Yesterday a friend of mine shared an article about circumcision.  I was surprised to see that she posted it since she circumcised her son.  This is what she had to say:

"Great article, the best I've ever read. Its very long, 6 parts but well worth the read. As the mother of a circumcised boy I tend to avoid these kinds of articles like the plague because I don't like people making me feel bad about a decision I made because I felt it was in my child's best interests. 

But as a parent I'm always trying to improve myself when it comes to things like carseat safety and parenting method. I always find myself learning more and more about what I'm doing wrong and I love learning so I can be a better parent for D and to my future children, so why would I not want to learn more about circumcision? Because there is soooo much conflicting information! This site says its best to not circumcise, this site says that site is lying that circumcision is best, this site... says that they are both laying and you should only cut off half... you get the gist. 

So once I made what I felt was an informed decision I stuck with it and didn't want to read anymore about it or watch any videos to make me feel the pain I felt when I handed Derek off to the surgeon, because what mother would want to relive that? I hoped I'd never have another boy so I didn't have to battle myself about this decision again, and I knew that if I had been a single parent D would still be intact because without Hubby wanting the circumcision I couldn't have done it, even if it had been for the best. 

But something urged me to read this article and I did, then I made Hubby (my stubborn husband who is very VERY pro circumcision) read it and we've come to the decision that we aren't going to circumcise any more of our children. So please just read this, it is chalk full of information and has actual references =)"

I applaud my friend of taking the plunge to find out more information.  I know it's not easy to learn the truth, but it is so important to try to continue to learn and to grow so we can be the best people and parents we can be.

Before i ever became pregnant my husband and i had decided that if we were to ever have a boy that they would be circumcised.  We felt that way because my husband is circumcised and because i thought that was just what you did.  I feel stupid now for begin so ignorant.   It was when my sister was pregnant with her first that she first introduced the idea of NOT circumcising to me.  I didn't even really realize that was an option! (again, i feel so stupid that i thought that)  I started to do my real research and i was blown away by everything i did not know.  I was so THANKFUL that i had found this information out before we ever had a son.  It pains me to think of the pain we would have inflicted on our child just so they could 'look like his father' and because i though that's what you were supposed to do.  Circumcision is something you can never take back.  Once it is done it is done.  I now believe it is a choice that should be up to the person who owns that body part.  The foreskin serves a purpose.  I'm amazed at how much i have learned about this piece of skin.  I am sad that my husband did not have the choice when it came to his penis and i am sad for the impact it has had in both his *and* my life because his parents were given the wrong information and did not seek to learn more.  I'm sad that i did not know growing up that my own father and brothers are uncircumcised and that i did not grow up knowing that was normal.  Again, i am so thankful that *i* did learn more and that our views have changed.   If my views can change, if my friends views can change why can't yours?

What are you afraid of?  Knowledge is power and it is only when we know better that we do better.  By choosing not to do your research you are choosing to be ignorant and that can cause more harm that you know.

I want to share this article with you and to urge you to read it, no matter what your view point on circumcision is.  You never know how you will truly feel until you finally receive all the facts.  It might hurt to read this article if you have already circumcised your child but remember, when you know better you can do better.  And even i learned some things from this article, so everyone can benefit from reading it.

I love this quote from the article:
"As parents, we are entrusted by God or the universe or by nature with the care of our babies.  They truly are a gift, but one that we do not get to keep.  We have a responsibility to care for them as best as we can, because they cannot speak nor care for themselves.  Though they are babies now, and we have to make decisions for them, they will be adults, with minds and feelings of their own.  We need to make decisions for them that we will be proud to stand behind now and in the future.  If your son asks you why you had him circumcised, how will you answer?  "Because I am circumcised and I needed your penis to match mine?"  "Because I didn't trust you to be able to make your own decisions?"  When making this decision for your son, be brutally honest with yourself.  What does your decision serve: the child's rights, or your ego?"

And with that, will you be the bigger person and learn more?

Myths about Circumcision You Likely Believe

(This article can be a tad confusing to follow.  You'll read the first part by following this link and then you click on each of the next parts (2-6) to read the other points)

EDIT:  My friend decided to create her own blog to she could share your opinions and views and she started with her story of her son's circumcision and her journey to finding out the truth.  You can read it here: http://hippie-mommy.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-changed-my-view-on-circumcision.html

My Issues with the Milwaukee Ad Campaign

I am a little late on writing about this i wanted to be sure to write about my opinions on this issue.

