Archive for the ‘baby's sleep’ Category

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Calming colicky & teething babies.

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

My 2 yr old still loves his bed time massage! Soothing chamomile and mandarin make this Baby Oil sweet and soft.
Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil

Not long ago I was providing postpartum care to a family that had just had twins. The twins were often restless at night. The mom was becoming exhausted and was making efforts to increase their sleep at night. I recommended the Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil to add to the bath simply to help them relax and soften their skin. When my client mentioned that the babies seemed to be gassy at night, and that this might be the cause of their restlessness I explained that the Sweet Baby Oil was also helpful for colicky babies because of the mandarin essential oil.

mandarin essential oil
Used in a gentle massage this oil helps relieve cramping and gas (Natural Creation Sweet Baby Oil has the perfect ratio of pure mandarin essential oil and a soothing apricot kernel base oil). One day I arrived at the house after a few days away, and the mom told me the twins had been sleeping well! She was so relieved to get some sleep at night, and told me what a difference the oil had made. She and her husband had started adding the Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil to the bed time routine, and giving the twins a gentle massage with it before bed – she was amazed at how it relieved their gassy tummies and soothed them into a deeper and longer sleep!

As babies get older they rely a lot on the bed time routine to help them sleep. The Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil is a perfect addition to this routine. While the mandarin can help relieve gas in a massage, the chamomile is excellent for easing teething pain when the oil is added to their bath. Chamomile also helps relieve eczema and dry skin, especially when combined with the gentle apricot kernel oil.
apricot kernel oil
Take time to connect with your little one and soothe baby with a gentle massage!


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Posted in Vancouver doula, baby's sleep, motherhood, products | No Comments »

Top Five Essentials – From Belly to Baby

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

If you’re interested in trying Natural Creation products but aren’t sure where to start, take a peek at our Top Five Essentials for pregnancy, birth and baby to get you started.

1. Natural Belly Oil – Help keep your hips, belly, and bum stay moisturized as they grow to accommodate your baby throughout pregnancy and early postpartum.

2. Restful Room – Prefect for every stage of the childbearing year! Mist into the air, on bedding, or face and body to relax your home, labour room and nursery.

3. Labour of Love – A blend of oils created to help strengthen and regulate contractions, while offering a slight analgesic effect.

4. Nipple Balm – Created without the use of animal products. Moisturize and soothe sore, cracked nipples.

5. Sweet Baby Hair & Body Wash – Keep harsh chemicals away from your baby’s delicate skin! Use this nourishing lather, rich with coconut milk, oatmeal, and apricot kernel oil to gently cleanse and moisturize baby’s skin.

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Posted in Birth and Postpartum Doula, Uncategorized, aromatherapy for children, baby's sleep, products | No Comments »

The “Green” Sling

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

When we were deciding which fabric to use to make our slings we knew that the fabric would be spending a lot of time against a baby’s sensitive skin. We learned that the chemicals used in the harvesting and manufacturing of cotton are potential contact allergens depending on the sensitivity of the skin.

We were also careful to consider the environmental impact of producing cotton for textiles. We discovered that the pesticides spread on most cotton make up for 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of the world’s pesticides. We decided we didn’t want our products to contribute to the polluting of the earth and water when there was another alternative. Organic agriculture uses socially sustainable methods without the use of agrochemicals and artificial fertilizers. It prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as genetically modified organisms. It aims to produce diverse agricultural systems and replenish and maintain soil fertility.

We’re proud to offer an alternative to parents who are seeking to reduce the chemicals their families are exposed to as well as the impact they have on the environment – the Natural Baby Ring Sling.  

Colours

As well as being organic, this sling features a large pocket for convenience, and a wide piece of fabric over the shoulder distributing weight evenly for comfort.


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Posted in Uncategorized, baby's sleep, motherhood, newsletter feature topic, products | No Comments »

Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Our Sweet Baby Massage & Bath Oil is one of the oils, it seems, we can’t make enough of! The sweet mixture of mandarin and chamomile makes it a favourite scent among our customers (big and little).

