Time and time again you hear about moms being humiliated in public when they are simply trying to feed their child. It’s amazing that this still happens when you consider the facts about Breastfeeding:

* The World Health Organization recommends that Breastfeeding should be on demand and start wthin hours of baby’s birth.

* The World Health Organization recommends that bottles and binkies be avoid if at all possible.

* The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding should be exclusive for at least six months of life and up to and beyond two years.

* Doctors agree that in most cases, even in countries with starving populations that breast milk is the very best food for infants and babies.

* Doctors agree that Breastfeeding provides important immunity to your child and that it can offer lifelong protection to your child for things like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and even makes your child smarter!

Even if these things don’t impress you, the fact is, breastfeeding saves a lot of money and is better for the environment. Less container waste, and of course, it’s free. Financially, you can’t ask for a better deal. Face it, many of the things you do to create a more natural environment for your family costs extra money, but breastfeeding doesn’t!

But, the problems you may experience from the attitudes of society may interfere with the joy and pride you take in doing good things for your family. You may find it difficult to breastfeeding in public. But there are ways to breastfeed in public that won’t embarrass you, and ways you can respond to people who are uneducated.

1. Wear a shirt without buttons, if you just lift it up the baby will cover your body more than when you unbutton a shirt. Many babies can breastfeed comfortably in a sling if you wear a shirt that lifts up.

2. Keep breastfeeding literature with you and give it to anyone who complains.

3. Don’t let others tell you what is right and wrong for you and your child. Stand up for yourself and others who may be too shy to do it for themselves.

4. In most states breastfeeding is a legally protected right.

5. “Forgetaboutit!” Hey, if you just breastfeed without worrying and ignore the comments, if any should come, and “just do it” as they say, you’ll find that most people don’t even notice.

6. Practice makes perfect! Believe it or not, the more you do it, the easier it will get and the less you will care one bit what others say!

7. Laugh! You know, sometimes things happen. You may accidentally expose yourself. It does happen. Sometimes a nosey busybody will make a comment, better to just laugh it off. The fact is, this is what breasts are made for, and the over-sexualization of women’s bodies is a relatively new phenomenon and if boobs out-to-here, are okay for movie posters, your breastfeeding your baby in public isn’t scandalous.

Being an attachment parent can begin even before your baby is born. Mostly this is done by educating yourself  and preparing for the birth of your little bundle but for specific ideas look to the list below for some ideas.

1. Natural Childbirth – The more alert you and baby are the easier it will be to start bonding and learning the art of breastfeeding.

2. Consider Water Birth or Home birth – Proponents of water births believe this is one of the most peaceful entrances to the world that can be had by a baby. It is easier on mom if she can soak and relax and the environment is less of a shock to baby since they are immersed in water during pregnancy. Home births mean that doctors and nurses are not trying to whisk your baby away for shots and other interventions.

2. Breastfeed – The bond between a mom and her suckling baby is tremendous and special. You do not want to miss even a moment of it or shortchange it either. Make preparations to breastfeed for an extended period of time.

3. Eat Healthy and Stay Active – Make a conscious effort to eat the best foods for you and baby. Also make sure to get plenty of exercise. Eating nourishing foods puts less stress on your pregnant body and staying active will help you have a healthy birth.

4. Interventions After Birth – Don’t let bonding be interrupted by needless interventions… circumcision, vaccines, trips to the nursery, etc. In fact, make it clear that baby is to be kept at your side at all times and “handled” by medical staff very little.

5. Invest in a Sling – Plan to wear your baby in a sling or wrap. Before baby arrives is the perfect time to read reviews and find out which sling sounds like the best fit for you. if you have any friends who practice babywearing ask if you can try on some of theirs so you can get a real life feel for them.

6. Forget the Crib – Cosleeping is much easier on mom and baby and it makes it a million times easier to bond. Figure out the sleeping situation before baby arrives by adding a twin bed next to your own if need be, making sure baby cannot fall out or get wedged against a wall, or getting a co-sleeper bed.

