PARENTING
HOT TOPICS
Becoming a parent is a hugely exciting
time, but it can also be scary not knowing
what to do for the best. Six mothers share
their opinions on three of the most widely
debated topics.
Sleep Training
TABITHA SAYS YES
GABBY SAYS NO
Your baby was growing inside of you, hearing your heart beat,
feeling the warmth and safety of your body for 9/10 months,
once they’re born their needs and desire for this don’t just
disappear. Responding to them at any time of day is important
for the development of a happy, secure child, it doesn’t make them
manipulative or spoilt.
Babies don’t learn to sleep by being left to cry, they learn that
nobody is going to answer their cries so they stop trying. When
training methods recommend putting in headphones/turning the
TV up so you can’t hear your child’s cries, it should immediately
tell you that something isn’t right.
Sleep is developmental for babies and like other milestones, is
reached at diff erent times for diff erent children. Some are ready at
6 weeks, others may still not be ready at 18 months.
Breast or Formula
SUMMER SAYS BREAST
I can’t imagine motherhood without breastfeeding. I breastfed
my daughter from birth until she was fi ve, when she self weaned.
It was the natural thing to do and suited us. I fed throughout my
second pregnancy then tandem fed for two years. It was bliss. My
son is almost 3, still feeding alongside a healthy diet.
We’ve always been happy to feed in public, I hope one day it's
accepted more and other mothers don’t have to deal with negative
attitudes.
It’s the perfect way for us to re-connect and unwind at the end
of the day. Breast is best. Breast milk adapts to each baby/ child
feeding, I love knowing that I’ve helped prevent or overcome
sickness whilst they’ve developed a stronger immune system.
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Vaccinations
SARAH SAYS YES
Vaccines are very safe, and the threat of diseases is very real. I
don't know anybody who has had a reaction to vaccines nor do
I know anybody who has had any of the diseases they have been
protected from. A child who is not vaccinated is automatically more
susceptible to dangerous and deadly diseases. Imagine a child who
hasn't been vaccinated catching a deadly disease that could have
been prevented? For me the decision to vaccinate was an easy one.
JESS SAYS NO
I chose not to vaccinate my children. I wasn't vaccinated and neither
was my mother or grandmother and we are all healthy and happy
with strong immune systems. I believe vaccines can cause some of
the diseases they are supposed to protect us from so for me it wasn't
worth the risk. We eat a diet high in organic food and practice basic
hygiene which I think has helped keep us healthy and strong.
GEMMA SAYS FORMULA
I am not anti-breast, I am just pro formula. I tried so hard to
breastfeed my son and fi rst daughter but my milk never came in.
I tried to rely on lactation consultants but nothing helped. I felt
so defeated and went to formula. With my second daughter, I
didn't even attempt to breastfeed - I felt awful that I didn't even
try but I soon realised that fed is defi nitely best.
I am much more relaxed in knowing that my children have
been fed well and I'm no longer stressing about not being able to
breastfeed. I can also keep an eye on exactly how much they are
eating which is reassuring for myself and my husband. Formula
feeding also means my husband can feed the children which gives
them their own bonding time too.
My children are all happy, healthy and thriving so I would
defi nitely recommend formula feeding if that’s what works best
for other families.
Teaching your child to self-soothe and sleep independently is a
valuable life skill that benefi ts both baby and you. It doesn’t have to
mean using the Cry-It-Out method in order to achieve the desired
goal either. We used the Gina Ford method when our daughter
was 4 and a half months and it has worked wonders. She has been
sleeping through from 7pm-6.30/7am almost every night and is
happier for it since she’s more well-rested, further benefi ting her
physical and mental development. On less than a handful of
occasions she has woken crying in the night when she has been
poorly which assures us that she will let us know when she needs
us and not just because she has woken in the night and needs help
to fall asleep again.
We believe the secret to success is to use this method when your
baby is on formula so that you can measure out required ounces
to ensure your baby is getting enough milk and not going hungry.