By now i am sure you've heard about the Milwaukee Co-Sleeping ads and the controversy surrounding them.  If you haven't, here's a short summary. 

In a campaign to end co-sleeping in Milwaukee a series of ads were released to the public in the hope that it will scare parents into stopping co-sleeping.  Milwaukee has high 'co-sleeping' death rates and officials are trying to use scare tactics to bring those numbers down.  According to their campaign, for every 1,000 babies born there, more than 10 die before their first birthday. Among black families, the number is even higher, 14 out of 1,000.

I have a lot of issues with this campaign.  The first has to do with these two ads.

    

 

Pretty scarry looking huh?  My issue is that actually, yes, these ads are true!  Because sleeping with your baby in a bed with blankets, pillows, no adult in sight and not on their back *IS* unsafe!  But the ads are not trying to say there is a safe way to co-sleep, no, they are saying that ANY co-sleeping is just as dangerous as putting a knife in bed with your baby which is simply untrue!

According to research (here here here here here here here here here here here here here here) co-sleping can be safe, if not beneficial.  As you can see from the article above, time and time again sound research comes out that says co-sleeping can be safe, if done correctly.  The above ads would be an example of co-sleeping being done incorrectly and therefor unsafe.

Another issue i have with this ad campaign is that instead of trying to educate the population on how to SAFELY co-sleep instead officials are lumping all co-sleeping into the "danger" category.  They are not taking into consideration families finacial or living situations that may lead them to co-sleep.  Milwaukee was ranked the 4th poorest city in the nation last year.  I'm sure many parents do not have the money to buy a seperate safe crib for their babies to sleep in (And this is specualtion but i'm sure many homes have many people living in them so there is also lack of space).  I know the ad campaign is giving away free 'cribs' for those who cannot afford a crib but this does not solve the infant death situation since what they are giving are 'pack N plays' and pose dangers for babies to sleep in.  They are specifically excluded from being classified as cribs by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency that regulates the crib industry.

According to Consumer Reports:

"Play yards have also been associated with 47 infant deaths due to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment, between 1999 and 2004 (the most recent CPSC statistics)."

(Thank you to The Feminist Breeder for this new information)

I feel that be telling parents it is unsafe to sleep in BED with their baby that parents are going to instead resort to other places like the couch or recliner which are obviously unsafe to sleep in with your baby.

Instead i feel that there should be a major education campaign to share SAFE co-sleeping habits with parents.  I really do feel that this would be the best way since they are not going to abolish co-sleeping 100%, parents are still going to do it so they might as well know how to do it *safely*.  And lets be honest, crib sleeping is not 100% safe either!  Cribs are linked with many accidents and deaths as well.

"The researchers found that there were an average of 9,500 injuries and more than 100 deaths each year occurring in relation to cribs, bassinets, and playpens. They found that 83% of the injures were related to cribs." Source

I mentioned in my previous co-sleeping post the reqirements for safe co-sleeping but i'll list them again for your ease of research (i know, i'm so nice)

 Katie Allison Granju, author of Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your Baby and Young Child (which is a book i highly recommend), recommends these safety factors when co-sleeping (many can be applied to crib sleep as well):

• When using a standard, off-the-floor bed, be absolutely sure that your baby cannot roll or fall off the sides.
  
• Young infants should sleep between their mother and the bed rail, not between both parents or beside an older sibling.
  
• Make sure that your mattress or futon provides a firm sleeping surface.  Never, ever allow an infant to sleep on a waterbed, featherbed, beanbag, deep pillowtop mattress or other inappropriately soft surface.
  
• Never sleep with your baby if you are under the influence of drugs, alcohol or prescription medication that makes you unusually groggy or sleepy.
  
• Exceptionally obese parents should use a sidecar arrangement (crib attached to the side of the bed) rather than having a young infant in the bed with them.
  
• Do not overload your bed with excessive pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals.
  
• Never fall asleep on a couch, sofa, or overstuffed chair with your baby.
  
• Do not stuff too many bodies into a bed with a small baby.
  
• Make sure that your baby isn’t overdressed.  Remember, the body heat in a family bed makes most bedtime bundling unnecessary.
  
• Dress your baby in safe sleepwear. Flame retardant with no strings or ties, just as you would if she were sleeping alone.

