clean air.

http://healthychild.com/healthy-kids-blog/baby-crib-mattress-make-sure-its-non-toxic/
http://www.healthychild.com/kids-mattress-organic-and-non-toxic
http://www.healthychild.com/safe-co-sleeping-on-a-non-toxic-mattress
http://healthychild.com/healthy-kids-blog/indoor-air-pollution-how-to-protect-your-children/

10.  Make up your own mind about vaccines.

Don’t trust anyone’s opinion or follow anyone else’s views about whether you should vaccinate or not. This includes your pediatrician since most are very biased but have not done enough research or really know how vaccines may affect your child. Do your own thorough vaccine research so you can fully understand all the issues, pros and cons. Whether you vaccinate or not, you are the one who will have to live with the consequences. If you are unsure and have doubts, then don’t do anything until you feel you are making the right choice for you and your children. I decided to wait until my daughter was a year old before making any decisions about vaccines. I did this to allow her immune and nervous systems to develop further, while I took the time to fully dig into the research. When she turned one, I made a very confident decision and since I was fully informed, I knew I was doing the right thing for her. It was a decision I never regretted, not even for a moment.

http://www.healthychild.com/leading-pediatrician-discusses-vaccines-for-children
http://www.healthychild.com/vaccine-choices

11. Don’t take it personally.

Your children are going to act out, have tantrums, challenge your authority, and be disrespectful. It’s not about you, it’s about them and their needs. If you take it personally, you’ll be tapped into your own emotional baggage and won’t be able to respond in an effective way. When you are triggered, your children will react to your emotional stuff! This is one of the reasons why #1 is so important.

12.  Envision how you want your children to be instead of looking at and focusing on the things you feel are defects, missing or wrong.

Are you seeing their true perfection or their problems? When you begin to feel disappointed or that there’s something lacking in your child, sit down and make a list of all of their positive aspects and you’ll soon be able to see their true potential, value and perfection. Focus on this.

13.  Find a holistic parenting group for support – find your tribe.

After my daughter was born, my midwife connected me with other holistic moms in her practice who recently had babies and we formed a mom’s support group. As first-time mothers, we nursed our babies together while sharing about ourselves, our babies, our fears, doubts, concerns, our joys, and our wonderful moments with our babies. It was a life-saver for me as a single holistic mom.  Later on I joined a Continuum Concept group with others parents interested in attachment parenting. At one point I also joined my local Mothers’ Club and a babysitting coop. Now there are holistic parenting support groups you can join, i.e. Holistic Moms Network and Families for Conscious Living. You may find a local chapter in your area or you can form one yourself. There are also Mother’s Clubs and babysitting coops in most cities.

http://www.holisticmoms.org/
http://www.kindredcommunity.com/

14.  Breastfeed for as long as possible.

Breastfeeding really is the best thing for babies. And long-term breastfeeding is the norm worldwide. Most children around the world are breast-fed for three to five years or longer. I believe that breastfeeding my daughter for four years was one of the best parenting decisions I made.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-11/breastfeeding-rates/54909940/1
http://www.healthychild.com/breastfeeding-for-a-strong-immune-system

15.  Find a sling that’s comfortable for carrying your baby.

Carrying your baby in a sling allows you to meet his or her need for touch and holding, while freeing your hands for other tasks. You can go about your day, holding your baby close, breastfeeding discreetly right there in the sling. Your contented baby then is able to see and experience more of the world from this vantage point, increasing his or her learning from life.

16.  As much as you can, let go of your fears and worries.

Your children can feel when you are fearful or worried about certain things and they may become insecure about these things too. Children pick up on parents’ anxiety and become anxious themselves. If you trust in yourself and believe that all is well, your children will feel the same.

17.  Make food and eating fun and not a battle.

When my daughter was really young, I was pretty restrictive and controlling about food choices. This backfired on me. Once I began teaching her about healthy food and allowed her to make her own choices, food became a lot more easy and fun. And she eventually chose to eat pretty healthy foods all on her own. It’s important to establish life-long love of healthy food vs. setting our kids up for rebellion or powerlessness in making their own choices.

