Green Growing
by Lynoa Cochrane

If you have spent the last year or so watching everything that you have eaten, drunk and been exposed to then you can probably be forgiven for thinking it's all over now, especially if you have just given birth. But after the initial shock and 'Oh my word, they're huge'as the first reaction to your new set of boobs, the reality is that it's all just starting.

Breast is best?
The first thing you need to get your head round is feeding your baby, and what better way than naturally. But remember what you eat, drink and if you smoke will all affect the quality. Breast-feeding is the most natural way to nourish your baby and scientists are discovering that compared to formula-fed babies, breast-fed babies tend to have fewer gastrointestinal, respiratory and ear infections. They are also less likely to suffer Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or cot death) or serious illness.

Breast milk also protects babies from viruses and bacteria because a mother passes resistance (in the form of antibodies) to the baby through her milk. This can protect your baby even when you have the flu. Feeding from the breast is the healthiest option for your baby. It exercises and supports the development of teeth and jaw muscles ready for speech. Breast milk is a self-regulating food as its composition changes with the nutritional needs of your baby. Some studies even indicate that breast-fed babies tend to have higher IQ's than formula-fed babies, so my mum's got a lot to answer for.

The World Health Organisation and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) have introduced a Baby-Friendly Initiative which works with Health Services to enable parents to make informed choices about how they feed and care for their babies. WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends that babies need nothing other than breast milk for their first
six months of life. Solid foods can be introduced at this time but preferably not before four months.

However, some women may find themselves in the situation where they think that they cannot breast-feed, but with the right information and support from trained professionals, as well as new, efficient and comfortable breast pumps, there should be no reason to give up! In these cases your doctor, midwife and/or health visitor will provide you with all the information you need. Support is also available from the Le Leche League or NCT.

Apart from all the scientific serious stuff - breast-feeding can be a pleasurable, relaxing and nurturing experience.

Top tips
According to breast-feeding councillors and health professionals, sore and cracked nipples only occur due to incorrect positioning. So if you're a learner and it does happen, first thing to do is get help with the positioning of your baby at the breast. The most natural solution is the best one. Try leaving your bra off for a while when you're in the house to let the air circulate around the affected area (remember to shut the curtains if you're going topless!). Let the natural healing properties of your breast milk do their stuff by gently patting it onto the affected area.

Try using it on cradle cap and nappy rash too - I know many mums who swear by it. It's full of antibodies and nutrients and is a great all-purpose cream.

If the problem persists there is a product called Lansinoh Brand Lanolin - this is an ultra-pure lanolin, which has had all the allergic components removed. It works by the process of moist-wound healing. The manufacturers of this product have gone to great lengths to ensure that it is and has remained 100% pure. It is now provided in many NHS maternity wards. However, even the use of this cream is suggested only when you have developed cracks or fissures.
For sore breasts (engorgement), one leaf of Savoy cabbage stuffed down your bra does the job. But it has to be Savoy, don't ask us why! Many mums have contacted us to say that you should also pop the leaf in the freezer for a while then score it lightly with a sharp knife to allow the juices in the leaf to flow.

Nowadays, everyone is exposed to various kinds of pollution from our environment and/or diet. Whilst pregnant or breast-feeding, try to avoid exposure to chemical contaminants in creams, hair dyes, cosmetics, perfumes and unnecessary medications. Eating plenty of raw fruit and vegetables (organic if possible) is equally important. Don't worry though, just do your best. It's handy to freeze expressed milk in ice cube trays and store the cubes in freezer bags. These can be added to foods as and when required.

Pureed fruit and veggies are good as your baby becomes more adventurous. Babies particularly love sweet vegetables such as parsnip, carrot, sweet potato, avocado, butternut squash, sweetcorn and beetroot. Try to steam rather than boil your fruit and veg to retain as many nutrients as possible. You will find a hand blender a valuable addition to your kitchen. Prepare in bulk and like the breast milk, freeze in ice cube trays.

Excellent finger foods to help teething trouble (or even just as a little treat - not for you, for your baby) are dried mango, apple or pineapple rings. These should only be used occasionally though (at mealtimes), as even natural sugars can cause damage to young delicate teeth and it's a good idea to give teeth a quick brush afterwards. You can find dried fruits (try to avoid ones treated with preservatives) in good health food shops - or you could try doing them yourself - but donÕt ask us how!!

