A reader wrote in with today’s question. She’s heard that baby teething necklaces, particularly ones made from amber beads, can help ease the pain of teething. According to this website, amber necklaces are a “traditional European remedy for teething.” They’re worn by the child (not chewed on) and the beads “release healing oils” that help with the pain.

I have never heard of this practice before our reader sent in the question, but Google tells me it is quite the sensation in the world of natural parenting! What do you think?

Organic mattresses may help you sleep a little easier—but for a price. Earlier this year we found several affordable organic crib mattresses. But in a few years, your baby will transition to a twin bed. Then what? One of our readers asked us to look into mattresses for bigger kids. Unfortunately, we didn’t find much. In fact, we just found two options under $600.00.

First we found the Naturepedic Organic Twin Mattress-Ultra ($599.00). (Naturepedic makes a few more organic twin mattresses, too, but they all cost more.) It boasts the following features:

• Organic cotton cover with a clear 100% polyethylene food-grade waterproof surface (NO vinyl/PVC, phthalates, or antimicrobial biocides) Non-allergenic and easy-to-clean
• U.S. grown and certified organic cotton filling (NO polyurethane foam or latex)
• 450 coil premium orthopedic innerspring with border wire
• Meets and exceeds all federal and state flammability standards
• Standard full size. Made in U.S.A.

Or, for $400, This twin mattress from Baby Earth might be a good choice. It’s made from natural soy and wool and “repels common allergens and bacteria that thrive in moist surroundings.”

If anyone has tried either of these mattresses—or, better yet, found a more affordable organic twin mattress—please let us know!

*****

Here’s another way to get your hands on a free copy of The Eco-nomical Baby Guide: check out this giveaway on Goodreads!

Balloon bum: An adorable, bulky-bottomed look caused by diapering baby in cloth.  May lead parents to adore cloth diapers for fashion reasons rather than just their obvious economic and environmental appeal.

Most of us embrace “balloon bum”—but dressing your baby can be challenging when most clothes are designed for disposable clad bottoms.  You can buy bigger pants and roll up the legs or stretch a pair of tights around the whole diaper—but I’ve just found a new solution.

This winter I discovered Baby Legs, baby leg warmers that stretch up to baby’s thighs without needing to cover the diaper.  Here are the reasons I LOVE this product:

• I don’t have to take them off during a diaper change!  If it’s a particularly messy diaper I may pull them down to her ankles, clean her up and then simply pull them back up.

• She won’t outgrow them for years.  The tights come in one size fits all so she can wear them as a toddler and a preschooler.
• They’re great for potty training because your child can still have warm legs when going diaperless.

• They can also be used on arms or stretched over pants on a cold day.  At home I sometimes put her just in a t-shirt, diaper, and her Baby Legs so that she can easily crawl and roll around without being encumbered by pants.

• Baby Legs are undeniably cute!  Beyond the function and length of time these little garments can be worn, they come in really fun patterns and colors.

Some of you talented knitters could probably whip a pair of these up in no time.  For the rest of us, you can order Baby Legs on Amazon.  You can find a few pairs on sale for as little as 5.99 but they are regularly $12.00 a pair or a bit more for an organic set.  Jefferies Socks Baby Leg Warmers are just $5.50 a pair, but the sizes are just 1-3 months or 3-12 months.

Although I am an incurable tightwad, I have to confess that I bought several pairs of these online and love them!   It’s tricky to keep them both together in the laundry, but otherwise I adore them.  Have you tried Baby Legs?

What is the blogosphere saying about the Eco-nomical Baby Guide?

Dorothy of The Backyard Homesteader wrote a glowing review of our book. We quoted her on page 72, so we obviously appreciate what she has to say on the topic of green babies. Dorothy especially liked the chapters on cloth diapers. “I had to figure out a lot of this on my own,” she says. “These chapters alone make the book a must-read.”

Mrs. Not-the-Jet-Set is another one of our blogger friends who graciously agreed to review an advanced copy of the book on Not the Jet Set. She says our book is “packed with great information that was very practical. I love how they demonstrate that being green does not mean buying all new stuff. In fact, buying second hand is better!”

Ohdeedoh.com lets new parents know that our book will not only help them save thousands of dollars—it will show them how to go green in the process.

We’re excited to finally be at this stage after three years of working on the book. We’d like to thank all of our fellow bloggers who have agreed to read the book and review it on their sites!

Should I wear a special shirt made for breastfeeding moms?  Where would I sit?  Would people stare?  In the beginning of my motherhood adventure, public breastfeeding seemed complicated and impossible.