18.  Manage your time wisely so you can make time to fully immerse yourself in your child’s world.

Your child knows when you are multi-tasking or have your mind on other things. When you make the time to fully be with your child, give him or her your full undivided attention and awareness. This teaches them to value themselves and others.

19.  Be less serious! Sing, dance, and laugh a lot with your children.

20.  Your children are your greatest teachers! Be open to learning from them.

This list is certainly not all-inclusive of the most important tips. See Part 2 for 20 more tips.

Please share your comments below.

Children breathe in and retain more air pollution per unit of body weight than adults. Polluted air has a greater impact on children because their lungs and systems of elimination are still developing. When children’s bodies becomes overloaded, they cannot deal with more toxins. They may begin to have adverse reactions to certain exposures such as new carpet, paint, cleaning materials, mattress and furniture off-gassing, dust, molds or pollen. Even minor exposures can make a toxic overloaded child very ill. It’s estimated that more than 40 million people now have some form of environmental illness due to allergic or toxic reactions to various substances in their environments.

Indoor air pollution can cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Allergens, tobacco smoke or chemical exposure can trigger asthma symptoms or make existing symptoms worse. Environmental illness may include a long list of other perplexing problems that are difficult to pinpoint.

See more info about allergies and environmental illness:

Particles or gases are being released into the air throughout your home from many different sources. But the room in which your children sleep is probably the most important. Sleep is the time for their bodies to regenerate. When your children go to sleep at night, their bodies go into deep repair mode, and the immune system attempts to get rid of the impurities. It’s difficult to detoxify if there is the additional burden of toxins in the air in the bedroom. How much time do your children spend in the bedroom? In addition to night-time sleeping, many children are spending a lot of time playing or napping in their bedrooms during the day.

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution in the Bedroom

First, it’s crucial for babies and children to sleep on an organic mattress that does not off-gas. It’s imperative to replace all mattresses that contain fire retardants, vinyl, polyurethane foam and other toxic materials.  Additionally, most bed frames, cribs, cradles, bassinets, changing tables, dressers, cabinets and bookcases are made from composite or pressed wood products that emit formaldehyde or contain varnishes or paints that also emit toxins. If possible, replace this furniture with solid wood with natural finishes. Carpet is another big toxic emitter that can release pollutants more or less continuously. Toxins from cleaning products, personal care products, building materials, and paints can all get into the air.  Any mold, dust-mites, or animal dander present in the bedroom can also be a big problem for children.

To reduce allergens and toxins in your child’s bedroom:

• Purchase a HEPA room air purifier that reduces allergens, odors, gases and chemicals
• Encase pillows, mattresses and box springs with non-toxic 100% organic cotton dust-mite proof covers
• Reduce home humidity to under 50 percent to control mold growth
• Fix plumbing, roof and other water leaks promptly, and safely remove all mold throughout the house
• Vacuum twice a week with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (more frequently if you have pets)
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, drapes and mattresses on a regular basis
• Clean hard surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t use toxic cleaners
• Keep allergy-causing pets out of the bedroom or wash pets every week to reduce exposure to dander
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Wash stuffed animals regularly
• Remove carpet, if possible, and use natural, non-toxic rugs that you can wash regularly
• Keep tobacco smoke out of the home
• Avoid composite or particle board furniture and try to buy real wood whenever possible.
• If you buy composite wood products, let them off-gas outside for several days or weeks before bringing them indoors
• Ventilate rooms thoroughly after bringing new furniture inside. Open windows daily to improve indoor air quality.
• Common houseplants such as bamboo palms and spider plants may help to purify the air

All these things are necessary and helpful, but to really make a big difference in air quality, a HEPA room air purifier is needed. We have done the research on home air purifiers and are now offering the best air purifiers at guaranteed lowest prices.  Best Room Air Purifier

Strains and sprains

A strain is an injury to tendons or muscles. This is the most common type of overuse injury that arises from twisting or wrenching a muscle. You are jogging and you step on a rock. Your ankle twists and when the tendons stretch, muscle fibers tear. The ankle is the most common site of strains, but other joints can be strained as well¾shoulders, elbows, wrists, or knees. The symptoms are pain and swelling. Bad strains may cause discoloration¾redness or bruising. A sprain involves the ligaments that attach bone to bone. The ligament may be stretched or torn, and torn ligaments can be excruciatingly painful, possibly requiring surgery. Think football, think Jerry Rice.