Another issue i have is with everyone saying that the babies died of SIDS in the family bed.  "Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death."  Many many many many many times the news and officials will mix up death terms and say a baby died of co-sleeping when really it was SIDS or they will say a baby died of SIDS when they became entrapped between the mattress and the wall.  They are not the same thing and people need to stop treating them as such.  And yet another issue i have is that Milwaukee officials are saying there are all these deaths associated with 'co-sleeping' but they are including deaths from sleeping with a baby on the couch which should not be considered co-sleeping and it is just that type of thing that confuses people about the safety of co-sleeping. 

Here is a good little list of the facts of Co-Sleeping and SIDS.

In my previous post i shared that we co-sleep (bedshare) with our daughter.  She is now 15 months old and has spent every night of her life in bed with us.  I feel that this has kept her safe and made breastfeeding successful for us.  (She had undiagnosed reflux until 7 months old and did not nurse well during the day.  I belive it was our constant nursing at night that kept my supply up.)  I also shared the story of how my daughter stopped breathing and me sleeping with her i feel saved her (see my previous post for this story).

Yes there have been struggles in the last year with sleep but i plan on having all our babies sleep in our bed from the day they are born.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm sorry if this post has been a bit jumpy and didn't flow well.  I was up all night with DD while she had a reaction to some crab she ate.  Crazy story there for another time. 

To end and summarize though i will share this news report from a Milwaukee news station.  It is a VERY good report that just goes to show you that you cannot always take what you hear as truth.

What are you opinions about this ad campaign?

King of Anything: A Reminder to All

Today i wanted to share my 'anthem' with you.  Well, it's one of mine.  I LOVE this song.  Not only because i could say everything in this song about how i feel about people's opinions about me, but also because it's a reminder to me that everyone has their freewill and they are allowed to make their own choices.  All i can do is provide the information and it's up to them to do the rest. 

The song is 'King of Anything' by Sara Bareilles

And the lyrics

"King Of Anything"

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Keep drinkin' coffee

Stare me down across the table

While I look outside

So many things I'd say if only I were able

But I just keep quiet

And count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions, man

We're all entitled to 'em

But I never asked

So let me thank you for time

And try to not waste any more of mine

Get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe

But I'm not drowning

There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree

You are not me

Who made you king of anything

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died

And made you king of anything

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

You sound so innocent

All full of good intent

You swear you know best

But you expect me to

Jump up on board with you

Ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost

With no direction oh

But you won't ever see

You're so busy makin' maps

With my name on them in all caps

You got the talkin' down just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree

You are not me

Who made you king of anything

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died

And made you king of anything

All my life

I've tried

To make everybody happy while I

Just hurt

And hide

Waitin' for someone to tell me it's my turn

To decide

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Oh (oh oh oh)

Who cares if you disagree

You are not me

Who made you king of anything

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died

And made you king of anything

Who cares if you disagree

You are not me

Who made you king of anything

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died

And made you king of anything

Let me hold your crown, babe

The Greater Good

Today i watched a documentary that i wanted to share with everyone out there in the USA.  It's called 'The Greater Good'. 

'The Greater Good' is free to watch online till Nov 5

"The Greater Good looks behind the fear, hype and politics that polarize people into emotionally charged pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine camps with no room for middle ground. Exploring the cultural intersection where parenting meets modern medicine and individual rights collide with politics, this character driven documentary weaves together the stories of three families whose lives have been forever changed by vaccination. By reframing the vaccine debate and offering, for the first time, the opportunity to have a rational and scientific discussion on how to create a safer and more effective vaccine program in America today, The Greater Good challenges viewers to think again." source

"Back in the 1980s, children were asked to get 23 doses of 7 different vaccines. By 2010, parents are being asked to give their children 69 doses of 16 vaccines. That’s triple the dose of those recommended in the 1980s.

And today, many states have made certain vaccinations mandatory… with parents having little or NO say in whether or not their children will receive a vaccine.

Are we doing the right thing? Should all of this be stopped? Or, are we completely taking vaccines for granted?" source

I don't care if you are pro vaccine or anti vaccine, you need to watch this movie. It's about education and becoming informed.  If you have no knowledge you have no choice.  Knowledge is power and we need this power in our lives.  If you can't sit down and watch the whole movie at once (it's 1 hour and 20 min) then watch it in segments like i did.  However you need to just watch it. 
Follow this link to watch the film

And if you would like to own this documentary it is only $10.00 this week (it's normally $20.00)  You can purchase it here.http://shop.mercola.com//product/the-greater-good-dvd,881.htm

The Commercialization of Childhood

Well, it's gearing up to be that time of year again when the store ads go out in full force and you cannot sit down to watch a tv show without being bombarded with commercials about all the things you HAVE to have this holiday season. 

