During the lapse of my last blog, Abigail has since cut her top front teeth.  Along with these jagged edged pearls came a runny nose and some congestion.  The last time she had a stuffy nose was exactly when her bottom teeth came through, over 2 months ago. I know it's due to her teething..but I still consider it a cold because her body is working at protecting herself and fighting infection. I did some research as to why this often occurs and from what I read the gums/mouth is extra susceptible to infection as the teeth are coming through...picks up things easier since everything is being put into the mouth, and the body works overtime to compensate.

It's a pretty cruel cycle because when her teeth are bothering her, it takes longer for her to get to sleep, sometimes causing her to fuss, and create more congestion. This past weekend she was up quite often through the late evening. I knew she was exhausted, but could not let her cry back to sleep because it made her nose stuffy once again. We would help clear her nose with the Bebe nasal aspirator that I blogged about last time, which she wasn't in the mood for since irritable and tired, and then after distracting her a bit, back to her crib she would go.

Growing up, myself and my 3 older siblings had a pretty strict regiment when we had colds. Our diet was limited to most fruits, most vegetables, and fluids like tea with honey. Anything that would cause mucous, was limited or eliminated until out system was clear. This meant white sugar, grains such as wheat and rice, meat, dairy products, and starchy fruits and vegetables like potatoes and bananas (Abigail's usual mid-morning snack!  This is not a diet to live on for months..but merely for the length of a cold, usually a week or less, when your appetite is limited anyway and you are trying to give yourself nothing but the best so you are back to yourself again soon.  It simply allows the system to flush itself of congestion and keep things simple going down. Just think when you have a sore throat and eat pizza for dinner. The next morning is usually pretty rough.

Abigail certainly can't have honey yet...and still she is somewhat limited to what foods she CAN eat, but I do have control over what she eats. I am still nursing so don't have to worry about cutting out cows milk that would be in formula. For the past 2 days I have cut out her yogurt, cereal, and some of the heavier grains is some of the jarred food I use. I have also limited her sweet potato and bananas. She has mostly been eating steamed broccoli, apple and pear sauces, roasted butternut squash, prunes, blueberries, spinach, water diluted with a little bit of fruit juices, and her nursing sessions. Already, in the past day, my husband noticed when he got home from work that she seemed much better tonight. She is content during the day and also slept better today with less congestion when she awoke.

At this rate I am quite sure her cold, be it teething or something she picked up, will not last as long as it would if she were eating her regular diet. I am not a doctor and don't claim to be one, but this is a system I grew up with that was passed down from my grandfather, who was a doctor and nutritionist. The times I've cheated with anything from ice-cream, heavy breads, to especially sugar, (my weakness) I have noticed my progress takes a step back and takes a little longer to clear my system then if I did it right the first time.

I have recommended this routine to friends of mine who didn't know what to do, who saw similar results and had to agree that the colds passed quicker than in the past.

I am not a fan of cough medicine because feel it doesn't rid the cold, only temporary relief. This system works for the long haul personally speaking and help clears the root of the problem quicker.

As the months are growing colder...it's time to get outside MORE. With all the sickness going around, I don't hear a lot of prescriptions for some fresh air and sun? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure they say and a ton of sleep! It's no secret that a lot of people lack vitamin D.  We see all kinds of orange juices and drinks claiming to have extra vitamin D...but the research reflects the body does not absorb these as easily as the free kind...natural sunlight!

My daughter's needs are totally dependent upon myself and my husband...for better or worse. We control what she eats...when she bathes...what she wears...when she is layed down to sleep...and how often she gets outside. She is not old enough to tell us...so it's up to me to take initiative and give her growing body what it needs.

Getting outside in the fresh air..is one of the body's best defenses against sickness. If you think about the fact that our body is made up of millions of cells that need oxygen...and sunlight...it really does make sense.  I have to make an effort to try to get Abigail out each day...even if it's just for a walk around the yard on a day that's not so pleasant.  Not only does the fresh air boost her mood...but also makes for great nap sessions. Many parents know if their child is fussy...step outside for a few minutes..and watch the transformation. I am always amused how quickly she is distracted and forgets what she was upset about.

She was a March baby...when the days and nights still have quite a chill. After a few weeks old...we would bundle her up snug and take her for walks...just so she could get natural sunlight...and air out her lungs. We too needed to clear our minds and get out of the house as well. Now that she is a bit older and has better control of her body temperature...I am sure to crack her windows at night..to allow air to circulate and keep the room fresh. On a occasional night when the temps drop below freezing, I reluctantly leave them closed...but otherwise it's a go.

My husband thought I was nuts when we were first married and I would crack our bedroom window in January. He would say you do realize it's such and such degrees outside.  However, the nights we would leave the window closed...would be the mornings we would wake up feeling congested and less mentally and physically refreshed.  It's no longer an issue...but just a way of life.

Growing up...I had the best air flow in the house. Windows on both sides meant always a summer breeze. Come winter..the thermostat was set very low and windows were cracked.  Even now..if the window is closed..I will sometimes wake up in the middle of the night feeling like the room is stuffy. This is especially so if we stay somewhere where we cannot open the windows..or it's not done in the home. It's just a matter of fact...I sleep more soundly with a little fresh air circulating. It's not even a mental choice..it is what it is.

If you think about the idea though...that when you rest...you body is re-booting itself over a 6-8 hour stretch...that is lot of time to be in one room without air moving. For my little one..it's 11-12 hour stretch. Yes there are air filtration systems and purifiers...all good...but it still can't compare with the true thing. Being I live in an area that's not in the middle of a busy city, I want to be sure to take advantage of the fresh air...because not only is it free...but it's something our body needs to function at its best.