Author: Katie Martin

Is Your Baby Ready For Baby-Led Weaning?

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date July 1, 2018

Recently, a friend gave me a really well-written and informative book all about baby-led weaning. Immediately, I felt like a failure, because for the past couple months, I’d been giving my eight-month-old pureed baby food. Worse, I didn’t even make it myself.
My friend didn’t intend to mom-shame me. She practiced baby-led weaning, and she just wanted to share an awesome book that had helped her tremendously. Of course, I’d heard of baby-led weaning, and I’d even tried it—once. But after watching my son gag on a piece of banana, I was too scared to try it again.
Fast forward a couple of months, and he’s more interested in what’s on my plate than his bowl of pureed green beans (and who could blame him?), so I decided to give baby-led weaning another go.
I spoke to a few nutritionists and child feeding specialists who work with parents and infants to introduce solids the right way to get the scoop on baby-led weaning. Here’s what I found out.

What is baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning, sometimes referred to as BLW, is a bit of a misnomer. Contrary to the name of this feeding method, you’re not actually weaning your little one. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should have only breast milk or formula until they are at least six months old. But after six months, you can use baby-led weaning to introduce solids to your baby, who is still getting several nursing sessions or bottles per day.
“Baby-led weaning is a method of starting solid foods with an infant that skips traditional purees and spoon feeding,” explains Diana K. Rice, a pediatric feeding expert who teaches baby-led weaning workshops in St. Louis, Missouri. “Instead, the baby is offered whole table foods in appropriate sizes and textures and allowed to self-feed from the start.”
For example, if you’re practicing baby-led weaning, you’d give your baby chunks of banana to bite into instead of pureed banana (a common first food). During baby-led weaning, your baby will still continue to breastfeed on demand until at least 12 months of age, or whenever you decide to stop breastfeeding.

Baby-Led Weaning Benefits

Until a few years ago, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that babies be exclusively breastfed until four months of age, at which point solids could be introduced. At four months though, babies aren’t developmentally ready to chew, so that’s why purees have traditionally been baby’s first food.
Since both organizations changed their guidelines and now recommend that parents wait until six months of age to introduce solids, baby-led weaning has become a popular way to introduce complementary foods to baby. Between four months and six months of age, babies reach several developmental milestones necessary for successful baby-led weaning: They learn to sit up unsupported, grasp food and bring it to their mouth, chew, and swallow. Because the guidelines changed, and in light of these milestones, it may not be necessary to feed baby traditional purees.
[pullquote align=”center”]”Baby-led weaning is a method … that skips traditional purees and spoon feeding. Instead, the baby is offered whole table foods in appropriate sizes and textures and allowed to self-feed from the start.”

—Diana K. Rice[/pullquote]
Few studies have been conducted on baby-led weaning, but some research does suggest that baby-led weaning may help reduce obesity rates in children by encouraging healthy eating habits where the child is in control of their own diet from an early age. In fact, the UK recently changed their infant feeding guidelines to include finger foods as an acceptable way to introduce babies to solid foods.
While more research is needed, letting baby lead the way when it comes to introducing solids could help them be better eaters as they age. According to another study, babies who weaned with a baby-led approach demonstrated less food fussiness and more food enjoyment at 24 months compared to babies weaned with other methods.

Does my baby really need solids? Isn’t “food before one just for fun”?

Whether you’re introducing your baby to solids via baby-led weaning or purees, most parents are taught the adage “Food before one is just for fun.” But Melanie Potock, a pediatric feeding specialist and author of the book Adventures in Veggieland, explains that this phrase is a little misleading:

Food before one is definitely not just for fun. Learning to eat is developmental, just like learning to crawl, then walk, then run. Certain foods help babies learn to control mouth reflexes and learn to bite, chew, and swallow effectively and safely.

Plus, at around six months, many infants use up their iron stores. Iron is necessary for baby’s brain development, so you may need to supplement with iron-rich foods. While evidence shows that extended breastfeeding is a good way to prevent [linkbuilder id=”6532″ text=”iron deficiency”], introducing foods rich in iron around 6 months of age is also recommended.
Sarah Skovran, a registered dietitian who specializes in maternal and child nutrition, weighs in: “I might amend this to ‘food before nine or ten months, just for fun,’ which I realize doesn’t rhyme. And this is absolutely a question to discuss with your baby’s doctor, as the expert opinions vary quite a bit based on the source. My recommendation is two-fold: One, offer iron-rich foods like cooked broccoli and sweet potato, and two, if you are concerned your baby isn’t eating enough by ten months of age, visit your pediatrician.”

How to Do Baby-Led Weaning: A HealthyWay Guide

Before you begin baby-led weaning, review a list of foods that could be choking hazards for babies. Rice says that includes:

Whole grapes
Whole cherry tomatoes
Small coin-shaped foods like raw carrot slices
Whole nuts
Whole leafy greens
Seeds
Popcorn
Very soft bread
Thickly spread nut butters (She does say “you can toast bread or spread nut butters in a thin layer to make them safe to consume.”)

Even though baby-led weaning is totally safe when done correctly, you should still get your infant CPR certification and learn the Heimlich maneuver for infants. Most hospitals offer free or low-cost infant safety classes for new parents. Even if you’re a veteran mom, it never hurts to be up-to-date on your certification—just in case.

Recommended First Baby-Led Weaning Foods

Your baby may be reaching for your plate, but she’s probably not ready for everything you’re eating just yet. So what can baby eat?
“Try slices of ripe avocado, steamed vegetables, or strips of buttered toast,” says Potock.
[pullquote align=”center”]Most hospitals offer free or low-cost infant safety classes for new parents. Even if you’re a veteran mom, it never hurts to be up-to-date on your certification—just in case.[/pullquote]
Cut each food into strips about the size of an adult’s index finger for baby to grasp and mouth. Roll slippery foods in fine cracker crumbs to make them easier to hold and to add a bit of texture. Include pea-sized pieces of safe foods for baby to rake up with his fingers and, over time, pick up between his finger and thumb as he develops his pincer grasp.
One good way to test if a food is right for baby-led weaning is to try it yourself. If you can mash the food between your own tongue and the roof of your mouth, baby can too.

Dos And Don’ts Of Baby-Led Weaning

Do: Include baby at mealtimes!

Including baby at mealtimes with the whole family keeps them engaged and occupied during meals. Plus, pulling baby up to the table at mealtime lets them know Hey, it’s time to eat! That way, they’ll begin to understand their eating schedule.

Don’t: Season baby’s food.

Some seasoning on food is fine, Potock says, but limit salt and sugar. One easy way to do this is to portion out baby’s food first, and then season the rest as you like. Speaking of flavoring, it’s also crucial that you avoid feeding baby anything that contains honey, which is not safe for kids under a year old.

Do: Cut baby’s food into pea-size bites.

Recently, I let my son nibble off a banana I was munching, and before I knew it, he had a huge chunk of banana in his mouth. He was totally fine, but I had to fish it out and give him more manageable bite-size pieces. For babies just starting solids, food needs to be no larger than pea-size. Once baby is older and has more teeth, they can have larger bites.

Don’t: Overload baby’s senses.

Don’t give your baby too many new foods at once. Try one new food at a time. This will help you notice any signs of food allergies in addition to helping you tune into what baby will and won’t eat. If baby doesn’t seem to like one food, try it again a couple of times. It may not necessarily be the taste they don’t like, but the texture of a new food that takes some getting used to. My son hated avocado at first, but now it’s one of his favorites. If baby still doesn’t like a food after a couple of tries, move on to something new, and come back to it later.

Do: Get ready for gagging.

When we tried baby-led weaning the first time, I was not prepared to watch my infant gag. My son gagged like he was dying for a few seconds, swallowed, then gave me a huge grin. Though he was totally fine (and even seemed to enjoy the experience), I was traumatized. That said, gagging is a normal part of the process when introducing solids.
“It is very important for a parent to be prepared for the baby to gag,” Rice says, “The baby will make a U shape with his or her tongue and make a gagging noise. The baby’s eyes may water and he or she may even spit up a little bit as [they work] to spit out the large piece of food. Parents should keep in mind that gagging is a sign that the baby is learning NOT to swallow large pieces of food.”
This sounds really scary (and it is!), but Rice explains that by gagging, baby is learning how to avoid choking, which is obviously a very important life skill. Also remember that choking is typically noiseless, but when babies gag, it’s usually with a loud coughing or retching sound.

When Baby-Led Weaning Isn’t Right for You

Baby-led weaning is just one way to introduce solids to your baby. It’s still totally okay to give your baby purees, or to both spoon-feed baby and give them finger foods.
In fact, Potock says that while some proponents of BLW suggest skipping purees, many feeding specialists who focus on mouth development recommend introducing purees along with safe hand-held solids.
“Purees have a purpose: They help babies swallow safely by providing a consistent texture that’s thicker than breast milk or formula while offering new tastes and temperatures,” Potock continues. “Although some BLW educators feel that parents should never put a spoon or food directly into the child’s mouth, feeding specialists feel differently. The most important thing, which both camps can agree upon, is that parents read their baby’s cues. If baby isn’t interested in a new food, don’t attempt to help things along by putting the food in the baby’s mouth. Instead, show baby how to pick up the food, play in the food and experience the texture and temperature with the sensations in his hands and fingers. Kids are programmed to explore with their hands first and then their mouths, and that’s what leads to an interest in tasting.”
[pullquote align=”center”]“Purees have a purpose: They help babies swallow safely by providing a consistent texture that’s thicker than breast milk or formula while offering new tastes and temperatures.”
—Melanie Potock[/pullquote]
Plus, baby-led weaning is just plain hard sometimes. It requires a lot of time. Working mamas or moms with more than one kid may just not have enough time to sit and patiently supervise baby through a baby-led weaning session at mealtime. And baby-led weaning can be downright messy. If you’re a busy mama (and who isn’t?), you may barely have enough time to shower yourself, much less clean up a messy baby and even messier eating area after mealtime.
Baby-led weaning is totally safe when done correctly, but some parents are understandably concerned about choking hazards. If that’s the case for you, it might feel more comfortable to spoon-feed until baby is a bit older. Also, some babies may be perfectly capable of eating finger foods, but just prefer purees over finger foods at first, and that’s also okay.
Ultimately, deciding how to introduce solids to your little one is a personal decision. Whether you choose to do baby-led weaning, purees, or a combination of both, the most important thing is that eating is a positive and nutritious experience for baby.

