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Magical Time Despite Baby Blues? Why the Postpartum Period Is So Important!
Congratulations on your little miracle! Now a time has begun that is just as important as pregnancy itself: the postpartum period. And so you can really enjoy this time, we've already compiled the most important information for you today. Read here what "baby blues" is, why the postpartum period is so incredibly important for you and your baby, and where you can get great support for your postpartum period: Why Postpartum Period? Your body has just accomplished something wonderful - the birth of a new life. Now it needs time to recover. So many things happen in the postpartum period that you might not notice at first: Your uterus, for example, has to shrink back to its original size and that takes several weeks. That's why you can feel how your belly slowly changes again. By the way, your belly is also happy about a gentle massage during the postpartum period, which also stimulates lochia. Your midwife will surely be happy to show you how to do it best. Give Your Body Time to Heal! Your body is also healing from the possible wounds that occurred during birth. Whether you had a vaginal or cesarean delivery, your birth canal needs time to heal. Rest and care are essential here to avoid infections and restore your body. Emotional Rollercoaster Besides, your hormone balance is going crazy. Estrogen levels plummet after birth and that can affect your mood – that's also called "baby blues". This usually occurs about three to five days after delivery. Not all women experience it, but if you do, you might feel that everything is very overwhelming and new right now. Let the tears flow and if you want to, talk to your partner or your midwife about your feelings. At the same time, prolactin rises to boost milk production and support breastfeeding (if you want to breastfeed). Lifelong Bond But you know what? The postpartum period is much more than just physical recovery. It's a time when you and your baby can build a strong bond. It gives you the chance to get to know each other and establish a close connection that plays a huge role in life ahead. So, take time for you and your baby. Let others take care of you, allow yourself to rest and enjoy this time to recover. It's not a waste of time, but an investment in your own health and your child's. You've accomplished something great, give yourself this time now – you deserve it! Of Course You Can Ask for Help! If you don't have support at home or your partner can't provide as much support as you need, contact your health insurance – you can also do this before delivery: so-called maternal care workers will take care of you and/or your household so you can focus better on your baby. Here you can find out what requirements there are for this and how you can apply for the help. We at Naïf sincerely wish you to be able to enjoy the postpartum period with all its ups and downs!
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From wood to wipe: this is how our baby wipes are made
Baby wipes, one of the most used baby products. We are not surprised, because with 7 diapers a day and 2 wipes per diaper it adds up to an average of 14,000 wipes per child! That’s why we, at Naïf, think it is so important to strive for a world without plastic wipes. Naturally, we have already taken this step with our plastic free wipes. And more brands followed! But still, there is a difference. Most plastic free brands use viscose for their baby wipes, but ours are made from lyocell. We deliberately made this choice (although it is more expensive), because the chemical process during the production of lyocell is less harmful. But now you might wonder: from what, and how are these plastic free wipes made? Say no more.No plastic but..WOOD! Yes, you read that right. Our sturdy and soft baby wipes are derived from wood. Lenzing, the producer of the VEOCEL™ branded fibers we use for our wipes, have a strict policy for the wood they use. The raw materials come from responsibly managed forests. Now you might wonder, how is it possible that a rough material like wood becomes the soft and caring wipe that you know?The process: from wood, to pulp, to fibreFirst thing first: The wood and wood chips are turned into pulp by dissolving all other components. For this, Lenzing uses a chlorine-free process, which is more environmentally friendly than traditional bleaching methods. More than 99% of the dissolvent and the water that is being used during the pulping process is also re-used again!Pulping the wood is necessary to extract the cellulose from it. Cellulose forms the principal component of the cell wall of a plant. It is the same component that is being used to make paper or cardboard. VEOCEL™ fibers, the basis of our baby wipes, is what’s left after the wood is turned into pulp and the cellulose is extracted.But you can’t clean the dirty mess with a dry wipe made out of only VEOCEL™ fibers. That’s why we add extra softening and moisturising ingredients. Our original baby wipes are made with 99% water, but we recently also added lotion wipes to our assortment. These wipes are made with aloe vera and bamboo extract and are therefore even softer for sensitive skin. Here you can read more about the difference between water and lotion wipes.Used the wipe, and now what?Cleaned the mess and now you’re done with the wipe? Do not flush them down the toilet, but throw them into the garbage like you are used to! Although they are made out of circular* VEOCEL™ fibers, and therefore biodegradable and compostable under the right circumstances**, they can cause clogging in the toilet.*Circular means the product is made from naturally derived materials and will become part of nature again after it breaks down.**Derived from the natural material — wood, VEOCEL™ fibers are biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine conditions and compostable under industrial and home conditions, and can fully return to nature.VEOCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG
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What is the difference between a cream and an ointment?
