Roots Mamas are on Facebook!!! Like us for FREE stuff!

That's right we're finally on Facebook & to celebrate we will be doing giveaways for every 100 people who “like” us (well our first giveaways are at 25 & 50 but you get the drift)! I'm so excited because I'll be able to really connect with all my other Mamas!
Roots Mamas unite!  :)

On the FB page I will be posting all the FREE stuff I find that is new & fresh (ie giveaways or deals that have short deadlines). Facebook allows me to quickly and easily get out information to you. Whereas the blog will continue to be smaller than most blogs, to give you easy access to the info you want. Roots Mamas FB page will also have info & tips to help you. But I need your help too! Please leave your tips, questions & suggestions for us & other Mamas.

At this writing, we only need 9 more LIKES until our first freebie. We're starting the giveaways at 25 cuz we need 25 LIKES to get our own FB url (ie facebook.com/ RootsMamas). Help a Mama out! Giveaway winners will be chosen through random.org.  And you could win more than once!  So if you wanna win....spread the word! The faster we hit those numbers, the faster we’ll be giving great stuff out!

PS For an extra entry follow us here on our blog & leave us a comment to let us know you did.

And the giveaways are.....
(see all pix below)


UPDATE: Thx to ALL we now have a FB URL: facebook.com/RootsMamas!! Yay! & Our 1st winner was announced (see FB)!
UPDATE: 2nd winner was announced, see FB!
UPDATE: March 2012, 3rd winner was announced, see FB!

25 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free peacock feather headband 

50 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free Bon Bebe infant "shoe" socks (choose pink or blue)

100 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free Musical Instrument (pic coming soon) or Princess Tiana necklace & Toy Story bowl 

200 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets Dr. Suess's "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" book

300 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free Eric Carle's "The Mixed-up Chameleon" book

400 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free "Creepy Crawly Calypso" sing along CD & book (from the JAMaROO Kids Barefoot Books store) 

500 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free Putumayo "Caribbean Playground" CD (from the JAMaROO Kids Barefoot Books store)  

600 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free pair of Baby Legs (choose Sprinkles or Block design) www.babylegs.com 

700 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free SozzoniStyle childs apron (my sister makes these!! on Etsy.com) (choose design of your choice) the one pictured is named after my dtr & she makes cute adult aprons too!

800 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free Essiedesigns nursing cover (on Etsy.com) (choose design of your choice)

900 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free "Business of Being Born" DVD

1000 “likes” = randomly selected winner gets free SmallWish sling (on Etsy.com) (choose design of your choice)

I Heart these (products i luv!)

This posting has been combined with my "Roots Mama Recommends" posting for ease of reader use :) HERE 
http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/roots-mama-recommendsbooksdvds-more.html

Did u Know?

Fantastic Facts that just might blow

your mind.....MORE COMING SOON!

DID U KNOW...
The U.S is one of only 4 countries that doesn't offer paid leave to new mothers -- the others are Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
(here in CA we do but out of all 50 states there are only 3 states that have paid leave!)

check this out to see a chart of all countries leaves:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave

Bulgaria seems to have the best: Provides mothers with 135 days 100% paid maternity leave & 2 years paid parental leave, and 1 additional year of unpaid parental leave. The employer is obliged to restore the mother to the same position upon return to work. In addition, pregnant women and single mothers cannot be fired!
Sweden & Canada also have some really good coverages

DID U KNOW... Every country in the world with maternal and infant mortality rates  lower than the U.S. has universal health care AND midwives attending the majority of births.  And where do we (the USA) rank you ask?? According to the Mother's Index 2010: The United States is at the bottom of the developed world, primarily because its rate of maternal mortality – 1 in 4,800. Compare that with Bosnia, Herzegovina, Greece and Italy: the risk of maternal death is less than 1 in 25,000 and in Ireland it is less than 1 in 47,600. And these countries aren't even in the top 10 rankings! Go HERE to see full report & click on "Executive Summary "

DID U KNOW...
Paid family leave has been shown to reduce infant mortality by as much as 20% (and the U.S. ranks a low 29th of all 37 modern countries in infant mortality).