Sweet Potato Pancakes: A Recipe for All Ages From Adventures In Veggieland

Yield: 12 Pancakes

Ingredients:

3 large eggs, beaten, plus one more if needed
1 cup cooked and pureed sweet potato
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Butter or oil for pan

[noads]

Method:

Combine all ingredients to form a batter the consistency of thick applesauce. Add an additional egg if the batter is too thick.
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and coat with butter or oil.
Carefully spoon batter onto your cooking surface to make pancakes the size of a baseball. Brown one side, flip, and brown the other (cooking about 5 minutes per side).

Serve with maple syrup for older kids and grown-ups. Babies can just hold, smush, and eat!
Adapted from the recipe on page 52 in “Adventures in Veggieland” by Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP
[/noads]

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

I Tried Magnetic Eyelashes To See If They're Worth The Hype

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 30, 2018

I am pretty much the target marketing audience for stores like Sephora; show me a trendy product that promises the perfect pink pout; delivers a sunkissed, supermodel glow; or plumps my woefully stubby lash line, and I will purchase it.
Until I had my son, that is. All that extra cash I used to spend on questionable beauty trends now goes toward diapers. (So. Many. Diapers.) But occasionally, I’ll come across a beauty trend so intriguing, I just have to try it anyway.
[pullquote align=”center”]Nothing helps me unleash my inner Liz Taylor like a good pair of fake lashes.[/pullquote]
Enter magnetic lashes.
I have to admit, nothing helps me unleash my inner Liz Taylor like a good pair of fake lashes, so I was immediately smitten by the idea of magnetic lashes (they had me hooked at “glue free”). Think you’re ready to splurge on this beauty trend? Read on to find out if magnetic lashes live up to the hype.

What are magnetic lashes?

Do glue-free fake lashes sound too good to be true? Well, hold on to your hats, ladies, because magnetic lashes are exactly what they sound like: fake lashes that attach to your lash line using teeny-tiny magnets.
Plus, magnetic lashes come in a variety of styles, so whether you’re using full strip lashes for a glam effect or simply using accent lashes to complement your real lashes, you can probably find a look for you.

Why use magnetic lashes?

So why bother with magnetic lashes?
Well, for one thing, they’re eco-friendly. Yes, really. As long as you take care of them, magnetic lashes will last indefinitely with minimal care, unlike fake lashes that use glue, which will need to be gently cleaned after each use if you want to wear them again.
You might not think twice about tossing a pair of fake lashes in the trash at the end of the night, but over time, those wispy little lashes can really add up to a lot of trash that ends up in landfills.
And if you’re trying to build up a nest egg, think of all the cash you’ll save by purchasing a couple different sets of magnetic lashes (a work-appropriate pair of accent lashes for day and a pair of come-hither bombshell lashes for night) instead of hitting up the drugstore every time you need a new pair of lashes.
Finally, magnetic lashes may be a better option than fake lashes that use glue if you have super sensitive skin or allergies, since no abrasive glue is needed. Some medications that promise to lengthen lashes can actually change your eye pigmentation permanently (yikes!), so magnetic lashes can be a low-risk alternative without damaging your baby blues.

How do you apply magnetic lashes?

Just like applying any type of strip lashes, there’s a bit of a learning curve when applying magnetic lashes. But unlike applying other fake lashes, the stakes are pretty low. If you mess up, all you have to do is pull the magnetic strips apart and reposition your lashes. No risk of gluing your finger to your eyeball with these bad boys!
The directions for most magnetic lashes are simple enough. A set comes with a top and bottom lash for each eye. To apply magnetic lashes, take the top lash and line it up with your natural lash line, gently pressing it into place. With your eye open, take the bottom lash (which will usually be marked by a dot or other indicator) and line it up underneath the top magnetic lash along your lash line. When both lashes are lined up, the magnets will lock together.
Voila! Luscious, fake lashes.

My Honest Review of Magnetic Eyelashes

I have to be completely honest: Initially I found magnetic lashes very difficult to apply. I purchased a cheapie set from the drugstore to try, and it was impossible to keep the top lash in place as I adjusted the bottom lash.
I contacted Ardell, one of the biggest names in fake lashes (and incidentally, makers of the magnetic lashes I chose to try), to see if they had any tips to make applying the lashes easier.
Jasmyn, a helpful customer service rep, told me to apply one coat of good mascara to my natural lashes prior to putting on the magnetic lashes. The mascara bulks up your lash line, giving the magnetic top lash something to stick to, so they don’t wiggle around as much while you’re positioning the bottom lash.
In addition, I found that I didn’t need a whole lash strip to get the glam effect I was going for. Using Jasmyn’s advice, I cut each lash in half and used them at the outside corner of my eye.
My lashes were still noticeably fuller, and the magnetic lashes were much easier to apply when there was only one magnet to lock in place, as opposed to three. Thanks, Jasmyn!

Best (And Worst) Magnetic Lashes: Splurge, Steal, Skip

Wondering which magnetic lashes are worth purchasing? I got you, girl. Here are my splurge, steal, and skip picks for magnetic lashes.

Splurge: One Two Cosmetics Magnetic Lashes

Magnetic lashes from One Two Cosmetics aren’t cheap, starting at around $70 (which, tbh, is why I didn’t try them out—Mama has to buy diapers!). But they do have the best reviews online (compared to other brands) and have pretty much set the standard for magnetic lashes.
One Two Cosmetics lashes come in both half and full lash sets in one size, and according to the FAQ section of their website, they should fit any eye shape because they’re applied to the outer edge of the eye only. In addition, they’re made of synthetic fibers, so they’re vegan and cruelty free.
If you’re ready to splurge on a set of magnetic lashes, you can order One Two Cosmetics lashes through their website or on Amazon.

Steal: Ardell Magnetic Lashes

Ardell has been helping give natural lashes a boost since 1971 with a wide range of beloved, affordable, fake lashes. For around $15, you can purchase Ardell’s magnetic lashes in almost any makeup or drugstore. (I got mine at Target!) Ardell’s magnetic lashes come in two styles, the Double 110 for a more natural-looking lash line, or the Double Wispies, for extra length and volume.
You’ll read mixed reviews about Ardell’s magnetic lashes online. For my own research, I tried the Double 110 magnetic lashes out at home. As I mentioned, it took a minute to figure out how the heck to put the magnetic lashes on. But once I got them locked in place, I have to admit, I liked the results—especially compared to the last time I got false lashes and ended up looking like a Kim Kardashian/Dolly Parton hybrid (two of my personal style icons, but those lashes were OUT OF CONTROL).

Skip: Almost any brand of magnetic lashes on Amazon (or purchase with extremely low expectations)

I don’t mean to be down on Amazon, really. I love Amazon. Aside from One Two Cosmetics and Ardell magnetic lashes (both of which can be purchased on Amazon), though, the reviews of most magnetic lashes sold through the online retailer are not great. On the other hand, most of Amazon’s magnetic lash brands are way less expensive than One Two Cosmetics or even Ardell magnetic lashes. If you’re looking to save big, go ahead and take a gamble on magnetic lashes purchased through Amazon, but buyer (and lash line) beware.

Protect your natural lashes from magnetic eyelashes.

Although magnetic lashes are pretty safe to use, there are few things you should do to care for your magnetic lashes and your eye health.
As with anything that goes near your eyes, magnetic eyelashes should always be applied with clean, dry hands to prevent bacteria from getting in your eye and causing an infection. In addition, after using magnetic lashes, you can gently wipe them down with a damp cotton ball to remove any mascara/eye makeup residue before wearing again.
Even the cheapie magnetic lashes come with a little storage case, so after using magnetic lashes, make sure to return them to the case to keep them from getting crumpled in a drawer or lost.

Final question: Are magnetic lashes really worth it?

To be totally honest, magnetic lashes get mixed reviews. Some beauty buffs absolutely love the look of magnetic lashes, while others aren’t impressed.
Personally, I think magnetic lashes are a lot of fun…after the initial trial and error (lots of error) of learning to put them on correctly. Would I spend $70 on a pair of magnetic lashes? Probably not.
But would I wear them for a fun night out or to trick my kid into thinking I’m the Janice the Muppet? Absolutely!

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Health x Body Wellbeing

4 Natural Remedies For A UTI (And One To Skip)

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 28, 2018

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the reason for almost 10 million doctor’s visits each year. But that’s no surprise for most women since at least one in five women will get a UTI during her lifetime.
Typically, if you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, you’ll head to your general practitioner or local urgent care for a diagnosis, where you’ll probably be prescribed a short dose of antibiotics and be sent home.
But, if you’re pregnant and don’t want to take antibiotics, or you have an antibiotic-resistant UTI, you might be interested in natural remedies to cure your urinary tract infection.
We spoke to expert OB-GYNs to find out exactly how to determine if you have a UTI, which natural remedies actually work, and which one to skip.

Can I self-diagnose a UTI?

