Diapers Q&A

I want an all natural baby. Any suggestions?

Besides cloth diapers, breastfeeding, organic goods, and home sewn outfits. I really like cute baby outfits in stores, so I'll still buy them. Just looking for any additional things I can do to give my baby a healthier start.

Public Comments

1. then relax and save your money.
2. have it's crib be a feeding troth
3. sometimes all natural isnt best for the baby. ask your doctor. youll still need many things for the baby that isnt natural like spoons and bedding. you have to wash them ALL before you give it to the baby
4. once the baby is older, organic apple sauce, nothing with artificial sweeteners in it. just don't buy bad stuff really. know what's in everything you buy. buy really good diaper rash lotion. my parents always used penaten on me, which is this german stuff. they used cloth diapers too. infact, they use them as rags now (weeeiiird!) this site has a ton of natural/organic baby products http://www.ecomall.com/biz/baby.htm when i have my own, i'll be being so safe about everything also. it's smart!
5. I didn't know there were any other kind. ~
6. No smoking by anyone in your home, in your car, or in your baby's presence. And since you mention breastfeeding, good foods for mom. Also "green" cleaning products?
7. Love your baby well, spend time laugh with baby, cook your own foods fresh for him/her. Use natural materials like cotton for clothes and wash in Ivory Snow. The very best thing you can do for your baby is be relaxed and enjoy your time. If that means getting a dreaded pacifier, then do so, trying to stick to one idea or another and not being flexible will make you crazy, and a crazy mommy doesn't have happy baby. I' ve been through more fads in the forty five years I've cared for little ones than I care to think about. And yet our babies still grew up well. Keep that in mind in case your particular baby does better with something your swore you would never do or use. Keep flexible and never say never.
8. If you're still pregnant, a natural, med-free birth is a good start... that's what I did. I get really annoyed when I hear women say, "I don't care, give me the epidural!" Just seems a little selfish to me... they'd rather drug up their babies than experience pain. Get over it. Ugh... sorry lol
9. Read "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" by Rahima Baldwin. It has a wealth of wisdom in it. More: keep baby away from all screens (TV, video, computer) for the first two (preferably longer) years of its life. Make sure the baby gets LOTS of tummy time on the floor, starting immediately. They NEED the different perspective and the struggle to stimulate their nervous systems (baby may yell, that's okay--just start small, maybe 30 seconds, then slowly extend the time). DO NOT prop the baby. Babies need to develop the strength to hold up their heads and sit up by themselves. Swaddling is good for babies. It makes them feel safe and protected. Keep the baby home for at least 4 weeks. Arriving here is a shock, and babies need time to recover. Shield the baby from too much light and noise (a grocery store is amazingly loud and bright--consider it from the baby's point of view). When carrying the baby, do not face them forward in the snuggli--it puts them in too exposed a position (again, this is about shielding a developing nervous system). Some people posit that the increase in ADD, ADHD, and autism may be linked to babies' nervous systems being constantly overstimulated and they just either go haywire or shut down completely. Sing to your baby, a lot, no matter what you think of your voice or singing ability. Your baby is not a critic and will love it.
10. Don't forget about an all natural birth! You'll be giving your baby the right start, for sure! Also, look into Elimination communication. I am going to try it out with my next baby! Also, no cribs, just co-sleep.
11. Companies actually sell organic baby clothes where it is 100% cotton and pesticide free the line of clothes is called Nile or something.
12. For the longest time, instead of diaper wipes, I would use a baby wash cloth and some warm water....
13. While an all natural baby is a great idea, it can be very expensive and very time consuming. I have 4 children, the youngest of whom is 7 months. There is no way I would be able to do cloth diapers, cook only food for him that is organic, make clothes for him (as much as I love to sew!) I can't breastfeed because I didn't have enough milk for the little guy. I do make his food because it is cheaper than baby food. Just spend time with your baby, love on the baby, enjoy the baby and if your budget allows, do the natural thing! But the best thing you can do is just give that baby as much love and care as you can. That baby isn't going to care if his/her clothes are home made, if his diapers are cloth. The baby is just gonna care if someone's loving on him and taking care of him. That's the most important thing of all.
14. There are all sorts of natural products on the market that replace almost anything in a normal "non natural" persons bathroom.. shampoo, soap, diaper ointment (although probably not needed w/clothe dipes), baby lotion, herbal medicines... also what the prev person said about cloth wipes - could have a spray bottle of water and some cut up soft towels and launder with your dipes.... when the baby is old enough to eat you can make your own baby food. see if you can find a local whole foods store.
15. Don't forget to forgo any cosmetic genital surgery. http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html Co-sleeping is what babies are born expecting. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp Baby wearing is another very natural, primal and intuitive part of parenting. http://www.continuum-concept.org/ http://www.nineinnineout.org/ Also, please reserch the ins and out of ALL vaccines. I'm not saying you should forgo them, but know what they will be shooting into your precious baby and when. http://thinktwice.com http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/vaccines/vaccines.html Be sure and wait until your baby shows all the signs of readiness before starting solid foods. http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html Check out http://www.mothering.com/discussions for all the natural family living info you could ever want.
16. what about babywearing in lieu of a stroller? I have an O ring Ella Roo sling and Maya Wrap. Teething - use cold veggies instead of gels - carrots, green onions and vanilla all have naturally numbing agents in them. cosleeping is great, but get a good cosleeper to avoid problems join you local API group and La leche League chapter for support. Most of the answers here were great too...