Danger signs

Consult a medical provider (medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor, or acupuncturist) if there is severe pain, if the limb cannot be used, or if there is noticeable tenderness over an isolated spot. These are all signs of a fractured bone or severe strain or sprain. Your doctor will decide if an x-ray is needed.

Home treatment

Step one: RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)

Rest – stay off the injured part, further motion will aggravate the injury.

Ice – apply ice (in a plastic bag and wrapped with a towel) to the injured part. This will reduce swelling and bruising; do this three times a day.

Compression – apply an ace bandage to restrict movement and to reduce swelling; do not use a bandage that cannot stretch.

Elevation – keep the injured part higher than the heart to prevent swelling.

Step two: Homeopathic remedies

1. As soon as possible following an injury that involves muscles, joints, or bruising, take Arnica 30, two pellets every hour for three doses, then every three hours while awake for at least three days. Apply Arnica gel to the area two to three times per day. Do not apply Arnica externally to skin that is raw from scrapes or cuts.

For sore muscles from overwork, use Arnica 30 internally and Arnica gel externally.

2. If swelling or pain persists after three days, switch to Rhus-toxicodendron 30 three times per day.

Step three: anti-inflammatory supplements

Bromelain (made from pineapple stems) and curcumin (active ingredient of turmeric) are natural anti-inflammatory agents. Bromelain limits production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. They will not produce the sedating effects and stomach irritation of painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen.

Dosage: Bromelain 500 mg. three times per day between meals, not with food. This is the dose for a 150-pound adult. Reduce the dose proportionally for children. (If a rash occurs, discontinue use.)

Curcumin 400 mg three times per day.

Tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome

Repetitive motion such as typing at a keyboard, moving a computer mouse, or using a pricing gun at a grocery can result in inflamed tendons in the forearm and irritation of the nerve passing through the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome). Tennis elbow is another form of tendinitis. Acupuncture is the most effective medical treatment for this condition.

Home treatment

Step one: Decrease the motion of the tendons involved by using a wrist splint or a forearm splint designed for this purpose.

Step two: For tendinitis take Ruta 30, a homeopathic medicine, two pellets twice per day.

Take vitamin B6 100 mg per day and bromelain 500 mg three times per day between meals.

For carpal tunnel syndrome take Viola odorata 30, two pellets twice per day.

Cuts and puncture wounds

Home treatment for cuts and scrapes

Stop the bleeding from cuts by pressing on the wound with a clean cloth, then wash with soap and water. After bleeding has stopped use tape to bring the edges of the wound together.

Step one: Calendula tincture in alcohol is usually the only application needed. Dilute the liquid Calendula extract in a little water, 1 dropper in ¼ cup water. Then apply the diluted Calendula to the skin. Calendula is a natural antiseptic. It stops bleeding, promotes healing of the skin, and prevents infection.

Step two: When the wound has healed, apply vitamin E to prevent scarring. Puncture a capsule of vitamin E and apply it to the skin once a day.

Danger signs

A physician should examine any cut longer than one-half inch on the hands or face, or any other jagged or extensive cut, because it may need stitches. Watch for significant redness surrounding the cut or red streaks extending up from the cut during the ensuing days. These are signs of infection that should be examined by a medical provider.

Puncture wounds

The danger associated with puncture wounds is the development of tetanus, a potentially fatal infection that is caused by bacteria that can only grow in a medium deprived of free oxygen. The tissues and blood vessels beneath the skin can provide just such an environment. Puncture wounds should be allowed to bleed in order to flush out any bacteria injected under the skin. A tetanus shot may be necessary to prevent this infection. If the initial series of tetanus shots or a booster has been given in the preceding ten years, then a booster shot is not needed. If no tetanus shots have ever been given in the past, then one shot of tetanus immune globulin (TIG) in the emergency room will prevent tetanus from that injury.

