Natural Living - Little Wife in the Woods

The Best Natural Remedies for Pregnancy and Postpartum

April 4, 2025

Come get all our favorite natural remedies and products we love during pregnancy and postpartum! Most mainstream medicines are not deemed “safe” for pregnancy and this can cause some real struggles when it comes to finding remedies for common ailments. Get our full list of natural remedies that actually work!

natural remedies for pregnancy and postpartum

*Disclaimer: As always, you are responsible for doing your own research. Not all situations are created equally! Make sure you take your own health and babies health into consideration. All the products recommended in this post are considered safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Natural Remedies and Products for Morning Sickness

We decided to start here because morning sickness is such a common issue during pregnancy. However, unless your case is considered severe, your OB-GYN will probably just tell you to wait it out. This can be frustrating, especially if you have a job or have other young children depending on you. Moms do not have time to be sick for weeks on end!

The main key we have found to this complaint is focusing on protein intake first thing and through the day. This may sound too simple but adjusting this one area of the diet during pregnancy can be a game-changer. If you want to learn more about morning sickness and protein check out this post!

When it comes to a product for nausea relief, Mama’s Tummy Relief for Earthley Wellness is a great way to settle your stomach quickly! It is important to realize that some morning sickness takes time to subside. While we highly recommend upping your protein intake and trying this product sometimes it can take a bit for things to calm down.

Another natural remedy I love is peppermint! Tea and peppermint oil can help take the edge off that intense nausea. Try drinking a cup of peppermint tea after meals. For sensitivity to smells you cannot avoid (diaper changes, cooking, etc.) try rubbing some peppermint oil on your temples and under your nose. This is great for headaches too!

Headaches Colds, and Flu Remedies

This post is brought to you by my favorite natural remedy company- Earthley Wellness! They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout!
CLICK HERE TO SHOP!

Headaches. Headaches caused by hormone shifts during pregnancy are common but they can be quite debilitating. As already mentioned, peppermint tea and oil can be very relieving. My go-to for hormone related or sickness headaches during pregnancy is Feel Better Fast by Earthley. It is a natural alternative to Tylenol (the safety of Tylenol in pregnancy is controversial despite still being recommended by most medical doctors). A heating pad around the neck or a warm bath in low lighting can also be simple ways to relieve your headaches naturally.

Colds and Other Sickness During Pregnancy. While somewhat common, being sick with a cold or the flu during pregnancy is very hard. Due to the immune system being weak (keep reading for tips on that!) it is easy to pick up a few more colds and viruses than you usually would. There are a few “safe” cold/cough/flu medications but many are filled with toxic ingredients.

Again, Feel Better Fast can be such a helpful remedy to have on hand for such times. It offers relief for headaches caused by colds, flu symptoms like body aches, fevers, and upset stomach. This natural tincture has zero chemicals, toxins, dyes, or other junk!

Respira essential oil blend by Purely Parsons is also very effective for respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and mild cases of pneumonia. You can use the oil topically or in a diffuser.

Fevers. In our home, the philosophy is “Don’t treat the fever treat the child.” Meaning every one has a different level of discomfort with a fever. Fevers are the bodies natural response to illness so we try to let it run its course as we know fevers help our bodies heal faster. However, I’m not going to allow myself or my babies to be absolutely miserable either, so here is something we do if it gets to the point we need to treat. (Along with Feel Better Fast, of course!)

Vinegar Socks

Make a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
Dip your child’s socks in the mixture until soaked.
Place socks on your child.
Add a layer to keep moisture in (plastic wrap, a bag, one of those stretchy silicone bowl lids, whatever you have on hand.
Then, place another layer of socks over that.

You should see relief within 10 minutes or less (at least in my experience).

Ear infections/aches. Ear infections and aches from fluid or pressure during a cold can be quite uncomfortable and even painful! My favorite is another great product from Earthley called Earache Ease. I like to have this on hand for myself and the littles. However, if you do not have it on hand other options that are effective are mullein leaf oil and an a warm onion compress. (You can chop a fresh onion and heat it for a short time until it becomes warm. Wrap the warm onion in a clean cloth and hold it against the ear for 5-10 minutes.)

Immune Support

As already mentioned, immune support is a big deal in pregnancy and the postpartum season! A lot of your nutrition is going straight to your growing little one. This can leave your body lacking a bit and too weak to fight off every bug. Here are our two favorite ways to support immune health during pregnancy and beyond…

Probiotics and Avoiding Antibiotics. Good gut health is necessary for immunity. Plexus offers some amazing gut support products, as does Earthley.

There is absolutely a time and a place for antibiotics. We are not against them, this is just a resource of you feel comfortable delaying them and trying these remedies first….

Regimen of apple cider vinegar several times a day
Ingesting fresh crushed garlic several times a day
High dose vitamin C
Oil of Oregano (not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding)

Elderberry. I love the added support that elderberry offers! Earthley offers DIY elderberry syrup kits you can make at home or their more concentrated Elderberry Elixir tincture. Or if you want to support another small business we love go check out @purelyparsons on Instagram!

Anemia and Low Iron in Pregnancy or Beyond

Another common issue during pregnancy is low iron and/or anemia. This can cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms such as dizziness, low energy, fatigue, etc. Many women still struggle to boost their iron even while taking over the counter supplements.

The best natural remedy is diet! Try adding in extra red meat, dark leafy greens, and organ meats. Consider cooking in cast iron for even more of a boost.