Now, breastfeeding is no big deal. I simply cover baby with a blanket, pull up my shirt (and any old shirt will do) and discretely put baby to breast. I’ll admit that I did enjoy my “Hooter Hider” before we accidently left it at a park, but I wouldn’t tell any new mother that she had to have lots of fancy equipment, clothing, or prearranged locations to nurse her infant.

I’ve breastfed in pizza parlors, grocery store aisles, dressing rooms, airports, buses, my car, restaurants, friends’ houses, and while walking through the zoo toting my babe in her Ergo carrier. I once breastfed her in church during silent meditation in the hopes of quieting her for a few moments.  It backfired, resulting in lots of loud slurping sounds which echoed through the room–causing smiles to appear on several faces.

Still, when I get even the remote sense that I am making others uncomfortable, I’m amazed by how many people are completely clueless about what I’m doing. One of my former middle school male students once chatted with me for twenty minutes while I fed my daughter in a cafe. I’m sure he would have been mortified if he had any idea of what was going on under her blanket.

If you’re on the bring of bearing your child, don’t waste any of your precious time worrying about how to breastfeed in public.  It truly is easy and you’ll get lots of practice on a regular basis thanks to your child’s appetite for milk.  Get out there and give breastfeeding on the go a chance!

Where is the most bizarre place you’ve ever breastfed your child? Help support those moms who are just getting started with their breastfeeding adventures!

Today concludes Laurie Meher’s three-part series on eating well during pregnancy. (Here’s part one and part two.) Meher is a Holistic Nutritionist and Mom specializing in family nutrition.   She shares recipes and information on baby and toddler food on her blog: www.lkmnutrition.wordpress.com.

When you are pregnant it is important to remember that your baby will take all of its nutrients from you, Mom.   While it is comforting to know that your baby will always get what it needs, you need to take care of yourself.  Otherwise you will find that once baby arrives you will not have the basics of healthy nutrition to get you through some long nights, a few emotional days and many exciting times.

The first trimester is tricky as many women are not ready to share the news of the pregnancy.  Finding a balance between acting normal and feeling completely out of sorts is quite a challenge!

Morning sickness – There are several theories about the cause of morning sickness: liver activity, low blood-sugar and hormonal changes.  During the night your liver is processing the toxins from the day and gets ready to eliminate the toxins from the body.  This overload could be what causes the feelings of nausea and lack of appetite.  Another theory is that it is caused by low blood sugar after fasting during the night.  A third theory states that it is due to hormonal changes and is a natural way to protect women from dangerous food, chemicals or microorganisms.

Regardless of the theory some tricks that have been proven to be helpful are to have a snack by your bedside to eat before you get out of bed (almonds, crackers) and eat a breakfast that is high in whole grains and protein once you are able. You should also avoid foods that stress the liver such as fatty foods, alcohol, Tylenol (it is very hard on your liver), citrus fruit (orange juice, oranges), iron supplements and milk.

Exhaustion – You are pregnant and now your body is engaged in creating a healthy environment.  This includes producing placenta, providing nutrients and reorganizing all of your organs to provide for you and your baby, no wonder you are tired!  Unfortunately there is no nutritional help for this one, just get the rest you need.

In the second trimester you can finally tell all of your friends, you are starting to look a little pregnant and (hopefully) the nausea has passed.  You still need to watch a few things.

Anemia – Your baby needs iron, so you may find that you don’t have the energy you need to get you through the day as your iron stores are sapped.  Increase your iron levels by taking an iron supplement and eating foods rich in iron (dark leafy greens, dried fruit, lean red meat).

Dizziness – If you are feeling dizzy have your doctor or midwife check your blood pressure.  If you have low blood pressure, which is common, add a little sea salt to your diet.  Do not eat salty foods like chips.

Leg cramps – If you wake up in the middle of the night with a severe pain in your leg, welcome to leg cramps.  Your baby needs calcium and low levels of calcium can cause your muscles to cramp.    Take a Calcium-Magnesium supplement at dinner time to have a restful cramp-free sleep.

Increased allergies – This is a time of hyper immunity as your body protects your growing baby, so your allergies may seem worse than ever.  Avoid any food allergies, as they will exacerbate any environmental allergies.

Bleeding Gums & Nosebleed – High levels of reproductive hormones increase blood flow to the mucus membranes of the mouth.  Floss, floss, floss!

Unfortunately the common concerns in the third trimester of pregnancy are due to a big baby in a small abdomen.  As organs shift your formerly efficient body is working as quickly as you can run – which is not too quick!

Back aches – Get some exercise, prop yourself up with pillows when you sleep and get a massage or two.

Bladder infections – A small and cramped urinary tract can result in bladder infections.  Drinking pure cranberry juice daily and taking a probiotic will help keep these at bay.

