"Nobody said it was going to be easy, at least nobody said it to me." -The Big Chill, 1984
Hoo Boy! I thought day to day living for myself was stressful. Now I have this little being who relies on me for everything. She can't talk, so I have no idea what's going on with her. And she's so little, problems that would be little stuff to a grown-up are a big deal. It's a constant worry rollercoaster. What if she smothers in her sleep? What if we get in a car accident? What if I drop her? What if she accidentally bangs her head against the wall? What if her formula is toxic? What if our carpeting is toxic? What if the fluoride in the water is rotting her enamel or causing thyroid issues? What if she finds tiny things to put into her mouth and chokes on them? Did that sick person just touch her, kiss her, sneeze or cough in her general direction? Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!
I've lived with depression and anxiety for decades now, since puberty really. And I know I considered the extra stress of having a baby at several points in my life. But I just didn't think it would be this stressful. I've been a caregiver my whole life. I've never worried so much about the survival of any of my charges until it was my own. All those big bad scary thoughts that made me afraid to live are making it hard for me to live and let my baby live in this big bad world.
My husband thinks I over react a lot. He just doesn't think it's that horrible of a world that I need to protect her so much. But my protective mode is in over-drive. And it's only going to get worse as she gets older and gets out into the world herself and eventually on her own. I can't overlook one single danger. He's worried I'm turning into an agoraphobe, but really it's just hard on me and the baby physically to leave the house. And we don't really have money to go do things-even for me to just drive into the city regularly to see friends and family. And when I do she doesn't eat or sleep well and it is stressful for her, and then me.
And it is getting worse. The high blood pressure spikes my anxiety and my supplements aren't doing enough. But the prescriptions weren't either, and at least supplements don't have terrible side effects. They are just expensive. And it only gets more expensive the more I take to try to be comfortable with life. I know I do better when I get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, spend time with other adults. But all of these things are hard to do when you have an infant.
Showing posts with label Natural Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natural Living. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Reusable Wipes?
I had cloth baby wipes on my registry. No one decided to make this purchase, and I started rethinking having to rinse out poopy wipes. I've never been in the habit of wiping after a pee diaper. But with the whole yeast rash episode, I changed my ways. Now we go through an amazing amount of wipes in a day/week/month. Recently a few wipes made their way into my laundry. They survived a wash and dry and actually came out more cloth-like. I believe it was the generic Kroger brand super sensitive. Also, in previous times a few poopy wipes made their way into the toilet. Since they can't be flushed (even the "flushable" ones do not degrade) I had no choice but to fish them out of the bowl and the yuck seemed to shake off quite easily.
So now my new recourse is to attempt to reuse the "disposable" wipes until they fall apart.
Part of the reason why I want to reuse wipes: Not just to "save" the environment, but because my baby has very sensitive skin. In fact she is starting to get a bit of a rash again. The four main factors this time are the laundry detergent, new "sensitive" wipes (in a solution that took forever to rinse out), back to trying solids, maybe another tooth is breaking through and we are just going to have a rash every time.
I thought I had the detergent part beat since I started using a water softener and 1/2 as much detergent. After some research, I am going to try All Free and Clear (I wish I could get the Military grade) that makes it a go for cloth. But I'd rather have her diapers fall apart down the road than deal with this rash repeatedly. As for wipes, I'm going to try Seventh Generation Wipes. We can't stop solid foods, she's going to need to eat real food sometime. And there is nothing I can do about teeth coming in, if it's the teeth.
As far as how we deal with wipes. First I rinse them out with water till most of the sudsing goes away. I could let them dry at this point. Then I make a solution of 10 parts water 2 parts Apple Cider Vinegar. I dunk and squeeze out the solution before wiping baby. I strongly feel like this was essential to her skin healing from the last rash.
So now my new recourse is to attempt to reuse the "disposable" wipes until they fall apart.
Part of the reason why I want to reuse wipes: Not just to "save" the environment, but because my baby has very sensitive skin. In fact she is starting to get a bit of a rash again. The four main factors this time are the laundry detergent, new "sensitive" wipes (in a solution that took forever to rinse out), back to trying solids, maybe another tooth is breaking through and we are just going to have a rash every time.
