Question about A/P

ada0716

So I am interested in trying some of the A/P aspects of parenting.  However, I am limited as to what I can do because I have Epilepsy (seizures).  I am on medication for it so that means Breast Feeding is out (I am on Keppra and it has some pretty yucky side effects that I wouldn't want to expose my son to) and on the off chance I were to have a seizure while sleeping then Bed-Sharing is out.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I actually COULD do rather than a long list of things that I can't?

Thanks for any ideas!

Amber

tlynnus

Well, I think of AP as a philosophy rather than a list of things to do. Meaning that being an AP parent means that DH & I tailor our life to fit DS's needs rather than trying to make him fit into our life. That means he is fed when he seems hungry, he sleeps when he seems sleepy, we comfort him when he cries, etc.  You can totally do that!

ncbelle

Sure you can!  As you'll see from some the other posts, you don't have to follow a list of rules to be AP - it's mostly about being "child led." 

If you were interested in having baby close at night, I would think that using something like the Arms Reach co-sleeper might work for you since baby isn't in the bed with you.  Or you could have baby sleep in a crib or pack in play in your room.

Bottlefeeding can certainly be done with love and care.  I don't know much about it but you can certainly bottle feed on demand like you would with breastfeeding - and that would be in line with AP.

I'm a huge babywearing advocate.  I actually just saw a post on thebabywearer.com asking about babywearing and epilepsy - https://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367617 - you'll have to create an account to view the thread I think.  I don't know if that's something you are interested in or comfortable with but the consensus seemed to be that if you are ok to carry your child in your arms, then you could wear your baby.  This page was also linked https://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/women/pregnancy/weiborn.cfm - there's actually a suggestion that a carrier might be helpful if you do have falling seizures. 

If you hang around here some, you'll see lots of other ways you can engage in AP practices ;-)

sweetpea7628

ncbelle:

Sure you can!  As you'll see from some the other posts, you don't have to follow a list of rules to be AP - it's mostly about being "child led." 

If you were interested in having baby close at night, I would think that using something like the Arms Reach co-sleeper might work for you since baby isn't in the bed with you.  Or you could have baby sleep in a crib or pack in play in your room.

Bottlefeeding can certainly be done with love and care.  I don't know much about it but you can certainly bottle feed on demand like you would with breastfeeding - and that would be in line with AP.

I'm a huge babywearing advocate.  I actually just saw a post on thebabywearer.com asking about babywearing and epilepsy - https://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367617 - you'll have to create an account to view the thread I think.  I don't know if that's something you are interested in or comfortable with but the consensus seemed to be that if you are ok to carry your child in your arms, then you could wear your baby.  This page was also linked https://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/women/pregnancy/weiborn.cfm - there's actually a suggestion that a carrier might be helpful if you do have falling seizures. 

If you hang around here some, you'll see lots of other ways you can engage in AP practices ;-)

We bottle feed on demand with DD.  I give her milk when she asks for it (signing) or when she's starting to show signs of hunger.  Just like I did with BFing.  And when I bottle feed her I hold her close to me as if I were nursing her have that close contact and eye to eye contact as well.  It's not the same obviously but it does the trick.

ada0716

You guys rock! 

Thanks for all the suggestions/support and the link about Baby Wearing!