What Is Your Strongest Thoughts On Baby Care?
November 19, 2009 by Guest Author
Filed under Baby Care
I’ve been reading these questions tonight and see many people get worked up over certain subjects. What subjects do you feel strongly about in regards to raising your child. Diet, breast feeding, circumcision, vaccinations – all of you make good points – from both sides.
Please – don’t argue your views, just state them. I don’t want heated arguments. I just like to see other peoples point of view.
Breastfeeding- ABSOLUTELY!! =] I breastfed my daughter until she was 10 months old, and I wish I could have continued but she spent a couple days away and my milk ran dry.
But it is not a gross thing at all, it is a special bond that your child will have with you and no one else. It’s not “sexual” or anything by any means, you are giving your child life, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. =]
Diet- VERY important. Organic food is great, no pesticides, no GMO, none of that stuff. Natural/organic is the way to go! Sugar isn’t good for your child, and too many parents just let their children “dig in”. Corn syrup messes with development, and is harmful to your brain…Even adults, think about what it does to a baby. Introducing foods slowly (waiting 4 days between new foods) and not starting food besides breastmilk or formula until the can sit up is very important. Around 6 months is generally the best time to start. Remember, it’s basically just getting them used to eating food, they don’t need for a few more months. So don’t rush it. It won’t hurt your baby to wait, but it could cause food allergies if you start too soon.
Circumcision- Not for my family. If we have a son, he will not be circumcised. It can cause problems, and it is purely cosmetic, hence the reason why most insurances don’t cover it anymore. And more and more children are going without being circumcised, so you don’t need to fear about him getting made fun of. =]
Vaccinations- My daughter is almost 11 months old, and she has yet to have a shot. She IS going to get D TAP and HIB shortly, though, because she isn’t as protected now that she isn’t breastfeeding. These are all things to take into consideration. A) Are you breastfeeding? B) Is your child going to be in daycare/around a lot of children on a daily basis? C) The age of your child, since a young child cannot handle vaccines, it goes straight into their brains, unlike adults or older children. D) Are you going to be traveling out of country?
All of these play a role into whether or not you should get vaccines for your child, and which vaccines, also. Some children never get vaccinated, and others may need a couple. It all depends on your situation. Some vaccinations are completely pointless, and others are valid. Do your research, it’s your child we are talking about. =]
So, here is how my family works, and our views. Hope we helped!
I believe it is strictly up to the mother about diet, such as breast feeding or bottle feeding. Each have their pros and cons. For example, breast feeding is supposed to be better for baby, causes less gas, etc., but if the Mom has poor dietary habits or smokes, drinks, takes medication, then your baby is getting that, too. Bottle feeding is easy and contains all the nutrients baby needs. Circumcision, I believe, should be done because it is much cleaner for the boy throughout his entire life. Vaccinations should be given to all children as they do not cause autism and are actually safer than most of the common OTC drugs that we take regularly.
Diet – haven’t thought of that one. I’m guessing that because hubby and I aren’t vegan, then our son will eat what we eat until he is old enough to decide for himself.
Breastfeeding – I do because I prefer to. Yes it’s natural and healthy, but it’s also because I enjoy the bonding with my son. I wasn’t exclusive at first – I tried formula for the flexibility it offers (and when I went back to work), but my son got sicky on formula so I have to express breast milk instead.
Circumcision – We didn’t. We think it’s better not too.
Vaccinations – Definately believe in them. Medical advancements have been made, they are there for a reason: to protect our children.
Thanks – great question!
i feel strongly that anyone and everyone who is raising babies/children should be allowed to parent in the way that they choose as long as the kids are not suffering, being neglected, or abused….if the methods they believe in are done in a loving manner, i don’t care if they agree with me or not….’live and let live’; i may state my opinion, bc that is what ppl are asking for, or if i see something unsafe, being a nurse, i feel like i need to say something in case they are unaware….i don’t think anyone should be attacked for something that is totally not related to the a question asked……i DO hate seeing ppl repeat rubbish that they have read on here over and over and it is inaccurate….i guess that would be something i feel strongly about…if u don’t know yourself and you are just repeating someone else’s answer to a question or something u read on a questionable site, then just don’t answer…
I believe that you can do what ever you want to you child as long as it doesn’t effect them for the rest of their lives, and it doesn’t hurt them.
Circumcision I’m 100% against. I don’t understand what guy wouldn’t be against it. It’s mutilation and it reduces sexual pleasure greatly.
Vaccinations are okay as long as they don’t have horrible side effects like a small pox vaccine and the mental retardation.
I’m okay with any diet their parents put their child on as long as it’s healthy.
Anything else I am fine on.
I agree with you right there. Breast milk is VERY important because it does a lot for a baby to keep them healthy, how ever I do find it gross too. I mean I know it’s natural but the thought of suckin gon my moms boob would freak me out!