According to a 2015 study by British researchers, there’s no reason women can’t learn to identify the symptoms of a urinary tract infection and self-treat with over-the-counter medication or proven natural remedies.
But is it really safe to self-diagnose a UTI?
Not according to Tami Prince, MD, a practicing OB-GYN in Georgia.
“A woman should visit an OB-GYN when she suspects a possible UTI because symptoms of a UTI may mimic other infections such as STDs,” Prince explains. “A woman should never self-diagnose.”
That’s because UTI symptoms can often be similar to other, more sinister (but rare) illnesses, like bladder cancer. Even if you’re almost positive you have a UTI, you should still visit your doctor.
“Self-diagnosis delays proper treatment and can lead to worsening symptoms such as pyelonephritis, which is a serious kidney infection,” Prince continues. “This more serious infection may lead to hospitalization. Over-the-counter treatment also interferes with urine testing and thus can lead to incorrect diagnosis.”
It’s especially important to schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN if you notice that you’re getting recurring UTIs (defined as more than three UTIs in a 12-month period), or your UTI has turned into a persistent, chronic urinary tract infection so that lasting damage, like internal scarring, doesn’t occur.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

When I was pregnant the first time, I went to urgent care at least three times because I was experiencing classic UTI symptoms; I had to pee frequently (even more than usual when you’re pregnant), I felt a burning sensation when I went to the bathroom, I had a lot of pelvic pain, and my urine was kind of smelly.
But, each time, the doctor declared I did not have a urinary tract infection. This time around, I ignored those pesky symptoms because I thought I was in the clear, just like my first pregnancy. After a routine OB visit, though, I got a call from the nurse letting me know that I did, in fact, have a UTI.
[pullquote align=”center”]UTI symptoms can often be similar to other, more sinister illnesses, like bladder cancer.[/pullquote]
“Most common symptoms are burning with urination, increased urination, blood in the urine, strong urine odor, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, and change in urine color,” Prince tells HealthyWay.
In my case, the UTI symptoms I experienced without actually having a UTI were caused by mild dehydration. If you’ve experienced similar symptoms in the past without having a UTI, visit your doctor anyway to rule out any other causes. Most of these symptoms, especially blood in the urine and pelvic pain, aren’t normal.

Women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men—here’s why.

You can thank biology.
According to Prince, “Bacteria entering the urinary tract system upsets the normal protective bacteria that already resides [there]. Once this happens, the bad bacteria multiplies and overruns the good bacteria, leading to infection. Women are more susceptible than men due to the [female] urethra being shorter than the male urethra. This shorter urethra allows for bacteria to travel faster to the bladder.”
Also, menopausal women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections because of the sharp drop in estrogen levels during menopause. Estrogen helps to maintain balance in the urinary tract system, so when it gets out of balance, bacteria can thrive and cause a UTI.

Is it possible to prevent a UTI?

The best way to avoid the symptoms associated with a UTI? Prevent it from happening in the first place by practicing good hygiene.
Always make sure you wipe front to back (and not the other way around) after using the restroom. This prevents infection-causing bacteria from fecal matter from making its way up to the perivaginal area and into your internal anatomy where it could cause a UTI.
[pullquote align=”center”]Menopausal women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections because of the sharp drop in estrogen levels during menopause. [/pullquote]
Additionally, note that sexually active women are more likely to get UTIs. There’s no need to stop getting frisky though. One of the easiest ways to prevent a UTI is to use the restroom immediately after sex, then go back to your post-coital cuddle-fest.
Another way to prevent UTIs is to make sure you drink extra water and use the restroom at least every four hours. If you’re one of those people who gets so busy they realize they haven’t stopped for food or bathroom breaks all day, set an alarm on your phone to remind you it’s time to go. Also, skip the scented sprays, lotions, and creams that might make their way downstairs. I used to always spritz my perfume down there (I know, I’m nuts), but it turns out that scents can irritate sensitive genital skin, leaving it susceptible to bacterial growth.

Natural Remedies For UTIs

Prince says that studies focused on the treatment of UTIs with natural remedies are mostly inconclusive as to their efficacy because more research still needs to be done. However, a 2014 case study showed significant improvement in UTI symptoms when patients were treated with a combination of natural remedies including garlic, cranberry, and probiotics.
Choosing a natural remedy for a urinary tract infection should be a decision that you make with your physician. If your doctor gives you the all-clear, these natural remedies may help alleviate symptoms and clear up your urinary tract infection without antibiotics.
Pregnant? This is good news for you, too. According to the American Pregnancy Association, though little research has been done on probiotics taken in pregnancy, they are generally assumed to be safe. However, some natural supplements like garlic, cranberry, and vitamin C may not be safe for pregnant or nursing moms if taken in high doses, so always check with your doctor before taking any home remedy for a UTI.

Probiotics

Up to 80 percent of UTIs are actually caused by the same E. coli bacteria that commonly lives in your gut. Just how does this bacteria end up so far south? Well, it turns out that some strains of E. coli can not only travel outside the gut, but can also cause infections like a UTI. When E. coli is the culprit responsible for your urinary tract infection, Lactobacillus probiotics may help restore a healthy balance of vaginal bacteria and get rid of your urinary tract infection.
Probiotics are live organisms that help the gut maintain a healthy balance of good and bad gut bacteria. You can pick up Lactobacillus probiotics in almost any drugstore; while that’s great for gut health, these probiotic supplements, which are typically meant to be administered orally, won’t do much to cure your UTI. That’s because the E. coli bacteria that’s causing your UTI has traveled outside the gut into your vagina. In clinical trials, a Lactobacillus probiotic suppository—inserted vaginally—showed the most success in curing a urinary tract infection. Before using any vaginal suppository, speak to your doctor to make sure you choose the right type.

Cranberry Products

If you have the occasional UTI, cranberry may not help get rid of your symptoms, but research suggests that cranberry can alleviate the symptoms of women who suffer from persistent or recurring urinary tract infections.
Similar to probiotics, Prince explains that cranberries can also inhibit the adhesion of E. coli so that UTIs are less likely to occur. That’s partly because of the tart berry’s genetic makeup. Cranberries are 88 percent water, perfect for that needed hydration boost when you have a UTI. Plus, cranberries contain anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that are a natural defense against bad microbes found in the gut.
[pullquote align=”center”]Note that sexually active women are more likely to get UTIs. There’s no need to stop getting frisky though. One of the easiest ways to prevent a UTI is to use the restroom immediately after sex.[/pullquote]
To treat recurring UTIs with cranberry, follow the advice highlighted in a 2016 study conducted at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine: Skip sugary cranberry juice cocktails and opt for cranberry capsules instead. Why? The study found that patients who were given two pure cranberry juice capsules per day were 50 percent less likely to get a UTI. It’s not that cranberry juice doesn’t work against UTIs; rather, most cranberry juice found on store shelves isn’t 100 percent pure cranberry juice, meaning it won’t be as effective. And pure cranberry juice doesn’t taste great, so chugging 16 or more ounces of it a day could be challenging, which is why the study recommends capsules as an effective natural remedy for UTIs.
The downside to cranberry capsules is that you won’t get any of those ultra-hydrating benefits that whole cranberries provide because they’ve been dehydrated, powdered, ground, and encapsulated. So, if you choose to go the capsule route, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, too.

Garlic

Garlic can add more than a big flavor boost to your home cooking. It turns out that garlic may actually help alleviate the symptoms of a urinary tract infection as well. Garlic is an allium, a plant species that also includes onions, leeks, and chives. Garlic has been used for centuries for its natural antibacterial properties in everything from salves to teas.
In particular, researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences in India found 82 percent of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in the urine of patients with UTIs responded positively to treatment with garlic extract.
Don’t go biting into a clove of fresh garlic just yet, though. Patients in the study were given an aqueous garlic extract, meaning that the garlic had been distilled into a water solution first. If you don’t have a full lab at home to make an aqueous extract, don’t worry. While the research regarding garlic as a treatment for UTIs is scant, one 2009 study found that mice who were treated with oral garlic supplements had significant reduction of UTIs caused by non-E. coli bacteria.
While you should always consult your doctor before beginning any homeopathic remedy, there’s little harm in consuming garlic in moderation. Instead of adding more garlic to your pasta dishes, try brewing some garlic tea instead. You can easily make it at home with a few supplies. If you don’t like the taste of straight garlic, try adding some ginger and honey for flavor.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may not do much for the common cold, but it could help you ward off that pesky UTI. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can help the body fight off a urinary tract infection by boosting the immune system and making urine more acidic so bacteria can’t thrive.
Medical professionals are divided on whether or not vitamin C really works to cure UTIs. A 2016 overview of non-antibiotic treatments of UTIs reported no difference in patients experiencing UTI symptoms after treatment with vitamin C; however, this study was extremely small, with only 13 participants completing the study.
Another study of over 100 pregnant women indicated that those treated with vitamin C showed an almost 17 percent reduction in the incidence of UTIs. That said, because it is unclear whether urine cultures were collected when participants were experiencing UTI symptoms, and because extremely low doses of vitamin C were administered, it’s hard to know whether or not vitamin C is actually an effective treatment against UTIs.
So should you treat your UTI with vitamin C? Small increases in vitamin C pose little risk to your health, so it is probably okay to have a second glass of orange juice if you’re trying to get rid of a UTI. Still, always consult your doctor before taking a supplement—even vitamin C!—or trying to treat a UTI on your own.

Skip the apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a natural remedy for everything from weight loss to teeth whitening. But does it really work to alleviate the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
A recent study suggests that apple cider vinegar does have antimicrobial properties that can significantly impair key enzymes that cause E. coli bacteria to grow and multiply. The study didn’t test apple cider vinegar’s efficacy rate in treating UTIs, but since the majority of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, the study suggests that apple cider vinegar may help treat UTI symptoms. Still, apple cider vinegar is an unproven treatment for UTIs, so always consult your doctor before sipping this bitter beverage.
If you need to get rid of a UTI fast, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN, primary care provider, or even an urgent care for diagnosis before self-treating without antibiotics. Once your doctor gives you the go-ahead, though, try one of these natural remedies for relief, because nobody has time for a UTI.

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Mindful Parenting Motherhood

Organic Baby Clothes Brands You (And Baby) Will Love

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 23, 2018

When I was deciding whether to use cloth diapers, I did a lot of research on the cotton industry to determine if cloth diapers really were a more sustainable option than disposables. I was totally shocked to learn that a ton of pesticides are used in non-organic cotton production. In fact, while cotton production makes up a very small percentage of total cropland used (less than 3 percent), it accounts for as much as 24 percent of insecticides and 11 percent of pesticides used each year in agricultural production!
Yikes.
This made me realize that I’m super conscious about the chemicals I put in my body, often choosing all-natural, organic produce and foods, but I never really considered what I put on my body—or my child’s.
After learning this information, I’ve tried to purchase organic cotton diapers and organic baby clothes for my little nugget in an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Why buy organic baby clothes?

