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How to Ditch the City and Start a Farm

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Well, it’s been nearly 8 months since we gave up our big city-living and moved to the backwoods of Western North Carolina. My husband and I were both raised in large cities, so raising our children the same way just felt normal.

However there always was this itch and this itch just started to grow and grow. It would be in small ways at first…like me traveling hours to visit small farms to let my kids play with the animals or to pick blueberries. Then it grew much bigger…we started searching for homes in the suburbs that allowed chickens and possibly goats. Our realtor thought we were crazy and didn’t understand us.  We hit roadblock after roadblock and after *almost* buying a very expensive house on ONE acre (which we thought was a lot of land), because that was all there was, we felt like our dreams of homesteading were crushed.

What If

I remember the first time we played the “what if” game. My husband said to me one night, “what if we moved somewhere else.” At first, I was caught off guard that he was entertaining the same thought I was. Then I played “devil’s advocate” and said that we were raised in Orlando, this is where our families live, this is where we *should* live……….right?

This went on for months and we started going deeper with our feelings. My husband asked me where I always dreamed of living…he knew my answer but it’s just a dream….right? I mean, it’s just a game you play, like MASH as a little girl. You don’t really go and live in your dream place. You just dream about it...right?

Ok, so you get the drift of how confusing of a time this was for us. We both loved Western North Carolina. We loved visiting it and we even rented a cute little cabin near Asheville one year. We finally agreed that WNC was our dream place to live and we finally entertained the thought that we had the choice to move there *one day*. Sigh….one day….there it is again.

And then I said it. I said, “Why one day?” And my husband looked at me and felt the same way. Let’s do this NOW! Life is too short to not live and do what you dream of doing! And that was how it all began!

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How We Ditched the City and Started Farming

1) We Found a Job

This is much harder for some people…I know that. But, it’s worth trying, right? So, we drew a 100 mile radius around our dream city, Asheville, NC on a map and my husband applied at all the jobs in that radius that fit his career. We heard back from a few and we chose one! We came and visited the nearby city and we fell in, complete, love with the place. Actually how it really happened when we sealed the deal was like this: we went to a nearby vineyard and sat down and looked out at the beautiful mountains. I looked over at my husband and said, “let’s do it“!

2) We Found a Rental Home

We still weren’t ready to buy. We have been aggressively paying off debt for a year now following the Dave Ramsey plan. So, we knew that we needed to find a rental home that allowed us to start doing our homestead dreams. We found a perfect home on Craigslist that had 4 acres of land, a barn, a huge chicken coop, and a beautiful fenced pasture. We plan on staying in this home for a few more months till we are ready to buy.

3) We Said Our Goodbyes & Sold a Ton of Stuff

This was the hardest part of the move. It’s hard to leave your family, but it’s so rewarding to follow your dreams. So, we downsized and sold a lot of stuff to make the move easier. We sold our king set (we just sleep on a mattress on the floor now!), dining room table, and all our large furniture. This isn’t necessary but we wanted a fresh start and we needed the money for the move. In fact, we are just now (8 months later) starting to buy furniture again! We waited till we were 100% out of debt, which we are now!

4) We Ordered Chickens!

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Seriously, I had the chicks ordered and planned for delivery before we were even in the state! I was so excited to start homesteading and couldn’t wait for my own pastured eggs! Chickens are the best way to start homesteading. They are the easiest animals to care for. It takes about 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night to care for my chickens. As chicks, you need a few things, like a brooder area (we use stacks of straw for this), a heating lamp, and food and water bowls. Start-up costs is under $100 and that is including ordering the chicks online and paying shipping. You usually can find chicks local at a feed store for pretty cheap too!

