Parenting | Inhabitots

Time Magazine Breastfeeding Cover Photo Sparks Major Controversy

by Michelle Lloyd, 05/11/12

Time’s new issue features a cover photo of a mom breastfeeding her 3 year old son. The cover depicts Dr. Bill Sears’ method of attachment parenting for the feature article, “The Man Who Remade Motherhood.” The article is an in depth expose about Dr. Sears, his wife Martha, and attachment parenting, which breastfeeding plays a major role in. The cover has already sparked much controversy around the internet, especially on Twitter and parenting blogs.

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Attachment Parenting 101

by Beth Shea, 05/04/12

While the concept of attachment parenting dates back to ancient times, and is considered the norm in most countries today, Dr. Bill Sears only coined the term “attachment parenting” relatively recently in the United States, in the 1980′s. In America, the child-led approach to parenting is still highly regarded as an alternative form of raising a child, and adheres to practices including babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding on demand and extended nursing, gentle discipline and natural birth. We’ve covered all of these topics and more on Inhabitots, as many of the writers and editors on our team practice attachment parenting with our own children. Even if full-throttle attachment parenting isn’t your style, many moms and dads choose to do some, if not all of the practices on which the philosophy is based — simply by following their own instincts to bond with and do what’s best for their baby. Wearing your infant is a wonderful way to keep him secure and safe. Read about the art of babywearing, and safety guidelines for properly wearing your baby. Sleeping with your baby is another great way to make baby feel secure, one, which studies have proven, is healthy and reduces a child’s stress. If you’re interested in learning more about AP, read our book review of Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, and then check out our Q&A about attachment parenting with the actress, mom and neuroscientist. We’ve also featured books wherein the authors are completely against the concept of AP, and go as far as saying it imprisons mothers, and that it’s an anti-feminist approach to bringing up baby — because of course, there are always two sides to every coin.

Inhabitots Roundup: Safe Sleep Essentials for Babies

by Beth Shea, 04/21/12

Sleeping Newborn - Image from Shutterstock

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones whose baby has always been a great sleeper, you probably spend a great deal of time trying to establish and maintain consistent sleep routines for your little one. We certainly don’t know the magical equation to achieving the Holy Grail of parenting — a full night’s sleep — but here are some tips on making baby’s sleep environment healthy and conducive to getting lots of shut-eye.

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Is Elisabeth Badinter’s European Best Seller The Conflict Modern Anti-feminism?

by Michelle Lloyd, 04/20/12

In less than 2 weeks, the controversial European best seller The Conflict: How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women will be released in the United States. The well known feminist author, Elisabeth Badinter is already under fire for her extreme views of modern motherhood, what she considers as “a spreading cult of motherhood fundamentalism.” Badinter believes attachment parenting victimizes women more than men ever have. Though, Badinter isn’t the first to claim attachment parenting confines women to their children.

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Dirt and Germs Equal Happy and Healthy Kids

Next time your kids drags some dirt or mud into the house, don’t freak out. Instead give yourself a hearty pat on the back for raising such a happy, well-adjusted kiddo. According to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation, “The Dirt on Dirt: How Getting Dirty Outdoors Benefits Kids,” getting messy provides countless benefits for little ones. We live in a germ obsessed society, so much in fact, that those fears may expose us to harmful chemicals, such as those found in antibacterial products. This new NWF report may help drown some of those fears though and keep your kids healthier. The report points to a growing body of research that suggests dirt and germs may actually help build physical health and resilience to diseases. This is connected to the Hygiene Hypothesis, which you may have heard of, that says that when kids are too clean and their exposure to parasites, bacteria, and viruses is limited, they may face a greater chance of having allergies, asthma and other autoimmune diseases. Plus, as we’ve pointed out time and time again, being outside, getting down in the dirt and out into nature is extremely healthy for a child’s emotional and physical well-being. When kids spend more time playing outside than they do attached to indoor, high-tech gadgets, they’re less vulnerable to obesity, stress, ADHD, vitamin D deficiency and depression.

Q&A: Mayim Bialik, Actress and Author, Chats About Attachment Parenting

Mayim Bialik: actress, Attachment Parenting advocate, breastfeeding consultant, neuroscientist, and mother of two boys, can now add author to her list of accolades with the recently released Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way. Detailing her personal experience following the Attachment Parenting style of raising a family, Bialik covers ever-present parenting topics such as co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and gentle discipline. Read on for our interview with this smart, compassionate Mama.

