Birth Decisions - this post might be upsetting

I have to share this video. If you don't want to watch something about male infant circumcision, don't click the link.


But if you are willing to consider the point of view that the surgery is harmful and wrong, you will find this lecture interesting.

youtube video "The Elephant in the Hospital"

I cannot understand why people are totally outraged at the idea of female genital mutilation, but completely numb to the common practice in this country of male genital mutilation.

One of the most thought provoking things about this to me is that the clinical and detached person performing the surgery in the short clip included in the lecture, is likely the same person who decided whether or not that baby's mother (and many other women), required an episiotomy, stitches, or a c-section during her birth process. When I watch that clip, I do not think, "Boy, that's the guy I want making decisions about my genitals!"

Infant - first 8 weeks!

During my pregnancy, I kept trying to remember what I actually needed for a new baby.  I thought I would take a moment and summarize what I have actually used during these first 8 weeks with little George.



1) A place to sleep:

We have the fisher-price snuggabunny sleeper next to our bed.  When George was brand new, we could set him down in this sleeper, all swaddled, and he stayed asleep.  I imagine he hardly noticed having been put down.  Also, it rocks, so after nursing at night I can rock him back to sleep easily.

2) A baby carrier:

I have a mei-tai style carrier, and have a hand-me down Moby wrap - both are great.  But, my all-time favorite is the new native carrier.  It it small when folded so easy to take along.  Also, it is so simple to put on - I can do it standing in a parking lot when we run into a store. I have used it with all four of my children and still love it.

3) Burp management:

I ended up supplementing feeding with some formula.  I think that has made burp (spit-up) management even more important!  First, I use simethicone drops.  If I forget for a day, I notice a marked increase in spit-up and discomfort. I also have been loving these adorable burp cloths, by aden and anais.  Since there is constantly one on my shoulder, I'm glad they are cute!

4) A snap-n-go:

Its obvious, right?  It carries the car seat so you don't have to wake a sleeping baby.

5) A play-mat:

By 4 or 5 weeks, a happy alert baby enjoys this!  It is a great 'activity' between feeding, diapering, and sleeping.

6) A theory:

I'm pretty sure if I met the authors of this book, On Becoming Babywise, we would not be friends.  I have a sneaking suspicion we don't agree about politics (I'm super liberal and I get the sense they are...um...not). However, this book underlies my understanding of how to manage a baby's schedule.  Seriously, it works.  Eat, awake, sleep. It seems simple and it really makes for a happier baby.

7) An infant scale:

For a nursing mother, knowing whether or not your baby is gaining weight can be the difference a sense of success, or a constant worry.  I rented an infant scale and it gave me the info I needed to stop worrying.

8) Noise Machines:

At night, we use the Marpac sound machine in our room.  That way, every little noise doesn't disturb George.  During the day, if George is snoozing in a noisy room, I use the sleep sheep.  It seems to enable him to sleep amid the bustle!

I'll keep adding to the list as I think of things!