Comments on: wherein i start to feel a little bit crazy with all the last minute purchases http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:19:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: calm mama http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-438 calm mama Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:56:09 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-438 Before we cast aspersions on the nice nurse who taught my babycare class... She did not suggest we put sanitizer on our boobs. She was very clear about the boobs manufacturing our own anti-whatevers needed. Sanitizer was for hands. I agree that it's overkill, and I agree about kids needing to get dirty. I personally don't have any anti-bacterial soap in my house. The sanitizer I bought is "plant-based," composed of 62% non-GMO organic alcohol, glycerine, aloe, and lavender oil. Here's the website that describes it: <a href="http://www.eoproducts.com/shopping?rs=product&id=111234" rel="nofollow">http://www.eoproducts.com/shopping?rs=product&id=111234</a> Dunno what more commercial (read - cheaper, chemical-based, popular brands) are made of. But I promise not to overuse in any case. Germ-phobic isn't really one of my issues (am too worried about man-made toxins... hah!). Before we cast aspersions on the nice nurse who taught my babycare class… She did not suggest we put sanitizer on our boobs. She was very clear about the boobs manufacturing our own anti-whatevers needed.

Sanitizer was for hands. I agree that it’s overkill, and I agree about kids needing to get dirty. I personally don’t have any anti-bacterial soap in my house.

The sanitizer I bought is “plant-based,” composed of 62% non-GMO organic alcohol, glycerine, aloe, and lavender oil. Here’s the website that describes it: http://www.eoproducts.com/shopping?rs=product&id=111234

Dunno what more commercial (read – cheaper, chemical-based, popular brands) are made of. But I promise not to overuse in any case.

Germ-phobic isn’t really one of my issues (am too worried about man-made toxins… hah!).

]]> By: Leila http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-434 Leila Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:46:06 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-434 Actually, I try to avoid hand sanitizers myself and head straight for the bathroom and the soap. If I see it's antibacterial I look for regular soap without that stuff. Immunities - a famous young writer who was an immunologist before she started winning writing awards told us in writing workshop that we Americans are too sanitary. We don't pick up enough immunities because our lives are too sterile. She described conditions in her native country, where she was a member of the elite - shockingly gross. But of course with a newborn and always with diaper changing one wants to practice good hygiene. Later on however it's probably better to let them grub around and get dirty. I used to fret about this. What about raccoon poop in the yard? Cat poop? can't they get terrible diseases? And my eldest did indeed get a horrific case of salmonella from Alice Waters' chickens in the famous, swanky schoolyard garden. My insurance company made noises about suing. So I don't have the answer exactly. But they're right about the breastmilk being extra special germ killing. God forbid you should use sanitizer on your tits. Soap and water'll do ya. Actually, I try to avoid hand sanitizers myself and head straight for the bathroom and the soap. If I see it’s antibacterial I look for regular soap without that stuff.

Immunities – a famous young writer who was an immunologist before she started winning writing awards told us in writing workshop that we Americans are too sanitary. We don’t pick up enough immunities because our lives are too sterile. She described conditions in her native country, where she was a member of the elite – shockingly gross.

But of course with a newborn and always with diaper changing one wants to practice good hygiene. Later on however it’s probably better to let them grub around and get dirty. I used to fret about this. What about raccoon poop in the yard? Cat poop? can’t they get terrible diseases? And my eldest did indeed get a horrific case of salmonella from Alice Waters’ chickens in the famous, swanky schoolyard garden. My insurance company made noises about suing.

So I don’t have the answer exactly. But they’re right about the breastmilk being extra special germ killing. God forbid you should use sanitizer on your tits. Soap and water’ll do ya.

]]> By: Charndra http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Charndra Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:05:34 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-430 Yeah, I've heard the stuff can be dangerous for babies as it is near pure alcohol, so as long as it is safe and not near the baby's mouth.. Don't need squat for breastfeeding germs - the stuff is full of antibodies, germ decoys, the boobs secrete protective factors - each drop has a million white blood cells. Breastmilk kills germs, that's all you need to know! Best wishes, look forward to hearing of your EC adventures! (I just came from your intro there) Yeah, I’ve heard the stuff can be dangerous for babies as it is near pure alcohol, so as long as it is safe and not near the baby’s mouth..