5) I Found My Goats

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I had my goats planned, as well, before we even were in North Carolina. I knew I wanted fresh, raw, goat milk. Goats are MUCH easier to keep than cows and I am more keen on goat’s milk than cow milk. I found a lady on Craigslist who was selling a goat-in-milk and her doeling. I arranged for us to pick them up about a week after we moved. It actually is a hilarious story if you would like to go read about it! I watched You Tube videos on how to milk a goat for hours but it did NO good. You have to just learn it hands-on and it does take a little practice! However, it’s so worth it. My goat has been giving us nearly a half gallon a day for the past 8 months that we have had her. Sadly, I’m drying her off right now because she is pregnant (and so is her baby!) and needs a little break before her babies come in the early summer.

6) We Started Composting

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There is a local furniture store near us that gives away pallets and these large pallet containers. We grabbed them and started using it to hold our compost in. We definitely planned on a spring/summer vegetable garden so we started composting right away. We throw most our vegetable and fruit scraps to the chickens but we compost everything else! Composting is so easy.

7) We Started Raising Meat Rabbits

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I don’t even know how we started doing this but it has become my husband’s favorite thing so far. We have 3 does (the moms) and 2 bucks (the boys) and we breed them every other month or so. Actually they are due any minute now for this round! The benefit of meat rabbits is that they reproduce a ton and have short pregnancies. Their meat is like chicken too! One set of meat rabbits (one buck and one girl) can give you 400lbs of meat a year! We pasture the offspring before they are ready to be butchered, that way they are living as natural as possible and eating lots of fresh grass.

8) We Slowed Down & Relish Our Life

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This has been THE HARDEST thing for me to do since we have moved away from our city life. You never would have thought that slowing down would be so difficult, but it really is…especially if you are used to hurry, hurry, hurry everywhere you go. The drivers here drive me crazy…they are so pokey! It’s all a mindset and just truly realizing that being rushed is pointless. It doesn’t’ get you anywhere any faster. It just stresses you out and causes anxiety.

Conclusion

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We couldn’t be happier with our decision to ditch the city and start a farm. Our kids absolutely adore their new life here. They miss their family, of course, but we are our own family now and it’s important to us to do what is best for them. The city was scaring me more-and-more and the thought of raising my kids there just kept me up at night.

Now they are able to cherish simple things like the joy of collection eggs, and planting seeds and watching them grow, and watching animals give birth! It is amazing to see how they thrive in this environment.

Books I Recommend: Raising Dairy Goats | Raising Chickens for Dummies | The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It | Back to Basics | Let it Rot | Storey’s Guide to Raising Meat Rabbits

Websites I Recommend: The Prairie Homestead | Weed em’ & Reap | The Elliott Homestead | Blue Yurt Farms

 

Have you ever thought about ditching your city life and starting a homestead or a farm? Leave a comment and tell me about it! I’d love to connect with you!

Oh My Ghee Fat Bombs

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Ever since I was able to, successfully, reverse 6 cavities that I acquired postpartum, I have made sure that we continue our use of high fat products, like ghee. Ghee is butter that has been simmered over heat to remove any milk solids. Many who are lactose intolerant, or who follow strict Paleo guidelines, find that they can eat ghee without any adverse side effects.

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I buy ghee by the gallon and we use it on everything. I love the taste of it…slightly sweet and a little bit *nutty*. Not only does ghee taste delicious, but it is, also, very high in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K…especially vitamin K2. Also, have you ever heard of Activator X? Dr. Weston A. Price, a prominent dentist, discovered that Activator X, a hormone similar to vitamin D, is the missing nutrient in modern diets. Activator X is found in the grassfed dairy of animals that are grazing on rapidly growing green grass. Butter that has a deep yellow or orange color, has more Activator X in it is produced from grassfed milk that is from cows that are grazing on rapidly growing grass. So, needless to say, ghee is a extremely nutritious food that should be added to every diet!

I try to add ghee to most recipes calling for butter. If you can’t afford ghee, you can easily make your own. I prefer to buy my ghee from a very trustworthy source who uses traditional Ayurvedic methods to make their ghee. I have a hard time sourcing raw butter in my area, but if you have a source for quality butter, then you could make your own ghee at home.

