Crunchy Mama Thread

JoMunson · May 2016

Thinking of extended breastfeeding?
Didnt circumcise your baby?
EBF on demand?
Attachment Parenting?
Raising your baby vegan?

this is the thread for you!
I thought it would be fun for some of us mamas who are taking the crunchier route (or for those of you who are thinking of doing something crunchy) to have a space to share ideas, articles, and get support.
were doing attachment parenting and I've found it really helpful to read articles about its benefits, especially when I'm thinking "jeez kid why do you need me so much?" Duh. Cuz he's a baby and I'm his mom!

KissOfApproval · May 2016

Awe I will definitely be following this thread. We didn't circumcise and will be making many choices that lend themselves to the crunchiness!

JennyS86 · May 2016

Is breastfeeding is Public crunchy? If so, count me in! She got hungry at the Library this week, the pool yesterday, and at lunch at a restaurant today...so I fed her

I think this also has to do with having older siblings. I just want to do my part to normalize breastfeeding. Currently, I do the nursing tank top, breast pad, and shirt on top. Then, I just pull up over shirt and let little one do her thing. But uggh, it's getting hot here, and the layers are sweaty, and I'm not even cleared to swim yet. OK rant over. What works for you all for nursing in public?

LO lost 14oz the first few days after delivery, so I kept a feeding and pee/poop log the first 2 weeks, but since then, I've let her eat as often and as long as she wants! I much prefer on demand feeding to "trying to keep her awake" feeding. She surpassed her birth weight at her 2week appt, so I was thrilled.

Another question: my Ped suggested vitD drops for LO. Are you using them or taking extra vit D yourself? I've read that it takes 5000 to 6000 IU for the mother to be able to pass along enough to baby in breastmilk. I'm currently taking 2-3K.

bkjade · May 2016

I'm definitely half crunchy. Raised by hippies I definitely could never fully shake my roots! Also blaming my crunchiness on being raised in Oregon. When I moved to NYC and began looking for a naturopath my friends here were like a naturo-what? Looking forward to this thread.

lionstigersbears · May 2016

Oo fun!

@JennyS86 we gave DS drops but it was winter. Our pedi said its a standard reocmmendation to supplement but not one that she feels super strongly about one way or another. I don't think I will with this LO.

I had planned to breastfeed DS until whenever and do the whole tandem nursing thing. He self weened at 14 months when I started producing colostrum. My crunchy heart hopes he starts up again when this LO is nursing!

JoMunson · May 2016

I read on I believe Kelly mom that babies really need about five minutes of sunshine every day to truly get enough vitamin D, and no human is made to get all their vitamin D from other sources. I take vitamin D since we live in Oregon and I try to let LO get a little sunshine every day and I think that's fine.
im still nervous to "open feed", but I know my town is really progressive about it so I don't think anyone would be upset if I did. I did sort of open feed when some family was visiting and they made a big show of turning around, which I thought was ridiculous! Just go about your business!

JennyS86 · May 2016

I think it is more awkward around family that around strangers! my Dad would turn himself in the opposite direction when he visited! haha come on! You changed my diapers many years ago - get over it! I didn't say anything though because he was just trying to make me feel comfortable.

lalala2004 · May 2016

I think I'm ending up pretty crunchy without necessarily intending to. We did circumsize, but used a Mohel, which seems like the crunchy way to do it.

We're cloth diapering when we run out of diapers we were gifted, which amazingly 4 weeks in we still don't see the end of! I'm itching to use my cloth diapers!

I do like the ideas of attachment parenting and nurse on demand, although we've used a paci here and there. I am going to pump and bottle feed some as I will be working part time.

I didn't think I would be comfortable NIP, but if there isn't a crowd I don't use a cover. I usually wear a tank under my shirt, though, so it's pretty discreet. To me it's more about not wanting to make other people uncomfortable than being uncomfortable myself, and my immediate family has been cool with it. Using the cover is OK, but not easy when he is this little.

