Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts

10 (Unconventional) Tips for Potty Training...

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.
    When Little Owl was first born I had dreams of changing very few diapers thanks to elimination communication (or EC). Well, two years into this journey called motherhood I was starting to have visions of changing a five year olds diaper! It just didn't seem like it was working for us. 

    We would make progress and then regress. Make progress, and then regress.... It didn't help that I got into a car accident right around the time when Athena was just starting to be mobile, and I couldn't lift her for months. It didn't help that we had "potty rebellions", and that we lived in carpeted housing at times. So I just decided maybe EC wasn't for us, and just basically gave up any hope of potty training before five! 

    Then, a few weeks ago, when we moved into our new space on the Eco-village, something clicked. And, now, potty "training" is done. We've had two accidents in three weeks. So, I guess, by all standards, we're done. And before two. (That's not bad, right?) It's really hard to believe. And I'm not even sure how it happened, but I'm definitely not complaining!

    People have asked me if I think doing EC has been worth it. And even before I knew I would have a fully potty learned two year old, even when things weren't going so well, I would have said a resounding YES. I am so grateful I was introduced to this idea before Little Owl was born. I highly recommend it! Even catching a few poops in the potty instead of having to deal with blow-outs makes it 1000 times worth the effort, IMO!  ;)

    But, now onto the real reason I am writing this post. It's more than just to update you on my experience with EC, but to tell you my "tips" for potty training. It seems like bloggers these days are full of advice, so I thought I might as well jump on the band-wagon! Here are my 


    10 (Unconventional) Tips for Potty Learning



    1. Chocolate. 


    Really this should be part of any how-to for any stage of parenting. Always chocolate. You DON'T need to invest in a lifetime supply of Hershey's, you could even make your own. But, I highly recommend always having some on hand. You never know when it might be needed.


    2. Wine. 

    What goes better with chocolate than wine? Yes. This should always be around too. It can be especially helpful after a long to of unsuccessful potty learning. But it also doubles in the case of a successful day of potty learning... as a reward for momma!


    3. Naps.  

    Always a good idea. Take naps whenever you can. It's a good strategy for all aspects of life... so why not apply it to potty learning. You deserve some shut eye, momma!


    4. Meditation.

     This is kind of like napping, except sitting up. 


    5. Long Walks. 

    On the beach, in the city, in the woods, with baby, without baby, with a stroller, with a carrier... however you do it! The fresh air is always helpful. 


    6. Deep Breaths. 

    You have to be careful with this one during potty learning. It's all in the WHERE you do it. Just don't do it right over a diaper blow-out or a potty "miss" and you'll be golden. 


    7. Yoga. 

    I don't have much experience with this myself. But people always add it into advice lists so I thought I should include it, too.


    8. Massage.

     Yes. Just, yes. Get a massage. Your potty learning a baby! You deserve it!


    9. Pedicure. 

    Unfortunately, I am too ticklish for a pedicure, but that shouldn't stop you!


    10. Hot tea. 

    Hot beverages cure a million ailments. Potty learning included. This is my personal non-caffeinated favorite! But, really, you can't go wrong. Pour yourself a cup of tea and know that, someday, your baby will be potty learned. So that's comforting, right?

    That's my list, Mommas. Pretty unconventional, right? ;) It's a good list, though I think. I'm going to keep it around for other parts of parenting too... like temper tantrums, sibling fights, teenager debates, etc. 

    But in all seriousness, I don't feel like I have a lot of advice to give. But I do have a LOT of sympathy! If you want to learn more about elimination communication I can't recommend highly enough Ingrid Bauer's Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene. Even though, I didn't follow exactly what she advised, I learned a LOT from it. And I know you will too. 

    I also wish all parents would read Mei-Ling Hopgood's How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: And Other Adventures in Parenting (from Argentina to Tanzania and everywhere in between). She talks about EC in the book, but it is also just a good look at parenting in other cultures, to help us put our own in perspective. 


    As far as "potty learning" tools go, I highly recommend you check out www.NaturallyDiaperFree.com to see what this momma has to offer in the way of EC materials. 
    Here is a little bit about the site from the page itself: Here you will find products for Elimination Communication (EC). EC is a gentle, natural way of meeting your baby's elimination needs. I create many of the products for sale on this site. The products that I create are made from 100% organic cotton or upcycled fabric, both from local sources. Our goal at Naturally Diaper Free is to provide you with the tools you will need to practice EC in the modern world.

