Sniffle Sleeve | Aromatherapy 4 Kids? and other FAQs

* Let your child pick the pattern. You may not like it, but if they do, they’ll wear it.

* Let your child choose an essential oil whose scent they enjoy. Ravensara is a primary ingredient in most of the recommended blends and many children like it's soft, sweet aroma. Aromatherapy for kids is safe, effective and fun when following the exact guidance of a professional.

* When worn with clothing most children forget they are wearing a sleeve until it’s time to use it, sending germs to the rescue squad or feeding the ladybug, or teaching others about their hungry ladybug. The sleeve then contains the germs, and as a bonus, it keeps their clothes clean.

* When sending a child to school you may wish to both educate their teacher about the purpose of the sleeve, and pin it on for safekeeping.

Should it be worn out in public? What do I say to people who ask, “What is that?”
There are many places: schools, shopping, or while traveling on airplanes to name a few, that you and your child will need to go to regardless of their coughing, sneezing and runny noses. If someone asks what it is, let them know that it’s a reminder to your child to cough and sneeze into their elbow so they don’t spread their germs. Most people will feel good that you’re trying stop or at least reduce the spread of germs. If they’re another parent or a teacher, they’ll love you.

How often should I change the sleeve?
Changing the sleeve is subjective. It depends highly on your child’s expressive nature, particularly how often and how goopy the coughing and sneezing may be or if there is nose wiping occurring. We recommend that when the sleeve is in active use, guarding against a well established and prolific cold, it is changed frequently. Emphasize that the ladybug is FULL, WELL DONE! And bring on the next one. If a child is on the tail end of a cold, with some sniffling and sneezing, obviously the ladybug may need more time on the elbow to collect enough germs to sleep through the night.

Is it supposed to be worn over clothes or on a bare arm?
The sleeve is primarily designed (and sized) to be worn over clothing. Some children love the sleeves as an accessory, similar to their love of band aids but if your child does not and your child has a bare arm and is under the age of 4, the chance increases exponentially of them pulling it off after the novelty of their story wears off. If this is the case; it still has served two important purposes:
1) A teaching tool about sleeve coughing and sneezing for really good germ control and/or
2) A reminder about the role of the sleeve for effective germ control, (not to mention good manners.)

If you are using the sleeve with essential oils, as I do with my children, it becomes a course of habit that when they’re sick, the sleeve and the appropriate oil blend, goes on. My girls, ages 3 and 6, ask for the sleeve when they don’t feel well, it’s become a source of comfort.

Is my child supposed to blow or wipe their runny nose on the sleeve?
Gross, of course not! All kidding aside, the purpose of the sleeve is to educate kids about germs and germ control. It was not designed with the ability to be a mobile handkerchief in mind. That being said, many do try, but it tends to be too short unless it is specifically pulled down from the elbow to the forearm. Using it for that purpose is definitely an option if you are trying to protect clothing from a particularly nasty cold, especially if your child will be outside playing, but we suggest that if you haven't already done so, do shift the placement from the elbow to the forearm. Of course emphasize the use of tissues and hope for the best.

Did you know that the Sniffle Sleeve™ works great as a mealtime sleeve protector?
We did not, but we’re glad to be of service.

Are you making any disposable sleeves?
We are not, but there is a disposable sleeve just coming out in the market place now. Germy Wormy® is a germ hungry (very hungry) armband just starving for your child’s germs. Back Enterprises, LLC has created an educational character, puppet show, poster and preschool curriculum all designed around germ control for kids ages 2 and up. www.germywormy.com

How do I wash the sleeve?
The conventional cotton is material from Michael Miller or Timeless Treasure. Both companies guarantee a max 5% shrinkage rate. Machine wash on hot with like colors. Tumble dry low.

What are the safety precautions necessary when using essential oils with children?
Some essential oils are not suitable for children. Ensure you use only those recommended by an established professional. Ensure that the oils you are using, both the type and the amount, are appropriate for the age of your child. There are more than 300 natural, nontoxic and fragrant essential oil recipes and suggestions outlined in Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child, by Valerie Ann Worwood. The book is extremely easy to use, well referenced and specific. There are many other appropriate texts available as well.
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About the Founder

Wendy Phillips Piret graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1993 and served on active duty for 8 years. She is now the mother of two girls, a movement education specialist and the wife of a Navy Meteorologist. In addition to being the creator and founder of Sniffle Sleeve™ LLC, she is a pediatric craniosacral practioner, a licensed Brain Gym Instructor, and a Yoga Ed Preschool Instructor. All things focus on, and combine into, creating healthy children, in the hopes for a healthy world.
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How did the Sniffle Sleeve come about?