DID U KNOW...American Academy of Pediatrics endorses breastfeeding for more than a year: "It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired." ref#104


DID U KNOW...
Selma Hayek breastfed another woman's child.
Yes folks I know, it sounds unbeliavable that they would put such an incredible story promoting not just breastfeeding but even cross breatfeeding! Way to go Nightline & network TV!

Salma Hayek, UNICEF spokesperson, was in Sierra Leone to promote a tetanus vaccine program in a country where one in five children die before the age of five. 21% of those deaths are due to tetanus. Another reason for the high mortality rate is lack of breastfeeding.

In one scene, Salma nurses a little baby (her own is now over a year). She then tells the story of her great grandmother in Mexico nursing the baby of a stranger who didn't have enough milk. thx breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com

DID U KNOW...

DID U KNOW...
They also recommend against TV viewing for children under the age of 2.
Like my ECE Art teacher says "Experience is the best teacher." There is no experience children get while watching TV. Think about this...which would you prefer....your friend came back from Paris & told you all about it or you were handed a passport & ticket to Paris?

DID U KNOW...
86% of the brain growth that occurs after birth transpires within the first five years of life?

Yes amazing! Read on..."[A] newborn's brain is only about one-quarter the size of an adult's. It grows to about 80 percent of adult size by three years of age and 90 percent by age five. This growth is largely due to changes in individual neurons, which are structured much like trees. Thus, each brain cell begins as a tiny sapling and only gradually sprouts its hundreds of long, branching dendrites. Brain growth (measured as either weight or volume) is largely due to the growth of these dendrites, which serve as the receiving point for synaptic input from other neurons." -thx    Essential Questions & ZerotoThree

DID U KNOW...
The rate of cesarean births in the US has risen to 31% in the last 10 years.
That's a more than a 50% jump! The cesarean rate in the United States in 1970 was only 6%. This meant that about 94% of women were giving birth vaginally in this country. Think the increase might have anything to do with the increase in malpractice lawsuits

against Drs? And the convenience for Drs who can just schedule you in to fit their schedules?!

DID U KNOW...
Hospital-based midwives have a documented 10% cesarean rate in comparison. Unnecessary cesarean sections increase health care costs and contribute toward increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

DID U KNOW...
Attachment Parenting can reduce the risk of SIDS.

DID U KNOW...
The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of midwives, noting that women who give birth with a midwife often have shorter labor times and usually don't need as much medication.


DID U KNOW...
Having a Midwife:
-Reduces the Risk of Miscarriage or Stillbirth Prior to 24 Weeks
-Reduces the Use of an Epidural (Regional Anesthesia)
-Reduces Incidence of Episiotomies When Midwives Attend the Labor
-Reduces Chances of Forceps or Vacuum Extractors When Midwife is Present
-Increases the Chances of Vaginal Birth and Lower the Cesarean Rate
-Breastfeeding is More Likely to be Initiated

DID U KNOW...
Inducing labor (with pictocin) can set off a domino effect & lead to "emergen

cy c-section".
Your body releases natural labor inducer (oxytocin) that starts labor when your body is ready. Oxytocin also has natural pain relievers (that are secreted in bursts), so if you get induced into labor your body does not release those. Pitocin is released in a steady flow. This leads to:

-more painful contractions
-continuous electronic fetal monitoring
-confined to bed (IV, electric fetal monitor)
-more likely to need pain medication (such as an epidural)
-increased likelihood of c-section (complications with pictocin & epidural use, false fetal stress due to electronic fetal monitoring)

DID U KNOW...Formula commercials have a disclaimer, if you look closely you will see the caption "Breastfeeding is recommended", don't believe me just see the Similac website here!

DID U KNOW...
There are around 400 nutrients in breast milk that are not present in formula.
And they still haven't found them all yet!!

