Oh, Baby

Research is exhausting. And for me, dangerous. Why, you ask? You'll see.

The more I read about babies, the more overwhelmed I become. I don't know which books to buy or what to believe. Here are some of the stresses/paranoia I've had. Would appreciate any mommies weighing in! Please be nice in your comments. :)

1. Does my Lancome make-up have harmful chemicals in it that could hurt the baby...and by the way, could my make-up cause me cancer?
What I've done - just tried to use a dab of foundation and the rest pretty regular. I tried a tinted moisturizer that was all-natural in place of my foundation, but I didn't like it...too cakey. I figure blush, eyeshadow, etc. is more powdery so I wasn't as worried. Writing all this out made me spend around $30 on a variety of all-natural samples (including foundation) and full-size mascara here. Hoping for a better solution there.

2. What about lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.? I'm worried about all the chemicals.
What I've done - I purchased new face wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner from EarthFare, an organic grocery store. I didn't like the lotion. My skin was cracking from being so dry. Shea butter didn't help. And about the shampoo and conditioner...my hair was OK, but extremely flat. After 3 months, I switched back to Lubriderm lotion (no more cracking skin) and Aveeno shampoo and conditioner. If Aveeno is OK for baby, I'm hoping it's OK for me. And my hair and skin look a ton better. I'm using an all-natural bar soap. Still unsure about bodywash..thinking of lathering up with the bar soap for less chemicals. Mixing it up going back to the not-so-great lotion now that my skin is under control. Just bought all-natural massage bar from here to ward off stretch marks. Really like it.

3. Is my (Tide) detergent leaking harmful things into my skin?
What I've done - This is a new stress. Bert is going to buy some Seventh Generation detergent today for my clothes. It uses vegetables, rather than chemicals, so it's better for the environment - with far fewer chemicals. Bert is probably going to still need Tide for his workout clothes.

4. Diapering...will I ruin the environment since it takes 500 years for a disposable diaper to break down? Is cloth out of the question?
What I've done - I've read about it to see if maybe I could find a biodegradable diaper. Apparently, even if it says they are, it's not really true. They just sit in a landfill too. And there seem to be some sanitary issues about the laundry water that comes from washing cloth caked in poo. Ew. I looked at gDiapers...they seem to be a pretty cool invention. Bert's letting me do my research and is fine whether I choose. And since I work full-time and Bert is a full-time Ph.D. student, convenience is a big factor, which gets high marks for disposables. Looks like we are down to disposables and gDiapers.

5. Hormones in food. What am I putting in my mouth? Am I eating too much junk? Am I eating right?
What I've done - We made the switch to organic milk, yogurt and sour cream. Still using regular 2% cheddar cheese, but will look into that too. Drinking 100% fruit juice to up my servings of fruit. Trying not to freak out...making an effort to eat yogurt, fruit and nuts regularly. Trying to lessen nuts after seeing a study on how they are being linked to increased allergies in children. I swear; it's always something. About meat, I just buy ones that say no hormones or antibiotics. My husband works out two hours a day; organic meat would make us paupers. I don't eat eggs that much, but when I do, I buy cage-free and usually organic. Other than that, I just eat pretty normally...except more. :)

6. Is caffeine evil when pregnant? Do I have to swear off artificial sweeteners?
What I've done - I've had approximately 1 caffeinated drink a week...especially so I wouldn't have to slow down with the chocolate. I have approximately 1 drink with an artificial sweetener per week. Trying to drink a lot of water.

7. Babywise? The Happiest Baby On The Block? The Baby Whisperer? What? What?
What I've done - I'm still trying to figure this one out. It seems I am going to have to come up with a hodge podge, but overall, The Happiest Baby On The Block and The No-Cry Sleep Solution have the best reviews. I really REALLY need some advice here.

Well, there you have it. A peak into my neuroses. I don't read a lot on any of the topics because when I do, you see what happens. I freak out. I don't check medical web sites. That is totally off limits to me. I just pray each and every day for this little one in me to be healthy.

I just want to make the right decisions for this little one...I am sure I will make some wrong ones along the way, but hopefully, the unconditional this love he/she will receive will make up for it.

Labels: baby