I want to nurse until he is 18 months minimum. I can see myself going to at least two years and then see how I feel after that.

RE: Vitamin D I think a little sun would be more effective than a supplement unless there is a known deficiency.

kbrands7 · May 2016

Count me in the half crunchy crowd. I'm ebfing, and nursed DS until my supply tanked during the second tri, though we passed the 18mo mark. I'm hoping to nurse this one as long. I NIP (just did today in the K'tan at the grocery store and 1/2 of his feeds yesterday while out and about all day). We use a pure vitamin D drop because there's not reliable sunshine here. We do a lot of things that fall under attachment parenting/positive parenting too.

LadySamLady · May 2016

I'd say I'm a half crunchy mom, too. EBFing and will nurse for at least a year. I'm actually dreading introducing a bottle in 4 weeks in preparation to go back to work, I wish I could stay at home. Also co-sleeping and baby wearing and tend towards attachment parenting. We tried again to give her a paci today and she took it for a while which totally broke my heart.

jumpy57 · May 2016

I will join as a half crunchy! I'm getting better at best feeding and might go public soon (have done at a friend's house and the doctors office). I have a couple flowy tanks that I wear over another tank to semi discreetly BF. DH and I really have liked cloth diapering. We are avoiding paci use, and I think we do some attachment style things. Great thread idea

tgortney · May 2016

Had to look up what crunchy meant

and read context clues. I'll follow this thread

very cool.

We have made choices that are pretty crunchy. Planning to make my own baby food, didn't circumcise (and probably won't), Co sleeping etc

Haven't use any baby wearing yet but really want to!

Bltbear82 · May 2016

I wouldn't necessarily say I'm crunchy. We haven't circumcised either of our boys, we bottle feed but on demand, babywear, and I love making baby food.

artteacher19 · May 2016

Joining the half crunchy crowd too! We did not circumsize, we baby wear, and are EBF. We're not cloth diapering bc DH was just not into it so we're paying extra for Bambo diapers once we get past newborn stage (level 1 ran too big for LO yet). I generally nurse on demand for the most part but we have resorted to using a paci sometimes when he's in serious comfort nursing mode as we're wrestling with reflux and a probable dairy allergy. I'd like to be even more crunchy but sometimes we get lazy

lionstigersbears · May 2016

I've been thinking about this thread a bit since my post earlier. I realized there are lots of things that we do that are "crunchy," just because they felt right for us. I guess that makes sense?

I nursed everywhere and anywhere, giant boobs and all. Babywearing! But stroller too. Feed on demand. But pump due to work (looking forward to hopefully no pump this time since I left my job). Cosleeping, until DS made it clear he needed his own space. Cloth diapering, after cord falls off. I guess I'm an enthusiastic half-crunch?

Lusitano8 · May 2016

This is an awesome thread! We didn't circumcise. Using disposable diapers for now but we have a small cloth stash we will try when DS is a little bigger. The bumgeniuses seem huge even though he's 8lbs.
BFing on demand, not looking forward to pumping as I go back to work.

Babywearing mamas! My LO fusses when I put him in the moby or sling he kicks and it's hard to keep his legs in the fetal position. He went in the moby at 9 days fine but when I tried again at 3weeks he was squirming all around. Any troubleshooting help?

mcb2016 · May 2016

We are maybe half crunchy. We didn't circumcise, and I would have loved to breastfeed exclusively but with a low supply we've been supplementing. We have used formula but are currently have a friend donating milk to us. We baby wear. We are not planning on co-sleeping this time around. (we did for 6 years with our first)

dsmith211 · May 2016

Kinda crunchy over here. We didn't circumcise, feed on demand (bottle fed pumped milk), baby wear, plan on at least trying cloth diapers, and I can't wait to try and make our own baby food - we're pescetarian so we have a bunch a restrictions in our diet, just makes it easier to make our own food.

kbrands7 · May 2016

@Lusitano8 if baby is kicking in fetal hold, do a hug-style hold with legs out. DS2 hated having his legs in, but loves bring worn with the wrap supporting his butt and thighs and his legs out.

lionstigersbears · May 2016

kbrands7 said:

@Lusitano8 if baby is kicking in fetal hold, do a hug-style hold with legs out. DS2 hated having his legs in, but loves bring worn with the wrap supporting his butt and thighs amd his legs out.

