Spoil Your Babies

Some ways I “spoil” my little one are;

    * Cloth Diapers, organic when possible. Yes, cloth really is the greenest option. Don't be fooled by greenwashers that seek to confuse you. Even better is to buy them from a “little guy”. Hundreds can be found online with a google, I'd hurt too many friends if I recommended a specific place!

    * Organic maple sugar treats from my local co-op. These are her favourites: http://www.healthytimes.com/htbabybiscuits.htm

    * Organic cotton clothing when possible. These can be found online, or locally depending on the size of your city, but the local availability is increasing in even small places.

    * Hemp clothing and soakers. Also easily found online.

    * Long term breastfeeding is not just healthier it keeps bottles, bottle liners, formula cans and containers out of the landfill and consumes no energy to produce! Contact the La Leche League for breastfeeding resources: http://www.lalecheleague.org/  And nurse as long as you possibly can.

    * Wooden, organic, and locally made toys. There are some incredible places that can be found for toys that serve mind, body, heart and soul for your little one. One of my favourites is: http://www.worldwidechild.com/
 

Please add some ways you “spoil” your little one!

Warmly,

Chey

Re: Spoil Your Babies

I guess we spoil them by eating organic, working from home, building a healthy home for them to grow up in, skipping the vac’s, no mercury in their mouths, eating lots of Goji’s, and by listening to them and encouraging their inspirations. kate

Re: Spoil Your Babies

I agree Kate. I'll add no circ for boys, and no flouride in the water or in supplements. :)

Warmly,

Chey

Re: Spoil Your Babies

ok, new and ignorant mom. Flouride is bad? (I'm sorry I'm clueless) I thought it was good for their teeth? No flouride treatments either? :) Alternatives are?

YES! Breastfeed (if you can) for as LONG as you can! My Daughter is 3, I breast fed her until she was AT LEAST 2 (yeah, that's long I KNOW!) but she has had only TWO ear infections in her entire life and she has NEVER been sick longer than 3 days! We have the equipment ladies, IF YOU CAN use what you have!

I sure miss looking into my baby's beautiful brown eyes when I nurse…she hardly sits still long enough for me to kiss her anymore :( Woe is me!!!

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Here you go Krista, this comes from kellymom, a site I trust that is honest and does good research:

Currently there is no conclusive evidence indicating that fluoride supplements in infancy improve a breastfed baby's dental health. Dr. Ruth Lawrence (author of “Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession”) states:

evidence supports the contention that there is adequate fluoride in human milk, and fluorosis from excessive amounts is a concern.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released an interim policy statement on fluoride supplementation: “Fluoride Supplementation for Children: Interim Policy Recommendations”. Their stance is this:

Fluoride should not be administered to infants during the first 6 months after birth, whether they are breast- or formula-fed. During the period from 6 months to 3 years of age, breastfed infants (and formula-fed infants) require fluoride supplementation only if the water supply is severely deficient in fluoride (<0.3 ppm). [This particular statement is from the AAP's policy statement on breastfeeding.]

Many city water systems add fluoride to the water. If you use well water or bottled water, it's unlikely that fluoride has been added to your water, but it may still be there. Fluoride occurs naturally in most water, so you really need to know how much fluoride is in your water before you decide whether to supplement.

How do you find out how much fluoride is in your drinking water?

• If you use city water, call your local water department to find out.
• If you use bottled water, call the bottling company.
• If you use well water, you can ask your local water department about having your water tested for fluoride - fluoride analysis isn't very expensive (I've seen it advertised for $10).

After you know how much fluoride is already in your drinking water, you can look at the AAP recommendations and decide whether fluoride supplementation might be beneficial.

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Thanks for the info!!!!!!!! :)

I am still in awe of all the info around this place! :) Where have you all been all my life!!!?!?!?!

My Sister is having her first in about 2 weeks, I'm going to definitely pass this info along to her and her hubby!

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Oh, geez, if I only had your conviction! The only spoiling I'm doing for my baby is breastfeeding. However, it does not keep bottles out of the landfill because I have to work! I have to pump and let his babysitter give him mommymilk in a bottle. I notice that the organic cothing and wooden toys are too expensive for me to justify the expenditure.

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Pixellator,

Ebay is a mommy on a budget's very best friend. Try looking there every week or so and picking things upo a tiny bit at a time. Breast milk out of a bottle is still better than formula, it is hard to nurse and work, don't discount yourself! I work out of my house, my little one is with me all the time so I am really blessed to be able to do that, especially as a single mom, so don't sell yourself short.

Warmly,

Chey

Re: Spoil Your Babies

oh, all such good suggestions!  I think the only thing I can add is babywearing with a sling.  Keep that precious one as close as possible!

I have twin sons who are now 4 years old, but I tandem nursed them.  Unfortunately they dedided they weren't interested in bfing after 1 year old.   But they were never sick early on.

I'm expecting a daughter in October and I'm going to try cloth diapering for the first time.  I'm pretty worried about that one for some reason!  But I will be making the effort.