Pesticides aren’t the only reason you might consider buying organic baby clothes for your child. A ton of chemicals, like bleach and formaldehyde, are also used to process cotton and turn it into fabric. In addition, cotton is one of the most water-intensive crops grown in the world. In fact, non-organic cotton production actually led the Aral Sea in central Asia to dry up, wreaking havoc on the surrounding land and compromising the health of more than 5 million people in the region.

Is organic cotton really better for the environment?

In terms of environmental impact, certified organic cotton is more eco-friendly and sustainable than non-organic cotton production and synthetic clothing products. However, unlike food, clothing doesn’t have to be certified to be labeled organic, so it can be tricky to make sure you’re actually getting a sustainable clothing product. Still, there are organizations that work to ensure consumers can safely purchase certified organic clothing.
Look for cotton baby clothes that are labeled with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) symbol, the gold standard in certified organic textiles. GOTS-labeled clothing must contain a minimum of 95 percent organic fibers. And no heavy metals or chlorine bleaches may be used during production, any chemicals that are used in production or processing must meet biodegradability standards, and the factory where it’s made must include a wastewater treatment system.

HealthyWay-Approved Organic Baby Clothes Brands

In a current consumer climate that favors fast fashion, it can be tempting to head to your local big box retailer to stock up on baby clothes, especially since babies grow out of clothes so quickly. Even though organic baby clothes may cost a bit more, you’ll feel good knowing that the clothing your baby wears is eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe.

Hanna Andersson

Hanna Andersson is a line of kids’ clothing founded by Gun Denhart and her husband, Tom. Almost all Hanna Andersson clothing is certified with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, which means that no harmful chemicals are used during production or processing. Here are some of our favorite items:

These gender-neutral striped footie pajamas ($42) are perfect for keeping kids warm at night through the colder months.
Make sure your baby is ready for summer with this adorable patriotic romper ($30), which can also pull double duty on Independence Day.
For days spent in the backyard pool or at the beach, I also love this rainbow rashguard that blocks 99 percent of UV rays ($36) and this matching sunhat ($16).
Hanna Andersson also has a whole line of matching family pajamas, so the whole family can wear cozy, organic clothes together (and look adorable for the ’gram, of course).

Shop More From Hanna Andersson:

Kate Quinn Organics

GOTS-certified? Check. Super cute? Check. Kate Quinn Organics produces fresh and fun organic baby clothes you can feel good about purchasing and your baby will feel good wearing. And if you’re interested in going totally cotton free, Kate Quinn also has a line of sustainable bamboo clothing. A few of our faves:

For newborns, nothing beats a kimono-style top for easy changes. I love this long-sleeve kimono bodysuit ($24). Plus, it comes in cute prints like pink forest and origami.
This organic snuggle sacque ($62) is a little spendy, but trust me, it’s worth it—especially when you have a baby who hates to be swaddled. For a less expensive option, try the classic infant sacque ($30).

Finn + Emma

Finn + Emma is a clothing line for the ultra-hip baby that blends style and sustainability, using GOTS-certified organic cotton, lead- and nickel-free snaps, and eco-friendly dyes to produce their organic baby clothes and toys. Plus, they have a whole line of neutral clothing for when you don’t want to force your babe to conform to heteronormative gender roles—fighting the power can start young!

While not technically a clothing item, I frantically look for a pacifier about a thousand times a day, so I love this organic pacifier holder ($24) and matching rattle ($22).
For warm summer days, pair these stylish pull-up shorts ($22) with any of the cozy, solid bodysuits in this three-piece set ($39).

Shop More From Finn + Emma:

From Babies With Love

From Babies With Love isn’t just a brand with some seriously cute stuff, it’s also a non-profit foundation; 100 percent of the proceeds from clothing sales go toward supporting orphaned and abandoned children around the world. Plus, all their clothing is GOTS-certified organic and produced in factories that have regular Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA), meaning they practice safe labor, health, and safety standards for workers. From Babies With Love is a UK-based company, so international shipping charges will apply.

Is it just me, or are ducks on baby clothes the most adorable thing ever? I mean, how cute is this sweet little sleeper ($29) and matching knot hat ($10.50)?
Whether it’s for your darling little bundle or a friend’s baby shower, this cute monkey gift set ($60) is a must-have. It comes with a blanket and sleeper set, the box actually turns into a DIY mobile kit, and it comes with a free card and gift bag!

GAP Organic Baby Clothes

GAP started producing certified organic t-shirts about a decade ago and now offers a line of affordable and adorable organic baby clothes that can be found in most GAP stores and outlets.

Is a baby-sized jean jacket practical? Maybe not, but your baby will look so cute matched up with mommy in an iconic GAP jean jacket ($44.95) paired with a breezy bubble romper ($34.95) or this 2-in-1 shortie set ($34.95).
For brand-new babies, I love this organic kimono top ($24.95) with side snaps, so you don’t have to torture baby (or yourself) trying to get a onesie on over baby’s head.

Shop More From Gap:

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Health x Body Wellbeing

What Is Functional Medicine? What To Know And How To Find The Right Doctor

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 21, 2018

I’ll be completely honest; I’d actually never heard of functional medicine before I began my research for this piece. But as someone who’s dealt with chronic muscle pain for several years with few answers from conventional medical practitioners, I was eager to learn more.
In case you aren’t familiar with it, functional medicine is considered an alternative to the current model of healthcare and has been touted by Mark Hyman, MD—functional medicine authority and former advisor to the Clintons—as the future of medical care in the United States.
But just what is functional medicine? We spoke to experts and functional medicine practitioners to find out everything you need to know prior to your first consultation.

What is functional medicine?

In short, functional medicine strives to look at the body as a whole, considering how the affected organs function together to devise a treatment plan for patients.
Now, you may be thinking, Wait—isn’t that how traditional medical care is supposed to work?
Well…sort of. While medical practitioners know that certain parts of the body interact with one another, conventional medicine typically focuses on alleviating a patient’s individual symptoms.
For example, if you visit your general practitioner because you suspect you have heartburn, your doctor will probably prescribe antacids to alleviate the symptoms and send you home. A doctor of functional medicine, on the other hand, wants to know what’s going on in other parts of your body that may be causing your heartburn to flare up. They may determine that an underlying issue is the cause of your heartburn—one that can be treated without requiring you to take antacids.
There’s nothing wrong with either treatment method, as the goal of both conventional and functional medicine is to help patients get well.
Still, if you’ve suffered from chronic illness or are looking for an alternative to your current medical care, functional medicine might be for you.
“Functional medicine is helpful for anyone, but it is most useful for people who have been to many doctors, tried a lot of possible solutions, and are no closer to solving their health challenges,” says Amanda Malachesky, a functional nutrition coach based in Petrolia, California. “And while people often want to go straight to treating the root causes, functional practitioners begin always with the foundations of health: diet, sleep, exercise, stress reduction, and blood sugar management.”
Doctors of functional medicine are real doctors who have been to medical school and are licensed medical practitioners. In fact, functional medicine is built on the foundation of conventional medicine and is more a philosophy of care than a totally different healthcare field. There are three principles that guide doctors of functional medicine, Malachesky explains.
“Functional medicine works towards root-cause resolution, works to use tools and frameworks to help us identify these root causes … and honors each client or patient as a truly unique individual, and tailors recommendations and treatments to the individual.”
[pullquote align=”center”]“Functional medicine is helpful for anyone, but it is most useful for people who have been to many doctors, tried a lot of possible solutions, and are no closer to solving their health challenges.”
—Amanda Malachesky, Functional Nutrition Coach[/pullquote]
Doctors aren’t the only professionals who can leverage functional medicine’s principles. Almost any licensed healthcare provider, like a chiropractor, registered nurse, or dietitian, can practice functional medicine as it applies to their field of care.
These principles ensure that patients are always first, and while you may not get a quick fix for what’s ailing you, a quality functional medicine practitioner will be dedicated to finding the root cause of your healthcare concern.

Are functional medicine and integrative medicine the same thing?

“Functional medicine is an extension of integrative medicine,” says Clayton Bell, MD, a physician at the University of Tennessee Medical Center who specializes in integrative medicine. “The two fields are more of a continuum than two distinct medical entities.”
“Integrative medicine is a mind-body-spirit holistic approach to healing that incorporates the best of Western medicine along with ancient healing traditions of the East,” Bell continues. “Anything that relates to a person’s health, wellness, and vitality would be an instrument of healing through integrative medicine. When one optimizes their nutrition, stress resiliency, physical activity, and sleep, all conditions have a better opportunity to heal.”
Both integrative medicine and functional medicine take a holistic approach to treating patients. In addition to finding the root cause of an illness, functional medicine focuses heavily on building healthy lifestyle habits to improve patient outcomes.
“The goal of functional medicine is simply understanding underlying issues and contributing factors and addressing healthcare holistically,” says James Greenblatt, MD, medical director of Walden Behavioral Care.
Bell adds that functional medicine is a science- and evidence-based field that takes more of a systems-based approach to medical care that’s uniquely personalized to the patient, focusing on the patient’s genetic background as a key to finding the root of a patient’s illness.
And, though there aren’t a lot of studies that specifically research functional medicine outcomes, Malachesky says there’s plenty of research to back up functional medicine’s science-based claims:

There are thousands of articles and publications studying the science of gut health, the role of inflammation in the development and management of chronic disease, and immune signaling and its role in chronic disease conditions. Functional nutrition and medicine practitioners view health problems through these and other related lenses, and I believe that we will find the approach fully validated as new studies are completed.

Are functional medicine practitioners real doctors?

