Winter 2014 Issue of Green Child Magazine

The Seasons of Pregnancy Creating A Minimalist Nursery

Winter 2014

Beyond Babywearing The Continuum Concept 1

Simple Recipes, Healthy Meals, Happy Babies Sage Spoonfuls gives you everything you need to make healthy, organic baby food with ease.

sagespoonfuls.com 2

Contents 8 Eco Fab

These are a few of our favorite finds, inspired by nature & health!

10 Spend Less, Get More

Simple and affordable ways to entertain your family.

12 Seasons of Pregnancy

As we eagerly await Spring’s arrival, Danielle Bergum contemplates the beauty and new life of pregnancy.

15 Natural Childbirth in the Hospital

10 questions to ask your maternity center.

16 How to Make Your Own Iron Syrup

Yellow Dock and Dandelion can help ease some of the discomforts of pregnancy.

18 Choosing a Natural Birth

Compassionate advice for having a natural, positive, and memorable birth.

22 Inspire & Encourage Your Child

Attachment parenting expert Kelly Bartlett shares advice on creating positive self-esteem in your child.

26 Pampering the Parents-to-Be

Whether it’s a gift for someone, or to yourself, these items are sure to brighten the day of any expectant parent.

28 Creating a Minimalist Nursery

When the nesting urge kicks in, create a welcoming safe space for baby with just the essentials.

30 Beyond Babywearing

Principles for parenting your toddler and older child.

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Contents 34 From Cluttered to Clarity

72 Community Marketplace

36 Conscious Kitchen

74 Your Green Child

40 What’s in Season

On The Cover

Why and how to free up space in your home... as well as in your mind.

Savory Marjoram Mac & Cheese, Grilled Cheese, Basil & Pear Sandwiches, and Gluten-free Stuffed Mushrooms.

Try out our delicious recipes featuring seasonal favorites!

45 Guided Meditation Inner Listening.

46 Nutritional Nuggets

From food allergies to artificial sweeteners, expert Louise Goldberg has you covered!

A collection of artisan shops & resources for today’s green family A peek into the lives of our readers.

Seasons of Pregnancy p12

Minimalist Nursery p28 Beyond Babywearing p30

48 Outdoor Games

Make the most of wintery days with games based on books kids love, & more.

50 The More You Know Eco

10 Reasons Why Children & Adults Need Vitamin N.

52 A Natural Birth Story

Brought to you by Birth Without Fear - McKenna & Phillip Welcome Emerson James.

58 Cesarean Birth

Five ways to lower your risk.

62 Look Listen Read

The Seas of Pregna ons ncy

Our editors’ top picks in books, apps & more.

64 Detox Your Home

Liz Wasserman shares 5 budget-friendy ways to make your home healthier.

69 Green Grandma

Questions from our readers answered.

70 DIY Tutorial 4

Nature inspired decor.

A Minima Creating list Nursery

Winter 201

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Beyond B abyweari The Conti ng nuum Co ncept

Cover Photography by

Lisa Holloway

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Publisher & Editor

Amity Hook-Sopko

Creative Director Amanda Hearn

Columnists

Mellisa Dormoy Louise Goldberg, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC Hana Haatainen Caye

Media & Other Inquiries

Photo by Tambako

media@greenchildmagazine.com

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Contributors

Kelly Sage M. Danielle Bergum Alia Einstein-Diez Daniela Bycoffe Kelly Bartlett Anne Michelsen Sandy Kreps Amie Valpone Katie Bugbee Richard Louv McKenna Woolley Krista Cornish Scott Liz Wasserman

from our publisher & editor

“The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.”

~ Ina May Gaskin

Our pregnancy and birth issue always feels like the perfect way to start a new year. Birth, just like any new beginning, brings both the promise of something fresh, and the mystery of what the future will hold.

Though it’s been a few years, I vividly remember the excitement (and worry) that comes with anticipating your baby’s birth: “Will my body really be able to handle this?”

“I can’t wait to hold him!”

“How could I ever love another child as much as my first?”

“Will I EVER be able to bend down and tie my shoes again?”

No matter how much we plan – or how easily we’re able to let the worries go – somehow

the answers work themselves out. To me, it’s all about trust. Trust in life’s unfolding plan for us. Trust in the people we’ve selected to surround us during the birth. And trust in our own bodies to do what they’re designed to do.

That’s just what we hope you gain from this issue – a sense of trust in yourself and the community you create.

We’re delighted to partner with Birth Without Fear to bring you the beautiful birth story from a first time mom who, despite going 2 weeks past her due date, gave birth to a healthy son at home with the help of her husband and midwife.

With advice, recipes, and products to make pregnancy a little easier, this issue serves as a resource you can return to over and over.

And our community is always here to support you along the way!

-Amity 7

EcoFab

Add a little eco fun to your Valentine’s Day with some of our editors’ favorite finds!

Ahoy Matey!

These adorable hi-tops are made with breathable cotton and handpainted with non-toxic paint for a truly personal touch. $30 from Etsy

Dark Chocolate Caramels

Made from scratch and then covered in luscious dark chocolate, these Amella caramels are out of this world delicious! $14 from Abe’s Market

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akes

Your friendship m my { heart }

Printable Vday Cards

Buying commercial products is both costly and wasteful. These printables from our website can be printed in only the quantity that you need and on recycled paper or even on the backs of those fliers that are sent home from school.

Use them alone or to cover an organic lollipop. We have four free designs to choose from!

You ROCK!

Waldorf Inspired Rattle Handmade from wood, non toxic wood glue, organic camelina oil, beeswax, good vibes, and happy thoughts from Minnesota. $14 from Etsy

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spend less, get more

Simple Ways to Entertain Your Family

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Photo by Michael Faes

|by Kelly Sage

They say the best things in life are free. It just doesn’t seem so when your family drops $100 on dinner and a night at the movies. This time of year, many families turn to indoor entertainment, which can be more expensive than warm weather fun.

Regardless of your financial situation, intentional spending and learning to balance wants and needs are important when it comes to the family budget. Here are some simple ways to spend time with your family without spending much (or any) money:

Hike Even in winter there are great trails and

parks worth the effort of bundling up! Other than a national or state park fee… water, simple snacks, and good shoes are pretty much the only requirements. Hiking with other families or friends is a great way to get exercise, form friendships, and discover the wildlife. Revisiting the same trails during different seasons is a way to investigate how ecosystems grow and change. Letterboxing and Geocaching add to your hike’s adventure.

Childcare Swaps Instead of paying a

babysitter or staying home all the time, ask another family to trade childcare. Taking your children to someone else’s house for the afternoon or evening will allow them time to play with friends and new toys, and have a chance to get out as well. When it’s your turn to host, plan a craft or special activity to make it a special occasion.

Potlucks Going out to eat can get pretty

pricey, especially when you try to avoid the generally unhealthy kids’ menu. Cooking at home is one of the best ways to keep within your budget. Organize a potluck or cocooking night. Plan to make a couple dishes, (even a pizza and salad are great), and have the other family bring some of the ingredients. While the kids play, the adults can spend time in the kitchen chopping or rolling dough. Have the kids set the table or help in cooking, and when it’s dinnertime, you’ll appreciate the freshness, collaboration, and fewer dollars you needed to spend.

Movie Night Netflix, Redbox, Amazon, Hulu, etc. all have ways to see movies for as little as a dollar. Or don’t be afraid to dust off the movies you own but haven’t watched in a while. Make it a regular occurrence and let family members take turns choosing what you watch. Lay blankets and pillows on the floor and turn out the lights. Your kids will look forward to this tradition, and you’ll be a lot more comfortable, maybe even enough for a double feature.

Family Game Night Many of

us have stacks of games shoved in drawers or closets. Plan a night a week or a couple times a month, to pull them out. Put on good music, have lots of snacks on hand, and pile around the kitchen table. You’ll find yourself laughing, telling stories, and dusting off more of those forgotten games.

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The Seasons of Pregnancy |by M. Danielle Bergum

Perinatal Educator & owner of Esali Birth

A mother who conceives during the colder months has the benefits of reduced activity in winter during the first trimester when she is feeling low on energy and during the more delicate period of gestation. A pickup of activity during the spring and summer is perfect timing for the more energetic second trimester. A harvest of wonderful nutrients right before birth helps to build blood levels, develop the baby’s brain, and prepare for the energy needs of healing during postpartum. Mom has the ability of soaking up an abundance of sunshine which increases her baby’s vitamin D stores for the winter months (as well as her own for breastfeeding), and she is prepping for this life changing event with nothing more than daily chores and casual activity. Maybe this is nature’s efficient design for our species’ survival.

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Babbling creeks with spring rain provide a lulling harmony for emotional balance when mom

wants to take a walk in the woods. The warm air and quiet spring breeze is a welcome change to the chills of winter, and mom is ready to get outside and enjoy her growing baby. I can’t think of a more relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Walking during pregnancy has a variety of benefits including increased stamina for labor and birth, proper posture for pelvic floor tone and decreased back stress, and aligning the baby in the pelvis for smooth movement through the birth canal. Walking 30 minutes daily is a great way of keeping stamina up for an unknown length of labor.

