Describe all symptoms to your doctor, including ones that seem minor like sneezing or coughing. This will help your doctor distinguish between different types of meningitis, and move on to the appropriate diagnostic test. Tell the doctor about these severe symptoms immediately, as they may require emergency treatment: Seizures Loss of consciousness Muscle weakness There are several strains of bacteria that cause meningitis. If your baby has been exposed to people with a stomach illness or respiratory illness, he or she may have been exposed to any of these categories of bacteria: Strep B: In this category, the most common bacteria causing meningitis in babies under 24 months is strep agalactiae. E Coli Listeria species Neisseria Meningitidis S. Pneumoniae Haemophilus Influenzae The doctor will take your baby's vitals as well as her medical history. The doctor will take the baby's temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The doctor will draw blood from the baby in order to do a complete blood count. The doctor will take blood by poking a small hole in the baby's heel. The complete blood count will examine electrolyte levels, as well as red and white blood cell counts. The doctor will also check blood coagulation and will check for bacteria in the blood. A cranial CT scan is a radiological test that checks the density of the brain to see if soft tissues are swollen or if any hemorrhaging has occurred. If patient has had a seizure or any trauma, a CT can help find this as well as indicate whether the patient can have the next test which is a lumbar puncture. If the patient has any indication of high intracranial pressure due to any of the previously mentioned indications, a lumbar puncture will not be initiated until pressure has decreased. This test extracts cerebrospinal fluid from the baby's lower back. The fluid is needed to administer certain tests in order to determine the cause of the meningitis. Be warned that this test is painful. The doctor will apply a topical anesthetic and use a large needle to pull fluid out between the bones of the patient's lower back. If certain conditions are present, the doctor will not perform a lumbar puncture. These conditions may include: Increased intracranial pressure or cerebral herniation (cerebral tissue shifting from its normal location) Infection at the site of lumbar puncture Coma Abnormalities of the spine Difficulty breathing If the lumbar puncture is necessary, the doctor will use the cerebrospinal fluid to administer tests, which may include: Gram stain: Once cerebrospinal fluid is removed, some of it will be stained with a dye in order to determine the type of bacteria present in the fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: This test analyzes the fluid sample for cells, protein and glucose-to-blood ratio. This can help doctor correctly diagnose meningitis and differentiate each type of meningitis from one another.
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One-sentence summary -- Tell the doctor about all symptoms. Tell your doctor if your baby has been exposed to certain bacteria. Have your baby get a complete physical examination. Let the doctor draw blood. Ask the doctor about a cranial CT scan. Ask if a lumbar puncture is necessary.

You will need a large metal baking dish (though stone or glass will also work), a one-pound (454 grams) box of baking soda, and a wooden spoon. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with a thin layer of baking soda. Baking a thinner layer that's about one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) thick will ensure that the process occurs uniformly. Depending on how large a batch you're making, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Stir every 15 minutes to speed up the conversion and ensure it happens in a uniform fashion. As the baking soda converts to washing soda, it will become courser, grainier, and more matte. Also, washing soda doesn't clump up like baking soda does. Washing soda grains will be more like sand and will run through your fingers. Once the baking soda to washing soda conversion is complete, leave the washing soda in the baking dish and allow it to cool to room temperature. Store your washing soda in an airtight container, such as a mason jar or old (clean) coffee container.
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One-sentence summary -- Gather your supplies. Preheat your oven to 400 F (204 C). Bake the baking soda. Know when the process is complete. Allow to cool.

Most razors come with an added moisture or lubricating strip. These strips tend to be loaded with chemicals and other ingredientsyes, razors have ingredients! However, you can find razors that are more natural. Look for a razor that does not have the moisture strip. An alternative would be to purchase razors that have it and then peel or otherwise remove the strip yourself. Common store brands for shaving creams and gels are also full of chemicals and toxic products. Look for a more natural brand, or make it yourself. Brands such as Dr. Bronner's, Garden of Eve, and Kiss My Face are known for making more natural shaving products. For homemade shaving cream, you can simply use coconut oil or another carrier oil, like sweet almond oil or sesame oil. You can also look into homemade mixtures. There are some body parts that men and women commonly shave: Women commonly shave their legs, underarms, and bikini areas. Some women also shave their arms. Men commonly shave their beards, mustaches, and chests. There are some reports that people should not shave certain areas, like their arms, because the hair will grow back faster and thicker. However, scientists have proven this to be untrue. In a thin layer, spread your shaving product over the body part you are shaving. Be sure you have enough to protect your skin from nicks and cuts, especially since your razor does not have a moisture strip. Pull your razor up the body part that you are shaving in one long motion. Continue to do this repeatedly until you have shaved the entire area. Frequently rinse the excess shaving product and shaved hair from your razor so that you get a clean, smooth shave all around. Take your time and go slowly. You are more likely to get a shaving nick or cut whenever you rush and forget to take care on areas like your ankles and knees. When you are done shaving the entire body part or area that you want shaved, rinse it and then check for any spots you missed while shaving. Dab a little bit of shaving cream or gel on that spot and touch it up carefully with the razor. After you shave, run your razor under hot water. Meanwhile, brush both sides of the razor blade with a toothbrush to get off all of the shaving cream or gel and hair. This helps to keep your blade clean and sharper longer.
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One-sentence summary --
Purchase an appropriate razor. Buy a natural shaving cream or gel. Wet the area that you would like to shave. Apply the shaving cream or gel to the area to be shaved. Shave the area carefully. Rinse your skin and check for missed spots. Clean your razor.