A Little on the Crunchy Side

Being a stay at home mom has opened up a million doors that I never knew existed. Between the information super highway known as the world wide web, and a wonderfully addictive social networking site referred to by my grandpa as that "Face thing" I have learned so much about alternative parenting methods, and ways outside the "normal" ways to care for a child.

Thus, I am on the verge of becoming a "Crunchy" mom.

I can imagine the things going through your head right now. Yes, I wash my underwear and I practice normal, every day hygiene, I cook my food and chew with my mouth closed, and I pick up the potato chips off the floor when my husband spills them. I'm not literally crunchy.

Being a crunchy mom involves things like babywearing, cloth diapering, breast feeding, delay-vaccinate (Or not vaccinate at all) delaying solids, cosleeping and bedsharing, using teething necklaces, natural remedies, and essential oils and other things some people call "weird." I'll admit, I'm not fully crunchified- but I'm a bit crispy!

Cloth diapering is incredibly easy. At one point my neighbor (who turned out to be one of my best friends, I may add!) came over and was raving about some video showing a lady spraying baby poop in the toilet. Yippee. I thought she was nuts! It seemed dirty, and like waaaay too much work for me!

Four months later, I have over 35 cloth diapers... and cloth wipes... and baby leggings to match them!

I also breastfeed, and plan to for quite a while, however we do supplement with formula and Ayana has recently started eating cereal. We babywear to an extent, although Ayana likes to move (and has since she was inside me popping ribs out of place!) and would often rather be in a stroller or rolling around on the floor exploring on her own.

We also bedshare a lot of the time, which I know many people frown upon. It works for us, we have a large bed, I am a light sleeper and we take precautions against the known dangers of bedsharing. It can be safe if you know your stuff. No "extras!" If you aren't willing to give up your stuffed animal that I *know* you still sleep with, or those 12 pillows that are propped up around you, don't do it! If you could sleep through an invasion sponsored by Monsters, Inc. bedsharing is not a safe option for you! However, if you do your research and feel comfortable with the idea, go for it! It has created an incredible bond between Ayana and I, and ever Tyler admits he likes her in the bed with us!

Now, when it comes to the medical side of things.. that's where the "not fully" part of "not fully crunchified" comes in. We do vaccinate, not all the way, but there is a reason why Polio and Measles outbreaks are in the past (or were until people stopped vaccinating...) I, nor Ayana, receive the flu vaccine. I believe the body has a natural immune system, which can only be built up by using it. There are certain things Tyler and I feel the body needs to develop a natural immunity to, like the flu and chicken pox.

Natural remedies are great. I, for one, don't like taking a million medications to make me feel better if I don't have to, and I don't like the idea of pumping my 14lb daughter full of medication if there is another way.

Hence, amber teething necklaces! I am a bit skeptical (but don't tell the husband!) but I am willing to give it a shot! Baltic amber resin has been said to release a natural analgesic, helping babies to cope with the discomfort of teething, and if a simple thing as a necklace (that, yes grandma, is safe for her to wear under my supervision of course!) can keep Ayana Tylenol (and fuss) free I am willing to give it a shot!

I'm not so crunchy that I collect used sink water to flush my toilet or have an indoor compost pile stewing in my kitchen, but I enjoy exploring into a new realm of parenting I was never introduced to before. That being said, I refuse to be that "natural minded mom" that shoves her beliefs down every new mother's throat. If you want to use formula and disposable diapers, baby's own bed and a flu vaccine then more power to you!

Everyone parents in their own way. This is my way, I love it.. And heck, the worst I could do is screw it up!