The short answer: Yes!
“All well-trained physicians of functional medicine are licensed medical professionals that have taken additional training not taught in medical school,” says Greenblatt.
The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) is currently one of the few training centers for functional medicine. To become certified in functional medicine, a healthcare provider must have already received a healthcare degree from an accredited university and hold up-to-date licensure in their area of practice.
To become a certified functional medicine practitioner, accepted IFM applicants must complete coursework in six areas: gastrointestinal, detox, immune, hormone, cardiometabolic, and energy. Students must also complete a case study and take a written exam to complete the course. To maintain certification, functional medicine practitioners must retake the written exam and provide up-to-date licensure information every six years.
[pullquote align=”center”]“The goal of functional medicine is simply understanding underlying issues and contributing factors and addressing healthcare holistically.”
—James Greenblatt, MD[/pullquote]
Ultimately a doctor of functional medicine certified by IFM will be an MD and be qualified as a conventional medical provider. Other healthcare workers like registered nurses, acupuncturists, and registered dietitians may also become certified in functional medicine, but they can only apply functional medicine to their specific fields.
Greenblatt says that, like every field of care, there are some functional medicine professionals who are more qualified than others, and that unfortunately there are sometimes imposters who aren’t licensed or certified. When looking for a functional medicine practitioner, Greenblatt suggests patients make sure their certification is from IFM or another reputable functional medicine certification program. If someone is calling themselves a doctor of functional medicine and they don’t have the proper licensure or hold a degree, then they’re likely not certified as real doctors of functional medicine.
In other words? Do your homework just as you would before seeing any new healthcare provider, and don’t be afraid to verify their credentials before attending an appointment or receiving treatment if you feel at all uncomfortable.

Functional Medicine Treatment

When making an initial appointment with a functional medicine doctor, be prepared to spend quite a bit more time at the visit than you would with your general practitioner. A functional medicine provider is going to take a detailed personal and family medical history and take into consideration your answers to questions about your symptoms and overall experience of health prior to prescribing any treatments.
Using IFM’s database, it’s easy to find a certified functional medicine provider. You can search by location, certification, and specialty to find the provider who’s right for you and your needs.
Part of functional medicine is building a trust-based relationship between provider and patient, so don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and be an advocate for your own health. Not sure what to ask? Here’s a list of questions to get you started.
One of the hallmarks of functional medicine is a treatment plan that is totally individualized to the patient. Still, after your initial consultation, you can expect extensive lab work and genetic testing that will be an integral part of determining whether you have any underlying issues.
Greenblatt describes an example of crafting a care plan with patients: “if a patient is suffering from a mental health issue, we would do extensive testing to uncover whether or not an underlying issue might be affecting how they feel, like a gut imbalance”—a method that demonstrates functional medicine’s understanding of the mind–body connection. “Then, we’d work to treat those issues holistically rather than prescribing medication to treat the symptoms, like depression or anxiety, of the underlying issue.”
Typically, a functional medicine (much like an integrative medicine) care plan will focus on helping patients alleviate their health issues through lifestyle changes first. This treatment might be as simple as changing your diet, going for a daily walk, or participating in yoga and meditation. If these non-invasive treatments don’t work, then your doctor might consider medication or surgery.

Does insurance cover functional medicine?

Most of the time.
“Visits to most certified functional medicine physicians fall into the category of good medical care,” Greenblatt says. But because functional medicine relies on extensive testing, some costs, like lab work or other testing, may not be covered by your insurer.
Additionally, if you are seeking treatment with a functional medicine practitioner who is a healthcare professional in another field, like a chiropractor or a nutritionist, treatment may not be covered by your insurance.
[pullquote align=”center”]“If a patient is suffering from a mental health issue, we would do extensive testing to uncover whether or not an underlying issue might be affecting how they feel, like a gut imbalance.”
—James Greenblatt, MD[/pullquote]
The best thing to do?
Check with your insurance provider before scheduling an appointment with a functional medicine provider so there are no surprise out-of-pocket fees.

So is functional medicine right for you?

If you’re looking for a quick fix to a health problem, then functional medicine probably isn’t going to be a good fit. But if you’re really interested in understanding how your body’s genetics and biology work together, then functional medicine just may provide the answers to your medical concerns.

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Mindful Parenting Motherhood

Questions To Ask A Pediatrician To Find One You Love

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 18, 2018

Your baby’s pediatrician will be their doctor from birth until they become an adult, which is why it is important to find a pediatrician that you like and with whom you (and your child) are comfortable.
So, no pressure, parents.
If you feel completely overwhelmed when it comes to the daunting task of choosing a pediatrician, don’t fret. I felt the same way when I began interviewing pediatricians, and I had no idea what kinds of questions I was supposed to ask. Luckily, I found Rebecca Cooper, MD, JD, FAAP (yes, you read that right, she’s a lawyer and a doctor), who became my son’s pediatrician. So, during a recent visit with Cooper, I asked her to shed some light on what questions a parent should ask a pediatrician to find one that both you and your child will love.

When should you look for a pediatrician?

Pediatricians typically see babies for the first time between one and two days after hospital discharge, so it is important to have a pediatrician lined up well before you go into labor. The best time to choose a pediatrician is early in your third trimester. At that point, labor is still a few weeks away, so you (should) have plenty of time to interview prospective pediatricians and choose the right one for you. Often, pediatricians will have special appointments for expecting parents to come in, see the office, and ask questions. Here’s what to look for in a pediatrician you and your kids will love:

Make sure the pediatrician takes your insurance.

Before you choose a pediatrician, make sure they take your insurance so you know how much visits will cost ahead of time, how vaccines are covered, and the cost of any emergency medical situations that may come up (like when your kid sticks a bean up his nose). If your child needs routine or specialized care, check to see how much of those visits will be covered, too.

Questions to Ask a Pediatrician: What are your credentials?

Before you embark on your pediatrician interviews, look pediatricians up online and read their bios. Here are some things to look for:

Where did they go to medical school? Where did they complete their pediatric residency?
How long have they been practicing in the field of pediatrics?
Is the pediatrician certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)? “It’s important that your pediatrician be board certified,” says Cooper. That’s because this certification means that the pediatrician has passed a special exam in pediatrics that goes beyond state licensing requirements.
Is the pediatrician a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP)? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not certify pediatricians. Rather, it is a peer community that provides professional resources to pediatricians and publishes pediatric research. If your pediatrician is an AAP member, they’ll have the initials FAAP behind their name.
Do they provide specialized care? If your child has special needs, make sure to choose a pediatrician who is trained in the type of care your child requires.

If any of this information isn’t available on your pediatrician’s website, ask to see their credentials in person during your interview.

Questions to Ask a Pediatrician: Are our healthcare values in sync?

Aside from the hard facts of their credentials, it’s important to find out if you are going to get along! Are you a crunchy mama who’s willing to share your bedroom with your babe for several years? Are you planning on formula feeding? Are you not quite sure how to feel about antibiotics? To see if you and a prospective pediatrician are in sync, ask yourself these questions before posing them to the pediatrician.

How do you feel about breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is an intensely personal experience between mother and baby, and while we all hope it goes smoothly, sometimes breastfeeding can be a challenge. Ideally, your pediatrician will provide support through the breastfeeding process and offer help when necessary, including helpful information when it’s time to stop breastfeeding. If your views on breastfeeding don’t line up with your pediatrician’s, then it may not be a compatible relationship.
What are your thoughts on baby’s sleeping habits? Are you comfortable with the idea of sleep training your baby or does the thought of letting your little one cry it out make you cringe? As long as you’re choosing a healthy method to teach your baby to sleep, your doctor should be supportive and provide helpful advice when warranted.
When is it appropriate to medicate a little one? This one’s a biggie, mom. If baby has a cold, do you want a pediatrician who calls in a prescription or tries more holistic remedies first? Make sure that your thoughts on medication line up when choosing a pediatrician.

Questions to Ask a Pediatrician: What’s the office like?

All doctors’ offices are the same, right? Front desk, waiting room, exam rooms. Well, you might not think so at first, but a pediatrician’s office is one of the most important factors when choosing a pediatrician, and they’re not all created equal. Ask the pediatrician these questions about their office during your interview:

What are your office hours? If you’re a stay-at-home mom, it might be fairly easy for you to get your kid to the pediatrician during regular business hours. But if you’re working 9 to 5, make sure your pediatrician offers early, late, and weekend hours so you can make an appointment that fits your schedule.
Do you have someone on call after hours? At some point, you’re going to have a sick baby in the middle of the night. It’s reassuring to know that you can call the pediatrician or nurse on call and get help for your little one no matter what time it is.
What about same-day appointments? Emergency room visits are expensive, so if you have a situation that isn’t life-threatening but is urgent, like a sprained ankle, it’s nice to know that your child can be seen the same day.
Is this a group practice? “Of course there are pros and cons to a group practice,” Cooper explains. “In a group practice you’ll probably have extended office hours and on-call physicians because there are more doctors, but you may not always see your preferred pediatrician or really get to know your doctor well.” You’ll probably know if the office you’re visiting is a group practice before you go, so make sure you try to visit with as many of the group’s pediatricians as possible to get a sense of how the office operates.

Questions to Ask Yourself After a Pediatrician Interview

“I always tell first-time parents that interviewing a pediatrician isn’t really about asking the right questions, but rather how you feel after the interview,” says Cooper. After a pediatrician interview, sit down and think about your experience. Here are some questions to ask yourself after the interview:

Did you feel comfortable with the pediatrician? This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a pediatrician, says Cooper. If you don’t feel comfortable honestly discussing your child’s health and home life with your pediatrician, then your child won’t be getting the best quality of care because the pediatrician won’t have the full story.
Did you notice how the pediatrician and office staff interacted with children? Sometimes a pediatrician can be a wonderful doctor, but not have such a great rapport with kids. If your little one is still incubating, notice how the office staff and pediatrician greet and interact with other kids to get a feel for how they’ll treat your little nugget in the future.
How was the waiting room? Was the waiting room clean? Did it have toys and books to entertain little ones? These aren’t necessary, of course, but it is nice when a pediatrician’s office makes an effort to be a place that kids actually like to visit.

