BPA Concern
May 7, 2008
As a new mother, reading things like this really scares me.
This week we finally switched to BPA free bottles. I’m still waiting for Dr. Brown’s BPA free bottles to hit the stores. But for now, Evenflo will do.
For those that don’t know what BPA is, read along.
What is Bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A is a harmful chemical found in polycarbonate plastic which is used to make many popular baby bottles and sippy cups, among other things. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, which alters our body’s natural pattern. BPA can leach from polycarbonate plastic, usually a hard, clear plastic that is common of many products we use everyday. Effects at even low BPA exposure include prostate cancer, breast cancer, early puberty onset, alterations in gender-specific behavior, decreased sperm count, affects on fertility, behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior, and other problems.
Many companies use this chemical in their packaging including cans, soda cans, and plastic food containers. There is a risk of absorbing this chemical through the use of containing foods and liquids but can also leech into our water systems through landfills.
Many leading experts argue that the use of Bisphenol is safe to the human public but research may begin to further prove otherwise. No level of BPA has been deemed as safe by independent research.
For a list on BPA free bottles and sippy cups, click Z Recommends
things that change…
April 23, 2008
I came across this article in Baby Center (one of my fav websites) called:
“Thirty things that change when you have a baby!”
What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn’t change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. And some from readers.
Here are my personal favorites:
(italics are my comments)
1. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
2. You respect your body … finally. (7 pounds heavier than pre-prego but loving it)
3. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
4. You find that your baby’s pain feels much worse than your own.
5. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child. (lol. it’s true)
6. Your heart breaks much more easily.
7. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
8. Every day is a surprise. (and a gift from God)
9. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. Hooray for poop!
10. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself. (soooo true!)
11. You become a morning person. (unfortunate, but true)
12. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.
And from the readers…
13. You discover how much there is to say about one tooth.
14. You finally realize that true joy doesn’t come from material wealth.
15. You’d rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you’ve been dying to have. (Yup! Michael tells me to buy myself a shirt and I end up buying one for Emmy instead)
16. You don’t mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night. (this one’s for Michael!)
17. Silence? What’s that?
18. You discover an inner strength you never thought you had. (this one’s my favorite)
19. You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule. (Yup! Trying to go some where but Emmy wants to nap, so we have to wait)
20. You give parents with a screaming child an ‘I-know-the-feeling’ look instead of a ‘Can’t-they-shut-him-up?’ one.
21. You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you’ll be late. (oh i could kiss her alllll day)
22. You learn that taking a shower is a luxury. (yeaa! for hot, quiet showers)
23. You don’t eat when you’re hungry, you eat when the baby allows you to. (pfff. yes. sometimes i’m having lunch at 3:00 pm, and been up for 6 hours)
…………
So once again, “What changes when you have a baby?”
Everything!!!
But I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my little Emery!
Method Baby
March 28, 2008
Sweet!!!
This is so great.
Method is now doing a baby line. These products are 99% natural, hypoallergenic. The baby body lotion and diaper cream are 95% natural. And Method now uses bottles made of 100% recycled plastic.
We currently use Method cleaning products at home and we are so happy with them.
Emmy is using Burt’s Bees. We are also very happy with this product because it’s so gentle on Emmy’s skin. And it smells great!! It’s also 100% natural and has no Quaternium 15.
But it’s great to know there are more natural options out there!!
Click Burt’s Bees and Method for more info!
But I Want Drugs
March 27, 2008
I have been reading a lot about natural births. And though you friends know that we want to get pregnant again in the summer (june, july) it’s never too early to prepare. Once again.
So I have been talking to Michael and this time, I have decided to have a water birth. Natural. No drugs. No epidural. Yes I know, it’s insane, but it’s what I think is best for my baby. My Body. And my recovery.
Most of you know I gave birth at a hospital, and had an epidural. But if I could do things all over again. I would choose differently. I came upon this article posted on Pushed Birth’s Blog and is exactly what happened to me. And appearently what happens to 1 out of 3 women. I was given an epidural at 3 cent dilated. My water was broken for me. I was given Pitocin. Emery’s heart rate went really low. I almost ended up having a C-section. And I had an episiotomy. (worst thing ever)
This time around I want to avoid all that. Give birth naturally, the way it was intended.
