PARENTING FREEDOM

Carol | January 8, 2012

The Containerization of our Children
http://www.hippiemommy.com/2010/07/23/the-containerization-of-our-children/

The Containerization of Infants by Brandi Breitback, MOTR/L
http://www.modmum.com/blog/baby-tips/the-containerization-of-infants/

“‘A recent research study replicated a study done in the 1940’s, in which psychological researchers asked kids age 3, 5, and 7 to do a number of exercises…Today’s 5 year olds were acting at a level of 3 year olds, 60 years ago, and today’s 7 year olds were barely approaching the level of the 5 year old (1, 4, 5).’ In the 1940’s, children were reported to walk at 8-12 months of age, now children are reported to begin walking at 12-15 months of age (2). Realistically speaking that is only a generation ago; that’s a huge decline in functional performance in a relatively short time span.”

“Containerization of infants is defined as ‘confining them to strollers, playpens, high chairs, and car/infant seats for hours at a time.’”

I had always defined it as “baby dumping”…
http://parentingfreedom.com/babywearing/

All five of mine walked by 9 or 10 months. I always say that the more babies are carried, the earlier they walk.

Category: Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing | No Comments »
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Carol | December 5, 2011

At the grocery store, I wear C1 in a ring sling in a sitting/standing forward position so her hands can grasp the shopping cart handle. I don’t have to worry about her falling out of the shopping cart, and I have room for all the groceries needed for a “big” family. She loves to push the cart. I often pass her items or let her get things off the shelves, and she puts them in the cart. We meet a lot of people who want to talk to her and hold her hand. When we get to the check-out counter, she helps get things out of the cart and put them on the counter. Her favorite part is after waiting… and waiting… and waiting… for it to change from “Do Not Remove This Card”, she gets to haul the credit card out of the little machine. Then the check-out lady gives her the receipt.

C1 is an excellent shopper (as were all my babies/toddlers). I believe that is because she has always been carried, always been included, always been treated as a person. She is not stuck in a car seat. She is not stuck in a cart. She is not stuck at home with a babysitter. She is learning about real life.

The most common question I get when people see me wearing C1 in a sling is, “Isn’t she heavy?” Uh, yeah. But you sort of have to carry your 15-month-old child. I mean, seriously, if I have to make a bunch of stops – to the bank, to the post office, etc. I can’t leave her in the vehicle. It would be crazy to drag a stroller. Why wouldn’t I choose a way to carry her that leaves my hands free? (What on earth do other mothers do?!) Very importantly, babywearing also keeps C1 content in “her spot”. She knows her place and does not struggle to get down which she would do if she was simply in my arms. Today, I had to take the van to get it inspected. C1 had just fallen asleep in her carseat. I put her in the sling and she slept the whole time in the waiting room.

Babywearing makes mothering so much easier, assuming you don’t prefer to get a mother substitute.

Category: Baby #6, Mommy Tips, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Stay-at-Home | 1 Comment »
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Carol | October 26, 2011

If a baby is generally conflict free and happy most of the time, then it is much easier to deal with those rare days of teething or crankiness… Those are the times when babywearing pays off big time. Getting ahead of the game, by popping Baby in the sling or backpack keeps her distracted and comforted, especially when Mommy needs to keep up with the program. C1 even cheers when I get out the sling at home. This was yesterday when I had to get ready to go somewhere and nobody else could keep Baby content. The sling did the trick while I was putting on my make-up.

Category: Mommy Tips, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Fussy Baby | No Comments »
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Carol | September 23, 2011

Awwww… C1 happened to find her baby ring sling and carried it over to me. She was so proud she had found it and smiled excitedly to be put in it… At home, I haven’t tended to babywear her as much as I did with my previous babies because with much older children in the house, more arms want to hold her, and she actually wants to be in on all the action. At this age, she usually prefers to be wrestling on the living room floor rather than in the sling at the kitchen sink. (Not that I am at the kitchen sink very often what with having older kids.)

Category: Baby #6, Parenting Babywearing, Status Updates | No Comments »
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Carol | July 10, 2011

Morning comes with bright light peeking around the edges of the window blinds. I am being summoned out of a deep sleep with the gentle stirrings of my sleeping baby curled up next to me. I draw her close with kisses and soft murmurings. With eyes still closed, she reaches her little fist out to grasp strands of my long hair, and she pops her trusty thumb in her mouth. This usually gives us some extra sleep before we start the day.