I thought I had the detergent part beat since I started using a water softener and 1/2 as much detergent. After some research, I am going to try All Free and Clear (I wish I could get the Military grade) that makes it a go for cloth. But I'd rather have her diapers fall apart down the road than deal with this rash repeatedly. As for wipes, I'm going to try Seventh Generation Wipes. We can't stop solid foods, she's going to need to eat real food sometime. And there is nothing I can do about teeth coming in, if it's the teeth.
As far as how we deal with wipes. First I rinse them out with water till most of the sudsing goes away. I could let them dry at this point. Then I make a solution of 10 parts water 2 parts Apple Cider Vinegar. I dunk and squeeze out the solution before wiping baby. I strongly feel like this was essential to her skin healing from the last rash.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Battling a Yeast Diaper Rash
Yeast. We all have it and it floats around the atmosphere naturally. But when it gets out of control you have an itchy burning mess. Left untreated a yeast diaper rash can cause the skin to break, but also a full on infection that requires antibiotics. Plus a super unhappy baby.
Yeast thrives in a warm, moist environment. Hello diapers. Two easy steps to preventing or lesson the severity of the dreaded yeast beast are exposed skin, and cleanliness. This is why naked time is good, for drying and cooling. Just lay a towel under baby and make sure baby is warm enough. Secondly, keep the infected area clean. Gently rinse or wipe after every change, and bathe the area after every bowel movement. Avoid some wet wipes, particularly with alcohol or "fragrance," that may irritate the area or feed the yeast. When in doubt, just rinse your wipes in warm water.
How did it get out of control? Well, four things happened at the same time, it could have been any one or the combo of all, or it could have been a fifth unknown. We got a new bag of the same kind of diaper detergent we've been using, but the texture looked different, the formulation may have changed, and this one had lavender and mint added. Then, Daddy did diaper laundry and used twice as much detergent as normal. She started solids, a new food every 3 days. Carrots, White Potatoes, no problem. But by Peas she started to break out a little, Pears (store bought with Citric Acid-may have an allergy or intolerance) we had a full on rash, by Sweet Potatoes it was diarrhea city. So until she clears up, no more solids. Finally, her two bottom teeth broke through, I'm not sure how this plays into it.
Here are the remedies I long researched and our experience:
Apple Cider Vinegar or Grapefruit Seed Extract (NOT Grape seed Extract) Wipes: We tried the first, it is 1 part ACV to 10 parts water. It seemed to help, but we had to move on with treatments after 2 days, although I am still using it on wipes at changes because I do see a difference. GSE is 10-15 drops per cup of water. You dip your cloths into the solution to cleanse the area when changing a diaper. Make sure to let the skin dry thoroughly before applying any ointment or oil.
Tea Tree Oil: 5 drops to 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil or another skin oil. This definitely helped soothe baby, but she would cry when she urinated. She would look better in the morning, but worse again by bedtime.
Coconut Oil: Unrefined, cold expeller-pressed, great for the skin and has natural anti-fungal properties. I'm sorry I didn't try it. I'm getting a tub since it's safe to use with cloth diapers.
Update: I've got a tub and now we're using this with her reusables because the disposables are now giving her a rash. Also, I can tell better when she needs to be changed with her cloth diapers
Day Two: The Coconut oil finished the job in 1-2 days. We continued the ACV wipes after every change. She looks almost back to normal. And I'm so glad to have her back in cloth.
Probiotics: Natural "good" bacteria, found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can suppress the "bad" bacteria and support a healthy immune system. While her formula claims to have probiotics in it, buying a baby powder and adding it in to food would have been a good idea.
4 Layer Treatment (suggested by pediatrician): Neosporin Plus, Hydrocortisone 1 percent, Lotrimin AF, Desitin: After 3 days of rash battle, I called the Dr. and she suggested this combo, but to call back in 3 more days if no change. And of course discontinue and call back if condition worsens. I bought the generic forms of the first 3 creams, and used Bordeaux's Butt Paste instead of Desitin, both are Zinc Oxide. We also began using disposables with all these creams. And I will have to disinfect and strip all of our reusables in the interim.
