....are you here?!! Please only read if you think you fit into these categories as I dont want this to be a thread about people stating their disagreement with any of these principles or a heated debate (as that has been done already), but rather sharing between people with similar values....hoping there are some :hihi::rolleyes:

So.....I put these together as they tend to come as a set of values but I appreciate not everyone subscribes to all but would love to hear what other mums in sheffield are doing along these lines. I dont fanatically subscribe to any of these but try where possible. For example, things I try to do to be green include where possible (I do have lapses on these!) cloth nappies, cloth baby wipes, homemade organic babyfood (from organic veg box scheme), recycling, no paper towels in fact minimise use of any thing disposable though I have not totally figured this out. Stuff for myself includes mooncup, cloth pads, no more of those face wipe thingys, no flushing for little wee wees (only when visitors not in house:hihi:). All in all I am not great at this as its all relatively new to me but having a good go, and always interested in ideas from others.

Similarly re attachment parenting, I only apply it as a principle and dont do it all, for example I formula fed :o only because i had no choice and whilst I was upset about it at the time now I accept thats the way it had to be, and tend not to cosleep but do support the benefits it IF done safely. Mainly I am into attachment theory (which started through my work) and thus believe in the importance of sensitive and responsive parenting and how this shapes a childs view of the world & self. I am quite fanatical about babywearing as a lifestyle (with simple piece of cloth type slings, or asian inspired mei tais) as apart from being immensely practical I believe in the comfort & intimacy it provides for the baby, and I try always respond to her cries by comforting (thus no controlled crying etc).

Be great to hear from any others of you out there with similar principles. (I know parenting approaches are always controversial, as its so personal and to feel your choice is right it sometimes feels necessary to be critical about the others, but I have shared mine not to start a debate but as somewhere for like minded individuals......:))

Oh I forgot to say there is a small babywearing group in sheffield who get together now and then, and are mainly in contact through www.thebabywearer.com or the whiteroasbabywearers yahoo group which I can send dets of for anyone who wants to learn more about this :)

Hi Sam :)

I can't say I fit all of those categories, but I do agree with some, and do others to some extant but not all the time...

I use washable nappies, I LOVE them and really hate the days when I have to resort to disposables (naughty mummy sometimes not getting enough nappies dry in time :blush: ) I also use washable cloths for most cleaning duties (though admit to a wipe or two at nappy changes :o )

I make my own babyfood at the mo, its more rewarding, i know JUST what he's eating and have more control over the combinations than using jars. I'll admit to a whole jar of Hipp food (free with an adult meal at IKEA) but still prefer making my own :)

I'm not an attachment parenter, though I do love to have Ed in the sling (DH and I did about 7 miles in the Peak yesterday with Ed in sling, quite tiring with a 17lber but we managed and we'll get a lot fitter that way!! We have a Moby wrap sling, I can't imagine anything else being more comfortable :) for either of us!

xx

Yey :banana: so glad you love your Moby so much. I agree wraps are the most comfortable way to wear a baby. My baby is just a bit bigger than yours so I have moved on to a woven (non-stretchy) wrap (a didymos & a bb slen) as they bear the weight better, but are never as easy to tie (I dont think) and you cant just pop the baby in and out of them in the same way so its taken me a bit of getting used to, though they do make good picnic rugs, high chairs, blankets, hammocks etc

I totally resort to the odd Hipp jar & disposable nappy when I am having disorganised days (I really try to be organised but it doesnt come naturally to me) and like you say I have to remember to actually but my nappies in the washing machine :rolleyes: though I do love seeing them hung out to dry :love:

We have a line full of nappies right now :D

I love carrying Little Bug in her sling. We have a Close sling and it is bloody marvellous. I love the closeness and it is amazingly practical too.

We had a Hypnobirth so that it would be less stressful and drugged for the bub, and it was the most amazing experience.

I love attachment parenting and although we looked into co-sleeping we decided it wasn't for us. Although saying that Little Bug's crib touches my side of the bed and we often fall asleep holding hands.

