How Did I Become an Attachment Parent?

Before I had my daughter I had not given so much as a thought to my future parenting styles. I did not enter into this relationship with any preconceived notions of what I was going to do. Honestly, I don't know how much of my parenting style was chosen by me and how much was demanded of me, by my baby. Attachment Parenting was developed by Dr. Sears, a well-known children's doctor, to promote instinctive, natural parenting. There are 8 basic principles to attachment parenting. I had never even heard of 'AP' until long after I was a follower. Here are the basic principles:

   

Preparation for Childbirth - Was I ready? No. But like I said, I didn't PLAN on becoming an Attachment Parent.

   

Emotional Responsiveness - After 8 months, L has yet to cry herself to sleep. Babies cry because they need something, not because it's fun. Think about it the next time you cry.

   

Breastfeeding - After her birth, I almost exclusively breastfeed her for several months. Better for me, better for her - no brainer.

   

Bedsharing - Breastfeeding every 2 hours led to sleeping in my bed.

   

Babywearing - Cuddling at night, perhaps, led to her wanting to be close to me during the day, hence, the Ergo & Polkadot Papoose.

   

Avoid Separation - I'm lucky enough to have a job that allows me to take her to work so we are together 24/7. I miss her terribly if I have to leave her for any length of time.

   

Use Positive Discipline - We'll get to this one when it comes, but right now my little baby is too young to need discipline.

   

Maintain Life Balance - If I'm going out to dinner, L comes too. If I need to run to the store, she's along for the ride.

Bottom-line. This is what works for us. It evolved naturally. I encourage new mothers not to worry about following someone else's rules about what is right for you and your baby. Don't get too caught up in reading the latest baby book. Ultimately, do what feels right to you!

What do you think? Did you pick your parenting style or did it just happen naturally?

Delish! Easy Toddler Meals

So my daughter (11 months old today!) has decided that she no longer wants anything to do with formula or bottles. That's right - she weaned herself. I had to call the pediatrician to ask if she could start drinking milk early - she can. She's also decided that she really prefers to feed herself and baby food is hard to pick up with your fingers. Although she has tried.

So the question is...what finger foods do you feed a(n almost) one year old with 2.5 teeth? I have to admit, she's been eating an awful lot of Gerber Graduate Puffs lately but I don't want her eating crap all the time. What to do.....

Searching online for a lunchbox for her I found the coolest website. This single mama packs a lunch for her 18-month-old four days a week and takes a picture of it and then just describes it. And this baby is eating good! Her lunches are so simple, yet sophisticated. No Gerber puffs. No frosted cheerios. Just real food. See how she does it here.

I'm inspired. And you just may catch some pictures of L's food coming your way!

Tuesday Tip of the Week! - Use rebates online!

This week's tip is sure to save you a little hassle and put some money back into your pocket on things you normally buy. When shopping online, use cash-back sites such as Ebates to earn up to 15% cash back at hundreds of online retailers. Ebates partners with stores to offer discounts and special coupons in addition to the rebates that accrue into your account. At the end of each quarter you get a big fat check in the mail. After I started using Ebates I refused to shop in-store because I felt like I was getting ripped off! Start saving today!

Tuesday's Tip of the Week!

I'm starting a new tradition here at Lil Green Baby. Each Tuesday I'm going to write a post containing a fast and easy tip that has made my life just a teensy bit easier. Feel free to add your own tip in the comment section.

Every baby uses a pacifier, right? Pacifiers are wonderful, wonderful little pieces of plastic mixed with silicone or latex than have the ability to instantly soothe a fussy baby. The only problem is that if your baby is expecting a pacifier then you better have one. Right. That. Instant. (or else!) One day L was shrieking as I was tearing stuff out of the diaper bag left and right searching in vain for the beloved paci. I thought, there has got to be a better way.

A quick google search came up with a pacifier pod from Skip*Hop and I thought I had solved the problem. Truth is, it would have been more fun to watch that $8 burn than continue to use the darn paci pouch. If something so much as touched the little pod the snap button would come undone and I would have to balance my squirming daughter and my overflowing diaper bag on one hip while I bent down to pick up the pouch that was supposed to keep the pacifier nice and handy. Needless to say it only took a few tries at this balancing act before I chucked the pacifier pod.

Here's what really worked. Take one pacifier clip (you know, the ones made out of ribbon with a metal clip on one end and velcro on the other) and attach the "clip" part to the inside of your diaper bag. If your diaper bag has inside pockets (and what kind of diaper bag are you using if it doesn't?) then attach the clip there. Fasten the velcro around your favorite pacifier and tuck it in the pocket to keep it nice and clean. Promise it will be right where you left it!

L can crawl!

My daughter can crawl! Belly off the floor, moving her hands and knees, certified crawling. She is growing so fast and it just makes me so proud every time she reaches a new milestone. In honor of this achievement, I'm posting a few safety tips for crawling babies.