Fractures

For any serious injury, or persisting pain from an injury, an x-ray may be needed to diagnose a broken bone. If a bone is fractured then an orthopedist will determine the appropriate treatment¾casting, splinting, or surgery.

Home treatment

Take Symphytum 12c twice a day for six weeks. Symphytum (comfrey or boneset) will help the fracture to heal more quickly.

Sunburn

Always use sunscreen and reapply it after swimming to prevent sunburn. When redness occurs despite your best efforts, put a few droppers of Calendula tincture into a spray bottle with ½ cup water and apply this to the skin. Aloe vera gel is also a soothing application.

Home remedy kit for injuries

Homeopathic medicines Supplements

Arnica montana 30c

Bromelain

Rhus-toxicodendron 30c

Curcumin

Ruta graveolans 30c

Vitamin B6

Symphytum 12c

Calendula officinalis tincture

Arnica gel

See More Natural Remedies for your First Aid Kit

The good news is you don’t need to expose your kids to toxic drugs or chemicals to keep them safe and well. There are plenty of natural remedies that will do the job. Here are some natural remedies you may want to include in your first aid kit.

Natural Remedies for First Aid Kit

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a general detoxifier, and applied to an insect bite, is capable of absorbing the offending poison. Activated charcoal is an absorbing agent that comes in capsules or bulk powder. For external use, wet powder and apply as a poultice for itching, bites, stings, etc. This helps draw out toxins and reduces swelling. Internally, use 1-2 capsules (or one teaspoon in a cup of water) every hour or two for problems like diarrhea, intestinal flu, food and chemical poisoning. Charcoal absorbs the poisons that are irritating the bowel. Too much, however, may cause constipation. NOTE: If chemical poisoning is suspected, contact your doctor and poison center hotline immediately and only use activated charcoal if advised. NEVER use regular charcoal briquettes as a substitute for activated charcoal.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is soothing and healing. It is anti-inflammatory and has an anesthetizing effect on the tissues. The best aloe comes directly from a plant you can easily grow in your own home. Cut open a leaf and apply the gel generously (externally only) for sunburn and all types of burns, cuts, abrasions and other injuries.

Arnica Gel or Cream

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that has anti-inflammatory properties and it stimulates circulation to help heal sore muscles, sprains, strains and bruises. As soon as possible following an injury that involves muscles, joints, or bruising, take Arnica 30C, two pellets every hour for three doses, then every three hours while awake for at least three days. Apply Arnica gel to the area two to three times per day. Do not apply Arnica externally to skin that is raw from scrapes or cuts.

Black Salve

Black Salve is also called drawing salve. It’s used externally to draw infection, slivers, acne, boils and warts. Apply generously and cover with a bandage.

Breast Milk

If you are breastfeeding, you have an amazing healing substance with you at all times – and it’s free! The antibodies and other healing properties in expressed breast milk can heal cuts and scrapes, prickly heat rashes, and other skin irritations. Breast milk can also be expressed directly into the eye to clear up pinkeye.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has strong antibiotic, analgesic, antiviral, antifungal, antispasmodic, and sedative properties. It is a non-toxic antiseptic and works well on cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, diaper rash, pimples and burns. Lavender repels mosquitoes and can give relief to bug bites. Apply lavender oil to a minor burn after plunging it into cold water. 10 drops of lavender oil can be added to a cool bath to soothe a minor sunburn.

Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is used externally to promote wound healing and reduce inflammation. It has antiseptic, astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. It has a healing effect on cuts, scrapes, bites, stings, bruises, and burns. For a wound-healing compress that is also excellent for burns and stings, use two teaspoonfuls of calendula tincture in one cup of water. It quickly soothes the pain and prevents infection. It relieves the itching and irritation of skin eruptions and diaper rash. Calendula is gentle enough to use on a baby.