Day One: After a few changes I saw a difference, but by the morning it looked just as bad as ever, no worse. We are wiping with every change and washing the booty after a bowel movement. And I'm trying my best to get her right after she goes, luckily she makes a sound when she pees as well as poops.
Day Two: Looks like we're under control. I began wiping her with the ACV wipes and air drying before applying ointment. While the yeast beast spread all the way up to the top of her butt crack, it is dying. The pimply spots are gone-there is no rough texture except at the top of her butt. I may treat that area one day longer than the rest.
Day Three: So, I had daddy do the nighttime change...big mistake. While it did not come back badly, she had the worst time getting to sleep and was a bit broken out by this morning. Why don't daddies follow directions? These came from the Pediatrician, not me. I had planned on discontinuing treatment at the end of day 3, now...?
Day Four: Almost completely gone, except there is an outline of where it used to be. There are still some rough patches in the back. And her outer lips still seem swollen, hopefully this does not mean she has a vaginal yeast infection.
Day Five: Still rough in the back, red and slightly swollen in the front, but it looks like it's mostly cleared up.
Day Six: Same as Day Five.
Day Seven: Although the redness and swelling of her outer lips is gone, she now has a different rash on her belly and legs from the disposable diapers. I discontinued disposables and thus the 4 layer creams. We're back to reusables and now coconut oil, still using the ACV wipes between changes. Hopefully this finishes the job.
Disinfecting and Stripping Diapers: The disinfecting part sounds easy. Yeast is killed at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but I found no evidence that the dryer is sufficient. So I put her clean diapers, not covers, in a pot of water on the stove and voila! To strip them of oils I added some Dawn dish soap to the water. After a hot water/soap on the stove, we drain, and put them all in the wash with no detergent for some rinsing. For the covers I just threw them into the machine for that final wash. Then, make sure they don't still smell like Dawn, or wash/rinse them again no soap, before immediately drying them-no time for bacteria.
We have hard water. The founder of Rockin' Green detergent says that Borax should not be used with hard water, it binds to the calcium and magnesium in the water and creates a residue. She says you should use twice as much detergent because 1/2 will go towards neutralizing the minerals, unless you use a water softener like Calgon. But we found that too much detergent is irritating to our baby's skin. We were using about 3 Tablespoons per load, I've cut that down to 1 + Tablespoon. We always do a rinse cycle first to get out the worst before we wash.
I think from now on I'll be dedicating one day a month to sanitizing diapers.
Yeast thrives in a warm, moist environment. Hello diapers. Two easy steps to preventing or lesson the severity of the dreaded yeast beast are exposed skin, and cleanliness. This is why naked time is good, for drying and cooling. Just lay a towel under baby and make sure baby is warm enough. Secondly, keep the infected area clean. Gently rinse or wipe after every change, and bathe the area after every bowel movement. Avoid some wet wipes, particularly with alcohol or "fragrance," that may irritate the area or feed the yeast. When in doubt, just rinse your wipes in warm water.
How did it get out of control? Well, four things happened at the same time, it could have been any one or the combo of all, or it could have been a fifth unknown. We got a new bag of the same kind of diaper detergent we've been using, but the texture looked different, the formulation may have changed, and this one had lavender and mint added. Then, Daddy did diaper laundry and used twice as much detergent as normal. She started solids, a new food every 3 days. Carrots, White Potatoes, no problem. But by Peas she started to break out a little, Pears (store bought with Citric Acid-may have an allergy or intolerance) we had a full on rash, by Sweet Potatoes it was diarrhea city. So until she clears up, no more solids. Finally, her two bottom teeth broke through, I'm not sure how this plays into it.
Here are the remedies I long researched and our experience:
Apple Cider Vinegar or Grapefruit Seed Extract (NOT Grape seed Extract) Wipes: We tried the first, it is 1 part ACV to 10 parts water. It seemed to help, but we had to move on with treatments after 2 days, although I am still using it on wipes at changes because I do see a difference. GSE is 10-15 drops per cup of water. You dip your cloths into the solution to cleanse the area when changing a diaper. Make sure to let the skin dry thoroughly before applying any ointment or oil.