7. Get Help – Ask friends and family to help out with household duties like cleaning and cooking so that you can enjoy your time with your new baby.

8. Educate Yourself About Developmental Stages – Be prepared with this info and you won’t have to needlessly stress.. you can just enjoy that little bundle and savor every moment. This is process you will continue for your life as a parent.

Even Dr. Sears agrees:

Who is behind this new national campaign to warn parents not to sleep with their babies? In addition to the USCPSC, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is co-sponsoring this campaign. The JPMA? An association of crib manufacturers. This is a huge conflict of interest. Actually, this campaign is exactly in the interest of the JPMA.

We have seen these same tactics within the car seat industry for YEARS. Few people actually know studies have proven that past 2 years of age car seats provide no better protection from death in an auto accident than regular old seat belts. But no one makes money when you use the manufacturer seat belt so they skew studies and harp on one stat among many, so that they can get laws passed that require car seats and pad industry pockets. This Milwaukee campaign is no different. They are using a city government to spread their message… “Co-sleeping kills, buy a crib.”

Don’t fall for it and don’t let them get away with it. We need to be vocal about all the ways to make co-sleeping safer and of course be honest that it is not attached, attentive parents who lose a baby to co-sleeping. Rather it is typically inattentive parents who are under the influence of alcohol or other substances and then in their stupor roll over on their infant. When I co-slept with all 3 of my babies I felt even the tiniest flutter and movement, even while I was seemingly asleep. That is our mommy instincts… the ones ingrained in us since the dawn of civilization, when people always slept with their babies!

But just to make sure, here are some tips for making co-sleeping safe.

• Use a firm mattress for the family bed, no lumpy featherbeds or waterbeds.
• Sheets and blankets should tight and fitted.
• Layer clothing rather than blankets if it is cold.
• Remove extra pillows, including decorative ones. No stuffed animals.
• Ideally place an infant between mom and a guard rail, sleeping pad, or wall. Make sure there are no gaps if you use a wall.
• A large body pillow is a low cost way to fill in a gap.
• Place baby on his or her back to sleep.
• Keep your bed low to the ground and place pillows just underneath so that if baby falls they have a soft place to land.

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy no matter how natural it is.  Add job stress to the fears you may already have about not being able to supply enough milk for your baby, and you may be concerned about the prospects of being able to do both.  You may be glad to know that millions of women have been breastfeeding moms and held down their regular job.

Employers are required by law not to discriminate against breastfeeding moms.  In fact, they may also be required to provide you with a relaxing place where you can pump while you’re at work.  Of course, you would have to pump during your scheduled breaks and during your lunch hour, but they cannot keep you from doing so.

You may wonder if it’s worth the effort to continue breastfeeding.  Here are some reasons why continuing to breastfeed even though you’re stressed from work is a good idea:

* Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition possible for your baby.

* Pumping while at work will make breastfeeding while you’re at home easier.

* Breastfeeding can save you quite a bit of money.

* Your baby will be healthier because your breast milk provides antibodies and nutrients that just aren’t available in formula.

* Because your baby is healthier, you’ll miss less work.  This should be enough reason for your employer to encourage your choice to pump while you’re at work.

* You won’t miss your baby as much which could make you more productive.

Be sure to let your boss know that you plan to breastfeed and that you intend to pump during the day to provide your baby with the best possible start.  Talking with them ahead of time will enable them to research the laws concerning breastfeeding and to set aside a private area where you can pump in privacy.

If your company doesn’t have a refrigerator, plan to bring a small cooler that you can use to store the breast milk.  You’ll also need to bring an electric breast pump to make expressing milk quicker.

Don’t beat yourself up if you find that pumping while at work doesn’t work for you.  Remember that your baby will still get the benefits of breast milk while you’re at home on maternity leave.  If you continue to breastfeed when you get home, your child will receive the benefits of breast milk but you’ll have formula to fall back on while you’re apart.

Read: The Nursing Mother’s Companion: Revised Edition

Another issue when breastfeeding around extended family are difficulties in regards to the act of nursing in public itself – whether to do so discreetly where you are or to retreat to another area. No one wants to hide away as if nursing is shameful, but what if you get only flack from your relatives when it’s time to meet baby’s needs?