Along with a proper diet, I highly recommend Energy Plus from Earthley! This plant derived iron supplement is easy to digest and works so well to increase iron levels quickly.

Natural Remedies for the Postpartum Season

Breastfeeding Troubles. I think we can all agree one of the most common discomforts of the fourth trimester is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should not be extremely painful or extensively painful for long periods of time. However, even with a well-latched baby and proper techniques things can get uncomfortable. Troubles like clogged ducts, supply issues (too much or too little), soreness, and mastitis can be a pain to deal with (literally!).

You do not want to find yourself in any of these circumstances without a remedy on hand! That is why I love and highly recommend the Breastfeeding Bundle from Earthley. It is an affordable kit with everything you need on hand getting started.

Aside from the bundle, a few natural remedies for soreness or clogged ducts include warm compresses or a heating pad hot showers, sunflower lecithin supplements, feeding on demand, and hand expressing. Upping vitamin C intake also helps keep things flowing and helps the body fight off infections caused by breastfeeding complications.

After Birth Pains. After birth pains occur as the uterus begins to contract down to its pre-baby size. The more babies you have the more intense these pains can be and they can last much longer. They can feel like mild to severe period cramps and may even feel like early labor contractions.

Pain Potion from Earthley can help ease this pain in a natural way that supports the body’s natural process of shrinking the uterus. It also provides herbal support to heal the wounds left by the placenta.

Hormone Balance. Another big issue many face postpartum is getting the hormones the regulate. While it is very natural to have that fluctuation in hormones postpartum, for some it can become a serious issue that hinders daily life.

For healthy hormone support during the postpartum season I highly recommend Postpartum Balance supplement by Earthley. You can begin taking this daily at the beginning of your postpartum journey to help support the natural fluctuation of hormones.

We hope this post gave you some helpful tips and natural remedies for common issues you may face during pregnancy and postpartum! It can be a wild ride but always know you have options and solutions ARE available to try. If you want more content like this about pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood make sure you sign up to join our email list so you never miss a post!

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Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

February 7, 2025

*written by Anna Bourdess

We’ve been talking a lot about immune health on the blog lately. We all want to boost our immune health but what most people don’t understand is that our immune health is a direct reflection of our gut health. Today we’re going to talk about how our gut health affects not just our immune system but our whole body health.

blog post about how your gut health effects your body

Gut Health and the Immune System

Our gut health is tied to multiple functions in our bodies. You probably won’t believe them all, actually. To get us started, let’s rapid fire some gut health facts at you to blow your mind.

•Up to 80% of your immune system lives in your gut.

•Your gut plays a huge role in regulating your metabolism. Stubborn weight? Might want to look into gut health. Proper gut health balances hormones. Hormones that control things like energy, blood sugar, and fat storage. This directly affects the metabolism.

•Allergies can be a direct result of our gut health. Again, because the gut contains most of the immune system, if gut health is poor it can create an attack response where there shouldn’t be one. Which are autoimmune issues, such as allergies.

•Joint pain/inflammation can be linked to our gut health. Poor gut health sends out inflammation throughout the body causing aches and pains we may not have otherwise.

•Skin issue like acne, eczema, etc. can all be linked to gut health. A few reasons are an unhealthy gut isn’t absorbing nutrients properly. Things like vitamins A, E, and C that support skin health. Another potential cause is the weakening of the immune system doesn’t allow it to fight problem causing bacteria for the skin.

•Fatigue, feeling sluggish, or brain fog? Because of the gut- brain axis (how your gut communicates to your brain) your gut health plays a vital role in your cognitive function.

Have you heard of Earthley? Earthley Wellness is a U.S. company dedicated to providing affordable, completely natural remedies with absolutely no junk!! If you are looking tired of the dyes, chemicals, and other toxins that are in mainstream medicine Earthley is a great place to start. Treat everything from colds, fevers, teething, digestion issues, and more! Use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 to save 10% on your first order!
Click here to Shop!

•If you’re pregnant, and worried about testing GBS positive, your gut health can play a huge role in the results. (Ladies, get on a good probiotic, especially while pregnant.)

•If you have trouble sleeping it may be because of your gut health. The majority of your body’s serotonin, which affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut.

•Autoimmune issues like thyroid problems and rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered by poor gut health. If your gut health is poor, your gut could be leaking. This causes particles in that weren’t meant to be anywhere but your gut. This can trigger an attack response from the body causing autoimmune issues. This is just one potential cause relating to gut health.

•Migraines have been linked to poor gut health. Caused by the gut-brain axis, an imbalance in our gut bacteria can trigger an inflammatory response causing migraines.

I could literally go on forever. Did you know your gut controlled all of that, and much more? So you see just some of the many systems gut health is a direct reflection of but, how do we support our gut health? What makes up this powerful balance in the gut is something called the microbiome or gut flora.

The Microbiome

Here is a great definition of the microbiome:

“The gut microbiota, also known as gut flora or gut microbiome, is the community of microorganisms that live in the human digestive tract. It’s made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, averaging over 100 trillion microorganisms in a 150lb person. The gut microbiota functions almost like an organ in itself, weighing around 7 ounces, and containing 150–200 times more genes than all human cells combined.”