Tea Tree Oil: 5 drops to 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil or another skin oil. This definitely helped soothe baby, but she would cry when she urinated. She would look better in the morning, but worse again by bedtime.
Coconut Oil: Unrefined, cold expeller-pressed, great for the skin and has natural anti-fungal properties. I'm sorry I didn't try it. I'm getting a tub since it's safe to use with cloth diapers.
Update: I've got a tub and now we're using this with her reusables because the disposables are now giving her a rash. Also, I can tell better when she needs to be changed with her cloth diapers
Day Two: The Coconut oil finished the job in 1-2 days. We continued the ACV wipes after every change. She looks almost back to normal. And I'm so glad to have her back in cloth.
Probiotics: Natural "good" bacteria, found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can suppress the "bad" bacteria and support a healthy immune system. While her formula claims to have probiotics in it, buying a baby powder and adding it in to food would have been a good idea.
4 Layer Treatment (suggested by pediatrician): Neosporin Plus, Hydrocortisone 1 percent, Lotrimin AF, Desitin: After 3 days of rash battle, I called the Dr. and she suggested this combo, but to call back in 3 more days if no change. And of course discontinue and call back if condition worsens. I bought the generic forms of the first 3 creams, and used Bordeaux's Butt Paste instead of Desitin, both are Zinc Oxide. We also began using disposables with all these creams. And I will have to disinfect and strip all of our reusables in the interim.
Day One: After a few changes I saw a difference, but by the morning it looked just as bad as ever, no worse. We are wiping with every change and washing the booty after a bowel movement. And I'm trying my best to get her right after she goes, luckily she makes a sound when she pees as well as poops.
Day Two: Looks like we're under control. I began wiping her with the ACV wipes and air drying before applying ointment. While the yeast beast spread all the way up to the top of her butt crack, it is dying. The pimply spots are gone-there is no rough texture except at the top of her butt. I may treat that area one day longer than the rest.
Day Three: So, I had daddy do the nighttime change...big mistake. While it did not come back badly, she had the worst time getting to sleep and was a bit broken out by this morning. Why don't daddies follow directions? These came from the Pediatrician, not me. I had planned on discontinuing treatment at the end of day 3, now...?
Day Four: Almost completely gone, except there is an outline of where it used to be. There are still some rough patches in the back. And her outer lips still seem swollen, hopefully this does not mean she has a vaginal yeast infection.
Day Five: Still rough in the back, red and slightly swollen in the front, but it looks like it's mostly cleared up.
Day Six: Same as Day Five.
Day Seven: Although the redness and swelling of her outer lips is gone, she now has a different rash on her belly and legs from the disposable diapers. I discontinued disposables and thus the 4 layer creams. We're back to reusables and now coconut oil, still using the ACV wipes between changes. Hopefully this finishes the job.
Disinfecting and Stripping Diapers: The disinfecting part sounds easy. Yeast is killed at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but I found no evidence that the dryer is sufficient. So I put her clean diapers, not covers, in a pot of water on the stove and voila! To strip them of oils I added some Dawn dish soap to the water. After a hot water/soap on the stove, we drain, and put them all in the wash with no detergent for some rinsing. For the covers I just threw them into the machine for that final wash. Then, make sure they don't still smell like Dawn, or wash/rinse them again no soap, before immediately drying them-no time for bacteria.
We have hard water. The founder of Rockin' Green detergent says that Borax should not be used with hard water, it binds to the calcium and magnesium in the water and creates a residue. She says you should use twice as much detergent because 1/2 will go towards neutralizing the minerals, unless you use a water softener like Calgon. But we found that too much detergent is irritating to our baby's skin. We were using about 3 Tablespoons per load, I've cut that down to 1 + Tablespoon. We always do a rinse cycle first to get out the worst before we wash.
