As the cooler weather sets in we have some help to offer for cold weather ailments!

Chapped Skin - due to lower air moisture levels, some people get dry cracked skin.  Some people even experince skin dryness to the point of bleeding.  For normal skin, our Healing Oil works wonders (aka miracle oil :).  For chapped skin with redness and flakes try our Orange Healing Salve made with bees wax, olive oil, vitamin E and sea buckthorn.  For dry skin with redness and deep cracks, try our Green Healing Salve made with bees wax, olive oil, vitamin E and tea tree oil.  

Coughs, colds & flus - essential oils are very potent in helping with ailments such as coughs (through air diffusers), colds (healing to the nasal passage as well as the nose soreness associated with too much blowing) and flus (body aches and pains).   For coughs I suggest 10 drops of our Eucalyptus & Lemon Myrtle essential oil blend into a diffusers.  You may also add a few drops of Lavender at night to encourage sleep.  For colds, I recommend the Orange Healing Salve applied to the nose to reduce skin soreness.  European doctors also recommend the application of salves (like the Orange Healing Salve) in the nose using a Qtip to prevent a cold - the theory is that it helps to trap viruses upon contact with the nose preventing them from entering the body.  

Flus  - One of the hallmark symptoms of the flu is body aches and pains.  Our spa salts make a great companion to the flu sufferer.   Using either the Eucalyptus Lemon or the Spruce Blossom will alleviate mucles aches and pains due to the essential oils and the epsom salt (magnesium sulphate).  For best results use 500g in a hot bath and soak for 30 minutes.

Summer is finally here! And along with fun in the sun and the great outdoors can come summertime ailments. We’ve got a few tips to help you and your family enjoy a healthy & happy summer.

Insect bites:

Lavender essential oil is known for its calming effects but did you know that it’s also anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving)?   Not only will it accelerate the healing process but it will reduce the itching sensation stop the desire to scratch! Arnica oil is also known to accelerate the healing process and the infused oil can be helpful in reducing swelling and pain from insect bites.   Recipe: add 20 drops of lavender essential oil to 30ml of arnica infused oil and shake until well blended. Apply directly onto affected area. May be reapplied as needed. Sleepy Owl Boo Boo Stick contains both of the ingredients above as well as vitamin E, calendula & organic tea tree oil. The easy-to-use roll on bottle makes it perfect for taking trips or at camp.

Sunburns:

Sometimes our best efforts to avoid a sunburn fall short, but here is a natural recipe that could help to soothe a mild sunburn.

What you need: aloe vera gel, 1 black tea bag, Baby’s Blue Oil

Brew the tea bag in 100ml of boiling water. Allow to cool. Mix approximately 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, add 2 teaspoons of the brewed tea and 1 teaspoon of the Baby’s Blue Oil. Apply to affected area every half hour for the first 6 hours, then as needed. The aloe will soothe and cool the skin, the black tea will reduce and hopefully reverse UV damage and our Baby’s Blue Oil will reduce redness, soreness and inflammation. This combination will provide general relief and assist in the healing process. Be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with any over-exposure to sun.

Scrapes & grazes:

Many essential oils have disinfecting properties but the most common are lavender and tea tree essential oil. You may apply both diluted with water to minor scrapes and grazes to disinfect, reduce pain and speed up healing. Dampen some gauze with water, apply 1 drop of both lavender & tea tree (preferably organic) and gentle apply to the wound. These essential oils only sting a little and it doesn’t take long for the lavender to provide relief from pain, making it idea for little ones.

Although we are providing these natural tips to be helpful, please use common sense for more severe affections and consult your physician.

Many baby products claim that they are completely natural, such as 'made with plant extracts' or 'lavender scented'. Most of the time only a small percentage of ingredients are in fact natural and the rest of the product contains synthetic fillers. To offer your baby the best that nature has to offer, become an ingredient reader.

