Actually reading books!

This blog was pretty quiet in March, huh?  Mostly that was because we've been consumed with our drive to send school supplies to Afghanistan, and also because I've been working on launching my Norwex business!  (More on both of those in a later post.) 

But I've also been grabbing moments here and there to actually READ BOOKS.  Feels like I haven't done much of that since my son was born 6 years ago.  I've added a reading list to the right margin of the blog, in case you're curious.  I do seem to have a problem with starting books and not finishing them, though, because I keep finding fascinating new books to start! 

The two newest books I've started both include the word "heaven" in the title, although they're pretty different.  Yesterday my mother-in-law brought over her copy of 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life for us to borrow.  It's a page-turner.  Very raw and emotional, fascinating, and thought-provoking.  I started it last night, and might even finish it during Joanna's gymnastics class this morning. 

The other one I borrowed at a meeting of the Des Moines Waldorf Education Assocation - I had asked about the best way to get kids started with creative play outside.  So one of the leaders loaned me Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children.  Yes, it has a chapter on outdoor play, but I haven't gotten there yet because I want to read every page of this book.  I love what it says about establishing your family culture. 

So there you go, in case you need a recommendation for something fun and interesting to pick up next! 

Yes, Quality Baby Slings are Safe!

There's been an explosion of news coverage the last few days about the CPSC's published warning about baby's deaths in slings.  To be clear, I don't disagree at all with their warning - as long as we're clear on the specific type of sling they're referring to - a bag sling, Infantino brand being an example, is not a good way to carry your baby for several reasons. CPSC even shows brief diagrams of safe vs. unsafe sling positioning. 

Their warning seems to discourage people from using slings prior to four months of age.  But these first few months out of the womb are exactly when baby needs to be close to mom, feel her warmth, hear her heartbeat, smell her milk.  Yes, of course parents need to be educated about anything that could cause a baby's death. 

HOWEVER, there are many quality baby slings and carriers on the market that keep your baby close to you and in a safe position, and babywearing experts and educators that can show you how to properly and safely use slings.

For instance, here's an explanatory video from Sakura Bloom on how to put baby in a sling correctly:



You can also see this example from Wallypop of how to correctly position a baby in a sling lying down. 

As a friend pointed out recently, there have been many, many recalls on cribs.  But it hasn't made the public decide that all cribs are unsafe.  (There's a whole other topic...)

So please, be sure you are using a good quality, highly recommended carrier.  And be sure you are using it correctly.  But if those things are true, DON'T let anyone make you think your baby is unsafe!  Use the opportunity to explain that only one specific type of sling has been warned against, and explain the benefits of using a good baby sling correctly! 

Turn Off the Wireless - At Night

I've been reading a lot at mercola.com about the dangers of wireless and cell phone radiation to our brains, and feeling like there was nothing I could do - that the benefits of wireless connections outweight the risks. 

But last night a simple change presented itself.  While we're sleeping, we can minimize the radiation flying around our home!  So as I headed for bed, I switched off the power strip that runs our wireless modem, our printer, and the kids' computer.  Then I went upstairs and powered off my iphone.  Simple enough! 

Why in the world didn't I think of that before? 

The Beauty in the Recession

Every cloud has a silver lining, so "they" say. 

I don't really understand what a "silver lining" is, though, so this one is more meaningful to me:

Back of the clouds, the sun is always shining.

I remember one particular time in my life when this was very clear to me.  It had been a pretty painful year, but I was in the process of healing, and I was on a business trip.  When I boarded the plane, the weather was cloudy and gray.  But sure enough, the plane flew through the clouds and then above them, and there it was - beautiful blue sky and brilliant sunshine.  My heart felt full of hope!  I started humming that phrase from an old hymn:

Back of the clouds, the sun is always shining.

Mmmm, it still lifts my heart just to sing it in my head!  Those words are part of the inspiration for the site design of The Stork Wearhouse. Can you see the rays of sunshine behind the clouds?

But let's bring it back down to earth again for a minute.  What does this have to do with the recession?  What is the "sun" shining behind this cloud?

We just finished doing both corporate and personal taxes for 2009, and let's face it, it wasn't a good year.  Really not.  But as my husband and I sat and got philosphical about the state of the economy, this is what we came up with. 

Our society had kind of gotten out of control.  Credit was very easy to get, both personal and business, and maybe we didn't think very carefully about how we spent money.  So the slow down felt pretty painful.  But as we recover, maybe we'll all come out of it with more perspective, a little wiser.  And we'll be more conscious about how we use money, about what and how we consume. 

Maybe we'll buy things that will last, that can be used over and over again.
Maybe we'll take time to reflect before we purchase, then acquire things we know will improve our lives.
Maybe we'll spend money on experiences, that will enrich our lives and expand our horizons.

Yes, we will all slowly start spending money again, but perhaps it will be more mindful.  And that could have wonderful implications for our children, our communities, and our planet!

Feel the joy. :-)

Breastfeeding in Public - Cheering You On!

I'm passionate about breastfeeding.  I didn't know I would be before I came a mom, but I wanted to "try to make it a year" nursing my first.  Well, that was almost 6 years ago, and we haven't found a reason to quit yet. 

One of the biggest factors in successful breastfeeding is being comfortable nursing in public.  Please watch and share this incredible video featuring moms nursing anywhere and everywhere from the Holistic Moms Network. 



