Monday Inspiration: Finding the Beauty In the Tragedy of Loss

I recently learned of a couple on Instagram who unexpectedly lost their baby boy a few days after birth.  My heart dropped immediately just reading about what they went through.  Amelia Kathryn had a normal pregnancy, labored for twelve hours and then had to have an emergency C-section due to the baby's heart rate suddenly dropping.  After birth, little Landon was placed on life support but, his organs were continuing to fail.  Amelia and her husband documented the entire journey through pics and words....on Instagram, as they were going through it!  From the time he was placed in the NICU and given a dim prognosis until the time that he was taken off life support and she could hold him while he took his last breath, they posted pics.  It was amazing to me that Amelia and her husband were able to share with the world what they were going through and look at the positive amidst such a traumatic circumstance.

Their courage and strength really touched me and I cried and prayed for this couple as if I knew them personally.  Although our situations are not the same, I still know the pain of suddenly experiencing the loss of a baby and it is the most terrible feeling ever.  There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about what could have been.

To all of the mothers who have experienced the loss of a child, you are not alone and your child's spirit is with you always.  To learn more about Amelia's story, you can follow her on Instagram @ameliakyoga.

Eat Your Placenta!

from Getty Images

I recently read about a woman who ate her baby's placenta and at first I was like, "Say WHAT?!" After doing some research, I have found that there is a whole world of mothers who eat the placenta to achieve a number of health benefits. I was even more surprised to find that this is something that has been practiced in other cultures for years.

The placenta is said to be full of vitamins, iron and hormones that some moms say have helped with postpartum depression, low energy and childbirth recovery. It has even helped some women with milk production. 

Here are a list of sites that have placenta recipes:
http://www.twilightheadquarters.com/placenta.html
http://www.mothers35plus.co.uk/plac_rec.htm

While I do find this very interesting, I'm not so sure I would be willing to do this. But, who knows....I may change my mind once I actually have a baby.

Would you eat your baby's placenta?

Organic Mommies and Daddies Wanted!

The lovely people at Cara B, a company committed to making chemical-free, natural hair and skin products for ethnically diverse children, sent some of their products to me for a product review. 

Seeing that I do not have any babies to try them out on (yet...), I decided to reach out to all of my readers who are organic, natural mommies/ daddies! If you would be willing to receive these products for free and agree to send me your honest review of the products, then I need your help!

The Cara B products that you would receive include: shampoo/bodywash, leave-in conditioner, moisturizing hair mist, body lotion and baby bar soap.  ALL of their products are made with plant based ingredients, natural oils and are sulfate, petrolatum, and paraben free.  They also have NO artificial colors or fragrances so, they would be great for your child's sensitive skin and scalp.  They are also certified natural and allergen free.

If you are interested, all you have to do is leave a comment stating why you believe organic/ natural products are the best for your baby/ child!  I will pick one organic mommy/ daddy on Friday, August 20th to receive these Cara B products for review.

Good luck and thanks for your help!!