Middle-of-the-Line Mommy

I saw a link the other day on the side of a website for a “Natural Parenting” group.  It said something to the effect of, “If you are a co-sleeping, non-circumcising, breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth-diapering, non-vaccinating, attatchment parent, join us!” I am not against or for this style of parenting entirely (and I probably lean more towards this than the other extreme), but here’s my question: do all of these things always have to go together?

I don’t co-sleep, mostly because I’m a very heavy sleeper and I’m afraid I would roll onto my baby or smother him. Plus, I like having my own space with my husband. However, we do let our son into the bed with us in the early mornings when we’re half-awake for a nice big family snuggle. 

We didn’t circumcise our son, mostly because after doing the research on the topic, we decided there wasn’t any real reason to do it. However, we are not anti-circumcision, and I believe it’s a personal choice for you and your family.

I do breastfeed exclusively (my son is 3 months old) because it is the best food health-wise for my baby and I also treasure the closeness we share as he eats. Breast milk is something only I can give him, so that helps us to create our own special bond. I will breastfeed in a public place, but with a nursing cape (even though I know it probably shouldn’t offend people, it still does, and I don’t want to be pushy about it). Also, I have several friends who formula fed their babies, and I have never made them feel guilty for their choice, nor will I ever do so.

I wear my baby in my Sleepy Wrap almost every day, but not all of the time. I use it to get chores done or to go shopping or walking with him. I love being close and providing him a snuggly place close to my heart. However, I also give him plenty of time to play on a mat or in a swing nearby while I work. I still talk to him and love on him while doing so- it’s just that I think it’s important for him to feel comfortable playing on his own too.

I do cloth diaper and enjoy it very much, but we use disposable for traveling. Again, I think this is a family by family choice.

We are vaccinating our son, but on an alternative schedule to avoid some of the possible risks of receiving too many vaccines at once. We also are delaying some of the less important vaccinations until later.

We haven’t let our child cry it out, but we don’t pick him up at every little fuss either. We’re trying to use our best judgment each day regarding this issue.

In short, I think of myself as a “middle-of-the-line” mommy when it comes to these matters. I don’t think it has to be all or nothing, and every mommy should consider each individual aspect of parenting carefully. You may or may not agree with me on every issue above, but that’s okay. I don’t think there is a one-style-fits-all when it comes to parenting. I believe I am trying to make the best decisions I can for my baby as I raise him, but I also know that what works for my baby may not work for every baby!

Motherhood is a journey, not a strict adherence to one particular parenting method. I’m a pretty new mom, so who knows- I might end up changing some of these things as I learn and grow! I hope to be wise and to give my baby lots of love, no matter what.