Making the Final Decision

These questions to ask a pediatrician are just a guideline to help you stay on track during a pediatrician interview, but don’t get hung up on making sure a doc meets every single thing on your wishlist. Did you find a pediatrician that’s great with kids, feels the same way about breastfeeding as you do, is close to your home, but doesn’t have toys and games in their waiting room?
That’s totally okay, Cooper assures us.
“Listen,” Cooper says as she gives me the best advice so far, “the most important thing I can tell you about choosing a pediatrician is that it’s not like you’re choosing a spouse. Don’t get hung up on finding ‘the one.’ Just make sure you like your pediatrician and that they’ll give excellent care to your child, and you’ll make a great choice.”
[related article_ids=1006832]

More Than Mom Motherhood

Later, Baby: What You Need To Know About Freezing Eggs

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 7, 2018

In the final season of The Mindy Project, Dr. Mindy Lahiri (played by my fave, Mindy Kaling) opens her own fertility center and targets her business toward young women, encouraging them to say, “Later, baby,” and freeze their eggs for the future.
In the episode, her first clients, all college-age women, gather in a slumber party–esque setting to discuss fertility. It’s not too far from reality: Egg-freezing parties are gaining popularity across the U.S. as more women consider delaying a family for a slew of personal and professional reasons.
Until pretty recently, freezing eggs was still considered an experimental treatment, a sort of last resort to save a woman’s fertility. But in 2012, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine approved wider use of egg freezing and no longer considers the procedure to be experimental—allowing women to preserve and extend their fertility.
So should you freeze your eggs? Here’s everything you need to know about freezing eggs before you decide whether to put your eggs on ice.

Why would I want to freeze my eggs?

“As a family law attorney for more than 15 years, I was never quite sure if I wanted to start a family,” Evie Jeang, founder of Surrogacy Concierge, tells HealthyWay of her decision to freeze her eggs.
“I did not have the time and had not found the right person,” Jeang continues. “I felt that if I went on maternity leave, I would lose a partnership opportunity because I chose to have a child. I was 30 when I first froze my eggs, and at that time, people thought I was crazy. As you get older, doctors and studies show you that your eggs become less viable. So I decided to freeze my eggs again at 35, when my career was a little more established.”
“I wanted to extend the time I have to decide on when I want to have children,” says Stacy Bean, who also made the decision to freeze her eggs. “My husband and I are getting a bit older, however we’re still extremely focused on our careers and not quite ready to have a baby. Freezing my eggs gave us a bit more time to focus on our careers before moving on to having a family.”
While we’re told that modern women can have it all and no longer have to choose between kids or a career, Jeang and Bean made the choice to delay having a family for the sake of their careers.
A report recently published in The New York Times revealed that while most opposite-sex couples are likely to have similar earnings, after a woman has her first child, the pay gap between spouses almost doubles (and not in Mom’s favor). What’s more, women who have children between the ages of 25 and 35 are almost never able to regain equal pay, even if they go back into the same field.
Though this study just looked at couples in opposite-sex relationships, all women—regardless of their sexual orientation—who have kids are affected by the gender pay gap. Other studies have shown that women with kids make less than their childless peers (both men and women) in general.
Depressing, right?
An amazing career is just one reason a woman might consider delaying kids and freezing her eggs, though.
Freezing your eggs “offers an opportunity for a woman to act as her own egg donor, should she need it in the future,” says Briana Rudick, MD, director of third party reproduction at Columbia University Fertility Center and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center. “Freezing eggs allows a woman to delay childbearing so that she is free to pursue career, life, whatever she desires.”

What is the egg-freezing process like?

The egg-freezing process isn’t exactly easy. In fact, it’s a lot like IVF treatments (so if you don’t like getting shots, brace yourself).
“The process of egg freezing (also known as oocyte cryopreservation) starts with [the] first day of menses,” explains Alin Lina Akopians, MD, PhD, a fertility specialist at the Southern California Reproductive Center (SCRC). “Patients visit a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialist on either the second or third day of menses for evaluation. Evaluation generally entails a transvaginal ultrasound to check the ovaries and blood work to check the hormonal status. The patient is then started on a short course of birth control pills for approximately 10 to 12 days. The purpose of birth control pills is to ensure synchronous growth of follicles.”
What this really means is that doctors want to be sure you have the best chance of egg retrieval, and the birth control pills help sync egg follicle growth for maximum egg production. After a two-week cycle of birth control, you’ll be ready to officially begin hormone injections to stimulate egg production, a process that typically lasts about two weeks.
“Our bodies make only a small amount of those hormones so that we grow only one egg every month (our bodies don’t want us having many babies at once),” explains Rudick. During the egg-freezing process, “we have to override that with higher doses of those hormones so that we can get many eggs to grow at once. The hormones are called gonadotropins, FSH and LH.”
Once the hormones start working, you’ll start taking a suppressant medication like Cetrocide about halfway through the egg-freezing cycle. It seems counterintuitive, but this “antagonist” medication actually stops the body from ovulating too quickly during the cycle. If the eggs are released too soon, they can’t be retrieved and frozen.
During the final phase of the cycle, one to two days before egg retrieval, you’ll receive a “trigger” medication that basically tells your ovaries it’s go time. This injection is sometimes the pregnancy hormone hCG. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) overrides the sex hormone suppressant so that the ovaries can release eggs. The time between injecting hCG and retrieval is critical; wait too long and the eggs may be irretrievable. That’s why most doctors will harvest your eggs within 35 hours of administering the hCG.
The actual egg retrieval is considered surgery, but it’s minimally invasive. Still, you’ll probably be sedated for the procedure, so make sure you have a pal to drive you home and bring you post-op cookie dough ice cream.
The whole procedure should only take about a half hour to complete. The eggs are deposited in a test tube immediately and handed over to an embryologist, who will be freezing your eggs.
You can expect light bleeding, cramping, and soreness for a couple of days after an egg retrieval, but in most cases, you’ll be back to normal the next day.

How do real women feel during the egg-freezing process?

“The process was easy once I got the hang of it,” says Bean. “At first I was a little intimidated by the injections and making sure I understood exactly what to do and how to do it all. However, the staff at SCRC made that process very easy. They walked me through everything and were there whenever I had questions—even in the late hours of the evening. After the first night of injections, I felt very comfortable.
“I went through two rounds of egg retrievals and felt pretty good through both cycles,” Bean continues. “The first time I didn’t feel any different in regards to mood swings, etc. My only issue was bloating (which was to be expected). My second round I was a little bit more emotional/moody but had less bloating. I think every round is different, but generally speaking, during both I felt just fine. I was able to go about my days like normal and no one knew that I was even going through the process.”
For Jeang though, the process wasn’t as easy.
“It was painful for me since I never liked needles or shots, and I was having an allergic reaction with the hormones,” she shares of her egg-freezing experience. “Still, I was lucky to know that I had options. Not all women are armed with this information and there is still a lot of educating that needs to be done—to healthcare providers, employers, etc.”
Egg freezing will be different for every woman, but if you feel that something isn’t right during the process, be your own advocate, and let your doctor know how you’re feeling.

How do you get pregnant using frozen eggs?

“Once a patient is ready to conceive, we recommend them to try on their own initially,” says Akopians.
If you have difficulty conceiving naturally, your doctor will recommend a round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) using your frozen eggs (which is why you froze them in the first place!).
Before an IVF cycle, women who are planning to use their frozen eggs will take estrogen and progesterone supplements to ready the uterus for implantation. Once your frozen eggs are thawed, they’ll be mixed with sperm (either from the intended father or a donor). It takes less than a week for fertilization to occur, at which point the fertilized eggs (now embryos!) will be inserted into your uterus.

What’s the success rate of egg freezing?

There are two methods of freezing eggs: slow cooling and vitrification. Slow cooling has been the traditional method of egg freezing. During the slow-cooling process, eggs are subjected to cryoprotective agents (to prevent ice damage) and increasingly cold temperatures before finally reaching a freezing point of anywhere from –22° to –85° F. Once the eggs are at an optimal frozen temperature, liquid nitrogen is added for preservation.
Alternatively, vitrification is a flash-freezing process in which eggs quickly reach freezing temperatures and are subjected to much higher levels of cryoprotective agents before being submerged in liquid nitrogen. Because vitrification has been shown to have much higher success rates, it has become the preferred method of egg freezing for most fertility centers.
Still, the actual success rates of pregnancy using frozen eggs varies.
Successful pregnancy using frozen eggs depends on how old the woman is when she freezes them and how many eggs she has frozen, says Rudick. “The overall success rate once we generate embryos from those eggs is similar to that of regular IVF (controlled for age). However, some of the eggs may not survive the thaw, and/or have a slightly lower fertilization rate—but once we get embryos from those thawed eggs, they tend to do as well as regular IVF.”
Ideally, though, Akopians recommends freezing your eggs before you reach the age of 35 for the best chance of conception.
“Pregnancy rates decline as women get older, and the first evidence of this decline is seen in the early thirties. Similarly, the outcomes after oocyte thaw and embryo development [are] largely dictated by the age at which the oocytes were frozen, which is why we generally recommend women to freeze their eggs before age of 35 in order to have the most optimal outcomes.”

How much does freezing your eggs cost?

Well, freezing your eggs isn’t cheap. Typically, it can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 for an egg-retrieval cycle, plus an extra $500 to $1,000 a year to store your frozen eggs. Then, when you’re ready to use your frozen eggs, just one round of IVF can cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
If you’re lucky, your employer may help cover the cost of freezing your eggs as a work perk. Unfortunately, though, most insurance providers do not cover freezing eggs, but some insurance providers do cover the subsequent IVF treatments once you decide to use your frozen eggs.

What else should I know about freezing my eggs?

The most important thing to know about freezing your eggs is this: It’s your decision to make.
Should you decide to use your frozen eggs, egg retrieval and the subsequent rounds of IVF cycles are no picnic. And the varying success rates show that frozen eggs may not always result in viable pregnancies. Still, if you’re on the fence about kids for professional or personal reasons, freezing your eggs is one option to safeguard your fertility for the future.