    For our family we used two different potties. When Athena was really little, we used the BABYBJORN Smart Potty which was great because it was very small. 

    As Athena got older we wanted something a little more sturdy and found this Munchkin Arm & Hammer potty seat at a second-hand store. I highly recommend looking for these sorts of items second hand! It's amazing what you can find at thrift stores. 

    *********************************************************************************

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    (Note: This post might contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop around after clicking on them, you might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!)

    The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care (Review and Giveaway)

    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.



    Most people have that one book. That one book that changed their life forever. For me, that book is Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon Morell. This should deservedly be called a chef d'oeuvre. It is a masterpiece, a work of art, an in-depth science, history, and anthropology lesson all rolled into one. It is all those things as well as an excellent cookbook. I have been independently studying nutrition for over six years now as a result of discovering this book.


    See it on Amazon.

    My one complaint about Morell's book? When I became pregnant there was not a large section on pregnancy and postpartum care. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I learned that Morell was writing a second book just on baby and child care. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

    Yet, The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care was not anything like I had expected. I expected a book similar to Nourishing Traditions but specifically geared to babies. I expected an awesome cookbook that also contained lots of other information. That's not what this book is at all. There are barely even any recipes. This book took me by surprise, but in a very, very good way. 

    This book takes you by the hand and helps guide you through parenting choices that exist all the way starting with preconception to adulthood--including covering controversial topics like vaccines, autism, and birth control. This book is steeped in the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, which whether or not you agree with his philosophy provides fascinating food for thought. This book is incredibly well-researched. It contains an impressive amount of references for every chapter and study cited as well as helpful "further reading" suggestions.

    The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care covers a vast array of information and will most likely take any reader a while to digest. I would highly recommend buying it before you are pregnant so you can contemplate more of the information, but reading it and having it on hand for any stage of parenthood will be helpful. I plan on keeping mine handy to reference for at least the next 17 years....

    For any parent, or couple looking to get pregnant, that is an excellent book to read together before you conceive or add to your family. In this book Morell spends a good amount of time talking about the importance of the fertility diet for both parents, as well as foods for optimal fetal development and healthy pregnancy for mother and baby.



    Morell goes step-by-step through every newborn intervention (including cord clamping eye drops, shots, circumsision, etc.) a parent will encounter in a conventional birth setting and talks about each one in what I found to be a very balanced, rational manner. In the next section of her book, Morell examines the controversial vaccination debate with a clear head and lots of helpful information. She does not pass judgment on a parent's decision, and instead concludes this section by providing helpful tips for those looking to vaccinate on schedule, minimally, or not at all. 

    Next, Morrell steps into the world of new motherhood and addresses issues regarding lactation and provides tips and solutions to common problems. She provides support emotionally as well as practically through her recipe for homemade formula. She then examines other issues surrounding new babies including the importance of touch, how to decide what diapers to use, how to deal with rashes, thoughts on sleeping arrangement and SIDS as well as much more. 



    This book goes beyond just baby care and addresses issues that arise when raising children of all ages. Morell examines optimal nutrition for kids at different stages of development, talks about the importance of play for brain development, and addresses the controversial issues of child spacing and birth control, as well as providing solutions for dealing with the common illnesses of childhood, addresses the all too common issues of allergies, asthma and eczema and the tragic increase in neurological disorders in children and young adults

    And after all of this, the book has recipes. 

    As I stated previously, I would highly recommend couples read this book together before getting pregnant. But, it will make a wonderful addition to your home no matter what stage your family is at even if you have toddlers, teens, or adult children. I wish every home had a copy of this book. 

    I plan on keeping mine around for a long time... that is, provided I can remember who I have loaned it to... 

    You can help support the blog and buy the book on Amazon hereOr, if you are feeling lucky, you can enter the giveaway below. A big thank you to Sally Fallon Morell herself for giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader. 
    Wanting to learn more about how to nourish your growing family? 

