Baby Registry: Dr. Sura's Favorites for a Non-Toxic Nursery

I am often ​asked ​by soon to be moms what products I used for my little one and which ones are the most essential and non toxic. I wanted to share ​my (mostly non-toxic) favorites. ​

Even though non-toxic products cost more, you can always buy used from mommy social media groups, facebook marketplace, ask mommy friends for hand me downs or add it to ​your ​registry as a group buy.

Since products are always changing, I wanted to share basic guidelines I use when looking for a product:

General Guidelines to protect the health of your baby:

1. Organic and Natural Fabrics: clothing, sheets, towels, mattresses. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton are best.

2. Pure personal care items. No fragrance, petroleum ingredients, pesticide preservatives, ethoxylated ingredients, etc. This includes soap, shampoo, creams, laundry detergent, dishwasher soap and cleaning materials.

3. Avoid Endocrine Disruptors: such as BPA, parabens and phthalates interfere with hormones and have harmful developmental, reproductive and neurological effects.

4. No synthetic flame retardants: If you are unsure, ask the company if their product includes flame retardants. Flame Retardants are toxic and are often used in: bedding and mattress, car seats, clothing and stuffed toys.

Bath:

Bathrobe: Natemia (organic cotton or bamboo bathrobes) https://natemia.com/collections/organic-towels

Water Filter: Cuz’n Bath Ball Water Filter (if the water in your home is not filtered, I recommend this bath ball)

Tub: PUJ (BPA & PVC free) This was great once my son was a little older around 7 months. It is non toxic so a great choice. I didn’t find a great non-toxic one for newborns so we pretty much used the PUJ but it wasn’t supportive so we had to hold the baby the entire time.

https://puj.com/products/puj-baby-bathtub

Wash Cloths: Green Sprouts

https://greensproutsbaby.com/products/muslin-washcloths-made-from-organic-cotton-4-pack?variant=29831209320508

Shampoo and body soap: Weleda

Diapers:

Diapers: Cloth are the best for the environment. I use disposable DYPER & Honest Diapers ( chlorine-free processing, no latex, fragrance, or parabens, 100% plant-based, cruelty-free and never tested on animals and recyclable).

Diaper Changing Pad: Naturepedic ( organic cotton fabric, clear food-grade waterproof coating made from non-GMO sugarcane, non-allergenic, easy-to-clean).

https://www.naturepedic.com/organic-changing-table-pads

Diaper Bag: this is really your style preference for the brand and style….

Diaper Changing Table: Pottery Barn (if you are on a budget look for holiday sales, facebook mommy groups or marketplace for buying used).

Diaper Cream: Weleda (made with calendula and chamomile, free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants or raw materials derived from mineral oils. Dermatologically tested and highly skin-friendly even for sensitive skin). https://www.weleda.com/product/d/calendula-diaper-care-cream

Diaper Wipes: Made Of (organic, non gmo, gentle baby wipes) https://madeof.com/collections/organic-baby-products

Diaper Pail: UBBI (also love the UBBI wipes holder and UBBI diaper bags for on the go)

https://ubbiworld.com/pages/diaper-pail

Food:

Bibs: Mushie

Bottles: Joovy Boob (Glass is better and also not good to heat plastic because it releases toxic hormone disruptors)

https://joovy.com/boob-baby-bottle-glass/.

We also love the silicone Comotomo bottles but I only use the glass ones for heating.

Bottle Sanitizer: Baby Brezza (love!!)

Bottle Warmer: Dr Brown’s

Breast Pump: Spectra S1 Plus https://www.spectrababyusa.com/store/s1plus-/

Burping Cloths: Green Sprouts (organic)

Formula: If you need to supplement or are unable to breastfeed, Dr Sura loves the homemade formula in the Nourishing Traditions book. It is a game changer compared to the other formulas on the market - even the European organic ones!! You can find the recipe in that book and online here:

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/

Clothes:

In general, look for organic materials and natural fabrics (such as cotton and linen) are best. Newborns get cold more easily than adults. I love putting my little one in the onesies with long sleeve​s​ and that also covered the feet. Some​ ​days we went through four outfits a day and some​ ​days only one. It depends on how often you want to do laundry when deciding how much clothing and blankets to buy. This is generally the most gifted section but you may want to invest in some essentials in high quality organic fabric. You will need swaddle blankets, onesies (short sleeve, long sleeve), pants, hats, mittens, bibs and socks. Depending on the weather, you may also need a jacket or swimwear. I love the kimono onesies from Petit Bateau because you don’t have to pull it over the head - super easy to come on and off. Also, the Petit Bateau onesies are organic and made from cotton - which I love!