The essential oils in this blend have properties that are known to help calm over tired and cranky babies. Incorporating massage into a “bed time” routine is a great way to calm children and prepare them for sleep. Scent is closely tied with memory.  Using the same relaxing scent before bed can help children anticipate bed time and associate the smell with sleeping.

The mild analgesic and anti inflammatory properties of Roman Chamomile make the Sweet Baby Oil great for teething.  When added to a bath the vapors help ease teething pain.  Chamomile has been used for hundreds of years by many cultures as a solution to relieving constipation and intestinal cramping.  Mandarin is also excellent for soothing the stomach when used in massage.  By adding the oil to a bath or massaging gently into your little one’s feet and lightly over the abdomen, this oil can bring relief to an uncomfortable baby.

Sweet Baby Massage Oil

Send me an email or FB message if you would like a free sample chelsea@naturalcreation.ca

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Posted in Uncategorized, aromatherapy for children, baby's sleep, motherhood, products | No Comments »

Questions to Ask your Prenatal Health Care Provider:

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Choosing the right health care provider has the potential to make or break your pregnancy, labour and postpartum experience. It is important to find a provider that is sensitive to you and your family’s needs; you should feel they are considerate, responsible, professional, yet warm. It is also important they maintain a relationship with other health care professionals so you can receive the appropriate care you require.

Most practitioners will provide an initial consultation; use this time to ask important questions to determine if their care is right for you.

What to ask a Midwife:

· What training and experience do you have?

· Can you handle both complications and emergencies?

· Do you have medical back up or a contingency plan for emergency? What will be your role in an emergency? Will you continue to be with me during an emergency?

· What kind of equipment do you carry with you?

· What is your back up arrangement if you become ill or are otherwise unavailable at any point during my pregnancy or the birth?

· Do you have clear protocols and, if so, are these protocols rigid or flexible? For example, what happens if I go into early labour, or if I go past my due date? What if my baby is breech and so on?

· What are your philosophies about birth?

What to ask an Obstetrician (also relevant for midwives):

· What are your credentials?

· What is your cesarean rate?

· What is your episiotomy rate?

· What is the rate of medicated births in your practice?

· How many women in your practice breastfeed their babies?

· Do you usually order medications, IV, enemas, monitors or do you judge each situation individually?

· Are women encouraged to use different positions during labour and pushing?

· What are your feelings on natural birth?

· How much time do you spend with women at prenatal visits?

· Will you be at my birth or will another physician attend (and if so, who will that be)?

· What are your policies for women who go past-due, for permitted length of labour and pushing (or any other concerns or questions you might have)?

Write down the questions that you are most interested in and bring them to your first appointment. Go with your gut. If you feel off about the midwife or Doctor you met with interview another, you have the right to receive the care you want.

Questions taken from: The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Shelia Kitzinger (1993) & The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm (2003)

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Benefits of Babywearing

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

After spending many hours with my client’s babies, I am a babywearing convert. I am constantly surprised how easily babies are calmed when held in the sling. It’s not just babies who are calmed by the sling, but little ones up to 36 lbs can be carried in the sling, saving your arms and back when a cranky toddler just wants to be carried.

There are many great benefits to carrying your baby close:

- Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours

- Good for baby’s mental development. Babies spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried – the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people’s knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.

- Good for baby’s emotional development. Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s and often become independent at an earlier age

- Promotes bonding. Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you’re there.

- Discreet hands free nursing

- Hands free carrying make it easy to cook, clean and shop with baby.

- No lugging around heavy car seats or battling with a bulky stroller

Click HERE to View Natural Creation Organic Ring Slings

Posted in Uncategorized, baby's sleep | 1 Comment »

Doula Statistic

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

Studies show numerous ways that doulas effect the outcomes of birth and the postpartum period.

A doula presence at the birth decreases the rate of medical intervention:

  • Reduces need for cesarean by 26%
  • Reduces the need for forceps or vacuum extractor by 41%
  • Reduces use of pain medication by 28%
  • Reduces dissatisfaction with birth by 33%
  • Reduces length of labor

6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

  • Less anxious and depressed
  • Had more confidence with baby
  • More satisfied w/ partner
  • More likely to be breastfeeding

*These statistics appear in Hodnett E, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003. Issue 3, Art. No. CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.

