pregnancy & baby festival

O'Reilly Hall, UCD, Dublin
22-23 February 2014, 10am - 5pm

Competitions

Cotton on!

A guest post from Babytalk exhibitor Leona from hip baby about why organic cotton is the bees knees!

hip baby

Cotton is Cotton right??  Well no, not exactly.  There are no chemicals whatsoever used in the production of Organic Cotton.  No insecticides or pesticides used in the cotton fields or chemicals during the manufacturing process and the dyes used are free from toxins!

Apart from the obvious Environmental and Social benefits to the farmers who grow it, how does it benefit you and your baby?  Well a baby’s skin is very delicate and their skin is a lot thinner than adults, for this reason is it is important that their skin can breathe and Organic Cotton helps this.

A lot of babies suffer with eczema and other skin irritations and Organic Cotton can really help with these conditions.  Regardless of the rest of the clothes your baby wears, if the layer next to their skin is Organic Cotton then you are helping your baby’s skin to breathe!

Organic Cotton Clothing has come a long way in the last few years, previously the choice varied from a dull cream to an even duller grey!!!  Now we have lots of colours and styles to choose from and the quality cannot be matched!

Come along to the hipbaby stand at Babytalk Festival to see and feel organic cotton clothing for yourself and be in with a chance to win a fab prize of a €50 voucher to spend online!

For more details please see www.hipbaby.ie

Not just skin deep

Concerned about stretch marks? Babytalk exhibitor Lisa Heeney has some tips and a Beautiful Belly Bar to give away! Just comment below or on the corresponding facebook post to be in with a chance to win!

bellybar

Pregnancy is a time of change, both physically and mentally. Some women breeze through the 42 weeks whilst others have a more challenging time with discomforts such as morning sickness, sleeplessness, heart-burn or excessive swelling (Honestly, it’s all forgotten in the end!). A common result of a rapidly changing body size and shape is stretch marks which, unfortunately, can be accompanied by tight, itchy, inflamed skin as it stretches to embrace your growing baby bump.

And s-t-r-e-t-c-h…
Stretch marks can happen when the rate of growth of your skin has difficulty in keeping up with the rate of growth of your body underneath. Changes in skin physiology mean that structural fibres in the middle layer of your skin are stretched and often broken, causing the appearance of darker pigmented lines around your belly, breasts and thighs.

Not everyone gets stretch marks, but there seems to be some factors that might make getting stretch marks more likely: stress, dehydration, rapid weight gain, and unfortunately, genetics (not much we can do about that one girls!).

Reduce your stress
It is not realistic to say that if you do x, y or z you will definitely not get stretch marks, however, staying hydrated, incorporating healthy oils like olive oil and coconut oil into your diet, and keeping your skin well nourished to improve its elasticity will help make your growing body more comfortable. From working regularly with pregnant women, in my opinion stress is also a big factor in how a woman’s body reacts to her pregnancy, so staying relaxed, both mentally and physically and allowing your body to work properly, is very important too. Getting reflexology, going for a massage, doing yoga or going for some acupuncture are all wonderful ways of helping to stay relaxed, and physically and emotionally balanced when pregnant.

Looking after your bump
Another important thing you can do for yourself is to care for your skin and keep it properly nourished and hydrated as your pregnancy progresses. Your body diverts many of the nutrients you take in via your food to your baby, so it’s important to give your skin some extra love in the form of proper moisturisation and TLC. Whilst no cream, lotion or potion can or should say that it will 100% prevent stretch marks, improved elasticity of the skin may diminish their appearance somewhat and improve how your skin feels. Properly moisturised skin will not feel as tight or as uncomfortable, and certain beneficial ingredients may also help with inflammation and itchiness.

Taking the time to look after your body and pay it some attention is very rewarding in itself. Spending a few minutes in the morning, after your shower, or before you head to bed in the evening time, massaging your bump will help you relax. It’s nice to use some gentle sweeping strokes moving one hand up from the bottom of your bump to the top, whilst bringing your other hand down from the top to the bottom, in a relaxed circle shape. It feels lovely to use your knuckles to massage your legs and thighs upwards towards your bum as it helps to relieve daily tension build-up and improve circulation. Improving blood flow to your womb and pelvis is important through massage and gentle exercise because it allows a good oxygen supply to baby.