Swimming is another activity that is easier to enjoy in the warmer months which not only has the same benefits of walking, but the added advantage of increasing circulation and making mom feel weightless. There’s nothing better than a few laps to get healthy while easing back pain and leg tension. Ensuring you can carry on a conversation during your activity is a great trick for keeping the heart rate and oxygen levels at a steady point. With all this exercise, mom also needs to ensure she stays hydrated.

Hydration may be a bit more difficult during warm spells with more activity but a steady flow of water to the system aids in digestion, circulation, and perspiration. Keep a sports bottle with you at all times to encourage consistent sips. A slice of cucumber in your water can aid in natural

Photography by Roberts Family Photography

There is something wonderful about creating new life in the midst of spring, your belly blossoming with the flowers and your skin glistening in the sun. Embracing the warmer season is an excellent way of staying healthy and fit for a wonderful birth experience. From seasonal activities to nutrients at your fingertips, this is one of the easiest times of year for prenatal health.

Is there something more than boredom to the baby-making trends of the colder months?

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The Seasons of Pregnancy electrolyte balance without the additives of commercial sports drinks. Likewise, you can spritz up your water with a handful of fresh berries (or frozen if you like your water ice cold) for a refreshing flavor that provides a splash of vitamins and minerals.

There isn’t a set limit of water intake as long as you’re drinking to thirst, and you can recognize your body’s thirst symptoms. Remember, feeling thirsty signifies that you’re already dehydrated.

Some recommendations include at least 96 ounces of water daily during pregnancy, but you also want to listen to your body and avoid gorging yourself, especially to the point of limiting food intake. Healthy food selections limit your body’s need of receiving hydration from only pure water sources.

a toned pelvic floor for birth and postpartum healing, a baby that tucks his chin for a smooth birth, and a mom with back muscles that proficiently support the growing fetus. Now she is exercising and gathering nutrients for her baby with a simple daily activity. Are you seeing a trend here?

Years ago, all families had gardens; and women weren’t pampered by lying back during pregnancy. They were tending the gardens, planting, and harvesting food throughout the warm season which has the added benefit of prepping mom for birth. Mom’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle is the perfect physical prep for the stamina and strength needed for birth. Squatting was an accustomed method of food gathering- a posture that does wonders for our pregnant body and growing baby by opening the pelvis up to 30% larger while also strengthening muscles and stretching the pelvic ligaments. This creates 14

Photography by Roberts Family Photography

Maybe it is coincidence, but it makes sense as to why some studies show a rise in both male and female testosterone levels as the summer fades, and why August and September are consistently the months that most babies are born (in the US). Testosterone, a sex-driving hormone in both sexes, also increases as stress is reduced, likely happening after the growing season is over; and mom and dad are set for a relaxing winter. If you were warming up by a crackling fire and enjoying what may appear to be a huGardening provides an efficient way of obtain- man mating season, take advantage of the liting healthy food for you and your growing baby. tle extra effort needed to stay healthy and fit Locally grown produce isn’t only cheaper; it through a spring and summer gestation while actually provides you with more nutrients than you ripen alongside earth’s harvest. purchased options because you can keep most of the food ripening on the vine until just before meal time. A local farmer’s market can supplement a limited garden space, but your baby will thank you for any time spent in the dirt.

Natural Childbirth in a Hospital

10 questions to ask your maternity center Many natural-minded mamas dream of a home birth. But in reality, most of us will likely birth in a hospital, or hospital-like scenario. The good news is that birthing in a hospital does not have to be entirely out of your control or comfort zone.

By asking the right questions, you can expect fewer surprises on your big day.

What is the hospital’s C-section rate?

Epidural rate?

Induction rate?

In the event of a C-section, who is allowed in the operating room?

Can I hold my baby immediately?

Is there a doula or midwife on staff?

Can I bring my own doula to support me during birth?

Can I nurse my baby immediately after birth?

Will I be able to eat and drink during labor?

Are there lactation consultants on staff to help me with breastfeeding during my stay at the hospital?

Can I move around, walk, or sit on a birthing ball during labor?

If I’m recovering well, how long until we can be discharged from the hospital?

What delivery positions are available to me? Will I be expected to deliver lying flat on my back?

Are there any other guidelines I should be aware of that may affect my birth? (i.e.: allowed length of time between ruptured membranes and delivery) 15

How to Make Your Own

Iron Syrup |by Alia Einstein-Diez

Some of the most common issues during pregnancy are those of constipation and iron deficiency. The expectant mother’s intestinal tract slows down dramatically from her changing hormone levels. To add insult to injury, often an iron deficient mommy-to-be takes an iron supplement that causes or increases her constipation. A health conscious pregnant woman with these problems should drink lots of water, eat dark leafy greens and exercise, but if that does not help an herbal remedy is available.

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Their taproots are best harvested from late Fall through early Spring when the plants are dormant and have stored up their nutrients into their roots. But if you can’t harvest them yourself, you can buy the dried roots. The syrup we make from these plants provides a fully absorbable source of iron that helps ease constipation. It gives a powerful one two punch of herbal healing, as it were.

Although yellow dock is widely recommended by herbalists and midwives the world over, many people will warn pregnant women to The best part of the herbal allies in this recipe steer clear of it because of its laxative effects. is that they are probably in your back yard or The key, however, to this herbal remedy (as walking distance from you and you don’t even with all medication) is the dosage. One to two tablespoons of the syrup each day is what is know it. Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are consid- suggested. If a woman takes more, it can cause diarrhea. But as with all things, use your ered by many to be noxious weeds. They can judgement and observe the affects on your be found alongside highways, in abandoned own body and adjust the dosage accordingly. lots, in meadows, and alleyways pretty much everywhere in world. These weedy wonders This article is not a replacement for medial are, however, much more than meets the eye. advice from a licensed professional.

Ingredients: • • • •

1/2 ounce yellow dock root 1/2 ounce dandelion root 1 quart water 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses

Instructions: 1. Place the chopped roots into a pot and pour a quart of boiling water over them.

2. Cover the pot and it let steep for at least 4 to 8 hours (or just overnight).

3. Strain the plant material out and heat the liquid until it begins to steam, then turn the heat down very low.

4. Steam until the liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Add 1/4 cup of blackstrap molasses, remove from heat and stir until fully incorporated. Pour into a jar, label with contents and date, cap well, let cool and refrigerate. The syrup should keep for a few months in the refrigerator.

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Choosing a

naturalbirth

|by Daniela Bycoffe

Natural birth advocate, birth doula (DONA Trained), childbirth educator, & pre-natal yoga instructor.

Choosing to have a natural childbirth is a wonderful way to begin your journey into motherhood. By birthing naturally, you will gain the confidence and wellbeing necessary to create an instant bond with your newborn.

Mothers who choose gentle, and natural childbirth tend to have an easier transition into breastfeeding, compared to those women who birth with unnecessary interventions.

Preparing for natural & normal childbirth involves preparing before you birth, as this will have a great impact on your birth experience.

Your comfort in labor is the most important thing. Below is a list of Natural Pregnancy Tips to assist you in the direction of having a positive & memorable birth.

• Find A Comfortable Environment To Birth: Where will you be most comfortable birthing your baby? In the comforts of your own home? In a birth center? Or maybe even a hospital? Your well being during childbirth is the most essential ingredient. This means having places to walk, squat, shower, rest, and devices to lean on in between contractions. Along with this, the birth environment should have policies that promote mobility, and a variety of positions, and coping rituals.

• Choosing Your Labor Support: Nurturing and compassionate care providers such as midwives, doctors, partners, doulas, loved ones, and nurses who trust in the normal birth process, which make an enormous positive difference in your birth outcome.

You must feel like you can let go of all inhibitions during birth, and that you are being treated with dignity & respect. Ultimately, your labor support should know & support in your decision to birth naturally. According to DONA (Doula’s of North America) “When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression”.

• Creating Your Birth Vision: Your Birth Vision is your roadmap for your up-andcoming birth. It’s telling yourself, along with your care providers, and labor support that you want and need very specific elements, in order for your birth to progress in a comforting way. Your Birth Vision can include a soothing music play-list, dim lights or candlelight, (if you are birthing in 19

naturalbirth a hospital, you may bring in LED candles) a birth ball, and water therapy such as a birthing tub, or access to shower. In your Birth Vision you can also include your preferences for a natural birth, and your desire to have a drug-free childbirth. Birth Vision’s should be passed onto your care provider so they are in the loop as to what your birth preferences are. I love Birth Vision’s because it allows you as the birthing woman to claim all of the power. Your birth outcome is ultimately up to you. You can do this!

• Believe Deep In Your Heart That You Can Birth Naturally: For too many years, childbirth has been associated with pain.

This ideology behind birth has created a mess. The thought of anything being painful wouldn’t make any woman want to run to it with open arms. Pain associated with labor is sensational. That means that once you’re educated on comfort measures to use during each contraction, then the “pain” becomes a sensation; each contraction becomes a wave that you learn how to surf as they come. Once you learn how to ride each wave, then you are in control, and oddly enough the sensations may even become pleasurable.

