THE BABY’S MOTHER CAN LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR PEACE
                by Sat Siri, Midwife, Holistic Healer, Yoga teacher and Doula (ecosiri@yahoo.com)
 

Heaven and Earth meet in the moment of CONCEPTION.

To be born into a family of happiness and peace is a great blessing and an opportunity to begin life with a secure and loving foundation. When parents consider the spiritual aspects of bringing a soul into the world and prepare in advance to lay the foundation of peace, the woes of the world can be eliminated, one family at a time. The parents’ mission is to make their children feel wanted from birth on.

Discuss all aspects of having a child before the birth. Have a plan for the first year of your child’s life in regard to who the primary caregiver will be and any major changes in your lives that will affect the child.

Realize that you are the first teachers and it is therefore up to you the set an example of conscious living, loving, sharing and self-expression. This will give the child a strong sense of self from conception on. The immediate environment must be protected from stressful situations and strife. This feeling of security and well being will then vibrate throughout the child's being and bring true happiness.

So, welcome your infant into your heart, into your home, and into your life. Greet him or her on behalf of the planet, and your ancestors; introduce him or her to the entire family and the immediate surroundings. Talk to your infant at a soul level because he understands at this level and allow him or her to present themselves to you.

This time and opportunity will pass all too quickly, never to return. You will move on to other aspects of parenting; such as training motor skills, life skills, talking, walking, reading, etc.

Lay the foundation for peace and the other processes will fall into place more readily.

NEW BIRTH- There are two sticks of incense burning in the urn at the opening to the small candlelit room. The glass stained glass doors have been opened and there is a summer breeze circulating the smoke into small ringlets. To the left of the room are two women sitting on white sheepskins, playing harmoniums and singing like angels; "you are the grace of God, mother and divine". We remove our shoes at the door and enter the white-carpeted room. At center stage is a woman wearing a white silk veil with eyes half closed, sitting cross-legged on a white sheepskin, swaying gently to the rhythm of the song. Before her, are several gifts, wrapped in white paper with gold or silver ribbons. There are candles and rose petals surrounding the gifts, with floral arrangements on both sides. There is a semi circle of white-garmented ladies surrounding our center figure. We find a nearby cushion and at the same moment we sit, the song ends. A tall woman approaches our special guest with a decanter of precious oils and begins to rub the woman’s foot.

This is not the beginning of a fairy tale, or Goddess ritual, but a celebration of life. Our special lady is an expectant mother of 40 days. The ceremony is a called a "40th Day Celebration". It is practiced in Los Angeles regularly and as a matter of course for women of Sikh Dharma throughout the world. You will find similar ceremonies performed in India and Hawaii.

The purpose of the ceremony is to welcome and give recognition to the new soul that will soon experience life in human form, give support, encouragement and prayers for the new mother, and to increase our awareness of, and dedication to the extended family.

The celebration will continue with the opening of the gifts and the serving of refreshments, but the real work for the mother will be just beginning. From this time forward, she will be setting the tone for the birth and life of the child.

More than likely, once the baby is born, the mother will have an assistant to care for her, so she can care for the baby. In some cultures, this caregiver is called a Doula. In India, she’s called a Sevador. This person should not be confused with a baby nurse, who is hired to take care of the baby.

In today’s society, couples wait until after the child is born to plan for its life. In the first chapter of this book, we will examine the healing process suggested for both parents to be performed before conception has occurred.

Preparation: It is best for the parents to clean their bodies with a healthfood diet before the birth. This suggestion is for the father and mother. There are several books available on the subject. One book is "Young Again", by John Thomas and "Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management", by Dr. Bernard Jensen. There are several herbs that clean the blood and detoxify the system. All of the body systems are interrelated; so eliminate the concept that you will find a "magic bullet" that will detoxify your whole body with just one pill.

According to Dr. Bernard Jensen, it takes one-tenth of your age to detoxify your body, and that is on a complete cleansing program which includes colon cleansers, colonics, herbs, raw foods, fruit and vegetable juices, exercise, stress management and super foods rich in chlorophyll like, blue/green algae, chlorella, wheat grass, barley grass and spirulina.