This! Just make sure legs make an "M," knees above hips

lbachran · May 2016

1/4 crunchy, maybe 1/16, crunchy. Not super comfortable with being thought of as crunchy at all. We didn't circumcise, but if LO has any problems with uti's then we will. Baby wear around the house, DH baby wears outside. No co sleeping or cloth diapering though. I'm EBFing and toying with the idea of not using bottles at all. Has anyone done the no bottles route or is anyone planning on to? Is it nuts?

@JennyS86, I read the same thing about Vitamin D and upped my own intake rather than supplementing LO. Pediatrician seemed displeased. But we live in the south and LO is very light skinned.

camillaandcarson · May 2016

We also no circ, EBF, baby wear, and some others like co sleep (wanted to wait until baby was a bigger as we did with #1 but this baby doesn't like the RNP as much as baby #1 did).

camillaandcarson · May 2016

lbachran said:

I'm EBFing and toying with the idea of not using bottles at all. Has anyone done the no bottles route or is anyone planning on to?

I went that route.
I SAHM so it worked out much easier for me to just feed the baby without sterilizing, storage, pumping, etc.
Definately made traveling ridiculously easy with a baby as the food was right on me, clean, room temp, and ready to go.

lbachran · May 2016

@camillaandcarson, how long did you do that for? Were there ever any major challenges with that approach? I'm staying home for at least the first year so this isn't out of the question for me, but when I've mentioned it to people they look at me like I'm bananas.

camillaandcarson · May 2016

The main challenges for me were this stage. The clusters and up all hours of the nights were tiring (but established the supply so it wasn't for nothing). After that it was pretty smooth sailing.

I originally planned on pumping a bit but it didn't end up that way. It ended up being easier to just nurse.

I nursed into toddlerhood but at that stage LO's are able to have food and other beverages. So nursing a toddler isn't at all like nursing a baby. Even nursing an infant isn't like a 2, 3, or 6 month old either. They change so fast.

JoMunson · May 2016

First I'll say we're very crunchy- were vegan and raising our son that way, he wasn't circumcised and we don't plan for him to be, were attachment parenting and I'm only allowing one breast milk bottle (glass bottle btw) a day to encourage DH and LO to attach as well, otherwise I'm feeding on demand, we cloth diaper, co sleep, and will make our own food when he's ready to start solids (can't wait to give this little guy baked tofu!) and we even got an amber teething necklace for when the time comes. I'm so happy with our parenting choices so far. It's hard sometime but I get all the reward I need when Ezra has those moments of happy awake contentment- that's what I'm striving for!
next, a little complaint...
I let my MIL watch my baby for awhile, he was asleep and it was his long stretch of sleep time so I thought it wouldn't be a problem, but I didn't mention that since we're doing AP he doesn't sleep alone and has very little experience with not being held/near a person, so when she put him on the couch to go do something he started crying and woke himself up. Now instead of a perfectly happy sleeping baby I've got a sad fussy baby- who of course MIL thinks is just gassy and cold.

SweetRhthm · May 2016

kbrands7 said:

Count me in the half crunchy crowd. I'm ebfing, and nursed DS until my supply tanked during the second tri, though we passed the 18mo mark. I'm hoping to nurse this one as long. I NIP (just did today in the K'tan at the grocery store and 1/2 of his feeds yesterday while out and about all day). We use a pure vitamin D drop because there's not reliable sunshine here. We do a lot of things that fall under attachment parenting/positive parenting too.