DID U KNOW...
Wearing your baby in a sling (or pack) makes them smarter. They also cry less, grow & talk better! Also great for breastfeeding & putting baby to sleep. Plus it makes life easier for you & daddy as you can wear your baby & get things done! (try wearing your baby while going out to eat, doing chores, shopping etc) A centuries old tradition makes a comeback yay! Get a sling HERE @ www.CarryMeAway.com

DID U KNOW...
Breastfeeding mamas lose weight faster. click here to see my post on more benefits of breastfeeding!

DID U KNOW...
It is important bonding time in the first hour after birth.
"The first few hours after birth are called the "maternal sensitive period." The mother becomes deeply involved, on an emotional level, with her newborn. The first hour after birth is also a time of quiet alertness for the newborn. Later the baby goes into a deep resting stage for several hours, during which it is difficult to rouse him. The mother who holds and communicates with her baby immediately receives a sense of fulfillment and gratification."-from Gentle Birth Choices
This works especially well if you & your baby are drug free! All I could do after I gave birth, to my beautiful baby girl, was smile & hold her, she looked right at me. Complete JOY! Newborn baby checks (like height, weight, bathing, vitamin K & eye ointment) can wait till after that first hour (as long as your baby is well). It was just me, daddy & my mom there the first hour to welcome her to the world. It was the best!! Don't forget to start breast feeding then too!

DID U KNOW...
Epidurals have been shown to:
-Slow labor
-Lead to increased use of Pitocin (to induce labor)
-Lead to increased use of foreceps or vacuum
-Increase the likelihood of cesareans, especially in first-time mothers
-Increase the mothers temperature, resulting in her & the baby receiving antibiotics & invasive tests
-Cause a host of complications including long-term chronic problems & even maternal death

Epidurals do cross through the placenta & cause these effects in newborns:
-Reduced muscle tone
-Decreased sucking
-Lowered neurobehavioral scores
-Increased incidence of jaundice

(info from Gentle Birth Choices also see The Business of Being Born)


DID U KNOW...
The hospital is NOT necessarily the safest place to have a baby.
"The United States has consistently high maternal & perinatal mortality and morbidity rates compared to other industrialized countries." In 2003 the US ranked 32nd. "This means that there are 31 countries where it is safer for women to give birth than in the United States."
Who was top ranked? "Those where midwifery is an integral part of obstetric care & where births more commonly take place outside large hospitals." Singapore, Sweden & Japan where the top 3 for 2003.
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...
The benefits of having a doula are:
50% reduction in cesarean rate
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% in use of pitocin
25% shorter labor
30% in use of analgesia
40% reduction in forceps use

-from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...
Electric Fetal Monitors (the thing they strap around your belly while in labor) "had a 74 percent false positive rate. That means that 74 out of 100 times the monitor tracings indicated distress when there was none." Just another excuse for a Dr. to perform an "emergency" c-section! No thank you! Those things only tie you down to the bed on your back (the worst position for labor). Trust your body, it knows what to do.
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...There really is a mind-body connection. (positive thoughts=positive outcome)
Author of Childbirth Without Fear, Grantly Dick-Read, noted "that when a woman experiences fear (an emotion), her body tightens (a physical response), which causes pain. When she experiences the pain the level of fear increases, causing more tension & thus more pain. A cycle of fear, tension, and pain becomes established and often leads to a prolonged birth process. "
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices
also see The Secret

Roots Mama recommends....(books,dvds slings & more!)

This is just a brief overview, i intend to put more info on here soon!

THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN
So women have been giving birth for millions of years right? Our bodies were made to give birth just like any other animal in this wild kingdom we call earth. So why in the last 100 years has giving birth changed so drastically & become a "medical emergency"? Find out here:

A MUST watch for all pregnant women & men and any one who's ever thought of having a child: The Business of Being Born
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system.
Click here to see the trailer & get more info.
&

Looking for a Baby Friendly Hospital??
Go HERE (http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/03.html) to find one in your area. If you're in the Bay, Hayward Kaiser is the closest one I've found, Woo Hoo!
What is a "Baby Friendly Hospital" you ask & what does it mean?
The Baby-Friendly Designation is the globally recognized symbol of world-class maternity care. In order to be designated as a "Baby Friendly Hospital" they have to be certified by the BFHI & complete these 10 steps:



1 - Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2 - Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3 - Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4 - Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
5 - Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
6 - Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated.
7 - Practice “rooming in”-- allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8 - Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9 - Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
10 - Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic




Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper
Believe it or not, birth resulting from a normal pregnancy needn't take place in a hospital. Harper explains why birthing centers and home births, along with other "gentle birth choices," are beneficial to both mother and baby. It also features a history of how childbirth came to be so technological and blasts myths such as why fetal monitors save babies (they don't, very often). Harper also discusses giving birth in water and explores the connection of mind and body during labor and birth. She stresses the importance of midwives for a more natural and satisfying experience.Very good read & not too long (for mamas who aren't so keen on reading lengthy books).


This book is a MUST for the new mama (& pops) The Baby Book. Written by a Dr. & RN husband/wife team who also have 8 kids of their own! Not only is it a guide from newborn-toddler but it introduces you to attachment parenting & is a great resource!
http://www.askdrsears.com/






Also Mayo Clinic: Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is a great easy to read/understand, straight forward prenatal book. It really breaks down a lot of questions you might have regarding tests (and more) & each stage of pregnancy from the trusted Mayo Clinic.






Also check out: The Pregnancy Book. I haven't read it yet but it's from the same Dr & RN husband/wife team that brought us the Baby Book, so I'm sure it's VERY good. They even have most pregnancy info for FREE right here!! Wow-za!





Baby yoga! This book is so adorable & easy to do. My munchkin loves it! Check it...

Benefits of yoga for baby:

• Deepen the parent/child bond
• Help baby sleep longer and better
• Improve baby’s digestion and ease tummy troubles
• Relieve fussiness and colic
• Discover ways to enhance your baby’s motor development
• Strengthen the immune system
• Encourage neuromuscular development
• Improve body-awareness
• Playfully relieve stress and frustration
• Increase your child’s attention span
• Provide an outlet for social interaction
• Nurture self-esteem and creativity
• Build a fit, healthy lifestyle

Benefits for Mama/Papa:

• Discover your child’s personality and learning style
• Learn ways to calm your child
• Build your confidence as a parent
• Reduce your stress and anxiety
• Create memorable moments with your child
• Engage in a structured physical activity
• Get more sleep!

Sign with your baby:
Another book/dvd set that I found out the library. Easy to do/use. It has helped my baby to, not only, learn sign but speak ahead of her developmental stage. She is 16 months, has a vocabulary of over 200 words & can speak some 3-4 word sentences!

The benefits of signing with your baby coming soon!

A Ride on Mother's Back: We love this baby wearing book!! There are also babies being worn by their fathers too!



Magazines: Motheringif ur feeling Roots Mama you'll love this mag!

REMEMBER: your local library is a great FREE resource, so go on & check some books & dvds out!!



PERFECT BABY SHOWER GIFT:
The Roots Mamas Kit!! The perfect kit to support the Roots Mama (or one to be) in your life.