Consume good water and plan time away from the city so you breathe good air at least once a month. Or purify your air and water at home.

Add more raw fruits and vegetables to your daily menu, until they are the major portion of your meal and not the exception.

There are excellent books on the needs of babies for feeling secure through touch and bonding. Ashley Montaque's book, "Touching, The Human Significance of the Skin" is a good one.

Harvey and Marilyn Diamond have a book called "Fit for Life" which includes a 30-day menu plan of food that is simple yet nutritious. The book also describes the concept of correct food combining.

Caring for the Mother so she can Care for the Baby: There are numerous books on Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care. This is not one of them. Hopefully you have found the ones that you need. We will focus primarily on caring for the new mother, both physically and emotionally; including recommended menus and therapeutic treatments.

The new mother will invariably develop tunnel vision focused on the needs of the infant. You may have to practically pry her away from the baby. What has to happen is that she must continue to eat, drink and rest so her body will heal properly and allow her to meet the needs of the new arrival, which will be quite demanding for a while.

The woman who takes care of the mother can take care of the baby. These duties usually include massaging the mother and the baby, preparing meals for the mother and/or her family, feeding and tending to the family pets, laundry, shopping, errands and light housekeeping. We suggest that families utilize a full time housekeeper if at all possible for the first month, coming then, at least a few days every week.

The role of the Doula can be filled by the couple's mothers, but in most instances, the Doula is a hired assistant.

The Doula will usually be called to the home on the first or second day after the birth. Some families need that first day home to orientate them to the new situation and to have some private quality time. But, by the second day, the work and time needed to keep things running smoothly definitely calls for a helping hand.

The Doula is also there for moral support. I have seen the most stalwart woman feel insecure and in awe of the infant and not sure of what is going on with her thoughts and emotions. Not to mention trying to figure out what every nuance of the baby means. The Doula can also offer support and guidance in breastfeeding, which will be a totally new experience for first time mothers.

Younger siblings may require the Doula to read them a story or take them for a walk, but her key role is to serve the mother.

The bonding between the mother and the child will occur quite naturally. Most fathers may feel a bit removed from the experience of birthing, but bonding with the baby can happen quite easily and simply for them. Most fathers usually spend the first couple of days after the birth at home. If they can do the shopping and errands for the first couple of days, it will give them a sense of accomplishment and give more quality time to the mother and baby.

If the mother is napping, but the baby is awake, this could be the opportune time for the father to change the baby, hold the child, bond with the baby, and just get to know him or her.

The father and the Doula, with input from the mother, will need to decide beforehand, which friends or relatives will be allowed to visit and/or speak on the phone with the mother. She needs all the rest she can get, which may include postponing visits of well wishing friends and close associates.

The first week is the hardest and should focus totally on the mother and baby’s needs. Week two you will usually see somewhat of a schedule developing. Rule No 1 for this period is " the mother sleeps when the baby sleeps". This rule will get her off to good start.

The saying, "You can’t keep a good woman down", I'm sure, refers to new mothers. This however is the Doula's mission. To keep her down! By week three, the mother will generally be ready to be more involved in the day-to-day life of her household. This is a good time for her to consider her new schedule. Her body really needs a full two years to recover, if she had an easy delivery. Most Sikh women have a postpartum care assistant for 40 days. 30 day is a complete moon cycle, which is needed to adjust to the emotional and hormonal changes that have occurred. The additional 10 days are for making sure the changes have been brought into full conscious awareness.

The father’s role is make sure that the mother and baby are safe and secure. It's a good idea for the father to see to needed repairs around the house and yard which undone, might be hazardous to the mother or baby. This small gesture will have big paybacks in the secure feelings of the mother.

The mother should be sheltered from all strangers and unknown, or unannounced guest. If a new insurance man is visiting, or the Avon lady comes by, they should be greeted by the Doula or the father.