Now that you have a few natural childbirth techniques in your back pocket, relax and have fun with this planning process! If you approach your labor with anxiety, and restlessness, then you are setting yourself up for failure.

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change”.

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-Marie Mongan

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Phrases to Inspire and Encourage Your Child |by Kelly Bartlett

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It’s no secret that kids need encouragement to thrive. But what exactly does encouragement sound like? It’s different than praise or admiration or guidance. It is common to want to give evaluative feedback to kids for their work (“Good coloring!”), or to tell them what we like about their accomplishments (“I like how you set the table.”), or what we expect of their behavior. (“You need to try your best at school today.”)

Though these kinds of responses are well meaning, they teach kids to rely on our evaluations rather than to learn to form their own judgments about behavior.

of children’s behavior on themselves instead of anyone else. As “Encouragement psychologist Rudolf is about teaching Dreikurs said, “A kids to see the child needs encourvalue of their own agement like a plant accomplishments and needs water.” Here to be in charge of their are five encouraging own success. It fosters things to say to your kids on a regular internal strength basis: and motivation by

“Thank you!”

Alfie Kohn, researcher and author of Punished

by Rewards, says that kids can come to depend on praise and external validation instead of finding satisfaction in doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. “Rather than bolstering a child’s self-esteem, praise may increase kids’ dependence on us. It leads them to measure their worth in terms of what will lead us to smile and dole out some more approval,” says Kohn. He recommends that parents focus on supporting and encouraging their child’s efforts, rather than on praising the results.

For tasks that a child has completed, let him know his efforts are appreciated. Tell him, “That helped a lot,” and, “I appreciate the time you spent on this.” It lets him know that his work is meaningful and he is an important contributor to the family. Saying ‘thank you’ is no less celebratory than saying ‘good job.’ Expressing gratitude for a job well done still communicates excitement and pride. The difference is you don’t need to tell your child that what he did was good; he will inherently feel it.

Encouragement is about teaching kids to see the value of their own accomplishments and to be in charge of their own success. It fosters internal strength and motivation by keeping the focus

Claire, a stay-at-home mom of 3 boys, said that at dinner one night, she thanked her 3-year-old, Tucker, for giving each family member a napkin to use. When Tucker climbed into his chair and

keeping the focus of children’s behavior on themselves instead of anyone else.”

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to Inspire and Encourage Your Child 5 Phrases replied, “Mama, I like you thanking me. That feels nice,” she was struck by the power of those simple words. Without any praise, Tucker felt significant and appreciated; he felt his “good job,” and he was motivated to do it again.

“You did it!”

Use this kind of encouragement for when a child has achieved a goal or milestone. Cheer for her by focusing on the effort it took to get there, rather than on the outcome. Instead of saying, “I like how you built that Lego tower,” respond with, “Wow you worked hard on that!”, “Look at what you accomplished!”, or, “You must feel proud.” Responses like these focus the accomplishment on the child’s inner work, rather than on a parent’s external evaluation. It’s much more encouraging to say, “You sure never gave up during your game!” than, “You won your game, good job.”

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are always OK. Learning how to manage these feelings takes support, acceptance, and lots of practice. Encourage kids by communicating that they are not wrong to experience unpleasant feelings like sadness, anger, or fear. Instead of saying, “You’re OK. Don’t be upset,” let your child know, “You have the right to feel angry. I understand; I would feel mad, too.” Or, “I can see you feel very sad right now, and that’s OK.” Validating your child’s feelings leads to his own acceptance of them, and the realization that he is capable of handling them.

“I trust you.”

Instead of providing the answers and directing kids toward what to do, encourage them to make decisions and solve problems by letting them know you trust their ability to decide for themselves. Say things like, “I know you can figure this out,” “I have faith in you to find a solution,” “I know you’ll make an appropriate decision,” or “You lead the way on this.” Entrusting kids to “I’m listening.” make their own decisions is very empowering for young children! It shifts the dynamic from a parWhat could be more encouraging than to know ent’s control over a child to one of shared control. someone is receptive to what you have to say?

It encourages kids to think through problems Active listening validates a child’s sense of significance and belonging in the family; they know and come up with their own solutions. they’re important and they matter. Let kids know you’re taking their thoughts seriously by echoing Remember that by opting for encouragement over praise, you’re not ignoring your kids’ actheir statements back to them. There should be some back-and-forth with open-ended questions complishments or successes. Encouragement is simply about keeping your response focused on (“What would you do about that?”), empathy their efforts and feelings as opposed to only the (“Wow, you must have felt scared.”), and reflecoutcomes. Encouraging words not only reassure tions (“Oh, you decided to take a break so you could calm down.”) Good listening sounds more kids during times of success (“Wow, that took a like a conversation than a one-sided monologue. lot of concentration!”), but also in times of disappointment (“I have faith in you to fix this misWhen a child is heard, she feels known. take.”). Instead of looking to a parent for affirmation, kids are able to decide how they feel about “It’s OK to cry.” themselves. Their failures and successes, as they should be, are about them, not anyone else.

It’s important for kids to know that their feelings

www.attachmentparenting.org

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Pampering the Parents-to-Be Pregnancy Journal $15

Welcoming a child into the world is an amazing thing... full of fears, joys and so much more. Share your journey with your child with this beautifully simplistic journal. Made in Denver from recycled materials.

Onyx Active Labor Gown $149.00

A beautiful labor and delivery gown designed to maintain privacy and dignity, keeping women comfortable, centered and in control. It features a unique design that provides simultaneous access to both the lower spine and front of the body allowing full access and an easy opening for immediate skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding access. This beautiful gown is versatile enough to wear during labor and delivery, as well as day-to-day.

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Gentle Pampering

Belly Blanket

This lovely set from Earth Mama, Angel Baby features a variety of products to pamper Mom - and every one is made from the only very best natural and organic ingredients!

This versatile Belly Blanket features the radiation protection you expect from Belly Armor with the added benefit of organic cotton.

$20

$79

Moby Wrap $40

Help dad show off that new bundle of joy in style. We love these game-day ready wraps from Moby Wrap. No buckles or snaps, the Moby Wrap is amazingly comfortable and easy to wear.

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Minimalist Nursery Forest Friends $56

We adore this whimsical bamboo mobile from Petit Collage. Available in a variety of delicate and sophisticated designs.

Formaldehyde & solvent free.

Sweetest Sleeps $289

This Two Stage Lightweight mattress is the lightest from Naturepedic, making it easy to change the sheets any time day or night. Its durable design provides firm, comfortable support. The two stage provides safety for infants and comfort for toddlers. Its seamless design makes it waterproof and provides a dust mite and bed bug barrier. Free of polyurethane foam, vinyl, phthalates, PFCs and known allergenic materials such as latex or wool.

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Stretch & Grow $34

Baby will feel comfy and secure in this ever so practical garment from Natura Baby. It features a full opening down the front and around the legs for quick and easy nappy changes. Made from 100% organic cotton.

Classic Rocker $499

A rocker is one nursery piece our minimalist editors treasured long after their babies were too big to nurse and rock to sleep. This USA made, heirloom quality chair makes a safe place to comfort little ones or read bedtime stories.

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Beyond Babywearing Part 1: Three Principles for Parenting Your Toddler & Older Child |by Anne Michelsen

Do you wear your baby?

citrance so common in Western adolescents. In her own words: “Amazingly, the children never fought. They played together all day unsuperNurse your toddler? vised, all ages, from crawling, to walking to adolescence. Not only did they not fight, they never Sleep in a family bed? even argued. This is not at all what we have been If you do, chances are you’ve been influenced by taught human nature is…” an obscure little book penned almost four decLiedloff observed that in this culture, as in many ades ago. other indigenous societies around the globe, children were treated very differently than in Many of today’s Attachment Parenting principles were first brought to the attention of West- Western cultures. She began to develop a theory ern cultures through a slender volume titled The of human social development based on her observations. According to her, every human Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost. Its author, the late Jean Liedloff, spent two being is born with an inborn expectation to undergo certain natural social experiences. These and a half years living with a Stone Age South American tribe, observing them and recording begin with being held immediately after birth, and an extended in-arms phase in early infancy. their way of life.

The Yequana Indians were unlike any people Liedloff had ever encountered. They seemed universally happy and fulfilled. Their children, especially, were remarkably calm and independent. In the entire time she stayed with them, she witnessed no sibling rivalry, no whining, and almost no crying, fussing, or tantrums amongst their infants and small children. She was amazed to see older children and teens confidently performing difficult tasks and making mature decisions, without the defiance or recal-

Liedloff called her theory the Continuum Concept, because she maintained that these experiences should come sequentially (in a continuum), and are necessary for the sustainable continuation of our species. Missing one or more of them, according to Liedloff, can cause an individual to have trouble integrating properly into society. And by extension, one would assume that a society that does not routinely provide these experiences to its members is likely to, eventually, break down.

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Beyond Babywearing Part 1 You may be familiar with many of these Continuum practices as the basic principles of the Attachment Parenting (AP) movement, which Liedloff ’s ideas influenced greatly. Several, like baby wearing, extended nursing, and cosleeping are, if not wholly embraced by Western society, at least becoming better known and more accepted. However, most Western parents who follow these practices agree that their families are still far from experiencing the ideal of human contentedness that Liedloff describes in her book.