Ingredients to avoid:

• SLS or ALS - these harsh foaming agents are found in baby washes, baby shampoos, baby bath foam and are drying to skin and can irritate the mucous membranes
• Petroleum Jelly -  a byproduct of gasoline refinement, this jelly like substance is known for lubricating and moisturizing cracked skin.  
• Fragrance - most fragrances are synthetic scents that are made in laboratories with toxic ingredients such as pthalates, which have recently found to be disruptive to the endocrine system and related hormones.
• Talc - the main ingredient in baby powder, is a mined mineral that is produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. The processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos and can cause irritation to the lungs.  

 Look for these natural ingredients instead:

• Decyl Glucoside - Obtained from 100% renewable vegetable origin, this natural foaming agent is ideal for use in baby soaps & shampoos.
• Shea & Coco butters - Shea & coco butters are natural fatty acids that are high in Vitamin E and antioxidants, providing moisture and protection to delicate skin types. It is widely used in natural cosmetics, lotions & balms. Both butters are edible and are used in food preparation.  
• Essential Oils - in aromatherapy, a number of essential oils derived from plants like chamomile, calendula and lavender are used therapeutically in diluted mixtures such as oils, lotions and soaps to soothe and calm skin irritations. Although all pure essential oils are natural, some may be irritating to baby's delicate skin so be sure to check the safety before using these oils and always dilute them to 0.2% for use on babies.
• Corn & Rice starch - derived from plants,  these natural powders provide the same benefits as talc without the associated risks.

Please email us your baby care questions and we'll do our best to help you! 

Competent new mother, here we go...or so I thought.  The first time I bathed my daughter all on my own was nothing short of a disaster.  I immersed her into the water only to realize that I had forgotten the washcloth & towel.  The baby wash was far from reach and once I was able to grab it the seal had to be removed - not so easy with one hand!  So for this reason I am dedicating this post to moms-to-be:

How to bathe your new born:

You'll need: baby bath or bathing craddle (for bathing in a bathtub), baby towel, 2 x wash cloths, extra towel or change pad to create a soft surface, baby wash, baby lotion, plastic cup, diaper, onsie, blow dryer (optional).

1.  Remove all of your jewlery and roll up your sleeves.

2.  Set up all of the items above ensuring all seals on products have been removed  and all items are readily accessible.  For extra comfort you can place the Baby Wash bottle in the tub to warm it up.

3.  Slowly immerse your baby.  You may start with the feet and begin sponge-bathing upward with a soft washcloth.  The deeper you can immerse your baby the more relaxed they will become, as it will remind them of the womb.  NOTE:  ALWAYS CHECK TEMPERATURE WITH YOUR INNER FOREARM (our tough hands may not be able to sense temperature accurately)

4.  Your Position:  if you are kneeling on the floor and leaning into a bath tub, be sure to have good back support (try to tighten abdomen to protect your back) and you can use a towel under your knees.  

5.  Always have one hand on your infant to hold them in place.  With your other hand, pour a dime sized drop of 3in1 wash onto your baby's tummy and gently massage the wash all over.  Be sure to wash inside all the folds.  As your infant grows, you'll notice food can gather just about anywhere!  

6.  Washing the head:  infants generally do not require soap washing on their head but if you wish to here is the easiest way without getting water or soap on their face:  place a washcloth on their forehead (damp is even better for absorption) and put some water on their head using the cup.  Place a small drop of 3in1 wash onto their scalp and very gently begin massaging (their fontanels or skull is still open so just be extra gentle on the soft areas).  Keeping the washcloth in place, use fresh warm water to rinse thoroughly. 

 6.  Rinse the soap off by pouring fresh warm water from a cup, continue rinsing and using your hand to ensure thorough that the soap is being removed.  Be sure to rinse in the folds. 

7. Once your baby is all clean and bubbles have been rinsed off, take your baby out and place into a soft warm towel.  Gently pat dry all over including the creases.  During the winter months, if you wish to you could use a blow dryer on gentle to dry their hair and to warm them up.   Always put your hand in front of the dryer to make sure temperature just warm. 

SAFETY NOTES:  Never leave your baby unattended in the bath (I know it's common sense but just reminding you to be present).  Always do a patch test on small part of skin when using new products prior to applying to whole body.  If any redness appears, do not use that product.  Always test water temperature before putting your baby in the tub. 

I hope this has been helpful.  Stay tuned for more posts on baby care and issues like Craddle Cap.