Here are a few suggestions on how to make things a little easier.

Some moms choose to pump their milk and bottle feed it during this time. That is an option, however, if you are not accustomed to using a breast pump, the additional stress of learning the pump combined with other busyness and stress common to the holiday season might prove to be too much. It could be discouraging when you do not get as much milk as you think you should (since babies are far better at extracting milk from the breast than any pump) and if your pump is not a high quality pump, you could even cause yourself pain.
It is far easier to simply nurse the baby as you would at home, but how do you get around some of these challenges?

Many moms find that a baby sling is an absolute heaven send when breastfeeding around family or at other times when your privacy may be invaded by people or noise.
A baby sling covers you up but also creates a little cocoon for baby so he can get down to business and breastfeed effectively. If your baby skips feedings due to being over stimulated, you may end up with a plugged duct or worse, mastitis. You do not want that during this busy season.

Plugged ducts are common during the holidays anyway due to the additional activity and stress associated with it. A plugged duct can turn into mastitis, which is quite painful and can leave you feeling like you have been hit by a truck, so make sure you take the time to settle baby down and nurse on a regular basis.

It is also important that you get plenty of rest. At the very least, take time to put your feet up when it is time for a feeding, and close your eyes and nap if possible. Do not forget to feed yourself well too. Don’t binge on junk food commonly served during holiday and other festivities, but keep eating a healthy, whole foods diet to keep your immune system strong.

How do you deal with criticism from relatives who don’t respect your parenting philosophies? That can be a tough nut to crack. If the relative in question is a mother herself, it helps to remember that her own experience with breastfeeding colors her perspective. If she had a hard time or was not successful with breastfeeding, her guilt may come out as criticism of you.

If this is a person you see only rarely (such as once a year at Thanksgiving), it might be best to drop the subject and just let the comments slide right by without acknowledgement. But if it is going to be an ongoing problem, try to head off comments at the pass by saying something like:

” I do appreciate your perspective on things, however we have decided to do what we feel is best for our family .”

Breastfeeding book author Amy Spangler suggests that instead of answering the question directly, we direct it back to the person. Ask about their breastfeeding experience, and listen empathically. Point out that your choices are not a criticism of their choices.
Setting appropriate boundaries with family is an important lesson to learn, regardless of the area of discussion.

First, you’ll meet with your doula a few times before the actual birth to create a birth plan together and get to know one another. A birth plan serves as your “voice” during labor. You can sit down with your partner, or with a loved one if you are single, and discuss how you’d like the labor to go. Do you want to avoid drugs if possible? Do you want a home birth? Do you want to breastfeed your baby directly after giving birth? All of this will go in your birth plan and your doula will help you create that, using your best wishes and intentions.

As soon as you know you are going into labor, you can give your doula a call and she’ll rush to your side. If you’re giving birth at the hospital, she is a great asset is finding out info from your midwife or doctor on your behalf and advocating your wishes from your birth plan. If you are having a home birth, she can play the part of the “nurturer” while your midwife attends to more of your medical needs.

It’s not uncommon to have a doula massage your belly during contractions or even massage the perenial area to soften the tissues for baby’s head. She’ll work with you in the tub if you want or put on some soft music and recite a meditation to help you relax. Think of a doula as your personal servant, as this is what you are paying her to do. She also is very useful in helping couples focus on the birth and one another, rather than worrying about other factors that she’ll take care of.

After giving birth, your doula will assist you in breastfeeding for the first couple of times. Odds are you’ll be very exhausted after giving birth, and even if you have read all the literature on breastfeeding, you might be too sleepy to do it on your own. Luckily, she is there, assisting you, but not taking over so you can still be the one bonding with your new child! Speaking from personal experience, she was more than worth the $100 I spent! (Some doulas will do after-visits as well.)