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Mom x Body Motherhood

Must-Have Workout Gear For Moms

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date June 1, 2018

Hey moms, remember that time you tried to jog with a regular sports bra while sporting your new milk-filled double Ds? Total disaster, right?
Between leaking through your shirt and the weight of your new breasts (seriously, it’s like having two bowling balls attached to your chest), going for a quick run isn’t exactly the invigorating, restorative experience you imagined. Throw kids into the workout mix, and, well, exercise probably isn’t happening at all.
That’s why mom-friendly workout gear is a must-have. If there’s a product out there that makes it easier for me to get my mom sweat on (a winning scent that’s equal parts spit-up, dirty diaper, and my own natural musk), I’m all over it.
So listen up, ladies: If your kid’s knack for skipping naptime is stopping you from exercising, I can’t help you with that because my kid never naps. Ever. But if the only thing holding you back from regular exercise is a lack of the right gear, we’ve got a roundup of the best workout gear designed specifically with busy moms in mind.

Supportive Clothing

As a mom, the only clothes I now wear hold everything up and in, and preferably have an elastic waistband. That’s even more important when working out, especially if you recently had a c-section, since you’ll want to provide support for your incision as it heals.
I love these high-waisted leggings from Spanx ($88). Spanx is the first name in supportive clothing, so you know they’ll hold everything together. From sizes XS to XL and 1X to 3X, they’ve got a wide range of figures covered.
Even though I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight pretty quickly after giving birth, my body is just different now. I have a lot more jiggle to love, and I definitely need more supportive clothing. Bye-bye clearance sports bra! I love the Anita Active Dynamix sports bra ($76), because it allows me to nurse on the go if I need to and provides super support without hurting my back.

Pee-Proof Panties

Sometimes milk isn’t the only thing leaking out of you. I’ll just be frank: Even if you religiously did your kegel exercises, you’ll still pee on yourself, especially if you had a vaginal delivery.
If the thought of wearing bulky pads or disposable undies makes you cringe, then give ICON pee-proof undies ($28–$39) a try. They’re designed by THINX, the makers of period-proof panties, and are designed to withstand small bladder leaks. One woman described them as “wearing a swimsuit with a panty-liner,” so they aren’t too bulky. Plus, because they are a thicker fabric, they may provide a little extra support.

Insulated Bottles for Both of You

If you’re formula feeding, one of the most annoying things is having to stop and mix a bottle mid-workout or lug a big cooler full of ice and pre-made bottles to the gym.
But with the Pura Kiki Insulated Bottle ($25), you can keep formula or breastmilk fresh for hours. Pura Kiki also designs bottles for toddlers, bigger kids, and adults, so there’s an insulated bottle for everyone in the family.
Nursing can make you so thirsty, especially if you’re also working out. This personalized water bottle ($20+) from Etsy seller Limboae Designs is made to remind you to drink your water every hour. It’s must-have workout gear for any new mom.

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are having a workout moment right now, and for good reason. They’re great for strengthening your shoulders, back, and legs. Plus, you can do kettlebell workouts at home, which is great for busy moms who don’t want to spend $20 for babysitting during a trip to the gym.
I have zero upper body strength, so I started with extremely small kettlebells and worked my way to heavier kettlebells as I got stronger. I recommend investing in a kettlebell set, like this Fitness Gear Adjustable Kettlebell ($50). That way, you can easily move up to heavier weights without having to find a place to safely store several kettlebells away from baby’s grasp.
Ready to try kettlebells? Give our kettlebell workout series a try!

Yoga Mat

“I don’t need a yoga mat! I have the living room rug!” That’s what I said when I was gifted a yoga mat during my pregnancy.
But boy, did I eat those words. My yoga mat has been a workout lifesaver now that I’m a mom. A good yoga mat is must-have workout gear for moms, and not just because it doubles as a great nap pad for littles.
With a yoga mat, you can take your workout anywhere. I love to take my little nugget to the park where we do a yoga flow together before strolling around for a well-deserved nap (for the baby, of course—moms know no sleep).
I like the Manduka eko lite mat ($72), which is biodegradable, made of eco-friendly rubber, and weighs just 4 pounds.

Jogging Stroller

Even if you don’t run, a jogging stroller is a must-have workout accessory for any mom. It’s great for off-roading on trails or the beach, and baby gets a nice, smooth ride.
Babylist, an online resource that I’ve used to help figure out the best type of baby products for my munchkin, rates the BOB Revolution SE Stroller as the overall best jogging stroller. But at a price point of $459, I better be able to use this stroller ’til my kid goes to college.
A more affordable option is the Graco Fast Action Fold Jogging Stroller at $179. This stroller works with all Graco car seats and really does live up to its name; you can easily unfold it with one hand while you hold baby with the other.

Baby Bike Seat/Trailer

If jogging just isn’t your thing, consider cycling for exercise. It is recommended that you wait until baby is at least 9 months old before they ride along with you. For younger kids, the front-mounted Thule RideAlong Mini ($170) is a great option because it allows you to easily check on and talk to your child.
For longer rides, where your child might fall asleep, most bike enthusiasts recommend a rear-mounted seat like the Thule RideAlong seat ($230), which reclines for more comfortable napping and can fit children who weigh up to 48 pounds.
If you have more than one child, a bike trailer is probably your best bet. The Burley Bee bike trailer ($299) is one of the top-rated bike trailers. Its bright yellow color makes it easy for road traffic to see, and it has tinted shades to protect your tykes from the sun.
So get out there, mamas, and get your sweat on! And, if you have any tips for nap time…well, I’m listening!

Tags Commerce, organic

Mindful Parenting Motherhood

Simple Summer Fun Your Kids Will Love (And You Will Too)

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date May 28, 2018

Summer vacation: two words that tend to strike fear in the heart of any parent of school-age children. I mean, just how in the heck are you supposed to entertain your children for two whole months?
Believe it or not, keeping your kids’ schedule packed with summer fun can be done, and we’re here to show you how. Not all summertime activities can be Pinterest-worthy (and let’s be honest, who even has time for that?), but keeping it simple can be just as fun. Here are our simple summer fun ideas that will keep you and your kids entertained all summer long.

Summer Fun 101: The Essentials

Before you embark on any summer fun adventure, it pays to have a few essentials ready to go.

Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, which kids (and moms!) should be wearing during any outdoor activities, even if it’s overcast.
A simple first-aid kit stocked with bandages, antibacterial cream, and aloe vera gel will come in handy for patching up those inevitable bumps and scrapes.
Plus, it’s a proven fact (according to seasoned moms, at least) that kids’ appetites increase during the summer, so keep full reusable water bottles and pre-made healthy snacks that are easy to grab and go.

Summer Fun in the Water

Beat the heat with these water-based summer fun activities.
For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers: Never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned backyard pool. There are a ton of affordable options that pack in the fun. Add in a few plastic balls, and you’ll have hours of fun on your hands for toddlers and preschoolers.
For older kids: Instead of water balloons, which leave plastic bits all over the yard, engage older kids in an epic sponge ball battle or channel your inner camp counselor and hold a water relay race.

Summer Fun for Bookworms

Summer break doesn’t have to mean a break from learning too. Keep your kids’ minds engaged with these educational activities.
For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers: Get a library card if you don’t already have one! They’re free, and most public libraries provide awesome programming for children, like weekly story time or craft hour. Plus, the library is quiet and air conditioned, so it’s a great way to wind down right before nap time.
For older kids: Read a chapter book or start a book series with your older kids. Take turns reading, and encourage kids to get creative with voices for characters or act out scenes. Little House on the Prairie and Harry Potter are great series that will keep your kids turning the pages all summer long.

Summer Fun for Little Picassos

Encourage your kids’ inner artist with these summer fun activities designed to spark creativity.
For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers: Painting with water! It’s the most brilliant parenting hack ever. All you need are a couple of paint brushes, a bucket of water, and a hard surface (like the driveway). Have your littles dip the paintbrush into the water and “paint” the driveway with it to create an artistic masterpiece. As the water dries, their art will disappear, leaving a fresh canvas to create something new!
For older kids: Origami, the art of paper folding, takes time and skill to perfect, and it’s the perfect summer art project for older kids. They can make cute paper pineapples, mermaids, or suncatchers to decorate for an end-of-summer party later. Or, if you want to add an educational component, teach your kids to make paper cranes while reading the chapter book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It’s a tearjerker, but it’s a great way to introduce a difficult part of history to your kids in an engaging way.

Summer Fun in the Great Outdoors

If you have a small yard (or no yard!) or you just need a change of scenery, there are a number of great options for keeping the littles engaged outdoors.
For infants: Grab a picnic blanket and head outdoors, where there is a whole new world of sights, sounds, and things to touch for little ones—and they’ll be mesmerized simply taking in the scenery. Because baby is still learning how to use all of his or her senses, even just being outside can be tiring, so odds are your baby will want a long nap afterward. Score!
For toddlers and preschoolers: Take your littles on a simple nature walk or mini scavenger hunt. They’ll love pointing out different things they find along the way, and it’s a great opportunity to start teaching kids to be environmentally conscious as they learn about different plants and wildlife.
For older kids: Go geocaching! Your kids will have so much fun that they won’t even realize they’re learning, too. Geocaching is a kind of modern-day treasure hunt where seekers use GPS to navigate their way to hidden surprises. To start geocaching, you can join a geocaching community through a website like Geocaching and choose a geocache to find. Make sure you bring something to leave behind for other geocachers!

Rainy Day Summer Fun

Don’t let rain get in the way of good summer fun! These indoor activities are sure to keep kids entertained, even on rainy days.
For toddlers and preschoolers: Keep boredom at bay with a messy, but fun, shaving cream activity. All you need is inexpensive foamy shaving cream, a large clear space (I use the kids’ play table), and clothes you don’t mind getting messy for the kids to wear while they play. Spray the shaving cream on the table, and let your kids go to town. Seriously. There’s something about putting their hands in a weird foamy texture that little kids absolutely love. The only downside to this activity is that it does mean more cleanup, so you might want to limit shaving cream time to the garage or another covered outdoor area on rainy days.
For older kids: When I was a kid, our television time during the summer was nonexistent. So on rainy days, it felt extra special when mom let us pick out our favorite movies to watch. Older kids will love having an impromptu movie day complete with snacks and cozy blankets. Let each kid pick out their favorite movie for a marathon, or decide on one movie to watch together. For an educational component, you could even watch the movie version of a book you may have been reading all summer.

