Archive for July, 2013

Acne During Pregnancy

Do you feel radiant? Do you feel like you have that “pregnancy glow?” Your body is doing some hard work and going through a dramatic physical transformation, so you might be less inclined to notice your own radiance and more likely to notice the imperfections – for pregnant women, that often includes acne. Many women suffer from pregnancy-driven acne, with many women suffering from very painful, bad acne during their pregnancy.

Causes of acne during pregnancy

You produce extra oil during pregnancy and, just like during your teenage years, you’re stuck with the evidence on your skin. As you’ve heard many times, pregnancy causes over-production of hormones, specifically the androgen family of hormones. Androgens are often thought of as “male” hormones, because one of the principal androgens is testosterone. But androgens serve duty in women’s body – one of them being to synthesize into estrogens.

The increase in androgens during pregnancy activates the skin’s sebaceous glands that produce oil (sebum). The rapid production of oil blocks pores, which traps bacteria and causes us to breakout. Because these glands are most concentrated in our face and scalp, when acne happens, it gets center stage for all the world to see.

How to manage your acne naturally

We know from our community that many of you are wondering what to use for acne during pregnancy. There are a number of drug treatments for acne during pregnancy, but the chemicals in these medications, like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoid, are contraindicated during pregnancy. Instead, consider some natural and chemical-free ways to take care of your acne-prone skin during your nine months.

Top tips for managing acne naturally during pregnancy

  1. Exercise! Sweat detoxifies the skin, it’s as simple as that.
  2. Add turmeric to your diet. Turmeric has been used for centuries in Eastern and Asian countries to treat acne.You can also use it directly on the skin! Try a DIY mask! This spice has properties that help destroy acne-causing bacteria and minimize excess oil in the skin. This reason is probably due to one of turmeric’s active compounds, curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities.
  3. Wash your face twice daily. Remember to scrub gently and to pat dry. Rubbing your skin when drying may irritate the skin and your acne, making the acne problem worse.
  4. Use natural skincare products and makeup. In addition to avoiding exposure to toxins like these during pregnancy, changing your skincare and makeup to natural products can also benefit the quality of your skin! Chemicals like dimethicone and fragrance can clog your pores or cause irritation. Some of our favorite natural beauty lines are Revolution Organics, RMS and Tata Harper.
  5. Change your pillowcase often. Your face and your pillowcase spend a lot of time together, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Sweaty or oily skin against the fabric of the pillowcase still will build up to irritate existing acne – so keep your pillowcases clean.
  6. Don’t touch or pick at your face. Everybody knows this but not everybody actually practices this, or realize that they do it. If you’re touching and picking at your face, the oil and dirt from your fingers can make acne worse.
  7. Minimize your dairy and sugar intake. Both stimulate androgens and are linked to acne – for both teens and pregnant women. But it’s important that pregnant women stay balanced in their nutrition; to keep calcium intake up, go to foods like kale, spinach, beans, tofu, salmon and tahini.

Dealing with acne can be hard, but don’t worry, the issues won’t last forever – and you’re in the good company of other pregnant women. “Hands down, acne is the number one problem to hit women during pregnancy—but there are also a variety of bumps and rashes and discolorations that occur as well, most of them due to hormone activity,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Celebity Mama-to-be: Jennifer Love Hewitt

The 34-year-old actress is expecting her first child with her former co-star of The Client List, Colin Egglesfield. She’s keeping a cool mindset and a positive outlook on motherhood, saying she’s going to take on a “zen” approach to parenting her child.

The expecting mom told Us Weekly, “I think most people, when they’re getting ready to be a mom, they go, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to have all of the answers right now,’ but every kid is different, every parent is different and every child and parent relationship is different, so you just sort of have to wait until you’re in it and do the best that you can to try to be Zen in the middle of it all.”

Jennifer Love Hewitt has also been keeping herself healthy and fit during her pregnancy by working with a trainer with regime that includes Pilates and yoga. She says that exercise is the secret to her stress-free pregnancy and that the cardio and weight training are “so my arms are strong to hold the baby”.

Maternity Guide to Special Occasions

Formal Wear

It’s summertime and we’re smack in the middle of prime wedding and party season. You might find yourself with a couple of special occasion invites around the corner, but with a growing a belly, nothing in your closet to wear.

Finding the perfect gown is a challenge no matter what, but even more so if you’re expecting. We see what’s on the market! We looked around at pregnancy fashion, and the typical “pregnant dress” doesn’t quite cut it.

Finding the right dress with a bun in the oven shouldn’t be a chore. With our tips below dress shopping should be a breeze.

