Can you guess what this all adds up to?

Can you guess what all these ingredients make? 

"Enzymatically hydrolyzed reduced minerals, whey protein concentrate, palm olein, soy, coconut, high-oleic safflower oils, lactose, maltodextrin, patoassium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium chloride, salt, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, inositol, choline bitartrate sodium ascorbate, alpha tocophyeryl acetate, naicinamide, calcum pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, phylloquinone, biotin, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, taurine, L-carnitine"

Doesn't sound to appetizing does it? Would you believe that's what up to 2/3s of mothers feed their babies? Yeah, it's sad but true! Those are the ingredients in BABY FORMULA! Now, many people will read those and say "Well, I see things like potassium and zinc, aren't these good things?" And yes, in natural form they are, but these aren't in natural form. This isn't zinc, it's zinc sulfate, which any first year high school chemistry student can tell you is toxic. And the same goes for the potassium chloride, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate and just about everything else in there... 


Now, if you have NO OTHER OPTION, obviously formula is better than starvation! But with all the options out there - breastfeeding, pumping, homemade formula and even the option now to purchase breast-milk - there are so many better options, I can't imagine why anyone who knew better, would continue to choose this stuff... I know I surely wouldn't drink it, I would never give it to my child!

Egg Yolk for Baby

Egg yolk should be baby's first solid food, starting at 4 months, whether baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Egg yolks from pastured hens will contain the special long-chain fatty acids so critical for the optimal development of the brain and nervous system. The whites may cause an allergic reaction and should not be given to baby until he is at least one year old.

Ingredients:

• 1 organic egg from a pasture-fed hen
• 1/2 teaspoon grated raw organic liver, frozen for 14 days Note: It is VERY important that the liver be frozen for 14 days before using.

Instructions:

• Boil egg for 3 1/2 minutes.
• Place in a bowl and peel off shell.
• Remove egg white and discard.
• Yolk should be soft and warm, not hot, with its enzyme content intact.

**If you wish to add liver, grate on the small holes of a grater while frozen. Allow to warm up and stir into egg yolk.

Make your own Baby Formula

Sure, breast is best, but it's not always an option. If you're on medication or have breast issues, supply issues, infections, surgery or of course if your child is adopted, breast-milk may simply not be an option. If you read the labels or do some research on Formula Ingredients and what they are, I'm sure you would be SHOCKED! This stuff is supposed to be healthy for babies, but in reality it's far far from it.

Now, if you MUST use formula, but you don't want to use all the artificial, chemical laced baby formulas from the shelf, what do you do? Well, you make your own! Here are SOME recipes for home made formulas, I'm sure I will be adding to this list, and if you look hard enough you can find more. But these will at least give you somewhere to start.

I do want to point out, before we get in to the actual recipes, that as with ANY new or different diet change you need to make sure you are using high quality ingredients and that you both research each option and make a point to watch your child for ANY reaction. I suggest you start them on a new formula on a day when you will be with them ALL DAY, and make a point to watch them for at least 3 days for reactions. Now, I say do this with ALL formulas, whether home made or not.

NOTE - All of these formulas are simply mix and serve or mix and store... So I'm not listing instructions on each one. 

Goats Milk Formula

•  13oz liquid Goat Milk
• 19 oz distilled or spring water
• 2TB sugar

Goats Milk II

• 2 Cups - Goats Milk
• 2 Cups - Enriched Vanilla Rice Dream
• 1 T. - Black Strap Molasses
• 1 T. - Liquid Acidophilus
• 1 T. - Flax Seed Oil
• 1 t. - Liquid Vitamin C
• 1 t. - Liquid CalMag (calcium & magnesium)
• 1/8 t. - Wheat Germ (powdered )
• 16 drops - Trace Minerals (concentrated) 

Goats Milk III

• 4 oz Goats Milk
• 2 oz Carrot Juice
• 2 oz Water
• a few drops Flax Oil (EFAs) with DHA
• 1/4tsp nutritional yeast {for the folic acid and b12 boost that goats milk lacks}

