Pregnancy Chiropractic

Pregnancy Chiropractic a Great Addition to Pre-Natal Care

Pregnancy is a time of so many changes. The physical changes that a woman’s body undergoes during while carrying a baby are unmatched at any other time in life. Changes in center of gravity, musculoskeletal adjustments, and hormonal shifts often lead to aches and pains. These aches and pains are often caused by malpositions in the skeletal system which directly affects the position of the uterus which affects the position of the baby. Pregnancy chiropractic care throughout the pregnancy can help prevent and treat aches and pains and lead to a safer and easier birth for both Mom and baby.

As a pregnant woman’s belly grows, her center of gravity shifts. The change happens so quickly that it’s often difficult for her low back and pelvis to accommodate the extra weight in front. The stress on these areas result in misalignments (chiropractors call them subluxations) of the bones in the back and pelvis. These misalignments are often the cause of pregnancy aches and pains.

In addition to being painful, these misalignments also affect the position of the uterus. The uterus is tethered inside the pelvis by sets of ligaments. When the bones that these ligaments attach to are out of place it affects these ligaments and causes torsion of the uterus. When the uterus is not sitting properly in the pelvis the baby must alter his position to accommodate. A malpositioned baby can make for a more difficult birth.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is gentle, specific, and safe. To find a chiropractor who treats pregnant women visit the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association at www.icpa4kids.org.

Written By: Dr. Cristina Ramirez

Dr. Ramirez is a chiropractor who focuses on holistic medicine in her practice.  She is also an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, and a leader for the Wisconsin chapter of the Holistic Moms Network.  Her advice is brought to you by My Baby Clothes in an effort to help better the lives of families.  When your little angel arrives, check out their selection of the most affordable and adorable selections of baby headbands, tutus and even newborn hats.

Have you sought Pregnancy Chiropractic care during your pregnancy?

Natural First Finger Foods for Infants

During the finger food stage of feeding your little one my favorites are (Organic):

Puffed Wheat

Puffed Kamut (related to wheat) – larger and easier for little hands to grasp

Puffed Brown Rice

Puffed Corn

Brown Rice Cakes – Unsalted

* Don’t forget the fruits and vegetables.  You can cook and chop into small pieces any vegetable or non soft fruit that you might feed them at meal time.

4 Tips For Choosing Baby Formula

If You Are Formula Feeding – How do you choose the safest option for your Baby?

Use these 3 tips to steer you in the right direction.

1. Choose Organic Formula

If there is ever a time to spend the extra money on an organic, pesticide free options – this is it.  If you need to use formula – choose organic for the safest option.  The trickier part will be finding one.  To my knowledge there are only a few of brands on the market: my favorite Nature’s One, Earth’s Best, Similac Organic, and Walmart’s Parent’s Choice Organic.

2. Avoid Ready Made Formula in Cans

A toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) can leach into liquid formula sold in metal cans. Canadian tests show no BPA leaching into powdered formula. The same brands are sold in the U.S., making powdered formula a low-risk for BPA contamination.

Some liquid formulas are sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene which do not contain any BPA. Avoid any plastic containers that are rigid and transparent, marked with “PC”. All liquid formulas sold in metal cans are lined with BPA-epoxy, which has been shown to leach into the product. If you buy formula in metal cans choose the concentrated type which is diluted with water prior to feeding. Avoid ready-to-eat formula in metal cans, which has the highest BPA leaching potential.

3. Select Powdered Formulas

Powdered formulas are the best choice for parents who want to avoid bisphenol A in their baby’s diet. While powdered formula has not been tested for BPA, it is diluted with much more water than liquid formulas which reduces the amount of BPA that the baby consumes in each feeding. Nestlé has made unsubstantiated claims that they don’t use any BPA to line their powdered formula cans. Nestlé, Enfamil and Similac use a mixed metal and cardboard package with less BPA-coating. Second best are Earth’s Best Organic and PBM’s store-brand powdered formulas that use a fully metal can.

4. Soy vs Milk Based Formula

Of course you’ll want to consult your pediatrician, but unless your baby has a sensitivity to milk proteins and requires a soy formula – stay with milk based formulas.  The most significant reason to avoid soy unless you have no other options is because soy can mimic the effect of estrogen when consumed in large quantities.

If you do need to use a soy based formula – be sure to use an organic option to be sure you are getting non GMO soy.  Soy is one of the largest GMO crops.  Given how little we know about the long term effects of consuming GMO foods.  We would be wise to avoid experimenting with our infants!

Suggested Reading for Raising a Green Baby: Ask Diva

Dear Diva,

My sister is pregnant and I’d like to give her a book about raising the baby “green”.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Athene

Athene,
I checked with my Sister, Alania for her favorite.  She owns Indigo Baby, an all natural Baby Store in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is up to date on all things Eco Baby!

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post on Green Girls

Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water MAY Be Regulated – If We Are Lucky!

By  Tania Reuben

I’m saddened to live in a Country where we need to have a DEBATE about WHETHER to set limits for perchlorate contamination (a primary ingredient in Rocket Fuel) in drinking water.

Why is our country missing common sense and decency. Where is corporate responsibility? Companies may need to work with potential  toxins and chemicals for advancements in technology and industry, but doing this responsibly and ethically shouldn’t have to be regulated – it should be common sense.

