Wool Diaper Covers: Do They Really Work?

Organic Wool Diaper Covers: Do They Really Work?

(exerpted from an article by Marye Audet)

Wool is a sustainable choice. We have raised sheep. Trust me, they love getting that wool removed in the summer. It is thick, hot, and smelly and in order to keep sheep at their healthiest all that wool has to come off. So, other than the occasional nick with the shears it is entirely cruelty free to shear sheep...at least to the animal. The human on the other hand...let’s just say that there is nothing fun about cuddling a sheep that weighs as much as you do.

Anyway, there are other benefits besides sustainability.

The lanolin, a natural oil, makes it waterproof.

It wicks moisture away from you baby.

Wool is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial.

Because of the antibacterial qualities the wool does not need to be washed that much; a few hours drying time and it is ready to go.

Warm in winter and cool in summer because it breathes. That means less likelihood of diaper rash.

These diaper covers are durable. With care they will last through several children.

One of the biggest arguments against the wool covers that I have heard is the initial expense of them. This is true, they are generally $35.00 or more each. However, you only need three or four of them at most. Plus, when you are done with the wool diaper covers you can sell them on eBay for almost as much as you bought them for. They retain their value really well. You can also ask for them as baby shower gifts.

How to Lanolize Wool Diaper Covers

If there is poop on the cover, use an olive oil bar soap and gently wash it out prior to lanolizing. If you don't have olive oil bar soap, Ivory bar soap will work fine. Do not use Woolite or other commericial wool detergents on diaper covers.
Melt 1/4 inch of Lansinoh Lanolin in hot water (it helps to place it in a Tupperware-type container and swish it around until completely melted). Add 1/2 capful of Eucalan (or another) Woolwash to the hot water. Mix to break up and mix in the Lanolin. Fill sink. The water should be room temperature. Not ice cold, and not too hot. Place wool cover in sink and gently push cover under the water. Let it soak for about 15 minutes.

After soaking, gently squeeze excess water out, then roll it between two towels to get even more moisture out. Let it dry for about 24 hours.

New for October and November--AUTUMN MADNESS!

It's time for AUTUMN MADNESS at UndergroundBaby.net!

During the month of October only, we have some SCARY specials for you to enjoy:



LIL' PUMPKIN OUTFIT
Baby Boy or Girl Organic L/S TEE OUTFITS: Lil' Pumpkin
Halloween baby theme - Thanksgiving baby outfits
Sizes: 6-12, 12-18, 18-24 mos.
SPECIAL PRICE: $36.00 for the month of October ONLY! (normally $40.00)



ITSY BITSY SPIDER--BABY'S FIRST HALLOWEEN BLANKET
A full moon lights up an itsy bitsy spider and all its legs, making it appear big and scary with no web in sight, this creepy little spider is on the move as a cute, fun Halloween treat for baby or kids. Cute, fun Halloween gift for any little monster this Fall holiday. Made in the USA. Cushion your little one in a natural, earth friendly choice with just the right touch of health & humor for baby gifts or kids clothes.

Organic Baby Blanket
Approximately 28""x28""
natural color w/contrast binding
SPECIAL PRICE: $27. 00 during the month of October ONLY! (normally $30.00)

Check out www.undergroundbaby.net to see additional specials on nursing covers and diapers...

(pssst....if you sign up for our newsletter now, you'll receive a coupon for 10% off an entire purchase!)

HAPPY AUTUMN!

The Vaccination Question

Vaccination is a big, big question these days, with proponents and opponents standing firmly on either side of the fence. And yet, this is perhaps one of the most important questions to the parent of a baby. If I choose to vaccinate, do I follow the CDC schedule (which many contend is over-vaccinating our children) or some alternate plan? If I choose not to vaccinate, will I be able to find a pediatrician who will understand my decision, and what about all those scary childhood diseases--what if my child contracts one?

It would never be my place to make any suggestion as to what a parent should choose; however, let me point you towards the resources that helped my husband and I make our own decision, based upon a combination of sound research and gut instincts:

Valuable Books, one on each side of the spectrum:
The Vaccination Book, Making the Right Decision for Your Child--Robert Sears
The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults--Randall Neustaedter

Doctor's Websites, once again on both sides of the issue:
Dr. Sears
Dr. Mercola

Valuable Websites for information:
National Vaccine Information Center
Generation Rescue

Homeopathic Kits for Pre and Post Vaccination:
Elixirs.com

Hope these resources helps as you make this important decision for your child!

Homemade Baby Food Resource

A GREAT online resource for everything you need to know about feeding baby beyond the breast:

WHOLESOME BABY FOOD

(I didn't even know I could make homemade brown rice cereal until I read the recipe here!)

Enjoy...

Instinctual Parenting...

Listen to your child.
Listen to yourself.
Stop listening to the advice of every "expert" (or "well-wisher") who comes along (including me).
Follow your instincts...you know your baby better than anyone else. (Nine months better, in fact.)
Trust what your child tells you.
Trust what your gut tells you.
Your baby chose you to be mommy and daddy for a reason...

Creating a Bedtime Routine to Help Baby Sleep

When it is time to go to bed, we adults have our routines: a cup of tea, a good book, watch a little TV, brush your teeth, or take a relaxing bath. No matter what routine you have, it helps you to sleep better. Babies are no different. They need a routine to help them get to sleep as well. It is up to you to find out what works best for your baby.

