Poll: Link between Cloth, BF and Co-Sleeping?

Do you BF/Formula? BF
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? Still going - weaning... we'll see when the time comes
Use Disposables or Cloth? Disposables but have some MCNs ... you could say I'm cloth-curious :rofl:
Co-Sleep? No
Baby Led Solids? Yes mostly

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? I'm still considering cloth... it's cute, its green... it's supposed to be cheaper, but they say that to get you hooked and then you need that fluffy fix, so if you get addicted it can end up more expensive - or that seems to be my observation. But mostly cause its cute.

What did you start doing first? BF, used cloth and disposables in hospital - cloth on the ward and sposies in SCN. We don't co-sleep cause I don't really want to and it wouldn't be safe for us. But mainly cause I don't sleep well if she is in bed with us.

Did you find one thing led to another? Not in my case

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? [/B] There are lots of cloth and sling pushers who have tried to convert me.... and they may get there yet!

As for slings, I had two Baby Bjorns before I had DD because I was all in favour of the idea (and they were gifts) but she HATED them. She is kind of fussy when it comes to slings, and I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more until I could try some out IRL to see if she would tolerate them. But there really aren't many IRL places where you can try a range of slings, so I remain slingless. The term babywearing gets my goat though. I just don't like the word, I'm all in favour of the concept.

Do you BF/Formula?
breastfeed

If BF, how long for (or self wean?)?
first breastfeed, bilby was 2.5 hours old
she is 2.5yrs now
plan to stop when she self weans

Use Disposables or Cloth?
Modern cloth nappies until 28 months, when she tt-d using cloth trainers.
in that time, we flew interstate for two nights, three days, used MCN the whole time, proved to myself i could do it without disposables. Easier than i thought (if you prepare for it).

Co-Sleep?
first 12 months yes
after that, intermittent. now? from about 2am onwards. first sleep is in her single bed.

Baby Led Solids?
i tried that, didn't really get it, wasn't well enough (PND) to really give it a good enough go. but loved the idea.

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth?
environmentally, i knew i had to at least research it, whilst pregnant. once i found out, there was no napisan or buckets of heavy water involved, i was VERY keen.

What did you start doing first?
i bought mcn to use on my nb, whilst pregnant.
i undertook education to learn how to bf whilst pregnant.
i did both of them, as soon as baby arrived.
breastfed on first day (despite hospital wanting to give her formula)
had her in her first mcn on day five (due to dh not co-operating about bringing the mcn into hospital, after the homebirth didn't eventuate as planned)

Did you find one thing led to another?
to me, i was just focussed on doing what i felt was right for my baby, the most nurturing things i could do for her, as my gift to her. that overtook what other people might say.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try?
the mums i met, who were using mcn, most of them gave me bf-ing advice too. but i didn't get the feeling, that if i DID formula feed, that they would disaprove or anything, they were very accepting and welcoming. e.g i do vaccinations, and i still feel welcome, amongst a group of mostly non-vaccination parents.

that group, also contained many mums who used baby wraps/carriers - which i didn't use (i had four types to try), due to what happened to me physically during labour. Also contained mums doing EC with their bubs - which i didn't do either, for same reason. But come toilet training time, i used EC principles to TT my child, they were brilliant. i loved hearing about the EC journeys my friends were on, with their children. Learnt so much from listening.

that group of people, who were so supportive of me learning about attachment parenting, also led me to exploring Steiner/Montesorri education, imaginative toys, natural fibre clothing and shoes, organic food and body products.

so there WERE and ARE many ongoing linkages i think. For me it all comes under the umbrella of "attachment parenting". Not being restricted by a label, but being free to pick and choose, the parts that suit YOUR family.

Do you BF/Formula? Not right now - although I have done both when Liebling was a baby.
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? Liebling self-weaned from breast at 16m.
Use Disposables or Cloth? Both - cloth at home, disposables are provided at Nursery and my mum prefers him disposables so we do a mix when we stay with her.
Co-Sleep? Sometimes; DS stopped wanting to co-sleep at 9-10m and now he'll only do it if he's in pain ie teething otherwise he pushes me away (but will sleep with his Dad).
Baby Led Solids? Sort of - DS has eaten solids from the off and picked his own food, but he's also had some mushy food when it was easier for me.

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? It worked out cheaper, and I could buy them when I still had an income.

What did you start doing first? Start doing what first? DS's first nappy was disposable, I'm fairly sure his first feed was formula before I was handed him, but our first sleep was him in my arms and me pretending I was wide awake as I was supposed to put DS in the cot on the other side of the room whilst I couldn't even sit up, let alone walk, before I went to sleep. I was a bit worried if I put him down he'd be off somewhere again and I'd not see him ever again I think.

