Earthy Baby

Welcome to our Earthy Baby section. Earthy Family actually started out as an idea for an Earthy Baby book and the articles in this section are a great place to start your Earthy journey. From tips on cloth diapering to breastfeeding to vaccinations, you’ll find ideas on how to raise your smallest family member in a very Earthy way. Keep in mind that your family’s journey is just that – Yours. Living “earthy” is about living in a way that feels natural to You. So embrace your path and trust your instincts – raising an Earthy Baby is a beautiful journey.

“The newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of it’s mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three.”
~ Dr. Grantly Dick-Read

How to Calm Your Crying Baby
By Elizabeth Pantley
author of Gentle Baby Care

When we’re pregnant or awaiting adoption, we dream about our baby-to-be, we always envision those beautiful Hallmark card scenes: charming baby smiling up at peaceful mother’s face. We read books in advance... >>Read More

Co-Sleeping – Making it Work and Making it Safe
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Kid Cooperation and Perfect Parenting

The family bed, co-sleeping, shared sleep ¾ no matter what you call it, it means that your baby sleeps with you, or very close to you. The family bed is becoming more and more common... >>Read More

Natural Remedies for Problems in Breastfeeding - Part 1
by Susun Weed

With the resurgence of interest in breastfeeding, there is increasing demand for natural remedies for the minor problems that accompany nursing. >>Read More

Natural Remedies for Problems in Breastfeeding - Part 2
by Susun Weed

Painful, sore breasts and nipples are one of the most common problems encountered during lactation. Virtually every nursing mom will need help on this account at least once.
... >>Read More

Protecting Your Baby From
Environmental Toxins During Pregnancy
by Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC)

Schedule prenatal check-ups, If you, or your partner, work with toxic materials, discuss possible harmful exposures, Review alternative remedies and complimentary medicines. ...>>Read More

From the Diary of a Nursing Mother
by Monika Kinner-Whalen

Liam is not born yet. This is my ninth pregnancy and my dearly awaited second child. My belly is enormous, but my breasts look the same as before. I wonder if I’m even making milk. I just can’t wait to nurse again...>>Read More

A Weaning Story: Notes From a Work In Progress
Bonnie Adams

As I nursed my firstborn of six months, I contemplated how much he had grown and how quickly the time had already passed. I tearfully mourned the loss of his early infancy. The big milestone on my mind was weaning. According to the books, the in-laws, and the neighbors, it was time... >>Read More

I knew absolutely nothing about attachment parenting when I gave birth to my first baby over 13 years ago. I was 18 years old when my beautiful daughter Alexandria was born, and although I had intended to breastfeed, difficulties with latch-on due to slightly inverted nipples, as well as a mother-in-law who told me I was starving my baby, caused me to give in to the bottles of formula the hospital had sent home with me... >>Read More

Baby’s First Foods…Why Rush??
by Patti Wardlaw, Marlyce Rankin and Riki Winkler

Your baby is now 6 months old. Time to introduce solids, right? Well, maybe not. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider delaying this important step... >>Read More

The Baby Is the Book
Jan Hunt, M.Sc.

On a recent Internet radio show I emphasized that babies are the true experts on parenting. I added that I often ask new parents if they wish they had an expert living with them to help them to figure out what to do next. I told the radio audience to "Just look to the baby. If you're doing something wrong, the baby will tell you. If you're doing something right, the baby will tell you that, too. Babies know... >>Read More

Diapering the Earthy Baby
by Tabitha Tucker

Diapering, as with any other parenting dilemma, does not have to be an all or nothing decision. Some choose to use cloth all the time, others use cloth as the rule, with exceptions made for traveling, outings or nighttime, while others will use disposables all the time. There are important reasons why we chose to use cloth and with the fabulous products that are currently available, it is easy to do so with very little fuss... >>Read More

Breastfeeding
by Tabitha Tucker

OK – So it’s superior for the health of baby and mom;