I love wearing scarlett in her sling although i find it a bit finicky to tie sometimes (it's a ring sling) I do use diposable nappies and don't think I could use cloth ones although I like the idea of them I just don't have the time or the inclination to wash dry and iron them (I'm shocking I know)

We occasionally co-sleep and I enjoy it and would do it more often if my husband would let me, when she is in her cot her face is next to mine and I can see and touch her and often wake up to her staring at me which is a lovely feeling. Scarlett is still to little for real food but when she isn't I fully intend to make all of her food myself from only organic produce.

We've also started to recycle as much as possible and are trying to adopt the principle of it's yellow let it mellow lol but it's tough!

I use a sling and breastfeed :) I don't use washable nappies though :( wanted to but I'd no idea when I'd find the time to wash them (I have 2 in nappies)

I only managed to breastfeed for 14 weeks before severe anaemia got too much and my supply dried up. I also was all set for a waterbirth, but ended up being induced because of pre-eclampsia, so was flat on my back. I used a TENS machine and gas and air, but hadn't planned on the g&a because of being in water - hopefully I can try it this way next time. I also used self-hypnosis to psych myself up and focus but sadly I'm too much of a medical risk to ever attempt a homebirth even though I'd love that (hate hospitals due to being in them faaar too much as a kid/teen).

We recycle as much as we can, have changed all the bulbs in our flat to energy saving ones and always turn the lights off whenever we leave the room. We also cloth nappy and cosleep (Baby Alien has chosen to cosleep 100% of the time in the last 4 weeks since we moved here - he's been a little unsettled). Since we moved we've not got back into cloth nappies/wipes yet and are using Nature Baby Biodegradable nappies, wipes and bags right now. We are also feeding Baby Alien faaar too much jarred food for our liking right now, but I try and stock up on organic jarred stuff even though my homemade foods aren't usually organic! I'm planning to make him some finger foods this week, but we have yet to buy a freezer so it's tough to make him food right now - I'm also trying to go more towards babyled finger foods and such, his favourite is marmite on toast at the moment, but he'll also happily demolish a large roast parsnip or two!

We also baby wear. We had a more traditional Tomy carrier at first (bless my partner, he thought that it was like a sling when he bought it!) but we now have an Ellaroo wrap sling for him. My partner won't wear it though, as it is brightly multicoloured and stripey, so when my next CB payment comes through we're getting an Ergo so my partner will wear him more - he loves to carry him and hates being part of the 'pram pushers' as he always seems to get driven into and doesn't like the thought of people lumping him into the same category! I think we'll both get on with the Ergo, so I might retire the wrap until next time or for special occasions when I want to show off! Next time around I'm going to get a stretchy wrap for newborn wearing too - I wish I'd got one for Baby Alien as he loved to be held all the time. A friend of mine back in Hertfordshire sells Kari-Me slings, so I'll get one of those.

I'd love to meet Mums with similar interests SamMT, so please do pass links my way, thanks! :D

As my pic suggests I'm a babywearer - well thats a toddler wearer these days. I try to be as green as possible - we have cloth nappies. It was hard work in thearly days - with a mass of poo! however these days we can usually get away with slinging them in with normal wash.

Before having my lo, I hadn't really thought about how I was going to parent him, but my background as an Early Years teacher has informed many of my choices, and I instinctively stayed babyled with everything, then I read continuum concept, and felt better about the decisions I'd made, and it really increased my confidence in what I was doing.

I absolutely love the freedom of my didymos, and my lo loooooves it soooooooo much. Oh we co sleep & did baby-led weaning & continue to b/feed.

I love being a mum, and feel privaleged to be part of my child's growing up.

I love being a mum, and feel privaleged to be part of my child's growing up.
What a lovely way of putting it :) I feel like I should know you-I wonder if I do! Great to see other mums in sheffield with similar ideas. LilMissAlien I also ended up with a BFing nightmare and an intervention packed birth! I tried they hypnosis too-maybe it might help next time :roll: I will let you know when there is next a sheffield babywearing meet. I have been off the net for a week or so as have been busy with work and my little one so will see whats happening. Maybe I will see you at the meersbrook playgroup too? Did you go yet?

We've also started to recycle as much as possible and are trying to adopt the principle of it's yellow let it mellow lol but it's tough!
:hihi: I just got this. Bit slow today! Us too. Its a bit embarrasing when guests drop by though. When they ask to use the loo I have to dash in first to check it doesnt need flushing!