Goat's Milk IV

• 2 cups water(highest quality)
• 2 cups goat milk
• 2 cups hemp nut seed milk
• 1/4 cup goat whey
• 1 tablespoon colostrum
• 4 tablespoon lactose
• 2 teaspoon nutritional yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon camu berry powder
• 1 capsule of aged garlic
• 1 teaspoon of infant probiotics
• 1 tablespoon of lecithin
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil
• 1 teaspoon of flax seed oil

Raw Cows Milk

• 2 cups whole raw milk
• 1 7/8 cups filtered water 
• 1/4 cup homemade liquid whey
• 2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (not ultra-pasteurized)
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil
• 1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Dry Formula Mix
This recipe's ingredients are very specific and can be found at either:
Natren 866-462-8736, or Radiant Life 888-593-8333

• 4 tablespoons lactose powder
• 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast flakes
• 2 teaspoons gelatin
• 1/4 teaspoon Natren bifidobacterium infantis
• 1/4 teaspoon acerola powder

For ALL Formula:
Warm with hot water from the tap, or place glass bottle with goat milk in a pan full of water and gently heat. Test on inside of your arm before feeding to baby. Milk should be warm, not hot. DO NOT MICROWAVE!!!

Give baby only enough that they will drink and refrigerate, or freeze the rest. Do not reuse any milk left over from baby bottle after baby has finished drinking.

Unused milk will stay fresh for 3-5 days in refrigerator.

To freeze, separate unused goat milk into equal parts and store individually in freezer. Frozen breast-milk or goat milk stays fresh between 3 to 6 months in freezer.


**If you will be using formula as a supplement, in addition to breast-milk, don't worry about additives.
***If this will be your babies only source of food, you MUST add liquid infant vitamins to the child's diet, do not add it to the formula. Each brand will have it's own dosage, make sure to follow the dosage according to the package. Your pediatrician may be able to give you an idea of what brand is best!

Wipe Solution Recipes

    I have never believed in the "one size fits all" myth, and that goes for wipe solutions as well. Some parents will prefer to just use water, while others will prefer more bells and whistles. I suggest trying out a few and seeing what you like best. I'll be adding to this list as I find more recipes, and I would love to hear yours if you have them! These solutions are cloth safe and even better, face and finger safe!

Common Cloth Wipe Solution Recipe Ingredients:
    Most of the recipes below, as well as others you'll find, will contain many of the same or even similar ingredients. Before you decide to make your own solution, it's best to know why you're using these things, so here are some common ones:

Oil:  Helps the wipe glide across baby's skin and keeps skin soft
Soap:  Cleanses by removing all traces of urine and feces
Essential Oil:  Added for antibacterial and/or aromatherapy purposes.
Water:  The main ingredient in each recipe, cleanses the diaper area and dilutes the other ingredients

    Each ingredient is going to add it's own "personality" to the solution and each can come with pros and cons. I'm a fan of using a single solution for at least a few days without using any others, this way SHOULD your child have an allergy to an ingredient, it's much easier to understand which one. Even though most of these options are chemical free or close to it, there can still be allergens in them. For people like me, Essential Oils can be a BIG problem! And for others it could be an oil ingredient or something else. So try not to mix them until you know that there is no reaction...

**I wish I didn't have to say this, but please keep all wipe solution ingredients away from your child. You may not think that these everyday products can be dangerous, but some infants have suffered respiratory problems after aspirating baby oil. And remember, it takes less than a Table Spoon of water to drown an infant... So be safe, not sorry!

    When it comes to actually creating your solution, I prefer to start with water and add from there. Otherwise your bowl/bottle and tools can become coated in oil or soap and less will actually end up in your final solution.

I suggest using bottled water and not tap, although tap will work. The reason here is because tap water can contain all kinds of things from softeners to high levels of Chlorine, which will settle as it sits. Also, you'll want to make small batches - maybe once a week - to avoid mildew or mustiness.

Cloth Wipe Solution Recipes

Almond 'n' Chamomile
 *2 chamomile tea bags
 *2 teaspoons almond oil
 *2 cups hot water
Steep the tea bags in the hot water then add the oil.