Don’t need squat for breastfeeding germs – the stuff is full of antibodies, germ decoys, the boobs secrete protective factors – each drop has a million white blood cells. Breastmilk kills germs, that’s all you need to know!

Best wishes, look forward to hearing of your EC adventures! (I just came from your intro there)

]]> By: calm mama http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-416 calm mama Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:07:47 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-416 Katie: Ah, yes. Am saving the name for the big reveal! Coming soon... I hadn't heard of the <del>camphor</del> comfrey. Thank you! Our childbirth education teacher recommended refrigerating pads soaked in witch hazel so I bought some of that, too. Everyone: I promise not to go crazy with the sanitizer. The stuff I got is just alcohol (non-gmo) and aloe and lavender so hopefully that's pretty mild, anyway. I agree it will probably be more useful for diaper changes and/or in the diaper bag... Katie:

Ah, yes. Am saving the name for the big reveal! Coming soon…

I hadn’t heard of the camphor comfrey. Thank you! Our childbirth education teacher recommended refrigerating pads soaked in witch hazel so I bought some of that, too.

Everyone: I promise not to go crazy with the sanitizer. The stuff I got is just alcohol (non-gmo) and aloe and lavender so hopefully that’s pretty mild, anyway. I agree it will probably be more useful for diaper changes and/or in the diaper bag…

]]> By: Katie http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-415 Katie Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:25:11 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-415 Ooops! My insomnia-addled brain wasn't fully functioning when I wrote that last comment. I meant comfrey. My midwives use comfrey compresses. Ooops! My insomnia-addled brain wasn’t fully functioning when I wrote that last comment. I meant comfrey. My midwives use comfrey compresses.

]]> By: Katie http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-414 Katie Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:49:52 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-414 I wouldn't worry about the hand sanitizer (especially for yourself!). Of course, I'm not a big believer in that stuff--kills off weak bugs and leaves the strong ones to become resistent. I'd just have visitors wash their hands. Honestly, I've never even been religious about this, and I have kids who are almost never sick. I was thinking, and thought I'd tell you about something my midwives do, in case you want to do it. They put (cooked? soaked?) camphor in cheese cloth, wrap them in saran wrap, and freeze them. Then, they put them (maybe only partially frozen) on tears after the baby is born. Soothing, and it is supposed to promote healing. I thought it might appeal to you, since it is herbal. So, one thing you haven't mentioned if you have. A name? I wouldn’t worry about the hand sanitizer (especially for yourself!). Of course, I’m not a big believer in that stuff–kills off weak bugs and leaves the strong ones to become resistent. I’d just have visitors wash their hands. Honestly, I’ve never even been religious about this, and I have kids who are almost never sick.

I was thinking, and thought I’d tell you about something my midwives do, in case you want to do it. They put (cooked? soaked?) camphor in cheese cloth, wrap them in saran wrap, and freeze them. Then, they put them (maybe only partially frozen) on tears after the baby is born. Soothing, and it is supposed to promote healing. I thought it might appeal to you, since it is herbal.

So, one thing you haven’t mentioned if you have. A name?

]]> By: Fern http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Fern Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:39:08 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-412 Never! I had a bottle of sanitiser on the changing table for after changes, but that was it. I firmly believe that babies are over sanitised now, a few germs never hurt anyone, and if you're breastfeeding then it's even better, they have mama's inbuilt immunities :) Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth! Never! I had a bottle of sanitiser on the changing table for after changes, but that was it. I firmly believe that babies are over sanitised now, a few germs never hurt anyone, and if you’re breastfeeding then it’s even better, they have mama’s inbuilt immunities :)

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth!

]]> By: mayberry http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/comment-page-1/#comment-410 mayberry Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:42:12 +0000 http://thecalmbeforethestork.com/2007/11/15/wherein-i-start-to-feel-a-little-bit-crazy-with-all-the-last-minute-purchases/#comment-410 No way! I mean I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to keep some extra hand sanitizer handy but don't drive yourself nuts. No way! I mean I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to keep some extra hand sanitizer handy but don’t drive yourself nuts.

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