New Old School

I recently got a facebook message from a friend who said something along the lines of "Hey! I saw you were cloth diapering! I loved my bumGenuis diapers when A was a baby! I was a breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing mama. It's so fab!"

That got me thinking about other messages I've gotten and comments about my parenting choices.......

Choice 1. I breastfed Izzy till she wouldn't nurse and I stopped producing.  
     We got her about a month past her last surgery on breast milk.  Frozen, pumped, fresh or in conjunction with formula, but we got there.  I even still have some saved specifically for her cereal.  This decision was very important to me, especially after we got a diagnosis.  I researched all the pros and cons, benefits and risks.  I found benefit after benefit and the only con/ risk was the time and eating restrictions.  I really wanted to give my baby the best possible start and see what all the hype was about with the bond between mother and breastfed baby.
     I worked hard to keep her off formula at first, then realized it can be a sanity saver!  It was sometimes easier for Robbie to make a bottle of formula in the middle of the night than for me to sit and listen to a hungry, crying baby while the milk took it's dear sweet time warming.  She didn't get many bottles of straight formula at first.  It was strictly to fortify and save mommy and daddy.
     I realized that before formula mothers had no choice, and "If it aint broke don't fix it" instantly came to mind.  There's a reason older generations have lower instances of breast cancer, and babies didn't get sick as often.  Breast feeding a baby lowers mom's chances of developing breast cancer, it does the same for breast fed daughters.  And that's all in addition to passing on vital antibodies, vitimans, and baby age and need specific milk to baby.  It worked in centuries past for queens, their court and peasents alike, why think that I'm too good to breastfeed? Plus we saved on formula for the most part!

Choice 2.  I cloth diaper Izzy. Most of the time. Ok.... As much as I can.
     As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started research about cloth.  I knew I wanted to save money and not literally throw it in the trash.  I was terrified that if I chose cloth it would be prefolds and plastic pants like our grandparents.  I was thrilled when I found Kellyscloset.com and the great selection of cloth they offer!   
     The hospital sent Izzy home in 'sposies, like they do all babies.  We used them while she had her ostomy, but I tried to use cloth as much as possible.  I wanted to positively impact the environment.  I also wanted my daughter to be able to grow up environmentally.  We still use 'sposies, but I am SLOWLY adding to my fluff stash, and incorporating cloth into her daily routine.
     Disposable diapers are relatively new.  Being that we live in a disposeable age, it only makes since that our babies start the initiation from the get go.  Yeah, sposies are trim and kinda convient... But cloth is so much cuter! Less expensive, and better for everyone!

Choice 3.  I wear my wrap and Izzy thinks she belongs in it.
     My sis-in-law gave me what we jokingly called a "make-your-own gift" for my baby shower.  It included patterns, a wrap, a sling, and a notebook.  I thought it was cute and funny.  Little did I know that these would become staples in my daily life with my baby.  I don't really use the sling, and haven't busted out the patterns yet.  I do use my wrap.  I now have 3.  I LOVE my wrap and almost couldn't live without it.
     Mothers have been baby wearing for centuries!  This "fad" is not a new one.  It used to be the only way that a mother could do anything with her child and still have hands to do something else.  Mothers would wear their baby and work in fields, or around the village.  Again, if it worked for everyone in the past, why should I think I'm too good to do it.
     We have in inadvertently taught Izzy that when we are out she belongs in her wrap.  She LOVES it!  She can see what's going on, be a part of it, and not get moved out of the way.  It's wonderful!

So the "old school" way of doing things, with natural things, is the way that I have chosen to raise my daughter.

Holley, I'm right there with you... happily I'm a breast feeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing mama.  I don't do it for the fad, I don't do it for the history, I don't do it for the convenience or cost.  I do it for my daughter, my environment, and my family.  My old school choices, although they have a new school spin (new patterns, swim wraps, pumps, ect.) still positively affect the environment and don't add to our landfills.