Have you felt comfortable BF your LO in the K'tan? It's made me a little uncomfortable because the position my LO needs reach the nip in the K'tan looks an awful lot like the reclined position they warn you about...on the BIG label...in one of the loops. I think I just need to spend some time practicing at home, but my FTM anxiety makes me nervous to try BF in a wrap in public especially if I feel like I'm being unsafe.

bkjade · May 2016

Co-sleeping mamas, what set up are you using? Do you have a co-sleeper or just sleep next to LO in a large bed? We hadn't planned on co-sleeping but in the last few days after Jet's bedtime routine I've put her down in her crib for a bit and then moved her into the bed on my side for her first night feeding and kept her there. It's been so nice to have her next to me where I can check on her and nurse her without getting out of bed, I feel comfortable with her next to me but started looking at co-sleepers today to see what is available. There are so many choices! I would love to hear any advice you have on what co-sleeping set-up works best for your family!

Lusitano8 · May 2016

@bkjade we have the summer infant co sleeper set up next to me on our bed. I love it so far to know he's safe and right next to me. I believe when he's a bit bigger he will just be on the bed next to me. It's something I want to research more.

JoMunson · May 2016

bkjade said:

Co-sleeping mamas, what set up are you using? Do you have a co-sleeper or just sleep next to LO in a large bed? We hadn't planned on co-sleeping but in the last few days after Jet's bedtime routine I've put her down in her crib for a bit and then moved her into the bed on my side for her first night feeding and kept her there. It's been so nice to have her next to me where I can check on her and nurse her without getting out of bed, I feel comfortable with her next to me but started looking at co-sleepers today to see what is available. There are so many choices! I would love to hear any advice you have on what co-sleeping set-up works best for your family!

We've had Ezra in our bed no bassinet or anything from day one. We put a towel/blanket down under him to catch any accidents and he usually sleeps between us (although it's easier for me to night nurse sleeping on my right side so sometimes he ends up there). Both DH and I have talked about how we both are very sensitive to his movements and each other's, so we don't worry about squishing him. We're also a dry family so we don't have to worry about one of us being too knocked out, and that aspect we do take seriously- one time DH wanted to take a unisom to fall asleep faster and I told him if he did that he wouldn't be able to co sleep in the bed with us.

lbachran · May 2016

@camillaandcarson, the only reason I've really even entertained bottles and pumping is due to pressure from my mother who insists I need time away from LO (so she would keep him and feed a bottle). Did you have a lot of support?

You mentioned that you nursed until LO was a toddler, were teeth ever a problem? I'm selfishly really paranoid about getting bitten. He's already gotten me a lot with his nails despite keeping them very short.

kbrands7 · May 2016

SweetRhthm said:

kbrands7 said:

Count me in the half crunchy crowd. I'm ebfing, and nursed DS until my supply tanked during the second tri, though we passed the 18mo mark. I'm hoping to nurse this one as long. I NIP (just did today in the K'tan at the grocery store and 1/2 of his feeds yesterday while out and about all day). We use a pure vitamin D drop because there's not reliable sunshine here. We do a lot of things that fall under attachment parenting/positive parenting too.

Have you felt comfortable BF your LO in the K'tan? It's made me a little uncomfortable because the position my LO needs reach the nip in the K'tan looks an awful lot like the reclined position they warn you about...on the BIG label...in one of the loops. I think I just need to spend some time practicing at home, but my FTM anxiety makes me nervous to try BF in a wrap in public especially if I feel like I'm being unsafe.