Swollen Feet & Hands – This is due to a slower metabolism and perhaps too much salt in your diet.  If you are craving salty food, avoid reaching for the salt shaker or a bag of chips.  You are getting the sodium you need from your diet.  Keep your feet up and rest.

Hemorrhoids & Varicose Veins – A slow digestive system and a lack of fiber can results in constipation and cause hemorrhoids and varicose veins.  Eat whole grains and plenty of raw fruit and vegetables to get things moving a little faster.

Lack of Appetite and Heartburn – As the baby grows there is less room for food.  Eat a small snack every 2 to 3 hours.  Chew thoroughly, do not drink with meals and do not lie down after eating.

Shortness of breath – You are carrying a heavy load and have less lung capacity, so it is not surprising that you are feeling out of shape!  Take your time and ask for help.

High Blood Pressure – while you may have had low blood pressure earlier, you may have high blood pressure as the end of your pregnancy approaches.  Avoid salt and get your rest.

Thank you, Laurie, for bringing these informative posts to the Green Baby Guide!

Tuesday’s post by guest author Laurie K. Meher discussed what to eat during pregnancy.  Today she’ll talk about what not to eat. Meher is a Holistic Nutritionist and Mom specializing in family nutrition.   She shares recipes and information on baby and toddler food on her blog:  http://lkmnutrition.wordpress.com.

When you are pregnant it is important to remember that your baby will take all of its nutrients from you, Mom.   While it is comforting to know that your baby will always get what it needs, you need to take care of yourself.  Otherwise you will find that once baby arrives you will not have the basics of healthy nutrition to get you through some long nights, a few emotional days and many exciting times.

The following foods need to be avoided!  Not only are they empty calories, but for some of them they are harmful because they deplete your sources of healthy nutrition.

Anti-Nutrition foods are those that deplete your body of vitamins or minerals.  Soft drinks are a perfect example as they deplete your body of calcium.

Empty calories describe food that give you calories, but offer no nutrition, like a donut.  Choose food that is delicious and nutritious; fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and homemade treats.

Soft Drinks – I am often asked if it is okay to drink soft drinks–‘It’s just Ginger Ale!’ The truth is that all soft drinks are harmful. They have a high level of phosphoric acid which disrupts the calcium balance within your body and actually causes your body to excrete calcium.  Substitute with mineral water and juice for the same fizziness, but none of the damage.

Caffeine – Giving up that cup of coffee or tea is going to be hard, but it is important to closely monitor your caffeine intake.  During the 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters the ‘half-life’ of caffeine extends.  This means that while usually it might take 2 to 4 hours to get the caffeine out of your system, when you are pregnant it takes up to 10 hours. Since caffeine does cross the placenta, your baby is processing that coffee for 10 hours as well.  Coffee is also a diuretic, which means that it causes you to lose water. Try water-processed decaffeinated coffee or better yet, have a glass of water.

Sugar substitutes (Aspartame, Splenda, nutrasweet, etc.) There are many studies that say sweeteners are not harmful while others that say otherwise.  I do not believe that any fake food or chemicals are good for you and they definitely are not good for your child.  Some studies have shown that these chemicals alter brain growth, and while others may dispute this fact.  Until more conclusive evidence is available, I urge you to remove these from your diet.

Vitamin A – Even things that you might think are good for you can be harmful!  Taking a Vitamin A supplement can cause birth defects.  Don’t worry if there is some vitamin A in your prenatal supplement; it is probably within the healthy limit for you and your baby or it is from a plant source (listed as beta carotene) or is lower than 10,000 I.U.  Foods that are high in Vitamin A are not harmful.

Nitrites – Nitrites are used to process meats and keep them from spoiling; they are found in cold cuts.  Try to avoid these kinds of meats or splurge on organic, nitrite-free versions.  While it may seem easy to grab and eat a cold cut sandwich, nitrites are carcinogenic and could have a harmful effect on your baby.  If you are craving cold cuts, you may require some extra sodium in your diet; get your sodium from natural sources.

Raw animal products (sushi, raw milk, raw cheese) Raw animal products are not recommended for people with compromised immune systems.  While you are pregnant, your body is focussing on your baby and this is why you may find you get colds more frequently.  Stay away from these foods as harmful bacteria reside within them and you may not have the immune system to keep them at bay.