Comfrey

Comfrey stimulates the growth of new tissue and helps heal wounds. It is sometimes used with calendula in a healing salve.

Neem oil

Neem oil is a highly effective, non-toxic, child-safe bug repellent that can also be used on open sores and wounds. Neem heals wounds, cuts, sores, poison oak or ivy, and has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.

Raw Honey

Raw honey can be used as an antibacterial treatment and dressing for a minor cut or scrape. It is also great for bee stings. When a wound is covered with honey, hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced in contact with body fluids, and has an antiseptic action. Make sure the honey is raw and not processed or pasteurized.

Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy relieves stress and emotional imbalances in children (and adults!). This is a great remedy for soothing a stressed child. It’s good for stress, anxiety, impatience, irritation, agitation, tantrums, and general meltdowns. Rescue Remedy is completely safe to use for all ages.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is renowned for its antifungal and antiseptic qualities. It speeds healing and has a mild analgesic effect, reducing pain and inflammation. Tea tree oil can be used for burns, cuts, rashes, including diaper rash, psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections such as athletes foot and ringworm, poison ivy, and insect bites. It kills germs that cause acne, warts, and boils and inhibits infection.

Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1/8 cup of a cold-pressed “carrier” oil (sweet almond or similar oil). Apply with a cotton ball directly to the affected area. Apply 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil undiluted directly to ringworm, athlete’s foot, warts and boils. Do not apply undiluted to the face.

Witch Hazel Extract

Distilled witch hazel is a mild astringent, and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for skin irritations and insect bites. It can be used as a base for diluting essential oils. Witch hazel should not be taken internally.

If you like to make your own natural remedies for your first aid kit, here are a few recipes:

Clay Poultice

(extracted from Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent’s Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses, by Demetria Clark)

Yield: Enough for 1 or 2 poultices

As the clay mixture dries on the skin, it pulls toxins and pus from stings and bites to keep the pain from spreading.

1 tablespoon bentonite clay
1 teaspoon echinacea root tincture
1 teaspoon chamomile tincture
1 teaspoon plantain tincture
12 drops lavender essential oil

Put the clay in the container the poultice will be stored in. Gradually add the tinctures, stirring between each addition so the clay absorbs the liquid. Sprinkle with the lavender oil, stirring to distribute it evenly in the clay mixture. Covered tightly and stored at room temperature, Clay Poultice will keep for 3 to 4 months. If the clay dries out, sprinkle it with a little distilled water to reconstitute it.

Application Instructions: For children ten years of age and older: Dab onto the affected areas, allow to dry, and wipe off with warm water.

Insect Bite Gel

(extracted from Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent’s Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses, by Demetria Clark)

Yield: About 1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
5 drops lavender or tea tree essential oil

Combine the aloe vera gel and essential oil in a roll-on stick. Sealed tightly and stored in the refrigerator, Insect Bite Gel will keep for 8 months.

Application Instructions: For children 10 months of age and older: Apply to insect bites every few hours to soothe and relieve soreness.

Motion Sickness Blend

(extracted from Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent’s Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses, by Demetria Clark)

Yield: Enough for dozens of dosages

This remedy also works for adults who get carsick – adults can take the same dosage as older children.

½ cup dried chamomile flowers
¼ cup dried peppermint leaves
¼ cup dried lemon balm leaves
2 tablespoons dried hops flowers

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Stored in a sealed jar at room temperature, Motion Sickness Blend will keep for 6 months. To use, add 2 tablespoons of the mixture to 1 cup boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Strain and discard the herbs. Give the first dose about 30 minutes to 1 hour before a trip.

Dosage:

For babies six month to two years of age: Seek medical advice.
For children three to five years of age: ½ cup, 1 to 2 times a day.
For children six years of age and older: Up to 2 cups a day.
The above recipes were extracted from Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent’s Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses, by Demetria Clark. This is an excellent book that provides many easy recipes for homemade remedies as well as great information on remedies for common childhood illnesses.

What are your favorite natural remedies that you use in your first aid kit?

We’d love to hear about natural remedies that have worked well for you. Please post in comments below.