Using Natures Best to Treat at Home (And a Giveaway!)

With as many chemicals that children come into contact with in the air today, the last thing I want to do is add chemicals and junk when trying to treat a cold or a seasonal allergies. But what am I to turn to if natural and preventative measures don't work out like planned?

For our family, homeopathic medicine is now our go-to for things that need a slightly more aggressive treatment than just the basics. After the birth of my first and learning about things like vaccines and food dyes, I have vowed that unless absolutely, end game necessary, my children would avoid using Western medicine and we'd use natural, holistic or homeopathic treatments.

So much to my pleasure, I had the opportunity to try several items from the Hyland's children's care line. And the package couldn't have arrived at a better time.

The first thing I noticed about Hyland's was the care that they took in packaging their product. The attention to detail showed that they want to make each purchase from their website personal. That added touch really means a lot. Included with the package was a handout talking about homeopathy. It was help and informative.


So the products I've had the chance to review are:
 

• Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4 Kids
• Allergy Relief
• Cold'n Cough 4 Kids
• Nighttime Cold'n Cough 4 Kids
• Calms Forté
• Complete Flu Care 4 Kids

The Hyland's Kids Care line works for children 2 and up. As a mother, I try *almost* everything that I give my children to be sure that it is safe. I think it's a natural instinct. And I can say that what worked for my kids, worked for myself too. Which earns them a double whammy. It may be "for kids" but it works well for adults too. 

Out of the products that I received, I've already had the chance to review three of them in just about a week thanks to our lovely Missouri weather (rain, 80 degree temps and snow in one week-in April/May).

Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4 Kids
This product is great for little kids who you can't get to take garlic just yet. ;) (Hey I can dream that they will eventually, right!?)  When boosting their immune system just isn't enough and they need a little something to help with the runny nose, sneezing, watering eyes and everything else a minor cold brings, this can really save the day. Especially with a little one who is just at 2 years old! An overnight dose worked to knock out the rest of her cold by morning and she was back to getting into everything again.

Calms Forté
What I liked best about Calms Forté cannot even be explained in words. I need like choir music and angelic voices for this. My son has a tendency to go a few days trying to get as little sleep as possible until it comes to a peak with a night where every little thing will make him emotional and restless. He'll fuss and fight and scream and cry and there isn't much we can do about until he finally "crashes and burns". This has always broken my heart. Enter Calms Forté. Just a dose or two and he is a normal, happy, easy to get to sleep little 4 year old. No more agitation. No more fighting him to calm him down. Just calm, easy and eager to finally fall asleep. And the help it has provided at night is showing during his waking hours. He's more refreshed and no longer grumpy! 

Cold'n Cough 4 Kids
Let's face it. Kids are germ magnets. And sometimes handwashing just doesn't happen fast enough to prevent cold germs from settling in. And then before you know it they are cranky and you're not getting any sleep. But what if you don't like to use acetaminophen or ibuprofen? Your options might get rather limited at that point. Or so you think. Cold'n Cough 4 Kids really did the trick. It kicked the worst of the symptoms and allowed my little one to sleep well over night. And a rested baby (and momma) is a happy baby (and momma)! 

Another big win for Hyland's is that they print all the information on the bottle, the box and the insert that comes with the product. There are no chances for you to misplace or lose the instructions with each product. And the doses are generally the same for each medicine that it's easy to set the standard of what you need to give each age group. 


The quality, ability to work and general awesomeness of this product has really made me a huge fan and believer of Hyland's Kids Care line. So much so, that I'm able to offer you a chance to win everything I've had the opportunity to try. :) This is a really good value and a great score have in your house. 

 

 

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Hugs & Coffee,
-The Anti-Mainstream Mom 

Preparing Your Mind and Body for Labor

One of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences in life is giving birth. It is a test of will and strength that is like no other. But just like any races or workout you begin, you do not want to go into in unprepared, mentally and physically. Below are several ways you can begin to prepare your body and mind for labor.

Mentally: By far, labor is a mental game. Being prepared and understanding what each stage of labor is going to bring will allow your mind and body to stay in the game far longer. You can prepare mentally by:

Visualization: Visualizing your birth experience and how you want to handle each change is a

great way to plan. Walk yourself through how you feel early/latent labor going, where do you

plan on laboring at, is there music, etc. Do this for each stage. Writing it down can often help

you affirm your plan. Make it positive, but also visualize how you would handle unexpected

circumstances. 

 

Prayer/Meditation: Using prayer and meditation to release your positive energy and thoughts to

direct your birth. Ask your religious Deity for support during labor. Turn to Scripture or Religious

text to prepare you.

Don't get hung up on the “What ifs?”: Every birth experience from mother to mother and even

baby to baby is going to be different. Don't get hung up worrying about what could have or

should have happened. You might be planning and preparing for a homebirth, but a natural

hospital birth can be just as fulfilling if you allow yourself the chance to enjoy it. Life changes

constantly, be prepared to roll with them.

Let go of your fears: It's a little know, not talked about in the OB office fact that fear can slow

or even stall your progress. Let go of fears and trust in your innate ability to birth your baby and you will be able to handle any obstacle that arises.

Focus on Baby: The ultimate goal here is a happy, healthy baby. Remembering that your are

working for the baby and not the method in which you get there will take a lot of stress off.