Anti-Fungal
 *1/4 cup white vinegar *1 tablespoon calendula oil
 *A few drops lavender oil
 *A few drops tea tree oil
 *1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
 *1 cup water
Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.

Anti-Fungal Too
Similar to the other anti-fungal recipe, but less vinegar and water.
 *1 teaspoon white vinegar
 *1 tablespoon calendula oil
 *A few drops lavender oil
 *A few drops tea tree oil
 *1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
 *1/2 cup water
 
Basic Wipe Solution
This basic recipe can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil.
 *1/2 cup baby oil
 *1/2 cup baby wash
 *2 cups water

Castile Solution
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents!
 *1 tablespoon almond, apricot, or other oil
 *1 tablespoon Dr Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
 *2 drops tea tree oil
 *1 drop lavender oil
 *1 cup water

Chamomile 'n' Honey
 *1 chamomile tea bag
 *1 teaspoon honey
 *1 cup boiling water
Brew the tea, add the honey, and drink any leftovers!

Easy Peasy
 *2 tablespoons oil
 *2 tablespoons baby wash
 *1 1/2 cups water

Eight is Great
Similar ingredients as other recipes, but in different amounts.
 *1/8 cup vegetable oil
 *1/8 cup baby wash
 *8 drops lavender oil
 *4 drops tea tree oil
 *2 cups water

Essential Oil Solution
With three different EOs contributing their unique properties...
 *4 cups water warmed in microwave
 *2-4 drops Tea Tree Oil
 *2-4 drops Lavender Essential Oi1
 *1 Tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
 *1 Tablespoon Calendula Oil
 *2 Tablespoon Baby Wash

Fruit 'n' Veggie
 *1 teaspoon fruit-based oil (apricot, olive, grapeseed, etc)
 *1 tablespoon vegetable-based soap (like Dr. Bronner's liquid castile)
 *1 teaspoon 100% aloe vera gel
 *1 cup water

Just One
 *1 chamomile tea bag
 *1 teaspoon oil
 *1 teaspoon baby bath or shampoo
 *1 drop lavender oil
 *1 cup hot water

Lavender 'n' Tea Tree
Very Popular
 *1/8 cup olive oil
 *1 tablespoon baby shampoo
 *4 drops tea tree oil
 *8 drops lavender oil
 *3 cups water

No Measuring
Don't measure for this one, just estimate amounts.
 *2 squirts baby oil
 *2 squirts baby wash
 *1 drop Essential Oil of your choice
 *1 cup water (about)

Olive 'n' Tea Tree
 *1/4 cup olive oil
 *1/8 cup gentle baby bath
 *A few drops tea tree oil
 *4 cups water

Soapless
 *1-2 drops tea tree oil
 *1-2 drops lavender oil
 *1 cup water
**Use caution with this recipe as we've been told some children may develop a rash since the essential oils aren't dissolved in a carrier oil.

Witch Hazel Solution
 *1 cup witch hazel
 *1/2 cup aloe vera juice
 *1 tablespoon olive oil
 *1 teaspoon white vinegar
 
Zany Apricot Solution
 *1 tablespoon apricot oil
 *1 tablespoon unscented baby wash
 *3 cups water

Zany Lavender Solution
 *1 tablespoon baby oil
 *1 tablespoon lavender scented baby wash
 *2-3 drops lavender oil
 *3 cups water

 More Notes!
    If you're trying to go natural or chemical free, you will want to make sure that you are NOT using the regular Baby Soaps, Shampoos, Body Oils or Washes. Many of these contain Mineral Oil, which is a Bi-Product of Petroleum. Look for Natural or Organic baby options on Amazon, Natural Parenting Shops or Whole Foods Companies. 

     Dr. Bronner's Soap can be found on and off line through natural product shops, Amazon or Whole Foods...

Why Use Cloth Wipes

If you’re considering cloth diapers, or already using them, or simply looking for more information, cloth wipes are a great option...

Why Use Cloth Wipes?