Sleep:

Side Sleeper: Babybay side sleeper bassinet (untreated wood, organic sheets)

https://www.babybay.us/product/babybay-maxi-tall/?attribute_color=Untreated&gclid=CjwKCAiAnO2MBhApEiwA8q0HYU0l2rKEyDhQverRnQmyjkejgva06ldu0j_jaK_mjJvlAqkQCzzS7xoCmCYQAvD_BwE

Playpen/Bassinet: Nuna Aire Sena (Our little one LOVES his Nuna Aire Sena…he started sleeping better when we used this basinet of this for his nighttime sleep)

https://nunababy.com/usa/sena-aire-mini-play-yard?color_ref=16372

Crib & Organic Mattress: You won’t need a crib for a few months if you are co-sleeping or using a bassinet. But when you do purchase it, splurge on an organic mattress and sheets if you can or look for a hand me down. The organic mattress is the most important for baby overall. I love the COCO Crib Mat https://www.purebabyandchild.com/product-page/the-coco-mat-our-crib-mattress. Avocado and Naturepedic also have great options for a baby mattress. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on the crib. Untreated wood is best. IKEA has an affordable option (Sniglar). If you are splurging on both - I love the Pottery Barn cribs for the quality.

Travel:

Baby Wearing: Solly: https://nunababy.com/usa/sena-aire-mini-play-yard?color_ref=16372 (great for newborns) or Baby K’tan Organic: https://www.maisonette.com/product/baby-carrier-organic. (the Baby K’tan offers more support for the baby as he or she grows)

Baby Carrier: Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier for Newborn to Toddler with Lumbar Support & Cool Air Mesh

Car Seat: Britax Endeavors in Otto (no flame retardants)

Stroller: Love City Mini Jogger !

Playpen & Bassinet travel: Sena Aire (love!)

MISC:

Bouncer/Play Seat: BabyBjorn Cotton with toy

Baby Nail Clippers: Safety First (it has a light which I love because you cut your babies nails while they sleep)

https://www.safety1st.com/sleepy-baby-nail-clippers-49009-s1-us-en.html

Gripe Water: ChildLife Organic Gripe Water

Play Mat: Lovevery has a great one! We love the play kits as well for developmental play.

Music: “Be Held: Lullabies For The Beloved” By Christy Nockels, “The Happy Song” by Imogen Heap

Rug: Ruggable (washable and also thick padding option great for crawling)

Spoons: Mushie

Teething: Camilia Liquid Doses, Smily Mia Penguin, Hakaaa 360 Teething Toothbrush

Tummy Time: Splashin Kids Tummy Time Mat

Other things not usually thought of for baby registry but very important for overall Mom’s healing and recovery:

1. Chiropractic Care: Prenatal & Postpartum

2. Postpartum Doula

3. Acupuncture

4. Massage

5. Delivery Food Gift Certificates

Would love to hear from…If you are a new momma, what products did you love most?

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Jersey City Pregnancy Chiropractor, Dr Sura is passionate about supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum and helping babies ease into this world with gentle and holistic chiropractic care.

Beyond Beauty Podcast: Healing your Inner Goddess with Dr Sura →

I had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest on Bridget Burrick Brown’s podcast “The Beyond Beauty Project”. Bridgett is a model, wife an mother dedicated to the uplifting women through all things regarding true beauty, womanhood and more. In this episode, we discuss healing from the inside-out, feminine embodiment, goddess practices, syncing your cycle with the moon and the rise of the Divine Feminine.

Fertility & Chiropractic

As a holistic doctor, every day in practice I have the opportunity to support families dealing with fertility challenges. Some are unable to get pregnancy and some struggle with repeated miscarriages and heartache. Supporting a family during this time is multi-faceted as we must look at the causes and make changes to help the couple better prepare for fertility, pregnancy and parenthood.

According to the CDC, about 6% of married women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 12% of women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

What Causes Infertility?

1. Well-documented causes of infertility include:

ovulatory problems such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

sperm disorders

endometriosis, adhesions or tubal disease

abnormal cervical mucus

uterine abnormalities (fibroids)

unexplained sub-fertility; including STD’s (gonorrhoea, chlamydia), scar tissue from previous mumps or appendicitis, cancer drug therapy, congenital issues, lifestyle and oxidative stress

infrequency of sex

2. Choosing to have our children later

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh determined that by the time women are 30 years old, only 10-12% of their non-growing follicles (NGFs) remain and by the age of 40 years only 3% of the NGFs remain. What this means is there are only a small number of follicles remaining that are healthy and viable for conception.

3. Lifestyle factors that may influence the level of insulin in the bloodstream (decreasing the production of sex hormones binding globulin- leading to higher amounts of circulating free testosterone) creating challenges with fertility.

Stress, Alcohol, Environmental Hormone Disruptors - impact insulin levels

Diet

The good news here is that the more couples learn about these factors in some cases they may improve their chances of conceiving naturally by being proactive and making changes to their lifestyle.