Why You Shouldn’t Swap Spit with Your Baby by Pre-Chewing His Food Like Alicia Silverstone

So, in case you missed it, there’s a video posted by Alicia Silverstone sweeping the YouTube scene right now. The video shows her feeding her baby, Bear, from her own mouth, much like a mama bird. With 1,532,937 views and counting, there’s no doubt that the video is popular, and in fact, most viewers at her own website, The Kind Life, were supportive and thought this was pretty darn cute, leaving comments like, “Alicia, I had never thought of this before but it’s the cutest way of feeding your baby! I have a 7 month old and I think I will try this method…she is always trying to lick my mouth anyways might as well give her a reward!” Some readers at Silverstone’s blog even commented that this was a “green” practice. But not everyone is on board with mama-to-baby food swapping, for example one YouTube viewer posts, “That is so gross I will never watch another movie with her in it.” Other viewers don’t like that she’s made vegans look odd, as one viewer writes, “Thanks a lot Alicia, for furthering the stereotype of vegan parents as being sick weirdos.” Silverstone, a vegan advocate, is helping to promote the vegan movement with her book and blog, but when it comes to oral hygiene, she may have missed the mark, because feeding your baby from your own mouth is a risky habit.

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GREEN BOOK REVIEW: Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik

Unlike numerous child stars who seem to fade into oblivion or become fodder for gossip rags, Mayim Bialik has stayed out of trouble by diving into causes she is passionate about. She’s a mom of two, a neuroscience PhD, a Holistic Moms spokesperson, vegan and an attachment parenting advocate. Oh, and did we mention she can still be seen regularly on the TV hit The Big Bang Theory? Her latest venture is a book, Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way, about her decision to follow an attachment parenting style for raising her children. The book is written in an approachable, conversational tone. If you ever watched Blossom or Beaches (and how could you possibly grow up in the ’90s without having done so?), as you read this book you can easily imagine Bialik talking to you across the kitchen table, while sipping a soy latte perhaps. Divided into sections including elimination communication, babywearing, co-sleeping, when to use medical interventions, and how to avoid buying too much stuff for baby, the book touches on many “hot buttons” in parenting and are presented clearly, logically, and and always in Bialik’s confident voice, which at times turns humorous (such as when she discusses her surprise at just how often her firstborn wanted to be held) and very serious (such as when she is discussing her feelings on gentle discipline.)

GREEN RANT: Schools Today Get a Failing Grade for Environmental Education

My son is a over a year away from kindergarten, and my daughter is a just over a year old, but I'm already paranoid about finding the “right” school for those formative years of education, especially since I'd like to send my kids to a school that's in line with my green lifestyle. And before you think I’m crazy, consider the fact that for many private schools in my area, it's practically essential for kids to attend pre-K at the school to ensure a spot for grade school. As for the neighborhood public school? Parents have to camp out for over 24 hours beforehand (in frigid Philadelphia January weather) to try to ensure that their kids have a spot for kindergarten. So all of this had me thinking - I've got to figure this out sooner than later. And what did I find? Schools are lacking in environmental education and teaching kids about nature.

If Mom Had 3 Minutes: Share Your Mom Tips For An E-Book and Get a Coupon!

a chipper multitasking spider mom – image from Shutterstock.

As all the moms out there will know, with motherhood comes an endless stream of to-do lists, and with that new challenge – the ability to become a jedi master of multi-tasking. Nobody knows how to multi-task like the mother of young kids, and in that spirit of sharing the mom-wisdom, Inhabitots is partnering with Clorox in a project to help moms share their time-saving tips with one another. Clorox is working with author Karen Kauffman Orloff, writer of the children’s book If Mom Had Three Arms, to compile an e-book of moms’ time-saving tips. If you have any great multi-tasking tips, send ‘em on over here for your chance to be included in the book (you’ll also score a 50¢ Clorox coupon). Simply visit the Clorox Facebook fan page to share your mom-wisdom on the If Mom Had Three Minutes tab.

6 Tips for Traveling with Your Kids and Staying Green

Traveling with kids can be tough enough as it is, and you may think that adding your green sensibilities will be bringing extra baggage. Not necessarily. You can still keep your eco-friendly wits about you and make sure everyone has a memorable vacation. Read on for six tips for staying green while traveling with kids.