Lovely to see so many like minded parents :)

I did attachment parenting, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth nappies, baby wearing etc with my two children. We continued on into all areas of our lives, gradually getting more alternative and green, never regretting any of it, home educating our two, and working from home so we could both be involved in their upbringing.

It was seriously unusual back then, my eldest "little one" is now 6' 2" and doing a PhD!

Our family was recently featured in an article about freecycle in the Star.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/Free-and-easy-modern-world.4132502.jp

Thats so interesting hennypenny. I really admire people able to step outside of the constraints of consumerist society. Have your read Oliver James' Affluenza? You remind me of a great example of escaping this :)

Its funny though how becoming a parent can change you. I used to be so conventional. Now I just get a bit more weird each day.....:loopy: Though actually in many ways I am still extremely conventional, and an amateur at all these things. My LO has been off colour for a couple of days and not sleeping too well, which on top of a long day at work meant I put my nappies in the washing machine and forgot about them for so long that I had to wash them again for fear they were mouldy :gag:

We are thinking of going to Shambala in August. REALLY excited! That should help me up the weirdness ;)

(www.shambalafestival.org)

Thats so interesting hennypenny. I really admire people able to step outside of the constraints of consumerist society. Have your read Oliver James' Affluenza? You remind me of a great example of escaping this :)

Its funny though how becoming a parent can change you. I used to be so conventional. Now I just get a bit more weird each day.....:loopy: Though actually in many ways I am still extremely conventional, and an amateur at all these things. My LO has been off colour for a couple of days and not sleeping too well, which on top of a long day at work meant I put my nappies in the washing machine and forgot about them for so long that I had to wash them again for fear they were mouldy :gag:

We are thinking of going to Shambala in August. REALLY excited! That should help me up the weirdness ;)



(www.shambalafestival.org)


Hi I think I fit into the conventional type stepping out of the box. I co slept and breastfed my older too. Never did the sling thing with them just always carried them or held them anyway. As much as my back would allow. Was told many times I wold spoil them and they would become to clingy. Everything we did was baby led. Feeding, potty training etc. They didnt go into there own room untill they asked too. We home educate too. Now with baby waxy all is pretty much the same apart from I have a sling which comes in handy and will be trying cloth nappies. We would have used them already but her bum seemed to little for the nappies I had. :hihi:

We are thinking of going to Shambala in August. REALLY excited!

We are going! I'll be running a messy play session in the kids area. Hopefully in the mornings - do come along! :)

Interesting thread. I think I probably fit into this category of parenting somewhere along its spectrum. My bub is now a toddler and coming into the terrible twos, so we'll see if he remains as secure, calm and sweet a toddler as he was a baby....

What is Shambala - sounds like fun!

Shambala is a small summer festival c 5000 people - if I'm right (could be wrong) It is in Northampton and as it was started by people who live in Sheffield and Bristol, it is generally frequented by people from those towns. I love it, and it is so good for children. There is loads for them to do, a wide variety of activities. A great alternative to a holiday which breaks the bank, if you bring your own food and enjoy camping, you can't go wrong really.

:)

Sounds a bit like Stainsby Festival - that's only in Chesterfield so nice and close. And in less than two weeks time - am really looking forward to going again. http://www.stainsbyfestival.org.uk/

Shambala.... We may give it a whirl.

Hi,

I have three children my eldest is 7 and my youngest 11 months. I have used a sling HUg a bub with all three of them, this was because when expecting my first I challenged my brother who lives in Australia to find me an unusual baby present and lo and behold through the post arrived the hug a bub once I had worked out how to tie it and slide my daughter in my pram went into storage and never really saw the light of day again. I have also always used cloth nappies with all three of them in fact my first lot are now practically worn out, all three have been fully breast fed for their first year I was lucky as for a lot of mums this does not work and I hate to hear the preaching that Breast is best we know that but it is not always possible!.

Wearing your baby in a sling is the best way I know to keep your baby content especially when they are very little they are much more settled and happy and you can get on with your life much easier, I work for myself and was back at work two weeks after the birth of my 2nd son with him bery content tied to me in his hug a bub. More people should try it as these slings still seem to be quite a rare site around Sheffield although not as rare as 7 years ago.

