10 Reasons to Breastfeed

1. Breast milk is the most complete nutrition for a human infant
2. Breastfeeding promotes bonding and healthy brain development, more so than any other form of feeding
3. Research has shown that breastfeeding for at least two years reduces your risk for breast cancer by up to 50%
4. Breastfeeding reduces chances of infections and colds by passing the mother’s antibodies and immunities to the baby
5. Breast milk is always available and at the perfect temperature
6. Average cost to formula feed for the first year of life = $1,260
   Average cost to breastfeed for the first year of life = FREE
7. Breastfeeding increases the mother’s metabolism, allowing you to lose baby weight quicker
8. Breastfeeding helps your uterus to shrink back down to size quicker as well as shorten postpartum bleeding time
9. Breastfeeding helps raise the baby’s IQ
10. Research has shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risks of childhood obesity

 

10 Reasons to Cloth Diaper

1. Babies who wear cloth diapers have fewer issues with irritated bums and rashes
2. Better for the environment
3. Average cost to use disposable diapers over 30 months = $1,551
   Average cost to cloth diaper using a premium diapering system over 30 months = $610
4. Cotton diapers are gel and chemical free
5. Less chance of your baby developing a chemical intolerance/allergy
6. These are not your Grandma’s cloth diapers! Cloth diapers come in an unlimited number of colors and styles to match your lifestyle
7. Cotton diapers are breathable, while plastic disposable diapers are not, which means more comfort for your baby
8. Less chance of product contamination and recalls
9. Convenience of always having diapers available and never running out
10. Cloth diapered babies are, on average, quicker and easier to potty train

 

10 Reasons to Wear your Baby

1. Free your arms and hands and relieve your hardworking back, shoulders, neck, and wrists.
2. Keep little hands away from delicate displays or public restroom walls, and give little feet a rest or keep them from taking your child in undesirable or unsafe directions.
3. Easily share jokes with an older child or keep tabs on an infant, naturally including children in your interactions from a comforting place — heart-to-heart with you.
4. Maintain an open airway for baby with proper positioning, unlike in a carseat, swing, stroller, or bouncer can restrict the flow of oxygen to the brain.
5. Savor eau de tiny-sweaty-baby-head, fuzzy-head kiss-therapy, and chubby-cheek-noms at your convenience.
6. Navigate unpaved, crowded, or places deftly, with no bulky equipment to tote if your child decides not to ride.
7. Slings can be double as changing pads, pillows, picnic blankets, teethers, and magical hammocks, costumes, roads, rivers, and more. And they wash up easily.
8. Allow a much-needed nap to happen anytime, anywhere.
9. Connect with local and international families who enjoy it and become a part of the pan-cultural tradition of babywearing.
10. It doesn’t matter if you carry kiddos on your front, back, or hip; a few minutes every now and then, or every day for a few hours — once you’ve done it, you understand how satisfying it can be to connect with your children by giving them a ride.

 

10 Topics to Discuss with your Pediatrician

1. Antibiotics/use of medications for common ailments
2. Alternative or holistic health options
3. Breastfeeding/extended breastfeeding and weaning
4. Circumcision
5. Co-sleeping
6. Routine testing and well-child visits
7. Getting baby to sleep
8. Nutrition/introduction of food
9. Vaccinations
10. Routine procedures to baby immediately after birth such as eye ointment, Hepatitis B and vitamin K