Oh, the things I'm not supposed to do....

I do them all! Like.....

Co-sleeping

We started that by accident. The first night we brought Bear home from the hospital I didn't want to leave him in his crib, all alone down the hall. So, we made a cosy little nest in our laundry basket and he slept next to us until he was three weeks old. Then he got too big. So, he slept next to us. It was so convenient, so easy, and he slept well. I didn't tell anyone we were doing this. I felt weird, like I was doing something really, really bad. He got older and I felt that maybe it was a good time to get him in a crib and let him know who's boss. I spent 5 horrible minutes letting my baby cry it out. It was awful. I tried to pretend I didn't mind. I puttered around the kitchen. But I couldn't stand it. So I scooped him out of his crib, cradled his bald little head and put him to the breast.

He's been in and out of our bed since then. He's almost four. Right now he scorns his "little bed". "I"ll sleep in it when I'm four Mommy." He tells me.

Squirrel has never slept in a crib. We never even set it up. Part of it is in storage. A railing piece is used to keep Brendan from wandering out of the laundry and up the stairs. He's a good sleeper. He spent his first 11 months in the nook of my arm. He napped occasionally in a bassinet, til he outgrew the weight recommendations, faster than I thought he would.

There is a lot of bad press about co-sleeping. 70% of the world co-sleeps. The separate nursery in a Western concept. I didn't know this at first. I thought I was creating a bad habit -until I read Dr. Sears' The Baby Book. We co-sleep safe. It's not for everyone. But it works for us!

Cue Feeding

Also known as feeding on demand. When my baby cried I would feed him. Seems like a simple enough thing to do. There are however, those who think it is wrong. That babies need to know who is in control from day one. So when they cry, you should just let them cry. Why? If you're hungry, you eat. A baby is designed to cry when he is hungry.

Bear nursed for 27 months, until my heavily pregnant body could do it no more. I got over my shyness and went to a Le Leche League meeting to get tips on gently weaning. I am still so grateful for Linda's understanding. I thought I might get lynched for weaning so *soon* ;-). It was a smooth, gentle transition for Bear. At nearly 4 he laughs at the thought that he loved his milkies.

Squirrel is 15 months and going strong. My goal is to give him at least 2 years. Then we'll see. I have trouble picturing him nursing at 3, but I know mamas have done it. Speaking of Squirrel....... he calls.