Can Makeup be dangerous during pregnancy?

A recent article posted by DANIELLE ROSE in northjersey.com points out the difficulties that pregnant women face in trying to avoid toxins, eat healthy and take care of their developing baby.

A firm follower of using natural products, Danielle often makes up her own blends and potions to ensure that she stays well and healthy. What’s wonderful is that the type of things that she blends herself, are mostly made of products you would use to cook with. That is the true beauty of using natural products. However creating safe makeup is not something that can easily be created from home.

Danielle points out that although most women will switch to organic foods, quit drinking and leave toxic jobs such as painting the nursery to their husband, they often don’t realise that what they put on their skin can be just as important to baby's health. So natural skincare products should be picked carefully. Daily moisturizers, makeup, foundation all sit on the skin for hours.
Danielle points out that the skin is a porous organ and it absorbs lotions and makeup into the body, along with the chemicals they are comprised of, which is the whole basis of nicorette patches and contraception patches.

According to Dr. Alan Greene, author of "Raising Baby Green," many cosmetics and sunscreens contain what are called nanoparticles, particles so tiny that they permeate the skin and body tissues quickly and deeply.

A regular issue of concern that Danielle raises is the difficulty of really knowing what is in the product you are buying, coupled with the fact that the list of ingredients that are safe during pregnancy varies from source to source. In addition, manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients on the product label and chemicals can get hidden under generic terms such as ‘fragrance’. I recently had a customer who was buying organic shampoo and I pointed out to her that it contained Rosemary (Which is not considered by general aromatherapy circles to be suitable for pregnant women in the first two trimesters) I suggested that she switch to another shampoo which contained gentler ingredients such as lavender, the smell of which is also less likely to turn a pregnant woman’s stomach. Lavender naturally helps ease nausea. Some other natural herbs and essential oils - basil, birch, cinnamon bark, sage and tarragon should not be used during pregnancy.

Also a beauty product listed as "organic," may not always be organic. Many high street brands and less scrupulous brands may only add a few organic ingredients to a concoction of other less favorable ingredients. One of Danielle’s favorite sites and mine too for determining the safety of skin care products is cosmeticsdatabase.com. It rates thousands of cosmetics on a scale of zero to 10 with 10 being a high hazard and zero being low.

Another good resource Danielle uses is Greene's book. In his chapter "The Bathroom," he lists and explains the types of ingredients to be wary of and many safer alternatives to the common cosmetic.

Danielle recommends making your own moisturizer , body scrubs, and facial masks using simple ingredients such as olive, grapeseed, safflower and walnut oils. For instance you can add oil to Epsom salts to create a safe and effective scrub. Blending with Essential oils should be done more carefully, however. Essential oils are concentrated plant matter and should always be purchased pure (not blended with other ingredients) and used diluted in the proper proportion with a base oil (never used directly on the skin).

For many of these reasons sighted by Danielle and other beauty experts in the field I’m really particular that buyOrganics check ingredients, only take on reputable brands and help customers one to one as much as possible make the right choice. We have special herb blended teas by Earth Mama to sooth many pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness, postpartum blues and even a blend to help your milk increase naturally when breastfeeding baby. Coupled with pure natural skincare and makeup products that do not contain nanoparticles, parabens or phthlates, and that we have vetted ourselves for purity, you no longer need to blend away yourself!! And can just purchase and apply with confidence.

Organic Skincare for New Mums

Bringing a child into the world is meant to be one of the most special things in the world. When people speak of the beauty of childbirth, women who have had a particularly traumatic experience whilst giving birth may be inclined to disagree! Whether the birth of your child was routine or the single worst experience of your life, your body is still ravaged by pregnancy and childbirth.

Your skin will be stretched to capacity, you’ll be unbelievably tired and ‘intimate areas’ will be sore at best... unspeakable at worst. Everything will be starting to improve when you bring baby home but your body will be on the road to recovery but there is still a long way to go.

Mother is often ignored in favour of baby by well-meaning and excited relatives. Many women feel as though they have lost their identity and the constant pressure and scrutiny is often too hard to bear. It’s too early for exercise but you’re keen to start working on getting your body back. Breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories a day so dieting isn’t the best of ideas as baby needs all the nutrients it can get. What you CAN do however, is take good care of your skin. Too many new mothers cannot find time to even wash their hair. Natural grease is good for the condition of your hair but your skin needs a bit more attention. Not only can the right skincare moisturise your skin, the action of massaging your skin can drain excess fluid and make it appear firmer. This will clearly take time but once you incorporate it into your daily routine, the benefits will soon become apparent.

buyOrganics has released a small range of gift sets especially for mum and baby. Whether you have just had your first or fifth baby, you will appreciate the richness and luxury of these products. Every pregnancy is different and every baby is different. Some cry uncontrollably and need lots of attention whereas others are delightfully quiet and sleep blissfully throughout the night.