What goes on, goes in
Just as it’s important to be prudent about what you put into your body when you’re pregnant, it’s equally important to pay attention to what you’re putting ON your pregnant body, as a percentage of what you put on your skin will pass to your blood stream and can cross the placental barrier. It’s wise to avoid harsh chemicals with artificial fragrances and colours, or that are petroleum based as these have been linked amongst other things, to causing hormonal imbalances, both for you and your developing baby. Skin can also be in a state of heightened sensitivity when you’re pregnant, so is much more likely to react badly to irritants and synthetic compounds.

Moisturising, protective, healing
In 2002 I learned about certain ingredients in cosmetics that could be detrimental to our health and was truly horrified. When I started making my own body products in 2012, I was determined to use only natural ingredients, that were organic where possible. Some of the ingredients that I incorporate into my products are:
Beeswax (locally sourced from Co. Louth), Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Rosehip Oil, Calendula Oil and beautiful essential oils – some of my favourites include Neroli, Frankincense, and Chamomile.

Natural Benefits
Beeswax forms a natural protective barrier when used in skincare products, has anti-inflammatory properties, softens the skin and helps to heal wounds. Shea and Cocoa butter have long been used to nourish, soften and protect the skin. They work with your skin and moisturise from the outer layers down, whilst still allowing your skin to breathe and do its job of getting rid of your body’s toxins. Rosehip and Calendula oils are well renowned for their skin rejuvenating properties and encourage healing of scars and wounds, whilst coconut oil is wonderful at moisturising, and balancing the skin’s own oils. Being an aromatherapist, I choose essential oils that are therapeutic as well as being beautifully fragrant, and specific to pregnancy requirements. (Please note that certain essential oils are not recommended as being safe during pregnancy. Please check with a trained aromatherapist if you are unsure as to which oils to use.)

I have created a pregnancy-specific product called the Beautiful Belly Bar which is a solid moisturising bar made using local beeswax, organic shea butter, organic rosehip oil and calendula oil. It is naturally nourishing and protective for your pregnancy body and the beautiful and luxurious essential oil of neroli makes it extra special. Simply rub it on, and rub it in.

Giveaway!
And one of my Beautiful Belly Bars is up for grabs! To be in with a chance of winning, just comment on this post or on the babytalk facebook page and the winner will be notified accordingly.

Bio
Since 2001, Lisa Heeney started working with pregnant women as a reflexologist and aromatherapist, but is now focussing on developing her range of hand-crafted natural body products. Lisa is an advocate of natural pregnancy and birth and wants women to enjoy their pregnancies and have positive birth experiences. She lives in Drogheda, Co. Louth, is married to John and is mum to three beautiful children, Elizabeth, Ruairi and Jacob.

You can read more about her hand-made natural products at www.lisaheeney.com

WaterWipes Competition

This competition is now closed!

We’re delighted to have WaterWipes at babytalk festival and thrilled to have a fantastic prize of 3 MONTHS worth of WaterWipes to give away!

To win simply comment on this post or like and comment on the corresponding post on facebook. Winners will be announced next Wednesday – good luck!

baby_wipes_slide2

Some tips on baby skincare from the WaterWipes team

When you have a new baby, you may be wondering how to take care of their beautiful fragile skin. Babies have skin that is very thin and sensitive, compared to adult’s skin.

Everyone loves the feeling of a baby’s smooth skin, but it can be under-estimated the care that goes in to keeping your baby’s skin this way. Here are five tips to help take care of your newborn’s skin without worrying about injuring the skin.

1. Harmful Products
Take caution when handling products that you are using on your newborn’s skin. Be aware of any chemical in baby wipes that may cause irritations to the skin. There are many nasty chemical contained in a number of baby wipes that can cause irritations. Try use a baby wipe that is as natural as possible, with very few chemicals because it is recommended by midwives to use cotton wool and cooled boiled water, the most natural cleaning agent.

2. Bath-time
There is no need to wash your baby every day. Too much washing can dry out a baby’s delicate skin leaving it susceptible to rashes or infections. A quick wash down of the baby’s neck, arms and diaper area with a washcloth is sufficient enough most days – unless your baby is running through muddy puddles every day. When you bath your baby make sure you choose a wash that is fragrance –free and only use small amounts. Stay clear of products that contain ‘Sodium Lauryl Sulfate’ in the ingredients due to the harshness of this detergent for a newborn’s skin. Once bathing time is over, dry your newborn and gently use a fragrance free lotion to moisturise the skin.