Better Parent Education May Lead to Lower Childhood Obesity Rates

In news that will surprise no one, researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center recently figured out that teaching moms and dads how to be better parents could possibly help combat the alarmingly issue of overweight and obese children in America. So, it’s not shocking to hear that better parenting skills may lead to healthier kids. What was a little more surprising in this study is that even when the parenting skills taught did not include education surrounding exercise and nutrition, kids still benefited. During the study, researchers followed a large group of 4-year-old kids from low-income, minority families in New York City over several years. Some of the kids parents were involved in intervention, or parenting classes. Kids of parents who were taught good parenting skills were more likely to be healthier, while kids of parents who did not take the parenting classes were more likely to become obese by second grade. It’s very interesting that these parenting classes didn’t focus on food, weight, or exercise, but instead the classes taught parents how to be more responsive and nurturing towards their kids.

How to Be a Dad Shares Hilarious Co-sleeping Baby Sleep Positions Diagrams

We're all for safe co-sleeping here at Inhabitots, but we do know that bringing Baby into your bed doesn't always come easy. Some babies are simply bed hogs - moving around in their sleep and able to take up much more space than you've ever imagined. And it's that active lil' snoozer that inspired these comical "Baby Sleep Position" graphics from the brains behind How to Be a Dad, a humor blog for parents. Keep reading to laugh off your co-sleeping stresses.

6 Ways to Have an Eco-friendly Family Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is a undeniably a sweet holiday surrounded by feelings of warmth, love, and happiness. While the day's traditions don't necessarily make it a landmine of eco-sins, there are ways to make the holiday greener. From the sweets you choose to the cards your kids send, read on for six ways to make the holiday a Valentine to your family and Mother Earth as well.

5 Things to Know Before You Start the Adoption Process

As a continuation of our discussion of eco-friendly family planning options, we decided to provide some basic info on adoption that everyone should know before they start the process. Read on for five essential points to discuss as you explore welcoming a child (or children) into your home.

Freeganism: A Dumpster Diving Family Affair

Modern freeganism can be thought of as the bastard stepchild of the green movement. Whereas mindful homeowners install batteries of solar panels and opt for high-efficiency washers and dryers, there is a faction of freegans who squat derelict buildings. Earth conscious commuters who seek to avoid fossil fuels pilot space-aged, touch panel equipped electric vehicles, while freegans who drive get around in smelly, greasle-powered scrap heaps. And while so called naturalists, organic enthusiasts, and locavores shop at Whole Foods or the neighborhood farmers’ market, freegans scavenge the waste created by these establishments. It is this latter subset that we will explore in a series of intimate posts that follow a small group of families as they delve into the act of dumpster diving. Read on to learn about their first adventure.

(*The content contained in the post is the opinion of the writers and is not intended as a guide of any kind. All names have been changed at the request of those involved.)

Many Parents Push Academics Over Play Which May Harm Kids’ Health

Yet another new study shows that parents, not external sources are likely behind a growing lack of childhood free play. The new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that many preschool children are sitting sedentary most of the day, in part due to unrealistic demands on the part of parents. The researchers on this study looked at 34 various child care centers serving 3, 4 and 5 year-old kids, including inner-city, suburban, Head Start, and Montessori and found that children in these centers aren’t meeting recommended levels of physical activity for their age group. Researchers discovered three common barriers to children’s physical activity, including injury concerns from parents, small budgets that don’t allow for playgrounds and pushing from parents and state to focus on “academics” vs. play. We’ve seen before how playgrounds can become too safe, and yes boring, due to dumbed down designs, and the researchers agree, saying in their report that boring playgrounds don’t entice preschoolers to play or get enough exercise. In this case, newer stricter safety playground licensing codes and low school budgets are to blame. Changing playgrounds for the better will take major nation-wide work. However, the other issues such as fear of safety and pushing for extensive academics are issues that parents are responsible for and should take control of.

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Green Parenting and Design Predictions for 2012

Another year is behind us and as we look forward to 2012, we're contemplating all the opportunities of what this new year holds. We've asked some of our favorite bloggers, green-minded business owners, and a few of our own Inhabitots editors and writers to share their predictions for the year ahead. What will change in green design this year? How will the world move forward to provide a better environment for healthy families? Read on to see what Giggle's CEO Ali Wing, Groovy Green Livin's Lori Popkewitz Alper, Small for Bigs' Mari Richards and more predict for 2012.