     Most parents who choose cloth wipes for many of the same reasons as they do cloth diapers. They obviously use much less waste. Even if you only use wipes for poops and first thing in the morning you're still looking at Six to Eight THOUSAND (or more) wipes over the average baby's diaper days! Even if you buy the cheap dollar store wipes, that adds up BIG TIME. Do you really want to add another 6000 pieces of trash to your local landfill? And speaking of 6000-8000 wipes, do you really need me to do the math to show you how much all that costs over time?


    Cloth Wipes, like cloth diapers, are also Chemical Free! Disposable wipes have lots of unpronouncable ingredients in them - like Methylisothiazolinone and Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate and Gods only know what else... I figure it this way, if I can't say it, it shouldn't be something I soak my baby's bottom in.


    As if the cost, waste level and lack of chemicals weren't enough, cloth simply cleans better! If there is a parent out there who enjoys fishing for another wipe with one hand while a poop covered baby is trying to roll off the table, I can see why using less wouldn't be a plus. But for the rest of us who simply want to get our kid cleaned and covered, cloth wipes soak up the moisture and collect the "solids" much better than any disposable wipe I've ever tried!

Buying or Making Cloth Wipes
    You have two options when it comes to cloth wipes. You have the option to buy them or you can make them. Which ever you choose to I recommend having between two and three dozen on hand. 

Buying wipes:
    Obviously buying wipes takes less work, more money, but less work. There are lots of brands that sell Cloth Wipes for around $1 or so each. You can also buy home made versions from places like Etsy or other home made sites. You can also go the route of just buying baby wash clothes and using those.

Making wipes:
    If you decide to make your own wipes, it's really really easy! Choose your fabric, cut to size, sew... With this option you will have even more control over what types of cloth are used, how big they are and the overall look of the wipe.

Some common fabric choices for cloth wipes include:
- Flannel wipes: Old flannel sheets or stained receiving blankets can have a new life as wipes.
- Terry cloth: Some crafty mamas turn old towels into cloth wipes. Others use a soft fabric called “baby terry,” available at fabric stores.
- Cotton or Bamboo Velour
- Cotton or Bamboo Fleece
- Mixed fabric: Terry cloth on one side; flannel on the other.

How to Use Cloth Wipes
    Disposable wipes always come pre-moistened in a sealed container. Just open the package, pull one out and wipe. But cloth wipes obviously aren't pre-wet. So lots of parents have questions about how to use them. Well, you have options - once again. You can keep them wet like disposables, or you can leave them dry til it's time to use... 

Dry Wipes:
    I prefer to keep them dry til I use them when I'm packing them togo. It's just easier. But even at home you can use this method. Dry wipes are going to be a little easier to store because you can simply toss them in the drawer with the baby clothes or diapers or on a shelf in the bathroom.  As long as they are within reach when it's time to change, it really doesn't matter how or where you store them.

If you keep them dry, you'll also want to keep a spray or peri bottle on hand with a "cleaning solution" near by. (Peri bottles are the ones they give you in the hospital to keep yourself clean.) Other options are a "sport top" bottle or even a small screw top bottle. From the parents I have spoken with it seems like Peri bottles are the most popular. But honestly, I like to have both peri bottle (for poops) and a "body spray" style bottle for times when I don't need so much moisture (wets or face wipes). But since bottles tend to either be free (like the ones they give you or left over from your spray) or very cheap (if you buy them at a dollar store) I say give a few options a try til you find what works best for you! Whichever bottle you decide you like best, you can either went the baby or the cloth. To me, if you're using a peri or sports bottle, wetting the wipe is less messy. BUT, if you're using a spray bottle spraying the bottle seems to work best.

Wet Wipes: 
    Should you choose to keep the wipes pre-wet I suggest only wetting a day or so in advance. This will keep them from getting "funky" and help to keep them from drying up. If you have a disposable wipes box around, those are great for keeping your new cloth ones in. If not, any seal-able water tight container will work... I like old wipe boxes because they are the easiest to get in to. Just make sure whatever you choose, that you can both seal it up so it doesn't leak or dry and that you can open it easily. A screw top might not be a good option when your baby is freaking out and you have one arm free...

