Parenting Style

Cheryl posted today about her parenting philosophy, and I really liked the idea.  Hence, I'm stealing it (sorry, Cheryl!).

I am a huge fan of Attachment Parenting, because it is just a natural extension of how I parent already.  All of it makes sense to me.  However, I don't just do something "because Dr. Sears said so." 

I breastfeed, but I breastfeed how I can due to anatomy (mine and hers).  I nurse Alice for as long as I can, then pump while JTD gives her whatever I pumped at the last feeding.  There's a necessity every once in a while to supplement with formula, but that equates to maybe 4 oz. of formula per week.  Maybe.

We co-sleep, and I'm proud of it.  First of all, if you do it safely, it reduces the risk of SIDS (link).  Secondly, it has totally changed the way Alice sleeps.  She was getting up every 45 minutes or so for the first 5 weeks of her life.  I started co-sleeping with her, and she can now go 4 - 7 hours at a time.  She's amazing, and I love the closeness, since I don't get to be at home with her during the day.

I unfortunately have to work, even though I wish I could stay at home.  We only have to take her to 12 hours of daycare each week - I work 7 - 4 on Monday - Friday, and JTD works 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday, has Friday off, and works Saturday morning.  We don't get to see each other much, but it is best for her.  We rarely go anywhere without her, so that means our social lives have changed greatly.
 
I respect others' choice to do so, but I refuse to let A "cry it out" in any form.  I can't imagine being able to do so - my heart aches and I start crying, too, when I can't help her to stop crying.  I want her every moment to be joyful, and want her to trust me.  We do everything on-demand, and just let her tell us her needs.

We are vaccinating on schedule, and we also use disposable diapers. I wish we had the time or stomach to use cloth, but we don't.



We baby-wear when possible.  I had a Hotsling, but it never really worked that well for us.  I got a Beco Butterfly (much like an Ergo, but even higher rated) - I love it, and so does she.