total wellness mom Archives - Page 6 of 16

How To Use Cloth Diapers

cloth diapers

Cloth Diapers. I tried them once before with my son Joshua. I purchased a brand from a friend without doing any research and it ended up being not so good. I passed them on to a girlfriend with twins and she did use them.

I met the business owner Lisa Emmons of Mother Earth baby store and Diaper Service during my 2nd trimester of pregnancy with Sarah Grace. Lisa helped me realize how easy this service would be. And she was right. Using cloth diapers and cloth wipes with a diaper service is not only easy, but really good for my baby.

I am a bit of an environmentalist but really it’s my health advocate that makes me like these cloth diapers so much. Have you ever smelled a baby diaper before? They smell like baby powder and perfume. Talc is very bad for us. It is not healthy to have all that artificial stuff next to our very sensitive and private areas. I believe (this is my opinion) that perfumes and talc are adding to increases in infection, endometriosis and cancers or our sex organs. So I am going to do my best to avoid those things for my children especially my daughter.

I am a busy momma so I admit I don’t use the cloth diapers all the time. And when I use the organic disposable diapers, I find that Sarah has more redness and irritation versus the cloth diapers. And I LOVE THE CLOTH WIPES. I just moisten them with warm water and wipe her with just water or sometimes a little Young Living KidScents Bath Gel added and then just put the diaper and the wipes right in the bin. The diaper service washes them both.

So really I love my cloth diapers with a Diaper Service because of convenience, savings, health benefits and environment benefits.

If you know someone who has babies, who will be having a baby, or thinking about having a baby please pass on this blog and videos below. Please enjoy the videos of Lisa from Mother Earth Baby below and let us know your experiences in the comment section below.

Mother Earth Baby Diaper Service

How to Use a Cloth Diaper

How To Fold a Cloth Diaper for a boy or a girl

How to Take Care of the Diaper for a formula fed baby

How to Travel Using Cloth Diapers

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.

Parenting My NingXia Teenage Son: His Vision His Passion His Goals

by Claudi 1 Comment

Parenting My NingXia Teenage Son: His Vision His Passion His Goals

By: Claudia Looi

I like to think he was the cutest when he was little even with snot coming out from his nose. My son was always getting sick when he was little. His life as a toddler evolved around going to the doctor, emergency rooms, bruises and runny noses.

He had gone through an emergency hernia operation, scratched eye emergency observations, high fever emergency visits and many more. But he was a happy child.

When he was five, we realized he couldn’t speak well. The teachers couldn’t understand him and his voice was low. After some testing we found out he had a little speech problem, too little that the school would not pay for therapy sessions. My husband and I bartered with a friend to work with him on his voice and speech. And I gave her son free piano lessons.

It worked out well. Both boys are great teens today. My son speaks clearly and with great intonation and her son is a great musician and I believe both boys who had been great friends since five are going to impact the world.

When he was in fourth grade, his English teacher gave him a 2 out of 6 for writing in the beginning of the school year. That meant he would fail writing, his most important subject in fourth grade. We immediately hired a writing coach and got him to work hard. That hard work turned his writing into a 4 and 5 out of 6.

Today he is an excellent writer. He is a straight A student in his virtual school. You can explore his writing at The Travel Gear Reviews (his website). He is also my graphic designer and Google Adsense guy. He knows a lot about WordPress and builds and designs his own website.

Being a parent is not easy…every stage poses a set of challenges but none can compare with the challenges of raising a teen. Time and time again, I’ve seen teens getting into trouble because of one thing. Can you guess what it is?

Boredom!

Boredom in school, at home or just plain bored. If a child say, “I’m bored!” there must be a reason to that complaint. It could be school is too easy, too difficult or he or she is just trying to find an excuse. Boredom in teens can lead to mediocrity, passiveness, uninspired work or trouble.

Boredom is a real thing. My son was totally bored when he was in public school. His boredom and complaints about being bored stems from three things: his giftedness, fast pace work and excuses. When he was in middle school we had to deal with these constant complaints. So we placed him in virtual high school from home. Did he complain?

Yes, initially. Not now after he saw the benefits. He is only human.

Here are three observations and steps my husband and I took to raise a purpose-driven, focus and sensible teen. Remember we are not perfect and are not there yet. He is still learning and growing.

One: We are his mentors: lead by example
We have no credibility with our teens if we are not willing to do the things expected of them. Many times I have to check my own attitude, words, work ethic and teachable spirit before I could point my finger to my son. Nothing warms my heart more than to hear my son said the other day, “Wow, mom you are so coachable!”