I think from now on I'll be dedicating one day a month to sanitizing diapers.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Supplementing During Pregnancy
Supplements (not vitamins or minerals) are not studied for health benefits the way prescription drugs are. So, there isn't a whole lot of information on the safety of use during pregnancy. And legally they can't be recommended, except by a Doctor, who probably won't recommend their use because s/he either doesn't know a whole lot about supplements, or just wants to play it safe to avoid a law suit.
So how can you know what is safe to take? Hopefully my own knowledge and experience will enlighten you on the topic. While I am not a Doctor or Medical Practitioner, I have studied natural remedies for years and worked professionally in the field for 3 years. Below are the 4 best supplements for women, in my opinion. As always, discuss with your doctor, do your own research, and make your own best choices for you. I do not recommend or suggest you take the following supplements, I only share with you my experience and findings.
Prenatal Multi-Vitamin: Your Doctor definitely wants you to take these, and will even prescribe them once your pregnancy is confirmed. In fact most Doctors would suggest you start taking them a few months prior to conception. The idea is to get Folic Acid built up in your system since it has been shown to reduce birth defects. It, like most vitamins, is water soluble so you waste what your body doesn't absorb. It is with that knowledge that one-a-day vitamins are not giving you the best benefit or the most for your money. Also, synthetic nutrients are not as readily absorbed, which is why a food sourced, multiple is best. I used New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal. It is a 3-a-day, small and easy to swallow, that you can even take on an empty stomach. It did not increase my morning sickness and did not make me constipated. I only took 2 a day, because that's what made me feel my best. I was also eating fortified cereals so I felt confident I was getting enough folic acid.
Probiotics: None of my medical practitioners could advise me on the safety of taking Probiotics during Pregnancy. Since I couldn't eat dairy during my pregnancy, yogurt (a natural source of Probiotics) was off the menu. Probiotics are natural "good" bacteria that support your intestinal flora by increasing good bacteria and suppressing the bad. I figured Probiotics were alright to take during pregnancy, just not the "green" kind. I have to say, I am sorry I didn't start taking them sooner. In addition to supporting my immune system, essential during pregnancy and cold and flu season, Probiotics seemed to ease my anxiety and depression, and kept me regular. I have long suffered a slow digestion which means two things, constipation (why I avoid dairy), and bacterial overgrowth (leads to all sorts of health problems including depression). I ended up using Solaray MultiDophilus 12 Billion. I took one a day at bedtime. Probiotics also slowed down my pregnancy weight gain, but so did giving up dairy. I researched the link between weight gain and dairy, which is not a myth, and discovered that only yogurt doesn't make you gain weight because of the Probiotics.
Calcium: Because I was not eating dairy, I needed to supplement with Calcium. Pregnant women should aim for at least 1,200-2,000mg a day. But, your body can only absorb 500mg at a time. It is best to find a supplement with only 500 per capsule. Also, Calcium Citrate Malate is the best form for supplementation. Calcium Carbonate does not get utilized as well, and has been linked to Kidney Stones. I chose Solaray Calcium with an 85 percent Citrate Malate to 15 percent Carbonate. It was 250 per capsule, I took 2 a day. I was still able to eat cheese, legumes, leafy greens (all excellent sources of calcium), and my dairy substitutes (almond and coconut milk) had Calcium Carbonate supplementation. It is entirely possible that the reason I didn't get Preeclampsia during my pregnancy, and my postpartum Preeclampsia was not as severe, was due to Calcium supplementation. It is thought that 1,500-2,000mg a day can lesson severity of Preeclampsia and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (which I had).