We can disrupt this balance many different ways but the main ones would be our food and medications. When we consume processed foods and/or excessive sugar we are destroying our microbiome and feeding the bad bacteria, allowing it to thrive. Our bodies give us back what we put into them and if we’re putting in junk, we’re going to get junk. If you’re struggling with any of the issues mentioned above (or many others), it’s probably time to start working on your gut.

Antibiotics and the Microbiome

Did you know that one round of antibiotics can completely wipe out the microbiome. Depending upon factors such as which one, length of dose, and age it can take anywhere from a few weeks, up to a few years to repair the microbiome. Potentially making you more susceptible to disease in the long run, rather than helping.

Don’t misunderstand, I am not advocating against antibiotics. We should just understand how they affect the systems in our bodies and weigh the benefits vs risks for ourselves and our situation. There are certainly times when they are needed and I am so thankful we have access to them. It just seems we overuse them for things that could have a more supportive solution for our bodies. We may consider other methods if we were presented with all of the facts.

Supporting Your Gut Health

Now, how do we support our gut health? The same way we can destroy it.

Food. Nutrition has such a vital role in our health. Specifically our gut health. Consuming whole, nutrient dense foods is the best way to support your gut. Limiting sugar, cutting out processed foods, and adding in nutrient dense, whole foods will help your microbiome thrive. Another beneficial way to support your gut health through what you consume are foods rich in probiotics. Foods such as kefir grains, sourdough (this is controversial since it is cooked so do your own research), sauerkraut, and yogurt. These are considered living foods and support a healthy microbiome when prepared properly.

Click here for a gut healing bone broth recipe!

Supplementation. Our bodies are designed to get our nutrients from our food. This will always be the best way. However, due to modern farming practices many of our foods grow in soils depleted of nutrients. So even if you’re eating well, there can still be gaps in our nutrition. We personally also enjoy take out on occasion, which we all know is most likely not the most nutrient dense option. I’m not going to feel guilty about that, but I do understand that because of the times I make those choices, and environmental factors like the soil, pesticide exposure and even things in our environment beyond my control, I need to fill in some of the nutrition gaps to support my body.

I do this by taking a prebiotic, a probiotic, and a gentle gut cleanse daily. These have impacted my gut health greatly. I’ve seen drastic changes in my own health since putting more of a focus on my gut health. If you only take one supplement for your gut, I highly recommend a probiotic. You want to make sure your probiotic contains the right bacteria and is prepared correctly to actually survive digestion and make it to your gut. Otherwise you’re wasting your money.

Click where to check out the probiotic we love and trust!

So you see, supporting your gut is even more than just supporting your immune system. It can be the key to unlocking your best health yet.

If you would like more information on some of the suggestions mentioned above like sourdough, kefir grains, or the gut health regime we use you can reach out to littlewifeinthewoods right here on the blog or find us on Instagram and Facebook.

We hope we helped give you a glimpse into the powerful key to health that is your gut microbiome and hopefully caused some curiosity for you to do even more research for yourselves.

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The Best Natural Vitamin Brands We Love in 2025

January 29, 2025

These natural vitamin brands and products we are loving in 2025! Natural supplements and affordable products are hard to find but we are here with all of our favorite that we have been using and trusting for years. We love these brands and we know you will too!

The Problem With Natural Vitamin Marketing in 2025

The world is using natural product marketing as a way to make millions in the last several years. Natural food, ingredients, and supplements are the trendy thing now and thankfully so! However this up tick in the natural world provides a marketing scheme that many companies are taking advantage of. Many of these “natural” supplement companies are marketing to us based off of a couple ingredients. Here is what to look for and avoid when it comes to natural supplements…

Can you pronounce and recognize ALL the ingredients? In a truly natural supplement you should be able to easily recognize all or nearly all of the ingredients. Anything that you do not recognize or that feels suspicious should be researched.
Sugar content and dyes. In kids vitamins especially big vitamin companies are marketing to us as “natural” when they are actually full of sugar and some of them have dyes in the ingredient list.
Avoid gummies. The process of making gummy vitamin (even ones with natural ingredients) make them less effective, not to mention many are filled with sugar.
Are the ingredients derived naturally or artificially? This information can be found in the ingredient list. If your natural supplements are derived from synthetic ingredients are they actually natural? The vitamin or supplement should be made from the direct source- the herb or the mineral itself.

Getting Nutrients from Our Food

The truth is that most of our food should be where the majority of our nutrients are coming from. However, with the quality of foods today it can be hard to get all these nutrients through diet alone. While this should not keep us from trying to feed our families well I am glad we have options in the form of daily supplements to ensure we are getting what we need.

Trying to eat better quality food can help our bodies get what they need overall. Eating a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, etc. will help keep your body functioning best!

Sourcing Natural Vitamins from Brands You Can Trust

So where can you source natural vitamins you can trust for your family? There are two main places we currently get our vitamins. Both places provide only natural, herbal brands so you can be sure that what you are getting is the best quality without having to weed through the junk!

Earthley Wellness. Earthley is my top favorite for sourcing vitamins and 100% natural supplements for the whole family! They provide herbal, only clean ingredient products like vitamins, hormone support, and natural remedies. You can trust that when you purchase products from Earthley that they have zero chemicals, preservatives, or toxic ingredients- just herbs and natures medicine! Save 10% off your first order when you use my code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout.

Thrive Market. Another favorite place to get natural brands without all the junk is Thrive Market. They are a market place with thousands of clean label products to choose from. Every brand and product they sell has been vetted to make sure you are getting the best quality! I source brands like Mary Ruth and Ancient Nutrition.