Also, I make sure that my family takes Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) daily. Fermented cod liver oil is oil that is pressed from the fresh liver of cod, is rich in vitamins D and A. I believe that everyone should be taking FCLO, especially children and pregnant women. I added FCLO to this recipe to make it an easy way to slip that supplement into my kid’s bellies, however, you can leave this out if you would like.

The Elliot Homestead inspired this recipe! I’ve been making her Butter Buttons for months now, and my kids love them! Make sure you jump on over to her beautiful website and see some of her amazing farming posts!

Oh My Ghee Fat Bombs

Adapted with permission from The Elliot Homestead

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INGREDIENTS 

DIRECTIONS: 

  1. Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
  2. Process till blended and soft. Scrape the sides and then process again.
  3. Add the mixture to a plastic bag.
  4. Slice a small hole on the end and form into small balls or buttons and place on a plate.
  5. Freeze till the balls are set.
  6. Add the balls to a plastic bag or freezable dish and keep in the freezer

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Breastfeeding Results ARE NOT Exaggerated

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There is a new “medical” study that is out on how the results of breastfeeding have been exaggerated. The study claims that long-term effects of breastfeeding have been inflated compared to bottle-feeding infants.  Did your jaw just hit the floor like mine did? I’m surprised that something like this would surface when we live in a age when breastfeeding mothers are finding minimal support as it is.

“Breastfeeding Results Are Exaggerated” – The New Study

This study was done by David Ramey and Cynthia Colen, two SOCIOLOGISTS who set out on a mission to evaluate 655 families in the United States. They chose to study families where one child was breastfed and the other was bottle-fed.

This new study says that research that claims that breastfeeding boosts children’s IQ and protects from a vast range of health conditions later in life is flawed. Cythia and David claim that these outcomes include BMI/obesity, asthma, hyperactivity, attachment, compliance, academic achievement and competence. The study further states that typical estimates of the impact of breastfeeding on child wellbeing may be overstated.

It further went on to state that children who were breast-fed were at higher risk for asthma.

My Concerns:

I’m a little taken back by this very controversial opinion/study which contradicts an overwhelming amount of evidence and research that we have all heard and learned about. I’m seeing articles coming out saying, “Hold the Guilt“…as if this new study is a way for formula feeding mothers to rest easy and feel less guilty.

I understand that we all cannot breastfeed for difference circumstances. I wasn’t able to breastfeed my son because of a traumatic event that affected my milk supply. However, I would never underestimate breastfeeding so that I could feel less guilty or more approval to formula feed. This has nothing to do with me. This has everything to do with our babies and children deserving the nourishment that was intended for them.

The area of asthma is one to talk more in depth about. I would be very interested to know if diet and lifestyle were taken into any account when conducting this study.

13 Studies Proving Breastfeeding Results ARE NOT Exaggerated:

1. Breastfeeding should be exclusive for 6 months and then continued for AT LEAST a year.

“The AAP reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.” (1)

2. Breastfeeding Improves the Gut and Prevents Against Illness…Including Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

The direct benefits of breastfeeding include improvement in gastrointestinal function and host defense, and prevention of acute illnesses (eg, acute otitis media) during the time of breastfeeding. (2).

As an example, the incidence of two or more episodes of otitis media was reduced in infants breast-fed for one year compared with infants fed formula (34 versus 54 percent). (14)

3. Anti-inflammatory Agents in Human Milk May Reduce NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) and Other Infections:

Anti-inflammatory agents (eg, interleukin 10) may reduce the risk of NEC. Interleukin-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that decreases inflammation and injury to the gastrointestinal tract (3) . In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate inflammatory reactions and may protect the gastrointestinal tract from NEC (4).

4. Human Milk Has Anti-Microbial Properties:

Specific Proteins are found in human milk. These proteins are generally resistant to proteolytic degeneration, line the mucosal surfaces and prevent microbial attachment. They further inhibit microbial activity (5, 6, 7).