The mother will usually have a friend that has recently given birth whose visit might be very uplifting and helpful for the mother. She should be encouraged. Visitors who need entertaining, talk a lot, or need attention should be discouraged.

Needs of the Mother- The new mother’s basic needs include sleep and rest; which are not the same, food, water and liquids, which are not the same, moral support, a safe, comfortable and secure environment.

We have given rule #1, which is for the mother to sleep when the baby is sleeping, so rule #2 is to rest as much as possible during the first week. Encourage napping, but if you meet with resistance, encourage resting. This is a good time for the mother to catch up on her reading, and research about herself and the baby. (See Chapter 8, "Resources" for suggested reading.)

Food will be covered in Chapter 5. Water is essential in that the baby's body is about 75% water and most adult's bodies are 50 to 65% water. The new mother is drinking for two. There should always be a carafe of water next to her bed. Eight glasses a day are important for the mother and child to remain hydrated. Water will help to flush the system of toxins, help to facilitate milk production, and aid in digestion and elimination. Please use good water, preferably purified and in glass, not plastic.

Tea, juice and other beverages are not a substitute for water. In fact, drinking other beverages in lieu of water, can lead to dehydration. It is good to avoid coffee, black tea and chocolate drinks because of the caffeine. It's also advisable to avoid sodas because of the salt and sugar content. The carbonation is said to interfere with the normal calcium production of the body. Carbonated drinks can also increase burping and hiccups. Not to mention that one glass of pop turns the body so acidic that it takes 32 glasses of alkaline water to restore the body’s balance.

The recommended herb teas are, chamomile for relaxation and pain, peppermint for digestion and gas and "Mother's" tea and "Nursing Mothers" tea for milk production.

Red Raspberry and white oak bark tea might be needed as well for the sitz baths. There are ready made formulas available at the health food store. An extra large batch can be made to provide enough for adding to the bath water. The mother will find this soothing to her tired muscles and nerves and stitches, if she has them. The Sitz bath will help to ease the pain around the perineum.

Yogi tea is a body tonic that is good for strengthening all the body systems. It helps to protect her immune system, and is good for colds and chills. There are additional yogic drinks to give stamina and energy. Make it with cinnamon sticks, black pepper corms, raw ginger slices, cardomon pods, simmer lightly for l0 min., strain, add milk and honey. DELICIOUS!

The mother’s physical needs include massage, comfortable shoes and clothing. Some mothers prefer not to wear clothes, especially those who are nursing frequently in the warm summer months.

Mothers should continue to employ their housekeepers during this period, even when they have hired a Doula. The Doula will not perform any major housecleaning as she will be very busy with the baby and mother, meals, shopping, errands and making sure that the home is as organized as possible to facilitate the smooth transition of having a new individual as a family member. Families that can add a housekeeper to the budget for 2 to 4 weeks will be totally pleased that they did.

Most mothers tend to overdo. It’s the Doula's job to keep her off her feet as much as possible. Six weeks is a perfect time for the mother to have assistance. This will be in line with her six-week checkup. Mothers with assistance, fair better at this juncture than those who do not. This time gives the mother’s body a chance to heal. She is not sick but her muscles have been worked like never before. The nervous system has expended energy. Her hormones are continuing to change on an hour-to-hour basis. Nursing affects the hormones as well. With good nutrition and moral support, the mother can avoid mood swings that bring on "postpartum blues".

The nursing periods at home may seem different from when she was at her birthing location, if other than the home. She may feel that she is floundering through trial and error. It is not really "trial and error", but the mother and the baby will need time to adjust to nursing. They must be comfortable and stress free. It might take a few weeks for nursing to feel like second nature. Please encourage the mother to be patient, without despairing.

There are tips for the baby who does open the mouth wide enough. The nipples will get tender whether the baby is nursing correctly or not. It is suggested that the mother prepare her nipples with rough toweling rubs, done daily, before the birth and continue to care for them after the birth. When all else fails, there are experts that make house visits. There are references in the "Resource" chapter.