Thrive provides more than just supplements. They are a one stop grocery store where you can get all organic, clean ingredient pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and more! Click my link and get up to $60 in FREE products to save on vitamins, supplements, and other organic products!

Our Basic Daily Vitamins and Supplements

Prenatal. As a young mom with kids back to back I have discovered that having a great prenatal onboard is key! Most midwives and OBs recommend taking a prenatal consistently throughout the child-bearing years. I found Pure Synergy’s Prenatal vitamin through my midwife and I have been taking it for over a year now. The difference I notice in my over-all nutrition and energy is huge compared to the mainstream drugstore vitamins I used in my first pregnancy!

Kids Multivitamin. Finding a kids multivitamin that is not filled with sugar, dyes, and chemicals is tricky! Even the brands that market as more “natural” alternatives are not truly the best option. That’s why we trust Mary Ruth Organics to source our kids multivitamins, immune support, and more! We find the best deals on Mary Ruth’s over at Thrive Market- my one stop grocery store for all things clean ingredients from snacks to cleaning products. Use my link above to subscribe to Thrive Market!

Adult Multivitamin. A great vitamin for adult men and non-pregnant/nursing women is Nourish Me Naturally from Earthley Wellness. Nourish Me Naturally is a multivitamin for adults that is completely plant based with zero preservatives or chemicals.

Daily Supplements for Pregnancy

Here is everything I take daily for a naturally healthy pregnancy!

Herbal Iron. I take herbal iron and B vitamins from Earthley’s Energy Plus tincture. I found that liquid iron in herbal form is much easier for my body to handle versus the mainstream iron most OBs and midwives recommend. I have been using this iron throughout my pregnancy and the contrast between how my body processes the other iron supplements is way different! The proof is in my numbers- my past two pregnancies have indicated lower iron levels even while taking an iron supplement. After taking this herbal iron tincture my levels have remained consistent throughout his entire pregnancy!

Magnesium. Taking magnesium during pregnancy helps with sleep, headaches, and pregnancy aches. I get my magnesium from Thrive Market (link above).

Daily Probiotics

Another great thing to add to your daily nutrition needs is a good quality probiotic! When searching for a probiotic you need to look for one that is proven to make it to the colon. A lot of mainstream probiotics are absorbed in the upper intestinal tract, this means they are not actually making it to the gut- therefore making it ineffective. The majority of the body’s immune system lives in the gut making it super important to keep the good bacteria flourishing.

I use Plexus to keep my gut happy and healthy! ProBio 5 is proven to make it all he way through the intestinal tract ensuring that my probiotics get to where they matter most. Go check it out here!

Supplements for Hormone Balance

If you feel constantly drained, sluggish, have trouble sleeping, dietary issues, moodiness, excessive weight gain or weight loss, or other symptoms of hormone imbalance you may need a basic supplement to help keep your hormone levels where they need to be. I personally have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition that causes my body to need a little help with supplementation at times. I use Earthley’s (yes, them again!) Oyster Mineral Capsules to help keep my hormones regulated.

Oysters are high in selenium and zinc that are required to keep the thyroid (the main hormone producing gland) working properly. Earthley’s Oyster Mineral powder also contains herbs that help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and more! Oyster Mineral Capsules are also safe to take while pregnant or nursing making them a great supplement to add to your prenatal and postpartum care.

Speaking of postpartum, another great Earthly product for hormone balance is their Postpartum Balance tincture. This can help blanche those whacky after-birth hormones and keep your body functioning at the right levels to reduce risk of postpartum depression and even general symptoms like moodiness!

Natural Supplements for Immune Support

Whether you need immune support throughout the winter months or a steady, natural support for an auto-immune condition I highly recommend sourcing things like vitamin C, elderberry, and zinc through companies like Earthley Wellness and Thrive Market! They both offer some really great natural options for whatever immune support you might be needing.

Mary Ruth Organics (I purchase from Thrive Market!) has some great immune support supplements for babies and toddlers that I always give my children throughout the winter months. You can also find Mary Ruth on Amazon for fast delivery! Read our post about How to Support Your Little One’s Immune System here.

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Natural Remedies for Sick Babies and Toddlers

January 25, 2025

*This post contains affiliate links from trusted companies we use in our homes and love!

This winter season is no joke when it comes to sick babies! We are here for you with all our favorite natural remedies for supporting your babies and little ones through the sick season. Get them all in this post!

Disclaimer. We are not doctors, nurses, or medical professionals of any kind- we are moms, just like you! We are in the thick of it with three under three between the two of us. Our goal is to share with moms while we are in the middle of this thing. We enjoy sharing all about pregnancy, birth, and babies from a fresh motherhood perspective. We are in no way making medical suggestions- that’s what your doctor is for! These are just some things that we do to care for our baddies naturally during sickness. We believe there is a time and a place for medical intervention when necessary.

Some Advice on Sickness and Babies

Occasional sickness is a normal, natural part of life. Yes, we as mamas want to avoid and prevent sickness as much as possible. However, getting sick as babies and toddlers is a natural part of life, even for the healthy, well nourished kiddos. Do not beat yourself up as a first time or young mom when kids get sick. Build their immune system, feed them nutritious meals, and leave the rest to God!

You can read here all about what to do to build your little ones immune system to help prevent sickness!