Most of the time i don't give *too* much thought to this (although lately i have been getting rather annoyed with tv ads), but now that i have a daughter that i'm raising i'm giving more thought to the things around me.

And one thing that makes me sick is the over commercialization of children! 

Everywhere you turn someone is trying to sell something geared towards a child. Books, movies, toys, food, vacations, mouth wash, cars, cell phones, music, on and on and on.  It's all over the place.  And the sad and sick thing is they start from the very beginning!  Just take a stroll down the local baby aisle at the store and you'll see diapers with cartoon characters and baby shampoo with the same.  Why should a baby care who is on their shampoo bottle?  But the advertising departments of companies know that if they can get a child hooked on a brand as early as possible they have a better chance of having a customer for life.  So they are going to put characters that children (even babies!) recognize and love so they will want the product.

I for one am trying not to fall for it.  I *really* hate the over commercialization of everything around us.  I'm trying to put my foot down and limit the items our daughter has that are commercialized.  I don't want all her toys, clothes, food, etc to be covered in "advertising" (and in children's terms this normally means a cartoon character).  I want her to grow up to be able to think for herself and be free from the problems that arise from too much commercialization. 

As i mentioned before in my post, 'More Natural Play Please', i want our children to play with toys that build the imagination.  But often times when children play with toys from their 'favorite tv show' they only mimic what they saw on tv, instead of using past experiences and actually playing with their imagination. 

I just want our children to be free from the idea that things bring happiness.  I don't' want my children to think that in order to have a good meal it HAS to be from a name brand box, or in order to be 'cool' they HAVE to have the clothes from a certain store, etc etc.  Not only do i want them to have their *own* image, but i also don't want them to be a slave to the advertising industries and throwing money down the drain for things that do not matter, and will not bring true happiness. 

And this is why i'm trying to have toys that encourage imagination play, toys free from logos and strict rules.  It's why we do not have a TV in our home.  I know i can't shelter my children forever, but at least home can be a safe haven from the pressure from all around.

And if you've read all this and think that i'm some crazy nut of a mother, i encourage you to watch this documentary on the subject that i found on the Waldorf Today website.  It's called 'Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood'.  It's an hour long documentary that talks about how these companies specifically target our children, how they study them to figure out how to sell things better to children, how to get children to throw the best fits to get what they want and how much money we are wasting, and how our children are loosing their childhood.


Source

The part i find most disturbing is around minute mark 40 when they start talking about how they are targeting BABIES to sell their products.  I think once you watch this fill you will be just about as disturbed as i am.
After you watch this film, please, share your thoughts with me, i'd love to hear them!

The Beauty of a Mother

I want to share this picture that i ran across a few weeks ago.  I think it ties into my previous post very well. 

There is so much hate out there about our bodies, especially postpartum mothers.  We hate the stretch marks, to sag, the bulge, the pooch.  We look at what society considers beauty and feel inadequate next to it. 

We need to remember the miraculous, wonderful, AMAZING thing our bodies did!  We were partners with God to make something amazing, something no one else can do.  We are mothers and we are beautiful!  

Yes, our bodies may not ever be the same again, but life will never be the same again.  We must remember this and remember that we are all daughters of God, and we are all beautiful.

And if you are a mother struggling with how you look postpartum i *highly* suggest checking out the website, The Shape of a Mother.  I love that site! 

The Whale and the Mermaid

Hello hello my friends!

Sorry i've been MIA, and sorry i keep making excuses.  I think i've mentioned before that life is extremely hectic right now and we're just trying to get moved into our new house, but problem after problem keep arising. 

But i have not forgotten you!  Today i ran across a photo and an analogy i wanted to share with you :)

French model Tara Lynn

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

 

French model Tara Lynn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK model Chloe Marshall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian model Crystal Renn

Kailee O'Sullivan

Two of my beautiful sisters

My beautiful mother and me

My beautiful sister in law

A beautiful friend

Another beautiful sister in law

You are all beautiful!!

How Amazing are we?

The Hazards of Hospitals

 If you haven't ever thought about how safe your local hospital really is, today might be the day you start that thought process.  When we are ill and need help it's the first place many think of, but it might not be the best place.  At the very least you need to be on top of your game and make sure you are getting the best care you can.

Created by: Medical Billing and Coding

Source

Still not sure?  Then what about this article

Your Go-To Hospital For Dirty Speculums

And now i have to edit this post to include this video about a 17 year in Florida who impersanated a medical assistant for a WEEK in a hospital.  He did exams, changed IVs and even did CPR!

'Doogie Howser Wannabee' Matthew Scheidt Busted in Florida

 

I could go on, but i need to get going.  Such a busy life.  I have some other articles i've been wanting to share, so i hope to do that soon! 

So, i know we all have them, do any of you want to share a story about a bad experience from the hospital that put you, your loved ones or so on life in danger?

The Green Thing

Found this on facebook today and wanted to pass it on.
The Green Thing

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you.

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water.

They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.

And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Author Unknown

The problem with sheep

Hello hello!

Yes, it's been a little while but i think i mentioned that my life has been a bit busy. 
But i'm alive and here and about to let off a little steam. 

So i've had many "people" out there complain about me sharing information about things i am passionate about or find interesting.  Most of the time it stems somehow around others not agreeing with my point of view.

And this is FINE.

I do not expect every human being in the world to agree with me.  It would be a very boring world if that became the case.  BUT i do expect people to do their own research.  I have a big issue with people who just follow blindly like sheep.  They may think they have all the information but they are just going with the flow and doing what they think everyone else is doing and what is best because that is just what the world does.  They become sheep.

Wanna know something i've noticed about sheep? (seeings as my family owns a herd)  They will be out grazing and everything is good.  Then one sheep gets ahead of the rest.  The sheep behind her think "WOAH, i must be missing out on something, i need to get ahead!"  So that sheep runs ahead.  Well, not to be outdone, the other sheep start trying to get ahead and before you know it the whole herd is in a full blown run up the dirt road headed to nowhere!

What does this have to do with the "people" you might ask?  Well, like i said, i feel many times people follow blindly.  They see someone doing something and they decide to do the same thing, or even try to one-up them without even knowing the reason why they are doing it in the first place.  (other than they *think* it is the right way to do things, only because they know NO other way)  Soon they are running full speed to no where and they have no idea why.

Life is a journey, and it should mean something!

Please do NOT be sheep!!

I feel in any part of your life, whether it be education, religion, health, parenting, etc etc, you should not just follow someone else, or take someone else's word.  Take a little time and do a little research (and researching both sides of a subject is always best to get the whole picture) and decide what is best for YOU. 

Do something because you actually feel is is the best thing in your life, not because you're trying to make a point.  People like that just make me think of the teenager who is rebelling against their parents just because they don't want to listen to their parents.  They don't even take into consideration that their parents may be more experienced in that certain subject and *might* just might know a better way.  All they think about is 'there is NO WAY i'm gonna listen to my parents' and off to nowhere they run (or off the cliff lol).   Sure, i rebelled against my parents but it doesnt' mean it was the smart thing to do!

I am constantly learning new things and changing my mind about things i thought i'd never do.  Before i had children i thought that we would have hospital births (natural of course), breastfeed for a year, have a nursery, use disposable diapers, let baby 'cry it out', circumcise, use a stroller and other things. 

Then my sister planted a seed in my mind that i am forever thankful for.  She mentioned things she was hoping to do with her future child.  When she first started to share them i literally though 'YOU ARE NUTS!! Your child is going to turn out so spoiled, you're putting their life in danger and i just can't believe you'd do this!!!'.  But instead of stopping at that thought i instead took things further.  I checked out some books from the library and started to do some reading on the "other side" of things.

I am forever thankful for those seeds my sister planted, and for the common sense i had to research things for *myself* because you know what?  I pretty much turned around 180 degrees in my views about parenting.  Sure, once i started parenting for myself i'd probably figure out how i thought i would do things was not really working for our family, but how long would that would have taken?  And how happy would i be during that time?  I am so thankful i learned about different ways to do things before!

I've had this same experience happen with many other parts of my life.  If my entire viewpoint in life can change about so many things when why can't yours?  Are you really sure you want to do things they way you think you want to do them?  Are you really sure you want to public school?  Are you really sure you'd never consider that religion?  Are you really sure you would never consider going green?

How can you know if you have never really seen the other side of the story?

So please, take some time and consider the choices in your life very carefully.  Go pick up a book and do a little reading.  Has someone mentioned something that you think is crazy?  Go look it up and do a bit of research and see how truly crazy it may not be.

