"no poo"

{ my curly hair-do on week 5 -- no shower day }

Ok, here's the deal.  I've been doing my best to go "all natural" for a while now... and some may think this is going to far.  But I think it is a great idea.  Possibly genius.

Here's what's going on with your "lovely" shampoo....
(via Living in another language)

1. Shampoo is a detergent, and like most detergents, it not only cleans, but it strips everything (including the natural healthy oils that keep your hair soft and strong) out of your hair.

2. The fact from point number one makes your scalp overcompensate for the lack of natural oils, producing too much…and making your hair greasy feeling in a matter of a couple days. (mine is oily by the next day, wah wah)

3. Shampoo/Conditioner manufactures love this, because you’ll continually wash your hair every couple days, if not every day, for the rest of your life. Cha ching! 

After transition you’ll notice 3 life-changing major things.

1. Your hair has less frizz and flyaways (this is GREAT for women who have curl)
2.  Your hair will (hopefully) start growing like a weed. All the women I’ve talked to have experienced this along with myself.
3. You will save a ton of time by only having to wash it 1-2 times a week!

A few facts...

+ You still wash your hair... but only with baking soda & vinegar.  And the goal would be that you only need to use that once every week!

+ You still can shower, even every day!... you just either pull your hair up OR you "wash it with just HOT water & style as usual (I do this sometimes... have to admit, my hair isn't so lovely when I do it. I'd rather just pull it up in the shower)

+ No, your hair will not smell like vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar cancel each other out so it doesn't smell like either once you are out of the shower.

To begin...

* note: your hair will be in "transition" = really oily, really gross, maybe really dry (depends on your hair)... but just bare with it! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!  It's worth the nastiness for a little while for pure beauty in the long run!  This transition could be a week to a few weeks... just pull your hair back, where hats, scarves, ect.  It will be ok.  Just start when you don't have any hot dates planned!  

+ read the 4 links below (under "Read this...") so you know more details, but here's the way I chose: Have a small air tight bottle filled with baking soda & a small spray bottle (8 oz) with one cup water + 2 T vinegar (shake well). I bought both my bottles for a dollar each in the travel section at the grocery store.

+ pour about 1T baking soda (I use a little more because I have thick hair) into your wet hand (add a little more water to get a paste) then rub it into your scalp.  Leave it on for about a minute (do something else) till it is dissolved & slippery feeling. Wash it out, scrub scalp well.

+ spray the length of your hair (not your roots) with the water+vinegar, leave on for about a minute then wash it out.

+ style as usual.  

Tips...
+ Go as long as you can between your bs+vinegar washings before you do it again.  This is how you get your hair used to this new way & allow the oil to produce what it should produce to last multiple days.  I'm up to 5 days (as in bs+v wash my hair Sunday, water rinse only Wednesday,  then bs+v Thursday)

+ AFTER YOU STYLE YOUR HAIR WITH HEAT (blowdryer, straightner, ect).... You can rub a little coconut oil onto your palms then over your hair for extra moisture & shine.  You can also rub in a little essential oil if you miss having a pretty smell.  (If you do this before heat styling, you will fry your hair. Bad idea)

+ (everyone else probably knows this) You are not supposed to brush your hair while it is wet! What?! (thanks friends for filling me in on life) It damages it!  But, you can use a large tooth comb to gently get out tangles while wet.  I just dry my hair a decent amount with my fingers then start using my large brush.  But the blogs I read suggested to buy this comb & this brush (I may do that soon).

+ If your hair is oily...  Apply a dry shampoo to your hair. Blondes and Reds use corn starch or arrow root powder on your roots and brush through. This will absorb the excess oil. Brunettes use coco-powder if you find that corn starch or arrow root leave your hair looking “grey”.  (via) (I use coco-powder & love it)

My hair...
It is getting there.  I started this June 12 & it is July 20 (so about 5 weeks).  I still wouldn't say its stunning by the 5th day... usually by day 5 I'm dying to wash my hair!  But I'm also happy with it on the days prior.  It feels incredible when I wash it.  Lighter, cleaner, healthier.  I also just feel so good knowing I'm doing something healthy for my hair (and nice on the budget too!)  AND literally my hair hasn't looked good curly in... ever!  But, you may actually see me in public with my curly hair now... I think my curly hair likes the no poo & I'm getting less fly-aways/frizz which means the curls will work for me! Here's to "no poo" for life!

Read this...
(Here are the blog posts I read to learn about all this -- I would read all 4 blog posts so you have the best knowledge!)