For babies, the routines can be fairly simple and shouldn't take too long. If it takes too long, the baby can sometimes get a second wind and be harder to get to sleep. For many babies, a bath is a relaxing start to the evening. There are even soothing baby baths that are nice to use. (Of course, if your baby is like mine and HATES the bathtub, this may not be such a good idea!) Then you can snuggle them into some comfy pajamas.

After that, sitting together in a rocking chair is a nice way to spend some time together before the baby nods off to sleep. Singing or playing some lullabies while you rock can help relax the baby to sleep. You have to be careful not to move too soon to put the baby in the crib, or you may find yourself starting over. Watch for steady breathing, and relaxed arms and legs.

Another wonderful addition to any bedtime routine is reading bedtime stories. This is one that will continue as the baby gets older. Children love bedtime stories, and it also encourages them to become readers themselves.

It may take awhile to find what works best for your baby at bedtime. Give it a week or two before you make any changes to see if the baby will adjust to it. If it's still not working, try a slight change, only replacing one part of the routine. Eventually you will find the right combination.

If your baby has a particularly restless night, the homeopathic remedy Chamomilla is a great soothing remedy to calm baby (it's great for irritability of any type--even teething).

Consistency is the key, once you've established a routine that works. It may be hard to keep up with at times, but babies need that steady habit. Once they are used to it, bedtime won't be a struggle, but an enjoyable time for both of you.

What if the worst happens...?

Last night as I watched my baby girl breathe in and out in sleep, I thought of the two miscarriages that I had between she and her older brother...

Only a woman who has lost a baby could really understand, I suppose, the emptiness...or perhaps only a parent could understand. Either way, it struck me how much more painful those memories would be today if we hadn't succeeded in having our baby girl...

Yet even after the birth of our beautiful miracle, there is a sort of haunting that goes on that I never experienced with her older brother. Because we experienced such profound loss not once, but twice, every moment with her is twice as precious...and every scary moment with her is twice as scary, echoing our earlier loss...

I discovered this following website, with a comprehensive list of loss for those mourning a miscarriage or loss of a little one:

BABY LOSS BLOGS

I also found the following website of stories:

BABYSTEPS

for it is often in sharing our stories, and reading the stories of others, that we begin to heal, I find.

Why Buy Natural Sheets and Blankets for Baby?

Many families are concerned about the amount of chemicals in our everyday lives. While we might not be able to remove all the chemicals our family is exposed to, we can reduce the amount in the home. When a new baby comes into the family, it is just as important to surround the baby with all-natural products. Since babies sleep nearly half of the day, it only makes sense to make sure they are sleeping in a safe environment.

There are many styles of all-natural bedding. You can find blankets, sheets, swaddling blankets - pretty much the same selection you would have with other baby bedding options. They even come in a wide variety of colors, not just neutral tones.

Having organic bedding is better for your baby's health - as opposed to the 50/50 non-organic cotton and polyester blend that is made from a petrochemical. These chemicals can irritate the tender newborn skin. Another chemical found in bedding and other fabrics is the fire-retardant chemical PBDE. This chemical is sprayed on to the product, so it gets into the environment quicker than other chemicals.

Many people have allergic reactions to some of the chemicals in household goods. By reducing the amount of chemicals your family is exposed to, it will reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Undergroundbaby.net offers a variety of natural, organic baby blankets!

SUMMER SLEEP GIVEAWAY!

UndergroundBaby.net is giving away one Sounds for Silence Baby Settling and Sleep Program to celebrate summer and this amazing new program that REALLY WORKS!!!

This program, which normally retails for $59.95, includes the proven Sounds for Silence CD and 100 page Sounds for Silence Baby Settling and Health Guide. Even the most settled babies have their irritable moments and times when they do not sleep.

The Sounds for Silence Baby Settling and Health Guide is a comprehensive and practical book containing over 100 pages of reassuring advice for parents on baby sleep and settling strategies, managing irritability and infant health issues. Dr Zehnwirth's informative and encouraging Guide offers parents practical tips, ideas and support.

Chapters in the book include:
• Intuition
• Infant irritability
• Strategies for managing irritability
• Baby sleep and settling
• Feed, play, sleep
• Helpful general information
• Scary episodes
• The preterm infant (prematurity)
• Alarm bells
• Harry's maxims - the minimum you should know
• Family stories
• Troubleshooting
• More information
• Behaviour diary

Dr Harry Zehnwirth has been specializing in Pediatrics for over 20 years. After caring for thousands of babies with irritability and sleep difficulties, he wanted to provide parents with practical answers to help them manage these common problems. What he developed was Sounds for Silence Baby Settling Program.

For more information about this great program, check out:
http://www.okidokiebaby.com/

CLICK HERE TO WIN YOUR OWN FREE COPY!

Here's to peaceful summer nights!

Baby Slings with SUNBLOCK!

SolarWeave Baby Slings are perfect for these hot summer days...these slings are made from a unique material known as SolarWeave! It has a very smooth finish, is soft and is light-weight.

SolarWeave is 100% non-irritating fabric (even for the most sensitive skin) and will protect your little one from 97% of the ultra-violet light. This sling is a must-have for summer use!

Comes in black, white, or light blue--check out UndergroundBaby.net to order!

40+ UPF / 97%+UV