9 1/2 months old

When she stirs again, I remind her I’m here, reach for my firm foam wedges (2-12″ for comfortably sitting up in bed), clip my Brest Friend around my waist, and scoop my baby in my arms. She doesn’t have to cry. Many months ago, she mostly replaced her cry with a “cough” that means, “Hurry up, Mommy!”

Nursing in sleep in bed ~ 2 1/2 months old

She latches on, and her tummy begins to fill with her warm, nutritious breakfast. Another “cough” tells me to switch sides. Before she latches again, she does her morning stretch with arms quivering above her little head that she has arched back. Her legs are stretched right out, down to her bare toes, eyes still closed. Then she nurses more, and by this time, I am starting to fully awaken, and her eyes have begun to squint open, saying, “Of course it’s you, Mommy.” Then she concentrates on looking at me, and in spite of a few milky grins, and attempts at starting a conversation, she finishes her milk. I shove the wedges to the side, and we lay down and cuddle some more, and she begins to chatter and sit or stand on me. “Time to get up, Mommy!”

Up for the day!! ~ 6 1/2 months old

The rest of the day always includes several more nursing sessions, and a baby nursing nap here or there. Maybe even a sleep for Mommy and Baby in the La-Z-Boy chair. At least once a day, I help my six-year-old with his schoolwork with a nursing or sleeping baby in my arms.

Homeschooling a six-year-old
while nurturing a new baby ~ 20 days old
Baby’s bed is the Brest Friend on Mommy’s lap.

The view from my rocking chair ~ almost 5 months old

Occasionally, if Baby is extra tired and Mommy is not, I lay her on a little floor mattress that I slide out from under the bed. That way, I can step away from the area for short times while she sleeps safely. I have an audio/video monitor that I might use on those occasions.

Sleeping on the thin floor mattress next to the bed
during a daytime nap ~ 9 1/2 months old

I have never been a stickler for naps. Although Baby’s need for sleep is respected, I don’t find that naps require a certain place, time, or amount of time. Baby also does not determine our family’s daily activities. Baby may nap in my arms, in the carseat on the way to town, in the sling in a store, at the movies, during a walk, or in the backpack at the grocery store, etc.

Our lifestyle is very welcoming to a baby. She is part of the family, and with the exception of everyone having to wait while we pull off the highway for Baby to have a nursing break or diaper change now and again, there is really no time when Baby causes the family to miss anything. For example, this spring, we did eight Disney/Universal amusement parks in eight days, and we spent another day at the beach! Baby was on board and partying as hard as the rest! (I highly recommend bringing a baby with you to Disney/Universal. Child swap is awesome! The whole family stands in line, and then the parents take turns going on the rides with all the kids. Double the fun for the children in much less time!)

Napping in sling at a Hollywood Studios attraction ~ 8 months old

Nursing nap while visiting relatives ~ 4 months old

Typing the text for this article into the computer ~ 9 1/2 months old

At bedtime, usually around 10 PM, I pour a glass of water, locate the TV remote control, and carry my onesie-clad baby into the bedroom. I arrange my foam wedges, fasten my Brest Friend into place, and my baby begins her bedtime nursing. We both are relaxed, and she usually falls asleep quickly and peacefully. Sometimes, she is not quite worn out, but it doesn’t take much activity before she settles down for more breastmilk. I watch TV or read or write or talk while she nurse-sleeps. Even after she finishes nursing, I may keep holding her until my arm gets all sweaty, and her little body gets too warm. That is exactly where she is as I write these very words. I often don’t want to put her down.

Writing this article in bed with a pencil and paper
I didn’t want to put down my sleeping baby.
9 1/2 months old

I eventually gently position her beside me on her side facing me, with her back to the high, sturdy bed rail. If she isn’t in a deep sleep, she will grab my hair on the way down and suck her thumb while I cuddle and pat her back to sleep. I usually continue watching TV or read as late as I like, right next to my sleeping baby. (I have researched and practice SAFE sleep sharing, but get your own medical advice.) She will stir at least a couple times (more often in the early months) during the night, rarely with a cry, and I readily provide her nighttime comfort and nutrition. All is good.