+ Never Shampoo Again! How to Wash Your Hair Using the No Poo Method (Code Red Hat)

+ I don't use shampoo (Living in another language)

+ "no poo" FAQ (Living in another language)

+ tips & tricks (Living in another language)

*more "all natural" posts coming soon (makeup & other beauty products of choice!)

This is why.

* Disclaimer: Don't quote me on all this because THIS IS MY OPINION.  I personally have strongly concluded the following based on my research & experience-- but I love you & I urge YOU to do your own research & decide for yourself.  

I believe that there is a trifecta affecting each of our lives.  Each day I am convinced more & more of it's negative effects on us & I feel I must share it.  It involves the following:

1. What you put ON your body
2. What you put IN your body
3. What you DO

I also am convinced that we are whole people.  You can't pick parts of your life OR body & say that one does not effect the other.  That would be false.  With this belief, the trifecta is absolutely necessary to examine & make the appropriate changes.

Why?

Because if the following isn't you, it's probably someone you love.

I wonder if SOME (some -- not all -- we are each individuals with our own pasts & unique bodies with many different reasons why we could be dealing with the following) of the reasons why so many of us deal with depression, anxiety, doubt & stomach/digestion issues is due to this trifecta.  And that if we pursue healing in these 3 areas, the other areas that are affecting these issues will actually stand a chance to heal!

So this is why I believe what I do about this bad trifecta:

1.  What you put ON your body: 
In case you didn't know this already... the products you rub into your skin DAILY are filled with a bunch of bad chemicals that you can't even pronounce.  That means every day you are having toxic chemicals seep into your skin, into your bloodstream... SICK!  ...Apparently this is more dangerous than what you eat!! What goes into your skin affects your organs, your immune system & more.

* PRINT THIS:  EWG wallet guide

Article: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Facts verses Fairytales

EWG Skin Deep: * You can type in products & see how toxic they are or aren't!!!
"It's our mission at Environmental Working Group to use the power of information to protect human health and the environment. EWG's Skin Deep database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals."  

EWG Tips for safe products  

EWG Skin Deep cosmetic guide

EWG Shoppers guide to pesticides in produce

2. What you put IN your body:
I hope I don't need to say much about this one. I'm sure you know enough to know that you need to eat right to be healthy.  But what you may not know is the crazy connection between your mind & gut.  When one's got issues, most likely so does the other.  Hmm... is that why my stomach hurst when I'm nervous?  Yes. 

...Anxioussness lead you to the bathroom?  Can't get over a mental block/fear in your mind + you have IBS?  

If you want to heal your mind/brain you have to heal your GUT!  

2b. Beware: the drugs and medications we take damage our entire gut ecosystem.  So THINK TWICE before taking drugs/meds next time!  Maybe try something else first.

Article: The brain gut connection

3. What you DO:
You didn't think I was going to leave the real bad guy out did you?  That would be satan.

Yes, I believe he plays a big part in this.  I can only speak for Americans since I am one, living in America.  And I believe that satan specifically has targeted us with busyness.  

For me, when I am busy, there is no room left for Jesus.  I don't think about Him. I don't talk to Him.  My life is not affected by Him.  I am focused on me & what I need to do & where I need to go. 

STOP.

Just stop. Think. Pray. Listen. Relax.  BE REFRESHED by the One who wants to refresh you! The Only One who truly can refresh you. He made you. He knows you.  He'll provide.  He'll provide the time.  He'll provide the answers. Whatever it is, He's got it under control.  It may look 100% different than what you thought it would be.  But trust me, His way is better.  So it's OK to let the Only One who is actually in control be in control.  God wants to heal you. He wants to be a part of every part of your life & in every minute because He loves you.  

It will be really hard to believe Truth if you don't know it, if you don't know Him. It will be really hard to figure out the best way to live life if you never know what the One who created life says about it.

What do you need to do slow down? To be refreshed?  

For my family we have found these things to be true...
... we need to say "no" to good things, sometimes great things (the bad things are usually easy to say no to).
... scheduling time with Jesus in our daily plans.
... scheduling working out (back to #2).
... not filling every minute of our day with a schedule!
... saying "yes" to fun things.
... inviting people into our home, our daily life - COMMUNITY!
... taking a Sabbath.  A real one. It's a command.

^{" 15} Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that isdebauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:15-21

Examine your life-- make the BEST use of your time, not just good use, the BEST.
Know/understand what God's will is for your life -- don't TRY to decide your own, it will fail, I promise (by the way, God makes His will pretty clear in scripture -- this simple word search can get you started)
Be filled with the Spirit -- cause that's the only way you can live the way God talks about, the way we are designed to.
Live in community-- one of the best ways God chooses to love us & teach us is through OTHERS.
Give thanks always-- a thankful heart can change your world, I also promise that.