So it’s more convenient – always ready (pre-mixed, warmed to the precise temperature required, and always just enough) when baby is ready;
So it’s more environmental in that there are no cans, bottles, bottle liners, bottle sterilizers, bottle warmers, production machines, or transportation requirements
So it’s cheaper ... >>Read More

Calm Among the Chaos - I think I’d do it just the same…
by Tabitha Tucker

Coming down the stairs after a mid-day nap with my 13-month-old son, I had a bird’s-eye view of the living room and realized what a truly disastrous state it was in. I took a breath, continued on to the kitchen and proceeded to trip into a sinkhole of despair. The kitchen made the living room look neat and tidy... >>Read More

Vaccinations: Being Informed to Make a Choice
by Tabitha Tucker

"Unlike some countries, immunization is not mandatory in Canada; it cannot be made mandatory because of the Canadian Constitution. Only three provinces have legislation or regulations under their health-protection acts to require proof of immunization for school entrance. Ontario and New Brunswick require proof for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella immunization... >>Read More

The Family Bed
by Tabitha Tucker

Three in the Bed and the Little One Said… “I’m Hungry!” So I rolled over, he latched on and everyone went back to sleep. And that’s just one of the reasons I absolutely love having our babe in bed with us ... >> Read More

True Love and the Right Accessories
by Sue Landsman
First published in Loving Mama

When we were expecting our first child, likely a boy, we did the whole traditional expecting thing – the nursery painted butter yellow with a jungle wallpaper border, the crib set up nicely with the light blue and stars sheet pattern, ready and waiting for the baby. Then he came and our new world began, completely unlike what we had expected.....>>Read More

It’s a Sling Thing
Tiffany Palisi

The first time I saw a sling was at a La Leche League meeting. I was holding my then 16 pound son in my very tired arms and wondered if the hippie-like contraption was worth a shot.

My son was about six weeks old and we had already, unsuccessfully, tried using a front carrier. If you’ve never used a front carrier, let me explain. It is this complex padded thing with lots of ins and outs for a baby’s arms, legs... >>Read More

My husband Tom and I have two sons. The older one, Jonathan, emerged from my body on September 24, 1987. Our younger son, Philip, was born on November 21, 1998 to a loving mother who was already raising three little boys by herself. She decided to place her fourth child for adoption, and we were blessed to become his parents when he was 22 days old... >>Read More

Diaper Wipes: Combine ¼ Cup of Aloe Gel, 1 Cup Water, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix well and pour over homemade wipes. Reusable flannel cloths are a roll of paper towel cut in half work well. This is an antibacterial, soothing solution without the harsh chemicals and alcohol often found in commercial wipes. For more info on diapering, click here.

Diaper Pail Deodorizer: Add 10 drops to a cotton pad and place in the deodorizer compartment of your diaper pail for fresher smelling change area.

Diaper Spray: Fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Add 10-15 drops of orange essential oil, shake well and keep beside the change table. Spray diapers as you throw them into the pail to await wash day. This solution is also a great disinfectant for wiping down the change table area – and it leaves the room smelling so sweet.

Diaper Wipes: Combine ¼ Cup of Aloe Gel, 1 Cup Water, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix well and pour over homemade wipes. Reusable flannel cloths are a roll of paper towel cut in half work well. This is an antibacterial, soothing solution without the harsh chemicals and alcohol often found in commercial wipes.

Diaper Pail Cleanser: As you empty your pail into the wash, pour ½ cup of vinegar and 6-8 drops of tea tree essential oil into the pail. Give it a good swirl and wipedown, then pour the excess into the washing machine with your diapers (sometimes I leave the solution in until it’s time to set the diapers for the second cycle and then add it). For more information on cloth diapers, click here.

Loving Mama: Essays on Natural Parenting and Motherhood

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

I'm Made of Mama's Milk

The Attachment Parenting Book

Natural Baby Care

Infant Massage--Revised Edition: a Handbook for Loving Parents