Fevers are good! The temp station as a first time or young mom is to freak out when you see the first sign of a fever. Of course you should always go with your gut, however most fevers are not dangerous and actually help your baby to fight the illness effectively. Because of this I usually do not use medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen that mask a fever and other symptoms. If there is something going on in their body I want to know it is going on. As long as the fever is not extremely high (103 +) or lasting for several days I just let their body do what it needs to do.

Stock your medicine cabinet BEFORE the sickness comes! When your baby is sick is not the time to be scrambling for these natural remedies we are about to mention. You need to prepare for the “storm” ahead of time, not when it is already upon you! I have provided a much more condensed list at the end of this post so you can start purchasing what you need today!

Speaking of stocking up…Have you heard of Earthly Wellness? If you continue reading this post you may notice that we recommend several of their products and we are constantly referencing them. That’s because they are our number one go to for stocking our natural medicine cabinets with affordable, quality products we can trust! Be sure to check out our list at the end of this post and stock up your cart. Use code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout for 10% off your first order!
Shop Here!

Standard Remedies for Baby Sickness

Here a few standard things we do for our littles wherever they do not feel well….

Sleep/rest. As with adults, one of the best remedies for sick babies is sleep! Let them sleep as much as they will let themselves sleep. Try to keep the environment as cozy and comfortable as possible. Newborns and babies up to a year are good at this! One year olds start to get tricky and two year olds are harder to keep down but try to encourage rest as much as possible.

Hydration. Dehydration is one of the leading causes for hospitalization in sick babies. If you breastfeed I highly recommend nursing on demand (when baby wants too and without any schedule) if possible. You can also bottle feed on demand. Try to encourage electrolytes if they will not drink milk. Add a fun colored (no dyes!), natural electrolyte drink mix to your toddler’s water to encourage hydration. Fruits and vegetables with a high water content like berries, watermelon, celery, and cucumbers are a great way to get extra hydration in them as well.

Sunlight. Vitamin D and fresh air are so healing. It is tempting when littles are sick to stay indoors but that is one of the worst things you can do. Sitting outside with them for even a few minutes will help boost their immune systems back up and fight whatever sickness they are dealing with.

Nutritional Food. Avoid super sugary snacks and desserts while sick. Instead try things like yogurt (watch the sugar content!), applesauce, and fresh fruit. Soups and bone broth are a great way to support the immune system and they are easy on the digestive tract.

Elderberry. I cannot say enough good things about elderberry to treat just about any common sickness your babies may have! Elderberry is safe for ages six months plus and safe for breastfeeding mother (you can take it yourself while breastfeeding for babies younger than six months to get the benefits). Elderberry is one of the best and safest remedies for colds, flus, respiratory illness, stomach bugs, and more! The biggest benefit is it’s ability to support the immune system so your little one can fight off sickness quickly and effectively.

Natural Remedies for All Kinds of Sickness

Cold Remedies

The most common sickness you should probably expect your baby to get is a cold in their first two years of life. Minor colds can be tricky to recognize in littles because symptoms can mirror things like teething, allergies, etc. The good part about this is that they usually require no treatment on our part because they normally just run their course without any complications. Some things you can do to help support them are…

Saline for stuffy, snotty noses helps to dry up the extra snot. An infant nasal aspirator with saline drops works amazingly (sounds gross but totally worth it!).
Elderberry for immune support (6 months plus or through your breastmilk).
Feel Better Fast from Earthley Wellness for colds, fever support (not suppression!!), and congestion, and immune support (safe for ages 6 months plus and breastfeeding mothers). Note: The combo of feel better fast and elderberry elixir from Earthley is hands down the most effective remedy for several sicknesses I have dealt with in my babies up to this point- colds, stomach bugs, etc.
Extra sleep.
Warm baths.
Hydration. Sometimes babies struggle with feeding when their little noises get stuffy. Try timing your saline/snot sucking treatments before they need to eat to help them breathe well as they eat. This eliminates the frustration they feel! Feed newborns and young babies on demand.

Flu and Stomach Bugs

Hydration is key. Stomach bugs/flus that involve throwing up or diarrhea can be the worst for keeping up with hydration but it is so important! Follow all the tips in the “hydration” section in the beginning of this post.
Infant Tummy Relief from Earthley (safe for all ages) for gas, bloating, and upset tummy.
Warm baths can be so calming.
Sleep.
Elderberry Elixir and Feel Better Fast Combo from Earthley.
Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your baby’s gut and helps support the immune system.
Activated Charcoal. If your little one has had diarrhea/vomit for several days you can administer a little activated charcoal (1/4-1/2 capsule depending on age) by way of mixing with apple sauce or yogurt. The charcoal binds to the toxins in your baby’s system and will help remove them so their digestive systems do not have to work alone.

Remedies for Ear Infections and Irritation

If your baby is unusually fussy (especially when you lay them down), they grab or tug at their ears, and they have a low fever you are probably dealing with an ear infection. As a first time mom this was reason to go to the pediatrician asap for antibiotics because they were miserable and I was miserable! I did not know you can easily treat most ear infections at home. Here’s how…

Breastmilk. Sounds crazy but if you put a couple drops of breastmilk in your babies ear it can help heal an ear infection (you should never put anything in your babies ears if you see extreme drainage or they are in severe pain as this is a sign of a ruptured ear drum).