Is there anything in your life that you have changed your mind about once you did your own research and learned more?

Video: When A Baby Dies

This was shared on facebook today and i just could NOT repost this.  It is a very emotional video, and you will probably cry, but, i feel it is good to watch since it might help you to understand how someone feels who has lost a child.  I know that i could and can say everything that was shared in this video.  I have felt all of it.

May 27th marks our daughter's 2 year birthday.  I miss her every single day.  We have a second daughter now, but that doesn't mean my pain has gone away....it helps in ways, but it also hurts. 

Please, just take 5 minutes to watch this video...maybe you will understand me better....

Nursing and Modesty

I am a lactivist.

 

One thing i feel strongly about is being able to nurse my baby wherever and whenever she needs.  

This includes church.

Being LDS (also known as "Mormons") a lot of emphasis is given on being "modest".  I've been told many times that when i breastfeed i *must* cover up and that it is improper of me to show any skin while nursing my baby.  I feel that i must feed my children in a way that is most convenient and works best for me and my children. I have a lot of other thoughts on this subject as well, but i discovered a blog post today that says pretty much everything i'd want to say, so i'll let it do the honors :)

Modesty and Breastfeeding

And here is my sister's blog post on the topic:

Breastfeeding and the LDS Church

And so, i will continue to nurse my daughter wherever *WE* feel most comfortable.  Yes, i have nursed in sacrament meeting and i will continue to do so.

What are your views about nursing and "modesty"?

Consider the Switch!

Are you expecting a baby?  Do you have a baby or young child?  Have you given much thought about what kind of diapers to use?

I'm not talking about whether you should use pampers or huggies but rather cloth or disposable.

Now i know what you must be thinking, 'Cloth, are you nuts???  That is *so* gross!'.  Well, don't.
  Hear me out!  
Read this post and see how far cloth diapers have come from the "dish towel" your grandma used :)  It will take maybe 15 minutes of your time but the information in this post could end up saving your hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of dollars.

So here we go.

First, i think we need to dispell the thought that cloth diapers are hard to use.  This is not the case at all!  Cloth diapering can be as easy as you want to make it.  These are the popular options you have (stay with me!).

Flats

Flats are basically a simple flat piece of cloth.  You then fold them to create absorbent layers and then pin or Snappi them onto your baby, or lay them in a cover (i'll explain the snappi later!).  A positive to using these diapers is the fact that they are only one layer, this means they wash and dry easier than other kinds and are inexpensive.  But they can be more time consuming since you have to fold them up.  These need a cover.

Prefolds

 Most people probably think these are burp cloths, but you'd be wrong.  These are a perfectly acceptable form of cloth diapering :)  The prefold differs from the flat because it has been 'pre-folded', hence it's name.  The middle part is thicker than the sides.  So you just fold it around the baby and fasten it and go.  These also wash and dry pretty quick and they are also much more inexpensive than other diapering systems.  My sister actually uses only prefolds that she made herself.  These need a cover.

Contours

These are a step up from the prefolds.  They have the absorbent later in a middle and are cut into an hour glass shape so there is no folding required.  You just fasten it and go :)  These need a cover.

Fitted

 

 Fitted are yet another step up from the contours.  These have an absorbent layer in the middle and snap or velcro on and have elastic in the legs (for a better fit).  So very easy to put on and use.  These need a cover.

Pocket

Pockets are some of the most popular types of cloth diapers.  They have a waterproof outer layer (so NO cover is required), an inner layer that wicks away moisture and then a pocket opening (normally in the back, some have it in the front) that holds an absorbent insert.  What is nice about these diapers is you can customize how absorbent your diaper is.  If you have a heavy wetter you can add more inserts to make the diaper bore absorbent!  Also, because the insert and diaper are separate the diaper washes and dries better that other types.  These are the types of diapers i use.

All In One (AIO)

All in ones have been said to be the easiest diapers of them all.  The absorbent part of the diaper is sewn in and it has a waterproof shell so the diaper is all one piece (hence the name).  These have been said to be the best option for dads or grandparents who are hesitant about cloth diapers since they are the most like a disposable.  A down side to these diapers is the fact that they are thicker and one piece so it can be harder to get clean and take longer to dry.

All in two (AI2)

These are the same as the AIOs but the insert snaps in instead of being sewn in.  This makes washing and drying a bit easier than with just the AIO.  