That you need to hydrate your skin and your mini-me's skin (even with oily skin!), you hopefully already know that. Of course you use a nice cream for that. Or is an ointment better? And while we're at it... what is actually the difference between a cream and an ointment? After reading this blog you will know the answers! What is the difference between a cream and an ointment?Let's get down to basics: both a cream and an ointment contain oily substances that keep the skin moisturized. That's definitely good! However, an ointment contains proportionally more oily substances. An ointment is usually used for medical purposes, such as fighting the symptoms of a skin condition.A cream, on the other hand, is usually made on a water basis, like the rich cream from Naïf. Creams with mainly natural ingredients are suitable for sensitive (atopic) skin, but are not a medical treatment. This makes the consistency of a cream lighter. This makes a cream suitable for both dry skin and oily skin.Does ointment or cream absorb better into the skin?An ointment is made on an oil basis. Therefore, an ointment will hardly penetrate the skin, but will rather remain on the skin. This gives the active ingredients a chance to do their work optimally.Because a cream is usually made on a water basis, a cream penetrates the skin more easily than an ointment. The water in the cream makes it light and cooling, and creams can therefore also be used well to soothe mild skin irritations.Is an ointment or cream better?Whether you prefer an ointment or cream mainly depends on your own needs and wishes. Are you looking for a (medical) product that stays on the skin and leaves a greasy layer on the skin? Then you've come to the right place with ointments.If you're only looking for an ointment or cream for sensitive (atopic) skin, then a cream based on natural ingredients is often sufficient. It will also absorb faster and have a soothing effect on the skin. A nice scent on a cream can be pleasant, but is not necessary for good results. If you're looking for a cream without added perfume, take a look at our 0% perfume range!
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This is what happens to your hormones during pregnancy
It's not entirely unknown that you can suddenly become forgetful during your pregnancy. Or nauseous, dizzy, irritable. "Hormones"... we say then. But what exactly do those pregnancy hormones do? We'll explain it to you step by step. hCGThis is where it starts (hey that rhymes). This hormone is measured in the pregnancy test. After a fertilized egg implants, a signal is sent to the fallopian tubes to stop the production of new eggs. hCG maintains the production of progesterone, but also converts fat into energy. So the baby can start to grow.Pregnancy complaints you can thank this hormone for are: nausea, fatigue, tender breasts, headaches, mood swings and dizziness.Estrogen Also known as the female sex hormone. Every woman is born with it and it stimulates the development of the female body, such as your breasts, genitals, but also your menstrual cycle. During pregnancy, estrogen is responsible for: Promoting fertilization Optimizing the uterine lining, so the fetus can implant Making the body more flexible to create space for the baby Pregnancy complaints you can thank this hormone for are: mood swings, nausea, pregnancy mask (pigment), stretch marks and varicose veins (because making the body more flexible), increased appetite and low libido.ProgesteroneThis hormone is the counterpart of estrogen and keeps things in balance. A kind of yin/yang then. This hormone is also found in the contraceptive pill, which means there is more 'yin' and thus the 'yang' (in this case fertility) is suppressed. During your pregnancy it does the following: It ensures that the embryo is not rejected in the body Stimulates the development of the mucus plug, which seals your uterine wall during pregnancy to protect your baby It ensures that the baby receives nutrition through the glands from the cervix, as long as the placenta is not yet 'finished'. Pregnancy complaints you can thank this hormone for are: uh.. what was it again? Oh yes, pregnancy brain fog. Also heartburn, dizziness, fatigue and frequent urination comes from the production of progesterone.Beauty BoostSome women notice that their skin glows more during pregnancy. Also called the 'glow'. It may also be that your hair suddenly becomes fuller and shinier. Not only do the above hormones ensure that a child actually grows in your belly and gets everything it needs. It also provides an instant beauty boost. Your skin is well supplied with blood, because your body creates energy for 2 (or 3, or 4, depending on what you have in your belly). In that case, we'll gladly accept those pregnancy complaints, right?Happy hormones, happy lifeMother Nature is doing her thing nicely and we don't want to get in the way. We try to take care of ourselves as best we can and we'd like to help you with that, even during pregnancy. That's why we developed a pregnancy line with illustrations by Josselin Bijl. A Pregnancy Belly Balm, enriched with shea butter and grape seed oil and a Body Oil for delightful belly massages. Naïf Pregnancy Line, available from March on naifcare.com. By: Eliza van der Laan
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How do I wash and take care of my baby's hair?