The second Continuum concept to keep in mind is that the child should not be the center Assuming that Liedloff ’s observations are accu- of attention. Neither, however, should he be rate, how can we continue to improve upon our excluded from adult society. In Yequana society, parenting practices? In other words, once the Liedloff observed that adults were available to honeymoon of infancy is over, what then? the child as needed, but focused primarily on their own activities, not on their role as parents. This approach lets the child learn by direct observation and to begin participating in adult activities as he is ready, without the pressure of In examining The Continuum Concept (and re- being in the spotlight. lated materials included on the book’s website) Of course, this does not mean that one should for hints on parenting children ages toddler and beyond, three main principles spring forth never pay attention to or play with one’s child.

It simply, in Liedloff ’s words, “reflects an underas very different from the way most of us were standing of the child’s role as a learner in sociraised, and continue to raise our children: ety.”

The first principle is a profound trust in the The child needs a mother who is confident and child. Caregivers in continuum societies uncalm…a mother who knows what to do, and derstand that the child is an inherently “good doesn’t ask permission from her child. If you’re citizen,” with an innate desire to please and an pleading with her (or asking her to lead), then inborn sense of self-preservation. she’s got the power, and it makes her nervous “Nobody’s born rotten,” says Liedloff. “You just because it means you’re not sure of yourself, and don’t have bad kids. There is no such thing. But you’re begging her for acceptance (or direction).

Any grown-up lady that pleads with a four year we can make them bad. Ironically, the reason old is not to be relied on. it’s possible…is because we are so social. Our social nature is such that we tend to meet the expectations of our elders. Whenever this rever- Rather than following the child’s lead, Liedloff sal took place and our elders stopped expecting suggests telling her nicely but matter of factly us to be social and expected us to be anti-social, what you expect her to do, without asking her permission or regaling her with choices or or greedy or selfish or dirty or destructive or

Beyond Infancy

32

self-destructive… that’s when the real fall took place. And we’re paying for it dearly.”

Instead of warning the child to behave and laying out consequences for bad behavior, Liedloff advocates simply modeling the “good” behavior, and expecting the child to follow suit. If the child errs, he should be gently instructed to change his behavior, but he should never be judged negatively as a person because of his mistakes.

reasons. In other words, instead of saying, “Let’s go have some lunch now, OK? What would you like to eat?” tell your child “OK, now it’s time for lunch. Can you find the spoons? We’re going to have soup.”

Keep in mind, though, that taking the lead is not the same thing as taking control over your child. The parents Liedloff observed never forced a child to do chores. They simply modeled the behavior, and made sure the tools – like a child-sized grater – were available to the child.

When a child showed an interest, she was allowed to participate as long as she wanted to. It was simply expected that she would naturally want to learn how to do the tasks she observed the adults doing. By the time they are old enough to be truly helpful, Liedloff noted that continuum-raised children will simply and quietly obey requests for help from adults, reciprocating the respect they had been shown when they were little.

The question for modern parents becomes, “Past infancy, how do we continue to give our children the continuum experiences they need in the context of our own society?”

This leads us to the third principle: that a healthy human experience must include interaction between people of many different ages.

It is easy for Stone Age parents to be available to their children without making them the center of attention. After all, they live where they work, and their children spend most of their time freely playing with other children, both younger and older than they are. In fact, every person in their culture is able to model older individuals, and mentor younger individuals in turn. This allows for smooth passage from one stage of life to the next, and reduces or eliminates friction between generations.

In a society which divides its tribes into isolated nuclear families, where adults must often work outside the home, where children are not typically welcomed into the workplace, and where, from preschool to nursing home, our age segregation practices border on the extreme, is it even possible to offer our children – and ourselves – the experiences we apparently need to become truly fulfilled human beings?

Perhaps not to the extent that the Yequana could. But just as many Western parents have resurrected the practices of babywearing and co-sleeping, why not reclaim the tribal experience as well?

Part 2 of this article will explore

the topic of building a modern tribe.

Do you get together for work parties with other like-minded parents?

Does your neighborhood open its doors to all the children who live there?

Do you work at home, or bring your children to work?

What other ways can you imagine implementing natural tribal parenting principles in a modern context?

Send us your comments and experiences by February 15th to be included in the companion article! editor@greenchildmagazine.com 33

From Cluttered to Clarity |by Sandy Kreps

As parents, we’re in charge of our family’s daily lives – our homes, our possessions, our schedule, our meals. A lack of routines, excessive toys and clutter, chaotic schedules, and information overload all contribute to the daily noise. When it’s too noisy, we’re distracted. We miss the little details that add up to our children’s childhood, the sweet nothings that add up to our marriage, and the simple interactions that make up our lives.

It’s easy to let your home get “just a bit” cluttered while you’re distracted. Newspapers and mail stack up. Toys get left out all over the house. Outgrown or rarely worn clothes pile up in drawers and closets. Just looking at all the clutter makes you feel exhausted – it’s a visual and mental drain.

clutter can make you sick. Dust can lead to allergies, asthma and sinus problems. Oddly enough, even though the clutter can make you feel exhausted, it can also keep you up at night.

Not being able to find what you need and being overwhelmed by the clutter can lead to anxiety, depression and headaches. Piles of clutter blocking stairs or stacked high on shelves can cause falls and other injuries.

On the other hand…

A clutter-free home brings calm.

Walk into an orderly room, and your body instantly relaxes. You can see the room over the stuff. A clean, organized room can give you energy, brighten your mood and increase your creativity. Order flows into your life and you can find what you need when you need it. You’re in control.

But a cluttered home and chaotic schedule can do more than just make you feel tired. It can make you feel hopeless. It can cost money to store excess items you don’t use or replace items Clutter-free gives you more time and saves money. you know you own but can’t find. Worst of all, 34

Did you know that you can reduce housework by 40% by eliminating clutter?

What could you do with that extra time? Being free from the excess clutter and the work associated with maintaining it means you can do more of what’s important to you. Get rid of your storage unit. Or move to a smaller, less expensive place. You’ll have less to insure, less to clean, less to maintain.

Photography by Dan DeLuca

From Cluttered to Clarity

child’s attention span and his capacity for more in-depth play. It’s much easier for kids to use their imagination when they’re not up to their eyeballs in sensory overload.

• Set up a daily routine. Children are comforted when they know what to expect each day. You don’t need a rigid schedule – just a guideline that answers your child’s question, “What comes next?” Include regular cleanup times between activities so your children get used to picking up after themselves and the mess never gets too far out of hand.

Simplifying takes time – you can’t go from cluttered to clear overnight. It takes time and effort • Simplifying your commitments can wash away that constant frantic feeling of always to create new habits, reduce possessions and streamline your schedule and commitments. being on the go. Cutting back to just one You’re changing the trajectory of an entire famor two extracurricular activities or sports can give children the free time they need ily, and it’s an ongoing process. Here’s how to get for creative play, and it’ll reduce your stress started: since you won’t be constantly called upon to • Simplify your children’s toys, keeping a mix be the Taxi Mom rushing everyone around of toys they consistently love to play with to get through sports practices, drive-thru and toys that keep them entertained for long dinners and late-night homework. periods of time. Paring down can help your

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Conscious Kitchen |by Amie Valpone The Healthy Apple

Savory Marjoram Mac n’ Cheese :

Ingredients • • • • • • •

3/4 lb. elbow macaroni 3 tablespoons dairy-free butter 1 medium Vidalia onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 3 1/2 cups dairy-free milk 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• • • • • •

2 cups fresh baby spinach 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh marjoram 4 slices Go Veggie Cheddar Slices 4 slices Veggie Mozzarella Slices 2 tablespoons Go Veggie Parmesan Cheese

Directions 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add onion and cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.

3. Add flour and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring often. Add dairy-free milk, sea salt and pepper, continue to mix and cook until mixture comes to a boil, approximately 10 minutes. Reduce 36

heat to low and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring often.

4. Add spinach, red pepper flakes, marjoram and cheeses. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often. Add in cooked macaroni; gently toss to combine.

5. Serve immediately.

6. Top with parmesan cheese.

Conscious Kitchen

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Grilled Cheese, Basil &Pear Sandwiches Ingredients • • • • • • •

4 slices whole grain bread 1 Tbsp. honey 4 slices Go Veggie Cheddar Slices 4 slices Go Veggie Mozzarella Slices 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves 2 Tbsp. dairy-free butter

Directions 1. Lay four slices of bread on a flat surface.

Using a knife, spread honey onto two slices to cover the surface.

2. Lay two slices of cheese on two slices of bread, then lay pear slices and basil on top.

3. Top the cheese and pear halves with remaining bread slices.

4. Heat one tablespoon of butter in a skillet over low heat; grill sandwiches one at a time. Cover and cook for two minutes, then flip using a spatula and cook for another two minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat processes with other sandwich.

5. Remove sandwiches from heat and transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm.

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Gluten-Free & Vegan!