    Here are a few more books I highly recommend:


    See it on Amazon.
    Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two and Baby's First Foods was written by Nina Planck, well-known author of the revolutionary book, Real FoodPlanck wrote Mother and Baby as a response to the lack of helpful information available for mothers looking to raise healthy babies. This book is simple, straight-forward and full of information. Planck's lays out her vast knowledge in an approachable manner with a large dose of down-to-earth humor. (Read my full review of Planck's book here.)



    See it on Amazon.

    Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Baby's First Foods was written by Kristen Michaelis author of the popular blog Food Renegade. Michaelis explains the problems with modern nutrition , but provides simple solutions. This book also contains wonderful recipes and simple shopping guidelines for any experience or financial level. (Read my full review of Michaelis' book here.)


    See it on Amazon.





    Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon is a veritable tome. This book belongs in every home. The knowledge that Fallon presents is life-changing. This book is incredibly well-researched. Fallon dispels the myth that a low-fat diet is healthy, instead arguing that traditional animal fats and cholesterol are vital nutrients for us, for our children, and for our children's children.

    See it on Amazon.









    Super Nutrition for Babies: The Right Way to Feed Your Baby for Optimal Health written by Katherine Erlich (M.D.) and Kelly Genzlinger (C.N.C/C.M.T.A) goes a step beyond the aforementioned books and provides a step-by-step approach to nutrition for every stage of a child's development. The authors present their information in a digestible manner without being overwhelming. This is the sort of book a parent will want to keep around to use as a reference throughout babies first two years. (Read my full review of this book here.)
    (Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!) 


    Hunting for Chanterelles (a Lesson in Motherhood)


    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.


    Brian and I had been so excited about him finally having a day off from working on the farm. We had the whole day planned: we would wake up in the morning, just our little family, have a nice big breakfast of hot coffee, sausage, eggs, farm-fresh melon, and buttered toast. Then we would bundle up and head out into the woods to hunt some delicious mushrooms which we would then eat for lunch.  

    Well, none of that happened just like that. 

    We did wake up together. We did have a nice, though somewhat chaotic breakfast- despite my having to deal with a cranky toddler, an un-caffeinated husband, and a cold, outdoor kitchen meant for warmer weather. After breakfast, we drove a little ways down the road to a trail where a friend had told us we would find chanterelles. 

    Our journey into the woods started out fine. Athena seemed to enjoy the fresh air and Brian and I always love going for nature hikes. At first, we didn't see any mushrooms, though we were looking attentively. 

    I had been chanterelle-hunting only one other time with a friend who really knew what she was doing. Without her there, I was feeling as if perhaps I didn't have the skills it took to be a mushroom hunter. 

    And then I saw it. My first, very own, found-all-by-myself chanterelle. It was hiding amongst the twigs and pine needles. 

    My very own gold of the woods. It was very small, but it was mine. 


    I am sure anyone who has foraged before can relate to the joy I felt at that moment. It's a wonderful feeling that can't be compared.        


    After finding my tiny mushroom, we continued our hunt with some additional success on the mushroom end, but unbeknownst to us Athena had decided she was done for the day. She refused to walk on her own two feet at all and insisted on being carried. And by insist I mean if we tried to put her down she would bring her feet up to her head and hold them there (a pose I call the "clamshell"), rather then let her feet touch the ground which she found so offensive. 

    In addition, she enjoyed actually finding the mushrooms just as much as Brian or I, but the concept of having to put them in the basket... that was like highway robbery in her book. 


    She had also recently discovered slugs and thought every single little twig on the ground was one. And she seemed to believe these "slugs" wanted to eat her. Yes, our child who has spend half her life playing in dirt on a farm, is afraid of pine needles and twigs. Because she thinks they're slugs...

    Our happy little family time quickly turned into a stressful, not-so-fun time of trying to minimize her crankiness, without completely loosing our cool. 

    So we decided to leave the woods. We hadn't harvested anywhere near an amount of mushrooms to make anything worthwhile for lunch. But, we realized that our plans needed to change. For her sake, and therefore for ours. Brian hiked her back to the car, and I carried our measly looking basket of mushrooms and tried to take a few deep breaths.

    There will always be more mushrooms to hunt next year.



    Looking for books on Mushroom Hunting? 