As an older mother of five and after having experienced a devastating miscarriage, I know that this is a precious time, much to be appreciated, and will be gone all too soon.  “Babies don’t keep.”

Nurturing my baby is truly my highest priority. The mutually satisfying mothering-to-sleep style I have chosen for each of my five babies is an alternative to the Ezzo, cry-it-out, sleep scheduling, Ferberizing methods.

I can’t think of anything more rewarding as a mother than the pleasant experience of nursing my baby to sleep and having my baby sleep next to me. I encourage you to consider being willing to experience and embrace this glimpse of unconditional love.

Trying to stick to strict schedules or having the attitude that if you “let baby get away with this, she will always want to do this” can take all the fun out of sleep-related mothering. Enjoy this peaceful mothering experience. Give your child the gift of your motherly comfort, and make your heart rejoice. 

Live without regrets.

Asleep on Mommy ~ almost 5 months old

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

“‘Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.’ For this is what the LORD says: ‘I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.’ When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass.” Isaiah 66:10-14

DISCLAIMER: I want to make clear that sleep-related mothering does not always go so smoothly, but I will attest to the fact that the vast majority of the past ten months of my baby’s sleep-related life has been exactly as described as above. Also, I am not an expert, and I am not giving advice, so please refer to your doctor regarding all issues mentioned here and on this website.

For more on this topic, choose from the following:

Article: Does she sleep through the night?

Crying it Out: Essay ~ Bible Verses ~ Quotes ~ Blog Posts ~ Books

Sleep Sharing: Essay ~ Bible Verses ~ Quotes ~ Blog Posts ~ Books 

NOTE: This is my contribution to the 8th annual Ezzo Week hosted at Tulipgirl.com from July 11 -17, 2011. “This week is devoted to both encouraging parents, as well as educating them on the destructive philosophies and practices associated with the parenting teachings of Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo.”

Category: Baby #6, Miscarriage, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 6 Comments »
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Carol | March 27, 2011

That’s some furball! Mother carries baby squirrel back to the nest coiled into a tiny ball
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366128/Squirrel-carries-baby-nest-coiled-tiny-ball.html#ixzz1Hq2w5t9P

Category: Parenting Babywearing | No Comments »
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Carol | March 27, 2011

Baby’s growing up… and taking a shine to politics: The MEP who brings her daughter to Parliament
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1364414/Baby-s-growing-getting-interested-politics.html#ixzz1Hq0B2ycf

“‘It was not a political gesture. It was first of all a maternal gesture – that I wanted to stay with my daughter as much as possible, and to remind people that there are women who do not have this opportunity [to bring their children to work], that we should do something to talk about this.’”

Category: Financial, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Stay-at-Home, Politics | No Comments »
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Carol | March 2, 2011

I just love these pictures of this newborn gorilla and its mother. What joy, what bliss, what love is this.  

Feeding time for the five-day-old silverback so well protected by its mother that zookeepers don’t know what sex it is
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362264/Newborn-gorilla-endangered-species-list-pictured-Zurich-zoo.html#ixzz1FVBh6leu 

“After drinking its mother’s milk, the tiny gorilla snuggles in her arms… The baby gorilla’s eyes grow heavy in the comfort of its mother’s embrace… She looks down at the baby lovingly and he appears to look back for reassurance before slowly drifting off into a deep sleep…”

No crib. No crying-it-out. No mother substitutes. No milk substitutes… Instinctive attachment parenting all the way…

Category: Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Sleep Sharing | No Comments »
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Carol | February 20, 2011

How Couples Recover After an Argument Stems from Their Infant Relationships
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110218142453.htm

“Couples’ abilities to bounce back from conflict may depend on what both partners were like as infants…”

“By looking back at observations of the participants and their caregivers from the 1970s, when they were between 12 and 18 months old, the researchers discovered a link between the couples’ conflict recovery behaviors and the quality of their attachment relationship with their caregivers. People who were more securely attached to their caregivers as infants were better at recovering from conflict 20 years later. This means that if your caregiver is better at regulating your negative emotions as an infant, you tend to do a better job of regulating your own negative emotions in the moments following a conflict as an adult.”