Cheesy Cashew Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 24 large button mushrooms, stems discarded • 1/4 cup Vidalia onion, minced • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 cup cooked wild rice • 1/4 cup GO Veggie! Dairy Free, Vegan Mexican Style Shreds

• • • • • •

1 large carrot, peeled and grated 1/2 cup cashews, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. salsa 1 tsp. sea salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 3 chives, finely chopped

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking dish with nonstick baking spray; set aside.

2. In a small skillet over medium heat, cook onions in oil until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.

3. Add rice, cheese, carrots, cashews, salsa, sea salt and pepper; cook for 3 minutes

or until warm. Remove from heat.

4. Using a teaspoon, transfer mixture in each mushroom cap.

5. Place stuffed mushrooms in a single layer on the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until warm.

6. Remove from the oven; garnish with fresh chives & serve.

Conscious Kitchen

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What’s In Season With weather this cold, it’s hard to imagine growing anything this time of year!

Though you may not be able to find them locally, cruciferous vegetables and citrus are seasonal foods that pack plenty of beneficial vitamin C.

Broccoli Rabe Also known as Rapini, a 3 oz. serving of this broccoli provides more than half your daily requirement of antioxidant-rich vitamins A and C. It’s also a great source of folate, potassium, calcium and fiber.

Photography by Jean Scheijen

Meyer Lemon More yellow and round than your average lemon, the Meyer lemon is also sweeter.

Vitamin B and C rich, as well as another powerful antioxidant, lemons also contain minerals like iron, copper, potassium and

calcium. And a note to parents - it’s also the secret ingredient to many cocktails.

Cauliflower Packed with fiber and cancer-fighting properties, cauliflower is a versatile flowervegetable that can be a fun food for kids. It also contains many vital B-complex vitamins, vitamin K, and immune boosting properties.

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What’s In Season

Cauliflower Rice Ingredients: • 1 Head Cauliflower • 1 Red Pepper • 1 Green Pepper • 1 Onion • Salt & Pepper, to taste Directions: Dice onion and peppers. Set aside.

Break up the cauliflower into large florets or chunks. Then finely chop, or pulse in a food processor. *If you have a blender, fill half way with water, add the cauliflower and then pulse to desired rice texture and drain.

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Photography by Nicole of PlanningWithKids.com

Sauté along with the chopped onions and peppers, in a skillet with your choice of oil or grease.

Broccoli Rabe with Lemon, Garlic & Chickpeas

Ingredients: • 1 pound broccoli rabe, chopped • 8 oz. chickpeas • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • Coarse salt • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 1 Meyer lemon, zested and juiced Directions: Preheat broiler. Toss broccoli, garlic, and chickpeas with olive oil. Season with salt.

Broil 2 minutes. Turn broccoli and broil until stems are tender and leaves are crisp (2-3 minutes more).

Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle in lemon zest. Top with red pepper flakes and serve.

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guided relaxation

“Inner Listening”

Do you know that inside of you, you have some very wise answers to all the questions you’ll ever have about your life? It’s true.

Today we’re going to learn how.

Close your eyes and take in a very slow, deep breath. Now, exhale slowly. Keep breathing deeply and feel the cool air come in through your nose and flow all the way down to your belly. Feel your belly extend as you breathe in. Make sure your belly is going slowly in and out as you inhale and exhale. Every time we breath, we should try to breathe like this – allowing the air to go all the way down to the belly – not just in the lungs. This relaxes your whole body and keeps you feeling peaceful no matter what.

It’s also the correct way to breathe.

Now, as you continue to breathe deeply, turn your attention now to something else.

I’d like you to listen carefully to all the quiet sounds outside of you and happening all around you. You may hear outside noises, maybe cars, birds or something else… just listen to all the sounds – both faint and loud. (Pause) Now, let’s turn out focus inward. Listen very quietly to what you hear happening within your body. Can you hear your heart beating? (Pause) Can you hear your breath as you breathe slowly in and out? Maybe your tummy is even making noises. Whatever is going on inside, just take time to listen very carefully. Just pay attention to the sound of your breath. It’s

with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids

almost magical. You’re whole body is alive and it’s this breath, among other things, that is keeping you alive. Allow the breath to fill up your whole body and enjoy as the living energy of your breath goes into each and every cell, each and every atom of your body… just feel that and relax deeper.

Now listen even more closely… listen and pay attention if there are any feelings coming up right now… feelings inside of you that need to be expressed, or talked about.

Our feelings tell us a lot. When we are quiet and calm, we can tap into those feelings and listen even better. Maybe you’ll suddenly get an answer to a question you’ve had, or you’ll realize something you have been feeling all along.

It’s important that we take the time to listen to ourselves each and every day. It helps us connect with who we really are inside and is a very important part of growing up and knowing ourselves better… In this safe, quiet space we’re in right now, you can easily listen to what’s going on inside. Your thoughts and feelings really matter! You can trust yourself and your feelings. Next time you have a question on what you should do – just ask and then listen within for your answer.

Open your eyes when you’re ready and give your body a big stretch.

For more meditations and guided relaxation audios, visit Shambala Kids online.

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Nutritional Nuggets Expert Louise Goldberg answers your questions!

My husband has a peanut and tree nut allergy. I am pregnant with our first baby and have been avoiding eating nuts. Would that help prevent the baby from having the same allergies?

Unfortunately there is nothing you can eat (or not eat) during your pregnancy to prevent your baby from having a nut allergy. In fact, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology guidelines now state that pregnant women should consume a well-balanced diet without omitting the top 8 allergens (unless mom is also allergic). IF baby has a reaction while breastfeeding, you can discuss with your pediatrician or allergist whether you need to adjust your diet temporarily.

Caffeine and artificial sweeteners… How bad are they for kids? And how much is too much?

Infusing caffeine into food products is the new trend with advertising promises of an ‘energizing’ breakfast or to ‘help you get through the afternoon slump’. Caffeine also occurs naturally in chocolate (albeit a small amount), some teas and coffee. While it may be seen as a benefit to adults it may have a more serious effect on kids by possibly disrupting their sleep patterns, causing dehydration, irritability and increasing stress hormones. Choosing low caffeine drinks like 46

hot chocolate, herbal teas, or other caffeine-free beverages are a good alternative. When it comes to artificial sweeteners, there is little to no conclusive research to show its safety with children.

It is best to limit or avoid them and instead teach kiddos about moderation with sweets and other added sugars.

My son eats very little at meals and then says he is full. We weren’t aware it was a problem until his 3-year-old checkup and found he had not gained any weight over the past year. The doctor thinks he is just going through a picky phase and that he’ll grow out of it but he tries everything we offer. We didn’t think he was picky. He just can’t do more than a couple bites at a time. Any suggestions?

There are many variables here. He may be uncomfortable due to a food intolerance, which would manifest mostly as GI issues (gassy, stomach cramping). Or sometimes kids aren’t able to eat more than a few bites because of reflux or another issue causing irritation in the throat or esophagus. Viruses can sometimes temporarily injure the nerves in the gut causing food to move through more slowly. Most of these issues can be corrected with slight changes to diet or in some cases, medications. In this case, it may be best to have your son seen by a pediatric GI doctor for further examination.

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|by Katie Bugbee Care.com

Flag Football Create two teams with at least two players on each side. Create sides of the field with sticks or food dye in the snow, and put flags or cut up pieces of a t-shirt in each person’s waist band.

Then play ball!

Holiday Scavenger Hunt 48

Go on an expedition. Make a list of 10 things you want to find, including an inflatable Santa, a snowman, a menorah, blinking lights, holi-

day wreath, icicles, an undecorated house - and more. If feeling competitive, break into teams to see who can tackle the list first.

Snow Tie Dye Take spray and squirt bottles and fill them with colored water (just add food coloring). Then go in the snow and make art. Make sure to give each kid an area or “canvas” to get creative.

Basic Quidditch Let the wizard world inspire you with this tagsoccer hybrid game. Set up hula hoops on opposing sides of the yard. Chasers try to throw a ball through the opposing team’s hula hoops while Keepers defend their hoops like a goalie.

Taggers use soft foam balls to tag Chasers and make them give up the ball. One child acts as the golden snitch and runs as fast as possible

Photo by Arif Budiman

When the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall, you might be tempted to hibernate inside. But here’s how to embrace the cold and give your kids the exercise and fresh air they need. Just make sure to dress them properly and don’t go outside if it’s too cold for comfort. These outdoor activities are perfect for winter days.

while the Seekers try to catch him. This game is perfect for any Muggle that wants to add a little magic to playtime.

Pin the Hat on Frosty Build a snowman and then take turns trying to throw hats on his head. Each person gets a hat (or a turn with one hat). Whoever gets closest to his snow dome wins.

Freeze Tag Let everyone run around outside while each kid takes a turn being the “freezer.” When the “freezer” tags a runner they have to stop moving and stand as still as a snowman. To keep every-

one moving, add some “melters” whose job it is to thaw out frozen runners by tagging them.