Fish Oil, Omega 3 Fatty Acids: I was so hesitant to use fish oil during pregnancy because of my fear of mercury contamination. Even though I had a top brand, it tasted "fishy" which usually means spoilage. I know how these products are produced, packed, and shipped, but once in the store it's anyones guess how long they've been on the shelf, exposed to heat and sunlight. It is always best to put in a special request for the next shipment. They will pull it once it comes in and put it in a drawer, calling you that day so you can pick it up immediately. The only brands of liquid I use are Carlson's and Nordic Naturals. Get one with lemon to make it more palatable. The gel caps will give you fish burp and are more expensive, but NN makes a prenatal omega 3. This supplement supports every part of your body, including your stretching skin, which can help reduce stretch marks. I regret not taking this regularly. Although when I did take it, it would make me weepy for some reason, even postpartum. Since I switched to NN, I have not felt weepy. There is no medical evidence to support the claim that fish oil reduces your risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. However, there have been some studies that suggest there are other pregnancy risks with fish oil supplementation (not mercury contamination). I only supplemented during the last trimester and at most 1 teaspoon of oil every other day. But I use it every day otherwise, and it in my opinion is the best supplement for your whole body.
So how can you know what is safe to take? Hopefully my own knowledge and experience will enlighten you on the topic. While I am not a Doctor or Medical Practitioner, I have studied natural remedies for years and worked professionally in the field for 3 years. Below are the 4 best supplements for women, in my opinion. As always, discuss with your doctor, do your own research, and make your own best choices for you. I do not recommend or suggest you take the following supplements, I only share with you my experience and findings.
Prenatal Multi-Vitamin: Your Doctor definitely wants you to take these, and will even prescribe them once your pregnancy is confirmed. In fact most Doctors would suggest you start taking them a few months prior to conception. The idea is to get Folic Acid built up in your system since it has been shown to reduce birth defects. It, like most vitamins, is water soluble so you waste what your body doesn't absorb. It is with that knowledge that one-a-day vitamins are not giving you the best benefit or the most for your money. Also, synthetic nutrients are not as readily absorbed, which is why a food sourced, multiple is best. I used New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal. It is a 3-a-day, small and easy to swallow, that you can even take on an empty stomach. It did not increase my morning sickness and did not make me constipated. I only took 2 a day, because that's what made me feel my best. I was also eating fortified cereals so I felt confident I was getting enough folic acid.
Probiotics: None of my medical practitioners could advise me on the safety of taking Probiotics during Pregnancy. Since I couldn't eat dairy during my pregnancy, yogurt (a natural source of Probiotics) was off the menu. Probiotics are natural "good" bacteria that support your intestinal flora by increasing good bacteria and suppressing the bad. I figured Probiotics were alright to take during pregnancy, just not the "green" kind. I have to say, I am sorry I didn't start taking them sooner. In addition to supporting my immune system, essential during pregnancy and cold and flu season, Probiotics seemed to ease my anxiety and depression, and kept me regular. I have long suffered a slow digestion which means two things, constipation (why I avoid dairy), and bacterial overgrowth (leads to all sorts of health problems including depression). I ended up using Solaray MultiDophilus 12 Billion. I took one a day at bedtime. Probiotics also slowed down my pregnancy weight gain, but so did giving up dairy. I researched the link between weight gain and dairy, which is not a myth, and discovered that only yogurt doesn't make you gain weight because of the Probiotics.
Calcium: Because I was not eating dairy, I needed to supplement with Calcium. Pregnant women should aim for at least 1,200-2,000mg a day. But, your body can only absorb 500mg at a time. It is best to find a supplement with only 500 per capsule. Also, Calcium Citrate Malate is the best form for supplementation. Calcium Carbonate does not get utilized as well, and has been linked to Kidney Stones. I chose Solaray Calcium with an 85 percent Citrate Malate to 15 percent Carbonate. It was 250 per capsule, I took 2 a day. I was still able to eat cheese, legumes, leafy greens (all excellent sources of calcium), and my dairy substitutes (almond and coconut milk) had Calcium Carbonate supplementation. It is entirely possible that the reason I didn't get Preeclampsia during my pregnancy, and my postpartum Preeclampsia was not as severe, was due to Calcium supplementation. It is thought that 1,500-2,000mg a day can lesson severity of Preeclampsia and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (which I had).