Hi All

I probably fit loosely into this thread. I use cloth nappies (handmade by me), cloth wipes and also use a mei tai sling (when the little madam lets me!). I am an avid recycler and have separate recycling bins in my kitchen. I am also a keen knitter and knit cardigans, longies and soakers for my daughter.

I mentioned Shambala to my partner and he seemed quite keen. We won't be able to go this time around as he works weekends (he's a wedding videographer) and is booked that weekend, but we may try and keep that weekend free next year and go along. We've been looking for UK short holidays which would fit in with our budget and lifestyle recently and Shambala looks to be right up our street - and I don't even like camping! LOL!

On the subject of cloth nappies, does anyone know how to improve there absorbancy. I have tried the kushies and some others but baby waxy seems instantly soaked after just being changed.

Shambala looks great! I'd be really interested to hear a bit of a "review" on what it's like if anyone with young kids goes. I wouldn't camp this year with the baby, but next year is a possibility. My kids are 12, 9, 8, 1 and 5 weeks so I'd love to know if there is something for all those ages (obviously they'll all be a year older by the next festival though, doh!)

Sounds a bit like Stainsby Festival - that's only in Chesterfield so nice and close.

Is this more of a music festival, rather than loads of activities and stuff? Would be great for us as we're very local to chezzy, but the website doesn't give much away, and I'm wondering if there's anything for the kids to do or if it's just bands on stage?

SpeedDemon Shambala looks great! I'd be really interested to hear a bit of a "review" on what it's like if anyone with young kids goes.

We've been just once with baby last year, who was 5 months at the time. He loved it. There are a few baby areas with intereting things to look at and touch. There is loads for toddlers, and kids too. Including trampolines, loads of classes / groups etc. Lots of crafty making things both in kids area and around the festival. Last year there was a cardboard city which was developed over the weekend - collaborative projects and other making things. Its all very informal and relaxed, but great. You don't have to keep paying out to do things as it is all free, excepting the entrance fee of course. If you have a skill of any kind which can be shared in one way or another with others then you may want to contact the organisers as they are always on the look out for different things to do. If you do that you can get in for free and get your expenses for any equipment, up to a point. I do messy play sessions with toddlers and both my husband and I can get in for free, so apart from travel and food its a free holiday. Wahey!!!:):hihi:

On the subject of cloth nappies, does anyone know how to improve there absorbancy. I have tried the kushies and some others but baby waxy seems instantly soaked after just being changed.

I'd suggest trying boosters. There are many types including cotton terry and hemp. Twinkle on the web sells them and they're only £1.50 each with free postage on your first order.

HTH

Thats great that you are going too treadlightly- perhaps you can give me some tips about what we will need etc. Like Lilmissalien, I dont have much history with camping (so thought I would start by taking a baby-lol!!), not that I object to it just not done it much. I hope I dont hate it-eek. It just sounds fantastic so I think it will be worth it. If we come back with a good review to not add to that of treadlightly perhaps we can collect more next year, or are there yet more takers for this year?! Rozeepozee? ;) We were thinking of Stainsby too as it looked like a good place to start, but not sure we can make that one now.

Waxy, have you given your naps a few really hot good washes (I know that not very eco friendly but they tend to need it). Mine leaked badly at first, possibly due to the little bottom (I didnt really get going on mine until about 6 weeks as it was just one more thing to get my head round with a first baby!) or maybe due to this. I dont know much about Kushies. I use fuzzi bunz (tried different tots bots but prefer the fuzzis for various reasons). Boosters may do the job but you shouldnt really need one with a young baby, particularly if they are leaking straight away which suggests its the fit/style, unless your babe is doing mammoth wees! There is a cloth nappy forum (yes really!) at www.rumplebums.co.uk with lots of cloth experts. Am v impressed scrunchkins that you make your own- I thought about this, but thats as far as I got, but I have some fabric for some more wipes, but my excuse is that I need but cant afford an overlocker.

jn123 my LO is 11 months too! Though I dont have the benefit of the experience of 2 more behind me! Glad you are a sling fan. You are right, more people should try it. Sometimes people look at me like I am wearing an alien, rather than a baby. Is it really that strange? I mean the sling, not my baby (she doesnt look like an alien, I dont think)

