I am thankful for....teething?!

My wee one has not been himself these past few days...inconsolable fussiness, waking at night, loss of appetite, and low grade fevers have made up this past week. I speak softly and gently, sing songs, encourage him to feel the soft grass with his little hands...offer frozen rags and chilled carrots to teethe...my poor boy.

Anthroposophic medicine has always intrigued me, but I haven't delved into it until now. I am constantly wrestling with the poor advice (in my opinion!) given to us by our current pediatrician. As a parent, coming to understand an alternative view of medicine has been a beautiful and cleansing experience for me. Upon reading the most recent volume of LILIPOH magazine (it is so very lovely...check it out if you haven't already!), I discovered a beacon in my journey; a fantastic resource for an anthrosophic view of children's health: The Anthromed Library, a free searchable database with over 500 articles, documents, research papers, and books.

Teething, although long and painful, is such an amazing process. This is my boy intensively developing his physical body! Before we know it, he will be losing these milk teeth, and ready to move on to the next phase of his life....please, time, wait for me!!!

"And one can ask how it happens that a child, without any doing on his own part, magically manages to rapidly push a tooth loose from its own mooring in the jaw? How can they thrust forth a new tooth from deep in the bone that's fit for many years of service? In Waldorf pedagogy, it is understood that the passage of the changing of the teeth is an event of spiritual importance for the growing child. It signifies that the child has freed up certain forces for developing a life of cognition and thought. One observes this easily in every child. New ideas occur to them and they search out new experiences in the world. No longer do they cling to adults, imitating the things about them. Rather they begin to unfold a life of concepts." -"There is a tooth fairy!" author: Mark J. Eisen, MD

I am working my way through the children's health articles....they are fantastic! I so appreciate the inclusion of articles pertaining to television and overstimulation in a medical light! It is so very important! The articles focused on "not fearing the fever" have been especially helpful during these past few days.

While I am thankful for finding this wonderful resource, there are a few topics I am not happily nodding my head to.... As a nursing mother and La Leche League leader in-training, I 100% disagree with the anthrosophic view of the age for weaning (6 months? Really, spend a day in my house, Mr. Steiner!) Yes, "take what works for you, and leave the rest" is certainly "what works" for us!!

*Yes, in this photo, my breast is exposed while I nurse baby W. I don't consider this "nudity". In this day and age, especially, breastfeeding desperately needs to be seen in a light of normalcy. I am hoping that I haven't offended anyone...I'm pretty sure I haven't even come close, as this blog is read by beautifully empowered mothers and women alike!

In the meantime, we will be using some of recommended homeopathic remedies for teething and other ailments which we will surely meet along the way...here's to free research databases, trusting our intuition, and our beautiful children! ::clinks droppers of chamomile flower tea in a joyous toast!::