The opportunity with fertility challenges is for the couple to come together and create an active plan to address the health on all levels. Many couples are already extremely healthy and conscious in a “clean” and holistic lifestyle. Even so, because fertility challenges are so diverse and complex, the couple has an opportunity to commit even more fully to their emotional, mental and physical health and seek providers that may help them.

Chiropractic helps support fertility by helping the body heal:

1) Stress: Chiropractic addresses stress in nervous system that may be causing a person’s body to be in a state of fight, flight or freeze with an inability to relax. By helping the body harmonize the person is better able to adapt to stress and move into a state of ease and relaxation (activating the parasympathetic nervous system) and supporting fertility and pregnancy.

2) Brain and Body Communication: misalignments in the body can alter the function of nerves and their ability to communicate with organs and systems in the body clearly. Chiropractic addresses these disconnects (subluxations) through gentle adjustments that help nerves heal and function properly; supporting healthy communication with the reproductive system and the rest of the body.

3. Mind, Body & Spirit Connection: As the body heals and aligns naturally, a person may experience greater feelings of wholeness and positive emotions helping prepare the woman for fertility, pregnancy and motherhood.

Jersey City Family: What sugars are best for the family?

It is so obvious the effects of sugar with children. You can immediately see the difference in how they act once they have the sugar high and then ultimately the sugar crash. Eating artificial and refined sweeteners wrecks havoc on the body leading to candida overgrowth in the gut, weight gain, depression, sugar addiction, decreased immunity, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.

So leads us to the big question: how do I sweeten treats for my family without the using artificial and processed sugars? Simple - using natural sweeteners that are easily for the body to use and can even contribute to the overall health of the body.

** Best sources of sweeteners for you and your family:

1. coconut palm sugar

2. date sugar

3. dried fruit

4. fruit - organic

5. honey - raw (local is favored)

6. monk fruit

Natural sweeteners are easier for your body to digest and provide nutrients, vitamins and/or minerals your body can use for good.

Artificial Sweeteners (artificial chemicals - not good for the body):

• acesulfame potassium

• asparatame

• neotame

• saccharin

• sucralose

Processed Sweeteners:

• barley malt

• brown sugar

• cane sugar

• carob sugar

• corn syrup

• dextrose

• erythritol

• evaporated cane juice

• fructose

• glucose

• high fructose corn syrup

• juice concentrate

• maititol

• malt syrup

• maltodextrin

• refiner’s syrup

• rice syrup

• sorbitol

• sorghum

• sucrose

• sugar

The general rule is best to avoid any processed sugar especially made from GMO, corn or cane. To learn more about how best to support the overall health and wellness for your family, email us sura@naluchiro.com to schedule a consultation today.

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Dr Sura, Jersey City Chiropractor, is passionate about helping children, women and families discover their natural ability to heal and be healthy. She is in private practice at NALU Chiropractic specializing in women’s health and wellbeing (fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood). In addition, she loves helping support the growth and development of babies and kids through gentle pediatric care. For more info, visit us www.naluchiro.com.

Holistic Remedies for Morning Sickness during Pregnancy

Although there is no definitive answer as to why some women get nauseous during pregnancy, we do know that the body is intelligent and the feelings of feeling nauseous are part of the body’s self regulating mechanisms to the the hormonal and physical changes occurring in a woman’s body. I often encourage women experiencing these symptoms to use it as an opportunity to slow down more and pay more attention to your needs. In addition, here are some holistic, natural remedies that may help you…

1. Eat small amounts of food throughout the day.

This means a small portion of food everyone couple of hours. Consistent, light snacking will prevent blood sugar levels from plummeting (helping to prevent nausea). Try eating lightly when you feel nauseous and see if that helps alleviate symptoms.

2. Get more sleep and rest.

Having naps where possible, or going to bed early — ensuring that you get extra-sleep — can make the world of difference to how you feel.

3. Get adjusted by your chiropractor.

This enables your body to be as healthy as it can be during pregnancy. Adjustments allow your body’s nervous system i.e. your body’s computer to carefully balance your physical and hormonal needs at this crucial time.

4. Ginger

Try some fresh ginger tea – it’s a life-saver. Buy some ginger, cut a few slices, add hot water and a little honey.

5. Add more vitamin B6 in your diet.

Try increasing your vitamin B6 intake throughout your day. Vitamin B6 can be found in:

• sweet potato

• bananas

• currants

• dried apricots

• prunes

• sunflower seeds and walnuts

• soya beans

• chicken

• turkey

• wholegrains

• brewer’s yeast

In both my personal and clinical experience I have found that nutritional guidance from a qualified holistic nutritionist or naturopath should play an integral role in pregnancy. Seeing these specialists, at least once early in your pregnancy (perferrably prior to conception), will help clarify if you have any nutritional deficiencies which may impact your capacity for optimal health during pre and post-birth.