It has only been with the start of my own family that I have realized and attempted to return to a philosophy of very simple, eco-conscious clean living. There are many ways to live green, with as little an impact on the earth and each other as possible. As a family we are far from squeaky clean, but we are making progress. We have come to terms with the fact that the quick fix is rarely the one that is best for the earth, and that applies to health as well.

With illness there really is no magic pill for recovery and some attempts to speed up the healing process can be detrimental. Over the counter cough and cold medications suppress our symptoms (coughs and runny noses); we want instead to express them, let the body take its’ natural course, and in the process build a strong and healthy immune system. We do not celebrate each cold, (what busy parent in their right mind would) but we do believe that each illness left to run its’ course carries with it a small gift of immunity.

That’s all well and good, now what do we do with all that expressing and how do we keep our germs from passing from one person to the next? It was at the beginning of cold and flu season 2006 when the rudimentary idea of the Sniffle Sleeve came to mind.

Sleeve coughing was being taught in my oldest child’s preschool classroom. All parents had been briefed of the change of culture from hand emphasis to elbow containment. But my child was coughing everywhere but into her sleeve. I made her a little reminder, something fun to wear, and but a bit of Eucalyptus to help her breath more easily. I soon had a few sleeves made and the girls loved them, though they still prefer Lavender and Ravensara over the more medicinal Eucalyptus. Since that time I have learned and applied the magic of blends, which both girls request now when they don’t feel well.

Ultimately the Sniffle Sleeve™ is a product of my upbringing. My mother, a chiropractor and birth educator, has long lived the example of green living, from whole foods, to green cleaning products, to her philosophy about life and health. The sleeve is a direct outcome of her inspiration in my life and our desire to raise our girls with the knowledge that the road to good health is one which we do have control over but must be approached with patience. When illness comes we rest, eat those foods that strengthen our immune system, cough and sneeze into our sleeves to reduce the spread of germs, and do what we can to naturally support and heal out bodies.

Granted with a busy 3 yr old and a distracted 6 yr old, we’re still working on the coughing into the sleeve all the time bit, (as well as saying please, thank you and may I.) But the Sniffle Sleeve has done wonders as a fun reminder and an aromatherapy tool. Unfortunately for me, their favorite sleeve is the flames. Why couldn’t they like the blossoms?
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About the Team

An idea not only needs inspiration, it needs support to succeed. We want to recognize those people who were pivotal in providing us with the confirmation, enthusiasm, and support that propelled us forward to this stage.

Erin Jones and Isadora Eads both encouraged us with their enthusiasm and as mother’s whose opinion we have great respect for. Juanita Cazares and Kathy Rausch, gifted and talented mothers as well, both listened to the ideas, gave us insight and inspiration and provided their help and support. Then there were a few entrepreneurs who took time out of their schedule to discuss, offer advice, provide leads and share their own stories:

Deborah Grover - Managing partner or BellySock LLC, who in 1 hour gave us more information than we had acquired in the previous 6 months - www.bellysock.com

Nicole Donnelly   - The thriving and sensational entrepreneur, inventor and founder of Babylegs. With Deborah, took the time in a very busy schedule to share with other entrepreneur moms. - www.babylegs.com

Kim and Jason Grahm-Nye - An extremely successful and busy family. Their product and their business model are an inspiration to any business who desires to be family centered, eco-conscious, and socially responsible. The founders of Gdiaper they also took the time out of their very busy schedule to personally correspond via phone and email. www.gdiaper.com

Karen Zimmer    - A friend, neighbor, mentor, and mother of 3 boys under the age of 10. Stylish, funny, amazingly organized and now our North Western Sniffle Sleeve Distributor. How did we get so lucky?

Graphic Artist    - Jess Caskey - grafica designs I Freelance Designer I, based out of Seattle WA. Contact # - 425.750.4394

Web Designer    - Cami, www.webcami.com, based out of Seattle WA. Contact # - 206-550-7720

Product Manufacturer - Tres Bonne Inc., tresbonnesewing@yahoo.com, based out of Seattle WA, Contact # - 206-682-4441

Webhosting - Holdridge Technologies & H2Pronto - http://www.holdridgetech.com/ & online business center - www.h2pronto.com

What is a craniosacral practioner?
www.milneinstitute.com
Brain Gym?
www.braingym.org
Yoga Ed?
www.yogaed.com