Stuffable AIO

A stuffble AIO is just like it sounds.  It's has an absorbent layer sewn in but it also has a pocket so you can stuff it more if you need to.  The one above is from the Nivy Nap brand which is made by a friend of mine.


Hybrid

The hybrid diaper is fairly new on the scene of cloth diapers.  Hybrids are diapers that are both disposable *and* cloth.  Of the ones i have seen you have a cloth diaper cover and then you can either use a disposable insert (i know the G Diaper ones are flushable), OR a cloth insert.  If you use the disposable insert you'll still need to clean the cover when it gets dirty. 

Many people who want to try cloth but are not sure will try a hybrid first to see how they like it.  They may use a cloth insert at home, but a disposable when they are out and about.  Each hybrid comes with their own inserts but many people use inserts they already have on hand (for the cloth), like prefolds and such, cutting down on costs.

Hybrids are normally more expensive then other cloth diapers and even disposable and most can only be bought online.  *Some* local stores are starting to carry, but not many.  I found the Mabu Baby diaper at my local Walmart!  A con with the disposable insert is fit you want to flush them you must tear them open and then swish them with a stick to break them up first, otherwise you will experience a clogged toilet.    Also, hybrid diapers use just as much water as normal cloth (if you flush the liner) since you have to flush the toilet every time you use a liner.  You also still wash the cloth inserts.   A pro to the diapers is that because you reuse the cover you and sending less trash to the landfill.

If you think a hybrid might be the diaper for you i just suggest you research the different options available and sales.

One Size

One Size diapers are diapers that adjust in size.  Normally this is done with 3 sets of snaps in the front rise of the diaper.  You snap the diaper down to create different sizes.  Sometimes it is done by folding down the rise of the diaper.  This type of diaper is very nice because you do not have to buy multiple sizes of diapers, one diaper works for most of your child's diapering years.  Another bonus is if you have 2 children in diapers you don't need a different stash for each child, the same diapers work for both children. Most of the time one size diapers do not fit newborn babies very well.  So most people have a small newborn stash until they fit into one size diapers.  One size diapers are available in many different types, like fitted, pocket and AIO. 

Covers

 

Covers are needed for diapering systems that are not water proof on their own (like the prefold.  They come in many different designs.  Some are made from wool, others PUL and yet other are fleece or other materials.They also fasten many different ways.  Some come in one size.

Fasteners

Your options for fasteners (if you are using a diaper system that needs them) are the obvious diaper pin, OR the new invention, the Snappi.  With the snappi there is no risk of poking yourself or the baby and they go on quickly and easily.  But they do cost a bit more than pins and don't last as long. 

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So as you can see, some diapers are easier to use than others.  Some go on just like a disposable, and others need to be folded first.  There are pros and cons to every system.  You just need to decide which will work best for you and your needs.

Now lets go ver the "yuck factor".  Many people don't consider cloth diapers because they think they are gross and unsanitary and they do not want to deal with poop.  Well, let me let you in on a little secret:

You are gonna have to deal with poop no matter what kind of diapers you use!

Even if you use disposables many times they blow out onto your baby's clothes (and bed or floor or swing or car seat) and you will have to wash them.  There is just no way around poop :)

But with cloth diapers, most babies do not have as many blow outs!  The diapers are very good at chatching the mess!  big bonus.

But really, for me, poop is not a big issue.  If your baby is breastfed that means theat their poop is water soluable so all you do is put it in the pail, no rinsing required.  If they are on solids you just dump the poop into the toilet (by shaking the diaper) OR using a disosable diaper liner like this:

It lines the diaper so when they go poop the liner and poop go in the toilet and the diaper in the pain.  No work for you :D

There are also things called diaper sprayers that attach to your toilet so you can spray the diaper off if you would like.

As for the unsanitary part, that is just ridiculous.  Washing machines are meant to CLEAN our clothes.  You don't worry about any of your other clothes being unsanitary, you don't buy new underwear for yourself every day do you?  So how is it any different with a diaper?

Now lets cover the actual act of taking care of the diapers.

You just changed your baby's diaper.  Where does it go?  In a diaper pail of course :)  There are two options for a pail: Dry and wet.  A dry pail is just a pail you throw the diapers in.  A wet pail is a pail with water in it that you put the diapers in to soak.  This can lead to less stains on your diaper, but it can also shorten the life of your diaper because the water breaks down the fibers of the diaper faster.  It is also a hazard for little children to have a pail full of water around.  Most cloth diaper users use a dry pail (i do). 