5. In Developing Countries, Mortality is Lower in Breast-fed Infants Verses Formula-Fed.

In addition, gastroenteritis and respiratory disease is lower in breast-fed infants (8, 9)

6. In Developed Countries, Hospitalization and Outpatient Visits is Lower Among Breast-Fed Infants in the First Year

The attack rate of acute illness is lower among breast-fed infants compared to formula fed infants (10).

7. Respiratory Illnesses are Less Frequent in Breast-Fed Infants Compared with Formula-Fed Infants

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In one study, breast-fed compared with formula-fed infants had a lower incidence of respiratory illness during the first 13 weeks of life (25.6 versus 37 percent). (11)

Two studies reported a decrease in the incidence of wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections during the first four to six months of life (12 and 13).

8. Breast-Fed Infants Have Less Urinary Tract Infections:

In one study done, infants who were hospitalized for urinary tract infections were less likely to have been breast-fed. This protection is suggested based on the fact that breast-fed infants have greater content of anti-microbial components in their urine. (15)

9. Post-Breastfeeding Protection Appears to Increase the Duration of Breastfeeding

The longer you breastfeed, the better protected the infant is. This was illustrated in a study done with children between 6 and 24 months of age. Infants who were exclusively breastfed for four to six months compared with those who exclusively breastfed for MORE THAN 6 months were more likely to develop pneumonia, have more ear infections during the 12-month period preceding the study. (16)

10. There May Be a Relationship Between Breastfeeding and the Prevention of Chronic Disease

  • Obesity – There may be a relationship between breastfeeding and the prevention of obesity. Several studies have been done on various ethnic children and the results are the same. Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of being obese. (17, 18, 19)
  • Cancer – Breastfeeding has been associated with an overall reduced risk in childhood cancer as well as lymphoma and leukemia. (20, 21, 22)
  • Type 1 Diabetes – Breastfed infants appear to have a decreased risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to formula-fed infants. The difference is thought to be due to a cell-mediated response to a specific cow’s milk protein, beta-casein, which may be involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. (23)

11. Cognitive Development is Improved Later in Life with Breastfed Infants

There have been several reports that breastfeeding slightly improves cognitive development later in childhood and adolescence. (24)

One particular study done on ten-year-old children discovered that those who were predominately breastfed for 6 months or longer in infancy had higher academic scores than children who were breastfed for less than 6 months. (25)

12. Breastfed Infants Have Improved Visual Function Compared to Formula-Fed Infants

This is said to be benefited to the DHA which is present in human milk (26) . DHA plays a major role in brain and visual development.

13. Breastfed Infants are Less Stressed

There is an analgesic effect of breastfeeding, which is, most likely, due to the maternal-infant bonding that happens when nursing an infant (27). Breastfed infants experience less stress than formula fed infants. This could also be due to the higher cortisol levels of breastfeeding compared to formula-fed infants (28).

Conclusion:

The benefits of breastfeeding are astounding and nothing to undermine. Reading these studies should not make anyone feel guilty or less of a mother because you are not able to breastfeed. Everyone should be aware of the incredible benefits of human milk.

Breastfeeding for all infants is strongly supported by the right professional organizations. If you cannot find the support you need, reach out to La Leche League or call a hospital to talk to a lactation consultant. Many times a decrease in milk supply is because of improper latch which can be easily corrected.

Books to Help the Nursing Mother: 

Sources: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breastfeeding Triplets: One Mother’s Journey

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“Well, the good news is – it’s triplets!”

Not the sentence I was expecting to hear from a doctor I’d never seen before.

The day I learned my husband and I were expecting spontaneous triplets was one of the most memorable days of my life. I had a deep desire to birth any babies we were blessed with – naturally. I had a midwife, we were planning a home birth. I wanted to breastfeed.

But…three babies??

At the time I knew no one else who had triplets – lots of twins, but no triplets. And things just changed with a third baby in there (for instance, I had three babies and….well, not nearly enough boobs!).

And then.

My God-given, powerful maternal instinct kicked in, and I said, “I’m gonna do this!” We spent the next weeks and months working towards a natural, vaginal delivery. I researched and discussed with my chiro my options, went through all the potential challenges and plans with my OB team.