Some babies are born with a head full of hair, while others don’t have any. It doesn’t matter if your mini has lots or little hair, taking good care of the hair and scalp is always a great idea. But where to start? We’re here to help you find the perfect routine for your little one! A newborn baby is often covered with a white layer of grease. This layer is also called vernix and protects your baby against infections during pregnancy. After birth it’s best to leave the vernix alone until it disappears on its own. For some babies it takes a couple of hours, for others this may take a few days. When the vernix has been absorbed by the skin you can start washing your baby! When and how often? Your baby’s hair does not need shampoo, the first few months water will do just fine! Feel like this isn’t enough? You can use the water of the bath, with added bath oil, to gently cleanse the scalp and hair of your baby. When your mini’s hair starts growing a bit more it might be time to start using shampoo for washing. Once a week is more than enough! Use a shampoo that’s specifically made for babies, with mild ingredients that are mild for the eyes. Even if your baby doesn’t have hair yet, you might want to switch to shampoo eventually, because it also cares for the scalp! Why baby shampoo? A special shampoo for your little one is a must. Why? Baby shampoo has a lower pH value than your own shampoo, which is what you want for the sensitive baby skin. Naïf baby shampoo also does not contain SLES, mineral oil and microplastics, is made with ingredients of natural origin. Our 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash has no perfume and is even AllergyCertified! Extra soft and mild care for your baby. Washing hair: this is how you do it! A shower or a bath: it’s up to you! With a newborn baby a bath might be easier, because you have your hands free. It’s important to just go with what works best for you and your baby! Step 1. Wet the hair carefully. Make a bowl with your hands and scoop a little bit of water over your baby’s head. Step 2. Add a little bit of shampoo to your hands and massage it into the hair and scalp. Step 3. Rinse and done! Always make sure to keep shampoo out of your little's eyes, even if you use a mild shampoo for babies. Did you know a baby only blinks twice a minute? Compared to our fifteen times a minute the chance of water or shampoo getting into their eyes is a lot bigger! So, make sure to protect the eyes while rinsing the head. Put a washcloth on the forehead to keep the water out for example. If your baby is laying in the tub you can use your hand to carefully rinse the product out of the hair. Clean and done? Time to dry off! Be careful while drying the sensitive baby skin, it’s up to five times thinner than adult skin! Instead of rubbing, you’d want to dab the skin and hair dry. What to do with cradle cap? Does your baby suffer from cradle cap? No worries, lots of kids do! This kind of eczema often starts between the sixth and eighth week after birth. It usually also disappears again before your mini turns one. You can take care of cradle cap by using baby oil and a soft brush to massage the scalp. Wash the hair afterwards following the steps above. More good care Parent of older kids or a baby with an untameable coupe? You might need a little more help. For soft hair that’s easy to comb through we've got the tip for you: hair lotion! A real multi tasker, if we say so! Hair lotion can help with knots, fluffiness and taming the wildest curls. And it smells divine! Good luck with your babies new and complete hair routine!