Pick your system

One of the reasons cloth diapering may be expensive initially is because of the investment of the first stash of diapers. Babies who are in cloth will be changed more frequently. It’s not uncommon for a young baby to go through ten cloth diapers a day, maybe more for a newborn. Unless a mom wants to wash daily, she’ll need a couple dozen diapers. One way to save money from the get go is to know exactly what kind of cloth diaper “system” you want to go with so you don’t become unhappy with the diapers you’ve chosen and end up selling them at a loss.

Ask other cloth diapering moms what they like and why. Some of the questions to ask are: “What types of diapers fit babies with my baby’s body shape best?” “What diapers are best for babies who have other caretakers?” “What’s best for newborns/older babies/heavy wetters/toddlers?” etc.

The cheapest and often simplest cloth diaper system is that of prefolds with waterproof diaper covers. Prefolds are inexpensive and will last for multiple children. They are also quite thirsty and require no special care. Waterproof diaper covers are usually around $10 a pair and only a few are needed in each size. They will also last a long time if washed gently and air dried. All in ones tend to be the costliest diaper system, but are super convenient for babies in day care and for travel. Daddies and Grandmas tend to prefer them too for their ease of use.

Some cloth diaper websites also allow you to try before you buy. For just a few dollars they will send you a diaper and allow you to use and feel it, then return it.

Budget conscious moms should also ask for friends and loved ones to give them cloth diapers as baby shower gifts. Many of the cloth diaper websites offer gift registries. Big box store bought cloth diapers and covers are generally low quality so steer clear of those.

Buy used cloth diapers

Cloth diapers can be obtained at thrift stores, online auctions, diaper swap forums, consignment sales and shops, and more. Just do a Google search to find lots of options.

Some larger cities have diaper services that sell cloth diaper seconds. If their prefolds have a spot on them that can’t be removed, they take them out of circulation. The diaper service sells these perfectly serviceable, high quality prefold diapers for pennies. It’s worth a phone call.

Care for your diapers

Don’t bleach your diapers as this will wear them out fast. Borax also tends to wear diapers prematurely. Even vinegar harms some diapers. It’s best to use a natural detergent and to use as little of it as possible to get the job done. Rely on presoaking in your machine to help with stains instead of using stain removers. Enzyme cleaners can eat away at your diapers too. Many additives are not appropriate for diaper covers. Hang your diapers in the sun to whiten them, and don’t overdry them if you do use a dryer. Baking them for too long in the dryer breaks down the elastic and cotton.

Cloth diapering is certainly the healthier option, the better option for our planet, and more comfy for babies. With some creativity cloth diapering can also be the frugal choice.

The Natursutten is the latest in safe pacifiers for baby. They are made from pure natural rubber and the name comes from the word Natursut which means “Natural Pacifier.” Natursutten Pacifiers are made in Europe where they have strict standards for safety, health and environment.

With all the talk about BPA (Bisphenol A) in baby teethers and pacifiers it is awesome that the Natursutten is available to provide a safe alternative for baby and peace of mind for mom.

These rubber pacifiers are quite a bit softer than silicone pacifiers and extremely hygienic because they are molded into one piece, so there are no joints or cracks where dirt and bacteria can gather. This also make sit easy to wash. This also ensures that it won’t fall apart and make you worry about potential choking.

I found my baby took to it really well. He was happy as a clam. I was very happy as well to know that his paci had to BPA, chemical softeners, parabens, PVC or phthalates. It is just a useful product without any chemical nasties.

I also found them to be comparable in price to other pacifiers so you aren’t paying a premium for safety. They can be found online for as little $5.95. The Natursutten is also a green product as it produced using a sustainable raw material, the tree sap from the rubber tree.

To care for it we just sterilized in boiling water before the first use and then we followed up from then on with soap and water since our baby is older than six months.

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Actually cloth diapers have come a long way. There are several options available for cloth diapering and there are several reasons to use them as well. Take a look at the following:

Cloth diapers are better for baby’s skin. Disposable diapers are loaded with chemicals that can irritate baby’s tender skin, Cloth diapers often sport natural fibers like cotton that are soothing to the skin and very breathable. They get fewer diaper rashes, which means less discomfort for baby and less crying.