My husband and I don’t know everything. When the time is right we will be looking for a mentor for him to increase his skills in areas that we lack. I have to admit that in order to raise teens that are purpose-driven and focused, we have to be walking in that path too.

Many times I make mistake and have very bad attitude and I fall short regularly. My son has the freedom to tell me so.

Two: Give opportunities to explore and make mistakes
My son likes online shopping and loves to ‘beat the system’ as he calls it. About a year ago he watched and bid for a Wii game for days. He was so excited when he finally out bid everyone else. When the package came, he realized the CD was broken probably due to shipping.

He was crushed. Although he is not a spender, he is one who gets disappointed easily when things don’t turn out as expected. When he was 12 he wanted a game so badly. He begged me for the game for days and I warned him it might not be the same as he anticipated. Sure enough, he was totally disappointed with the purchase.

These are just two examples of the disappointments and ‘mistakes’ he had. If we didn’t allow him to explore he may never have known the outcome. However during our travels here in South America there are many dangerous paths that he wanted to take. We had to stop him from doing so and not let him risk his life. One example would be our trekking trip. Jonathan can jump high and climb fast even in high altitudes. When he gets excited he forgets the dangers.

We have to sit him down and tell him the reasons. He is one who will not take ‘no’ for an answer easily.

Three: Honoring our words and freedom to express himself
Jonathan loves sports, especially soccer. His favorite team is an English team called Chelsea FC. One of the reasons we are going to England next year is because we have promised Jonathan since he was 12 that we would bring him to a live Chelsea game in England if he agrees to cutting the cable (which means no more watching TV).

It is not convenient to bring Jonathan to England and we have been to England two times already but a promise is a promise. It takes money and time to bring a promise to past.

In other words we have to mean what we say and stick to our promises. Jonathan is given freedom to do the things he likes to do. We have also invested money and time so he could pursue his interest and passion.

Raising kids just like building a business requires time and money investment. There is no free ride. If we want the best for our children, we have to invest time, money and energy into them including their health. Jonathan is a NingXia Red teen. For nutritional guides, we used Dr. Mary’s article Teen Boy’s Nutritional Guide. It is crucial that we pay attention to their health and teach them to take care of their body.

We have to invest into ourselves too, to be the best that we are called to be, not perfect but the best.

I’m not a perfect mom, my teens will tell you that instantly. They are who they are today because of their faith in God and their parents. The Bible says, train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Jonathan is 15 and a sophomore in Florida Virtual School and is scheduled to graduate one and half years earlier than his peers. He splits his time between schoolwork, working on his website, watching soccer and traveling with his parents and sister. He creates widgets, Facebook and WordPress headers and other website graphic design work. You can find him at www.thetravelgearreviews.com. You can find Claudia Looi at www.travelwritingpro.com.

Is Your Kid’s Backpack Hurting Them?

by Claudi 1 Comment

backpack

Mom my back hurts, Mom I have a headache, Mom my shoulder hurts… these are not statements that are normal for kids to say. In fact most kids shouldn’t be in pain. So anytime there is a problem, it’s important to figure out what is causing it.

The three mentioned above all could be due to your child’s backpack. Please watch this quick informative video by Chiropractor and Kids Spinal Health Specialist, Dr. Beth Dubois:

Backpack Safety Guide Checklist

backpack sizes

Royal Baby Birth Is Cheaper Than An Average U.S. Birth

by Claudi Leave a Comment

royal baby birth

What’s wrong with this picture? The Washington Post reported that the royal birth only cost $15,000 and the average American birth is billed at $30,000.

United States childbirth cost is one of the most expensive in the western world. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to the royal baby boy at St. Mary’s Hospital for less than you and I if we were to give birth in many of the hospitals in America. What’s worse is our own prince or princess will not be treated like royalty and could just be a number in the newborn unit.

To top off the differences, the Duchess received royalty treatment in a private suite with gourmet food and comprehensive wine list including champagne for three days. Did your pregnancy and childbirth cost more than $15,000? Even if it cost $10,000 did you get royalty treatment or gourmet meals with wine selections in an average American hospital?

Recently I gave birth to my baby girl at home and not at the hospital. My own home birth with 2 RN midwives present and all my pregnancy care and follow up was $4000. Many would have second thoughts because in the last 30 years the popularity of hospital birth has taken over home birth because of many fears and myths. I chose home birth instead of the conventional hospital birth with excellent care from two qualified RN midwives. You have to do your own research and know your health conditions when making decisions about your type of childbirth.

It isn’t always expensive to give birth in America. The cost has increased rapidly in the last 30 years in hospital births. Many of my readers have voiced their opinions about the cost of childbirth in America.