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Baby milestone: When will my baby roll over, crawl, tiger crawl and sit?
Oops, there goes your baby-baby. From a small human that lies, eats, cries and laughs to a child that slowly starts standing up. Off, into the wide world. But, when does your baby actually start crawling? And of course also rolling over, tiger crawling and sitting? Age & CrawlingMost babies start crawling somewhere between 7 and 10 months. But it's also possible that your little one starts earlier or later, or simply skips the whole crawling phase and goes straight from sitting to walking. No worries, every baby is unique, so every development is different too. The pre-crawling stageLet's start at the beginning, because your little one has been preparing for months! First, gross motor skills are trained. At around two months, he discovers his hands and feet. Around three months, an object can be held. And don't be surprised if your baby suddenly puts his foot in his mouth. Funny to see. During this period, place your baby often on a play mat, so there is space for development and movement and schedule tummy time. This trains the back and neck muscles. Around six months, your little one starts rolling over. Whoops, from belly to back. The other way around is still often difficult. Keep in mind that your child can now also roll over in his crib and crawl up and/or down.Pivoting is something you learnWell, not really learn, it happens naturally. Around nine months, your child can roll over completely and also rotate on his axis. This is called pivoting. From here, your baby learns to move forward and backward. Aha, the tiger crawling era has begun! During tiger crawling, the side muscles are strengthened, which is useful for crawling.There goes your baby!Is your baby (not so baby anymore) suddenly in a crawling position during tiger crawling? Then crawling is near. Sitting will also not take long. Sometimes your baby crawls before sitting and sometimes sits before crawling. It's all good.Crawling takes energyYou can stimulate crawling by, for example, placing a toy just out of reach. Oh and a surface that is rough (such as sisal carpet) is not very pleasant for little legs and knees. You have some really nice crawling suits and leggings of course. Reason to shop at the same time (sustainably though!). Crawling does take a lot of energy, so a nice warm bath before bedtime is nice. Especially with a nourishing bath oil that keeps the legs soft and supple.
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Hooray! Our new refill packs are here
Did you see yet? Our new refillpacks are here! After Naïf Wash Gel and Shampoo we now added our Bath Foam for baby and kids to the refill family. And that is not all! We want to introduce you to our first refill in the adult category: our Shampoo! Now you can use your favorite care products while being sustainable! Great for the planet and your wallet! Worry-free bathing has just become even more worry-fee. Did you know our new refill packs save up to 76% plastic? And of course there are still no microplastics and SLS added, instead we use a foaming agent with derivatives of coconut fibre. Lots of bubbles and fun, milder for the skin!Why refills are the futureAt Naïf we think re-using and refilling existing packages are the future. But why? You may ask. Well, we love to tell you. As mentioned before refilling saves plastic, For our Bath Foam this is 68%, while our Wash Gel and Shampoo refills use 76% less plastic. Why the difference? Our Bath Foam bottle does not contain a pump. Producing a refill saves 70% on CO2. Wow! Refills also save a lot of CO2 during transportation. A truck with empty Doypacks (yes, that is how our refill packs are called) replaces 20 (we cannot believe it!) trucks with bottles. And that obviously saves a lot of emissions. In short, by refilling your original container you can save a lot. And that is how we can work towards a future in which our kids can grow up worry-free.At Naïf we want to change the world of personal care. We believe that it can and has to become more sustainable. That is why we continuously work on improving our products and everything we do. Our dream? Climate neutral en plastic free products. Baby step by baby step. To make sure our products are nog only good for your baby, but also for your the babies of your babies baby.