Disposable diapers are also filled with toxic allergens. Your baby might even be allergic to disposable diapers. There are many things in them that can cause allergic reactions, such as problems breathing and rashes. If your child is having these problems you should consider cloth diapers.

Cloth diapers are better for the environment and your pocketbook. Cloth diapers are reusable from child to child, which means less waste going into our already overstuffed landfills. You should figure that in the years one child is diapered you will go through on average, 2500 to 3000 diapers. With cloth diapers you could easily get by with using only 3-4 dozen diapers and those diapers can be used on one or more subsequent children.

When you are done with your cloth diapers you can sell them too at usually 50-75% of the retail price of new ones. That means you can get back 3/4 the cost of using cloth diapers. Even after you factor in water, time and detergent you are still winning out compared to the $20 a week you spend on diapers.

Washing diapers is very easy too. It should not amount to more than a load or two of extra laundry each week. Wet diapers can be tossed into a diaper pail to wait for cleaning and diapers with loose stools can be shaken out over the toilet before they too are stored before washing. Odor issues can be controlled by placing a tissue with a few drops of essential oil at the bottom of the diaper pail or sprinkling the pail with baking soda.

Cloth diapers have also greatly evolved in terms of style and ease of use. There are many options available for cloth diapers including some all-in-one (AIO) varieties that closely resemble disposable diapers as far as ease of use goes. There are pocket diapers for parents who want to customize absorbency and there are one-size diapers for parents who want a diaper that will grow with their children. There are also diapers available to use for night time, and diapers to use while potty training.

You can also make your own cloth diapers with several patterns available online. That reduces the cost even more. It really is easier to use cloth diapers than you might think. Before you check them off as an option, give them a shot, you might really like the benefits and how happy your baby is in them.

Part of getting baby to pee in a container, rather than in his diaper, is to reinforce for him the dry feeling, and how that feels so much better than being wet.  This is the part about EC that does take more work.  An infant can pee as often as every twenty minutes, and if you’re using prefold cloth diapers, it doesn’t take much wee to wet the diaper.  You won’t catch every pee, and that shouldn’t even be a goal.  But you do want to get baby out of his wet diaper as soon as you can, preferably immediately after baby wets it.  You want baby to be dry most of the time, so even during times that you’re not trying to get baby to pee in the potty, you want to be checking his diaper at least every half hour and changing it as needed.  If you happen to catch baby in the act of wetting his diaper, you should cue him to strengthen his association between your cue and his elimination.

This brings up the question of whether you can successfully EC using disposable diapers or even some of those more high tech cloth diaper systems that try to keep baby feeling dry even when the diaper is wet.  You can EC with disposable diapers, but the challenge will be that since wet disposable diapers don’t feel wet your baby is less likely to develop a strong connection between peeing in a diaper and being wet or feel much difference between “wet” and “dry.”  You can still observe baby’s elimination functions and work with him on EC when you know he’s likely to go.

Once you start ECing your baby, you will tend to find more times that he’s likely to go and be able to anticipate those times.  You may have gotten started on a pattern of peeing right after nap.  But then you noticed baby also likes to pee right after nursing.  As you see more patterns, go with them.  You can also start trying to encourage baby to go by using your cue.  At first, you’re merely anticipating what he was going to do anyway.  But by using the cue, you create an association for him between your cue and eliminating, and this allows for you to encourage baby to eliminate at times he might not otherwise.  Some babies are really sensitive to the association, and others are less so.  Still, if you EC baby regularly throughout the day, most babies will begin to hold it at least for a few minutes.

Another thing to note is what your baby does right before he goes.  Maybe he squirms or wimpers.  Newborns especially seem to get their entire bodies involved in the process of elimination.  That can become baby’s way of communicating to you that he needs to go, and you can then take him to the potty.
Elimination Communication is a journey, not a destination.  It’s a fun way for you and your baby to communicate about an important function.  It’s another way for baby to let you know what he needs.  You should do it as long as you’re both having fun with it and it’s enhancing your relationship.