Earthley Earache Ease. This remedy from Earthley is safe for all ages and works great! I have occasional issues with ear pressure, fluid, and infections so I have personally tested myself with this one. It relieves the pressure so effectively almost right away. Click here to check it out!

Warm washcloth. A warm washcloth can help ease the discomfort of ear pain.

This fall season, refresh your pantry with affordable, organic staples from Thrive Market! This ship to your door grocery store offers thousands of organic, clean label products. Things like organic flour, coconut oil, cane sugar, and so much more for fall baking without the junk! Get access to snacks, cleaning supplies, and all things chemical and toxin free over at Thrive!
Click Here to Shop!

Remedies for RSV, COVID, and other Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory illness in infants and toddlers can be so scary! However, they are naturally treatable and often easily recovered from in most cases. Here’s what you can do….

Humidifier. Keeping a humidifier running can help your baby breathe better while trying to fight a respiratory sickness. Keep it close to them while they sleep, play- basically at all times.

Hydration. As always, keep them hydrated!

Sleep close. When my baby had RSV at two months I found it was most comfortable for both of us to sleep close. This allowed me to keep an eye on her and gave her comfort.

Feel Better Fast and Elderberry.

Cough-b-Gone from Earthley. This is safe for ages six months plus and helps clear a cough up, not by suppressing it but by helping support the lungs and respiratory system.

Cold air/Bathroom Sauna. The rotation of cold air and a warm, humid bathroom can help support breathing issues (especially at night!). I do this by going outside with baby (or standing in the door) when the nights are a bit chilly or placing them close to the open freezer during the summer/fall months. Create a bathroom sauna by allowing the hot shower water to steam up the bathroom (no fans). This allows for a humid environment that calms baby and assists their breathing.

Breathe Well Salve. A great, natural alternative to vapor rubs. Safe for 6 months +

As always, follow your intuition. If you think your baby needs medical assistance call your pediatrician or go to the ER immediately. If your baby has chest retractions (the skin sucks in between the ribs, belly sticks out while breathing), their color looks blue, or their skin feels clammy these are all signs of respiratory distress and you should seek medical help immediately.

Things You Need on Hand to Treat Sick Babies Naturally

Here is a master list of everything we keep on hand in our natural medicine cabinets to treat our babies with natural remedies! This can feel overwhelming if you are new to the natural remedy world. I have listed these items in order of importance (according to my experience!) and each item is linked for your convenience.

Elderberry Elixir from Earthley Wellness. Immune support for all illness. 6 months +

Feel Better Fast from Earthley Wellness. For immune support, fevers, headache, congestion, and upset stomach. 6 months +

Probiotics. We keep these on hand and give them to our babies regularly. 6 months +. Mix 1/2 capsule with applesauce or yogurt. The largest part of our immune systems are housed in the digestive system so keeping the good bacteria plentiful is very important. We use Plexus ProBio5 because it is proven to make it all the way through to the colon where it needs to go before being absorbed.

Infant Tummy Relief for upset tummy, gas, and bloating.

Electrolyte Mixes. Dye free, natural ingredient electrolytes for healthy hydration support. Thrive Market has some really great organic options to choose from! Click here to sign up and get $60 in FREE organic groceries.

Saline/nasal aspirator. For a clear nose to assist breathing during colds.

Humidifier for keeping the air moist for easy breathing (may help kill germs).

Earache Ease for pressure, fluid, and ear infections. Safe for all ages.

Cough-b-gone from Earthley, especially good to keep on hand during the winter months!

Breathe Well Salve from Earthley.

Lavender essential oil. Can be used to rub on the feet or added to bath water to calm a sick, fussy baby and may assist them with sleeping.

These are our go-tos! What would you add to the list? Share in the comments to help other moms. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list for more mom tips, natural living, and real food recipes!

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How to Support Your Little One’s Immune System This Winter

January 10, 2025

*Post contains affiliate links.

The winter months of sickness after sickness can be stressful with babies and toddlers! While sickness is apart of life it is important to learn how to support your little’s immune system. Learn all about how in this blog post!

how to support your littles immune system

*First off, we are not medical professionals. We’re moms of littles, just like you! We care deeply about the health and wellness of our families and believe that natural medicine is the best way to do this while also taking advantage of modern medicine when necessary. If this is your view come join us for more natural wellness tips here on the blog when you subscribe to our email list or on Instagram @littlewifeinthewoods!

Sickness and Littles During the Winter Months

Sickness and babies during any season is no fun but it seems like the last few winters have brought a lot of illness to homes with littles. (Or is it just me?) A lot of things probably contributes to this such as sugar poisoning from the holidays and lack of vitamin D which we will get into in a bit. As a young mom this is a hard thing to go through watching your baby, or toddler, fight sickness for an entire season.

Though there are plenty of things we can do to try to prevent sickness and boost up their little immune systems I think it is also very important to realize that sickness is apart of life. We cannot evade every germ and illness, though as mothers we hate seeing them sick! Germ exposure and even occasional sickness are a natural, normal part of life and even help build the immune system of our children. Of course it is hard to see them sick or under the weather but it is important to realize that we cannot fight every germ. Every sickness we walk through with them also helps to build our toolbox.

If you are going through a season of sickness with your little (maybe you are even pretty unhealthy yourself this season) I hope you find encouragement here that you are not doing anything wrong. You can even be doing all the extra preventative things and still have sick babies. This does not mean you are failing. It’s winter. Babies are germ magnets. It’s completely normal to have extra sickness this time of year with littles. You’re doing an awesome job!