What about Peanuts? If you have any kind of an allergy, it is best to avoid that food when you are pregnant.  While there is evidence showing that eating peanuts in pregnancy may not be the cause of the allergy, it is too soon to take a strong stance.  I would preach the ‘better safe than sorry’ route at this time.  Besides actually a legume, peanuts are grown in the ground and as such absorb many of the chemicals from the pesticides sprayed over the crops.  They also can house a mold called aflatoxin with is carcinogenic.  Almonds, cashews, walnuts and other nuts all have healthy fat and nutrients that are essential to a well-rounded diet, so be sure to include them, but do not go overboard; one handful a day is enough.

What can I drink? Water really is the best choice.  Juice is okay occasionally because there is no fibre in juice the sugar hits your blood stream too quickly, so try and eat more fruit rather than drink the juice. We have already covered removing coffee and soft drinks from your diet.  If you like milk, continue drinking it, but drink 2%; any lower and you are unable to absorb the calcium from the dairy.  Alcohol is not recommended at any time during pregnancy but mineral water and juice make a good ‘Mommy Cocktail’ those nights you are out.

Stay tuned! Tomorrow’s post will conclude this series on eating well during pregnancy. Leg cramps? Back aches? Meher will address these common pregnancy concerns.

Here at Green Baby Guide, it makes us giddy to fling free products into cyberspace, receive dozens of comments and then randomly pick our lucky winners.  If you love giveaways too, brace yourself for the month of March, when we shall be launching our biggest set of eco-friendly giveaways ever in honor of our book’s first month on store shelves.

Very soon we expect Angela will be whipping up batches of pureed yams, kale, and brown rice thanks to her copy of Super Baby Food. Congratulations and may you fill many dozen ice-cube trays with home blended delights for your babe!

While we wished we could send each of our forty-seven entries a box, Carol was the final winner of the Abe’s Natural Market vegan truffles.  Please savor their chocolate glory and think of the rest of us!

And about a dozen bloggers will soon have a free copy of our book delivered to their doorstep simply because they agreed to review it online.  Is this giveaway still going?  Absolutely!  Simply comment if you’re interested.  We’ll be sure to email you for your mailing address and then forward it onto our publicist so that you get a copy for review and maybe even a giveaway on your site.

Thanks to everyone for participating in our giveaways and brace yourself for more free goodies in the weeks to come!

Today’s post is the first of three guest posts by Laurie K. Meher. She is a Holistic Nutritionist and Mom specializing in family nutrition.   She shares recipes and information on baby and toddler food on her blog:  http://lkmnutrition.wordpress.com.

When you are pregnant it is important to remember that your baby will take all of its nutrients from you, Mom.   While it is comforting to know that your baby will always get what it needs, you need to take care of yourself.  Otherwise you will find that once baby arrives you will not have the basics of healthy nutrition to get you through some long nights, a few emotional days and many exciting times.

Eat a variety of whole foods

You need a lot more of many nutrients while you are pregnant.  Eating a variety of food will help you avoid boredom and enjoy the extra meals you need to consume now that you are eating for two (or three or more!)

This is not the time to diet.  Eat a diet that has plenty of fresh, real food.  Stay away from packaged convenience foods, refined carbohydrates, processed meats and fried, fatty food.  If you were overweight or underweight before your pregnancy it is important not to follow a diet, but to eat healthy whole foods.  Getting proper proportions of healthy food will ensure that you are getting the nutrition you need and in the correct amounts.  Eat throughout the day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner.  Depending on when you eat dinner, you may want to have a snack as you are leaving work, so that you are not ravenous when you get home. Your weight is best monitored by your doctor or midwife.  They know how much you are gaining and if it is occurring too quickly or slowly.

Choose Lean Protein – you need double the protein now that you are pregnant.  Lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy are traditional sources for protein.  Don’t forget to also include nuts and seeds, whole grains and legumes.  If you are a vegetarian, pair a legume with a grain (rice and beans) to get a complete protein and to feel more satisfied after a meal.

Select Whole Carbohydrates – stay away from ‘white’.  White bread, white rice, pastries and commercial muffins, crackers and cookies are refined and the nutrients have been removed.  Choose whole wheat and try grains like spelt, quinoa, rye and millet for variety and nutrition.

Pick Good Fats – Fat is essential to build your baby’s brain, but not the fat from french-fries!  The fat found naturally in food is recognized and assimilated by your body.  Avocado, nuts, seeds and coconut all have good healthy fat!  Olive oil, sunflower oil and other monosaturated fats are great.  The saturated fat found in organic meat and dairy are going to help you and your baby be strong and healthy.  Trans-fat, found in processed food, is very damaging to your health and should be avoided when you can.

In addition to the basics, there are vital vitamins and minerals you need to include in your diet.

