The fact is, however that babywearing has very real psychological and physiological benefits for both baby and mom and that is precisely why it has grown in popularity, rather than simply being a “trend”. It is an offensive ad but as they say, there is no such thing as bad press, right? I know I will never buy a Motrin product.

Check out this great post on the Motrin/babywearing issue and then watch the original video and a couple of great comeback videos that started twitter and the blogosphere afire a few days ago:

The original Motrin moms anti-babywearing video that caused all the ruckus:

A lovely pro-babywearing “comeback” video

The best comeback of all:

Visit http://babywearinginternational.org for
Award Nominations (general awards nominations closed on Nov 7 but there are still some top award nominations still active)
Children’s coloring contest
Local groups and activities

Lactivists and the formula companies may know it all too well, but unsuspecting new mothers believe they are simply getting a “perk” for delivering in the hospital. Forego the goody bag if you are a new mom because every sip of formula will alter your baby’s latch and reduce your own milk supply. Leave it at the hospital or dump it down the drain if feel inclined but whatever you do, don’t bring it home.

Watch the video: Mixed Messages Discourage Breastfeeding

According to an article in Pittsburgh Live.com, a homeschooling mother, Susan Lawrence, is spearheading efforts to stop some nutcase from giving away paddles designed to spank children. The photo attached to the article shows this lunatic wielding what appears to be a large plank of wood. Perhaps he thinks people might hurt their hands when they beat their children so they need a tool?

Apparently the idea to give away beating devices came to him while he was having his special time in the shower. According to him, that is when God speaks to him. Wow. The article states that

“Salvati, 44, who owns a home remodeling business and sends free wooden paddles to parents across the country, said he’s just doing what God asked him to do four years ago.”

In a refreshing voice of reason amidst this insanity Lawrence states that she “finds his rules “perverted.”People get that associated in their minds that love means being hit. That’s very dangerous, and that leads to all kinds of perversions,” she said. “In my way of thinking, when someone hits you, they do not love you.”

what message are spankers giving their children?

“It is perfectly OK to hit people that are too small and trusting to fight back”
“I will stop hitting you when you are big enough to hurt me back”
“I love you and its OK for me to hurt you physically, but if your boyfriend or husband hurts your physically someday you should leave him immediately”
“People show their love by hurting”
“You should only hurt the ones you love in the privacy of your own home”

As a domestic violence survivor I find this crackpot especially disturbing and I would be delighted if crazy people who respond to voices they hear during their special time in the shower would be locked up rather than written about in the newspaper.

Click here to read the full article at Pittsburghlive.com

“Every milestone — from when your baby first holds up her sweet little head to when she speaks her first word — is thrilling. These moments aren’t just exciting and fun; they’re also markers that can clue you in to your baby’s development. Most parents already know to look for the much-lauded ones, like rolling over and walking. But of the multitude of milestones cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics, some are considered more significant. Here, 10 milestones that are worth paying a little extra attention to during your child’s first two years:”

1. Eye Contact
2.Social Smile
3.Cooing
4.Babbling
5.Reaching and Grabbing
6.Pulling up
7.Pincer Grasp
8.Gesturing
9.First Word
10.Pretend Play

See the full article for explanations and timeframes
Click here to read the full article at CNN.com

Sheryl’s comment:
While it can be useful and fun to watch your baby hit the “milestones” please keep in mind that all babies develop differently and if you spend your time tracking a chart then you may stress needlessly because your child’s timeline does not match “the norm”. In addition, if you are stressing about timelines you are not enjoying your child grow up which is what natural and instinctive parenting is all about!

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/fikirbaz/2127061197/

Bonding is essential for any baby. Whether adopted or biological, babies have needs that are critical for proper development of mind and body. Newborns come ready to start this bonding process. Parents are the ones who don’t know where to start, especially if their baby is adopted or been placed in the NICU.

KidsHealth.org says, “Studies of newborn monkeys who were given mannequin mothers at birth showed that, despite the efforts of the baby monkeys to get a response through holding and touching the mannequins, the lack of a parental response caused stunted development, sadness, and failure to thrive… Scientists suspect that lack of bonding in human babies causes similar problems.”

Infants spend nine months inside their mother…listening to her heart beat, her voice, her breathing, the rhythms of her body. After birth, there is another world to contend with. For some babies, this can be frightening. How can you make this transition easier while promoting bonding at the same time? Try these tips from Tweetie Pie Baby.

Hold your baby so she can feel your heartbeat. Skin to skin contact is known to be a calming, familiar experience for newborns. They can hear your heartbeat, smell your scent and know that you are close. This connection is important for dads too. Even if you can’t be skin to skin, you can use a baby sling carrier placed so your baby can hear your heart.

Talk with your baby, and make eye contact often. This not only increases awareness and communication, but rapidly encourages developing language skills. Hearing your voice provides reassurance to your baby. Maintaining eye contact builds trust and nurtures your growing relationship.

Use a baby sling carrier to create a womb like atmosphere. While inside carrier, an infant is held close to your body, feeling all the very same rhythms they felt before birth. That familiarity gives them comfort and increases their level of attachment. Babies who are carried are known to sleep better and have less colic.

According to Dr. Jim Sears, “Carried babies fuss less and spend more time in the state of quiet alertness, the behavior state in which babies learn most about their environment.” A baby sling carrier can help with the concern about attachment and healthy emotional development.

Use Infant Massage to comfort your baby. All babies, especially premature babies and those with medical problems may respond well to infant massage. Muscular stimulation increases feelings of comfort and relaxation. Be sure to use gentle pressure with your newborn.

Consider breastfeeding either biological or adopted babies. This may be a complex task, but it can be done. The benefits both emotional and nutritional are outstanding. Bottle feeding can still be a bonding experience as long as you hold your infant close with skin to skin contact. Hands free nursing while using a baby sling carrier is a wonderful option to provide more freedom and privacy. Information on how to breastfeed an adopted child can be found by contacting La Leche League or a lactation consultant at your local hospital.

About the Author:
Jenna Haynie is a Denver Colorado native and owner of Tweetie Pie Baby. A resource for baby essentials.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/andythegeek/24459451/

A number of companies have created “earth-friendly” diapers however there are varying opinions on how earth friendly these diapers actually are.”

The article goes on to critique some new brand of disposable diapers such as gDiapers and Safeties Nature Nappy . I believe that absolutely anything is an improvement over grocery store disposable diapers which are appalling for both the baby and the environment. While the new versions are a much needed improvement, they are still not the ideal solution.

Babies do not need to wear diapers at all. It is not necessary or natural for babies to sit in their own waste. While some parents argue that they are too busy to pay attention to their babies, holding your infant over a receptacle is less inconvenient than the physical time and effort required to change six to ten diapers a day.

I love the sustainableisgood blog but I do wish they would have considered the most eco and baby friendly option of all. Learn more at www.sustainableisgood.com

Click here to watch video

Many parents do not realize that these are options that benefit the baby in many incalculable ways but also benefit the parents and the environment.This is an excellent primer if you are new to the concept of natural, instinctive, gentle or attachment parenting.

Although these methods are commonplace in the rest of the world throughout history they are new to modern American parents and this is a great place to get your feet wet.

read full article