I shift him diagonally in the hug-hold and pull the boob up to him. He doesn't feel less secure that way, but I keep whichever arm he is leaning towards around him as a precaution and to support his head better in that position. I also bring his arm out on the side he's leaning towards so that the fabric doesn't cover his head.

kbrands7 · May 2016

@ibachran I had to pump for DS for while I was at work last time, but I'mhoping to do no bottles this time since I'm taking an extended leave. As far as teeth go, it's really no big deal unless you have a bored biter-- just don't leave a distracted older baby or toddler on the boob after they've finished and soothe gums before nursing while they're in a teething stage (biting can be soothing, so you should soothe first to prevent that). I was only nipped a couple times, no harm done. Since baby's tongue goes over the bottom toothline in a good latch, you won't get bitten while LO is actively eating.

lionstigersbears · May 2016

@bkjade we coslept with DS until about 8-10 months (it's a blur) when he got really restless, so we moved him to his crib. Prior to that we tried a bunch of things! Once he was a little bigger (2-3 months maybe) I relaxed a bit about him just being in bed next to me. Prior to that I tried a side car style crib that just didn't work out because he wanted to be closer to me. I ordered the Dockatot to try with this baby but I'll just put her in the bed with me if it doesn't work well for us.

JoMunson · May 2016

Anyone able to breastfeed in the ergo? I feel like LO is too high (since he needs to be in kissing distance) and my boob is too low.

folamij · May 2016

@bkjade We weren't planning on cosleeping but after an unplanned csection it was just easier for me to get her. We have a travel bassinet that we put in between MH and I. So far it's working perfectly, especially since LO has been cluster feeding and the thought of having to trek to the nursery every time is just as draining!

Charla1224 · May 2016

We had LO cosleeping in our regular bed. I removed the comforter and a bunch of pillows. Took it down to just our pillow and sheets. This weekend I found a cosleeper bed at BRU on clearance. We tried it one night and it was a barrier for feeding. I preferred just having her in our bed. So we're just going to continue being as safe as possible with her on my side of our bed. I just love snuggling with my little bug all night.

Bltbear82 · May 2016

We just spent the weekend at my family's beach house and ended up co-sleeping using the dockatot. It's not for me to do on a regular basis, but I loved the dockatot and I felt confident that the baby was safe in it. Bonus that he slept really well after the first two nights sleeping terribly.

seasalt123 · May 2016

Half crunchy. Not really crunchy actually but when crunch makes sense, I go for it.

I really want wanted to wear my baby and went through the boba, ergo and k'tan before finally finding the Beco Gemini. Since it's a SSC, it's not as crunchy as a wrap but wraps were not my thing at all. Not even the k'tan.

I breastfeed and also pump so that my SO can give bottles for his shift. I don't do it in public though because I have a freezer full of milk and I haven't refined the art of discreet feeding (I pretty much sit topless when I feed him). So bottle feeding him expressed milk seems easy

Me and my SO both eat paleo (meat, seafood, nuts, fruits and vegetables) and have for 6 years. So, with the exception of my very recent Haagen Das addiction, all foods are from local farmers and no processed foods or grains. We intend to raise our baby the same way (or at least the Weston Price model) but are also easy going at the same time. Diet choices aren't a religion so I don't want our son to grow up fixated on things he wasn't allowed to eat. It will be a fine balance between keeping his diet full of good food while not annoying his teachers, friends and not giving him a complex. I will be making his baby food for him.

mcb2016 · May 2016

I haven't been able to nurse in the Ergo. Seems hard to imagine it working out with the infant insert. If you figure out a way that works keep me posted!

josie12367 · May 2016

Crunchy here....

We are cosleeping full time...I have her in the bed with us as cosleepers didn't seem like they'd work for us. All pillows but DH's (he has back issues) are removed and we just dress in layers so we can go sheet less.

We baby wear and use a moby wrap for now. We have a Boba SSC for when she's big enough. I've thought about getting a Ktan at some point.

We're going to cloth diaper but after she gains a little more weight. Right now she's having blowouts around her legs cause she was so tiny...even for our newborn stash.

Im also EBF...though I'll be pumping when I return to work in July and just nursing at night.

I love the choices we've made so far...we kind of just fell into the AP lifestyle by chance, and it fits us really well

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