Here's how to make your own:
A Sling (baby carrier)
Breastmilk Storage bags
A Nursing cover (etsy.com has good ones)
Nursing pads
Pure Shea butter (perfect 4 belly, baby & all her dry parts)
Candles
Babylegs 
Sleep mask (for those times when she'll be sleeping in the day!)
& add anything else you want (The Baby Book, relaxing bath salts, coupons for bringing the new parents food, relaxing CD, diapers etc)
Throw it all in a basket, slap on a bow & you've got the Roots Mamas Kit. And believe me that Mama will thank you!! 
Shoot me an email & I will send you Roots Mamas stickers to put in the kit: breadncake (at) gmail (dot) com


SLINGS

A sling is a must with new baby. I got mine from Slinglings.com & i luv it! They are simple, easy, inexpensive & are customized to fit you. Dr Sears says "A baby learns a lot in the arms of a busy caregiver. Carried babies fuss less and spend more time in the state of quiet alertness, the behavior state in which babies learn most about their environment. Babywearing improves the sensitivity of the parents." Go HERE to read more about the benefits of baby wearing.
DID YOU KNOW.... that sling babies are smarter? See why Drs find sling babies smarter HERE

Need a sling? Check out CarryMeAway.com. I met Laurel (Carry Me Away owner) at the Moms in Bloom Expo (also has GREAT resource directory on their website) because i was wearing my lil one in the front carry wrong. She saw me & kindly stopped to help me do it the right way! She is so nice & very helpful/knowledgeable about ALL kinds of slings. Def check her out.

(((Celeb Sling Alert))) MIA & her new baby Ikhyd! (thanks slinglady!) Check out my page w/ all CELEB's wearing their babies: HERE

DIAPERS

So ya'll know keeping our environment green is muy importante right? Well i jus found out about these "hybrid" diapers called gdiapers. They are flushable!! No laundering cloth diapers, no more disposables in the landfill, yay!! I haven't tried them yet but soon will...

(other options: cloth & disposable brands like seventh generation)

DID YOU KNOW....If you read the fine print on most diaper packages (go ahead & check yours!) it says something to this effect (who knew!): you’ll want to dump bowel movements in the toilet. Then just roll the diaper into its backsheet, using the tape or fasteners to keep it closed, and dispose of it in the trash. TRANSLATION: throw all stool from diaper into toilet please!

HERE'S WHY:

"You’re supposed to flush the fecal matter down the toilet so that it can go through the sewer system and be treated. Apparently babies and small children excrete many viruses in their feces including Hepatitis A, rotavirus, shigella, salmonellosis, amebiasis, live polio virus (from vaccines), and typhoid among others. In order to keep these viruses from contaminating underground water supplies, poop should not be dumped into a diaper pail and thrown out with the trash." -thx MamaTRUE

It's also a lot less smelly than keeping diapers in the trash & helps with potty training as your baby will get used to where the poop is supposed to go :)

The American Public Health Association made a policy statement about this in 1989.

TOYS

Melissa & Doug-non-toxic toys that won't break ur bank! lots of wooden toys (why are wooden toys so hard to find in stores?!) you can also get their stuff on amazon.com

metal rattle-wish i woulda got one. babies LUV LUV LUVmetal/shiny objects!

BODYthrifty:
Palmer's Bottom Butter (for baby) smells so good (yumma cocoa butter)! n works good too

Palmer's Nursing Butter (for mama's nipples that first month!)

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Stick (good for tummy etc) they also have some organic products...

PURE SHEA BUTTER! me lovey! make sure if you're gonna get some it doesn't have any additives (mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol etc). it's a lil pricey to get pure shea butter BUT it lasts for a LONG time. use it on feet, hands, elbows & of course tummy!

have a lil bigger budget? check out EarthMamaAngelBaby

they have every type of organic body/baby product & u can download a free birth plan there!

HAIR

Do you have a munchkin that is mixed or just has incredibly curly hair? Try Curly Q's Milkshake it works like a charm for my babes wild tresses, has natural and organic ingredients & it smells good enough to eat! Go to Curls.biz for all their products too! If you wanna order some make sure you use my referral code: REF-5O9KGQFJ (**please**) as I get points for referring people (and you can too!)

Also check this blog out for hair ideas for your curly headed cutie (especially mixed kids!):

UPDATE:Now thru 4/5/10 BeadsBraidsBeyond.blogspot.com is having a Curlformers GIVEAWAY!! Go HERE to enter

more to come...

PS feel free to also leave your recommendations!