Moms, if it makes you more comfortable, and your baby less distracted, try a nursing cover.  But if you and baby are comfortable without, go for it!  If anyone is made uncomfortable, (Oh, how I love the comic strip Stone Soup) they can look elsewhere, or put a blanket over their own heads.  :-)  I can't find my favorite comic on this topic from Hathor, the Cow Goddess - maybe someone else can find the link!

Meanwhile, when you see a mom nursing her baby, give her a thumbs up or a smile.  Let her know your support her right to care for her child anywhere, anytime.

What's in Breastmilk, Anyway?

I love reading everything posted on API Speaks, the blog of Attachment Parenting International.  But every so often the depth of information there blows me away.  That was the case of the recent two part series on the Composition of Breastmilk.  Amazing information.  In Part 1, I learned that:

Recent scientific discoveries have revealed that breastmilk is the only adult tissue that has more than one type of stem cell present.

Wow, I'm not a scientist, but I do know that stem cells are pretty powerful stuff. 

The author includes incredibly specific information about the components, and POWER, of colostrum.  I also didn't know that a newborn baby's stomach is the size of a marble, which is why the low volumn of colostrum produced is all they need to eat.  Within the first week, their stomach grows to the size of their fist. 

Part 2 focuses on what's in mature breastmilk, what babies drink from about 2 weeks of age on. She also discusses that the closer you get to weaning, breastmilk gets more concentrated with immunity boosters.  So gradual weaning gives your child a final burst of support. 

One thing I did know is "mothers produce antibodies to what ever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight diseases their babies are exposed to as well" - this is the reason I am so grateful to still be nursing whenever I or my kids get sick. 

I also love that in addition to the comfort from mother and baby being close, nursing produces calming hormones in the mother, and pain suppressors in the baby. 

Thank you, Dionna and Attachment Parenting, for your amazing research!  And thanks to all the breastfeeding moms out there for giving your kids an amazing start. 

Advice For New Moms From the Experts (Other Moms)

Recently I asked my Facebook fans for their best advice for new moms.  They came up with some wonderful thoughts!  Sorry I couldn't duplicate every word, there was so much good stuff. 

Some time-tested wise advice:

• Take one day at a time. There will be good ones and bad ones.
• Remember to take time for yourself.
• Enjoy every stage.  Don't get too eager for time to pass, because it will!
• If someone offers help with cleaning and cooking, take it!  Enjoy time with your baby.
• Nap when your baby naps!
• Don't say "I'm going to see if I can breastfeed." You're setting yourself up for frustration and failure.  Just say "I'm going to breastfeed."  Learn to nurse lying down, it's so much nicer than getting up to feed the baby!
• Don't try to be Super Mom.  Telling someone you need help is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.
• Remember that you're not alone.  Talk stuff out with someone who's going through the same thing, or who's been there.  The good (first smiles), the bad (first fever), and the ugly (when you can barely hold your head up because you're so sleep-deprived), share it with a friend.  They'll cry with you and encourage you when the poop hits the fan (literally). 
• Have wine chilling in the fridge for when the baby finally goes to sleep.
• Don't stress over a messy house.  Dishes, dust bunnies, and dirty laundry are much less important than a happy baby and a happy (and rested) mommy!

Lots of confidence builders:

• Don't let anyone make you feel incompetent.  You're NOT!
• Trust your Mama instinct.  You are the expert on your own baby!
• Don't be afraid to make different choices than your family, friends, and society in general.
• Do what feels right.  Forget what the "experts" say and trust your mommy gut.
• Read books and consult experts for ideas, but RELAX!  You are a good parent regardless of what anyone says.
• Even brand new first-time moms have a natural instinct to care for their babies.  Follow the mother/baby cues that you naturally get, whether or not that's what grandma or neighbor or random stranger says.
• Trust your gut over the doctors and books.

And several variations on some non-advice:

• Go with your gut and ignore all the unsolicited advice you'll get.
• Lots of people will give you advice.  It's ok not to take it.
• Don't listen to any advice.  Just explore and enjoy your baby, and you will find a rhythm that works for you.

Favorites:

• Allow your mate to learn/discover/do tasks on his own.  It's ok if he doesn't do things the exact same way you do.  The willingness to help and the love poured into the task is what matters.
• Think big, even strategically, for your family.  Don't get discouraged by day-to-day activities, remember that you're raising your children to be wonderful adults.
• Get to know the language of your baby and answer them when they "talk" to you - always.
• Read aloud to your child, even from an early age when you think they don't understand you - they're listening.  Let them touch and hold the books, even if they wreck a few, it's a small price to pay for a child who loves literature.   

Please share this golden advice with new moms and pregnant friends!  Feel free to add your own in the comments.

All about One Size Pocket Diapers

Though we offer many different types of modern cloth diapers at The Stork Wearhouse, the vast majority of people choose one size pocket diapers.  Since these are our best sellers, I've tried to do a "brain download" of how I explain one size pocket diapers to customers, and how I recommend choosing a brand to buy. 

Take a look. 

How did I do?  Any follow up questions?  Did I confuse you more than you were when you started reading? :-)

I also took our One Size Diapers page and broke it down into subcategories so you can more easily find exactly what you want:

• One Size Pocket Diapers
• One Size Diaper Covers
• One Size All in One Diapers

Does that help?  Or do you feel like the extra click isn't worth it? 

Thanks for your feedback!