Homemade baby wipes

I recently had one of my HypnoBirthing moms ask me what kind of baby wipe I use.I buy Seventh Generation & get a case of them from Amazon.com. That's the cheapest that I've found. They are chlorine free & don't have as many chemicals in them. There is also the option of making your own wipes. Here is what you can do...note that the paper towels you use need to be thicker so they don't fall apart...it's hard to find unbleached paper towels that are made thicker. Also, the 1st few weeks, you don't really even need to use anything with a cleaning/soap agent in it...warm water & cotton balls or squares works really well to get breastmilk poops off your little one's bottom. Oh...& I swear by Triple Paste Cream for diaper rash. It does have petroleum based substances in it, but it also has the highest amount of zinc oxide out there, which helps heal up the rash really quickly. You can get Triple Paste Cream at any pharmacy, but you have to order it...tube form or tub form.

Homemade Baby Wipes
You can store these solutions in a spray bottle and spray it onto the wipe at the time of the diaper changing or you can store the wipes and the solution in the same leak proof container.

Ingredients:
1/2 roll of paper towels (cut in half to make short rolls--use a really thick type of paper towel like Bounty)
1/8-1/4 c. baby shampoo (I recommend Miessence's Sunflower Body Wash..certified organic, cold-pressed, all natural & non-toxic...go to my website to learn more)
1/8-1/4 c. baby oil
2 cups lukewarm water
1 plastic container that the rolls fit in
Cut roll in half and remove center cardboard. In Baby Wipe Container, mix liquid ingred. and place half of roll in container. Place on lid and tip upside down. To use, pull out from center.

Herbal Solutions
The basic recipe for wipe solution will do good job of cleaning your baby's bottom, but you may want to use a herbal solution to add some extra soothing and diaper rash treatment properties.The herbal ingredients that may be added to the solution have different properties that help protect your baby's sensitive skin and / or promote healing of diaper rashes.

Calendula -This herb commonly used to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. The herb is helpful for people who suffer from skin rashes and sunburn. Calendula helps to soothe inflamed tissues, reduce pain and aids in quick healing of cuts and abrasions.
Aloe Vera - The gel from the Aloe Vera leaf is great for healing and relieving burns and rashes.
Tea Tree Oil - This oil readily penetrates the skin and is useful for treating burns, scrapes, bites, stings, and various skin irritations. It may also help to prevent or treat yeast infections. Very effective fungicide, antibacterial and antiseptic.
Lavender - Lavender added to salves and creams promotes healing and as an aroma additive eases tension, tiredness and feelings of depression
St. John's Wort - Helps promote healing and has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Comfrey - Helps relieve inflammation and promotes healing.

Baby Wipes Recipe
1 1/2 - 2 cups distilled water
1/4 cup Aloe Vera gel
1 TBS Calendula oil
2 tsp. Baby Shampoo
2-3 drops tea tree oil
2-3 drops lavender oil
Mix solution together, use to wet wipes.

Anti-fungal Baby Wipes
1/2 c. distilled water
1 tbs. vinegar (helps discourage yeast)
1/4 c. aloe vera gel
1 TBS. calendula oil
1 drop lavender essential
1 drop tea tree essential oil
To prepare, use a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Pour all your ingredients in, cover the jar and shake to blend the ingredients.Place your wipes in a container and pour on enough solution to moisten them. Store any extra solution in the fridge. It should stay fresh for a long time especially if you used distilled water.

Rash Treatment and Prevention
Natural Rash Treatment
Extra virgin olive oil that has been steeped with fresh calendula. You can apply this oil at diaper changing time to help soothe and heal the rash.To infuse calendula: Pour the desired amount of Olive Oil or whatever oil you choose into a glass jar and put calendula into jar and shake. Place in dark place for 3-4 weeks shaking the jar every day or so. You can also place the jar in a water bath (pan with water in stove) and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to a very gentle simmer and cook for 1-2 hours. After infusion is complete, strain calendula out of oil. A simple way of straining the calendula out of the oil is touse a strainer lined with cheese cloth. When all the oil has strained through, be sure to squeeze the cheese cloth to get all the oil out of the calendula.