When our bodies are healthy, our mind can think correctly.  Correct thinking comes from Jesus.  And that is why we need to slow down & choose to live our lives possibly very different from others.  When we think correctly, your heart can heal (I think its pretty stinking hard to heal your heart when your thinking is wrong).  I hope that you experience freedom from whatever it is that may be holding you down, healing where you are broken.

Jesus is our ultimate healer.  He can & will heal, He WILL redeem ALL things.  We just have to wait... 

Good things are worth waiting for... waiting with a thankful heart.

* Personal testimony to come.
* Products I use (now) to come.

month by month { 3 months }

{ 3 months : weeks 13-16 }

This was the beginning of a mental fight for me as I tried started a routine!  I wanted him to perfectly stick to this beautiful schedule that I made for him-- but he rarely did!  So, LET GO oh you control-loving-mamas! (LIKE ME!) A schedule/routine is very wise... but remember your baby is also a human being & sometimes is hungry/sleepy at different times like you & I are. It's OK. I know... I know... Shh, shhhh.  It's OK.  Just try a schedule/routine-- and STICK TO IT, because it will take time!!! They will get into a "rhythm" (may not be a perfect schedule...) 

...unless they are like me who to this day I can't remember to 1) pump before I go to bed 2) grab my retainer/night guard... I forget every night! Not just a little exaggerating! 

{ schedule } 
> Feeding: nurse every 2.5-3.5 hours (a lot of growth spurts at this age- so feed when hungry!) 5-8x a day
> Wake time:  Suggested wake time is (40-1.5 min?) (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: Nighttime: 10 hrs + Daytime: 5 hrs/3 naps (or 4 or 5!) = Total: 15 hrs  And a 6-8pm bedtime (suggested after 6 weeks old) *total hours may be closer to 12 than 15

Sample: (nursing)
(3:30) early morning feeding
7:00 am wake
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
*(10:00 pm) dreamfeed

{ sleep } 

Sleep goals: 
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. You want baby to be able to fall sleep on her own in her own bed when it is time to sleep. 

2. Baby will sleep for the correct length of time for her naps. 

This means nap one is 1.5-2.5 hours (most will be 1.5-2). Nap two is the same. Nap three might be the same, or it might be 30-60 minutes. If there is a nap four, it is usually 30-60 minutes.  *The best way to work toward your secondary goal is to time waketime correctly.

But let's be honest here... Westin rarely ever napped 1-2 hours!  And he survived.  And he was happy the whole way through.  So, again, do your best... But, it may not work!!

And, I stopped swaddling.  He just wanted to be free!

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }

> clip on mirror: this one comes with both a suction for windows + a clip (switch it for whatever you need).  We use the clip & clip it onto his car seat bar so that *if he flew forward in an accident* the mirror is above his head & not in front of him like most car mirrors. Its so easy to adjust even once you get in the front, easy to see their sweet face & super cheap.

{ tips } 
> naps: For a 3 and 4 month old, it's not suggested to let your baby cry it out mid-nap (not till 6 months)-especially if they are just learning to sleep on their own. WAIT 10-15 minutes & see if they will fall back asleep before you go in & try to help soothe.  

> "sleep through the night" - you will read this phrase 5 million times & it will haunt you... But, "sleep through the night" at the age generally means a stretch of 5-6 hours.  So don't think that it means ALL night :)

> dreamfeed: The dreamfeed is typically between 10-11 PM.  A feeding after 11:30 PM is not a dreamfeed; that is a night feeding. Time your dreamfeed 2.5-4 hours after the final feeding of the day. You want baby to be hungry enough to take a good feeding at the dreamfeed. However, you don't want it so late that it disrupts nighttime sleep. Disruption to nighttime sleep will cause baby to wake earlier in the morning.

month by month { 2 months }

{ 2 months : weeks 9-12 }
This is when their little personality is slowly coming out!  Our little guy really had some big belly laughs this month!! And begun grabbing/batting at toys.

{ schedule } same as 1 month> Feeding: Nurse every 2.5-3 hours (8-10 feedings a day; may go down to 7 if sleeping 7-8 hrs a night)
> Wake time: Suggested wake time is 40-60 min.  (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: 6-8 naps a day; maybe sleeping 7-8 hours a night
Follow your baby's rhythm: earlier bedtimes & longer night sleep periods develop 

{ sleep } 
Sleep goals: same as weeks 1-8
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed (didn't do this! Still.)
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed,  and fall asleep on his own  (beginning to!)


