{parenting}: my 2 cents

I actually was thinking about writing an over-opinionated entry about crunchy vs. conventional parenting and with the TIME magazine cover all over facebook, it gives me the perfect opportunity to do so.  It's so interesting because I can say before having Paisley I was much more conventional, but since having her I've definitely gotten more crunchy.  I think that just happens...
Without further ado:

• Childbirth:  I'm pro-hospital, pro-natural as possible.  I've talked about this a ton lately.  The more I've studied the options I'm actually no longer against home birth, it's just not something I want to do.  Statistically (with the assistance of trained labor professionals)  it is safer to have your baby at home HOWEVER if you do have to be transferred it is usually while in hard labor and do you really want to be getting into a car or ambulance in hard labor?  I do not.  And our hospital is so accommodating if you know what to ask for I just don't see a reason not to do it there.
• Breastfeeding:  I'm pro-breastfeeding.  It's not easy.  And it's not always fun either.  But I really think the benefits outweigh the negatives so much that I will always recommend giving it your very best shot.  As far as "extended" breastfeeding goes (so like past the year mark)...they keep proving that there are heath benefits for the baby, and even the mother but I was ready to be done at a year and so was Paisley.  I'm thinking it will probably be that way with all my children, but who knows...like so many things it will be child by child, year by year.  
• Bedsharing:  I'm against.  Just for myself personally.  I used to think people that shared their bed with their kids were crazy-now I can see the benefits of it.  But I need my space, and I need my sleep.  There were a couple of times Paisley slept with us (rough night, sickness) and 2 different times I actually rolled on top of her and Jon had to wake me up so I didn't continue to smother our child.  From 6 months to a year Paisley would wake up at 7 and if I nursed her in bed and kept her there she would sleep until 9.  I resolved that if she needed to sleep with me from 7-9 AM until she was 14 and that meant I got to sleep til 9 it was worth it.  lol.  She slept in our room until she was 6 months and I wonder how long I'll keep my next in with us. I don't mind sharing a room at all-but I may move my next to their own when they start sleeping through the night, which for Paisley was around 8-9 weeks so we'll see...
• Crying it out:  I'm totally for it within reason.  I don't think brand new babies are trying to manipulate their parents...but i remember thinking that in my zombie-like state when she would be crying about absolutely nothing.  I feel very blessed because for the most part Paisley really did only cry when she needed something-and so she had a reason to cry.  Once whatever it was was resolved, she was usually fine.  I hope so much all my babies are that way.  There were a couple of nights though that everything had been resolved, she had been held and loved on and she still needed to cry..and so we let her.  I think it was a good thing.  She's a very good self-soother.
• Baby-wearing:  I love.  I have a small collection of slings and wraps and I really think baby-wearing is the way to go.  Once again, when I read up on attachment parenting and baby-wearing before having a child I thought it was crazy.  Why in the world would you want to continue to be carrying a child after you finally don't have to (because you're not prego anymore).  That is how I got things done.  I love having a happy baby and my hands free.  Nursing is super easy and you don't have to wear a cover half the time if you're sneaky.  And  carrying around the dang carseat with the child in it makes it tooooo heavy!!  I wore her to church for the first 3-6 months and she slept the entire time!  And a big bonus-no one touches your child when you're wearing them so you don't have as many of the creepy old people wanting to touch and kiss your child.  I read up so much research about the countries where people wear their babies and their complete lack of colic and I think that's what sold me.  (colic scares me)  So I love baby-wearing. *side note: I will however lug the carseat around with me when the car is 110 degrees or super cold so the temperature stays regulated.
• Diapers:  I hate the earth and I love disposable diapers.  It's cool, you can judge me.  
• Baby food:  I wanted to make my own.  It did not happen.  Once I realized there weren't any added sugars, preservatives, etc in normal baby food we just bought it.  And I didn't feed her one thing at a time.  And she was eating mostly table food by 9-10 months.  I did switch from standard baby mush to a more whole grain but other than that I think I was pretty conventional...and I love that she loves food like her mama...

I know there's more hot topics that I'm forgetting...but I've been controversial enough for today.  I'm interested to see if any of these things change as I have this next one...because so much of what I thought I knew changed when I had Paisley.  Right now I'm just dying to know when this child is going to make her big debut...she starts checking me next week!!!  I'm so ready to be done.  Pray I survive this last month!!