  • Dress for comfort. If you’re dressing up for a special occasion, you’re also surely looking forward to enjoying your time. But it’s hard to have a good time if you’re uncomfortable in your dress all night. Avoid this by planning ahead! You know your belly’s going to grow, so look for dresses that you’ll be able to wear as you move further along in pregnancy.
  • Flaunt it, don’t hide it. Too often pregnant women try to hide their burgeoning bumps in a baggy outfit. This is a great idea for women who want to look like tents. It’s a bad idea for women who want to show off their new and temporary curves!. Your pregnancy is something to be celebrated! To flaunt your belly and stay comfortable, look for dresses that are supportive and snug in the bodice (snug, not tight!) and a loose skirt that’s free around the hips and stomach, like the Serena dress by Madderson London.
  • Keep in mind the length. This applies to your dress as well as your shoes. During the later stages of pregnancy, the body releases a chemical that relaxes and loosens the joints to prepare for labor. In turn, the risk of rolling an ankle runs higher than when you’re not pregnant. So now is not the time to break out the sky-high heels!. Make sure the dress you’ll be wearing has an appropriate hemline—not short enough to show your feet, not long enough to pool around your feet and cause you to trip! If you still want a bit of height, try for wedges, which offer more support for the foot than the traditional heel. Check out Kate Spade’s Kiki Wedge and our blogpost on pregnancy footwear.
  • And materials. It’s the middle of summer. If you’re headed to an outdoor event, it’s going to be hot. Stay away from synthetic non-breathable fabrics. Head to the dress aisle and turn your attention to lighter materials. You can pull off both casual and formal with lighter, cotton materials (Jennifer Lawrence proved it at the 2013 Oscars in her minimalistic long red tank dress ensemble). Expecting women who want the same simplicity can pull it off with Madderson London’s Saturday Dress.
  • Look for versatile pieces. Find dresses you can wear more than a couple times. A dress that you can dress up for special occasions and also dress down for everyday wear. Japanese Weekend’s Colorblock Maternity Dress is a soft, jersey-knit dress that is pretty, practical and fuss-free. Wear it out on the weekends, or dress it up with some statement jewelry for a nice formal look.
  • Consider renting versus buying. There are a few online companies that will allow you to rent dresses and save you the hassle of purchasing a dress you may never wear again. Try a dress from our friends at Borrow For Your Bump. Rent The Runway, Mine For Nine and Rent Maternity Wear are a few other options.

Video: Stop Motion Pregnancy Time Lapse

For some, pregnancy feels like it lasts forever. To help pass the time, one couple condensed a nine-month long term into an adorable 2-minute long stop motion movie. The video concludes with a cute cameo from the newest member of their family. But don’t take our word for it, see the results for yourself above.

Pregnancy Stretch Marks: What Are They and How Do We Prevent Them?

Stretch mark prevention is one of most common points of question from the Nine Naturals community … which is probably the reason our Regenerative Belly Butter is one of our most popular products! We wanted to take a moment to provide some information to our mamas and mamas-to-be – a bit of education, if you will – about the science behind stretch marks and the many ways you can take action to prevent them.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, a form of scarring, are bands or streaks on the skin that are red, pink, or purple in color. They can form where the skin is stretched. Stretching happens when you gain weight rapidly, as often happens during pregnancy. You could find stretch marks on many parts of your body, including the abdomen, hips, breasts, thighs, and lower back.

Some light science: What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are basically scars – that is, damage to the skin. During pregnancy and other periods of rapid weight gain, the body’s skin can be stretched beyond its elastic capacity. This results in damage to the lower layers of the skin; the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) expands rapidly, while the lower layer of the skin (dermis), is challenged to expand as rapidly. Consequently, the dermis “tears,” causing stretch marks.

The rapid, dramatic weight gain of pregnancy often causes stretch marks. So do your genes: stretch marks can pass from generation to generation. Approximately 80% of pregnant women experience stretch marks.

How to Prevent and Treat Stretch Marks

Being primarily a hereditary trait, stretch marks are not completely preventable. But you can take steps to minimize them.

Our top tips for preventing and treating stretch marks:

1. Moisturize daily. Not only does moisturizing prevent or mitigate the appearance of stretch marks, but it can wards off itchiness in your skin. We recommend Nine Naturals Regenerative Belly Butter as an all-natural, organic solution for healthier, more supple skin. It battles stretch marks with moisture-rich, natural and organic ingredients that nourish your skin, including vitamin E, allantoin, evening primrose oil, cupuaçu butter, grapessed oil and sodium hyaluronate.