Did you find one thing led to another? They generally do - sex did lead to pregnancy after all. I was put off co-sleeping by the horror stories my mother told me but couldn't be bothered to stay up all night settling an upset DS so decided to co-sleep.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? No, other mothers tended to tell me how much hard work Liebling was so their advice wasn't much use because "with my perfect easy baby I did this..." and it didn't work with DS. Also the things that did work didn't after 2m because we were in a car crash and DS was in so much pain everything went out the window.

:

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Satya, I think its because its seen as generally more "alternative", possibley harder to keep up (personally thats my feeling on it, but I haven't had to keep up FF, disposables, cot-sleeping, non-slinging motherhood, so I don't know if its harder or not...) so for me I guess I am proud, I am proud that I got through some huge hurdles and am still bfing, still using cloth and co-sleeping despite lots of negative comments, and i guess the sling, well I kind of like it. Also, the more you get it out there, the more people who might be too scared of trying it will see that its more normal, maybe PM and ask questions, be less afraid of trying it, stronger against those IRL who say "Oh formula/disposables/cots/prams etc are easier"......

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Don't ever let anyone tell you that using formula is easier than breast feeding! I would give anything not to have to worry about whether I've got enough clean bottles to get to the next feed. Did I remember to pack the formula dispenser when I packed the nappy bag? Fiddling around with cleaning and sterilising bottles day after day... I'd give anything to just be able to grab the nappies and wipes and leave the house knowing that if Sam wants to eat it's all ready to go, portable, pre-mixed and already at the perfect temperature in sterile packaging... Formula feeding is NOT easier - it's a pain in the butt!

Then again, it's not as though I was able to make a successful go of breast feeding, so perhaps I have the mistaken idea that it is actually easier than it is in reality.

BW

BW :hug: I totally agree. I found FF SO much more difficult than BF - i know i had an easy time establishing BF compared to many, and the benefit of an easy birth (which was luck, not skill) so we were both coming to it in the best possible place to learn, but i was totally unprepared for that feeling when you've been out longer than planned and you can SEE how hungry they're getting. I'm sure i'm not the only mum who had to buy a carton of readymade FF and a new single bottle and *pray* that the super hot water you used to wash the bottle with in some public or friend's sink will be enough to stop them getting anything... And that is BEFORE i had to deal with the guilt i felt over the loss of my milk. It was hard to FF. Practically, emotionally and financially. Hard.

Bx

Ok, it was vjust a passing remark about the attitudes of some people, I know peronally my SIL and a few friends IRL had a FF is easier attitude, maybe because you can share the load, plus bfing pain in the first little bit. Thats all I meant. Nothing personal, just my experiernce and was just saying that what some people MIGHT think.

Hey guys this isn't a debate of wether FF or BF is harder as a mum who's done both, both are as hard as each both have there pro's and cons

But lets keep this thread about the topic pleace

Do you BF/Formula? Breast feed
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? still feeding now and would love to for atleast 12 months
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth but sposies for holidays and sometimes at night
Co-Sleep? Yes
Baby Led Solids? Havent started solids yet but would like to try BLS
Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? I got interested while on BB so when pg did alot of reasearch - oh and ther're cute :)
What did you start doing first? breast feeding

Did you find one thing led to another? Um, for me, well, its hard to say i guess we still co-sleep cause i am breastfeeding so yes there but as for mcns and bls - no - i think thats personally just a choice i have researched and made myself.

Do you BF/Formula? BF but starting to switch to FF as I am working
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? DS is now 3 1/2 months and I intend to have him fully FF by 6 mths
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth mainly. Still using disposibles most nights as I'm still working on the night nappies in cloth.
Co-Sleep? No
Baby Led Solids? Too early

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? I did some research & didn't like the sound of the chemicals in the sposies. Also partly cost.

What did you start doing first? BF then cloth

Did you find one thing led to another? Not really. They are all separate issues and we just decided on what was best for bub. BF just worked for me. Unfortunately it is too hard to continue to work and BF. Cloth took a bit more organising. It took about 3 weeks before I had the energy to switch to cloth. Co-sleeping was never going to work as I sleep way too lightly and DH takes up way too much room & our bedroom is too small for a cot as well.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? Most mothers I spoke to before didn't do cloth but I have since met many who do. This site provided so much info re cloth nappies and the positive attitude to cloth was very encouraging/inspiring.

Hope this helps:)

Do you BF/Formula? BF, two formula top ups in hosp based on paed recommendation
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? Intend to self-wean, hoping for 12 months
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth all the way!
Co-Sleep? Only in the mornings when mummy wants more sleep...
Baby Led Solids? Intend to, yep!
Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? A good friend sells them and would ex-communicate me if I used sposies... but also for the environmental benefits and because I saw how easy they were to use when my sister had my niece!