Hunger Games Dash While we don’t suggest reenacting the all-out kids’ battle described in the popular series, you can let your kids channel their inner Tribute with this fast-paced showdown. Mark off a large playing area and gather a cornucopia of pinecones, tennis balls and other small items in the middle of the yard. Place each kid in their own corner. On “go” they must all run to the center and retrieve one item to bring back to their corner. If someone is able to tag another player before he or she brings her gear back to her corner, the tagger gets the goodie.

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the

More you Know

Reasons Why Children eco: Ten & Adults Need Vitamin N

In “Last Child in the Woods,” author Richard Louv focused on why children need nature.

In his new book, “The Nature Principle,” he shares how the whole family – and whole communities -- can become happier, healthier and smarter through more contact with the natural world.

1. The more high-tech our lives become, the more nature we need. We have a human right to a meaningful connection to nature, and we have the responsibilities that come with that right. Few today would question the notion that every person, especially every young person, has a right to access the Internet. We should also have access to the natural world, because that connection is part of our humanity.

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2. Humans are hard-wired to love and need exposure to the natural world.

Researchers have found that regardless of culture people gravitate to images of nature, especially the savannah. Our inborn affiliation for nature may explain why we

prefer to live in houses with particular views of the natural world.

3. We suffer when we withdraw from nature. Australian professor Glenn Albrecht, director of the Institute of Sustainability and Technology Policy at Murdoch University, has coined the term solastalgia. He combined the Latin word solacium (comfort — as in solace) and the Greek root – algia (pain) to form solastalgia, which he defines as “the pain experienced when there is recognition that the place where one resides and that one loves is under immediate assault.”

4. Nature brings our senses alive. Scientists recently found that humans have the ability to track by scent alone. Some humans rival bats in echolocation or biosonar abilities. Military studies show that some soldiers in war zones see nuances others miss, and can spot hidden bombs; by and large these tend to be rural or inner city soldiers, who grew up more conscious of their surroundings.

|by Richard Louv Author of Last Child in the Woods & The Nature Principle.

Louv is Chairman Emeritus of The Children and Nature Network.

5. Individuals and businesses can become nature smart. Spending more time outdoors nurtures our “nature neurons” and our natural creativity. For example, at the University of Michigan, researchers demonstrated that, after just an hour interacting with nature, memory performance and attention spans improved by 20 percent. In workplaces designed with nature in mind, employees are more productive and take less sick time.

6. Nature heals. Pennsylvania researchers found that patients in rooms with tree views had shorter hospitalizations, less need for pain medications, and fewer negative comments in the nurses’ notes, compared to patients with views of brick.

7. Nature can reduce depression and improve psychological well-being. Researchers in Sweden have found that joggers who exercise in a natural green setting feel more restored and less anxious, angry, or depressed than people who burn the same amount of calories jogging in a built urban setting.

8. Nature builds community bonds. Levels of neurochemicals and hormones associated with social bonding are elevated during animal-human interactions. Researchers at the University of Rochester report that exposure to the natural environment leads people to nurture close relationships with fellow human beings, value community, and to be more generous with money.

9. Nature bonds families and friends. New ways are emerging to make that bond, such as family nature clubs, through which multiple families go hiking, gardening or engage in other outdoor activities together. In the U.K., families are forming “green gyms,” to bring people of all ages together to do green exercise.

10. The future is at stake. The natural world’s benefits to our cognition and health will be irrelevant if we continue to destroy the nature around us, but that destruction is assured without a human reconnection to nature.

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|by McKenna Woolley of Artist Blocks Brought to you by

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McKenna & Phillip

at Home

Welcome Emerson James

Birth Without Fear is an online treasure trove of real life birth stories from mothers of all walks of life. Founder January H. has created an inspiring place where every form of birth is celebrated and supported.

McKenna Woolley is a first time mother who shares her fearless home birth with us. At 42 weeks to the day, McKenna thought she’d be meeting with her midwife to begin a natural induction, but baby finally decided to make his arrival on his own…

I awoke on Thursday morning at 7:30 am

feeling contractions that were lower than the usual and more consistent than before. I got up, said my morning prayer, made myself a protein shake and made the decision to let my husband Phillip sleep, even though rushes of excitement were making me giddy. Unable to contain my feelings I sat down and wrote a blog post but withheld posting it, because I wanted Phil to be the first to know.

He woke and asked, “How are you feeling?”

I responded with a huge smile beaming on my face, “ How would you like to become a daddy today?!”

“That would be awesome,” he said with a smile soon overcoming him.

We got ready for the day, spending a last few intimate moments as a family of two. I turned on my Hypnobirthing affirmations and just focused on generating a positive atmosphere and kept my handy contraction timer on my phone.

They were coming every 1-4 minutes and would last about 30 seconds to a minute each but were averaging about 40 seconds each.

At 12:33

I called Richelle, my midwife, to let her know that our induction would not be necessary and informed her of the consistency of the surges. She let me know a bit of what to expect, told me to stay hydrated and to be sure to eat to keep my energy up.

A little after 2:30, I called Richelle about

my contractions being 1-minute apart but still only lasting 30 seconds to a minute. I wanted to be aware of what exactly would constitute the need to have her come over. She told me, “you wouldn’t feel like calling me, you’d be having Phil call me.” She also assured me that if I felt like I just needed her support at any point that

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McKenna & Phillip

at Home

Welcome Emerson James

she would come. I told her we planned on going out and getting ice cream to pass the time and she said by-all-means to go and do something, so that’s exactly what we did.

We got in the car around 3:50 and

drove up the street to get a Kong-Kone softserve ice cream. As we were approaching the line a group of about 15 boys and their youth leader arrived at nearly the same time but because of my slow pace they got there first. I told Phil to get in line behind them and that I would just pace as we bided the time. The youth leader offered to pay for our cones. He said, “It looks like you’re going to have a baby soon.”

I told him, “I’m actually in labor right now!”

“I’ve seen that look before” he responded, “I’ve got 6 kids of my own.” I laughed and put in my order for the biggest cone and Phil ordered the “Daddy” sized Kong-Kone.

“Perfectly fitting,” the man said.

We got home around 5 pm and turned on one

of our favorite movies, as I waded through the surges, continuing to pace or lean against the counter in the kitchen. Around 6:00, I got to a point where I just wanted to be off my feet. I went to the bathroom and noticed that I had, as is said ‘lost my mucus plug’ but wasn’t sure until I had Phil ask Richelle in a later conversation. I got in the bathtub, and immediately it eased a great deal of my discomfort. Philip

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came in a couple of times to check up on me or bring some water.

I started to feel the need to focus, when Phil asked if I wanted him to start filling the birthing pool. I said yes. I also wanted to know when Richelle would arrive. He called her and she asked how we felt if she were there by 9.

Once the tub in the baby’s room was filled I changed and got in. Philip set up my laptop and began playing my Hypnobirthing relaxation scripts and affirmations.

Around 7:15 I really started to feel that

point of ‘focus time’ Richelle had described.

Each surge had a stronger effect on my body but would still only last about a minute at the longest. I began telling my body to relax and to open or for my breath to fill my belly like a balloon. Phil knelt by the pool giving me prompts to breath and relax, telling me how much he loves me, doing light touch massage and kissing my shoulders and forehead. I got to the point where I just wanted Phil to do relaxation scripts and to just talk me through the surges rather than listening to the audio version.

I spent time in different positions in the tub, mostly upright on my knees allowing gravity to help bring the baby down. As soon as Richelle got there I felt a sense of, “Okay, now I can have this baby,” and my mentality changed from simply biding the time to “go-time.” She came in and started getting her things set up and asked me if she could check my cervical dilation, when she checked she found that I was at 8 centimeters.

Knowing I had made it all the way to 8 gave me a rush of energy, accompanied by a great amount of surreal bewilderment.

I was really going to have a baby and I was almost there. Holy cow! I was almost there!

Not longer after Richelle arrived, I could feel the baby moving further down and I had the first short and sudden urge to push. It was such a bizarre sensation because my body was literally pushing on its own. This part really threw me for a loop. By this point the surges were much further in-between but the further into the transition phase I got they still didn’t last for more than 40 seconds. Richelle and her assistant, Liz, were aiding Phil in pushing against my back or hips with each surge to relieve some of the pressure. Richelle would also intermittently check baby’s heart rate both in a surge and out of one.

Each time I heard his heart beating, I would tell him how great he was doing.

“J” motion rather than attempting to hold your breath and “purple” push the baby out.

My goal for this birth was to walk away with an intact perineum and these urges and my reaction to them were scaring me a bit. Fear is just about the worst thing for a woman giving birth and I got to the point where I really felt that I wasn’t going to be able to do this.

I think the little guy knew this, because he gave me a little 5-7 minute pause where I didn’t feel like pushing. Richelle could sense that I was tensing up and brought to my attention what I was doing. Despite me being aware in my mind that I wasn’t doing something right, having someone verbalize it helped me to better approach it.

With this time and Richelle’s guidance I was able to re-focus and train myself to accept what my body was doing and instead of fighting it, allowing it while also breathing through it instead of clenching up and holding my breath.

At some point between these surges I reached down to see if I could feel his head yet. Instead I felt a little bulge like a thin water balloon. I instinctively poked my finger right through it, breaking my own water.

