Winterize your Natural Baby

Winter is definitely on the way, and you know that that means. If you live in a cold climate, it means more time indoors, dry air, dry skin, and coughs and colds. Of course you don't have to be miserable this winter, and you don't even have to be sick! Hopefully some of these hints will help, and I KNOW that the products we recommend below will give you and your baby some relief.

Let's talk skin. It's common knowledge that skin gets dry in winter. I've lived in the humidity of Georgia and the dryness of Kansas, and in both climates you deal with dry skin. Probably the best way to keep your home humid is to place bowls of water in each room. This makes a huge difference. But you may still have dry skin problems to combat, especially because frequent hand washing (which is especially important during fall/winter) will dry your hands no matter what the season. You might also notice that your baby's cheeks are getting red and even rough feeling.

For dry skin prevention we recommend Natural Body Butter. We have used this for two years and LOVE it. I use it for dry hands, dry baby faces, and dry feet. It was developed and is still handmade by a work at home mom who is devoted to providing products as natural as possible.

For extreme cases of dry skin, you might need another product which also helps eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, jock itch, minor burns, cradle cap and dermatitis. This All Natural Baby Salve is

• Non-Toxic
• Totally Organic, Totally Natural and Totally Effective
• Free of many common allergens
• Steroid-Free, Preservative-Free, Dye-Free, Fragrance-Free, Paraben-Free, Alcohol-Free, Aluminum-Free
• Handmade with a soothing blend of herbs, including lavender, licorice, and myrrh in a base of coldpressed, organic olive oil,100 % pure vegetable glycerin, and beeswax.

Since skin conditions tend to get worse in extreme weather, you might find this skin salve useful for the entire family. And best of all, it was developed for babies, so it is safe for your littlest member of the family!

After dry skin, probably the second most frustrating winter problem is runny noses or respiratory problems. I remember as a child being rubbed down with Vicks Vapor Rub, and I remember that gross gunky feeling that seemed to hang on to you for days. While the best thing to do is avoid getting sick (we will discuss that in a second) it does happen on occasion. For head colds we suggest Baby's Vapor Rub. This can be massaged into your baby's chest, neck, and even under the nose for breathing relief. This all natural, petroleum-free and menthol-free formula uses a shea butter base which is absorbed into the skin (no more sticky mess!) Providing an aromatic natural vapor, the Baby's Vapor Rub is a comfort to your baby or toddler for every cough or sniffle. It also works for Mommies, Daddies, and older siblings as well! Just open up the jar and inhale and you will see what I mean.

So the question that probably comes to mind is how you avoid getting sick in the first place. The best defense is to eat well, drink plenty of purified water, and take your vitamins. Children as young as 13 months (and YOU) can take the best vitamins on the market . Formula fed babies (even newly born) would do well with vitamin C and omega-3 oils added to their bottles. Breastfed babies can benefit from supplemental vitamin C as well. For young babies, the biggest threat is older siblings, relatives, and even mommies who come into contact with them without washing their hands. Children get sick from each other, and they will bring it right to a new baby with a fresh immune system. Make sure that you wash your hands frequently, and any children or other family members do as well.

When out and about, here is a great anti-infectious hand wipe recipe. Use it on cloth wipes and wipe your children's hands when you get back into the car, before eating, and especially after playing at children's gyms. For older children, you can probably send a small bottle to school with them so that they can clean their hands periodically throughout the day. While soap and water works wonders, they are coming into contact with germs much more frequently than they are able to wash their hands!

For additional help staying healthy this winter and keeping older children that way, check out Super Healthy Kids, an ebook dedicated to boosting children's immune systems. While you can't prevent all illnesses all the time, you should still put forth a great effort so you can avoid antibiotics, cough medicines, and other drugs that while seem safe still have negative side effects. I wish you and your family a natural, healthy winter season!