Have you heard of my friends over at Earthley Wellness? They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code HELLONATURAL at checkout!
Click here to Shop!

Reasons for Extra Sickness During the Winter Season

There are plenty of reasons why we tend to see more sickness in our children this time of the year. We will not deal with all of them but we will give you three reasons and what you can do about it!

Sugar Poisoning from the Holidays

This is a big one for toddlers, especially those two year olds who have not had as much sugar up to this point in their lives. Children consume up to five times more sugar during the holiday season. Many children consume around the equivalent of three whole cups of sugar around Halloween alone. Add in Thanksgiving and Christmas and it’s no wonder children are so sick by January. Even those of us who try to limit sugar intake for our children will find it difficult around the holidays and though they may not be consuming as much as other children they are still getting way more than their bodies are accustomed to.

So what can we do about it?

If you are reading this at the time of posting you know that the holidays have already past. We cannot go back and fix our mistakes from the holidays but we can try our best next year! Another thing we can do is stop the damage where it’s at. Your kids probably still have leftover candy filled with sugar, dyes, etc. Start by eliminating this asap. You may find that you have a cranky toddler for a few weeks from all the sugar withdrawals but it is well worth it. You may even notice some behavior changes after a week or two as their little minds begin to clear up from the sugar fog they’ve been in since October.

Lack of Nourishing Foods

Along with eliminating a lot of sweets and candy we need to be replacing the sugar with nourishing foods. Think about it. You’ve been busy, running around, trying to do life during the holidays. Anyone else eat way more takeout and fast food the past two months? Convenience meals? I feel you girl!

Adding those nutritional meals back into the daily routine is a major step in they right direction. Protein, fruits, vegetables. And don’t be surprised if your once “not picky” eater of a toddler now is only eating two or three bites at meal time. This is another symptom of the sugar high they have been on. It may take some work but over the next couple weeks (with lots of consistency and persuasion) you will start to see that appetite for actual food pick back up.

Learn more about How to Start Cooking From Scratch here!

Lack of Vitamin D

Lack of vitamin D is another big reason we see our kiddos getting so sick this time of year. We tend to keep them indoors more because hey it’s cold out there! (Guilty!!) Even when we do go out we tend to bundle them up in so many layers that the vitamin D does not have a chance to absorb well.

So what can we do?

Five to ten minutes. 5-10 minutes a day outside in the sun with minimal layers will do wonders!! (I know this is not possible everywhere. Use your own discretion.) Try taking your little outside to sit in the sun for just five minutes every day with loose clothing. This is enough time to absorb more than they’re getting indoors!

Warmest day. This is my personal favorite. Choose the warmest day of the week (even if it’s still only 30!) and make plans for outside time. Even bundled up- any time outside is better than no time outside.

Blinds up. Curtains open. Let as much light in as possible. If you have a newborn or young baby let them sleep in the sunlight by a window! Get them exposed to sunlight often.

Supplement/Diet. Eating lots of foods high in vitamin D during the winter time helps to supplement that lack. If you feel like you or your littles are suffering from lack of vitamin D you may even want to start supplementing until you can get outside more often.

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Supporting a Newborn’s Immune System

Anna and I have both had the “privilege” of spending the newborn season during the winter months of all of our children (three total). This can be scary, especially as a first time mom! Here are a few quick tips for you…

Breastfeed!! We know everyone isn’t able or does not feel led to breastfeed their baby. It is definitely a lot of work but so worth it!! There are many reasons why but a main one being that baby is getting TONS of immune support via breastmilk. The science behind this is amazing and I highly encourage you to research this if you are on the fence about giving it a try.
Donor milk. Sounds weird but hear me out. If you can’t breastfeed, don’t want to breastfeed, or for whatever reason choose not to breastfeed why not find a donor mama? At least during the newborn season.
Try pumping. Breastfeeding not working out/not your thing? Maybe at least try pumping for those extra vitamins your newborn needs. Even one or two bottles of your breastmilk a day could make a huge difference!
Baby wearing. This is a great way to stop germs from every reaching your baby. If you are wearing him/her constantly it cuts down the amount of people touching all over them.
No touch/no kissing rule. Get serious about your boundaries. A “cold”, “allergies”, or “tickle in the throat” can be serious for a newborn. You would think people would have enough common sense to know this but they don’t. No one had to hold your baby. You do not have to let anyone touch your baby. A respectful “No.” is a complete sentence.

Extra Ways to Boost Your Littles Immune System During the Winter

Even though you will likely experience a sickness or two regardless of your efforts they are still well worth it! I personally (Tori) have noticed a big difference from last year to this year and my efforts paying off. Trying this list of things may help you totally avoid those germs or at least make the sickness a little easier on your family than others…

Gut health. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. That’s a great reason to get your whole family on a quality probiotic during the winter months. We both use, love, and trust Plexus ProBio5 to help keep ourselves and our children’s gut health in check! Plexus is one of the only companies that offers a completely natural probiotic that is proven to actually make it to the lower intestines. (Whatever brand you choose make sure it is not absorbed in the upper intestine or it will not do you any good.)
Elderberry. The immune benefits of elderberry are just about unmatched in the world of natural immune boosters! Plus it tastes great so the kiddos love to take their medicine. Elderberry tincture from Earthley has been amazing for us this year and the girls love taking it! (It’s safe for 6 months plus, pregnant, and nursing mamas!)
Zinc and Vitamin C. Other supplements to add to the list this winter are zinc and vitamin C. You can also find a toddler multivitamin that supplies kiddos with what they need!