During this bit of a pause Richelle asked if she could check the position of the baby and he was in perfect position. I think she knew he was ready, what I love about her is how intuitive she is about birth. She leaned against the tub and asked, “Can I make a suggestion?”

That was pretty surreal. The surges would continue to come and I could feel him trying to make his way out with each surge but they weren’t lasting long enough for me to hold him there and get him deep enough to crown. My body became overrun with adrenaline, giving me the quivers, which caused me to tense up when the pushing feelings came. In my birthing course it talked about breathing the baby down and visualizing your breath going down like a

She would always approach giving me instruction whether it be a position change or seeing if it was ok to check dilation or the position of the baby as if she was just giving advice and I wasn’t ever obliged to take it. Even though I had spent many hours over the course of our prenatal visits it really wasn’t until this experience that I really felt such a deep and unshaken confidence in her abilities and expertise.

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McKenna & Phillip

at Home

Welcome Emerson James

She looked at me and suggested that I stand up on my knees and hold up my arms while Phil stood on his feet outside the tub and would support my arms through the surges. Phil and I tried it through a few surges before she told me, “We’re just going to leave the room and let you both work through it and when we hear that you’re ready we will come back in.”

I hung on the shoulders of my incredible husband and worked through a couple more surges.

I decided since they weren’t lasting long enough that I needed to manually keep him in position with my muscles. Another surge came and I reached down to see if I could feel his head.

I kept my hand there as another surge came, and I let go of Phil completely and came into a squat-like position as his head started to crown.

Richelle instructed Phil on where to place his hands waiting to catch him. Within moments little buddy’s head emerged and with a few little pops, his shoulders and the rest of his body slid out as Phil caught him and brought him out of the water.

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I opened my eyes when I felt the release and saw my baby boy for the first time. Wide-eyed and in shock I kept repeating, “I can’t believe I just did that! I just had a baby! I just did that!”

Followed by a “Oh my gosh he’s sooo cuuuute!

I can’t believe you just did that! You’re such an amazing baby” Then looking up at Phil exclaiming, “We have a baby!”

Emerson James was born at 10:11pm on Thursday the 13th after 14 and a half hours of labor.

I had done it. I gave birth to my baby in my home, without drugs, without induction, just as I had prayed for and trusted in God that I would be able to do.

From the moment Phil and I decided that we wanted to do a home birth we simply felt right about it and it couldn’t have been better. Here this little angel had joined our family and we became his parents.

It was so beautiful!

Language development begins in infancy Learn how you can support your baby’s development with

The Royal Road to Reading ere click h

Free Webinar

“Montessori in the Home” click here

Visit our blog!

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(406) 284-2160

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Five Ways to Lower Your Risk of a Cesarean |by Krista Cornish Scott

A multitude of studies reinforce that mothers who keep active through their entire pregnancy have lowered risks of many complications and interventions, including cesarean. Helen Varney, author of Varney’s Midwifery textbook, cites several studies on exercise during pregnancy that show a 75% reduction in the need for forceps delivery or cesarean, which each carry This is reality for about a third of mothers giving birth in the US today. And while cesareans risk to both mother and baby. Exercise helps are certainly appropriate and life-saving in some you metabolize your food better, it helps keep your blood pressure stable, and it can ward off cases, the current cesarean rate is more reflective of current birth practices and beliefs than it gestational diabetes, which for some women can is of true medical necessity. Keeping yourself in raise your risk of interventive birth. a low-risk category and supporting the natural birth process by choosing some of the follow#2 Hire a Doula ing tips can help you not have to imagine what it would be like to take care of a newborn after In 2011, the well-respected Cochrane Collechaving major abdominal surgery. tive published a review of 21 studies that was Imagine you’ve just had surgery. You came through it great, but you know that for the next few weeks you’re going to need to take it easy, relax, not lift anything, and avoid bumping that scar area near your lap. And then you’re handed a newborn baby and told to take care of it, too.

#1 Stay Active While most women know the importance of eating healthfully during pregnancy, many are not equally focused on how staying active and fit can help reduce your risks of complications which could lead to a cesarean. Research has also shown it can lead to a shorter labor. Who wouldn’t want to sign up for that?

designed to “assess the effects of continuous, one-to-one intrapartum support compared with usual care” which is precisely what doulas provide. Not only did this review find that the presence of such support lowered the cesarean rate, it also decreased other complications and interventions associated with hospital birth and showed an increase in breastfeeding rates.

Some couples worry that having a doula will

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Five Ways to Lower Your Risk of a Cesarean

interfere with the role of their partner in the birth, however nothing could be further from the truth. Doulas are trained to support the birthing couple (or in some cases, be primary support if the birthing mother doesn’t have a partner to be with her during the birth) and not to take charge. Hiring a doula is a great investment no matter what the cost, because of the lifelong health benefits to you and baby from avoiding unnecessary or preventable interventions.

#3 Make Sure Your Team Knows Your Birth Plan -- Without Having a Birth Plan

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Birth plans can be a controversial subject.

Women love them for their ability to clarify what they really want from their birth experience. Care providers (and often hospital staff) can hate them because in their view, they are a red flag that a patient may be controlling or inflexible. There is a phrase widely known in the birth community, often said by hospital staff, “The longer the birth plan, the quicker the cesarean.” There may in fact be some truth to that, since the attitude with which a mother bringing in a long birth plan may be treated can lead to her being undermined and unsupported in her birth. But knowing what your goals are is still a very useful thing. A compromise can be to make sure your birth team (including your doctor or midwife) is very clear on your wishes and preferences. If your doula or partner know your birth plan details by heart, it will be easy for them to remind you of things like waiting for baby’s first bath; or when pushing, that you don’t want to be directed but push with the urge. Having a solid team who all know the “game plan” is much more useful in the long

run than a piece of paper. That said, a short, one page bulleted mention of some of your top requests, especially if they are non-standard in your choice of birthplace, can be valuable if your primary provider is not on call or you have a nursing shift change.

#4 Hire an Expert in Non-Surgical Birth In our expert-driven culture, we tend to assume that the more money one makes, or the more letters one has behind one’s name, the more expertise one has in a subject. This assumption also drives maternity care, with most women choosing an OBGYN for their care provider.

However an obstetrician is not just a medical professional interested in birth, they also have a specialization in surgery, and for most obstetricians, surgery is what they do about a third of the time with their clients. Make sure you know your care provider’s cesarean rate when interviewing, as this is a good indication of their beliefs about birth.

Midwives, however, have a sole focus on normal birth. Their cesarean rates are typically much lower than OBs, and not just because they don’t take on high-risk clients. Studies have repeatedly shown that the midwifery model of care (MMOC) lowers all forms of intervention, even with higher-risk categories of pregnant women.

#5 Consider a Change of Location Although most women in the US now go to a hospital to have their baby, in other countries, birth centers and homebirth are more widely utilized for low-risk women. The homebirth rate has been rising in the US. Advocates believe this

Five Ways to Lower Your Risk of a Cesarean

to be a response to women being more active in seeking out patient-driven care outside of a medical model that may be less flexible than they desire. And homebirth can be a safe choice for many women; a recent Canadian study showed that planned homebirth had similar mortality rates, but much lower rates of interventions and cesareans than the planned hospital birth group.

For those not quite ready for the leap to home, a birth center (frequently staffed by midwives)

can be a good option. Birth centers can provide a non-hospital setting for those unable to or who prefer not to birth in their home, but who want a more patient-focused birth experience.

Starting off your mothering journey can sometimes be an emotional and physical challenge, and avoiding adding major abdominal surgery to that mix is a worthwhile goal. While these steps are not a guarantee, they can help you make proactive choices towards achieving the outcome that you desire.

A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.

-Victor Hugo

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The Attachment Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide to Bonding with Your Baby

By Laurel Wilson and Tracy Wilson Peters

It’s never too early to bond with your baby. Authors Laurel Wilson and Tracy Wilson Peters believe attachment parenting begins in the womb, and their excellent book offers advice for raising a healthy, well-balanced child from the moment of conception. With a blend of traditional and alternative advice, parents are given practical insight for building a community that welcomes new life with trust, love, and compassion. $10 at Amazon

Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant

by Susan M. Ludington-Hoe Ph.D with Susan K. Golant This book is a wealth of knowledge, diving deep into the scientific research on the benefits and value of skin-to-skin contact, with special focus on premature infants. From regulating body temperature to heartbeat, the bond of mother and child is truly amazing.

This book reinforces trust in the maternal instinct and intuition. It truly is a must read for any parent, and is invaluable to the parent of a premature infant.

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$13 at Amazon

Sara Chana’s Breastfeeding for Boobs Long-time Green Child Magazine contributor, Sara Chana, a Certified Lactation Consultant and Master Herbalist, launched a new app to do what she does best — bring support, along with a healthy dose of humor, to nursing mothers. Breastfeeding, especially during the night, can make a new mother feel completely alone. Sara’s app is an ideal companion… like the friend you can call at 2 am to laugh and cry with your joys and struggles. She covers every situation thoroughly to make this a must-have addition to any new mom’s smartphone. $1.99 at iTunes

On Mother’s Lap

by Ann Herbert Scott

While there’s no shortage of books about welcoming a new baby to the family, it can be challenging to find one that supports your attachment parenting principles and shows cultural diversity. Ideal for ages 2 to 5, this story makes a reassuring point for little ones, who need to know that a mother’s love is an expandable quantity.