As baby gets older you can start to combine different textures and flavours but there are some foods to be avoided such as honey, nuts, cows/goats milk until your baby is over 1 year old. Also, try to stick to water and milk as your child's only drink for as long as possible.
If you haven't the time to do home cooking for every meal and you need to use the odd bit of help, there are some great organic food companies out there that really care about what they put in your baby's food.

Always check the ingredients first though and try to avoid modified starch, maltodextrine, salt and sugar. All these ingredients are unnecessary and have little nutritional value.
What does 'organic' really mean? It is food that is grown or reared under guidelines which limit the use of genetically modified seeds and animal feeds, chemical pesticides, fertilisers and animal feed additives. Its aim is to reduce the impact of farming on the environment and grow healthier, more natural food for human consumption. Organic food isn't as expensive as it sounds. In fact, if you look around locally, you'll probably find a farmer's market or a shop that does a box scheme which means less packaging, fresher, cheaper, great food.

Tonics and toiletries
We all love that fresh, clean baby smell and we also want to look after our baby's skin as best we can. But have you ever wondered what's in that sweet smelling bubble bath or strawberry flavoured toothpaste? It is estimated that human skin absorbs 60% of everything it comes into contact with. A baby's skin is approximately 5 times more sensitive and 6 times thinner than adult skin so it's worth finding out what's in the toiletries you use on your child.

This may sound scary but most conventional soaps, shampoos, talcum powder, bubblebath, cream and toothpaste contain a mixture of substances produced in a chemical factory. These are added to kill germs or make nice smells but more and more research is suggesting that these are not only unnecessary but may also pose a health threat to you and your family. For example, you may have heard fears about sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (a derivative of palm oil) which is used widely in toiletries to make them foam. There are also concerns over ingredients such as zinc and sulphur, used in standard nappy creams. As usual, evidence can be found both for and against these claims. If you are worried, do some research yourself, always look at both sides of the story, and then make your own decision.
Skin conditions such as eczema are on the increase and it has been suggested that some of the chemicals we use on our bodies and the home contribute to these. Friends of the Earth estimate that our bodies are now contaminated with more than 300 manmade chemicals and that 86% have not been properly assessed for safety when used in combination with each other. They say that in the last 50 years, 750,000 new synthetic chemical compounds have been released into our environment. Fewer than half of these have been tested for their toxicity to humans and nothing is known about their effects when combined together.

Babies don't need soap to be clean, just a good dunk in the bath or a top and tail with some water and a cloth. Using soap containing only natural ingredients once in a while ensures that you don't dry her skin out and is quite enough. Try adding some essential oil (always follow guidelines) to the bath water. Olive oil is also a great natural moisturiser.
There are many natural toiletries available, not just by mail order but in your local health food shop and supermarket. Hopefully these will become cheaper as more people start to use them. Try to use products that are not tested on animals. My rule of thumb is; if you don't understand the ingredients, don't buy it!

Healthy options
We all hope our babies are always healthy and bouncing with vitality but all babies get ill at some time. Knowing what your healthcare options are in advance can save a lot of time and stress. There are a bewildering array of lotions and potions, food supplements, medical aids and also complementary therapies. It can all get a bit confusing, especially when you are new to the job. Maybe you know what kind of healthcare you want for your child but aren't sure where to source the information.

Complementary remedies can be used as a 'complement'to conventional medicine or used on their own as a gentle solution to treat minor ailments such as thrush, colic, teething, fretfulness, cuts and bruises.

Many therapies can be used as an aid during pregnancy and childbirth too, such as acupuncture to help quit smoking, massage for relief of back pain and aromatherapy and homeopathy to help with labour. Always seek the advice of your doctor and a registered complementary practitioner. Whatever you choose, it's a good idea to avoid the frequent use of antibiotics as this can cause thrush, antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, reduced resistance to infection and disease and the risk of recurrent infections.

There are quite an array of therapies available such as homeopathy, Chinese medicine,
Bach flower remedies, osteopathy, sacro-cranial therapy and herbalism. Many GPs advocate complementary therapies and some are trained in them, as are some midwives. Try to find a GP who understands your healthcare requirements.

Another issue that you will have to consider is immunisation. Paediatricians recommend that all babies be immunised; however it is a complicated and divided issue. Before making any decision, get informed. Your GP and health visitor can provide you with all the information you need, but you will find none of this information is intended to overload you and nobody is trying to tell you what to think, but you do have the right to an informed choice. So don't let it all get on top of you, make sure you enjoy, after all baby grows so quickly.