“The researchers also found that there is hope for people who were insecurely attached as infants. ‘We found that people who were insecurely attached as infants but whose adult romantic partners recover well from conflict are likely to stay together,’ remarked Salvatore. ‘If one person can lead this process of recovering from conflict, it may buffer the other person and the relationship.’ The health of a relationship can be salvaged if one person can quickly disengage from conflict and avoid dwelling on negative thoughts and emotions…”

How Couples Recover After an Argument Stems From Their Infant Relationships
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/how-couples-recover-after-an-argument-stems-from-their-infant-relationships.html

Category: Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Sleep Sharing, Parenting Stay-at-Home | No Comments »
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Carol | January 23, 2011

Meet the newest TODAY Moms blogger: Mayim Bialik
http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/01/18/5839973-meet-the-newest-today-moms-blogger-mayim-bialik

“We had our first son in 2005, and I nursed him on demand around the clock for 26 months – no pacifiers, no bottles, no solids until 12 months. Son No. 2 was born in 2008 at home, unassisted until pushing. He is still nursing strong and on demand, day and night, at almost 2½.”

“This is not some fandangled new Hollywood trend. We parent the way people have parented for hundreds of thousands of years…”

“Natural birth is not something to “try for” and feel bad you couldn’t do. Our country needs to step up to the plate in educating women about the benefits of natural birth, and we need to help women actually do it – not just hear about it…”

“I wore my children in slings almost exclusively instead of using strollers…”

“We don’t hit our children or punish them. We have a lot of boundaries and expectations of our children, and we are by no means permissive parents…”

Category: Books, Movies, Television, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Discipline, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 1 Comment »
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Carol | December 31, 2010

Baby GC was the latest among the five best gifts I have ever received (outside of the gift of eternal life.) How did I get the best toy in the world? She is such a life-like doll. Just like a real baby! She has been such an incredible delight and joy in our lives. We are all very thankful for her. We have been having so much fun with her. Having a baby at this age is just as great as everybody (with that experience) told me it would me – even better! It is EASY because everything comes second nature by now. I know what to do, I know what works, and I am more relaxed. I am not exaggerating (much) when I say that I spend most of the day looking at her and making her laugh and smile. I get little else done, but you know what? I don’t even care!

Miss Christmas ~ 3 1/2 months old

Baby GC reading ~ getting close to four months old

Baby GC in the sling enjoying
the winter wonderland of our beautiful province

Category: Facebook, Holidays, Journal 2010, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing | 2 Comments »
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Carol | December 31, 2010

I have tried my new baby wrap a few times. It is comfortable, but it takes forever to get Baby in and out. (She’s sound asleep in the picture). I love my sling so much better, but I do use the wrap every week when I take Baby GC, C9, and L6 in the swimming pool. After five babies and owning about 20 carriers/slings, the tie for first is between an unpadded, wide/long ring sling and my Tough Traveller backpack. Both are extremely useful with different purposes.

Baby GC in my favorite sling

Category: Facebook, Journal 2010, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing | 1 Comment »
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Carol | December 31, 2010

I miss personal blogging. I miss the old way I used to blog. I am so behind that it almost seems hopeless. I stopped posting regular family pictures around July and never picked it up again. I haven’t even written Baby GC’s birth story. I want to get back into it, so for now, I think I will skip the summer and fall and only go back as far as the beginning of Advent 2010.

We had a very slow, low-key month of December. I made the choice not to do many of our annual traditions. I wanted peace without commotion. I was tired of feeling tired, so we did very little. It still felt very much like Christmas.

One new idea that proved to be quite fun was our new Advent calendar house. After Christmas last year, I ordered it on EBay. It sat in its box all year, so it was rather amusing when we opened it. Do you notice anything unusual about it? I didn’t until the children mentioned it.

Our Advent Calendar House

I bought some secret things. (The treats were often things we would do anyway, or candy from the Bulk Barn, or things we could have saved for Christmas presents. I had lots of ideas we didn’t even use.)

And I made a list of hiding places. (Examples: Look in the organ… Look in the drawer under the sock monkey… Look in the doll house… Look by the doll on the stairs… Look behind the ceramic Christmas tree… Look in the front bench… Look in the fridge… Look by the Cascade… Look on the computer desk… Look in the bathtub… Look in the black cabinet in the bathroom… Look on the dryer…)

Each day of December, I would either stuff a small treat or a “Look under/in/behind” note behind one of the doors. Instead of getting it ready all at once, I would do it one day at a time, so the most appropriate treat would go on the most convenient day.