For more about the research, see http://www.dona.org/publications/position_paper_birth.php

For information on Natural Creation Doulas Click HERE

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Recipe for a sleepy toddler.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Things were getting a little tricky with having the bear go to bed for a while there… It was stressful and would take over an hour of singing, cuddling, etc.  I felt like my whole evening was taken up and I was exhausted by the end of it.  When he was a baby I would give him a massage with the Sweet Baby massage and bath oil every day…somewhere in there things got busy and it stopped happening.  So last night I decided to get back in to a good bed time routine.  Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

Bath

Sweet Baby Hair and Body Wash

Restful Room Mist

Sweet Baby Massage and Bath Oil

A story book of choice

A comfy cozy bed

Directions:

We started with a bath at 7pm.   He washed himself (yes he is very independent at 21 months) with the Sweet Baby Hair and Body wash, and played with some old shower curtain rings and tupperware mixed in with the usual bath toys – the shower curtain rings actually make a great toy – he loves to put them in the tupperware one by one and we count together.  How fantastic is it hearing them learn to count?  I love this stage where the vocabulary is exploding – so much fun!  Anyway, I let him play in there for about 20 minutes, and then we did the usual putting away of bath toys and watching the water drain away…all part of the routine that he’s chosen to set out :) .  After that we go to his room and put on a clean diaper, then I give him a massage with the Sweet Baby Massage and Bath Oil – he picked up quickly on what the routine was and tonight he reached for the massage oil and then laid down on his tummy on his bed so that I could rub his back.  His eyes kept closing as I rubbed his back – that chamomile blend works wonders!  Then he rolled on to his side and lifted his foot and pointed to it – he loves foot rubs :)   He kept saying “nice”, “nice” – pretty much the only word he knows to express that he likes something.  After rubbing his feet he co-operated soo well getting into his PJ’s (this isn’t usually the case) and we misted the bed with the Restful Room Mist.  Then he snuggled up on my lap to read a story.  He got up once and left the room, but I just called his name and told him it was bed time and he came back and snuggled up again.  Both nights, by the time I was 1/2 way through the second round of “Franklin is Bossy” he climbed off my lap and laid himself down on his bed.  He was asleep within about 10 minutes of that (8p).  Easiest bed times in ages!!!!  And I have the rest of my evening to relax and blog :) as he sleeps soundly.

Makes for a happy mama and toddler :)

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Posted in Birth and Postpartum Doula, aromatherapy for children, baby's sleep, motherhood, products, recipes | No Comments »

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Who would benefit from infant massage instructor training?  Doulas, massage therapists, neonatal nurses, mothers, and anyone else that has an interest in promoting the health and bonding of parents and their babies!

This is copied directly from the International Association of Infant Massage website – here are some of the benefits to infant massage!

  • Infant parent attachment or “bonding”*
  • Relaxation
  • Makes baby feel loved
  • Promotes better sleep
  • Facilitates body awareness
  • Boosts immune system
  • Sensory stimulation
  • Improves skin condition
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Helps digestion
  • Balances respiration
  • Relief for teething pains
  • Helps waste elimination
  • Helps you learn about your baby (Their needs and desires)
  • Relaxes parents
  • Helps build parents’ and baby’s self-esteem
  • Pleasurable experience
  • Stimulates production of oxytocin (Oxytocin is a hormone which can be produced by both male and female persons during massage. It is useful as a pain reliever and has a calming effect on the person.)

Classes are being held in Edmonton September – it’s worth the trip if you are out of town!

email: emily@naturalcreation.ca for more information!!

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Become an Infant Massage Instructor!

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Hello all!  I am co-ordinating an infant massage instructor training.  Anyone interested in being able to provide classes or one on one instruction for parents on infant massage may be interested in the class.

The class is being held in Edmonton from Sept 19th-22nd 2008.  Francoise Lefebrve is traveling from Quebec to teach the class.  The cost is $550 +GST and this includes the 4 day training, 2 books, and this year’s membership to IAIM.

This is a great opportunity and we’d love to see you there!  Contact me for further details!

emily@naturalcreation.ca

780-707-3767

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