    These are two we use and love: All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms. Written by David Arora, this book is perfect for taking along with you on your forest hikes. It fits right into a large pocket or small bag and contains helpful and quick referencing information on lots of mushrooms. Mushrooms Demystified, also written by David Arora, is a much larger book that contains TONS of information. Too large to take with you on a hike, it is perfect for keeping at home and using as a reference guide.

    (Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning if you shop on Amazon after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!) 

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    Guest Post at Naturally Mindful: Tips for Traveling with Cloth Diapers


    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

    With the holidays right around the corner lots of folks are thinking about packing up and heading out to get in cars, in planes, on trains, etc. Traveling during the holidays is never the most fun of times. Traveling with children makes things even more complicated. Traveling with a baby in cloth diapers? Forget it. 

    At least, that's the way a lot of parent feel about the matter.

    But there is no need. Traveling with cloth diapers can actually be quite painless and simple.... 

    (This is a post written for Stephanie of Naturally Mindful. Visit her site to Continue Reading...)

    Our Babies, Ourselves (Review and Giveaway)

    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

    I am a huge book nerd. Therefore, as anyone who loves to read and suddenly finds themselves pregnant would do, I read a lot of books to help "prepare" me for motherhood. I read books that were solely on nutrition, others which were full of women's birth stories, midwives' struggles, breastfeeding issues, vaccination choices or even infant potty training. (For more information please see my list of recommended reading for new mothers.)

    Yet, of all the books I read before Athena was born I can tell you hands down the book that has most influenced my choices as a parent, thus far, is Meredith F. Small's Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent
    See it here.
    This book has given me a greater understanding and respect for parents (and whole cultures!) who choose to parent differently than I. It has given me a set of lenses I use to help me examine my own culture, and my own personal parenting choices, to see what those choices reflect about what I value and why.

    Small is a professor of anthropology at Cornell University and as such the perspective she takes in her work differs  from most books on raising children. She examines parenting through the lenses of "ethnopediatrics" which strives to understand the practice of raising children as it is around the world and as it has been throughout time. The essential premise of the book is that while there may be variance among individuals in a culture, generally speaking the way a culture raises their children directly reflects the life values and priorities of that culture. The book examines a vast array of cultures from the !Kung San of the Kalahari to the average American family and a great variety of cultures in-between.


    In the beginning...


    The first two sections of Small's book ('The Evolution of Babies' and 'The Anthropology of Parenting') are an examination of the relationship between parent and child that exists due to the complete and utter dependence newborn humans have on their parents. Our relationship to our young is very different from all other primates. All over the world infants are in need of complete care for every detail of their existence. All across the world parents respond differently to these needs. She states, "we treat our babies as we treat ourselves, and so our ideas about parenting and infant care are as culturally constructed as what we wear, what we eat, or how we dance. "(41)

    Their are myriad ways to parent, the goal of ethnopediatriacs (and Small's book) is to examine these different "caretaking styles" to see how they affect the "health, well-being and survival of the infant" (Xi).  Our Babies, Ourselves strives to look at the different parenting choices and see how they truly affect children, to gauge what choices yield what results. 


    Other parents, Other ways


    In the third chapter of her work, 'Other parents, Other ways', Small examines different cultures and a few of the choices they make in parenting. She examines an incredibly vast array, including the !Kung San of the Kalahari, the Ache of Paraguay, the Gussi of East Africa, the Japanese and even parents in the United States. 

    This section of her work is by far my favorite. In my opinion, it is incredibly fascinating to learn about other cultures in any context, but examining the choices made as parents reveals so much so quickly about a culture's values and general psyche. I won't go into details about each culture here because that is the whole fun of reading the book. But, if you are at all interested in anthropology or ethnopediatrics I cannot recommend it highly enough. Truly, every parent could benefit from reading about other parents' choices because it helps one to examine one's own decisions. The better you are at examining your own culture the better you are at understanding it and therefore understanding yourself.