Fish Oil, Omega 3 Fatty Acids: I was so hesitant to use fish oil during pregnancy because of my fear of mercury contamination. Even though I had a top brand, it tasted "fishy" which usually means spoilage. I know how these products are produced, packed, and shipped, but once in the store it's anyones guess how long they've been on the shelf, exposed to heat and sunlight. It is always best to put in a special request for the next shipment. They will pull it once it comes in and put it in a drawer, calling you that day so you can pick it up immediately. The only brands of liquid I use are Carlson's and Nordic Naturals. Get one with lemon to make it more palatable. The gel caps will give you fish burp and are more expensive, but NN makes a prenatal omega 3. This supplement supports every part of your body, including your stretching skin, which can help reduce stretch marks. I regret not taking this regularly. Although when I did take it, it would make me weepy for some reason, even postpartum. Since I switched to NN, I have not felt weepy. There is no medical evidence to support the claim that fish oil reduces your risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. However, there have been some studies that suggest there are other pregnancy risks with fish oil supplementation (not mercury contamination). I only supplemented during the last trimester and at most 1 teaspoon of oil every other day. But I use it every day otherwise, and it in my opinion is the best supplement for your whole body.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What Is A Menstrual Cup?
At 19, a friend told me about The Keeper menstrual cup. Twice in my life I had gotten Menorrhagia and wished I'd had a menstrual cup but I didn't know they existed. Even still, it took me 3 years to come around to the idea and actually buy and use one.
It took 3 months for me to break-it-in as it were and then it was incredibly comfortable. Most of the time I didn't feel it, and some times I would forget I was wearing it. I often would still wear a reusable pad or pantyliner (just in case). But the great part was not having to change it every time I went to the bathroom. It doesn't absorb urine. And it doesn't dry you out. On light days I only change it twice a day. There have been no known cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome with a menstrual cup. I just use soap and water to wash my cup when I'm done using it for the cycle. You can boil it or run it through the dishwasher, if it's made from medical grade silicone, like the Moon or Lunette Cup.
I just purchased my new Keeper (post baby size) and I've finally broken it in. So I'm all set for the last 11 and the next 9 years (20 years total) and the cost has been around $80. Plus I am not creating and throwing away all that garbage. And I never have to pack anything with me when I go places because I'm already wearing it. Some people complain of having to change it when out and about. But honestly just wipe the edge with some toilet paper. The only real danger might be dropping it in the toilet. Then I would boil it. Luckily this has never happened to me.
So to re-cap, it's easier, cheaper, more sanitary, less wasteful, environmentally friendly, and more comfortable. Why wouldn't you use one? Just in case you are allergic to gum rubber, what The Keeper is made from, there is also The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup and the Lunette Cup made from medical grade silicone.
My favorite shop for reusable menstrual products is Glad Rags. I even was one of their "friend of the month" featured stories, and that's how I restocked my reusable pads for free. But since I sew I also make my own.
It took 3 months for me to break-it-in as it were and then it was incredibly comfortable. Most of the time I didn't feel it, and some times I would forget I was wearing it. I often would still wear a reusable pad or pantyliner (just in case). But the great part was not having to change it every time I went to the bathroom. It doesn't absorb urine. And it doesn't dry you out. On light days I only change it twice a day. There have been no known cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome with a menstrual cup. I just use soap and water to wash my cup when I'm done using it for the cycle. You can boil it or run it through the dishwasher, if it's made from medical grade silicone, like the Moon or Lunette Cup.
I just purchased my new Keeper (post baby size) and I've finally broken it in. So I'm all set for the last 11 and the next 9 years (20 years total) and the cost has been around $80. Plus I am not creating and throwing away all that garbage. And I never have to pack anything with me when I go places because I'm already wearing it. Some people complain of having to change it when out and about. But honestly just wipe the edge with some toilet paper. The only real danger might be dropping it in the toilet. Then I would boil it. Luckily this has never happened to me.
So to re-cap, it's easier, cheaper, more sanitary, less wasteful, environmentally friendly, and more comfortable. Why wouldn't you use one? Just in case you are allergic to gum rubber, what The Keeper is made from, there is also The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup and the Lunette Cup made from medical grade silicone.
My favorite shop for reusable menstrual products is Glad Rags. I even was one of their "friend of the month" featured stories, and that's how I restocked my reusable pads for free. But since I sew I also make my own.
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