My dry pail is just a kitchen garbage can with a lid that i got from Bed Bath and Beyond.  Nothing really fancy about it.  It has a pail liner in it that keeps the pail itself clean and when it's wash day i just pull the liner rout and turn it right side out in the washing  machine.  No need to touch the dirty diapers!

When wash day comes i take the diapers to the washer, put them in and then run a rinse cycle with some white vinegar.  Then i wash with hot water and detergent (i make my own) and then rinse on cold.  After the load is done i throw everything in the dryer and i'm done (other than folding).  It's really simple and doesn't take hardly any time!  The washing machine does all the work!

What about when you are on the go?  What do you do about the diapers then?  You put them in what is called a wet bag.

The wet bag is a water proof bag with a zipper to keep the diapers in until you get home.  Then you just dump the diapers in your pail and you can wash the wet back with your diapers :)  I have two so when one in in the wash i can use the other one.

So see, it is rather simple!  

Now lets go over some of the reasons to consider cloth diapers. 

For one, cloth diapers will save you A LOT of money!  Some people are put off of the fact that each cloth diaper can cost an average of $15, but remember that you get to use this diaper again and again and again!  And in the case of one size diapers you can use the same diaper the child's whole diapering years!  

Did you know that the average cost of disposables for 2.5 years is $2,000!!!  That is a BIG chunk of change!  You can get an entire cloth diaper system for less than $500!  Even with laundry costs (which are not much, you are maybe doing 2-3 loads a week extra) you are coming out ahead!  And you can easily get a diaper stash for less than $500!

There are some brands of cloth diapers that are very inexpensive, even $5-$7 for a one size pocket diaper!  So you could get all the diapers you need for $100-$150!  And remember, you can use them for more than one child!!  This doubles your savings!

Another things to consider is with disposables, if you have to use more diapers (like during the newborn period or when a child is sick), your cost goes up!  But with cloth diapers, the cost remains the same :)  

OK, onto reason two!

Cloth diapers are healthier for babies.

Disposable diapers have dyes, fragrances, sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel, and has been linked with TSS in the past), Tributyltin (harmful to the human immune system and disrupts hormone function) and dioxin, which is a by-product of bleaching paper and a cause of cancer.  There are also links of rises in male infertility and asthma with disposable diaper use.  And then the fact that more babies have diaper rashes with disposable usage.  There is just a lot of nasty stuff that i don't want my baby sitting in for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for an average of 2.5 years!!  

Then there is the environment.  Many believe that cloth diapers are better for Mother Earth.    Disposable diapers generate sixty times more solid waste and use twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp than cloth diapers.  The manufacture and use of disposable diapers amounts to 2.3 times more water wasted than cloth. Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR.  

Something else to think about is the fact that it is actually illegal to throw away human waste. Yet that is what everyone does when they use disposable diapers. That fecal matter in the landfills poses a threat to our water supply (it can leak down in the cracks and get into the ground water)! When you flush the solids and wash the diapers that water goes to a water treatment plant where they know how to deal with human waste.

And disposables takeover 500 years to decompose!  Even biodegradable ones since air and light are needed for decomposition and landfills do not get that.  Now think about the 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used every year in the U.S. and that we've been using disposable for about 20 years now and will continue to use them...that is a LOT of trash that is going NOWHERE!

Some argue that cloth diapers are not green because you have to wash them and that uses a lot of water and energy, BUT disposable also use water and energy to make but you use that diaper once and throw it away, with cloth you get to use them over and over again.    And many cloth diaper users dry their diapers on the line, thus saving energy and many also have HE washers, again saving energy and water :)

Ok, enough on that subject.

One of the last main reasons to consider cloth are the fact that they are so dang cute!  

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I am restraining myself from posting more.  But i think i have made my point :)

So, i think that is about it.  
There is so much more information available on the subject, and if you want to know more, it is easy to find online (or you can ask me).  I hope that perhaps i have helped you to realize that cloth diapering is not a thing of the past, not yucky, not time consuming and is very possible to make a part of your daily life.  People all over are making the switch!  (i even heard that 10% of the U.S. use cloth diapers!).  Maybe you should make the switch too!

How many of you use cloth diapers or are considering it?  What made you 'make the switch'?

(just FYI, All the pictures except for the last ones came from nickisdiapers.com, which, btw, is a great place to buy diaper and diaper supplies!) (and feel free to pass this post on to others!)