Natural Parenting

Breastfeeding Failure, Or Medical Community Fail?

Taylor Newman — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:18:02 +0000

Colleen Kelly, a mom whose infant daughter was diagnosed as failure to thrive when Kelly was unable to produce enough breast milk to sustain her, quickly realized – after her baby underwent tests that showed nothing to be amiss in the baby -- that "none of the doctors or nurses knew enough about breast-feeding to figure out what was happening.” Kelly’s own mother had experienced the same supply problems as she was experiencing now, but doctor’s dismissed this family history, and Kelly ended up feeding her baby formula. She’d wanted to breastfeed, but, apparently, couldn’t.

What Was Your Natural Parenting “Gateway Drug”?

Taylor Newman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:42:46 +0000

I came across this blog post by a cloth-diapering mama the other day, and it got me thinking about my own journey into natural parenting. Jeanette over at Eco Incognito writes that she didn’t think, or even know, many reusable items existed before she began cloth diapering. These days, she stores food in glass Pyrex containers in lieu of disposable plastic baggies, and she cleans with reusable towels instead of their paper counterparts.

Do Moms-to-Be Have It Better Overseas?

Taylor Newman — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:25:37 +0000

Fact: the American maternal death rate is rising. Steeply.

Unique Gifts Natural Parents Will Love

Taylor Newman — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:34:08 +0000

I'm super addicted to Pinterest. Although it's definitely not the best thing that's ever happened to my productivity, it's also not the worst. It's kind of helped my formerly-conflicted proctrastor and overachiever sides find some common ground; as a result, my house smells great this weekend, thanks to some homemade cinnamon ornaments, and a DIY natural air freshener (ahhhh).

Let's Talk About Natural Birth Control

Taylor Newman — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 17:24:46 +0000

Here’s a fun little back story on my adventures in birth control: When I was about fourteen, I was asked by my doctor if my periods were uncomfortable. When I said yes, she prescribed me the birth control pill. By high school, at least half of my friends were also on the pill; it was a pretty normal thing.

Dear Alicia Keys: Thank You for Helping Moms-to-Be Stay Brave!

Taylor Newman — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:34:25 +0000

Although celebrity moms sometimes set up unrealistic expectations for ‘regular’ moms (you know, those of us without six nannies, a chef and a personal trainer) about what post-baby life will be like, a few stars have used their fame for far-reaching good over the past year, making life just a little bit easier for all moms, famous or not. read more

Every Day Is Thanksgiving (When You’re Three)

Taylor Newman — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:47:28 +0000

I often see articles pop up around Thanksgiving about “teaching gratitude” to our children. I love the idea of practicing gratitude with our children – because with practice, of course, everything grows – but I think, as cliché as it sounds, my toddler son has really taught me what living with a sense of gratitude is all about.

Funny Cuz It's True: Kids Prefer Cardboard Boxes to Flashy Toys (Or, How We Free Play)

Taylor Newman — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:16:18 +0000

“Parents desperate to get their hands on the top toys for Christmas have been stunned to learn the best plaything for youngsters is the humble cardboard box.” I had to wonder, when I read this line yesterday -- How is this stunning? Isn’t this a running, funny-cuz-it’s-true joke among parents, who buy their kids the most coveted toys only to discover the littles far prefer the boxes they came in?

Therapy Reduces C-Section Rates Among Women with "Extreme" Birth Fears

Taylor Newman — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:56:19 +0000

C-section are the most common surgeries performed in the United States, and now account for a third of all childbirths here.

The Breastfeeding Doll: Is This Inappropriate?

Taylor Newman — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:52:49 +0000

You’ve seen a toddler pretend to breastfeed a doll, right? I know I have – little boys and girls alike holding dolls, teddy bears and even toy Ninja Turtles to their chests, and making sucking sounds with their mouths. I actually think it’s the cutest thing ever – as do the littles’ moms, who, of course, are the objects of their children’s devotion and endless imitation. Some of these kiddos are breast-fed toddlers, and some simply see their mamas feeding infant siblings at the breast.