We will designate the first six weeks as the postpartum period. The baby might develop a rash or jaundice during this period. The mother may feel at a lost to determine the seriousness of the condition. For jaundice, the symptoms will go away in a few days by putting the baby in indirect sunlight a few hours a day. Rash is usually an indication of not enough fluids and infrequent diaper changes.

A screaming baby is not a good sign. However, crying is a natural communication method and should not be considered a sign of illness. Discharges of mucous and smelly, unusually dark feces are normal but high temperatures and any discharge of blood are signs that warrant a call to the pediatrician.

The mother's body will be under constant change during this period. The lokia will be eliminated. As long as cramping and large clots do not accompany this, the mother should not be alarmed by blood. The herb teas, hot water bottle and gentle massage will facilitate relief during this period. Her milk will come down in the first two to three days. The color of the milk will change from a light gray fluid to a thicker, cream-colored substance. The baby will generally become more interested in nursing. They can smell the milk. The mother may cry uncontrollably for no apparent reason. She should be granted this opportunity of release. The Doula can encourage her to just let go and not attach a negative spin to these unleashed emotions. Rest and fluids are a good remedy for these unexpected outburst.

Around the third week, the mother may get a little anxious to get out. She may be suffering from cabin fever. Her own yard should be her first choice for an excursion. Depending on the weather, this could be a time for the baby to experience the wide outdoors. For any farther excursions, the mother needs an escort. There have been occasions when the mother has been chased by a mean dog. Please leave pets at home during the first couple of weeks. Pets can be walked separately by the husband or by the Doula (once the father is home) or when the mother and baby are both napping.

Rule #3: The mother should never be more than ten feet away from the baby. The mother and baby should maintain an auric connection during the 40-day, postpartum care period. This creates a constant state of bonding. Not just the mother's mental and emotional projection of bonding but also developing the baby’s trust in her and with the life processes themselves. An infant does not have the intelligence to process the event of waking and finding her gone.

Around the third week, the mother's body usually begins to feel 'normal' again. Do not take advantage of this feeling to tackle housework or old projects unless the projects can be done sitting down while the baby is sleeping.

Exercises can be done in bed. This includes stretching, tensing certain muscles then releasing. The Kagel exercises can begin again. Anything more strenuous is not recommended until after the six week checkup and with the doctor's approval.

The Baby: Simplicity of Needs

Basics : The baby will sleep, nurse, and eliminate; in that order. Expect a healthy baby to spend most of his or her time sleeping. The first day of its life can be spent sleeping. Not to worry. Six-hour stretches are not uncommon. Some say to wake the baby every four hours to feed them, but this is not my practice. I don't know of anyone who sets their alarm so they don't miss a meal. I feel the same should hold true for infants.

Nursing is an art that improves with practice. The Doula is someone who can give advice and moral support. The baby is willing to cooperate. Between the three of them, things usually work out. For difficult situations there are specialists in every big city that are just a phone call away. See resource guide in chapter 8.

The mother’s milk will come down within the first three days. It has more of an opaque color. The first excretion from the breast is colostrums. It is very high in anti-oxidants. It is important for the baby's immune system that he have this nutrient. Most babies will nurse immediately after birth. Some babies will sleep first, and some will take in their surroundings. No matter the order, nursing will be a prominent part of the infant's life. The baby should nurse until the teeth come in. With teeth, certain enzymes are then available to digest solid food, but not before. If ever the milk is scant, eat oatmeal at breakfast, beans at lunch and milk will be abundant again.

What goes up must come down and what goes in one end will come out the other. The baby?s first elimination is the merconium. This substance is thick and very dark. It can be foul smelling, but not always. Do not be alarmed at this elimination. "Better out than in".

It’s common for new mothers to be concerned about all three of these very natural processes, but unless some other complication is present, such as fever, skin discoloration or odd discharges, nature is just taking it's course. In any real case of concern, the mother should feel free to call her pediatrician for advice.