God had other plans, though, and my water broke at 32 weeks and 3 days (past term for triplets!) and less than 18 hours later, my three breech babies were born via c-section. It was a beautiful day – memories piercing my heart for decades to come. I watched each of my 3 lb, 12 or 13 oz babies being lifted from my body via mirror. Surreal. Breathtaking.

The Challenges I Faced with Breastfeeding Triplets

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NICU Days

They spent 28-30 days in the NICU as “feeders and growers.” During that time, I battled to get my supply up. You see, in all the craziness of an unexpected delivery, delivering three babies and trying to get my post-op body to spend time with my brand new babies…I missed the critical window for telling my body, “Yep, you delivered three babies! Now, make milk for them!!!”

Add to that, my sweet babes were born before they learned the “suck, swallow, breathe” coordination in the womb. So they were being fed my milk and formula by a tube that went to their stomach. Then we taught them how to take from a bottle.

Initially, I had hoped to breastfeed two and pump for the third, rotating who was bottle-fed. But, once they were born I realized I should be able to breastfeed all three. So I read books. And websites. And blogs. I found online communities of triplet mamas. I talked with several different lactation consultants. I took herbs and medication. I drank gallons of water. I pumped around the clock.

Turning Bottle-fed Triplets into Breastfeeding Triplets

After the shock of bringing three babies home from the hospital (nearly 33 weeks didn’t prepare me for what that would be like!), I quickly realized teaching three babies to breastfeed was a monumental task. On top of getting my supply up.

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After more and more research and conversations with my LC, and around two and a half months, I began working with my son to breastfeed. A week or so later, one of the girls. One feeding looked like this:

  • Attempt tandem feed. If it didn’t work, feed one at a time.
  • Top off with bottles.
  • Bottle-feed the third.
  • Pump.
  • Start over in about an hour and a half. All day and night.

My third refused the breast for weeks. I cried. A lot. I tried positions and supplementing before, supplementing after. I tried a supplemental nursing system, a nursing shield. I tried pumping while breastfeeding her. I tried nursing her first, last, with a sibling, without. Refusal. Rejection.

My heart was so defeated.

Then I got in the bath tub with her. And there, she nursed. She nursed with the warm water gently surrounding her, feeling my heartbeat matching hers in that thrilling moment as I fed my daughter. My heart soared and I cried with joy and thankfulness.

Breastfeeding Triplets – 1, 2, 3 Babies

It wasn’t long after this moment that I had the second most memorable day in our breastfeeding journey.

One afternoon, one of the girls woke and I brought her into bed with me. I nursed her. Soon after, her sister and brother woke and I fed them. What??!! I fed all three babies and everyone was happy! No bottles were needed!

My body worked.

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The demand was there and my body created the supply. From that moment on, I realized I could do this thing.

A Glorious Journey – My Journey

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The road was the most difficult one I had ever walked. I was now making decisions that affected three tiny people – my children!

  • Do I drop a bottle now? Not yet?
  • Are they gaining enough? Did everyone have enough wet diapers?
  • Was that a “hungry” sign or are they just digging their hands these days?
  • Should I drink more water? Pump more? Eat more?
  • Can I start weaning off the supplements? The medication? What would it look like for my supply to tank?
  • How do I know if they really got enough?

Every day I fought against fear and fought to trust that God was causing my body to work the way He designed it to. I had to choose to walk in what I knew and make adjustments with what I learned.

My breastfeeding journey didn’t look like what I thought it would. At all! In many ways, it’s far more glorious than I ever dreamed it could be. And in other ways I fell short:

In the post-whirlwind of having three babies, I can clearly see the things we missed and what we could have done differently. But you know what? I was doing the best I could and I’m learning to be ok with that.

 

These days, at two and a half, we’re working on different things – like how to slowly wean. Yep, these beautiful babies are still nursing! We just weaned to one feeding when we all wake up in the morning. It’s one of my favorite times of the day – especially as I know those days are coming to a close. I hope to let them wean on their own at this point.