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The saving of 4 million PET bottles
Hooray for sustainability and a cleaner world! May plastic-free is in full swing and we have excellent news! Did you know that after the launch of our plastic-free wipes in 2020, we saved more than 4 million PET bottles? Together with you! And we can be quite proud of that together! Baby wipes: you can hardly do without them during the first years of your mini's life. However, they are often full of polyester and viscose, which are really just expensive words for plastic. A pack of wipes contains almost as much plastic as 2 PET bottles. On average, a parent uses about 14,000 wipes per child, which amounts to about 280 packages of wipes and about 475 plastic bottles. WOW! These plastic baby wipes are the "perfect" example of disposable plastic. Research by the Dutch NGO Clean Rivers shows that 21% of all litter found in Dutch rivers and riverbanks consists of wet wipes. On average, 12 wipes are found per 100m², causing damage to the environment and aquatic life.But we can do better. And that's exactly why we launched the first plastic-free wipes in the Netherlands in 2020. Since then, together with their customers, they have saved more than 4 million PET bottles! The wipes are made from wood pulp. These VeocelTM fibers are sustainably produced from wood from sustainable forests. Whereby also less CO2 is emitted. Win-win in other words!And the best part? Other brands have followed suit: now 20 percent of the wipes market is plastic-free. Good news, because that's how we change the industry, one diaper at a time. But to really make a difference, we have to go one step further. Whereas most brands use viscose fibers, Naïf chooses the more expensive lyocell as its raw material. Both materials are made from wood pulp and are biodegradable, but lyocell fibers do not require a chemical process like viscose fibers. This means less (harmful) solvents and water is used and wasted. In short, choosing lyocell has less impact on the environment.
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What you need to know about your hiccupping baby
Just like you, your baby also gets hiccups sometimes. This can startle you, because you can't explain to your hiccupping baby what's happening. No worries, everything will be fine. We'll explain what hiccups are and what you can do. Hiccups in the womb Your baby can have hiccups in the womb from the second trimester onwards. You'll feel this through regular "jolts". Hiccups in the womb occur when your baby drinks amniotic fluid. When the stomach gets too full, the diaphragm contracts in a reflex. Often it lasts a while and goes away on its own. Nothing to worry about, it's not dangerous. You can also have a hiccupping baby outside the womb. Below we explain the ins and outs of hiccups in your little one. First of all: What are hiccups anyway? Just like in the womb, hiccups work the same way outside the womb. It's a sudden contraction of the diaphragm when the stomach is too full with food and/or air; the same muscle you use to breathe. The hiccupping sound occurs because the vocal cords close quickly. How do hiccups develop in your little one? Did you know that a baby gets hiccups more often than you do? Why this happens isn't entirely clear, but usually it's because your hiccupping baby eats and drinks too quickly or too much, causing them to swallow air. The stomach then presses against the diaphragm. Hiccups and Reflux Babies with reflux often get hiccups, because some of the food comes back up and irritates the diaphragm again. This often comes with spitting up and coughing. It's sad to see and the only thing you can do is stay with your child and keep them upright. This way you prevent your child from choking. A hiccupping baby, how do you prevent it? You can't completely prevent a hiccupping baby. But you can pay attention to the points below. 1. Limit the air your child swallows If you're breastfeeding, make sure your child latches on properly. With bottle feeding, make sure the hole in the nipple isn't too big. 2. Let your baby burp after feeding Wait until the burp comes out and hold them upright. This can take a while, but do it anyway. Putting your baby down while there's still air in the stomach is uncomfortable and unpleasant for your child. You can also massage your baby's back with your hand, which relaxes your little one and makes the burp come out more easily. 3. Take breaks during feeding Some babies are wonderfully greedy. This can cause air to come in while drinking. So during feeding, take the breast or bottle out of your baby's mouth for a moment and let your baby sit upright. Maybe a small (or big!) burp will come out. 4. A calm baby = calm feeding Do you see that your baby is hungry, or is it feeding time? Let's feed and don't stall too long. When your baby is restless or extremely hungry, the chance of them swallowing more air is greater. 5. Wait before bathing your baby Wait with bathing your baby after feeding. The food needs to settle first. So bathe your little one before feeding or half an hour after. Can you stop the hiccups? While we adults have learned that scaring, patting on the back, and holding your breath sometimes works, we absolutely don't recommend this for a baby. Besides this being somewhat strange, it's not proven that it works at all. Just hold your little one close and wait until the hiccups pass. Do you notice that it happens really frequently, and does it affect your baby's eating and sleeping rhythm? Then contact your doctor.
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