In the case of infant jaundice, where the skin or eye whites appear yellow, the baby can be placed in in-direct sunlight for a while during the day. Make sure that the sunlight is not shining directly into the baby?s eyes. The jaundice will pass.

SENSES: SIGHT, SOUND AND SMELL: The baby?s primary sense is smell. He finds the mother?s milk by its smell. Aromatherapy can be utilized to keep the environment fresh and clean. It?s best not to use artificial room deodorants because of the harsh chemicals, but use pure essential oils. The only caveat is, don’t use them on any body part that will put that oil on the baby or his mouth or hands. Air purifiers can also be used to clean the air and prevent allergic reactions to dust and dust mites.

Touch is a paramount sense to utilize. This is part of the bonding requirement. Skin to skin contact is very reassuring to the infant. The smell of the mother and the rhythm of her heartbeat are etched into the memory while still in the womb.

Music can be introduced into the baby's world after birth, as it might have played an important part in his life while he was in the womb. Choose the music wisely for your infant. The music should be calm, melodic and rhythmic. The baby's habitat should be free from loud noises, talking and violent television programs. This includes arguments. A "no guest policy" is the best policy until the infant is at least 40 days old. This allows time for the parents to bond with the baby and for the baby's sensory nerves to develop and for his aura and immune system to become stronger.

Language tapes can be introduced from birth, as the brain is very flexible at this stage and the rhythm of the language can be picked up rapidly at this stage and not interfered with by the intellect or other formed habits.

As the infant grows, massage is very important. This will keep the joints flexible, the skin soft and supple and stimulate the nerves and senses. In the animal kingdom, infants that do not receive cuddling and handling are not as healthy and do not gain as much weight as their siblings. This is also true for human infants. ("Touch", by: Ashley Montague). Babies have the ability to recognize parents soon after birth. They can recognize themselves in a mirror around the 8th to 12th week so introduce a large mirror to the room, at that time, at a safe distance from the bed.

THE NURSERY: Ideally, the baby should sleep with the parents. This allows more of the bonding to take place. Again, the baby will be able to feel, touch and smell the parents. This develops a feeling of security that can be carried into the future when he's out in the world away from the parents. During the day, when the baby is sleeping but the mother is not, a bassinet can be utilized.

Stuffed toys should be cotton and non-allergenic. Some children are allergic to the Kapok in some stuffed toys. Some plastics are toxic. The first 40 days of a child's life are not the appropriate time for "playtime". Keep this time simple and as pure as possible.

Cotton cloth diapers are the best. And diaper services are available that will pick up and deliver. See resources. Mothers that prefer disposable diapers have to change them regularly to avoid diaper rash. Letting the baby go bare allows the skin to breathe. Just make sure that the temperature is appropriately warm.

Changing can be accomplished on the parent's bed or on the floor. If the mother is uncomfortable getting up and down from the floor, a changing table will be greatly appreciated. I believe in have one hand on the baby at all times while he or she is on the changing table. Everything that you might possibly need while changing the baby should be at arm's reach; diapers, rubber pants, pins, socks, undershirts, gowns, pullover t-shirts, and the ones that wrap and snap, cotton balls, wipes, q-tips and tissues. Be sure all the baby skin products do not contain sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. Both are toxic. Use powder over talc. Check the label carefully. If you see the word ‘talc’, don’t buy it. Any glycerin products should contain plant glycerin. Read all labels.

Essential Oil Baby Wipes:50 count "Viva" paper towels cut in half 2 cups of purified water

2 Tablespoons of Young Living Lavender Shampoo

1 Tablespoon of Young Living V-6 Oil or other Base Massage Oil 1 Large round wipes container

Pull cardboard from center of paper towel roll. Mix shampoo, oil and water. Pour 1-cup liquid into wipes container. Put in towel roll. Pour remaining liquid on top. Pull towel from center and poke through opening.

Babies grow quickly. Six to ten items of each type of clothing are generally sufficient. Cotton is best because it breathes. Anything that is placed on the skin gets absorbed into the skin. So, be sure your laundry detergent is mild enough for the baby's clothes and that it is non-toxic.