Here are a few of them:

Childbirth about 30 years ago
Cheryl M:
In 1979 and 1980 mine was like $600 with a lay midwife. What is wrong? There is a book The Immaculate Deception. I read it and of course Ina May’s when I was pregnant.

Donna H:
28 years ago my daughter’s birth cost us $150.

Maryellen L.
In 1972 ours was $3000, and the doctor was not even there. We were in the labor room and called him in to cut the cord.

Home birth
Melissa B.
My birth at a birthing center with a certified midwife was around $2,800 and my oily (Young Living essential oils) birth kit should have cost around $340+ but because of my essential rewards points, I paid $11

Courtney S.
$4,000 was the most we ever paid out of all 5 home births and last time we got a 2 (twins) for 1 deal! Frugal & fertile insurance helped with 3 of our 5 back in the early days too. When I was 21 I wrote them a cost comparison letter and miraculously they approved it!

Sandra W.
When i had my home births-I had some of the best care that I’d ever had! Everything was preventative. They watched my growth, my ph balances, my keytones, my blood sugar, my hemoglobin, my diet. When I went the medical route, I would ask about all those things & they wouldn’t know anything because they wouldn’t check it!

AND there are going to be bad births anywhere. The hospital or home. I loved my home births. AND it was about a 1/3 of the cost to us.

In the United Kingdom’s hospitals most uncomplicated births and non high risk births are being led by midwives with doctors on call. They manage all prenatal, birth and after birth care.

Some of my readers have this to say about the cost of childbirth and my opinion on the differences between royal birth and average American childbirth:

Ray L.
I just don’t understand the royals anyway. The Brits have a higher rate of homeless yet they are willing to spend multi-millions on supporting the royal family…DUH!!!! I can be royal, now and then.

Christin H.
15,000 or £15,000 (pounds)? The healthcare in England is free so how is the delivery cost calculated?

Jihan T.
Don’t get me started, Mary. Christin, I believe they used a private, non-covered wing of the hospital.

Jane R.
Where did you get your numbers from? I do not think that 30,000 is what CNY is. I don’t believe it is “greed” as much as it is our sue happy culture. As a neonatal NP, I only see the bad side of home births…when something goes wrong. Not everyone should have a home birth.

Dawn H
US spends more than ten other countries combined on healthcare but thanks second lowest in live expectancy!

I love how we all can have different opinions and view points and still honor each other. An astounding figure I found out was C Section births cost is around $50,000 billed out. The insurance companies in America are being billed ridiculous amounts by hospitals and doctors. Average Americans may have to pay the differences of what is not being paid by insurance even if they pay hefty sums monthly to insurance companies.

It all adds up!

Jamie P who is one of our readers said “which is exactly why i harassed our insurance company for a year and a half to shell out for a cheap homebirth!!!! and they did!”

AND Diana D. said “I had to have an emergency c-section and my preemie had a 5 week hospital NICU stay. Thank goodness our health insurance covered 100%.”

But for some who has pre-existing conditions like Candyce P
“There is NO way they would ever let me have a home birth. I am a type 1 diabetic with high blood pressure. Wish it could happen…BUT its just not possible for everyone during pregnancy.”

We can argue about the cost and types of childbirth all day long and would not get anywhere because we have choices and we are all different. We have to know our health conditions and our total wellness. Some of the most active and healthiest women I know had c-section hospital birth because of the size of the baby and their body type.

Childbirth is a personal thing. You have to know your body type and watch your diet and total wellness. The old adage ‘you are what you eat’ still holds true today. Are you investing into your health and total wellness (body, mind and spirit)?

Are you giving your body a royalty treatment?

Don’t abuse your body with bad diets, junk food and synthetic nutritional supplements.

Ashleigh G. said:
Our short life span is due to our diets, not the health care system. Monsanto, artificial food dyes, processed crap foods, McDonald’s, etc. You are what you eat.

The Duchess’ birthing room may have included a birthing pool, WiFi, newspapers, private staff and gourmet meals and paid less than average American childbirth, however you and I can do our own research, educate ourselves and prepare our body for our own ‘royalty’ childbirth.

Watch out for a series of my blog posts with Dr. Leanne Deardeuff on how to use essential oils and Young Living’s nutritional supplements for pre-natal care, childbirth and a healthy baby.

What is your opinion of the cost of childbirth in America? Let us know. Please comment below.

Got Milk? Tips For Increasing Your Milk Supply

by Claudi 1 Comment

breastfeeding

This video is part of my personal story and journey and struggles with Breastfeeding. I think God planted some of these challenges so that I could understand more Mommy stuff and struggles as well as be driven to find solutions.

Please share this video with women you know who are going to have babies or those that are struggling with breastfeeding.

Thank you,

Dr. Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom