Baby Led Weaning

Weaning??? Huh? What!

Yes, weaning. The moment that your baby gets something other than breast milk, you have begun the weaning process. Don't worry though, it can be a very long process!

So, how is it so different from traditional solids? First, there are no purees or cereal. No choo-choo trains and trying to get baby to open their mouth.

It is a whole lot of sitting back and enjoying mealtime with your baby. Baby eats what you eat. Someone once told me, "if your baby can't eat the same food at you, YOU need to adjust your diet!" (or just save the chocolate binges for after bed time!)

Okay, okay, I know. I still haven't really explained it. Are you ready? This is how you would feed baby apples:

1.) Slice apple
2.) Put apple on tray

Done!

Baby picks up the apple. Baby puts the apple in his mouth. Baby chews with his little gums. Or, baby just plays with the apple and throws it on the ground.

When I tell friends, family, and the occasional nosy elderly person behind you at the checkout they all ask the same thing, "Doesn't she choke?!" Nope! We have been doing BLW for 2.5 months now and Elaina has never choked. Gagged? Yes. But, never choked.

Now, let me tell you about the gag. Most people think gag=almost choking, but it is actually just a reflex that moves objects that are too big to be swallowed back to the front of the mouth to be spit out.

Daddy doesn't like gagging. It scared him. It doesn't scare me. I have been certified in infant CPR for a long time, so that might make me more confident.

Elaina munching on an apple slice at 6.5 months

Stuffing a pre-loaded spoon full of yogurt into her mouth at 7 months

If you are like me, you had no idea that spoon feeding would feel so unnatural and you already made organic purees and stocked the freezer. Here is what you can do with those...

Finger Paint!!!

Cloth Diaper Accessories (Cloth Diapers Part 3)

You might be thinking to yourself, "alright, I've got the diapers. Now what?"

You need:

A Diaper Pail

A cheap, kitchen size, trash can from Target will work perfectly! Get one with a lid!

Diaper Pail Liners

You are going to need two of these. One for the pail and one to be washing. They come in colors, so have fun! Lined with PUL, these are completely water proof. Planet Wise makes great pail liners! 

Wet Bags

If you don't go out often, you can get away with one, but it is best to get two! These little PUL lined bags are were you put your dirty diapers on the go. They come in different sizes to hold different amounts of diapers. I recommend getting one large and one small. Planet Wise also makes these. 

Snappi

The Snappi is a necessity if you plan on using flats or prefolds. These come in a variety of colors, but I suggest the darker shades. Neon green newborn poop stained our white snappi. These are stretchy, "T" shaped, and have little teeth on each end to hook to the diaper.

                                                                        

Diaper Sprayer

If you are breast feeding, good news! Breast fed baby poop is completely water soluble! That means you can put those poopy diapers right in the washer, but once your baby starts solids (or if they are formula fed) you are going to need to remove the poop first. A diaper sprayer attaches to your toilet and can be used to spray the poop off the diaper and into the toilet. BumGenius and Fuzzibunz both make diaper sprayers, but with help of a youtube video you could make your own! Not handy, but still don't want to pay $45? You can always do the old dunk and swish. Even better, if your shower is close to your toilet, use the shower nozzle to spray it into the toilet!

                                                       

Diaper Liners

These little sheets can be used to line your diapers and are flushable. If your thinking what I'm thinking, then you are wondering why you switched to cloth if you have to buy something that is disposable. These are completely optional! They might be nice for those on the go, using daycare, or have a trust fund. If you plan on cloth diapering at birth, these would be helpful with those sticky meconium poops!

                                                                  

Cloth Wipes

Many brands sell cloth wipes, but I am going to give you a little money saving tip! Use all those receiving blankets that you got at your shower (really you don't need 15!) or buy a yard of flannel at the fabric store. Baby wash cloths also work great! Google how to make wipe solution and you're done!

Cloth Friendly Diaper Rash Cream

Tradition diaper rash creams work by making a water proof barrier on the baby's bottom to protect the skin for moisture. Unfortunately, the diaper cream will also make your cloth diapers water proof and will make them leak! There are plenty of cloth safe creams available, some are even sold at Target! Natural parents also find that Coconut oil helps a red bum!

                                                      

Now it is time to wash and store your diapers!

The Types of Cloth Diapers (Cloth Diapers Part 2)

Learning about cloth diapering can be overwhelming! Choosing what is right for your family is even
harder! Let's get started!

Types of Diapers

All-in-one

These diapers are the most like disposables. You take the diaper, put it on baby, snap or velcro, and go! They are very easy for babysitters, daycares, and daddies. These diapers can also be hard to keep clean and take a long time to dry! One of the most popular brands of all-in-one diapers is bumGenius AIO.

All-in-two

All-in-two diapers are similar to the all-in-ones, but have a removable insert that makes them easier to clean and dry. This also makes them slightly more difficult! GroVia is a popular brand.

                                                 

Pocket

Pocket diapers are a favorite throughout the cloth diapering community. With removable inserts, they are easy to clean and dry. The inserts are stuffed in the pocket, keeping them in place. Pockets are also a favorite of daddies and daycares, after mommy pre-stuffs them! Fuzzibunz is a leading brand of pockets.

Flats and Prefolds

Flats and prefolds are similar. They both require something to keep the diaper on the baby and are not waterproof by themselves, so they also require a cover. Flats are big sheets of fabric that need to be folded many times before putting them on the baby. Prefolds are, well, prefolded! They are made of multiple layers of fabric and require one fold- the fold you use to put it on your baby. Prefolds come in a variety of sizes. They are the most durable diapers that can be used for multiple generations. These are the more tradition diapers that your grandparents would have used, but forget the pins! We have snappis now! A snappi is stretchy, "T" shaped, and has small teeth on each end to hook to the diaper. Cloth-eez offers a great prefold diaper, while Birdseye sells flats.

Flat

Snappi over a prefold

Prefolds

Fitted

Like the prefold and flat diapers, fitted diapers require a cover. A fitted diaper is already in the diaper shape and doesn't require a special fold. While some use velcro or snaps, others require a snappi to hold the diaper together. Fitted diapers are a hit for do-it-yourselfers. With an old T-shirt, a little elastic, and basic sewing machine knowledge, you can make your own fitted in no time! If sewing is not your thing, Cloth-Eez makes a fitted diaper.

Types of Covers

PUL Covers

PUL, which stands for polyurethane laminate, is a water proof fabric used to make diaper covers. All-in-one, All-in-two, and pocket diapers already have PUL inside the diaper. These diapers are already water proof and do not require a cover. Fitted, prefold, and flat diapers are not water proof alone and do require a cover. PUL covers come in a variety of colors and patterns. Popular brands include Bummis, Thirsties, and Blueberry.

                                                   

Wool

Wool is a funny thing. People either love them or hate them. Wool covers must be washed with Lanolin, a natural water proofing ingredient found on sheep hair. Wool absorbs, so when your diaper is full it still will not leak. Unlike PUL covers, wool only needs to be washed every few weeks. The washing directions can be scary for first time cloth diaper users, but wool-lovers say that the breathability that wool offers is worth it! Wool pants, wool skirties, and wool shorties are also available. Kisas makes a wool cover, but many buy from work-at-home-mom's that knit or crochet their own covers!

                                                  

Fleece

Fleece wicks away moisture. It is obvious why fleece has become so popular over the last few years. They are light weight, breathable, and easy to maintain. Natural parents beware,  fleece is a synthetic material. Happy Heinys sells a fleece diaper cover, but this is another diaper that can easily be made at your home!

                                              

Other Things to Consider

Snaps VS Velcro

It is really all just a preference. Velcro, which is actually a brand name of loop and hook closures, is easy while snaps provide a challenge for toddlers learning to take off their diaper.

One Size VS Sized

Again, just another preference. One size can be bulkier, but works well for families with multiple children in diaper or those on a budget. Sized diapers are usually trimmer and provide a better fit, but be prepared for your baby to grow out of them!

What's next? Accessories of course!

 

                                                          

Cloth Diapers Rock (Cloth Diapers Part 1)

Cloth diapers have changed so much in the last 50 years, so it is obvious why so many parents are making the switch. If you talk to your Grandmother about cloth diapers, you most likely will hear horror stories about leaky diaper pails and sticking the baby with a diaper pin. Move over, Grandma, there is a new cloth diaper in town!

Here are some reasons to switch:

1. No chemicals! Most crunchy parents agree that the number one reason that they chose cloth diapering is to get rid of those nasty chemicals that disposables are full of. No need to worry about chemical burns or recalls, cloth isn't going to hurt your baby.
2. The savings! You can build your cloth diaper stash for as little at $200. That sounds like a lot up front, but you will be reaping the benefits for years. Say you buy a big box of diapers for $40 from your local wholesale club every month. That's a good deal! Well, you will save $760 by switching to cloth if you potty train at 24 months. Imagine the savings when you use the diapers for more than one child!
3. They are so cute! Seriously. Huggies, your ugly Santa diapers are a joke. If you want your baby's tush to look stylish, cloth is where it is at!
4. Good Bye Rash! Every child is different, but most parents notice that the number of diaper rashes are fewer and farther between with cloth diapers.
5. You are saving the world. Go ahead, call yourself superwomen (or superman) because you are helping to make this earth a better place! The average diaper sits in the landfill for 550 years before it completely decomposes. Most babies are changed a minimum of 8 times a day, multiply that by how many days in two years and you have 5,824. Wow! That is a lot compared to the 25 or so cloth diapers you will use!
6. They are easy! Really! They are! Many parents ask themselves, "How can I keep up with diaper laundry, when I can barely keep up with regular laundry?" I would rather do ten loads of diaper laundry then do one regular wash. Diaper laundry consists of pushing a lot of buttons and who doesn't like to push buttons

Have I convinced you?! Now it is time to learn a thing or two about cloth diapers!

Ten Tips for Breast Feeding a Newborn

1. Get a breast feeding pillow.  At six months old, we still use the boppy pillow about 50% of the time. During the newborn phase, while proper positioning was crucial, we used the boppy for every nursing session.
2. Invest in Netflix. Newborns nurse a lot. Not only do they nurse often, but they nurse for hours at a time. The $9 a month is money well spent when you spend hours on the couch breast feeding. I watched every season of Lost!
3. Buy cheap nursing bras. You might be tempting to go out and buy the more expensive, supportive, nursing bras, but wait! Right now your breasts are still figuring out what size they are. Wait until month three. Until then, cheap bras from Target or Walmart will work perfectly.
4. Make yourself a nursing station or breast feeding bag. I always breast fed on the couch, so we put a little table beside the couch with a dim lamp, water bottles, bags of trail mix, and little chocolates. I had everything I needed right there! If you are planning on nursing in different spots, a bag might work better for you.
5. Don't wake a sleeping baby. Unless you have premature or special needs baby and your doctor has told you otherwise, you do not need to wake your baby to feed him. Enjoy your free time mama, he will wake up when he is hungry!
6. Count to five. Whoever said breast feeding isn't painful is a liar. It hurts. Your nipples may crack and bleed. I read a tip while pregnant that helped so much. Latch baby, then count to five. Does it still hurt? Unlatch and try again. If it is comfortable, then you have a good latch!
7. Learn to breast feed while laying down. I wish I had learned this earlier. You can relax or even close your eyes. Trust me, you are going to need the rest.
8. Buy or make a breast feeding cover. I'm not one of those overly modest people and I can say that we haven't used a cover in a very long time, but in the beginning it was helpful. Trying to get a baby to latch correctly can be difficult and you are going to show a little more nipple then you would if you were to breast feed an older baby.
9. Get a ring sling. We have a Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling and it is amazing. Very reasonably priced and amazing while nursing for hours. How people walk around while breast feeding with out one is unknown to me!
10. Educate yourself. I have seen so many mothers give up breast feeding at the smallest problem. Educate yourself! Call a lactation consultant! Kellymom.com is a great resource that I have spent many night researching.

Have a happy and healthy breast feeding experience!

Our Breast Feeding Journey Birth - Six Months

About an hour after birth, our nurse asked if I would like to breast feed Elaina. It was the moment I had been waiting for. The moment I couldn't prepare myself enough for. I had spent hours google searching "What does it feel like to breast feed for the first time?" and here I was. So, let me tell you. It feels like a pulling. Not a pinching or a sucking, but a gentle tugging. The first time I breast fed Elaina, it was amazing! She was a pro! I was so excited!

Then, I tried to breast feed for the second time. She wouldn't have any of it. She would root, but she wouldn't actually find the nipple. She would scream and scream until I was in tears. I called in every nurse. Some just stood by and quietly offered suggestions while others took my breast in their hand and shoved it in her mouth. The nurses were throwing around names like "flat nipples" and I was offended. My nipples stuck out just fine!

