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Here we have chosen our favourite weblinks to share with you.
Mothering.com
Inspiring natural families since 1976 - a wonderful on-line magazine full of great information
Inspiring natural families since 1976 - a wonderful on-line magazine full of great information
Natural child Project "Our vision is a world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding, and compassion."
Tribal Baby
"Explore your gentle parenting options, be empowered by the choices available to you. Trust yourself, trust your baby"
"Explore your gentle parenting options, be empowered by the choices available to you. Trust yourself, trust your baby"
Continuum Concept "to educate and serve the public by advocating the principles described in The Continuum Concept and suggesting practical ways to integrate them into daily life.
PHD in parenting - Parenting blog with lots of info including co-sleeping safety
Breastfeeding
Laura at Babyroo: “I breastfed our son until the age of 3 and I’m currently breastfeeding our 1 year old daughter. I did have a few latch problems to start with and it took me a couple of weeks to realise that to ensure a successful breastfeeding relationship, babies should be fed on cue rather than a schedule as is often advised by midwives, health visitors, GP’s and of course…family and friends! I learned a lot in my first few weeks of motherhood that I wish I'd known before becoming a mother. Click here for some of that information:
- A hungry baby will give 'cues' such as licking, mouthing, nuzzling into anything close to their face and sucking or chewing on their hands.
- Once a baby cries out of hunger it means their hunger cues were missed and they are now so hungry they are stressed. Young babies find it difficult to latch on once they are stressed so it's best to feed them as often as possible and as soon as you see those cues!
- Breastfeeding works on 'supply and demand' so the more you feed your baby and allow 'comfort sucking', the more milk you will produce. Nipple stimulation encourages milk production.
- Babies know what they are doing when it comes to feeding. If you think your baby seems to be feeding more than usual then they are probably 'upping' your supply because they are due a growth spurt - after all - the older your baby gets, the more milk they will need.
- Babies are suppoed to feed frequently. A baby that is feeding more frequently than every 3 to 4 hours does NOT mean you are not producing enough milk.
- Night feeds are VERY important. Your hormone and milk production are most efficient at night. It's normal for babies and toddlers of all ages to wake through the night. The more we accept and expect it the less daunting it will feel and the more we can prepare for it.
- Comfort sucking is an important part of breastfeeding. Babies take in small amounts of high calorie milk when they appear to be comfort sucking (even when they're sleeping) and the stimulation to your nipples is also 'upping' your milk supply
- The use of a dummy can affect your milk supply because it interferes with the supply and demand relationship. A dummy is quite simply a nipple/breast replacement and should be avoided for at least the first few months whilst your milk supply is being established.
Co-sleeping and bed-sharing
We have evolved as mammals to sleep beside our mothers as babies. Babies the world over sleep peacfully and safely beside their mothers, nurtured and fed throughout the night. Why should we be any different?
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative - Sharing a Bed with your Baby, A guide for breastfeeding mothers. With FSID
UNICEF co-sleeping info link between bed sharing/co-sleeping and successful breastfeeding
Mother-Baby Behavioural Sleep Laboratory cutting-edge research examining sleep environments
Elimination Communication/Nappy Free
Babies actually signal when they need to wee and poo!