We’ve enjoyed a long, crazy, beautiful, fantastic journey. I couldn’t be happier.

Did your breastfeeding relationship include challenges? How did you overcome those?

 

jenniferJennifer Fountain is the founder of Growing Up Triplets and is a contributor to other blogs, including Breastfeeding Place and Modern Alternative Mama. She writes about raising and breastfeeding their 2½ year old triplets, taking the family back to living simply, and endeavoring to honor God in the midst of it all. She will be releasing her first book soon – on breastfeeding multiples. Jennifer has been married to her hubby, David, for four years and is madly in love with him! You can follow Jennifer and the three peas on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their blog.

Is Your Child Feeling Sick? Remove These 4 Foods!

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I have a secret? I love Kula Mama! She has amazing recipes and remedies and her articles are always so right on point. I love her so much that I asked her to guest blog and write an article for my readers! Thank you Kula Mama for sharing your knowledge with us. This post is so informative and necessary and something that we don’t often think of. Please welcome Heather from Kula Mama! 

During cold and flu season children are often fighting off a variety of viruses at varying times throughout the winter months. Our immune systems do a wonderful job of protecting us from illness and most of the time we don’t even realize they are working so hard for us. But sometimes the immune system needs a little extra help. This is when we feel that tickle in the throat warning us of an impending cold virus, or we start to feel tired, achy and sluggish. If your child starts feeling a little under the weather this cold and flu season, there are foods you can remove to help the immune system get back on track.

4 Foods to Remove During Illness:

1. DAIRY
Dairy is mucus forming in the body, so when your child starts showing signs of a runny nose or congestion it is best to remove this food group to slow mucus production. Why throw gasoline on a fire? Dairy is also acidic in the body and the body heals more quickly when in an alkaline state.

2. SUGAR
Sugar, the anti-nutrient, is always a good thing to remove when your child is feeling sick. In order for the body to process sugar it actually has to use up nutrient stores…nutrients the immune system could use to fight off a virus! Sugar also contributes to an acidic pH in the body and for healing to occur it is best to bring your child into an alkaline state. Find out more about how to do that here.

3. DAMAGED FATS/FRIED FOODS
Damaged fats are highly inflammatory in the body. During a cold or flu virus children need to bring inflammation down so their immune systems can do the work of healing. Eating fried food or packaged food made with Trans fats or vegetable oils only increases inflammation in the body which is harder on the immune system.

4. GLUTEN
Gluten, the sticky protein found in wheat, is a very large protein that is hard to digest. When your child is feeling ill, his digestion is vulnerable and it’s better to focus on nutrient-dense foods that are easy to metabolize like clear bone broth and soup. Gluten also causes inflammation in the body and is a problem food for many children whether they know it or not. When your child is sick, try going gluten-free while healing.

What foods to you find best to remove when your child is sick? Tell me in the comments below!

 

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Heather Haynes, MA, is a nutrition and wellness educator working in the field of whole foods nutrition and holistic health. She is passionate about the health of all children and believes raising happy, healthy kids starts with getting back to basics and cooking with REAL food. You can find her blogging most days on her website www.kulamama.com sharing holistic health information and recipes for kids. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and G+!

 

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What’s in My Natural Postpartum Kit?

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postpartum kit horizontalI’ve been blessed to have amazing births with both my kids. Both of them were very different. My first child was an induced hospital birth with an epidural. My second was a 100% natural birth in a bathtub with no meds or epidural. I’m sort of glad that I have been able to have both experiences because I’m able to talk about the differences in both. Many people think they can’t stand the pain of a natural birth, however, I found the pain very minimal compared to my hospital birth.

I plan on writing a comparison post on both these births to educate women and moms-to-be on my experience and the things that I went through. Regardless of if you plan on having an induction, epidural, caesarean, or natural birth, it’s important to be prepared for your body to heal. A woman’s body is incredible and as I went through labor and delivery naturally, I was able to experience what my body was capable of. With my first child, I was NOT prepared for the postpartum aches and pains, which made the healing process take forever. I was ready with my first and prepared a natural postpartum kit that helped remedy the experiences I had after birth.