  • Vitamin E. Clinical data shows Vitamin E to be an effective treatment against stretch marks. A 2000 trial on creams for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy saw that women using a cream rich in vitamin E (also known as alpha tocopherol) experienced fewer stretch marks than those using a placebo product.
  • Allantoin. Derived from the comfrey root, allantoin makes your skin softer and improves its ability to retain moisture. Better moisture levels make it easier for skin to stretch, reducing the likelihood of stretch marks.
  • Evening primrose oil. This natural oil is loaded with vitamin E. It also contains gamma linolenic acid, an Omega-6 fatty acid compound also noted for helping to stop stretch marks.
  • Cupuaçu butter. We use organic, cold-pressed cupuaçu butter, which is full of omega fatty acids and phythosterols that help to protect and regulate the skin’s natural balance.
  • Grapeseed oil. This natural oil fights stretch marks by boosting your skin’s collagen levels and natural elasticity.
  • Sodium hyaluronate. Found naturally in our skin’s tissue, sodium hyaluronate supports skin’s suppleness and boots its moisture levels to prevent dryness and stop itchiness — another key to stretch mark prevention.

2. Moderate your pregnancy weight gain. You will have a higher likelihood for stretch marks with rapid weight gain. Try to keep weight gain steady and moderate by staying active with pregnancy-appropriate workouts and enjoying a diet with the proper nutrition.

3. Drink enough water, and also consider an Omega Fatty Acid supplement as a skin-friendly addition to your nutrition plan.

We want you to feel good about your skin and we at Nine Naturals will do everything we can to help! But remember – stretch marks, weight gain and all, you’re beautiful!

Video: A dad captures his son’s first year in a 365-second long video

Sam Corwell from England stitched together a video documenting his son’s first year using only 1-second worth of footage per day to create the incredibly heartwarming 365-second video montage.

Watch as Corwell’s son, Indigo, goes from a newborn baby swaddled in blankets to a little boy taking his first steps. We love this unique idea of capturing a baby’s first year!

Fashion Friday - Our Guide and Top Picks for Buying Infant Clothing

Shopping for baby clothes for the first time can be extremely overwhelming for first-time parents. More often that not, you end up buying too many items that the baby doesn’t wear or that don’t fit and end up having to spend more money on clothes once the baby arrives. Earlier in the week, we spoke with Kristin Swati, the founder and owner of the Fawn Shoppe, an online children’s boutique on the topic of organic children’s clothing. Today, with Kristin’s help, we’ve put together a shopping guide for parents who are welcoming a little one soon.

NN: We know that parents or parents-to-be are thinking about their children long before they are born. What are your top tips for new parents who are shopping for clothes for their baby?

KS: 1. Indulge! There is nothing like a gorgeous layette to help one escape from the doldrums of maternity wear.

2. Shop Online for quick, convenient purchasing. It is certainly easiest to shop for baby once one knows the gender and well before the baby is born. But of course many parents keep the sex a surprise, and some cultures dictate that all shopping is done after birth. Online shopping makes it a lot easier to buy things once baby is here if parents prefer to wait.

3. Purchase basics in 3- and 6-month sizes. On sizing, we recommend buying up to size 6 months on basics with the heaviest concentration in the 3 months size initially. Smaller babies may stay in the newborn (NB) size for up to the first month but larger ones may wear size 3 months from birth. Though it’s hard to know, family size is a decent predictor. When unsure, size 3 months is a good bet for the bulk of your layette. Oh..and to be clear, size 3 months may also be quoted as size 0-3 months by some designers.

4. Pay attention to indoor temperatures. Don’t forget that baby will be inside most of the time in the beginning. Therefore, the temperature of your home is the relevant one and not the temp outside. This actually makes buying easier because certain pieces like long-sleeved onesies will be great no matter the season. Layering is also fantastic for babies on the go.

5. Watch your baby to see if he/she is comfortable. Rules like “dress your baby in one more layer than you have on” don’t apply to every baby. Far more effective is touching the baby’s hands, feet and neck to feel if he is the right temperature. Of course sweating means to remove clothing right away. Common sense.

NN: What are the must-have clothing items that expecting parents should purchase for their baby?

KS: On our list of must-haves are:

1. Gowns. Yes, boys can wear them too. Most modern ones really don’t look like actual gowns anymore but more like a onesie that doesn’t end and is open at the bottom. For the first few weeks nothing makes changing easier than a gown. Pull up; change diaper; pull down. Nine Naturals Pick: Striped gown from Giggle.