Sam MT, I use my own wipes all you need is some thin polyester blanket fleece about 3 mm thick is ideal, A metre will make you approximately 20 large wipes,tip keep them large so they do not get stuck and block your washing machine want to be about 1 and half size to double the size of conventional shop wipes. They are the same as what I use for nappy liners, and you can buy them like this though it is much cheaper to do it yourself and will only take about 20-30 minutes to cut them if that. It does not require hemming and they last forever, when you change the nappy just wrap them up in it and throw them in the wash with the nappy cannot be easier they also come out of the washing machine almost dry. I use mine with baby lotion or even just water if I run out of baby lotion.

On the subject of camping my daughter went with us when she was 11 weeks old, people thought we were nuts but never had a problem, my eldest son went when he was 6 months old and both are now veteran campers and we are all looking forward to this years holiday when our youngest son will just be coming up to a year old so do not worry they and you will be absoloutely fine!

Wow jill, 11 weeks! if you can manage that then I should be fine with 11 months (except she moves quite quickly now- eek!). Its great that you were brave enough and your experience gives me confidence. I think its going to be fun. If she doesnt sleep well, then so what, that happens here too sometimes! Thanks for the info on wipes. At the moment I use terry one side & fleece the other with just pure water, but find the fleece is best for being gently on sore face and bottoms, but when there is a lot of poo, I find it sort of moves it about :hihi: rather than lifting it off, but maybe I could try a different fleece type. My fav are some a friend made which are fine velour one side and jersey cotton the other as they are nice and thin to get in the creases but I couldnt find the right texture jersey (what a geek I am ) so just have a luxury towel (super cheap in the sale) to cut up which is velour on one side- but I think it will need hemming. Maybe fleece may have been easier!

Is this more of a music festival, rather than loads of activities and stuff? Would be great for us as we're very local to chezzy, but the website doesn't give much away, and I'm wondering if there's anything for the kids to do or if it's just bands on stage?The focus is on the music but it's family friendly and there certainly seemed to be lots of children and stuff for them to do last year. Although I didn't pay too much attention as my little one was only 6 months old at the time.

Hi there

i'd say i fit into this style of parenting too - we couldnt use real nappies with our first but are hoping to with our second (due june 09) and its great to hear of other families who are baby led in their parenting

hope to make some new friends amongst like minds :)

Hi lost, great to hear from you on here. I think there are plenty of us around on SF and more besides. I look forward to learning more about you. :)

Hi, does anyone believe in attachment parenting, in particular does anyon co-sleep with their baby? We do but I am finding it very difficult telling friends and family. I often feel ashamed and hate the looks of disapproval. Is there anyone in Sheffield that gets the same reaction who could help me with a few tips on how to deal with this? Would be willing to meet up for coffee. x

I believe that forming secure loving attachments with a child is the most important thing for healthy all round development. My DD is 6 weeks and although as a rule we don't co sleep there have been occasions where she's slept with us for a few hours if she's woken up particularly early. It's not because I don't agree with co sleeping, but because she's so young I worry about rolling over and squashing her or her getting too warm in our bed.

I too have had comments and disapproving remarks made because I tend to my baby as soon as she cries or shows she's uspet rather than "just letting her cry" or "give her a dummy" as so many people have told me to do!

All I would say to you is that you are clearly doing what is right for you and your baby so ignore any comments or disapproving looks, you don't have to answer to your friends or family, it's your choice how you raise your child. If you do feel you would like to justify your decision to them simply explain the benefits of forming these close bonds early on and why you believe co sleeping is best for you and your baby. If they don't like it stuff them, it's your child!

I think there are quite a few of us out there :)

I slept with both my babies, although we had a cot up against the bed with one side missing, but as soon as they could roll over or even wiggle they managed to get themselves up against me. It is great for breastfeeding as they can more or less help themselves without needing to wake you up :)

I recommend getting the largest mattress you can, or put two or three together, get rid of your bed base and put the mattresses on the floor, so there is no large distance to fall, and so you can all have your own space on the bed. Keep the background temperature at a comfortable level if you can, so you need less bulky covers, with less chance of losing your baby under the covers.