3. Burns easily
A newborn’s skin is not fully developed when born, especially the melanin which helps to absorb the sun rays. Therefore this means that a baby’s skin will burn quicker than older children or adults. Keep your newborn out of direct sunlight as much as possible. If out in sunlight keep the baby’s head covered with a hat and arms and legs covered if possible. Babies have more skin surface than adults, so they will absorb a higher degree of chemicals. This can increase reactions and irritations of the skin. Where possible avoid chemical sunscreens so your newborn’s skin cannot absorb any of these nasty chemicals contained it them.

4. Watch out for diaper rash
The chances are at some stage of your baby’s life you will encounter diaper rashes. The materials that diapers are make from that prevent leaking also prevent air circulating, which creates a damp environment prone to rash development. The cleaner and dryer the skin is then there is a lower chance of irritations occurring. Clean your baby’s skin with cotton wool and cooled boiled water or a baby wipe during every change. To avoid diaper rash occurring allow the skin to completely dry before applying power to minimise the rash.

5. Be careful with choice of clothing
When choosing clothing for your newborn it is important to be careful with your selection. Many materials can be harsh on the sensitive skin of a newborn and can cause irritations. Opt for clothing that is made from a soft material, such as cotton, that will be gentle towards the skin. When washing your baby’s clothing, be careful that you do not use harsh laundry detergents as these may irritate the skin when clothes are worn after a wash.

In general it is best to use the purest, most natural products on a newbons skin as these will be less likely to cause any reactions.

The purest baby wipe is manufactured by Irish Breeze, a leading producer of cotton products and baby care. WaterWipes is the first chemical-free baby wipe brought to the market. Free from chemicals and preservatives, WaterWipes are 99.9% water with 0.1% grapefruit seed extract, making them safe for newborns and infants. They are the only baby wipes approved by Allergy UK. This states that the have been tested to prove it is efficient on reducing or removing allergens.

For more information on WaterWipes visit www.waterwipes.com.

Why eat your placenta???

placenta encapsulation
Placenta capsules and cord – image credit Harmony Yoga Ireland

The title of today’s post might sound a little shocking at first glance, but placenta encapsulation is really gaining in popularity all over the world and in the last few years in Ireland too!

Our guest blog post is from one of our lovely exhibitors Gail, who provides placenta encapsulation as one of her many services at Harmony Yoga Ireland.

“I often get funny looks when I tell people my new service is encapsulating placentas!! Comments often range from YUCK to WHY to HOW DO YOU DO THAT!

I have worked with pregnant women and babies for nearly 10 years now and I am always  looking for new ways to support both the parents and the babies. I heard about placenta encapsulating early last year and as soon as I had read up about it, I knew that it was something that I wanted to offer.

I trained with IPEN in the UK last July and have been buy ever since, collecting placentas and dropping back capsules (even though I have not yet advertised, it has mostly been word of mouth).

There are a few different options that can be chosen, but the most common are the capsules which are either Raw or TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

The raw capsules involve washing the placenta thoroughly after I collect it (as soon after birth as possible) and cutting it up into small slices to be dehydrated over a number of hours. After this it is ground up and made into capsules.

The TMC method is done by steaming the placenta first (in the water is lemon, chilli and  ginger) before following the same steps as above.

Another option that is much more popular than I thought it would be is a Placenta Smoothie!! This is taking a small piece of the placenta, again as soon as possible after birth (this service is usually at homebirths so the mum can consume the smoothie as soon as it is made) this is then blended with frozen berries, a banana and water. The benefit of having the smoothie are:

• Helps stop postpartum hemorrhaging and triggers the body to quickly heal internal wounds

• Significantly reduces blood loss

• Gives the body an immediate supply of essential vitamins and nutrients

• Provides the body with an immediate boost of hormones to begin healing the body after birth

• Gives the mother an immediate feeling of strength and balance

• Most mothers who have the smoothie report milk ‘comes in’ at day 2 postpartum rather than 3-4 days postpartum

• Eases the hormonal transition to postpartum and helps prevent the ‘baby blues’ around the time when milk engorges the breasts

Other options include, essence, tincture and homeopathic remedies for both the mother and the baby.

With every placenta that I encapsulate the parents receive a keepsake of the umbilical cord dried (which my daughters have renamed a belly button pretzel!!!).

For more information go to www.placentanetwork.com or Harmony Yoga Ireland
To book your placenta services call Gail on 087 826 3778

To be in with a chance to win Gail’s placenta encapsulation service*, just comment on this post with your name and email address or on our Facebook post. We will announce the winner on Friday the 31st of January!

*The Prize includes collection of your placenta in the Dublin area, capsules (either Raw or TCM) and delivery. Other services may be purchased.