A few clothing items to include in the layette are bibs, socks, booties and or shoes, sun hats and skull caps, long gowns, short gowns, some jumpers with the feet covered and some without, sweaters and a ‘bumpkin’. Blankets and sheets, face towels and bath towels and cotton pads will round out your layette. Slings and baby carriers will keep the baby close, but give you a little more mobility. Some babies take to these devices, but others may take time to get used to them. Keeping the baby close is recommended over playpens and swings. Even the slings and carriers have to be designed to support the baby's neck, before the baby must have developed the skill to hold his head erect. This skill can be observed in babies 1 week old, to twelve weeks old. It varies, so don’t let the head go unsupported until he’s up to it.

The law requires you to have a car seat for your baby. For walking, the sling is recommended, but if you prefer a carriage, the tram is better than an umbrella stroller because it supports the baby’s spine, and they can sleep lying down.

Eating While Nursing: Postpartum is not the time to be concerned about weight loss or dieting. This is the time to eat fresh, nutritious foods. The food you eat has a direct correlation to the quality and quantity of milk available for the baby. Good nutrition is also important for your body's speedy recovery. The muscles, the glands, the organs and the nerves have all worked overtime. Let's keep the food simple, fresh and plentiful. Organic, whole, unprocessed foods in their natural state are best.—Fruit-Water-Seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, --Vegetables-Herbal Teas -Nuts—Juice-Whole Grains like EZEKIEL bread from Ralphs and Vons, 2$, SUPERB. Made from recipe in bible. Avoid all foods which are commonly known to cause gas, indigestion, heartburn or bloating; fried foods, spicy food, black pepper, cayenne pepper, curry powder, raw onions and garlic, cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, brussell sprouts, mustard greens and cauliflower because all of these go right through your body into the baby’s tummy and he will get colic. Wait a few days before introducing the members of the "night-shade" family; tomatoes, bell peppers, also food with alkaloids like okra and asparagus. The mother should actually take the time write down her favorite foods, suggested menus and must haves. Some cravings may prove to be inappropriate, but I have found mothers to be willing to postpone cravings for good nutrition and a colic-free infant. The baby is her first priority. Here is a list food that can be found at any health food store and fit into the category of "natural" foods. FOODS FROM "A to Z"

FRUIT DAIRY/SUBSCEREALGRAIN, Apples Ghee which is clarified butter, Oatmeal, whole, real, not instant; brown rice, basmati or even Wild Rice/Bananas/Cheese, Millet Berries, Goat’s Milk, brown Rice crackers with nut butters, cashew and peanut and almond butter, real raw honey; Barley

Nectarinesm, Almond Milk, corn tortillas with no preservatives, MISSION has a pure yellow one thatseems to have no additives. Peaches, but washedwith soap to get poison off. Rice Milk, Spelt/CouscousPersimmons, plain Yogurt AmaranthQuinoaGrapesAmaranth, Guava Cherries. SWEETENERS like rice bran syrup, a super food. Plums, Maple SyrupRiceOlive Pears, Rice bran Syrup , Rye bread, Flaxseed Sapotes Date Sugar Millet Sesame FRUITS SWEETENERS - FLOURS CantaloupeStevia AmaranthPapayaWatermelon

VEGETABLESOTHER Artichokes,algae, Beets Baby Bok ChoySea Vegetables CarrotsMiso

CelerySoupCilantro/ nutsLettuceSupplementsPotatoeTapiocaPeasYogi Tea RadiTahini String Beans Herb TeaSpinach (Raw)LegumesSwiss ChardSquashVEGETABLES ContWatercressYamsZucchini

PROTEIN Protein noun,any group of organic compounds composed of amino acids and forming an essential part of allliving organisms. *The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus

The question of protein usuallycomesup when you are discussing food andnutrition. *Fruits, vegetables, grains, seedsand nuts all contain protein as you can seefrom the following chart.Vegetables cup 1-3 grams