Day 1: pack of crackling candy to share (funny)

Day 2: four lollipops and four Double Bubble gum (to divide among four children)

Day 3: four chocolate loonies

Day 4: Decorated wooden Christmas tree ornament crafts with marker and glitter

Day 5: Made T.V. advertisments with video camera – Sham Wow, Goldline

This was fun. We spent additional time watching home videos. (It makes me feel bad that I didn’t take more during the past few years. I have hardly ANY of Baby GC, but I guess it doesn’t matter.)

Day 6: bag of peanut M&Ms to share

Day 7: four chocolate peanut butter balls and four mints

Day 8: four mints and four rockets

Day 9: four pieces Hubba Bubba gum

Day 10: chocolate rocks (It took them a while to figure out you could eat them. It looked like a bag of real stones.)

Day 11: Ice Cream Moon Sand

The three middles really enjoyed this project.

Playing Moon Sand
See Baby and cat and lights?
I was getting ready to put the lights on the real tree.

Day 12: Decorated Gingerbread houses with Daddy

Derek is always responsible for the construction of the gingerbread houses.

Our Gingerbread Houses 2010

Day 13: Gum that tastes like SOAP. I can’t let them get TOO spoiled. It was hilarious, but they were mad and thought it was a dud. ROFLOL After, I told them if they had reacted like good sports, they would have got something else, but… FAIL… ?! (To clarify, for the biblically minded, it was a joke, not a character test… and they read the label before they tried it.)

Day 14: foam sticker wreath craft with glitter glue, one KitKat to share

Christmas wreath foam craft

Day 15: watched Ramona and Beezus on PayPerVu

I knew C9 would like this especially. I think she has read all the Beverly Cleary books by now. It will be a sad day when something happens to our cat. I LOVED all the baby wearing in the movie! Even Ramona was carrying around her baby sister in a forward facing carrier.

Day 16: four candy canes

Day 17: four lollipops and four Double Bubble gum

Day 18: Three oldest went to Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3D with Daddy… L6 watched Cats and Dogs 2 on PayPerVu

I didn’t want to take Baby GC to Voyage of the Dawn Treader because it was only available in 3D. There is nothing worse than a seeing a 3D movie without the glasses, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep them on the baby, and she LOVES to watch the big screen, so I chose to skip the movie.

Day 19: The middles painted plaster tree ornaments with me, Derek, and his brother who happened to stop by.

Painting Christmas Tree Ornaments

Decorating chocolate cupcakes with icing
and Christmas sprinkles (with Derek’s brother)

Day 20: I forget what it was.

Day 21: two Kit Kats and two O’Henrys

Day 22: four pieces of Hubba Bubba gum

Day 23: four kinds of juice cans

Day 24: made things out of clay

Making things out of clay on Christmas Eve

Some of our clay creations

We had a nice, relaxing Christmas Eve.

Day 25: four mints

Category: Facebook, Holidays, Homeschooling Activities, Journal 2010, Parenting Babywearing | 4 Comments »
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Carol | October 16, 2010

Fever from a naturopathic perspective
http://www.gaianaturopathic.com/resources_handouts_fever.html

Angelina Jolie – The Mistake that Almost Killed Her
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/17/angelina-jolie-says-vegan-diet-nearly-killed-her.aspx

I went vegan for six weeks, and I got more sick with every passing day. (I know that it works for others.)

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Babywearing

Nearly One in 10 Americans Depressed, Study Reveals
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/nearly-one-in-10-americans-depressed-study-dpgonc-20101001-fc_9897171

And OLD News, but a great clip
C S Lewis on Pain

Category: Depression, Health, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing | No Comments »
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Carol | August 20, 2010

DISCLAIMER:
Follow your doctor’s advice and all warning labels for ALL issues regarding your baby.

This will be my fifth “Attachment Parented” baby. I have mothered in this way more intensely with each child, and I have no regrets in that area. I praise and thank God for leading me to “Attachment Parenting”.

I promised you pictures of my “Attachment Parenting Nursery”, and naturally, you get my opinions thrown in, so here we go… It might make you feel better to read a different blog.

We have the means, but not the will, to have a separate nursery for Baby. I believe a traditional nursery is NOT in the best interests of a baby. I believe a nursery only satisfies the mother-to-be’s dreams of having a beautiful baby room, as well as peer and family’s expectations and traditions.