One of the most popular products in the gift sets in the Calendula olive nipple butter. Meant for women who suffer from chapped and sore nipples during breastfeeding, this treatment is thick, glossy and gives an immensely cooling relief.

Organic products are not just available for mummy, if you truly believe in the benefits of organic skincare, and wish to encourage your children to always choose organic over products laced with potentially dangerous chemicals, we have organic baby wipes, cotton wool as well as organic baby sun cream.

Spelt Snake Maternity Pillows and Breastfeeding Moons

Spelt Snake Maternity Pillows and Breastfeeding Moons

Pregnancy is a joyous time but can also be physically demanding! As your baby grows, your posture will inevitably change to compensate for the baby’s weight. Getting out of bed, picking things up, doing exercise and getting some sleep all need to be renegotiated. Clever organic pillows can be a world of help, doubling up to snuggle baby in later.

Pillows are a must for support during pregnancy. Organic maternity pillows are versatile and practical without being pumped full of petrochemical synthetic products to keep their shape. The spelt fillings sound and smell naturally therapeutic too. Women used to sleeping on their backs before pregnancy will suddenly find that it’s not such a good idea to lie on their back for long periods as it will restrict blood flow and may end up causing faintness. The best position to be in is on your side (as this increases the blood flow to your placenta) with a pillow or two placed between your knees and another under your bump. Alternatively you can use a sausage shaped organic maternity pillow from Made in Water, which means you only need one pillow to reposition, making it easier to turn over. The Spelt Snake organic Maternity Pillow will also support you whilst sitting in bed when the hollow of your back will need support. The uses don’t stop there, as it can be rolled into a baby nest with a clever lambswool cover on for making a soft a cosy pod for baby to lie in - all in all a very versatile pillow!

Breastfeeding can also put a strain on your back. Without adequate support behind your back and under baby, you can end up unduly hunched over especially if you are tired and feeding through the night. If you are feeding baby lying down in the night the spelt snake organic maternity pillow can be used to prevent baby from rolling off the bed (although it’s not advised for baby to sleep in bed with you, it can be used as a temporary precaution). If you prefer to breastfeed whilst sitting up, then organic pillows such as the moon shaped Lambswool Nursing Pillow will help you to sit up straight whilst feeding, preventing backstrain. The moon shaped pillow is not as bulky as the maternity pillows and shapes around your body easily. By placing baby on the pillow to breastfeed, baby will be raised to meet your breast so you don’t have to hunch.

Back care should continue after pregnancy. Ligaments are more pliable during pregnancy so heavy lifting should be avoided. Toddlers don’t always understand this! Neither do we all have a butler to carry home our shopping! Get toddlers to climb onto a chair or sofa before you pick them up and divide your groceries into even weights for carrying one bag in each hand. If you do need to lift something the ideal lift position is to bend from the knees into a squatting position (without twisting and not from the back) and hold the object being lifted close to you as you then stand and straighten up.

Regular exercise during pregnancy can help you maintain fitness and strengthen back and pelvic muscles ready for childbirth. Gentle swimming, walking, cycling, aqua natal classes, pilates and yoga classes are excellent choices. Yoga and pilates will help calm everyday stresses and strengthen core muscle groups. Yoga especially will help you bond with baby and teaches useful birthing techniques. Try reputable and specifically trained organisations such as Birthlight yoga for classes in your area. With all forms of exercise, make sure your teacher is qualified and has experience.

After pregnancy all these forms of exercises can help get your body back into shape without causing undue strain. It takes time for the body to recover after childbirth, although in Western cultures many women are up and about immediately, usually due to lack of help and support. In Eastern traditions, women are encouraged to let their body heal properly before they take on undue strain. Mothers are also encouraged to eat pure traditional mixes of foods that are considered warming for the body, such as dates, gram flour, raisins, cardamoms and nuts. Cleaning and household chores are handed to other family members, which also avoids unnecessary exposure to chemicals during lactation. Body massage is also considered an important part of healing, whilst gentle yoga helps mother’s body return to full strength.

All products available at www.buyOrganics.co.uk The Organic Lifestyle Store for Shopping as it Should be!