We started transitioning him to his pack n play- I probably would've started putting him in his crib but we were about to take a trip, so I didn't want to get him used to his crib then have to transition him again so quickly!  So we did the pack n play first and started putting him in there for some naps & bedtime. At the end of this month when we got home we started putting him in his own crib!


*He still slept really well wherever!  Not as much in the arms always, but for sure in his car seat or stroller, if we put him in there and rocked it he would fall asleep when he needed to.


I also started swaddling only half his body-- I left his arms out!  He liked the tightness on his "body" but would get really upset if his arms weren't free... so, we let them free!!  

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }
> I'll start with an important but controversial one: Diapers!  Let me just say this cause I'm not going into disposables verse cloth (but check this out if you're debating), IF you are going with disposable, get Pampers :)  I didn't try them all, but I tried Seventh Generation & Huggies-- both leaked terribly!  If you want to be cautious of fragrances, etc. get Pampers Sensitives (that's what I used the first 3 months).  




> Jesus Storybook Bible: Best Bible ever!!! (For adults too, not kidding!) Just get it. And start reading!!!






{ tips } 
> cell phone: when your sweet one starts crying when sleeping in a dark room I bring my cell phone with me when I go to check!  Why, you may ask? 1) I use the light from it to check for a dirty diaper (I can't see in the dark & I do not want to turn on the light to wake him even more!) 2) in case I decide he's waking cause he's hungry I have my phone with me to use my TotalBaby timer to clock his feeding
> start reading! If you haven't yet (like I hadn't!) start reading now about beginning a routine for your little one.  As I've said before I've made a combo of Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child & Babywise. But start doing your research on what you'd like to do.  Many do start with routines from day 1, but "majority" say 3 months (at least that's what majority told me!).

month by month { 1 month }

{ 1 month : weeks 5-8 }
For some reason babies tend to get fussy around 6 weeks - so don't be surprise when you're sweet angel starts to change into a little monster!  (but still an adorable one!) 

{ schedule }
> Feeding: Nurse every 2.5-3 hours (8-10 feedings a day; may go down to 7 if sleeping 7-8 hrs a night)
> Wake time: Suggested wake time is 40-60 min.  (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: 6-8 naps a day; maybe sleeping 7-8 hours a night
Follow your baby's rhythm: earlier bedtimes & longer night sleep periods develop (I didn't know this!!)

{ sleep }
Sleep goals: same as weeks 1-4
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed (didn't do this!)
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed, and fall asleep on his own  (didn't do this!)


6-8 weeks may be a good time to start sleep training (again, remember I didn't have a strategy...)  
4 sleep training strategies from Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child:
1. "Let cry," Ignoring, extinction
2. Controlled crying, partial ignoring, graduated extinction
3. Check & console *this is more like what we started to do
4. Scheduled awakenings


{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }

> sticky bellies - stickers you put on their bellies & take monthly photo updates, SO GREAT!!

> activity mat - they won't do much on it, but this is a good time to try & watch their interest peak - Wes was captivated by the animals :)

{ tips } 
> "Try to meet your baby's needs. If he's hungry, feed him.  If he's tired, sleep him" (Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child, p204)

> Get out of the house

> Do something that makes you feel good - go get your hair done, or a pedicure or something! :)

> Socialize (sometimes I'd forget to do this... don't do that!)

new post series: month by month { weeks 1-4 }

Hey Mamas & soon-to-be-Mamas:  This series is for you!

In "month by month" I will tell you things I've learned from being a parent -- things pertaining to each month, like favorite toys, best baby products, baby food, our schedule.  You may or may not agree & may totally think I'm crazy, but, it could be really helpful too & hopefully you can get some good tips from me!  I hope it will be helpful.  And I hope it will free you up, keep you from making my same mistakes & keep you from buying baby stuff you don't need.  Obviously all babies are different.  So don't stress (like I do) & just do your best!

I'm an open book, feel free to ask me anything & I'd be happy to fill you in on what we did! Good AND bad!

*And please feel free to leave comments about things you learned, stuff you like, etc. Let's all share the wealth, ladies!

Enjoy.

{ weeks 1-4 }

I don't know whether to say this is the easiest or hardest period... As far as schedule, what to do, easiest -- emotionally (postpartum) & physically (lack of sleep), probably the hardest!