You have to remember that co-sleeping is still the norm for the majority of the world's population, it is the western societies that have altered the natural and instinctive way of parenting. Overlying a baby is very rare unless there is alcohol or drugs involved causing a deep slumber.

We did the whole extended breastfeeding, carrying in a sling, nurturing, not forcing separation, meeting their needs as expressed, home education etc and I now have two lovely confident sociable young adults who are happy in their own skins and who have a real respect for themselves and others.

i always let all my kids sleep with me,i couldnt leave mine to cry at all.i was always there for them.my youngest daughter is now at university.people used t say you are not doing it right get em in their own bed.but we were tired and i didnt want baby screaming all night,they need to be close to you its one of the most natural things to do.

We all sleep together in the same bed - me, OH and 2 1/2 year old. Would still be breastfeeding if I hadn't had to stop cos I was having medical treatment.

I can empathise with your experience of other people's attitudes. It really helps if you have supportive like minded people around you. You may encounter them at some of the more "alternative" (I hate that terminology, as PP mentioned, it's only alternative in the western world where we no longer treat our children as though they are small primates - which they are!) toddler groups, for example Free Range or the Steiner Group which has a new venue in Norfolk Park.

I'd also highly recommend Margot Sunderland's book The Science of Parenting . This book helped me realise that, not only were my instincts or attitudes to parenting not wierd, but the science backed me up. There's also this article on co-sleeping here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1083020.ece. I can't see our son having his own bedroom til he's quite e bit older (unless he asks for it). In my father's culture (I'm half Afghanee) it's the norm for children to sleep with their mother's til they're five.

I love the book - Science of Parenting too... its a great convincer for the other half!!!! From the off I trusted my instincts with parenting, and then found this book later that confirmed that trusting my instincts was the right thing for me.

If you are breastfeeding too, you might be interested in coming along to the breastfeeding group my friend and I have set up, another "alternative" group recognising parenting styles which differ from the status quo.http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=261909 Post #14 for details. :thumbsup:

I hope people don't mind me asking this, but those of you who co sleep, how and when do you and your partners find time to "snuggle?"

I hope people don't mind me asking this, but those of you who co sleep, how and when do you and your partners find time to "snuggle?"

You just get more inventive. "Snuggling" doesn't always have to be in bed at night time ;)

You just get more inventive. "Snuggling" doesn't always have to be in bed at night time ;)I agree. We have another bedroom and there's the lounge and ... well, it all depends on how adventurous you're feeling!!!

Like HP & RP say, you get more inventive, which can make it loads of fun!:hihi:

For those babywearers among you, or simply those who want to try a few on to see what would suit. There is a mini sling meet at my house this Thursday afternoon - 6th August 1-3pm. Be aware, that this is the focus for the month of our breastfeeding group (more details below). You are welcome to come if you aren't breastfeeding, but just so that you know that our focus is on supporting mums who are, or thinking of, continuing to breastfeed beyond what is normally considered "socially acceptable".

PM me for more details leaving your email address so I can forward on the address and directions easily. :)

Hi there, hoping i could get some advice on reusable nappies- there seems to be so many out there, just want something that won't make baby-to-be's botty so big he/she doesn't fit into any normal clothing and doesn't take a week to dry. (I already have a selection of handmade slings,) If anyone could advise on a good pattern or brand of nappies it would be great.
Thanks very much to any replies- baby is only due in April, but want to be prepared this time round.

from my experience I would wait with buyng nappies until your lo is born. We bought a load of them and ended up not using them as our lo was small and stayed very slim. All the nappies we had leaked and we were very frustrated about this.
There is also the council incentive of a whooping £10 according to this site (http://www.srnn.co.uk/index.html).

If you want to do your own nappies, here (http://www.naturalmamas.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=10788&highlight=nappies)is a tutorial for pockets although I am not sure whether you have to sign up to the forum (very friendly people around there though ;) ) and I am sure you will find loads more info here too. Though you def have to sign up for that.

Btw there is a whole world out there with washables - I never knew about wool for example which sounds fab too, have a look here (http://www.clothnappytree.com/forum/).

I would def consider some WAHM retailers, esp this (http://weenotions.co.uk/)one (and it is fairly local as they are based in Doncaster).

Have fun :)

Thanks so much for your reply- i will defo find something.