-Connor
The one I feel most strongly about is circumcision. It’s just so wrong. I can’t believe people are doing it. I’ve read a lot of information (more than most of the people choosing to do it, who claim they’ve researched it) and I don’t see how it can possibly be justified. It’s such a personal body part, I fail to see how the decision to remove it without adequate medical need be seen as a parental choice. Everything else – yeah that’s a parental choice. Not this one.
I also have my views on other subjects but are less likely to get worked up over them. In those cases, it matters less to me what other people do with their kids. (Circumcision is different because it’s harming the child much more.) I’m in favour of breast feeding and I try to encourage it.
Harriet
I don’t really have any “Strong” thoughts. I sway closely and follow a lot of the basic ideas of attachment parenting.
I think it is important for me to have a close relationship with my daughter and tend to her every need. Afterall, I did not have a baby for it to work around MY needs, but rather I will work around HER needs.
If I have a son, yes I will circumcise. My husband prefers it so that is his choice.
I breastfeed exclusively but don’t “down” anybody who formula feeds.
I’m not in to CIO.
I vaccinate on schedule and will continue to do so unless my daughter shows a serious reaction to something, which she has not yet.
Overall, I try to go with my daughter’s flow.
I guess this is what you’re asking…?
***Trust me, direct breastfeed is much easier, and not as “gross” as you think. Not ever once have I felt nasty about and at first i was a little worried about that but I knew I wanted to do it. Pumping will be so time consuming and unless you are a great pumper (if you respond well to the pump) it could be difficult.
Co-sleeping is your baby sleeping in bed with you. I do it part-time I guess, the latter half of the night she ends up with me.
I probably feel the strongest about circumcision and nursing. I’m absolutely against circumcision and absolutely for nursing. Of course everything else is important as well. Vaccinations, a must. CIO, worked for us, may not work for you. Diet, should be balanced. Co-sleeping, never did it, but wouldn’t mind trying with the next one.
My strongest thoughts on child care are…
I think that anybody who has a child inherently knows (and will do) what’s best for that child. Whether it be breastfeeding or formula…circumsize or not…immunize or not…when to start solids…etc. It’s not anybody’s place to say what is right or wrong for SOMEBODY else’s child. If it were wrong to formula feed babies, then why on earth would they sell formula in the stores? If it were wrong to pierce a little girl’s ear, why do doctors do ear piercing? If circumcision was torture, then why has it been around since biblical times? And if all these things are wrong, why doesn’t child services come and take away every child that is formula fed with earrings who get regular shots???
To each his own. Worry about your own child…not everybody elses.
I don’t feel strongly enough about any of it. Breast feeding is great (I breast fed both of my kids), formula feeding is fine too. I was never breast fed, now I’m 23 with no allergies and in great health as well as my brother and husband and his brother. So I am unbiased on that topic. Circumcision- why in the hell would I care what someone else does to their son’s penis? It’s a cultural decision- let’s move on to more important topics. Vaccinations- my kids get them. Do what you want to yours, I couldn’t care less.
Breastfeeding is relaxing for me. I enjoy it, but for different reasons, some women can’t do it. I think the most important is to love and care for your child, because you’ll never be able to tell the adults that were breastfeed, had to cry it out, or had a soother. It comes down to parents doing what they think is best.
I feel strongest about circumcision- I think its a violation of human rights.
I’m for breast feeding, and somewhere in the middle on vaccinations, but I don’t get upset when people bottle feed or vaccinate. -Neb
Love- a baby is an expert at picking up love around him or her, so make sure it is there.
i love breast feeding. i think its the most positive way to feed your child.
but…formula is good also.
My strongest thought is on circumcision which I think is barbaric. It has no place in the modern world.
i think routines and sleep are the most important things.
I think it is selfish and lazy on the part of the mother to not attempt breastfeeding. If it fails or is for some reason not suitable for the baby then so be it. Thank Heaven we live in the 21st century where we have alternatives to feeding our children when they might otherwise suffer from poor nutrition.
I am very anti-feed-my-baby-from-a-jar. She has never had a Gerber jar and I am very proud of that. I have always prepared her food at home and have many means of back-up should I get too busy or too tired to make a meal from scratch.
I am very much for co-sleeping, as long it is working for the parents and the baby. Co-sleeping is when baby sleeps with you in bed or is very close to you by means of a “co-sleeper” (like a crib with the side off so that the baby’s mattress and your mattress are flesh together). There is no better way for mommy to maintain sanity than to wake up, roll over, put baby to breast, then go back to sleep!
I am against the CDC vaccine schedule. Every single person is different. No one should be subject to maintain a certain schedule like it has precedence over everyone being ready for the same thing at the same time. I will vaccinate my daughter when I as her parent decide that she is good and ready.
I am also anti-public school. I don’t think they are capable of doing a good enough job. They are not given the means to do so through government funding, they are not given the preparation to ensure each child is successful. Teachers are over-worked and underpaid. They put too much attention on standardized test scores and not enough attention on the many many other ways that children are able to succeed. I will be keeping my daughter home for the very beginning at the least.
I am very anti-people-who-give-thumbs-down to others for voicing their opinion.