Good Mom?

     What exactly is it that makes a good mom?  Is it the mother who feeds her baby only homegrown, organic, pureed vegetables and fruits?  Is it the mother who teaches her little ones to be polite and respectful to everyone?  Is it the mother who stays at home and doles out hugs and kisses all day long?  Is it the mother who works long hours outside the home while her children are in daycare, just so that she can buy them enough food to fill their tummies?  Is it the mother who reads her baby a Bible story every night before bed?  Is it the mother who is just trying her best, even though she doesn't really know anything about this whole parenthood thing?
     Let's face it: nobody really know how to be a parent before the fact.  Good mommies and daddies are made by babies, not by parenting books or prenatal classes.  We're all doing the best we can to raise our babies in the best way that we know how....and we will make mistakes!  But, you know what?  As long as we learn from those mistakes, they're okay.  There is no single right way of parenting to ensure that children will grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted, well-rounded, happy adults.  (If there was, I bet that book could be on the bestseller list for a while, huh?)
     I suppose, to an extent, we will parent our children the way that our own parents raised us.  And, sometimes, for whatever reason, we will make sure to do the opposite.  We are all different; we all have different parenting styles, and that's okay because, hey, our kids are all different too!  They have some of the same, but also some different needs and wants from any other kids, past or present.  As good parents, it is our responsibility to find the wants and needs of our babies, then to decide the best solution and follow through.  Easy or hard?  How about some of both!
     I've been Nathaniel's mommy for a little while now--5 months and 2 days on the outside, and quite a bit longer when he was in my belly!  I'm no supermom; I get tired and cranky and frustrated sometimes.  But, always, I love my son, and I want to do what is best for him.  I'm a breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-wearing, cloth diapering, stay-at-home mommy.  I'm proud that I can say those things, and I love doing them all!  None of those decisions were made rashly or without a lot of research.  I believe that raising my son in this manner is what is best for him, and that's why we do it.  I understand that other moms who do things differently have raised wonderful kids, but this is what works for us.  I wish people did not feel the need to criticize or judge, but I suppose that's just our human nature.  And, although I don't really think that I need to defend my own parenting, I do want to share a little about why we do what we do around here.  I've also included a few links if you're interested in reading more about the subjects.

Breastfeeding/Delayed Introduction to Solids
     Before I got pregnant, I never really gave much thought to what I'd feed my baby.  When I got pregnant, I thought maybe I'd breastfeed for the convenience and to save a little money.  Then I started doing my research.  Did you know that breastfed babies get sick way less often than their formula-fed peers?  Honestly, that was enough to sell me.  {I worked in a daycare for 2 years, and watching a feverish, raspy baby cough himself awake is enough to break your heart!}  Even the formula companies have to admit {in teeny little print} that breastmilk is the best food for babies!  As far as the difficulty and inconvenience of breastfeeding?  Not so.  We've had no issues, and it's working out wonderfully; Nate loves it, I love it, AND we're getting all sorts of health benefits!
http://www.nursingmothers.org/html/why_breastfeed.html
     According to the American Center for Pediatrics (and a bunch of other organizations), it is best to wait until a baby is 6 months old to introduce any foods other than breastmilk or formula.  There are numerous health benefits, but I'll leave it up to you to read them because I don't feel like typing them all out.  The following link provides an extensive explanation.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

Co-Sleeping
     Nathaniel sleeps in our bed with us at night.  Every single night.  On purpose!  Did you know that co-sleeping infants have a lower rate of SIDS?  That's the main reason why we started co-sleeping.  Maybe I'm a crazy, paranoid first-time mom, but I was absolutely scared out of my mind that my baby would stop breathing in his sleep when we brought him home from the hospital.  {I still find myself peeking over to watch his chest rise and fall while he naps.}  I also worried about the "You can't sleep with a baby because you'll roll over on him!" at first....until I did my research and found out that rolling onto a baby while sleeping is very rare, and usually only happens when one or both of the parents are until the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Our last reason for co-sleeping, which is a little selfish on my part, was that it's so much easier to breastfeed!  When Nate wakes up hungry in the night, I can get him and myself situated so that he can eat before he really, fully wakes up to cry.  Easy peasy!  Yes, yes, I know that transferring him to his own bed might be a challenge eventually....but that's why we'll wait until we're all ready.  I'm not worried about it now.  I promise you that he will not be sleeping in our bed when he's 15!
http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/co_slepping.html

Baby-wearing
     Before Nate was born, I never envisioned myself baby-wearing, at least not often--it just seemed so "hippyish"!  Then I had a baby.  And, that baby loved to be held.  All. the. time.  Even when he was sleeping!  I discovered the joys of wearing Nate in the Moby wrap, and I have never regretted it!  He doesn't sleep in the wrap so much anymore, but it's still a lifesaver when he's fussy and I need to get things done around the house--or go grocery shopping at Walmart!  Not only is baby wearing conveniant for the mother, but it has several benefits for baby too.  Check them out...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babywearing#Benefits_of_babywearing

Cloth Diapering
     I've always liked the idea of cloth diapering--saving the environment is quite noble, right?  Well, after we received about 63 packages of disposable diapers at the baby shower, I quit worrying about diapers.  And, when Nate was born, he sure pooped an awful lot....and those disposables were awfully easy to use and toss.  Then, eventually, the poop caught up to the diapers.  We were down to the last few packages, and I started thinking about cloth again.  Although cloth diapers save us quite a bit of money now, they did require a small investment to begin with.  I wasn't sure about the brand or the type of cover to get (there are A LOT to choose from!), and then I couldn't find diaper pins for about two weeks!  We finally collected all of our supplies, and started our cloth diapering experimenting.  I don't regret a thing, and I would never switch back!  The laundry is not overwhelming at all (though it is best to hold your breath when dumping the load into the washer!), and, best of all, I feel better about using these!  Sure, we're producing about two bags of garbage LESS per week, but mostly, I'm happy about Nathaniel's bottom.  He has not had even a hint of diaper rash since we've started cloth diapering!  The more that I think about it, the more wary I am about the chemicals in disposable diapers; I am happy to avoid those touching my baby on a daily basis.  {We do, on occasion, use disposable diapers when we're going out for a long period of time, or when someone else will be watching Nate.}
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/thenursery/a/reasonscloth.htm

Stay-At-Home Mom
     This was an easy decision for us.  I've wanted to be a stay-at-home mom for as long as I can remember.  I believe that it is best for both mother and child to be together on a daily basis, and I do not believe that children were made to be raised in a large group childcare setting.  I've always said that working in a daycare taught me one thing: I will never, ever send my baby to a daycare.  I saw adults mistreat babies/children when their tempers ran out, and I saw children growing up 50 hours/week in daycare.  I know that there are some parents who have no choice but to work while their babies are in daycare, but I knew that it was not an option for me and my baby.
  Yes, I know that there are those who would say that by playing with my boy all day, or reading him 8 stories a day, or holding him all the time, or rocking him to sleep will spoil him.  But, I disagree; I don't think that an infant can be spoiled--they can only be taught that their needs will be met and that they are loved.  And, honestly, what if I do "spoil" my baby into wanting to be rocked everyday?  Well, that's okay with me.  That's why I'm a home, and my job is take care of him AND to make sure that he knows just how incredibly loved he truly is!