My Natural Postpartum Kit:

  1. Mother’s Milk Tea (I like these) – this tea helps to promote healthy lactation and is made with high quality, organic herbs. I made sure I ordered a few boxes of this beforehand, however, if you want to, you can make this tea yourself.
  2. Perineum Spray – I could not get enough of this stuff when I was recovering from birth. It’s simple to make and I made a large batch before labor began. Take a empty spray bottle (I like this one cause it’s glass) and fill it to the top with witch hazel. Then add about 40 drops of essential oils. I recommend using a combination of frankincense and lavender (where to buy) to promote healing.
  3. Nipple Cream – I recommend using my All-Purpose Salve on your nipples. Apply after each nursing session so you don’t have to worry about washing it off for the next nursing session.
  4. Healing Sitz Bath (I like this one) – this is a blend of herbal ingredients that help to reduce swelling, speed healing, soothe vaginal soreness and perineal bruising and comforts hemorrhoids. You can make this yourself if you would like to!
  5. DIY Witch Hazel Pads – these were my ABSOLUTE favorite thing I had prepped and ready to go at home. Buy a box of overnight maxi pads (you’re gonna need them regardless from the bleeding). Take your prepped perineum spray (listed above) and spray the pad with the mixture. Get it all nice and damp. Then wrap the pad up in aluminum foil and throw it in the freezer. It feels unbelievable after birth! I only needed a few days worth…so about 10 pads.
  6. Essential Oils for Post Contractions – Contractions, are inevitable. Your uterus has grown the past nine months and your body needs to contract it back to it’s normal size. This can take from 4-6 weeks. Post labor contractions feel like menstrual cramps and can be very painful. With each child, it’s gets a little bit worse. It can feel very intense and uncomfortable, especially during breastfeeding sessions. I have found that using lavender and white fir essential oils (where to buy) can provide instant relief. No need to dilute, just apply a few drops of each directly to the abdomen. These are both very gentle oils so if your baby touches your belly, these oils won’t be too harsh for the baby’s tender skin.
  7. Chick Flick – order a movie that you know will make you cry and watch it on the fourth day after your baby is born. Sounds crazy, but trust me…this works to help release your feelings of being overwhelmed in a way that is normal to others, so you don’t have to explain them.  My go-to emotional release is The Notebook or a Walk to Remember…heck, anything buy Nicholas Sparks does it for me!
  8. Essential Oils for Baby Blues – The baby blues affects 10-15% of women. Essential oils are a great way to help you get through the Baby Blues. They can support and uplift you during this changing time. Some of the best oils for this would be: Tangerine, Grapefruit, Bergamot, geranium, wild orange, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, lavender, Roman chamomile, rosewood, or sandalwood. Use any of these as a personal perfume and wear it daily. Diffusing it is another way to get these oils into your system (I like this diffuser).
  9. Placenta Pills – more and more women are becoming open to the “not-so-new” idea of encapsulating your placenta. The placenta is an organ that has nourished your baby for the past 9 months. As hormones are going crazy, the placenta can give back to you what your body is needing. It helps to reduce the risk of postpartum depression and helps to increase your milk supply. Read one mother’s account on how placenta encapsulation saved her sanity.
  10. A Good Nursing Bra – you are definitely going to want to have this ready before your baby arrives. Some mothers prefer to wait till their milk comes in to find a good nursing bra, however, the first few weeks of breastfeeding are not a good time to determine what your new breast size will be. You are going to want to know how to size yourself and get 3-4 good nursing bras. Don’t go cheap on this!
  11. Meal Registry – If you don’t do anything above, DO THIS! This is a huge lifesaver. Go to Take Them a Meal and set this up. It’s free and easy and your friends will love you because they want to help, but just don’t know how to! Set up aschedule and post it on your FB page and email it to your friends who are asking to help.

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