Fruits ? cup 1-2 grams

Cereal ? cup 2-3 grams

Rice ? cup 2 grams

* from The Nutrition Desk Reference, Robert Garrison, Jr., MA,RPh & Elizabeth Somer, MA,Eventhoughfruits and vegetables may not contain the complete essential amino acids, the body can build the complete chain from foods eaten during the day, not necessarily at the same the meal. The fresh raw food supplies higher quality protein than the cooked food. "Heat is one of the main destroyers of nutrients [i.e. protein] (writer’s parenthesis) in your food. Enzymatic destruction begins at 116 degrees; vitamins lose potency at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. (Denatured proteins are unusable to your body, cannot be "denatured", and have been linked with many diseases including arthritis, heart disease and even cancer.) Steaming vegetables requires a temperature of 212 degrees. While heated foods will deliver caloric density more easily than their raw counterpart, most of the nutrients have been cooked out." (The High Energy Diet Recipe Guide by, Dr. Douglas N. Graham) Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) is not a good substitute for animal protein. Lets try to get some of our protein from the same place that the larger animals get theirs, vegetation. Meat’s ok occasionally but always balance it with a salad and some vegetables. Another good idea is soy derived meat substitutes like tofu which chinese restaurants make very well, with black mushrooms, AVOID "HVP or MSG, used in hundreds of foods ? including health foods! HVP is a trade name for MSG (monosodium glutamate). MSG contains glutamate + aspartate + cytoic acid ? known poisons. Aspartame is the chemical name for a popular sweetener with the red, white and blue swirl. These soy-derived excitotoxins destroy nerve/brain cells. Public outrage ended use of MSG in baby food, so they changed the name to HVP and added a pretty little swirl ? but still deadly!" John Thomas, in Young Again.

*For more information on protein, please refer to the following books: The China Project, by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Christine Cox

The Human Body, Digestion ? Fueling the System, published by Bruce Marshall, page 37 ? 39

Young Again, by John Thomas, page 301 - 302

FOOD STAPLES Almonds Ghee or Organic Butter for making Ghee, easy to make, skimming the simmering butter. Throw away the fuzzy dairy, keep clear yellow oil. Wild Rice, Basmati Rice Rice Cakes

Sesame Tahini Dried Fruit, Dates Fresh Fruit

Fresh Vegetables Mung Beans HOME made Veggie Burgers (without Soy, can be purchased at Trader Joe?s or make your own with tofu. I have recipe, tastes better than meat! Bread and crackers (Wheat-free, if possible) Salad Greens Lentils

"No Nuking", and Other "Don’ts" Microwave ovens have been outlawed in University Hospitals. ht.://www.herbalhealeracademay.com "Microwave energy destroys food enzymes by altering their molecular structure. These devices produce energy frequencies that are anti-life and incompatible with living things. When healthy organisms (people) are exposed to freak energy frequencies, they become sub-clinically ill and suffer with symptoms often described as "syndromes". In effect, they accelerate the aging process by altering the body's enzymes." (John Thomas Young Again! How to Reverse the Aging Process, page 142) In other word, using a microwave to event heat food renders it nutritionally useless. When you bombard the molecules so rapidly, the cells of the food are destroyed. Nursing mothers need all the good nutrition they can possibly obtain. Manufacturers are supposed to put a warning against use of microwaves by pregnant women. Nursing mothers, also beware. A Doula is someone who can take the needed time and care to prepare natural food and warm natural food without using a microwave oven.

All over the net, you can find research on Canola Oil. It is basically an industrial oil that was never meant for human consumption. Take a few minutes to research soy and genetically engineered corn. While you are researching, please leave these items out of the diet for pregnant women, new mothers and nursing mothers. They are many alternatives listed in Chapter 5.

Do not lift any item heavier than the baby. No sweeping or any other activities that will place undo stress or pressure on the abdominal area. Stress and strain can result in pain and inflammation. Inflammation can progress into infection. All of these conditions are to be avoided and be easily prevented by taking it easy and having postpartum care assistance.

