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Why You Should Question Vaccines For Your Children

Vaccine safety is back in the news today, because the FDA has asked doctors to temporarily suspend giving the newest incarnation of the vaccine against rotavirus, Rotarix. This vaccine is currently scheduled on CDC guidelines for infants in two doses between ages six weeks and 24 weeks. Independent researchers found the vaccine to be contaminated with fragments of a virus of pigs, porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1). There are several unfortunate things about today’s news: 1. Although the contamination was communicated to vaccine makers and the... read more

Child Refuses 'Healthy' Food

Hello Naomi. My child (four years old) is living on raw yogurt, honey, raw milk, breaded chicken breasts, fish-fingers, ketchup, scrambled eggs, butter, non-white bread, juice, pickles, normal cheese, sometimes raw carrots and mango, pasta, rice, nuts and water. When we go out he is allowed a treat, such as ice-cream. He has several cavities in his molars. He used to eat plenty of other raw vegetables and fruit or whole-grain meals but stopped when he was three. I am a raw foodist, my husband is not. I am concerned about his cavities and health, but obviously can't make... read more

Legacy

By Brenda-Fay Glik “What’s your favorite body part?” I ask, delighting in the sway of her, sweet as sunrise. I expect the usual response of a female, even one only seven years old, who is under the spell of a culture preoccupied with appearances that appraises her body by its shape and beauty. She thinks, then asks, “What’s your favorite part, Mommy?” Unprepared, I peruse my body in my mind, of course drawn to the parts I most reject, especially my breasts. Too small, way too small. No matter how many times and ways I look in the mirror, they are never enough—and yet... read more

Exercise After Birth

"it isn't just emotional changes that create postpartum strain and fatigue. Amazing physical changes have taken place as well. Your body went through an awesome transformation for nine months, culminating in the traumatic experience of birth. it will take some time for your body to return to its earlier state." --Peggy O'Mara, Having a Baby, Naturally Here are some exercises to help you recover after you give birth. Simple Twist This is a simple yoga posture that you can even do on the floor of a hospital room. It strengthens the buttocks, which relieves lower back... read more

Essential Oils for Children

Here are some of the safest and most helpful essential oils for children: Tea tree: for first aid, bug bites, bug repellent; anti-fungal, anti-infectious. Lavender: for first aid, burns, sunburn; antiviral and antibacterial, boosts immunity. Peppermint: digestive aid; cools fevers; decongestant. Eucalyptus: decongestant; for respiratory disorders, cools fevers; antiviral and antibacterial. Chamomile: calming, digestive aid; good for ear infections; anti-inflammatory. Sandalwood: for sore throats; sedative. Bergamot: good for... read more

National Institutes of Health Conference Calls Vaginal Birth After Cesarean a "Reasonable Option"

March 18, 2010 NIH Conference Calls VBAC a “Reasonable Option,” Stops Short of Ensuring Pregnant Women’s Right of Informed Refusal Report by Jessica Claire HaneyThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a three-day Consensus Development Conference entitled “Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights,” March 8-10, 2010. The purpose of the conference was to examine the rates, patterns, and utilization of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and trial of labor (TOL) and the benefits and risks of TOL versus elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD).Among the panel’s... read more

Guest Blogger Brenda Strong (Mary Alice Young on Desperate Housewives) on Yoga for Fertility

  Brenda Strong Taking life just as it is may sound easy. Doing it? Now that’s hard, but also necessary and ultimately liberating. There are gifts embedded in the accidents of fate that give existence its shape, meaning and richness – as the old adage goes, make your mess your message. In my case, the mess was secondary infertility. The message became my ability to help others heal through Yoga, mindfulness and acceptance. Mothering and nurturing myself was part of my journey. I was a 26-year-old actress making it happen in Los Angeles.... read more

Two Mothering Magazine Articles Finalists for the 2010 Maggie Awards

March 17, 2010 Mothering Magazine has been nominated in two categories for the Western Publishing Association's (WPA) 2010 Maggie Awards. The Annual Maggie awards ceremony and black-tie dinner is the most prestigious publishing event in the West. Over 600 publishing professionals gather to honor excellence in print and electronic publishing in over 100 editorial, design, promotional and event categories. This year, Mothering is recognized in the following categories: Best Signed Editorial or Essay from a consumer publication for Peggy O'Mara's thoughtful editorial on... read more

Researching Vaccinations

I have a ten week old baby who was born six weeks early, around the time my husband and I started our vaccination research. I am completely overwhelmed with the complexity of the issues surrounding the risk of vaccinating versus not vaccinating our baby. I feel like the more I read the more confused I am. There is just so much information to wade through. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this an easier process?First, know that there is no reason to rush into a decision. You have the right to decided if you want to vaccinate and when to begin. A baby born early... read more

Natural Asthma Treatments

I have been told by a doctor that my son has asthma. He has a cough that started in December. The cough waxes and wanes, but started after an upper respiratory infection (URI). He has had an audible wheeze at times. As the cough has persisted even after his cold went away, I am beginning to concur with the diagnosis. I am, however, reluctant to use an inhaler, especially one containing a steroid. Are there complementary treatments?Having a son with asthma led me onto my course of discovering alternative and complementary treatments so I understand your plight. You do not... read more

Mothering › Health Articles