But what do you wet them with?    Well once again, we have some options... Some parents prefer to just use water, others prefer a "solution." If you decide on a solution, you can buy or make your own. I'll be posting some "solution" recommendations and recipes in a later post, but here are some suggestions of things you could simply add to water (a few drops) and use without any real "recipe." I find it better to make your own, again, this gives you COMPLETE control over what is going on your babies skin. And allows you to catch any allergies your baby may have. But one thing to keep in mind is to make sure you're using a solution which won't harm your diapers (if you use cloth).


Things you may choose to add to water:- Baby soap (Be sure to use something that is chemically safe like Burt's Bees, California Baby, Earth Mama Angel Baby, etc.)
- Essential oil (such as lavender essential oil)
- Tea tree oil (helps with diaper rash, but also said to be bad for little boys and CAN BE an allergen)
- Olive oil
- Baby oil, such as Burt’s Bees apricot baby oil
- Grapefruit seed extract

Washing Cloth Wipes
Most parents who use cloth wipes use cloth diapers. If you’re in that boat, cleanup is a breeze – just wrap the dirty wipe up in the dirty cloth diaper, and toss it all in the wash together

However, you can use cloth wipes even if you use disposable diapers. You’ll want a wet bag or separate diaper trashcan just for the wipes. Then toss a load of wipes in the washer with your regular baby detergent.

Reasons to Cloth Diaper

   At one time, everyone used Cloth Diapers, there were no other options. In the 1950's the first disposables were introduced, but were "luxury" items. However, the idea of disposables became much more popular as the price lowered and parents looked for "better" ways of doing things. As a result cloth diapering became something that not everyone did. Eventually it became thought of as more work for less benefit.

   When I had my oldest child I didn't see the value or the health benefits to cloth. I didn't believe I would EVER spend $500 in disposables and figured it would be spend over time so it would hurt less. And of course I believed they were going to be SOO much more work and "gross." Oh, how naive I was! Chances are, at least at one point, you yourself could have (or still can) list a ton of reasons why Cloth simply isn't for you. Hopefully though, you are at least willing to get all the facts before you decide to make a permanent choice.

    Cloth diapers have come a long way from rubber pants and diaper pins. Today, there are so many styles and choices I could start listing now and not finish for a week! Of course the old options are still available, but there are many many others as well! From simple all-in-ones (AIOs) to prefolds with wraps, there are tons of choices to keep your baby covered.

There are many benefits of cloth diapering. Here are some:

• Cost Savings
  Cloth diapers do seem to cost more. There is usually an investment of between $200 and $500 depending on the style, company and accessories you decide on. BUT, that cost is NOTHING compared to the THOUSANDS you will usually spend on disposables. (I found that out the hard way!) And because you only need to buy them once, you can use them through multiple children! Even if you add up your cost of diapers, accessories (like a diaper pail), cloth wipes, washing, so on and so forth, you're looking at a per change cost of less than $0.35... And of course that lowers if you have more than one child.
  
• Better for Baby
  Because Cloth diapers contain less chemicals babies tend to have less diaper issues, like diaper rash, UTI's and allergic reactions. IF you have a child with extremely sensitive skin there are even options such as organic materials and chemical free diaper washes which you can use as well.
  
• Better for the Environment
  Well, it's rather easy to figure out that cloth diapers which don't end up in a dump, are going to be MUCH better for our world than disposable after disposable after disposable after disposable...  Disposables take HUNDREDS of years to break down and since they harbor chemicals which then seep down in to the soil and water as well. Cloth diapers are the best way for your family to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle when it comes to baby!
  
• Less Time in Diapers
  Because disposable diapers and pull-ups keep children so dry feeling, they have actually been shown to elongate the potty training experiences. Children who wear cloth will typically spend less time trying to potty train or educate their child about elimination communication (EC).
  
• Adorable!
  Okay, lets face it... Disposables are just white paper, or MAYBE have pictures or Elmo on them. But with Cloth there are literally HUNDREDS of design options from colors and patterns to pictures and even personalization...