Crawler Safety Tips

Never leave your baby unattended.

Keep all electrical cords out of reach. Baby can will pull cords and can be hurt when lamps, radios, etc. fall on them.

Shield all electrical outlets with safety plugs that screw on. The kind that are inserted can be pulled out and become a choking hazard.

Never leave anything on the ground that can potentially harm your baby. Any small item can be a choking hazard.

Install safety gates on every set of stairs. The safest kind are the ones that screw into your wall. Gates that use pressure are not safe or secure.

Get down on all fours and crawl around your house. Map out potential hazards. Notice things that are colorful or unusual and put them away, as they will be enticing to a small child. Anything that can fit through a toilet paper roll should be considered a choking hazard.

Be sure heavy bookcases are bolted to the wall.

Cordon off any areas that are off-limits, such as a home office, with a baby gate.

Remove sharp items from floor-level cupboards.

Tie up curtains and blind cords out of reach.

Be sure there are catches and locks on the windows in your home.

Avoid hanging tablecloths.

Turn pot handles to the back of the stove and install a stove guard.

Secure all area rugs with a rug pad or doublestick tape so babies don't trip.

Avoid using bug sprays, carpet cleaners or air fresheners where babies spend a lot of time.

Consider buying doorknob covers, which can be squeezed open only by an adult hand.

Replace extension cords with ones that having locking plate covers or talk to an electrician about adding more wall outlets.

Ensure nightlights are not at floor level so as not to attract your baby to the electrical outlet.

Keep plastic bags out of reach. Tie a knot into each plastic bag before you throw it away.

Install railing guards of mesh or plastic for all railings that are 3 inches apart or more.

Add padding to the sharp corners of tables, desks, fireplaces, etc.

Follow these rules and keep your baby safe! If I missed anything please feel free to leave it in the comments section at www.lilgreenbabyblog.blogspot.com!

What the crap is elimination communication? (pun intended)

Some parents use disposable diapers. Some parents use cloth diapers. Some parents use no diapers. SAY WHAT? No, seriously.

Elimination Communication, or EC for short, is also known as Infant Potty Training and Natural Infant Hygiene. Elimination Communication is a practice where parents use timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant's need to potty. EC is widely practiced in less industrialized countries where parents have little or no other choice. The Parents who practice EC rave about all of the benefits, such as reduced skin irritation and money saved (because you don't have to buy diapers.)

So what do you think? Comments?

That New Baby Smell

One of my dear friends welcomed her precious little boy into the world early Monday morning. She had the easiest pregnancy known to man, followed up by an incredibly difficult birth. When I saw him for the first time he looked so perfect and tiny and new. Like any new mother, she has no idea what she's in for.

It's almost inconceivable to me that my own little one was even smaller than her new friend. Almost 9 months later and I have continually fallen in love with my daughter more each day. If I could just go back in time and grasp at those early days... I would cherish them because now I can appreciate how fleeting they truly are.

I wonder if all Mothers have these feelings of wanting to stop the clock. Have you ever felt this way?

How did I become an attachment parent?

Before I had my daughter I had not given so much as a thought to my future parenting styles. I did not enter into this relationship with any preconceived notions of what I was going to do. Honestly, I don't know how much of my parenting style was chosen by me and how much was demanded of me, by my baby. Attachment Parenting was developed by Dr. Sears, a well-known children's doctor, to promote instinctive, natural parenting. There are 8 basic principles to attachment parenting. I had never even heard of 'AP' until long after I was a follower. Here are the basic principles:

Preparation for Childbirth - Was I ready? No. But like I said, I didn't PLAN on becoming an Attachment Parent.

Emotional Responsiveness - After 8 months, L has yet to cry herself to sleep. Babies cry because they need something, not because it's fun. Think about it the next time you cry.

Breastfeeding - After her birth, I almost exclusively breastfeed her for several months. Better for me, better for her - no brainer.

Bedsharing - Breastfeeding every 2 hours led to sleeping in my bed.

Babywearing - Cuddling at night, perhaps, led to her wanting to be close to me during the day, hence, the Ergo & Polkadot Papoose.

Avoid Separation - I'm lucky enough to have a job that allows me to take her to work so we are together 24/7. I miss her terribly if I have to leave her for any length of time.

Use Positive Discipline - We'll get to this one when it comes, but right now my little baby is too young to need discipline.

Maintain Life Balance - If I'm going out to dinner, L comes too. If I need to run to the store, she's along for the ride.

Bottom-line. This is what works for us. It evolved naturally. I encourage new mothers not to worry about following someone else's rules about what is right for you and your baby. Don't get too caught up in reading the latest baby book. Ultimately, do what feels right to you!

What do you think? Did you pick your parenting style or did it just happen naturally?