Happy winter, mamas!! We hope these tips keep you and your littles surviving and thriving the next few months. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list so you don’t miss out on more tips for moms of little from moms of littles!

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Simple Homemade Laundry Detergent: Easy Recipe Made with Natural Ingredients

April 4, 2023

This homemade laundry detergent has been a game changer for my little family! It is made from just a few simple, natural ingredients and the process is so easy. You can have ready to use, toxin free laundry soap in less than five minutes.

homemade laundry detergent with natural ingredients

What I Love About this Homemade Laundry Detergent

What is not to love, honestly?

One factor that I am particularly thrilled with is the fact that all the ingredients are easy to find. You can pick it all up at the Walmart, Target, or basically any store that has general grocery goods. I have looked at a few other recipes that called for strange products I could never find and while I am sure they are great recipes I just do not have the time to go on a rabbit hunt for detergent supplies at this point in my life.

Also, can we just mention the fact that it makes a TON of detergent!? The way this recipe is created you will not be having to make more detergent every couple weeks (although, it is so easy to make you totally could!). For my family of three- this includes a baby who really likes to dirty some clothes- I make this detergent about every 5-6 months depending on life and what is going on.

Another reason I love this homemade laundry detergent recipe is that it is very affordable. I have not done the math but I would say that this probably costs somewhere between $5-$7 per five gallon bucket, maybe less if you get good deals on supplies! Let’s low ball it and say each five gallon bucket lasts your family three months- that is only $20-$28 spent on laundry detergent per year.

Supplies Needed

Personally I find it cheaper to buy these supplies in bulk. I bought all the supplies last spring and I still have enough for probably three-four more batches. (So basically, I will not be buying any more supplies for at least two more years!)

32 oz. Dr. Bonner’s unscented Castile soap
55 oz. Arm and Hammer washing soda
4 lb. package baking soda
1 gallon white vinegar
Essential oils of choice
5 gallon bucket

Where to Get Supplies

Finding quality supplies for making this laundry detergent is no longer a hassle with Thrive Market! I purchase most of the supplies to make this recipe from my one-stop online store for all things organic and natural ingredient! Thrive Market offers especially great deals on the castile soap used for this recipe and other natural home care products.

Thrive Market offers affordable prices on all things organic and made with natural ingredients! I purchase the castile soap I use for this recipe and others from Thrive along with things like quality essential oils, cleaning products, snacks and pantry staples, and so much more. They offer hundreds of brands with thousands of products dedicated to bringing you quality ingredients at affordable prices! Click my link below to get up to $60 in FREE groceries AND 25% off for a limited time!
Click Here to Learn More!

The five gallon bucket used for this recipe can be found at most home improvement or gardening stores- Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply to name a few.

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

5 cups boiling water
1 cup castile soap
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
30-40 drops of essential oils of choice (a few favorites are lavender, orange and clove, eucalyptus and cedarwood)
5 gallon bucket with lid

Instructions

Add all the ingredients except boiling water to the five gallon bucket.
Add five cups of boiling water and stir until water is dissolved.
Fill the rest of the bucket with warm water until the bucket is full (not too full or it will slosh out when you move it- yes, that is experience speaking!).
Store in a cool, dry place. Use 1/2 cup for a medium-large size load. I use extra if the laundry is extra dirty or smelly.

*Note- because it is such a large batch and will likely be setting for longer periods of time, you may notice the detergent start to separate. Just give it a good stir and it will all come back together.

Click here for our all natural laundry scent booster recipe!

Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent

Natural ingredient, homemade laundry detergent that is easy to make and smells amazing! Cleaning your clothes completely toxin free has never been easier or more affordable with this bulk batch of laundry soap.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings: 5 gallons

Equipment Method

Equipment

5 cups boiling water
1 cup castile soap
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
30-40 drops of essential oils of choice (a few favorites are lavender, orange and clove, eucalyptus and cedarwood)
5 gallon bucket with lid

Method

Add all the ingredients except boiling water to the five gallon bucket.
Add five cups of boiling water and stir until water is dissolved.
Fill the rest of the bucket with warm water until the bucket is full (not too full or it will slosh out when you move it- yes, that is experience speaking!).
Store in a cool, dry place. Use 1/2 cup for a medium-large size load. I use extra if the laundry is extra dirty or smelly.

I would love to hear from you! Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this recipe. Want more natural living, real food recipes, and more? Sign up for the email list so you never miss a post!

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Sickness and Littles During the Winter Months

Reasons for Extra Sickness During the Winter Season

Sugar Poisoning from the Holidays

Lack of Nourishing Foods

Lack of Vitamin D

Supporting a Newborn’s Immune System

Extra Ways to Boost Your Littles Immune System During the Winter

Happy winter, mamas!! We hope these tips keep you and your littles surviving and thriving the next few months. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list so you don’t miss out on more tips for moms of little from moms of littles!

What I Love About this Homemade Laundry Detergent

Supplies Needed

Where to Get Supplies

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent

Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent

Equipment

Method

I would love to hear from you! Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this recipe. Want more natural living, real food recipes, and more? Sign up for the email list so you never miss a post!

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