What did you start doing first? Umm BF, the hosp used sposies

Did you find one thing led to another? Not really

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? Yes, definitely, my sister has been a big support for me with the BF and the cloth!

Do you BF/Formula? Breastfeed
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? aiming for as long as possible
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth, sposies for outings, but now moving towards full time
Co-Sleep? yes
Baby Led Solids? not quite up to that! but it looks interesting

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? i don't know really, to me it was the only option i really thought about, then i discovered MCNs! i guess because i'd been a cloth baby and i'm not a fan of the cost, health and environmental impact of disposibles

What did you start doing first? bf and cloth at the same time, ollie had his first fed just after he was born then into a (hospital) cloth nappy, i co slept maybe a day later, still in hossie, then often at home, then full time at about 2 ish weeks

Did you find one thing led to another? in a way, yes. the bf and cosleeping especially, it's so much easier!

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mothers doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? for cloth, not incredibly, because i didn't know anyone else who cloth nappied, for bf i was already determined and the women in the aba helped reinforce that but co sleeping yes as a visiting friend (who bf and cloth nappied) showed me how she did it, which gave me the confidence to, but it all happened sort of together

Do you BF/Formula? Breastfeed
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? 3.5 months and still going
Use Disposables or Cloth? Disposables
Co-Sleep? DS sleeps in his bassinet right next to my side of the bed
Baby Led Solids? Not quite there yet

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? I haven't yet - but I hope to with the next bub

What did you start doing first? Well, b/f since I don't use cloth, and don't co-sleep

Did you find one thing led to another? With b/f it was so much easier having DS in our room with us. I like that I can hear him sleep, and hear him if he stirs and wakes for a feed before he gets to crying.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mothers doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? Haven't had a great deal to do with other mums IRL, so hard to say
__________________

Do you BF/Formula? Breastfeed
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? No plan to wean yet, still feeding at 18 months. Will most likely wait until he self weans, whenever that is.
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth. Use eco-disposables on rare occasions (eg: the occasional really bad nappy rash, travelling).
Co-Sleep? Nope. It sounded great in theory, and I would have liked to have co-slept (more so than my partner), but no-one gets any sleep around here with Mr Kicky & Rolly in the bed. His cot was in our room for the first month and a half, then in his own room since then. He is still cuddled, rocked or fed to sleep though, and is still worn daily.
Baby Led Solids? No. Not in the strict sense of the word. Although if he doesn't want to eat something, he is not shy about letting us know.

Also......

Why did you start using cloth? Primarily environmental reasons

What did you start doing first? Breastfed and cloth bummed from birth. Worn from a few days after birth.

Did you find one thing led to another? Not as such, I had always intended to use cloth, and planned to breastfeed if possible, and to babywear, so it was more a confluence of ideas than one thing informing the other.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? Not as such, although my knowledge of cloth nappying and babywearing has increased vastly through both my own experience, and through learning from other people's experiences.

Do you BF/Formula? Exclusively BF
If BF, how long for (or self wean?)? Hoping for at least 12 months
Use Disposables or Cloth? Cloth mostly and sposies when out & about but I dont like them too much really and might try full time cloth once I have a full time stash
Co-Sleep? Sometimes, mostly in morning so I can have a sleep in!!
Baby Led Solids? Will have to see...

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth? Interested initially from an environmental and cost perspective

What did you start doing first? Breastfeeding

Did you find one thing led to another? No, but I def think there is a mind set that makes BF, cloth & co-sleeping go together. I dont know what I would describe it as, but perhaps a more relaxed / baby lead style of parenting?

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try? I dont know if inspired is the right word, but def found some great advice / suggestions on brands that helped along the way.

Do you BF/Formula?
BF...Charlotte wont even take a bottle of EBM lol

If BF, how long for (or self wean?)?
Sill going, 18 months so far...self weaning...read: we will see what happens and when mummy wants her boobs back!! lol

Use Disposables or Cloth?
Full time cloth

Co-Sleep?
co-slept for first 5 months, only now when she is sick and after 6am for morning cuddles and feed :)

Baby Led Solids?
Yes - we did purees as well - she used a spoon from 7 months, fork from 9 months and has been feeding herself regardless of texture since 7 months

Also......

Why Did you start using cloth?
So many reasons!!
Nutshell - cleaner, safer, cheaper, prettier, environmental factors....why use plastic crap when I can use gorgeous renewable bamboo?

What did you start doing first?
all at once from birth as planned

Did you find one thing led to another?
BF made the co-sleeping thing more of a given I think.

Did you find that by doing one you spoke to other mother doing the others and were encouraged/inspired to try?
I was reassured that I wasnt some 'weird' hippy as I was constantly told!! And I found that the women around me who DIDN'T BF/C-S/MCN suddenly felt the need to defend their own choices to me...lol