So here we are at four months, and I thought I'd blog about what stands out the most as I look back on our time...
- Cloth diapering is the easiest thing, and if you are considering it, REGISTER for diapers! I cannot express how amazing it has been to not have to pay for diapers. I watch my friends go through stacks of disposables, and I know they aren't cheap. It is estimated that cloth diapering is one-tenth the cost from start to finish...that is a huge chunk of change! Spend it on education, books, travel...all the areas that extra money could go. Many moms worry about the laundry factor--I'm guessing most moms do a load per day, or every couple days...why not throw in some diapers? The hardest (most overwhelming) part is getting started, but there are a million resources to help. Once you get past the legwork, it's all downhill from there.
- Co-sleeping is nothing to be shamed out of. It is indeed a luxury to have homes with separate rooms, carefully decorated nurseries, cribs, bassinets, swings. At the beginning of time, where do you think babies slept? Definitely not in the cave next door for the Saber Tooth Tiger to find! In fact, most of the world population sleeps with their babies. But when it's mentioned in our society, it is frowned upon. It is worth reading Dr. Sears' take on the issue, he encourages co-sleeping up until around 2 years and elaborates how it is good in regulating baby's breathing, heart rate, and even temperature. *It's also worth noting that most sober moms will not roll onto their babies. Although early co-sleeping may not be for all parents, know that you're validated if it is for you, and there is some good research supporting snuggling up with your baby at night.
- I keep having this reoccurring thought that we're humans--not machines. You hear so often how babies "ought to" be, what schedule they should be on, what stage they should move into. It is always helpful to have an idea of what phase your child is in, but I think it is also important to remember that we are organic beings. Learning to listen & tune into to Lelu has been extremely helfpul--understanding her hunger cues, tired behavior, or signs of discomfort help me navigate on how to help care for her. Granted, it can often be a guessing game, but loosing the expectations of where we "ought to" as a mom and baby is liberating. We are continuously moving into a new phase--whether it's sleeping in her room or solid foods, but we're taking it at a steady and natural pace, giving space and breathing room to transition. Through all of our amazing advice, resources, tools, and support--we ultimately have to find the right routine and groove for us.
- Babies are amazing because they literally are the basics of life. They don't know if they're wearing Goodwill clothes verses designer, riding in an Escalade verses an old beat-up truck, or playing with an old toy verses new. Babies respond to the most important things we have--our smiles, soft voices, and the time we spend with them. Quoting the Beatles, "All you need is love," along with some milk and a bit of warmth--a baby is genuinely happy. How much we can learn from these little creatures, we get so caught up in "stuff" so often, it is a reminder that we actually need very little to survive. Stuff isn't the happiness of life--connecting with others is, and we are born into this world knowing it.
Just a few thoughts and reflections to take or leave, but wishing everyone a wonderful Fall as we move into the holiday season. One of my favorite anticipations--Lelu's first Christmas!