Helping Others as a Summer Fun Activity

There are other ways of having summer fun besides just playing. Teach kids early on about the importance of helping others with these fulfilling activities.
For toddlers and preschoolers: Toddlers and preschoolers can learn to help others while they’re young. They can help sort items into boxes for donation or even help a sibling complete a chore. A great way of introducing your littles to the idea of helping others is by reading a Berenstain Bears classic, The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand.
For older kids: Pick out a volunteer opportunity to participate in as a family once a month or even once a week. By volunteering together, you’ll help your kids make helping others a priority and make it something they’ll want to continue after summer has ended. Some good volunteer opportunities for older kids might include sorting items for donation at Goodwill, volunteering to walk dogs at the animal shelter, or helping an elderly neighbor with household chores.

Tags Commerce, search

Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

What Is Micellar Water And What Is It Good For?

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date May 28, 2018

Full disclosure: I actually had to ask my editor “what is micellar water?” when she asked me to write this piece. I’d never heard of it, but she assured me I’d love it.
And hey, I’m always down to try new beauty products (that’s what micellar water is, by the way). I headed over to Gypset and Pearl, a beauty boutique down the street from my house, where owner Brittany Cramer Manning helped me select a micellar water to try out.
I ended up purchasing Eau Thermale Avène Micellar Lotion Cleanser, an affordable French product that’s (thankfully) available in the U.S. I spoke to Manning and other skincare experts to answer all my burning questions about this cult fave product: What is micellar water? Does it really work? Which ones should I buy? and more.
Plus in the name of good journalism, I’ve been using it for the past two weeks so I can personally attest to how micellar water works—and why I think it should become part of your beauty routine ASAP.

So … what is micellar water, really?

The history of micellar water is actually kind of fascinating. Apparently French tap water is sort of le pits. French water, especially in Paris, is extremely hard, meaning it contains large deposits of minerals like magnesium that can wreak havoc on your skin and hair.
So the French figured out a skincare solution for hard water: micellar water.
What is micellar water’s secret?
“Micelles are tiny balls of cleansing oils suspended in water, and the formula is simple but sophisticated,” says Margot White, a health educator and owner of The Choosy Chick, an online boutique and educational source dedicated to non-toxic, green beauty products. “These micelles attract dirt and oil. You need to suspend the liquid on an absorbent material like cotton pads. The cotton pads saturated in micellar water absorb all the grime and makeup, leaving clean, hydrated skin behind.”
Unlike soap, micelles gently remove impurities from the skin without stripping away the natural oils your skin needs, as a toner might.
“Micellar water is gentle and hydrating,” says board-certified Yale-trained dermatologist Rhonda Q. Klein, MD. “It won’t remove heavy makeup (like waterproof mascara), but is great to remove basic makeup, cleanse, and freshen the face without drying, stinging, or leaving behind residue.”

Can I use micellar water every day?

Yes! You can! In fact, Klein says she uses micellar water at night to remove makeup and natural toxins that have accumulated during the day and in the morning to prepare her face for the day. So I did the same.
To get a truly unfiltered experience with the product, I’ve been using micellar water only, even giving up my beloved Pond’s moisturizer in the name of research.
Micellar water is gentle enough to use twice daily (or even more) if you need to wipe down your face after a sweat sesh or a day out in the elements.
In addition to finding out what micellar water is, I also needed to get the lowdown on the best way to use it. It turns out that using micellar water couldn’t be easier.
To use micellar water, simply soak a cotton pad with the water and gently rub your face. If the cotton pad becomes saturated with makeup or dirt, get a clean cotton pad, soak in micellar water, and start the process over. After cleansing with micellar water, your face should feel soft and hydrated.
And if you’re worried about how micellar water will react to your skin type, here’s some good news:
David Lortscher, MD, founder of bespoke skincare company Curology, tells HealthyWay: “Micellar cleansing water can work well for most skin types because it is usually free of harsh ingredients and astringents, meaning it is gentle enough for most skin types. However, there are specific micellar cleansing waters formulated specifically for each skin type, so it can still be a good idea to select the right formulation for your skin.”
So yeah, it’s basically the perfect skincare product.

Million Dollar Question: Does micellar water work?

Once my micellar water research journey was well underway and I had progressed from “what is micellar water?” to “how does micellar water work?” I had to find out if it works. And I read some interesting claims.
I have to admit I was skeptical when I read that micellar water could replace my facial wash, toner, and hydrating cream as an all-in-one cleanser, no rinsing required. Because while any old soap will do for my facial cleanser, I am straight up addicted to my Pond’s dry skin cream. Let’s just say I had some doubts.
So was I able to replace all of my facial cleansers and creams with micellar water?
Short answer: No. I used micellar water as my only facial cleanser and moisturizer for a couple of days, and by day three my eye was swollen shut as a result of clogged eyelid glands. Now, I’m not completely blaming the micellar water. After all, I didn’t clean my makeup brushes as often as I should have, so that could have resulted in an eye infection. But not rinsing my face for three days certainly didn’t help.
Still, I’m a micellar water convert. Now that I’m using it as the first step in my cleansing routine (rather than as the only step), my skin feels softer, my skin tone is more even (especially where I’m prone to dark circles under my eyes), and I haven’t even missed my beloved Pond’s this week!
The best part is that micellar water really does work for most skin types. I was nervous about giving up my face cream for this experiment because I have incredibly dry skin. But because micelles are tiny drops of oil, my face didn’t feel dry, even after rinsing away the micellar water. If you have oily skin, the micelles in micellar water will actually remove the “bad” oils that clog your pores and cause breakouts, leaving soft, clean skin behind.
Some people may be able to use micellar water as an all-in-one cleanser, and that’s fantastic. But most people will want to use micellar water as a great addition to a skincare routine, perhaps replacing a harsher toner. Micellar water is perfect for removing makeup and other gunk from your face, but it’s still a good idea to wash your face with your favorite cleanser afterward.

Doesn’t micellar water contain surfactants? I thought those were a skincare no-no.

One caveat (hey, nothing’s perfect!): Micellar water contains surfactants, or surface active ingredients, which may irritate sensitive skin.
One common surfactant found in micellar water and other cleansers is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Although SLS has been linked to some scary-sounding research, there’s no definitive proof that SLS causes cancer or other diseases, and the Environmental Working Group lists SLS as a low-hazard chemical. Still, micellar water that contains surfactants could irritate sensitive skin. When purchasing micellar water, always read the label first to see if it’s an SLS-free product.
If you find your skin is red or irritated after using micellar water (SLS-free or not), be sure to use a second cleanser to rinse it off after use. If the problem persists, micellar water (and surfactants in general) may not be for you.

Should I splurge on micellar water?

There’s no need to spend mega bucks on micellar water.
Here’s a rundown of the top micellar waters that dermatologists recommend. They’re all priced right around $20, so you can get that chic French girl glow for trés cheap.

INIKA Organic Micellar Cleansing Rosewater ($22)

“Many of the mainstream micellar products contain additives like ‘fragrance,’ so we recommend using an organic option,” says White. One micellar water she recommends is INIKA’s Organic Micellar Cleansing Rosewater. It’s certified organic, cruelty-free, vegan, and halal, so it’s a product that fits almost any lifestyle. Plus, just as White said, it doesn’t contain chemical fragrance, so if you smell anything, it’ll just be a delicate floral hint of rosehip.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water ($11)

“Bioderma has long been the micellar water gold standard,” says Klein. What’s nice about Bioderma products is that you can shop for a micellar water based on your skin’s specific needs. So if your skin is ultra dry like mine, Bioderma’s hydrating micellar water contains ingredients designed to combat the effects of dry skin. If you have different skin issues, like acne or sun damage, they’ve got a micellar water for that too.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($7)

“I recommend Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water because it is a generally affordable brand while also still being an effective product. Furthermore, Garnier carries micellar cleansing water for most all skin types,” says Lortscher. Garnier’s mattifying micellar water is ideal if your skin tends to be oily. And if you’re addicted to your waterproof liner and mascara, Garnier has a micellar water specially formulated to remove stubborn makeup. They even come in cute travel sizes, perfect for when you’re on the go.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water ($6)

There’s a reason Simple’s Micellar Cleansing Water has legions of fans. It’s inexpensive, it’s SLS-free, and it’s won a ton of skincare awards, including a 2016 Allure Magazine Best in Beauty award. Simple’s micellar water is designed to leave sensitive skin clean and hydrated, and it’s perfect for all skin types.

Can I make my own micellar water?

Ready to play scientist? With just a few supplies, you actually can make your own micellar water at home. Rebekah Epling, an herbalist who creates her own botanical products, shares her favorite micellar water recipe.
“The key to craft homemade micellar water is using a good quality water, an alcohol-free astringent, a humectant, and an oil,” says Epling. “The good thing about this homemade micellar water is that there is room to make it your own and tailor it to your own skin needs.”
When shopping for a water to use, Epling says that she prefers hydrosols, which are the byproduct of stream distilling plant matter for essential oils, but if you don’t like floral scents that come from products like rose water, you can use plain distilled water as well.
In this recipe, witch hazel is the astringent ingredient. The witch hazel that is sold in most grocery stores and pharmacies can contain up to 50 percent alcohol. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to purchase witch hazel that doesn’t contain any alcohol, like this one from the Homestead Company. If you do purchase an alcohol-free witch hazel, it won’t be as shelf stable, says Epling, so you’ll need to store it in the fridge.
To make your own micellar water, simply combine the following ingredients and gently shake in container to mix:

For a one-ounce bottle:

3 tablespoons rose hydrosol (or rose water)
2 tsp. witch hazel
1 tsp. vegetable glycerine
3 drops jojoba oil

“You can also mix this up fairly quickly, so small batches are easy to make, especially if you’re concerned about shelf-life. …Drops or emptied pills of vitamin E also prolong the freshness of your product. You can even make a large batch, freeze it in ice cube trays, and thaw as needed, says Epling.
And there you have it, folks: If you’ve been wondering “What is micellar water?”, the answer is that it’s the beauty product you didn’t know you needed in your life.

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