2. Onesies. Loads of them. We love kimono button style in particular for healing bellies. And sleeves with hand covers are nice. Clipping newborn nails is a little nerve wracking for most new parents. Nine Naturals Pick: Kimono-style onesies from Giggle.

3. Leggings. To go over the onesies if temperature dictates. Layering is key. Nine Naturals Pick: Leggings from babylegs.

4. Socks. Bundles are great. Dryers like baby socks more than anything else so buy a lot. Nine Naturals Pick: Sock sets from Trumpette.

5. Swaddle blankets. Even if you never quite figure out the swaddle or your baby hates it, you will use these for everything from cleanup to nursing cover to impromptu sunhat. Trust us. Nine Naturals Pick: Organic Cotton Swaddle Cloth from aden + anais.

6. Footies. Not as easy for changing as the onesies and gowns but the built in socks make them well worth the multitude of snaps. Nine Naturals Pick: Footies from Paige Lauren.

7. Weather specific needs. Depending on season, you’ll want a couple of sunhats, a snowsuit (yes, strollers sometimes have these built in…but we liked the suit for baby wearing purposes once baby hits 3 months or so), and plenty of warmer hats. Nine Naturals Picks: Organic Sunhat in Keyhole Print from Feather Baby, Cuddle Me Infant Snowsuit from Barefoot Dreams, and the Cable Hat & Booties Set from Egg Baby .

Should you buy organic clothing for children? Interview with Kristin Swati, founder of online children’s boutique, Fawn Shoppe

We sat down with Kristin Swati, founder of Fawn Shoppe - an online children’s clothing boutique. We’re huge fans of Fawn Shoppe’s beautifully curated and unique collection of children’s apparel and accessories from boutique designers. Not only does Kristin have great taste in clothing, but she is also mindful about selecting clothing that is safe for children. We wanted to learn more about her selection process for clothing and why organic clothing for children is important.

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NN: What inspired you to start Fawn Shoppe?

KS: Boutique children’s apparel is where women’s fashion was ten years ago. Smaller brands that emphasize innovation in design, materials, and prints are just beginning to gain popularity. Europe (arguably ahead of the US in terms of fashion in general and undeniably in children’s wear) boasts several comprehensive online hubs for kid’s clothing. The US is just starting to catch up. Two years ago, inspired by my daughter on the way, I knew I wanted to be a part of this.

NN: Can you tell us about the core values of your company?

KS: Customer Care. Our customers are primarily moms and lovely people giving gifts to moms. They must be treated with the utmost care. We take this very seriously.

Quality and Integrity. We hand inspect every piece we sell and regularly grill our designers regarding their manufacturing process, use of materials, and quality control.

Constant Innovation. We look to improve the market for children’s fashion every day. Stay tuned for exciting new developments in the works.

NN: How do you choose your designers?

KS: Beyond the biggest trade shows and designer showrooms, we hunt for new labels through exhaustive reading, social media perusing, and even on the street.

NN: At Nine Naturals one of our core values is eliminating unnecessary chemical exposures for pregnant women and babies. Should parents be concerned about chemicals in clothing? What precautions can they take to avoid exposures?

KS: In short, yes. We deeply lament the lack of transparency in the clothing industry in the United States. Even more disturbing is the continued use of flame retardant chemicals in children’s pajamas and bedding. We do not sell any clothing or accessories that have been treated with these chemicals. All of our pajamas are flame resistant because of their tight-fitting construction instead. Find retailers and brands that you trust and never hesitate to ask questions. We certainly don’t.

NN: Flame retardants have been associated with endocrine disruption, cancer and other serious health issues so we definitely want to avoid these in our children’s clothing. What are indicators that your child’s clothes might be contaminated with flame retardants or other chemicals?

KS: Typically, a pajama that has been chemically treated for flame resistance will be described as “flame resistant”; a garment that has not may be described with language such as “garment should fit snugly,” and “this garment is not flame resistant.”

NN: What organic children’s clothing lines do you recommend?

KS: Organic lines we love include Tane Organics, Apple Park, Goat-milk, and NOCH mini organics. Other brands offer a nice selection of organic pieces as part of their wider collection. These include Egg Baby and Feather Baby. This fall we are adding additional brands with organics including Stella McCartney, Atsuyo et Akiko, and Oeuf.

Among our current favorites:

Noch Mini Organic Bloomers, Tane Organics Pocket Romper, Goat Milk Orange Sleeveless Onesie, Feather Baby Organic Henley One Piece (see images below, L to R).

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NN: Do you have suggestions for moms who are on a budget but still want the best and safest for their baby?