Baby Salve © Millie Fodor
1 part St. John's Wort
2 part Calendula
1 part Comfrey leaf
1 part Comfrey root
1 part Plantain Olive Oil
Beeswax .
Vitamin E
For full instructions on how to create this salve visit:http://www.wildroots.com/salves.htm

Hope you find this helpful!

Carol
awelllivedlife.blogspot.com

A HypnoBirth story

I got permission from one of my HypnoBirthing moms to put her birth story on my blog...so here it is:

Hi Carol:
Sorry for the delay in getting this to you. I find it hard to stop looking at Carter to get to the computer, he is just so beautiful! I am so happy to be able to tell you that our birth story is as good as they get. The experience was everything that Jeremy and I had hoped for and we have the hypnobirthing to thank for that. After only 12 hours of peaceful labor, Carter came to us at 1:47 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13th at 7 lb, 11 oz and 20.5 inches. so here it is: I started having surges around 2 p.m. and the surges were pretty intense and consistent so we started listening to the rainbow mediation and using the breathing techniques. By 5 p.m. we were confidant we were having our baby and called our midwife (from the birth center). I labored at home for the first six hours on the ball and standing up leaning over the couch. I found these to be the most comfortable positions since i had some prettty good back labor. When we got to the birth center at 8 p.m. I was 2-3 centimeters and 100% effaced. We got settled into our birthing room and started listening to the tapes again, and pretty much had them on the entire time. They were very helpful keeping me focused on releasing with each surge and not fighting what my body was trying to do. The only comfortable position for me was on my hands and knees so I was in that position the entire time. One thing that helped me was the constant mindset of, "I can do anything for a minute," and taking each surge one at a time. I got in a rhythm with my 20-20 breath count and focused more on that than the actual physical pressure. Silence was also important to me. My silence...I was able to block out all needless noise and didn't really notice others talking, I don't even remember the midwife checking me at one point! I just went into myself and I talked internally with Carter. I don't think I spoke more than 100 words the entire time, which allowed my focus to never shift. I was able to breath through all of the surges easily using the 20-20 technique and with counter pressure massage from Jeremy and my sister in law Jen. The counter pressure was imperative and my support took unbelievable care of me. They were there through each surge, massaging me, reassuring me, making sure I got enough fluids and being great intermediaries with the birthing center staff. By midnight the surges were pretty consistent and intense, and I was ready to get in the birthing tub. I had to be checked to see if I was far enough along and to get my second ampicillin shot. To my shock and delight, I was already eight centimeters along. At this point,Jeremy started giving me his own affirmations which were wonderful. It helped me relax in between and focus during the surges. And I can't say enough about the tub, it was just heavenly! It felt amazing having the water all around me and continously being poured on my back. It eased so much pressure and allowed me to fully relax. At 1a.m. I was at 10 centimeters and pretty ready to have our baby. I was told I had one flap left that needed to open and to wait it through for a couple more surges, which I was able to do. I then started feeling this crazy urge to push, so I let them know and within 30 minutes little Carter came into this world, very calm and peaceful. It was truly the most beautiful experience of my life. And it continues every day. He is such a wonderful little soul and I know this is because of the way he was brought into this world! Jeremy, Carter and I want to thank you for helping us learn techniques that allowed us to experience his birth in a way that I truly didn't think was possible before learning of HypnoBirthing. I will forever advocate HypnoBirthing to everyone who is having a baby. I wish our experience on everyone bringing a baby into this world!

Of note: Carrie & Jeremy had originally planned on having a hospital birth, but changed to a birth center after attendingHypnoBirthing classes.

Another HypnoBirthing testimonial

Jeremy, Carter and I want to thank you for helping us learn techniques that allowed us to experience his birth in a way that I truly didn't think was possible before learning of HypnoBirthing. I will forever advocate HypnoBirthing to everyone who is having a baby. I wish our experience on everyone bringing a baby into this world!
Jeremy, Carrie & Carter--San Diego, CA