Hey Laura, What...?

In a word: YES.

In several more words: Why not? It probably can’t hurt, and it might really help you!

I am a huge, huge proponent of postpartum placentophagy, based on my own experience with it after my second birth.

The proposed benefits of placentophagy that are most often listed are:
- accelerated milk production
- faster healing
- reduced hormonal mood swings
- increased energy
- reduced postpartum bleeding
- preventative for baby blues and PPD

This is going to be a link-free post, because there’s no substantial scientific research on human placentophagy. However, the anecdotal evidence is overwhelmingly positive. Yes, you’ll find sensationalized anti-placenta articles here and...

I just ran across this article in Pediatrics magazine, further establishing the link between the use of acetaminophen and the asthma epidemic in the US.

If you or your kids are at risk (ie: have a family history of, or other significant contributing factors - like food allergies) for asthma, you would do well to find another fever and pain reducer.

In my house, we use the homeopathic remedy by HomeoLab called Kids Relief Pain and Fever Oral Solution. It doesn’t work for every single type of ache or pain (homeopathic remedies are very specific that way), but more often than not, it is just as effective as an OTC drug.

Read the full article of The Association of Acetaminophen and Asthma...

Magnolia writes:

I waited to vaccinate my son until he was two and then broke up the ones I could, in order to catch him up. However, my new son is only three months and we are going to Europe when he is eight months on April 30. In order for him to be caught up before we go, I would have to give his 2 months at 4, 4 months at 6 and his 6 months at 8, and I would not be able to break them up. He is very strong and no heath problems but I still am wary of any shots so young. I am so overwhelmed with all the info out there. I would love some good advise and reputable sites that I can build a educated plan from.

Good for you for wanting to make an educated decision. I fear too many...

Leila writes:

What do you recommend doing about Cold sores?

Any recommendations on how to prevent them? Or what works the best to heal them? I usually get them when I’m super stressed and tired. Thus my immune system is down and the virus has a chance to come up and show symptoms on my lip/mouth area.

Thanks!

If you want to do some major reading, here is an extensive article on natural remedies for cold sores like managing your Lysine/Arginine ratios (helpful food chart included), using Zinc or Lemon Balm, and improving your diet to increase immunity.

Someone has already done most of the work for me with this entry on Health911.com. It reviews the typical causes of cold sore...

Carissa writes:

Can you tell me about amber necklaces and the benefits of babies/toddlers wearing them? A quick Google search told me they are to help relieve pain from teething. . .is there anything else? I noticed your girls wear them; what has been your experience with them?

Amber has been used for centuries for its topical analgesic effects. The succinic acid in amber is said to reduce inflammation. Of course, as with many ancient natural remedies, amber has been vaunted as a veritable cure-all with not a whole lot of solid scientific backing to prove it. It does have a very interesting cultural history, which you can read about here.

In my research, I kept coming across the mention...

Becky S writes:

Hey Laura,
I am currently undergoing treatment for all kinds of ailments using acupuncture. I am specifically interested in knowing about the terms that were used to describe me (hot and wet). What other terms might I hear during acupuncture?

I am being treated for pain, infertility, irritation (emotional), and digestive track issues. I have had 4 treatments in 4 weeks. I have had noticeable pain reduction (severe inflammation in my sacrum ) and almost no digestive problems (my doc wanted me to have a scope to check for Crones, but I haven’t had any flare ups in a long time). As for the infertility, my cycle is progressing quite well with noticeable improvement in cervical...

Anonymous writes:

I read somewhere that there’s no medical/health reason for a woman to have a period every month.  Even one of the nurses at my gyno’s office mentioned that she just takes her birth control pills continuously so as not to have one.  I can’t put my finger on why, but this seems strange and wrong to me.  However, I have nothing to back my opinion except that that’s how women were designed and it’s best not mess with Design (and maybe that should be reason enough).  I have never taken my pills continuously, though it’s extremely tempting as my period wrecks havoc on my whole body.  Every month I get sick to my stomach, lose my appetite, and energy, and get cramps...