The people that say woman worked in the fields immediately following delivery of their children, also worked in the field before and during the pregnancy. So unless you are one of those women, please take it easy.

The Environment: If you have to barter or borrow, make sure you can have a housekeeper during the postpartum period for the first month, or at least two weeks. The Doula will be busy with meals, errands, pets, siblings and keeping putting things in order. The mother is busy with the baby. And the father is busy with his work and fathering.

One mother felt "shut in" in her bedroom. When I examined the bedroom, I found no color, no pictures, the curtains closed, no place for flowers and no mirror. You don't have to hire a "Feng Shui" specialist, but if you can, do it googling that term online. Flowers, pictures of flowers, colorful drapes that let in sunlight, crystals, plants, nice cut glass water pitcher with matching glasses can be just the things to make a room more warm and appealing. Color therapy is now a recognized treatment for things like depression, mood swings and health in general.

The mother has to feel comfortable because she will spend ALL of her time in home for the first 40 days. The more comfortable the mother, the more secure the baby.

To add to her comfort a nice serving tray should be available, which allows her to have her meals in bed; providing more rest. Matching placemats and napkins add a nice touch so the mother feels special at this time of the baby. She needs a comfortable nursing pillow that is good for her and the baby. One of my clients had a nursing pillow she used with her first child, but it couldnt be used with the second child because he weighed in at 11 lbs and 11 oz. and was too big for that positioning. The large bed pillow that allows you to sit up and read is bed is a must. That support of the low back while nursing, changing baby's diapers or having your meals in bed could save you several trips to the chiropractor’s office. If I didnt mention it before, a chiropractic adjustment after the birth will set the mother in good stead for recovery and for the all the bending and lifting of the baby she will need. During the winter months, shawls and throws come in handy for keeping the mother warm and cozy.

Television should be avoided during this time. The baby is in the bonding process. Getting used to his parents, siblings and environment. He is in a very sensitive state. He doesn't need to hear the evening news or involve himself with the drama, trauma or violence of any soap opera or police show. Music, on the other hand can set up a frequency to help calm the baby when he/she needs to relax. Language tapes can also be used at this time to expose the baby the other languages. Scientist say that the rhythm of other languages will be remembered, and thereby make it easy for the child to speak other languages later in life when the situation arises. This is the time for the father to have completed any household projects that might a hazard to the mother. Any cords running across the floor should be eliminated by using another outlet or running it up over the door, as an example. Furniture that might extend out too far in a pathway frequented by the mother should be rearranged. The father and Doula should perform a safety check of the home on a regular basis. The Doula must always be aware of any threat to the safety of the mother and baby.

If and when the mother begins to experience cabin fever she can be encouraged to spend some time in the yard. The yard requires the same due diligence for safety as the home. In the summer the mother and baby require head coverings. Try to observe the rule of sunning between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. to prevent burning and over exposure. A shaded area in the yard would provide natural covering. Outings for the sake of just "getting out" should be discouraged until after the 6-week checkup. Again, this is for the baby's protection. The fewer people he is exposed to, the better.


Author, Humorist ANITA
                                  SANDSOur 'POSTER-BLOGGER' is ANITA SANDS HERNANDEZ, Los Angeles Writer, Researcher,  mother of 4, grandmother of 6, also a career Astrologer. Catch up with her websites TRUTHS GOV WILL HIDE & NEVER TELL YOU, also The  FUTURE, WHAT'S COMIN' AT YA! FRUGAL LIFE STYLE TIPS,  HOW TO SURVIVE the COMING GREAT DEPRESSION, and Secrets of Nature, HOLISTIC, AFFORDABLE HEALING. Also ARTISANRY FOR EXPORT, EARN EUROS....* Anita is at astrology@earthlink.net ). Get a 35$ natal horoscope "my money/future life" reading now + copy horoscope as a Gif file graphic! No smarter reading out there anywhere near that price.

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