Not so Au Naturelle-- But Trying!

My husband and I choose to live a natural life. Exercising it may not come easy all the time but we do our best to incorporate a greener, more peaceful and a more organic lifestyle everyday.

Let me share with you an example of what I mean.

When we found out that there was a tiny being growing in my womb, automatically, natural pregnancy, natural birth and natural parenting was the plan. I am happy to say that we had a very natural and easy pregnancy. I followed this up by going through a holistic diet of Ayurvedic and raw (on occasions) foods. Yoga for my physical being, birthing class to boost our education on pregnancy and birth, and meditation and visualization for me and my baby's mental and spiritual health. I would gladly recommend reading Deepak Chopra's " Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives and Denise Spatafora's Better Birth books. Reading it cover to cover just inspired me, made me positive and heightened my joy and excitement. All this went so well till the birthing part came. The geek in me together with my husband and doctor had a birth plan that was expected to be followed. Well, that just didn't happen for us. A natural birth planned became a caesarian birth at the last minute.

Now as new parents, the universe had other plans again. Trying to go the natural way was getting a little bit more challenging.. Breastfeeding, the most natural and best way to bond with baby-- became tough and stressful for the both of us. With 3 lactation specialists who couldn't figure out why my baby rejected my breasts (even when I forced her at one point), and all the natural breastfeeding supplements I had to take, it just wasn't going to happen. Not like the lucky moms who have breastfed their children until the age of two years!. But I am contented enough to say that even for just two months, my baby was still able to get some colostrum out of me with the help of a breast shield, fed from small quantities of milk pumped from my breast; and for awhile, a hearty donation of breast milk from a mama so blessed with milk-producing mammary glands!

We now realized, even though the intention was there, maybe it's just not for all of us and that's ok. It doesn't make you a bad parent and it doesn't mean that your child will bond less with you. There are other beautiful ways to encourage bonding. Our baby is a happy one even with formula and that's all that matters to us.

Now, my husband and I try to practice natural parenting as best we can and with an open mind and open heart. With this in mind, we think it best to take bits and pieces of every parenting theory we see fit for our darling child. Or whatever you think is best for your child.

One of the philosophies that totally connected with us right from the start was bits and pieces from the attachment parenting school. Fostering a secure bond through responding with sensitivity, a nurturing touch, safe sleep, consistent loving care and positive discipline just resonated with us.

At 6 months old, here's a small example of how much we just love having our little moonflower close to us at all times and as much as possible:

From baby wearing:

To co-sleeping:

Here's to a little bit of everything in the natural world! SHANTI OM!