Yes, every woman wants her ideal birth, and there is nothing wrong with working towards that,

but do not become so hung up on the birth experience that you forget the reason you are

birthing.

Physically:

Just like preparing for a race, you want to train your body. You do not want to get the point of pushing and not have the stamina to continue. Because birth is a race of it's own kind, you want to prepare your body in accordance. Below are a few ways to prepare your body physically.

Gentle Exercise: I am not advocating you going out and doing some high end workout routine or

beginning a couch to 5k training, but you do want to gently exercise your body. Great ways to

do this are yoga and walking. The point of gentle exercise is to not wear yourself out, but to

increase your stamina so that you can go further and longer when birth begins.

Hydration: Often women are so tired of running to the restroom at the end of labor you'll find

them drinking less and less. This is the exact opposite of what you want to do. Being hydrated

has profound benefits on your birth experience. You will find that contractions can feel stronger

when you are dehydrated or your other muscles will cramp up. Since most hospitals do not allow

you to drink, you want to be well hydrated going in.

Breathing: This is very important to a runner, a dancer and even a birthing mother. Your

breathe is a very powerful and controlling action. During labor, you have the ability to breathe

yourself through the contractions, even when you think you aren't able. Start learning coping

breathes now so that when labor comes, you are prepared with the ones you want to try.

Stretching: Stretching your muscles daily will help prevent cramps and tightening during labor.

The looser and more relaxed you can be during labor the easier it will be for you to handle

the contractions.

Kegel Exercises: Kegel exercises are used to strengthen the pelvic muscles to aide in a better

birth. These should be performed daily to increase their effectiveness. They should be done 30

times a day and held for 30 seconds. To do them you flex your muscles like you would stop your

urine.

Perineum Massage: Massaging of the perineum during pregnancy works to increase the elasticity

to prevent tears or the need of an episiotomy during delivery. While this can be done on your

own, it is much easier and effective if you have your partner do it for you. 

**This is actually a document I wrote for my childbirth education classes. Please ask permission before reprinting.** 

Hugs & Coffee, 

-The Anti-Mainstream Mom  

Sources

Beier, Catherine. (2013, April 5). You want a natural vaginal birth, but have you prepared for it?. Retrieved from www.givingbirthnaturally.com

McBride, Tocarra. (2011, July 4). Natural way to prepare your body for the birth of a baby. Retrieved from www.livestrong.com

Clark, Sarah. (2010, September 20). 1o ways to prepare a mom for a great birth. Retrieved from www.mamabirth.blogspot.com

Chasing Clouds Essential Oil Review (And a Giveaway!)

Recently I was on the market for an affordable and excellent quality essential oil to add to my doula bag. While I like the big name brands, I just can't afford them right now and I would much rather contribute to a small business any way. So as I was rummaging around on the various big names pages I thought, "Why not check Etsy!?"

And boy was I pleased.

There aren't but a handful of stores on Etsy who sell EOs, but I kept search and reading about everyone I found. And finally decided to order from two store. While I am most happy with both stores, the one I find even more inviting and feel like I am getting the best quality from is featured today.

Chasing Clouds stole my eye by their unique name and variety in their store. They not only offer oils, but vintage homemaking items and more. They are located in Canada with a great shipping rate to America. They respond quickly and get your order processed in a 2-3 day turn around. Their customer service is amazing and you can message them asking for paperwork on their oils and what they tested at. All their oils are therapeutic grade. 


So now on to the oils.

I am reviewing three oils today from their product line. They variety they offer is amazing, but these are my three favorite. And for good reason!

1. Lemon
I love lemon. It's a great refresher and works really well with my doula clients and around my house. Mixed with vinegar it can make everything smell squeaky clean and fresh while disinfecting. For my doula clients who might be battling some nausea during labor and delivery it can help calm a upset tummy. This smell of this oil is so pure. It literally smells like someone fresh zested a lemon in front of you. It is organic and amazing!

2. Clove-Stem (sadly this product is discontinued in their shop)
As a mom of young kids who are teething, this one is essential (pun intended) for me. Clove oil is a great numbing agent and works wonders in the mouth and teeth area. The smell of this is like fresh ground cloves. Spicy and sweet and aromatic, this is great for cleaning with if you like the spicier smell. But it's true benefit lies in it's use as a numbing agent. **This always needs to be diluted with a carrier oil and should not be used by pregnant woman.**

3. Thievery
Thievery oil is worth it's weight and value in gold. This oil began with it's own legend and has since proven itself time and time again. Chasing Clouds version holds it up to that standard and assures the highest quality. Their version can be used neat (straight) or diluted for use in children and infants and works best on your feet or as a disinfectant mixed with water. When you open the bottle you smell the variety of oils that go into making this blend so valuable. With a blend of clove, eucalyptus, lemon, cinnamon and rosemary you are getting a powerhouse of healing in one bottle. This is a must have in the house at all times. And Chasing Clouds makes it affordable without sacrificing quality.

In fact, I'm such a fan of their Thievery blend, that I want to offer you a chance to win a 2mL bottle! 



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**This review and giveaway was sponsored by Anti-Mainstream Mom.

Hugs & Coffee,
-The Anti-Mainstream Mom