The Conscious Living Blog

Written by Heather Hamilton

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baby, baby bath tea, bath, Breathe Balm, cold, cough, Cream, Dr. Shannon's Organic Skin Balm, Eczema, Everything Balm, family, family friendly, For Baby + Child, For Family, green, Green Living, heal, health, healthy, kids, lifestyle, living, Natural, nontoxic, organic, Organic Skincare, Organic Skincare Products, sick, Zoe Organics

A Kid's Guide: Fall Skincare

Oct 07, 2022

Written by Heather Hamilton

School is back in session along with our favorite Fall activities. Viruses, chapped lips, dry skin and eczema flare-ups are some of the issues that also come with the season. Some of the ways we can counter this season is with warmth, moisture, exfoliation, and slower, more deliberate routines. We can focus on seasonal nourishing foods and getting more sleep and rest. In our Kids’ Edition of Transitioning to Fall Skincare, we are sharing our skincare and wellness tips for the kiddos and recommending effective products. Continue reading

Written by Heather Hamilton

Filed under

active lifestyle, after sun care, Baby Products, beauty, children, conscious living, Dr. Shannon, Dr. Shannon's Organic Skin Balm, Eczema, family, family friendly, For Baby + Child, For Family, for mama, For Pregnancy, green, green beauty, Green Living, health, healthy, kids, lifestyle, living, mama, mamas, mother, nontoxic, organic, Organic Skincare, Organic Skincare Products, postpartum, pregnancy, prenatal, self-care, skincare, summer essential, summer skincare, sunburn soother, women, Zoe Organics, zoe organics lifestyle

51 Uses for Dr. Shannon's Organic Skin Balm

Jun 06, 2019

Written by Heather Hamilton

51 Uses for Dr. Shannon's Organic Skin Balm

Dr. Shannon's Skin Balm is one of our favorite, most-loved products. It could be because the story behind this product is so special, or maybe because it is so versatile. Continue reading

Written by Heather Hamilton

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confidence, connection, conscious living, exercise, family, gratitude, kids, lifestyle, living, mamas, meditation, minerals, mood, mother, motherhood, postpartum, pregnancy, prenatal, relaxation, seek help, self-care, sex, sexual wellness, women, women's health, yoga, Zoe Organics, zoe organics lifestyle

Easing New Mom Anxiety

Jul 06, 2018

Written by Heather Hamilton

Becoming a mom changes us. Not just in a naturally progressive kind of way, but in a deep, shaken-to-the-core kind of way. Anxiety surfaced with my new life as a mother. Sure, there were anxious times or periods of high stress before kids, but somehow I was a lot better at coping with it then. Maybe it was the fact that I got a full night’s sleep, or that I didn’t have the pressure or guilt associated with being the “perfect” mom. My previous fears seemed so small compared to the fierce love and mama bear instinct that kicked in nearly immediately upon meeting my little humans. Was I fit to do this? Did I really have what it would take? Continue reading

Written by Heather Hamilton

Filed under

aromatherapy, baby, Baby Oil, bonding, connection, customers, discount, download, essential oils, For Baby + Child, health, living, Organic Skincare, parenting, Zoe Organics

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Baby Massage

Mar 22, 2018

Written by Heather Hamilton

All three of my children love to be massaged. It was a ritual we began when they were babies and has gotten us through infant colic, teething, nighttime growing pains, stress, and provided a special bonding experience for any pre-bedtime wind-down. As they grow older, sometimes these massages are the platform for precious conversations and a means to bring calm after a hard day.

This powerful tool is too good to not recommend to every mama, so we have created a simple, useful, downloadable guide that covers everything from the benefits of baby massage to creating the best environment. At the end of the download are guidelines that you can cut out and keep in the nursery to help get you started.

Cheers to hours of bonding and special memories that will last a lifetime!

What is Baby Massage?

Infant massage is a gentle, soothing therapy that has been shown to have physical and psychological benefits. It’s also a wonderful way to bond with your baby.

The Benefits of Baby Massage

Stimulates brain activity and releases oxytocin
Improves blood circulation
Increases alertness/heightens awareness
Reduces stress hormones
Improves immune function
Enhances development of the nervous system
Aids with digestion
Relieves discomfort of gas, colic, constipation
Deepens bonding between baby and parent/caregiver
Helps parent/caregiver respond to baby’s cues
Enhances communication between baby and parent/caregiver
Creates an opportunity for father, grandparent, or another special person in baby’s life to bond
Improves relaxation, sleep
Deepens baby’s feelings of security and overall well-being

The Process

Create a comforting environment.

Set aside 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted, distraction-free time
Choose a time when baby is happy and alert
Make sure temperature is warm enough so baby doesn’t get cold
Dim the lights and play a favorite lullaby album, or enjoy the quiet
Remove all jewelry that could scratch or distract
Follow up massage with snuggle or rocking time

Begin massage using these guidelines:

Make eye contact
Before you begin, request permission from your baby. This develops trust and respect; empowering him /her to accept or reject their body being touched
Watch for cues of engagement
Use gentle, fluid strokes (not so light that it tickles)
Keep strokes slow and relaxing; avoid over-stimulating baby by going too fast
Move from baby’s center, outwards (example: move from baby’s upper thigh down to his /her feet)
Balance – if you massage the right arm, massage the left arm next
Do each stroke 3 times and watch for cues from baby to continue or move to next stroke