KS: Organic cotton is a bit more expensive than conventional. Here are some tips for saving money on organic clothing: 1) Quality over quantity. Choose a few garments that you really love and wash them a bit more often. Our daughter is so attached to her favorite Apple Park jammies that I ended up buying two pairs, putting her in each one for two nights and repeating the cycle! 2) Look for sales and buy ahead. Pajamas aren’t really seasonal if you have an air-conditioned home. And prints aren’t overly trendy. 3) Prioritize non-treated material when organic isn’t possible. Several wonderful brands produce pajamas that are not chemically treated using conventional cotton. Hatley is one of our favorites.

NN: You are an expert in the mama and baby market. Are there any all-natural product lines you would recommend for mothers or mother-to-be?

KS: For hair and body: Nine Naturals. Period. Loved it all through pregnancy. Love it now for nursing and beyond.

For deodorant: Soapwalla (soapwallakitchen.com). The only natural deodorant that actually works.

For makeup: RMS beauty and Revolution lip gloss.

For scent: Skip it. And use Nine Naturals Vanilla + Geranium belly butter.

For sunscreen: Badger.

For face lotion: Argan, neroli, or coconut oil. Even in summer. Coconut is the cheapest and works well (smells amazing). And coconut oil is the absolute best for baby lotion and diaper cream. 22 months and not a rash in sight at our house.

First-time customers enjoy 20% off at Fawn Shoppe when they subscribe to their mailing list!

Celebrity Mama-to-Be featuring Halle Berry

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Congratulations to Halle Berry and beau Oliver Martinez! The couple were married over the weekend. They held a quaint ceremony in a village church in France’s Burgundy region.

Already a mother to a five-year old daughter, the pregnant actress, Halle Berry, who was recently interviewed back in April by CNN, describes her pregnancy as the “biggest surprise of my life”. She noted, ““I thought I was kind of past the point where this could be a reality for me”. However, Halle Berry also noted that she “feels fantastic!”

In the interview, she went on to explain how her pregnancy made her think more about the pre-natal healthy of her baby. “Especially now, being a pregnant woman and already having a child … it’s so important what happens to the baby while they’re in utero. And the first 1,000 days is fundamental,” said Berry. She revealed her pregnancy has inspired her to act on behalf of hungry children and pregnant women who struggle with maintaining proper nutrition during pregnancy, teaming up with the Word Food Programme in the fight against hunger.

We’d like to commend Halle Berry for being an inspiration for mothers who believe that a healthy life starts in the womb.

Is it safe to use hair dye when you’re pregnant?

Think twice before heading to the salon to get that touch-up on your roots!

The question of coloring your hair when pregnant has been a debate among mothers and medical experts for years. Some doctors believe you only need to be cautious during the first trimester. However, a 2005 study linked women who dyed their hair during pregnancy with babies who had an elevated risk of cancer. Hair dyes contain questionable chemicals that can be absorbed into the skin or inhaled, including coal tar, ammonia and p-phenylenediamine (PPD).

We at Nine Naturals recommend abstaining from coloring treatments during pregnancy and while nursing. In keeping with the principles with which we formulate our shampoos, conditioners, body washes and belly butters, we believe your body and your baby deserve the all-natural, good stuff.

If you want to color your hair during pregnancy though, consider these options:

1. Highlights: The harmful chemicals in hair coloring enter your system through your skin and not the hair shaft. You’ll be minimizing the chemicals that come into contact with your scalp by opting for highlighting, streaking, or frosting, which does not entail dye touching your scalp, instead of a full-process hair dye.

2. Vegetable-based Dyes: These are a good – and generally natural – alternative to synthetic dyes that are harsh for your scalp and potentially unsafe for use when pregnant. Be warned though – some hair dyes claim they are vegetable-based but actually only have one or two ingredients derived from natural sources so make sure to read the ingredients carefully. Another drawback is that vegetable-based dye tends to fade faster.

3. Henna: Henna has been used for thousands of years in India to color hair and decorate the skin. It’s derived from the henna plant and is safe for use when pregnant and actually extremely healthy for the hair. The downsides are that henna takes several hours to apply, can be messy and comes in a more limited color spectrum.

If you’re going to a salon, choose a salon that is well-ventilated and uses natural products, like our favorite salon Hale Organic Salon in NYC. Book your appointment early in the day when the air is more clear. If you are doing treatments at home, wear gloves, work in a well-ventilated area, and refrain from leaving the dye in for more than the recommended amount of time.

And, PS: If you lay off the dye for a few months, we’re pretty sure your hair will thank you for the break!

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