Iron – Iron builds blood cells and you are building hundreds of blood cells for you and your baby throughout pregnancy.  Iron needs double in pregnant women, and it is difficult to get all of the iron you need.  To ensure you get good absorption, pair iron foods with citrus by squeezing fresh lemon juice over broccoli or spinach.  Do not take your iron supplement with milk or any other dairy product as calcium blocks iron absorption, so avoid putting cheese sauce on your broccoli and stay away from creamed spinach.

Fiber – Everyone needs lots of fiber in their diet, but in pregnancy digestion slows, so it is even more important.  If you already have a low-fiber diet, you may find that you become constipated, which may lead to hemorrhoids in later pregnancy.  Avoid refined grains, like white bread, white rice, commercial muffins and packaged crackers and cookies.  Whole wheat bread, whole grain crackers, homemade muffins and cookies are best.  Of course fresh fruit and vegetables are great sources of fiber; eat them raw as much as possible.

Folic Acid – Required for nervous system development and cell production, most women have heard that folic acid is important and pre-natal supplements are high in this essential pregnancy nutrient.  To make sure that you are also getting folic acid in your diet, choose dark leafy greens, fish, and dairy, asparagus, barley, brown rice, dates, salmon and whole grains.

Calcium – Calcium builds bones and muscles.  Once you are pregnant, you need 50% more calcium!  To absorb calcium, fat is required, so choose higher fat yogurt and do not drink skim milk; 2% is best.  Remember that there are plenty of calcium-rich foods besides dairy.  Salmon (with bones), almonds, sesame seeds, yogurt, broccoli, blackstrap molasses and oats.

Probiotics – To keep your digestion healthy and to avoid yeast infections and illness, take a probiotic supplement.  Probiotics are available in food, but not to a level you require in pregnancy.  Look in the refrigerator at your health food store.

Managing Cravings and Aversions – In pregnancy cravings and aversions can be indicators of what your body needs or cannot handle.  There are ways of managing your cravings with healthy wholesome food.

Salty foods (Pickles, olives, sauerkraut, chips, etc) – You need some sodium.  Try to avoid the salt shaker, all food contains natural amounts of sodium.  Change all of the salt in your home to Sea Salt.  Sea salt is made from evaporated salt water, while table salt is from underground salt deposits.  Table salt is processed to remove trace elements, also iodine and anti-clumping materials are added.   Iodine is also naturally present in sea salt, in lower, but natural amounts.

Sweets – You need more energy.  Get it from whole raw fruit, not juice or whole grain homemade baked goods.

Meat – You are craving protein.  Add beans, nuts and seeds to your diet to avoid eating too much meat.

Chocolate – You need some magnesium, try dark organic chocolate if you must, but I’d rather see you get your magnesium from apricots, avocados, apples, and bananas.

If you have an aversion to food, no matter what I tell you, you will not eat it anyway.  But think beyond the aversion.  For example if you have a very strong aversion to raw vegetables, eat them cooked or steamed.  If you cannot eat a traditional salad, can you eat a salad with chopped carrots, cucumber, sweet peppers and fresh tomatoes?

Check back this Thursday for part two of this series: Anti-nutrition and Empty Calorie Food.

We’re so proud of our new book that we’d like to get it in everyone’s hands.  The information stuffed between the bindings saved us about six thousand dollars in our babies’ first year alone so it’s worth shelling out a few bucks for a copy—but card carrying tightwads might want to know how to get the book for FREE.

• Check it out! What?! Your library doesn’t have it? Most libraries have online forms where you can recommend books for purchase.  Once your library gets it make sure you put it on hold for yourself!
• Enter our March giveaways. We’ll be hosting several giveaways in the month of March, all of which will involve wonderful green gear and a copy of our book.
• Put it on your baby shower registry. Several sites such as Mygiftlist.com allow you to create an online gift registry that includes cloth diapers, eco-friendly baby soaps and a copy of our book. Hey, it’s free for you!
• Review it on your blog. We’re looking for bloggers who post at least a few times a week and have some connection to the content of our book.  If it looks like your blog will be a good fit, we’ll email you back for your mailing address and get a review copy to you as soon as possible. You can even use it as a giveaway on your site after you read it!
• Share a copy with friends. O.K. This isn’t quite free but if you have pregnant pals a group of you can purchase one book and share it amongst yourselves.  Then maybe you can stick together to problem solve the challenges of green parenting when your babies arrive.

If you don’t have a blog, a library, pregnant friends, or anyone willing to throw you a baby shower we should tell you that the book is available for pre-order in the next few weeks at 25% off. It would be nice if all of you were so inspired by that temporary sale that you bought several thousand copies of our books I suppose, but as thrifty souls ourselves, it brings us even more happiness to find ways for you to score a copy of our little gem for free.  Thanks for all your support!