    The Triumvirate of Infancy


    The next three sections of Our Babies, Ourselves examine what Small describes at the "triumvirate of infancy": sleep, cry, eat. Small's section on sleep discusses what set up for sleeping is best for baby: including the how and the where. The chapter on crying challenges the notion that there even is such a thing as colic, claiming that it might in fact be merely the need for being held that triggers so much crying in Western children. Whether or not you agree with this hypothesis, it raises an interesting point. In the section on feeding, Small take examines issues surrounding breastfeeding, acknowledging the difficulty many women face and states, "... there is a difference between milk making and milk giving, and milk giving is especially influenced by outside forces and the mother's state of mind. Thus anxiety about breast-feeding can be self-fulfilling prophecy when the let-down reflex is inhibited by this anxiety". She then goes on to talk about the myriad wonders of breast milk and gives a fascinating history of the invention of commercial formula. She also claims that the belief that a mother can have "insufficient milk" is a myth. Again, even if you don't agree with her hypothesis, it makes for some very insightful and thought-provoking reading.

    There are a lot of ideas Small express in this "Triumvarate of Infancy" that are highly controversial for many parents in our culture's generation. She challenges many common parenting practices, arguing that they might not be best for baby. She argues that how we treat our children when they are babies directly impacts the adults they will become, and thus we need to make our choices wisely.



    Unpacking the Caretaking Package


    In the last and final section of the book, 'Unpacking the Caretaking Package', Small takes a step back from all the cultural examination in order to help her reader understand how to "navigate through the information". She states:


    Parenting is a veritable circus of interacting egos and needs, biological constraints and evolutionary expectations. As in all things in life, parenting, too, is a series of trade-offs; there is no perfect way, only a series of options, a bundle of possible pathways, that pilot adults through the hazardous job of bringing up babies.... If we as parents accept this fundamental truth- that having a baby and bringing it into adulthood is a major constraint on life, on resources, on our physical and emotional selves, and a big job not for the squeamish- we are then essentially in line with and accepting of our evolutionary heritage. (228)

    Rather than leaving her reader overwhelmed with information or choices, Small leaves them feeling empowered to make choices using the information and knowledge she lays forth. All of parenthood involves making choices on a day by day, week by week, minute by minute basis. As she states, parenthood is a "slow and dedicated voyage". It is one not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to learn and grow. 


    Buy it here
    Buy it here.

    This book has made such a positive impact on my day to day decisions as a parent. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.  If you would like a copy for yourself or for someone you know and love you can get one here through Amazon

    (Note: Small has also written a book on parenting children past the infant stage titled "Kids: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way we Raise Young Children." As of yet I have not read it, but I am fully planning on doing so when I have the time.)


    If you don't feel like purchasing a copy at this time and you are feeling lucky, why not enter the giveaway below? (A big thank you to Small herself for giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader!)




    If this book sounded interesting to you, be sure and visit Meredith F. Small's blog (http://www.ourbabiesourselves.com) where she shares fascinating articles and stories along the same vein as what she discusses in her book.  


    What one book (or person, or film...) that has most influenced you as a parent thus far? And why?

    (Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning if you shop on Amazon after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. So thank you!)  

    This post linked to: Anything Goes, Mommy Club, Homemaking Link-Up,

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    Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent (without Borax)


    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

    This is a post I have been waiting about three months to put up. Why? Because I wanted to test out my homemade product for a good long while to make sure it really worked before I shared it with you. And guess what? Can I just say, this easy homemade laundry detergent is awesome. It is incredibly easy to make and costs mere pennies.

    Being the crunchy momma that I am whenever I used to purchase laundry soap from the grocery store I would always get the most natural, non-toxic, good-for-the-environment. (Read: the VERY, most expensive bottle). It would just kill me every time I had to fork over money to buy a new jug, which when you factor in that my husband works manual labor and my daughter uses cloth diapers, was pretty often. And on top of that, when you turn over any bottle of laundry soap and you read the list of ingredients the list always goes 1) water 2) a bunch of chemistry terms I don't recognize. 


    So I decided to embark on a journey to make my own. This is my recipe. It may not work for everyone but it works for us. We even use it on diaper loads without any problems.




    Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent


    Makes 1 quart

    1 quart-sized container
    1 tablespoon washing soda (Where to buy. Or make your own)
    1 tablespoon baking soda 
    1.5 tablespoons liquid Castile soap.)
    1 quart very warm water

    In a small cup mix washing soda and baking soda together. Turn on tap water as hot as it gets. Add water to almost fill cup and quickly stir the powder mixture and dissolve thoroughly. Pour into quart-sized container. Add more water to almost fill. Shake well. Pour in Castile soap. Shake vigorously. Add more water to fill the container. Use 1/3-1/2 cup for regular load. More for a heavily soiled one. (Note: to learn how I wash cloth diapers go here.)

    It's that easy.

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    (Note: This post might contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop around after clicking on them, you might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!)
    This post shared at: Natural Living Monday

    Natural Home Remedies for Croup

    Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.
    (Photo Source)

    Recently a friend of mine's little six month old came down with croup. I don't have personal experience with croup, but thought I would share with you her natural remedies for treating her son at home. (Bear in mind, neither of us are medical professionals, just one momma talking about her experience, and another sharing it with you.)


    What is Croup?


    I was not familiar with croup until my friend's baby came down with it. She described her son as having a cough like a "barking seal". According to kidshealth.org:


    Croup is a condition that causes an inflammation of the upper airways — the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It often leads to a barking cough or hoarseness, especially when a child cries. Most cases of croup are caused by viruses... Viral croup is most common — and symptoms are most severe — in children 6 months to 3 years old... Most cases of viral croup are mild and can be treated at home. Rarely, croup can be severe and even life threatening. The term spasmodic croup refers to a type of croup that develops quickly and may happen in a child with a mild cold. The barking cough usually begins at night and is not accompanied by fever.... Treatment of symptoms is the same for either form of croup. (Source)

    The origin of the names seems to pretty accurately describe the symptoms of the disease. Croup is an Early English Modern verb meaning "to cry hoarsely".  How can you tell if your child has croup? It starts with cold-like symptoms (runny nose, fever, etc) but as the upper airway becomes inflamed, the child has a high-pitched or squeaking noise and a loud cough like a barking seal. Symptoms are worse at night than during the day. 


    Natural Home Remedies for Croup


    The following ideas are from my friend whose 6 month old recently had croup: 

    "If your child gets croup, here are some things to do. 


    • Put the child in the bathroom and run the shower or get in the shower with the baby. Moisture helps a lot with croup. 
    • Also, a humidifier by the bed and going out into the cold night air for a bit. These things really work. I even put my baby in front of the humidifier for a while. 

    It was really bad the second night and he was having trouble breathing and barking alot, so those were the tactics we used to get him through the night. During the day, it gets much better, so I had a chance to figure out a plan for the night - the methods I mentioned above plus onion poultice. The next day, I looked up the old:

    • Onion poultice techniqueBefore we went to bed that night,  I cut up half an onion and sauteed it in a little bit of olive oil - until before it begins to brown. I put it in a muslin bag (you could use any cloth) so that it was covered with a couple layers of cloth - about 4 to 6 square inches. I waited for it to get warm (not hot) to the touch. Then I put it on his chest/neck area and put a towel over it and a hot water bottle over that. I waited about 30 minutes. 

    I wasn't sure if it did anything, so I took it off. Within 5 minutes he took one of those big deep baby breaths. So then I knew it had helped. 

    During that night, he still had the croupy (barking seal) fits a couple more times. I used another onion poultice (I had chopped up some onions to have them ready to cook for late night). Again, after the poultice was taken off, he took a deep breath without coughing. That was the last time I used the poultice (just used it twice). That night was better. Then, the next night, he slept all the way through the night. 


    He now (6 days later) has a mild cough (which may be partially due to all the saliva collecting from pre-teething) and sleeps through the night. 


    • Oh, and most importantly, breast-feeding. He breast fed like a fiend the whole time. 

    I actually started getting a sore throat and sick at the same time and decided I should try a little bit of my own milk. It was unbelievable how my sore throat was coated and I felt much better for a little while. I partook a few hours later and, again, so healing. My sickness never actually got full blown. I think that probably helped him the most. Anyway, thought this might help someone, since croup is going around."


    So glad they are doing better! Hopefully none of you have to deal with croup. But if you do, maybe her experience can help a little.


    Have you dealt with croup? What would you advice for home remedies?


    Be healthy. Be well.


    <3


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