As a country we shouldn’t have to create an itemized list of things that we don’t want our babies to consume to ensure that companies aren’t piping it out the back door. Years ago it’s possible to argue ignorance could be claimed.  That is no longer the case… we now know how damaging  many of these toxins are to humans and beyond.  Executives who run these companies have spouses, children and grandchildren. They should know better and be ashamed.

We shouldn’t have to debate whether to impose limitations on a primary rocket fuel ingredient in our drinking water. It should be a given that our drinking water is free of toxins like perchlorate and others. I’m sure many people think it is…

FYI – bottle water is not the answer because the system for monitoring the bottled water industry is much less regulated than municipal water sources.

From the EWG:

The EPA has reported finding perchlorate, a potent thyroid toxin, in public water systems in 28 states and territories. Researchers have also detected perchlorate in infant formula, breast milk and produce. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) own tests have identified significant perchlorate contamination in nearly a fifth of lettuce samples grown in Southern California and Arizona. http://www.ewg.org/reports/suspectsalads But the defense and aerospace communities have lobbied against legal limits on perchlorate contamination in drinking water, fearing that regulation would require them to mount clean-ups at Cold-War era rocket and missile testing sites and storage facilities where tons of the chemical were spilled.

Read the entire press release:
EPA May Regulate Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water | Environmental Working Group.

Plastics & Your Baby: Guide

If you live in North America and have an infant, chances are you are using plastics. If you are using plastics there is good reason to be informed and careful in their use.

Whenever you can opt for stainless steel or glass alternatives.  That said, I use plastic and you likely will/do to.  Let’s be as informed as we can in their usage.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN USING PLASTICS

1. Never microwave any plastic.
2. Never cover any food to be microwaved with plastic wrap.
3. Avoid storing babies food in plastic.
4. Wash plastics on the top shelf of your dishwasher or by hand.
5. Avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles.

BOTTLE FEEDING

1. Choose Glass or Stainless Steel Baby Bottles – this is your best protection against future headlines!  My concern is that we’ll discover down the road that other petroleum made plastics also leach.
2. If you are choosing Plastic Baby Bottles, most manufacturers now make BPA-free baby plastic bottles, with all BPA headlines in the news.  If you are using plastic – double check to ensure bottles you use are BPA free.
3. Choose bottle nipples made from silicon. They are the most durable and inert options. Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer. The same goes for pacifiers. Throw away any nipple or pacifier that is discolored, thinning, tacky or ripped.
4. Liners:  Only use if you them if you have a colicky baby and they’ve been advised by your doctor. The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated. They are also a poor choice from an environmental perspective.

STORING BREASTMILK

• Glass, that is the best choice for storing & freezing pumped milk – if you can come up with a system that work for you.
• The sealable plastic nursing bags designed for storing breast milk are made of polyethylene. Studies published in Early Human Development and Nutrition Review showed no chemical leaching into the milk, but did indicate that milk stored in these bags may lose some nutrients because they cling to the plastic. This is what worked for our family.  I would freeze the milk flat on a box, once frozen stand it up and place at the back of the milk inventory.  Thawing was very quick in warm water.
• Let me know if you come up with an efficient glass storage method, I’d love to share it with my readers!

FIRST FEEDING

• When your infant starts on their first foods, instead of plastic dishes use glass custard cups. They are durable, can be microwaved, and some even have lids.  Chances are – at this stage – you’re the one doing the feeding.  Why risk exposure at this very early stage?
• Before you know it your baby is going to start eating real food. Chances are you will be serving most of that food on plastic dishes. my children are  3 & 4  years old, so I know why! Plastic is less likely to break when it’s tossed to the floor.
• Don’t store left over foods in the plastic dishes – store the leftovers in the custard cups we were just discussing – in my books.  Less time in the plastic = less time for chemical leaching.
• Look for stainless steel or tempered glass bowls to use as  snack containers – they are your safest option.  We originally purchased plastic bowls for dry snacks and chopped fruit – my understanding is that leaching occurs most with heat and liquids, but if we could do it again, I’d choose a safer material.  BTW – plastic bowls break too!
• If you are using plastic dishes – move your children to regular dishes at an earlier age.  My 2 year old son eats his dinner on the same plates as the rest of the family and at the dinner table drinks from a glass.  We’ve only lost one plate.
• Duralex glasses are extremely durable, they are tempered making them stronger than regular glass.  Shopping for glasses look for Duralex if you want to keep them for a while!

POLYCARBONATE

• Avoid polycarbonate for babies food and drinks.
• Polycarbonate plastics, marked with a #7 code or PC; they are rigid, transparent and used for food storage containers and water bottles, among other things. Trace amounts of BPA can migrate from these containers, particularly if used for hot food or liquids.

IF IT MUST BE PLASTIC

• Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are better choices because they do not contain BPA.
• Soft or cloudy-colored plastic does not contain BPA.

FURTHER  READING: BPA’s & INFANTS

Check out these plastic alternatives available at amazon:

Thinkbaby BPA Free Feeding Set, Orange

These dishes are tempered glass:
KIDISHES Kid-Friendly Tempered Glass Bowls, Plates and Tumblers

These look great for on the go lunches:
LunchBots Pico Stainless Steel Lunch Container