{ schedule }
> Feeding: Nurse every 2-3 hours (8-10 feedings)
*if you are having trouble breast feeding I highly suggest going to see a lactation consultant- we went all the time!
> Wake time: whatever the sweet babe wants!  I think the best thing is to start trying to learn your baby.  Suggested wake time is 30-45 min.  This is great time because overall most babies you can really take anywhere you go!  And they will easily fall asleep either in your arms or in their car seat or stroller when they need to sleep.  There is nothing like your newborn falling asleep in your arms or on your chest! Sigh. But do be cautious of overdoing it, your baby will sleep best being stationary & being in a bed (ps I didn't know that... oops!)
> Sleep: well, I didn't have a schedule.... I may change that next time... I really like Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child

{ sleep }

Sleep goals:  

from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 

1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed, and fall asleep on his own
*don't let your baby sleep more than 5 hours if you are breastfeeding (until 5 weeks)


We had a hard time with Westin sleeping at night (he was very congested), so we ended up putting him in his bouncer seat (since he wasn't moving it was safe).  We'd let him fall asleep with the vibration on, then turn it off once he was asleep. He slept so well in it, it really helped him get his days/nights acclimated which helped us accomplish sleep goal #1.

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }
> bouncer - Like I said before, Westin slept in this most all nights :)
> nipple shield + breast cream - this may be a life saver (it was for me) - best part was sending Scott out to buy it for me, what a great husband!
> Nuk pacifer - we started using this because he just wanted to pacify all the time!


>  these swaddling blankets!!! I seriously wouldn't worry about owning any others :) They are adorable, light weight (you can use 2 if its cold out), AND breathable! So no worries!








> Lansinoh nursing pads: they do the job & they are affordable!
> Lansinoh milk storage bags: I use a Madela breast pump that I borrowed from a friend (which I highly suggest if possible!) and it is awesome -- but their storage bags are very expensive!  What I do: use the Madela bottles to pump, then pour the milk into the Lansinoh storage bags!  It may seem like an extra step, but its not.. pulling the tape on & off the Madela storage bags to get them to stay on your pump & worrying about it spilling over... not fun.  Yes, you have to wash your bottles, but you have to wash your breastshield anyways... and its worth the $$ you save!
> Baby monitor: This is obviously on the $$ side, but I think it's totally worth it!  I bought a cheaper one (this one) that was middle of the line, and it broke within a few weeks.  So I returned it, used my gift cards & splurged.  I would for sure be just great with a "non slim" monitor, but one major advantage to the slim is that I can easily stick it in my pocket!!  I try to clip it on sometimes, but its hard to clip it on one handed! (Which is most of my life with a baby in the other arm!) You don't need video, but it has come in major handy!  1) I don't go in as much as a crazy Mommy checking on her precious baby 2) A few times (when he was older) he's gotten his leg stuck in the bed rungs & I saw that & was able to help him immediately verse thinking he just needs to cry himself to sleep! 3) (Again, when he was older...) I was able to see that it was time to move his bed down as I saw him pull himself up & leaning over the edge of his crib for the first time! AHH! (I ran faster than I've ever ran before!!!!)

> hooter hider: I for sure would rather go without, especially at the beginning, it's helpful to have full-view to figure things out!  But, I LOVED being able to nurse while other people we're around & to not feel like we're on full display!  (The link is to my friend's site! She has beautiful fabric & they are well made!!) -- Be careful when purchasing, pay attention to the fabric (always!): if it's too thin/poor quality it won't stay stiff enough for you to see your baby.






{ tips } 
> Guests: In general, I personally suggest no overnight guests the first 2 weeks unless you feel VERY comfortable with them (I had my mom with us the first few days & would do that again in a heartbeat!)  But just to warn you, the reason why I suggest this is you most likely will be a little highly emotional (irrational maybe?) & potentially in some a lot of pain, and your trying to figure things out with your little one - especially if you're nursing.  So with all this, it can just be tricky to have others staying at your home with you.  My highest emotional disaster (with some constant crying) peeked at the end of week 2.  As for guests just stopping by -- I loved that!
> You: Don't feel bad buying a few transition clothes - you're in an awkward stage; your maternity clothes don't fit & your old clothes don't fit -- I went to Walmart & bought a few tops & a pair of jeans, barely spent anything & was able to find some pretty cool stuff!  Its totally worth the extra $$ to have a few things to wear during this time that you feel pretty in!
> Sleep when your baby sleeps!  Take naps - turn off your phone (I think every time I napped, my phone would ring... oops!)
> Do whatever seems natural to you to soothe your baby, don't worry about developing bad habits yet.
> Log your baby's feed/sleep schedule (it will really help you figure out your baby).  If you have an iPhone get this app: Total Baby  It's AAMAZING! It's perfect for that mommy-brain :)
> Give your sweet one a bottle once a week... it may seem annoying or silly now, but trust me, when you begin to be out & about more in the future & want babysitters it will make your life sooo much easier if your baby is used to a bottle!