The young boy’s feelings are clearly shown by his actions, not words. “His mother gave him a squeeze. ‘You know, it’s a funny thing,’ she whispered, ‘but there is always room on Mother’s lap.’” $6 at Amazon 63

Detox Your Home 64

For Health, Abundant Energy, and a Cleaner planet

The fine-print list of ingredients on personal care and household products can be daunting.

How does a parent know which ingredients may be toxic?

I decided to find out when my daughter, Harper, was two. She wasn’t hitting her developmental milestones, including language, coordination and motor skills. She had digestive problems. It became clear that in order to get her system in good working order it was necessary to remove the toxins—from her skin, her food, her environment. Once we were able to do that, she dramatically improved.

Creating a toxin-free home environment wasn’t easy, though.

I searched EWG.org I thought, “This [a nonprofit that reshouldn’t be searches the safety so hard—I of products] every day. I thought, don’t have time “This shouldn’t be for this.” so hard—I don’t have time for this.”

PREVENTION As a clinical social worker, I worked with many families and kids who were sick and often taking medication or hospitalized. I saw a need for prevention, to get to the beginnings of problems before people get sick.

Removing environmental toxins can mitigate or prevent many all-too-common health problems—from obesity to allergies, cancer to reproductive dysfunction.

Some chemicals can be outright carcinogenic, but they can also wreak havoc on other sys-

|by Liz Wasserman

tems at lower levels with equally devastating outcomes. For instance, BPA is a recent culprit responsible for disrupting our endocrine system, the system that regulates hormones.

When our systems are out of whack, cellular functioning is impacted and can lead to infertility/reproductive challenges, neurologic dysfunction, immunodeficiency, obesity, diabetes, allergies, developmental delays – you name it.

The rates of numerous diseases are going up because we are exposed to more chemicals and environmental toxins than our parents and grandparents were.

RESPONSIBILITY The regulations on harmful chemicals set by the U.S. government are narrow and outdated compared to Europe, Canada and Japan. For example, the European Union Cosmetics Directive banned 1,328 chemicals from their cosmetics, while the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has banned only 11. We can’t assume the government is looking out for us. We need to become our own health advocates.

HELP YOURSELF, HELP THE WORLD Using safe products in our homes is also a way to preserve the larger environment. People often don’t commit to cleaning up the environment because the problems seem far away, like the melting polar ice caps. But if all you do is take care of yourself, you really do affect wider issues. For instance, you aren’t washing contaminants down the drain or releasing them into the air we breathe. It’s giving back by giving to you!

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Detox Your Home

Here are five top items to change on a budget:

Here are five no-cost options to help detoxify your home: 1. Ditch the plastic. Plastics leach, especially when heated. Drink out of glass cups and heat food on non-plastic plates.

2. Open the windows for five to 10 minutes each day. Indoor pollution is more toxic because of chemicals used to manufacture furniture and dry-clean clothes, among others.

3. Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in pesticides, heavy metals and germs.

4. Prepare your own meals. Less packaging equals less processing and preservatives.

Whole ingredients mean less fake stuff.

5. Purchase used when possible (cars, clothes, toys). Harmful chemicals have been washed out and off-gassing of manufacturing chemicals such as formaldehyde may be finished.

Shopping allows you to be an advocate; it’s one of our most available vehicles for creating change, for doing good in the world.

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Community Get advice from other parents on attachment parenting and raising eco-conscious children.

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Image by Andreas Krappweis

1. Switch from antiperspirant to deodorant, and make sure it’s non-toxic.

2. Pick one shampoo/body wash for the whole family. Using one good product saves money.

3. Choose a safe body lotion because it stays on your skin.

4. Get an all-in-one household cleaner. Reduce your quantity of products and spend your money on one good one.

5. Pet shampoo. Wash pets in something safe (don’t use human shampoo).

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris

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Ask Hana Haatainen Caye

Jan writes: My sister-in-law keeps insisting that flame-resistant pajamas are not safe for my 3-year-old son. Is this true? I have a bet riding on this one.

GG: Sorry to disappoint you, Jan, but you’re probably going to have to pay up. While there is a longstanding debate over this issue, I personally don’t trust the chemicals used in flame-resistant fabrics and garments. Currently, manufacturers are using the chemical tetrakis hydromethyl phosponium chloride (THPC), a substance that creates a water insoluble polymer to form on the fabric. The purpose, of course, is that the fabric will extinguish itself should it catch on fire. The problem is that this chemical treatment has been linked to cancer, liver damage, genetic alterations, and nervous system damage. Not good.

But you have to decide for yourself whether or not the risk for burns exists for your little one. If he runs around the house in his PJs while there are candles burning or a fire in the fireplace, maybe it’s worth the risk.

As long as you keep snug-fitting jammies on him, you can skip the toxic chemicals altogether. Look for labeling that indicates organic cotton, wool, hemp, or bamboo. Also, PJs that are not flame resistant must indicate this on the label. Check for warnings on clothing such as, “not intended for use as sleepwear,” or simply, “This garment is not flame resistant.” Then keep your kiddo away from

open flames and in body-hugging jammies. When the choice includes avoiding toxic chemicals, Jan, always opt for the alternative!

Debbie writes: I follow your column here and I’ve been reading your blog for the past couple of years. My question is – do you ever do anything un-green?

GG: Debbie, I just laughed out loud when I read your question! Heavens yes! While I don’t want to be known as a hypocrite, my philosophy is that we should all do our part. No one can do it all, and I wouldn’t expect that. But when we realize that every drop in a bucket eventually leads to an overflowing bucket, it can help motivate us to keep adding our own drops. Of course, that didn’t really answer your question, did it?

Hmmm… un-green things about me… I take lots of hot baths. Where I live, water is not in short supply, and the hot water helps ease the pain of my fibromyalgia. But I know water conservation is an important issue. I wear makeup, which requires wasteful plastic packaging. We leave a light on in our kitchen every night to ward off the mice that seem to enjoy scampering through our silverware drawers. We also leave a light on in the living room to ward off would be burglars. I could add to the list, but you get the idea. I try my best, and don’t beat myself up for the “failures” in my quest to be green. I hope you, and all the readers, do the same.

Hana Haatainen Caye, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of the book Vinegar Fridays, who shares her passion for common sense greener and healthier living.

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DIY Tutorial

Upcycled Activity Bringing Nature In

|by Jennie Lyon My son and I spent a lot of time hiking and collecting leaves, pinecones and flat rocks during the fall months. We have a large plate on our family room coffee table that holds all of our favorites. It is a fun reminder of all of our adventures together – and we have a thing for collecting the smallest pinecones we can find and flat rocks with holes in them, we are crazy that way.

We wanted a way to showcase some of our favorite finds so we decided to tie kitchen twine to them and hang them on some branches in a vase. We also hung some on our dining room chandelier. These have become quite the conversation starters, when guests come over they always comment on our “nature mobiles” wanting to know where we found all of the fun treasures.

Materials: • An assortment of found natural items (rocks, pinecones, leaves, branches) • Kitchen Twine • Scissors • Vase

Instructions:

1. Wash natural items and air dry.

2. Add kitchen twine, arrange as desired and randomly tie items on the branches.

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Search from over 200 brands and models including bumGenius, Fuzzibunz, Smartipants, GroVia, Happy Heiny’s, WAHM brands, and more! Read user reviews or add your own.

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Click here to learn everything you ever wanted to know about cloth diapers, plus a FREE printable, shareable guide to cloth diapers download!

LooHoo’s wool dryer balls are a reusable, energysaving alternative to dryer sheets, that help protect your family’s health and the environment. Conserve energy, save money, and reduce chemicals in your laundry!

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Funkins are bright, reusable cloth napkins made especially for kids. They are ideal for lunch boxes, and are perfect for meal and snack time at home, and on the go!

Tuning in to your child’s instincts to stay clean and dry is easy with EC Wear’s selection of eco-friendly training pants, diaper belts, split pants, and other clothes for easy elimination communication.

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Written by Hana Haatainen Cay, Vinegar Fridays offers tips on how to use vinegar for cleaning, pet care, diet, healthcare, car care, beauty and more.

The perfect guide for greener & healthier living!

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Your Green Child

Brennan Ava Grace, Anna & Aaron

Emmalyn

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Rylan

Andrew

Eliza

n

Gisele

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Community - Get advice from other parents on attachment parenting and raising ecoconscious children Go Green - Learn how to get your kids involved in causes they care about Activities - Have a ball with games, crafts, and more Giveaways - Win eco-stylish and fun green gear for families Learn - Articles by experts in health and green living Get Involved - Let us know what you like

We want to hear from you!

editor@greenchildmagazine.com

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media@greenchildmagazine.com

Mamma

by 76 Lily, age 5 from Ohio