18 hours after birth Elaina had only eaten once. I finally broke down. I couldn't take the screaming anymore. We gave her formula. You know what? It wasn't the end of the world. Sure, she would have survived without it, but there would have been a whole lot of screaming. Before each bottle, I tried to breast feed. We tried putting formula on my nipples. Nope. We tried sneaking the bottle out and the breast in. Nope. Nothing worked. They wheeled in a massive hospital grade breast pump and I was given strict instructions to pump for 15 minutes every hour. It was exhausting. I watched the clock in agony, waiting for the little hour hand to tell me the news I dreaded the most. Elaina would not breast feed.

24 hours after birth I was able to meet with the lactation consultant. She sat on the edge of my bed and talked for a while. Asked to see my breasts and then watched my horrible attempt to get Elaina to nurse. I waited patiently for her to tell me what I was doing wrong, but there was nothing. The only words of advise that she had for me were "stay calm". Stay calm?! How could I stay calm when my newborn refuses to breast feed and no one is helping me?! She told me to try to nurse before I gave a bottle, but the moment that Elaina or I felt stressed to stop.  Whatever. I listened and did what I was told.

36 hours after birth, we left the hospital. I felt defeated. We were given little enfamil bottles to bring home to supplement what my stupid boobs wouldn't give. I sat alone, rocking in our rocking chair, pumping my empty breasts while family cooed over Elaina upstairs. I heard a drip and then another! Milk! There was breast milk dripping into the bottles! That night, Elaina had her first bottle of breast milk.

The next few days were better. Pumping sucked, but at least I could give her breast milk. My sister came to visit and asked if I had tried a nipple shield. I remembered the lactation consultant telling me to try that once my milk came in. Elaina took her first trip out of the house and we headed to Target. I got home, washed the shield with hot, soapy, water, and sat down to nurse. Elaina latched on and nursed for an hour. I cried tears of joy!

At three months, we were finally able to kick the shield. Everything I had read told me that she was nipple confused. It didn't seem that way to me. She took any pacifier and the shield, so it seemed she was plastic confused! I tested my theory and offered her a clean finger to suck on before attempting to nurse without the shield. Two days later, I threw the shield away.

Although off to a rocky start, our breast feeding journey has been amazing! At six months old, Elaina is breast feeding for 10-15 minutes every 4 hours.

Ten Tips for an Unmedicated Birth

1. Refuse Pitosin until medically necessary. Pitsosin makes your contractions stronger, harder, and faster. Sure it will make your labor faster, but it might be a too painful to have a pain medication free birth. If you do end up needing the Pit, don't fret. Many women have gone to have medication free births.
2. Get in the water. Whether it be the tub or the shower, get in the water. It will help you relax and the heat will feel so nice! When in the shower, it helps to have a buddy to lean on during contractions, so, Daddy, get your swim trunks on!
3. Think about that baby. Remember all those adorable baby clothes that you received at your shower? Imagine baby wearing all those cute outfits. Or, envision bringing baby home to that nursery you spend days painting. Thinking about baby will remind you why this is all worth it and taking your mind of the pain is sure to help.
4. Labor on the toilet. I know, it sounds gross right? The toilet is actually a pretty comfortable place to labor. Rock back and forth or sway side to side.
5. Don't clench your fists. I learned this during a birth class and my mother learned this in her birth class. It helps. If you need a gentle reminder, have a partner or coach open your hands and gently tap your palms during contractions.
6. Talk to your nurses. Tell your nurse "I will let you know when I want pain medication". That way, they will leave you alone, but you still have a chance to change your mind.
7. Find a focal point. Bring in a picture, piece of newborn clothing, or just find something in the room. Stare it down during painful contractions.
8. Remind yourself. You are a strong, powerful, brave, amazing woman and you can do this! Once you do, you will be able to do anything.
9. Have your cervix checked before accepting any medication. I think almost every woman reaches a point in her labor where she thinks, "I really can't do this anymore". This is transition and it typically lasts less than an hour. Get checked! If you're at an eight, you are probably thinking "it took 18 hours to get to this far, I can't make it any longer!", but labor is like rolling down a hill. The longer you go, the faster you go.
10. Educate yourself. This is the biggest thing that you can do for yourself and your baby. Be prepared! Take classes, watch videos, and talk to other mothers.

Have a happy and healthy labor!