7. Self-care: honor your needs.

Choosing to acknowledge and honor your physical needs during pregnancy is where the true fundamentals of self-care begin.  

If you would like to schedule a prenatal consultation, please call us 646-535-0710 or email sura@naluchiro.com.

Source: “Well Adjusted Babies” By Dr. Jennifer Barham-Floreani DC

Best Chiropractor in Jersey City

Specializing in Women’s Health & Wellbeing, Fertility Wellness, Pediatric Care, Pregnancy and Postpartum.

Holistic Women's Health

I remember the first time I learned that the body could heal itself naturally. I was ten years old and I had a headache that wouldn’t go away. I had already taken several doses of over the counter pain killers. I went to my father and told him my headache wouldn’t go away even though I had taken medicine several times. He was a doctor and although he was trained with a medical approach (outside-in) he also deeply understood the importance of natural healing. He told me to sit down and he placed his hands on the area between my neck and shoulders. He pressed down really hard and in small movements helped me release the tightness and tension in my body. After about a minute or two he stopped and my headache was gone.

My next memory was when I was in my tenth grade biology class. My teacher was a scientist from the Caribbean. She said, “I don’t understand you, Americans. The body naturally heals itself and you purposely stop the process. A runny nose, cough and sneeze are all ways the body naturally gets the sickness out of the body. The fever burns away the infection. But Americans instead of allowing the body to get the sickness out of the body, you take medicine to stop the runny nose, sneezing, coughing and fever. It doesn’t make sense.” I remember so clearly when she said that it made perfect sense to me. Something inside of me knew that she was speaking truth.

It wasn’t until 10 years later that I discovered Chiropractic and the benefits of healing from the inside-out. At first, I just wanted my pain to go away. What it took me some time to deeply understand is that my pain had a purpose; a reason for being, and it was up to me to make the changes to better support my emotional, mental and physical health. Chiropractic gave me the opportunity to get connected and clear enough on the inside to make these changes.

Chiropractic was the doorway I was in search of for years not knowing the peace, healing and goodness was inside of me all along. I love sharing this message with people on their first visit because I see something light up inside of them - knowing it is true. It is empowering. It tells you that YOU have everything you need inside of you. YOU are the expert, the doctor and the healer.

Some people don’t want this responsibility. They would rather give up their power to someone or something else. Some people rather blame something or someone else outside of them. Some people are afraid of change. Some people are afraid of their power. Some people don’t believe that they could be that wise, pure and good. Other people have had enough and want to deeply and truly heal and awaken to their authentic being-ness. These are the people that are ripe to experience the benefits of holistic chiropractic care. To be honest, I have been all these people. But it wasn’t until I took responsibility and deeply wanted to heal that I unlocked the door to my own healing potential and happiness.

Dr. Sura is a Chiropractor specializing in Holistic Women’s Health and Wellbeing. She is passionate about supporting women in connecting to their own healing power and awakening to greater joy, happiness and peace in their body and life. Dr. Sura is in private practice in New York City and Jersey City. To learn more, please visit us at www.naluchiro.com

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

What to do when you have a cold and flu? My family and I make sure to get adjusted a lot and we love elderberry syrup. Elderberries naturally contain vitamins A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. Several recent studies are also showing the immune-boosting power of elderberries; sometimes even lessening cold and flu duration in half, and in many cases eliminating symptoms within 48 hours. The recipe that we love the most is below:

Elderberry Syrup is a favorite natural immune boost

Ingredients

• 3½ cups water

• 2/3 cup dried organic black elderberries (1/3 cups fresh or frozen)

• 2 tablespoon grated oragnic ginger

• 1 teaspoon organic sweet cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 cup raw, local honey (For children under 2 years of age, it is recommended that honey is replaced with organic maple syrup or agave. No honey for children under 2 years of age.)

Instructions:

Pour the cold water into pot and add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer for about 45 mins.

Remove from heat, cover and have it to sit for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.

Once cool enough to be handled, mash the berries carefully.

Pour through a strainer (a cheesecloth or undyed cotton muslin bag). Be careful as the liquid may be hot still.

Discard the elderberries/herbs (you may want to compost) and let the liquid cool to room temperature.

When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.

When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a sterilized glass/mason jar.

Store in the fridge.

Instant Pot:

9 minutes on high pressure. Add all ingredients except the honey to the instant Pot. Then strain and cool to room temperature. Add the honey and store in sterilized glass jar.

My family gets chiropractic care regularly and takes about teaspoon or two of this syrup daily or every few hours when our immunity needs extra support (depending on what we are going through). As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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