Ashley writes:

Laura! Help! My headaches are ruling my life and I’m willing to try anything to find some long-term relief! I feel like I’ve heard it all (as a young child some doctor put me on antidepressants, eek!) and simply cannot be told one more time that I just need to “stress less” or pop a pill. Please help me find my way out of nearly 20 years of debilitating headaches.

Food
Okay, so I’m assuming that you know all about potential food triggers for migraines, right? If you aren’t already, you need to be keeping a migraine diary. Trying to eliminate all the possible food triggers is nearly impossible, but scrupulously writing down what you eat for a week and tracking your migraine...

Emily writes:

My mum has arthritis in her thumbs and it gives her a lot of pain. I want to look for something to help her but I dont really know where to start. Do you know of any herbal (or just generally non toxic) remedies that I can suggest to her to relieve it.

Luckily, there are a lot of effective and natural ways to combat the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis!

Diet and nutrition
Probably the most important thing your mom can do is to change her diet. Avoiding inflammatory foods can really help…you guessed it: reduce inflammation! Dairy, sugary, salty, and fatty foods, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, etc.), alcohol and caffeine all contribute to inflammation....

Harmony writes:

Dear Laura, my 2-week old daughter is projectile vomiting and is awake for about four hours a night in pain, what do I do?

This is very familiar territory for me, as a mom of two babies with food intolerances. Can I just say right off that I don’t buy the “Happy Spitter” theory? That if your baby vomits all the time but is gaining weight that it’s “A laundry issue, not a medical issue”?

If your baby’s body is rejecting sustenance, there is likely something wrong and long-term GI damage is most likely occurring.

Take action now and avoid prolonged health issues. Gut health is vitally important for immunity; many cases of allergies and asthma are rooted in poor gut health...continue reading

This question has been at the forefront of quite a few conversations I’ve been having with people over the past couple weeks, so I thought I’d write up a Gluten Free Beginner’s Guide, Laura-style.

*****  Here’s my standard disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. Nothing I say here should be used to self-diagnose. If you suspect you have a gluten allergy you need to talk to your doctor. You should also embark on dietary modification adventures with care; talk to a certified nutritionist for help!  *****

I have the privilege of experience with gluten (and much, much more!) elimination diets because I seem to give birth to babies with Multiple Food Protein Intolerances. That means that my breastmilk...

Ashley writes:

What do you do when when you or a family member are starting to feel sick? I know there are foods that can boost immunity and ways to help our bodies heal themselves. Please share your best tips and concoctions!

As you may well imagine, I am a huge advocate of equipping the body to fight its own battles. The symptoms that most over-the-counter cold and flu medications “fight” are the very tools your body is using to rid yourself of the disease! Fevers, sinus drainage, and even feeling icky all have an important role to play in your recovery. The less you try to suppress them, (for the most part) the better.

Here’s what we are doing right now at my house to make sure the...

A new mom writes:

Hey Laura, what are some natural allergy remedies that are safe for a breastfeeding mama? I usually have a ton of drugs to take for seasonal allergies and I want away from them in general, but really because I am breastfeeding too. :)

Being pregnant or nursing and sick is horrible! Not only is the toll on your body so much greater, there seems to be very little you can do to get relief without putting your baby in jeopardy!

Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that should help you get through hayfever season in relative comfort.

First of all, if you don’t already know this, Kellymom.com is your go-to website for all breastfeeding questions. It is an excellent...

“D” writes:

Hey Laura,
My mom had hip replacement surgery and keeps getting an infection. She’s got an oozing infection on her leg and a UTI from the last round of antibiotics. I know you’re really into what else can be done in addition to antibiotics, and I thought I’d try to get some ideas from you—something my dad can make up for her, etc.

*** Disclaimer: Guess what! I’m not a doctor! Trust your instincts and the other qualified experts in your life. ***

Oh, what a bummer! My initial thought is that her immune system must be totally shot - the multiple rounds of antibiotics will do that. I’m a big advocate of probiotics; they can help replenish the good bacteria that the antibiotics...