What about Baby?

Baby not only WANTS to be with Mother, but EXPECTS and NEEDS to be with Mother.

What is the perfect nursery for a baby?

Mother’s eyes. Mother’s voice. Mother’s arms. Mother’s breasts. Mother’s love. MOTHER.

Contrary to what you might think, nesting is a big deal for me. I prepare for months to get things ready for Baby, but I do nurseries differently than most mothers. I prepare the nest in the location where I actually intend to nest.

During the past few months, we redecorated our master bedroom, and it was completed today with the arrival of our two new swivel/rocker recliners. And now for details…

NESTING AREA
~ large bed
~ comfortable chair for mother (Mine is the patterned one.)
~ comfortable chair for father (My husband wanted his in leather which I find too cold.)
~ Baby’s dresser (with a drawer on one end for mother and a drawer on the other end for father)
~ coasters for glasses on each end of the dresser
~ night table
~ lamps

(The flash made the colors a little brighter than they actually are. The reds are darker in real life.)

NURSING CHAIR
~ swivel/rocker recliner
~ My Brest Friend nursing pillow
~ blanket
~ book basket on floor next to chair for reading to older child

SIDE TABLE / NIGHT TABLE
~ tissue box
~ touch lamp (so important for Mother’s panicky concerns for Baby in the night)
~ telephone with the ringer off (I can hear the phone from the kitchen.)
~ intercom where I can call for help when Baby poos all over me or when my throat is so dry that I desperately need water (My family is great to help!) The intercom also doubles as an audio baby monitor when necessary.
~ white noise machine (Thanks, M&C!)
~ place for TWO water glasses (in wooden container where I won’t knock them over during my sleep-deprived nights) (Experience tells me that TWO glasses of water are needed for nursing mothers.)
~ same container also holds remote controls, cream, pens/pencils, notepad
~ phone book in a drawer
~ Bible/books in a drawer
~ notebook in a drawer for my middle-of-the-night inspired writing and list making
~ night light that I can cover/uncover when needed (I prefer darkness, but need to be able to check baby quickly.)
~ diaper change basket (includes diapers, waterproof change pad, tissue box, container with soap, water container)
~ garbage can on floor

FAMILY BED
~ king-sized bed (We downgraded! The biggest we have had in the past was a queen and double side-by-side.)
~ waterproof mattress pad for king-sized bed
~ waterproof change pads for Baby to sleep on (with soft material on one side)
(If Baby’s diapers tend to leak, sleeping on these tend to protect the mattress and save unnecessary work.)
~ king-sized bed is also used for changing wet diapers during the night or naps

GUARD RAIL ON BED
~ extra tall with anchor for king-sized bed
~ has attached case to hold easily accessible diapers, waterproof change pads, receiving blankets, undershirts, my books, etc.

BED NEST
I have never been able to nurse lying down, but I still like to be comfortable in my bed during night feedings, etc.
~ two 12-inch foam wedges
~ at least two pillows (one for my head)
~ My Brest Friend nursing pillow (a substitute for a nursing pillow is a regular pillow folded in half and stuffed to the end of a pillowcase with a knot in the end.)
~ pillow seat (I use a foam medical supply pillow for my sore you-know-what following birth)

FLOOR DIAPER CHANGING AREA
I always thought change tables were ridiculous. I prefer to SIT when I do diapers. I also like the safety factor of a floor changing area which means Baby will NOT roll off when being changed. I can go get more supplies without any concerns.
~ thin foam mattress with crib mattress pad and crib sheet for cover
~ waterproof change pad
~ diaper change basket (includes diapers, waterproof change pad, tissue box, container with soap, water container)
~ jungle gym blanket where we will hang our mobile/toys overhead Baby to entertain Baby and siblings during diaper changes and playtime (not pictured) (Thanks, Grammie and Grampie!)