So here’s the article. Enjoy.
But I Want Drugs.
What you probably want is to avoid pain. Epidural anesthesia is by far the most effective pain relief option during labor. But while it eliminates pain on the front end, it may cause more on the back end.
Here’s an example. You get the epidural and all the labor pains go away. The epidural slows down contractions, so they give you Pitocin to speed things back up. Soon it’s time to push. The nurse lowers the bed and has you put your feet in stirrups, with your knees up. She watches the monitor, and when a contraction hits, she tells you to hold your breath and push until your face turns purple. You can’t really feel what’s going on, just pressure, and after several pushes the baby finally comes out squawling — you did it! “Second-degree laceration,” you hear the doctor say. Or worse, you hear, “Let’s repair the episiotomy.” Because you couldn’t feel how you were pushing, and because your provider had you flat on your back and put no counterpressure on your perineum, you tore (or were cut, or were cut and tore some more.) Or even worse, they needed to use a vacuum or forceps to supplement your pushing and get the baby out. And you will now be stitched. If the anesthesiologist did a good job, you still don’t feel a thing. But just wait. When that epidural wears off and you feel those stitches down there — OUCH! Many women have said that recovering from stitches is worse than the labor itself. You can’t sit, you’re afraid to poop, and sex hurts for months.
Here’s another common scenario: you get the epidural, contractions slow down, they pump up the Pitocin, break your water, and 6 hours later the baby just isn’t descending, and his heart rate is dipping. Epidurals contribute to what’s called “malpositioning” of the baby. And when this happens, the recourse is often a cesarean section. Again, you probably won’t feel much during the surgery, but then the drugs will wear off. The recovery can be grueling. Your abs have been severed, and without those muscles it will be difficult to even pick up your babe. If you’re the 1 in 5 who contract an infection post-surgery, the pain and nastiness will be even worse.
The bottom line is that childbirth is a huge physical act that involves pain for most who experience it. But the pain of labor, it turns out, is important. It is hormonally tied to healthy labor progress. If you take away the pain, you may take away the progress, which requires intervention that can cause harm (and more pain!). Your doc/friend/mother-in-law may be saying, “Don’t be a hero, get the epidural!” But this isn’t about heroics, this is about protecting your body. It may turn out that after hours of labor and every other trick in the bag, an epidural is just what it takes to facilitate the baby’s debut. But research suggests it’s best left as the serious medical intervention it is — taken when really needed.
That’s not to say that women who shoo away the anesthesiologist don’t need help getting through the pain — massage, a deep warm tub, a shower, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques can all help. Most importantly, you need to be able to move your body. What you don’t need is to be stuck in a situation with access to none of these options, or in a hospital bed with an electronic fetal monitor tying you down and a Pitocin drip in your vein. Indeed, if you’re pushed, an epidural may be the only way you can get through it. It’s nonsensical to expect a woman to labor without drugs if she’s strapped flat on her back.
That’s why it’s imperative to line up a supportive provider and atmosphere before labor starts. Women who get this kind of support are more able to stay upright, active, and in control of pushing, and are more likely to have an uncomplicated birth, an intact vagina, and a speedy recovery.
Ugly Dolls
March 22, 2008
My favorite new thing for Emmy are these Ugly Dolls!
We’ve been starting to organize her play room and Michael will soon paint it (can’t wait) And I’ve been looking for different things to decorate the room with. One of course will be Trofast from Ikea to put all her toys in. And these Ugly Dolls, among other things.
Each Ugly Doll comes with a story.
This is Cinko.
Poor little Cinko.
He freaks out over everything.
He’s even a little bit nervous… especially about WATER! Are tears water?
What if I have a family and they all order water at the drive thru???
Can Ice-Bat melt?
That’s water!
On and on he goes… Cinko needs a break. Don’t we all? If you help out little Cinko with his water problem, he’ll be sure to stick with you forever. Yeah but not when you wake up early.
Click Ugly Dolls to find out more!