-Di

Re: Spoil Your Babies

I love my slings, and couldn't agree more Di! Cloth diapering is a snap I'd never do it another way again. If you start now you can pick them up one or two at a time on ebay and save the huge expense of doing it all at one time. If I can help at all please let me know.

Warmly,

Chey 

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Chey, thank you!  If there are any good cloth diapering groups around on the web that you could direct me to, that would be a huge help.  I have so many questions, I don't know where to start.  How the heck do you keep them from leaking???

lol,
Di

Re: Spoil Your Babies

If cloth diapering sounds daunting because of the laundry, do what I did! I had a diaper service come. They only charge you for the number of diapers you use and  you put the soiled diapers in their bucket for removal. Now *that's* a snap!

I will caution you, though. Those “explosions” breastfed babies are known for are better contained in disposables, even though even then, the explosion can reach the tag at the neck of the onesie. Yuck! It was for this reason that I still bought a few disposables for when we were going to be out somewhere for more than an hour or two. 

I think it's great you are considering cloth diapers. I really loved it. I even used a couple of them to wash my car!! 

Re: Spoil Your Babies

LOL, they are really soft for car washing!  There seem to be many styles to choose from, however do you know what will work best?

My only concern with a diaper service would be with chemicals used in detergent.  We have some pretty sensitive skin in our house and pretty much rely on Seventh Generation Free and Clear products.

Diane, it's funny that you mentioned the blow outs, cause that's exactly what was on my mind.  One of my guys held out for over 10 days.  Of course it worked itself out on a 6 hour drive to see family.  What a mess!

Re: Spoil Your Babies

I cloth diaper as well and use a diaper service. That is my back up. My main goal is “Diaper Free”/ Elimination Communication. I try to listen when dd has to go and if I miss, then I make sure that she never sits in a wet diaper longer than a few minutes.

I also breastfeed my almost 3 year old, although it is now down to 2 times per day.

I try for organic clothes and food, but rely mostly on mainstream stuff.

Iska

Re: Spoil Your Babies

I also used a diaper service with my first two. Loved it and found them to be enviro-concious.  When i had my youngest there were no services in the area. i bought the old fashioned organic cotton chinese pre-folds and used hemp inserts and breathable nylon diaper covers.  i have tried all of the all-in-one's but found the chinese pre-fold to have the least blow-outs.  check out punkinbutt.com.  they have all the info, small mom- run home business.  even has info about water usage, washing instructions, money saving etc.  cloth kids definitely potty train easier and faster in my opinion. Once you are used to it it's a breeze.  Just think, you'll never have run to the store at 2am because you ran out of diapers. Washing diapers is really not that bad especially for exclusively breastfed infants. no smell and they come clean very easily.

Raising organic vegan children on a budget is extremely challenging.  try local farmers markets and always watch the sales flyers.  buy local and in season-it's always cheaper.

Co-sleeping is another way i have spoiled my children.  Especially in the early days.  There is nothing better than resting peacefully in your bed while your infant nurses himself back to sleep.

I too found my sling to be my best friend.  Especially with my middle who was very fussy.


Growing our own organic garden is another great way to spoil.  My boys 12,8,and 2 plan, plant and harvest their own veggies.  what could be better than pulling a carrot you planted and eating it right out of the garden.

Sorry i went on and on.  I just think this site is such a great gift to moms, new and old.

paula

Re: Spoil Your Babies

Yeah for clothies!!! I love using cloth for my daughter.  I also find it funny that people are always talking about how cloth will smell and you have to wash it, blah blah, blah…..  However, I have noticed that babies that wear throw-aways smell so much worse!

Another great thing to do for baby food is get a food mill.  My mom gave me the one that she used to make my baby food, and it still works great.  On top of knowing exactly what your baby is eating, you save so much money.  You can even go one step further and start growing a small garden.  I keep some veggies mixed in with my flowers.  It is great being able to walk outside to pick some peas or tomatoes. 

Re: Spoil Your Babies

A tip for those of you who are using cloth diapers. Beg some worn out cotton garments or sheets, pillowcases, or old duvet covers, tear into squares and use to line the nappy, when they soil the nappy it's easy to dispose of in the loo, if they just wee they can be rewashed in with the nappies.
   I used a mooli seive for my babies, take care with salt intake though,  small babies can't cope with the quantity of salt an adult would use for seasoning, that can be harmful, take out the childs portion and then add the salt.

Re: Spoil Your Babies

We started at birth by having him naturally.  He was born 2 weeks later than they had expected, but we left it up to him to come out when he was ready.  When he arrived, the midwives said he was right on time, and showed no signs of being late.  We feed him lots of organic fruits, vegetables, oats, grains, local goat yogurt, and raw hemp milk.  I have stayed home with him mostly since he was born.  We haven't even had a babysitter!  When I was working, he stayed with his dad.  We make sure to give him superfoods, and treat him with respect.  I breastfeed him, and plan on doing it for as long as I can… (probably aound 2, depending on him).  Mostly, I “spoil” my child by talking to him like he is an intellegent person, and help him do what he wants to do and be in control of his reality.  I'm pretty cool. as long as he is not hurting himself or others.