FLOOR BED
The change area also makes a great floor bed. It is also a very safe place for Baby to sleep when mother has to leave the room and Baby can roll over.
~ thin foam mattress with crib mattress pad and crib sheet for cover
~ blanket to match our king-sized bed blanket

BABY’S DRESSERS
~ waterproof change pads
~ receiving blankets
~ towels/washcloths
~ undershirts (My babies always wore undershirts to bed because sleepers were too warm for them. I like the one-piece style with no snaps or buttons on the chest, but just three snaps at the bottom.)
~ diapers
~ baby toys basket (Baby toys range from 17-years-old to brand new.)
~ blankets
~ bathtub rack liner
~ socks, hats, etc.
~ slings and wraps and carriers (see picture below)

BABY’S CLOTHES (IN MY CLOSET)
It took me five babies to figure out that I should HANG the baby’s clothes on hangers instead of keeping them in a dresser. Hanging them enables you to see the lengths, and Baby won’t grow out of them without wearing them if you can see the sizes.

BABYWEARING NEST
When Baby and Mother are not in the nest described above, Baby still gets to be close to Mother in a carrier/sling/wrap. Here are some of my slings and wraps all washed and ready. I wouldn’t want to count how many carriers/slings I have owned over the years. They are much more important to me than any other article of clothing that I have. I am not a shoe or purse or clothes girl, but definitely a sling girl.

EXTRA THINGS IN THE MASTER BEDROOM
~ definitely a TV with remote controls
~ clock
~ paintings
~ pictures (I have to wait for Baby to get born to get a huge family picture for over the bed)
~ flowers
~ teddy bear

DIAPER BAG
~ my new red leather diaper bag ready for hospital

(The flash made the colors brighter than they are. The reds are darker in real life.)

~ diapers
~ waterproof change pad
~ tissues
~ water bottle
~ soap and container
~ diaper wipes
~ opaque lunch bags with ties for dirty diapers
~ clothes
~ receiving blanket
~ ring sling
~ and more…

Almost 17-Years-Old Going-Home-From-the-Hospital Baby Outfit Worn by All Four of My Children and Ready for #5

That sums up everything I can think of now. When Baby actually arrives, I will no doubt see areas that need to be changed to make things easier. I like things to be practical and efficient. It’s hard to remember everything since it has been six years since I’ve had a baby in the house. AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, everything will soon be MESSY, and I will be embarrassed to show you when you visit. I tend to make people and things look better in pictures.

If you have any suggestions that I would like, please write them in the comments, or send me a note. I love new attachment parenting ideas.

MY SHARING SLEEP NOTES
The following are my personal observations of sharing sleep with my baby.

~ I like to listen to those soft little coos in his sleep.
~ I like to watch him sleep.
~ I like to reach out and pat his back.
~ It is so touching to catch those little sleep smiles, and he sometimes even chuckles out loud in his sleep.
~ I feel secure when I hear his quiet steady breathing, and contented sighs.
~ I know he is safe.
~ However unlikely, I never fear having to go get him if there is a fire or emergency.
~ I like to cover up his little shoulders.
~ I like to be certain he is warm during our Canadian winter nights.
~ I am there to help him regulate his body temperature.
~ I am able to unconsciously teach him to sleep with my body rhythms.
~ If he starts to stir, I can sometimes comfort him back to a deep sleep.
~ Feeding baby couldn’t be easier or more convenient.
~ I am there to massage his tummy to relieve that uncomfortable feeling.
~ I am able to prevent him from completely waking up when his tummy feels empty, thus making it easier to get him back to sleep after nursing.
~ I never have to try to lower him down into a cold crib, desperately hoping not to awaken him.
~ I get more sleep.
~ Sleep sharing extends postpartum infertility.

MY ATTACHMENT PARENTING ESSAYS
William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N. are credited with coining the term, attachment parenting, to summarize the following practices:

* Connecting with your baby early.

For more information, read Pregnancy, Natural Childbirth, Birth Comfort.

http://parentingfreedom.com/pregnancy

* Reading and responding to your baby’s cues.

For more information, read Cry it Out, Sleep Training: Is CIO Biblical?

http://parentingfreedom.com/cry-it-0ut

* Breastfeeding your baby.

For more information, read Breastfeeding, Extended Nursing, Spacing Babies.

http://parentingfreedom.com/breastfeeding

* Wearing your baby.

For more information, read Babywearing: Why Should I Carry My Baby?

http://parentingfreedom.com/babywearing

* Sharing sleep with your baby

For more information, read Sleep Sharing, Family Bed: Where Should Baby Sleep?

http://parentingfreedom.com/sleep

DISCLAIMER:
Follow your doctor’s advice and all warning labels for ALL issues regarding your baby.

Category: Baby #6, Homemaking, Journal 2010, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 10 Comments »
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