| Raising Baby |
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| "Then you shall feed: On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you . . . ." Isaiah 66:12,13 |
| Co-sleeping Mother Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboritory The Benefits of Co-Sleeping - from API Sleeping Saftely With Your Baby - from askdrsears.com SIDS - from askdrsears.com Baby Wearing Babywearing - from askdrsears.com The Importance of the In Arms Phase Baby Slings - Why, How, and Where? - from Kellymom Infant Carriers and Spinal Stress - why not to use carriers like the Baby Bjorn and Snugli KangarooKorner - lots of slings and lots of info. Kozy Carrier - Front/Back "Asian style" carrier designed by yours truly ;-) **WARNING** Parenting "Gods Way"? If you are using, or considering using Babywise or anything by Ezzo I strongly urge you to check out these links!!!! Ezzo Info - The most Ezzo related info. and links on the web All About Ezzo - info. and links from a concerned christian mother "Babywise advice linked to dehydration" : AAP News |
| Ah, newborns. So precious and new. They smell so sweet and feel so soft. How could anyone bear to be away from them even for a moment? Your baby has been relying on you to meet all of his needs as he was growing in the womb. He got the food he needed immediately. Hunger was unknown to him. When he was tired the sound of your voice, heart, body moving luled him to sleep. He was secure in his own little world. Then the day came when he was born and his eyes and ears were opened for the first time to the way the world really is. He cannot tell you what he needs in words, but God has given him the ability to communicate with us through other verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. And the most amazing thing is that we as parents have been given the perfect abilities (our instincts) to understand his unique language. He asks so little of us and his needs are few. The milk from his mothers breasts, the security of your arms, and the love of your heart! |
| What an amazing transition a newborn is going through. In his first few years here on the outside he is growing at an amazing pace and learning just as fast. These are the most important times to teach your little one about life. The transition from womb to world should be a gentle one as should his transition to life outside of the womb. As a family we choose to follow our God given instincts and keep our child as close as possible. We want them to learn to trust us, to know that we will meet his needs immediately when they are young. As they get older they sometimes has to wait a bit longer, but their needs will always be met and they are developing a sense of how we, their parents, can always be counted on to be there for them. I do not believe in parents "doing everthing" for their kids. But babies are different. They have real needs that need to be met and they don't understand or learn anything positive if they are made to wait or cry it out. So no, I am not "child-centered" but I do believe strongly in being baby-centered because that is what my God given instincts as a parent tell me to do. |
| We choose meet our childrens needs in many ways. We would never let a baby cry it out. We believe that to respond to your babies cries you are teaching him that he can rely on you. Remember, it is impossible to spoil a baby!! It saddens me that so many women are advised to ignore their God given instincts and allow their babies to cry. I have heard so many stories about how hard it is for them, how their heart aches to go to their child but as time goes by they become desensitized, their instincts so long ignored, that they grow cold. I encourage mothers to trust their instincts, not the "experts", when it comes to caring for our babies. Afterall, no one can know our children as well as their mothers. We share our bed with our baby. By keeping our baby close we can meet his needs immediately. He is safer in our bed and he is more secure being close to the ones he loves the most. I would never dream of isolateing my child, especially not at night. When he is mentally and physically ready to sleep in his own bed he will let us know. I nurse on demand when my child is an infant and continue to nurse past his first year. Not only is mama's milk the perfect food designed by God specifically for his needs, but it also provides a sense of security and comfort through the toddler years as well. When he no longer feels he needs to nurse he will let me know. I carry my baby as much as physically possible. And not only cause I find pushing a stroller terribly annoying :-) I prefer to keep my baby close where he can nurse when needed and I can meet his needs right away. Afterall, what better thing to do with your arms then cradle your precious child. By wearing him in public (shopping, in restaurants, etc.) he is always in my arms and close to my heart. Not arms-length away. I have no problem with strollers, if their use is limited and baby enjoys it. But many don't and I feel they are best in their parents arms regardless. I also wear my child at home as much as he needs, and he does let me know when he wants to get down and explore his world. Carrying them in a sling around the house makes it easier for me to get things done and it keeps baby close, content, and also allows him to learn a bit about life by being a part of my daily activities. As with everything else I do with my baby, he is included, not excluded. |
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| I urge you as parents to truse your God given instincts on these matters. No so called "expert" knows your child as well as you. Listen to your heart. These moments are fleeting, soon to be gone as your child grow more independant every day, cherish them. |
| Wearing your baby in a sling can make life easier for you while you meet your childs needs to be "in arms". There are slings out there for every occasion. You can wear your baby while you do just about anything, even nurse (as seen in the photo on the right). Check out my baby wearing links below for more info. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. |
| LINKS |
| Parenting Resources Train up a Child In the way he should go- a must read for every new parent Leidloff Continum Network The Natural Chlid Project Attachment Parenting International Gentle Christian Mothers Lonnit's Instinctive Parenting Natural Instinct Association for the Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children Positive Discipline Natural Baby Products Attachments Catalog - everything for the attachment minded mamma Spirit of Nature - organic diapers, clothes, toys etc. Ecobaby Organics - from cloth diapers to organic clothes to wooden toys The Natural Baby Catalog Soft Star Shoes - soft soled leather baby and toddler shoes Whimsicality - toys that bring out a childs imagination, naturally Other Important Links Sign With Me - baby sign language Sign With Your Baby Infant Massage One O One Infant Massage Information |
See also my pages about: Breastfeeding Diaper Free Babies Cloth Diapers Circumcision |
| "he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalm 22:24b |
| Back to EnterGently |
| "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink" Matthew 25:35 |
| "And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee." Luke 11:7 |