Archive for October, 2008

Babywearing in Ecuador

I lived about 24 years in Ecuador before giving birth to my boy as a foreign student in Japan. I mean 24 years of almost daily contact with casual Babywearing images and I knew nothing about Babywearing.

I’d even been to the jungle and other traditional communities in the highlands, had studied Kuichua for 9 months (when it wasn’t popular to do so) and loved to make friends with indians and rural people. How comes I didn’t notice my country had lots to teach me on Babywearing?

Sure I know the answer: At the time I was not thinking as a mom.

So there I was in Japan, with a newborn baby in my arms, willing to wear him in any sort of baby sling and trying to remember what I’d sought for 24 years. That was frustrating but I was decided to make things work and started looking for information on the Internet.

I started researching about breastfeeding and quickly discovered lots of information (mostly in English) about what I was looking for. There even was an English word for this practice, which helped my status grow from old fashioned traditional mom to modern and informed woman

I was hooked to Babywearing from the moment I learnt the word (pretty much as with “homeschooling”). It was so amazing there were tons of information on how to wear your baby, the benefits, scientific research and lots of vendors offering different sorts of slings from a wide variety of qualities and prices.

I quickly decided to buy a sling and then another (and then another…). They all were so useful since I was having a busy life and was taking my baby with me everywhere.

I surprised myself with my short learning curve because I used to feel so afraid of holding babies , but this time I was becoming an confident babywearer so fast.

This is how I got to know this nurturing practice. The internet and a couple of DVDs were my teachers. I’d have chosen to have in person instructors but didn’t have the chance. However, I believe that the 24 years experience of daily exposure to natural babywearers were crucial on my decision to carry my baby.

An you, how did you fall in love with Babywearing?

This week in my internet radio show (in Spanish) I interviewed Alma Gordillo from Babywearing International, about the Babywearing Week they’re planning for 12th - 18th November.

Although this is the first year they organize this event, there are already plenty of groups and organizations worldwide planning to participate with various activities. I’m still not sure how to take part on the Babywearing Week and surely want to plan at least a get together with other babywearers in Quito.

I pointed to her that continue

If you haven’t already found this great breastfeeding resource, this is your chance to grab The Happy Breastfeeder ebook. It is written by my friend Carriel Lauth, a mom of four, with 10 years of breasfeeding experience!

Carrie is not only experienced and advocated, but she also has spent 6 years as an accredited breasfeeding counselor.

You will notice that the e-book set up the goal for keeping nursing for a year, but I can assure you that breastfeeding can usually last for as long as mother and baby want. I myself keep nursing my almost four and still enjoy the few times he asks for “leche”

This ebook will help you overcome the most common breastfeeding problems mothers face during the first months with their babies, and it will keep being a good reference for as long as your child nurses.

The mom-to-mom approach is so important in breastfeeding issues, and Carrie has made sure you get enough encouragement from her and other moms thru their nursing stories.

Want it now? No excuses! Carrie wanted to make sure every mom can afford her 89-pages ebook, so she’s giving it away selling it for only $US1.

I do think that moms need and deserve our 8 hours of sleep. I don’t want to go on explanations and excuses about why we moms deserve such a privilege because I think everyone should have good rest from work and daily activities, and we moms are a group with higher needs of rest.

Do you think a good sleep is something you deserve as a mom? Are you getting your daily and well deserved 8 hours of sleep?
What do you do about that?
Me?…off to sleep…zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This month I’ve offered my readers at the Spanish blog a cute price for a randon commenter of the blog. So to be fair with my two children I’m gonna offer the same price for one random person among those who comment during October.

The prize? A set of 5 cute knitted finger puppets shipped anywhere in the globe.

Those are very popular at home, and believe me, you’re going to enjoy playing with them as much as your kids (who, me?).

Note: the available animals might not be the ones in the picture.

My almost 4 yo was sick last week and I wore him *inside the house* after a long time. I’ve probably stopped wearing him at home after he turned 2 or even younger. Just don’t remember, but last week I offered him a ride on my back and he was so happy that his sick-boy-face turned into a bright-healthy-child smile
I should’ve taken a picture of him on my back. He didn’t have the look of not having eaten for a couple of days.

It was so fun for me as well and I got to do some housekeeping.
Until what age have you worn your kids *inside* the house?

In the picture I’m wearing my cousin’s son when he was 5. You see I’m pettite

Now it’s a once in a while pleasure, but we still love babywearing!

Blogging about respectful parenting in English? It sounds like fun but also scary for a non English native, but I’ve decided to go for the challenge.

I’ve waited a long time to start blogging in English and gave it so much thought, but I’ve decided that if I don’t start blogging I’ll never start blogging

You know, blogging doesn’t have to be formal or perfect, so I’m starting to feel confident here and excited I’ll be able to share some resources and thoughts to my English - speaking - natural parenting gals.

As you can see, I’ve not finished moving Familia Libre to the new Word Press site, so you might find some links taking you to the old site. Be confident that I’m working so things are better and esier for my visitors.

So please show up and leave your comments, thoughts or just say hi once in a while.

Monica Salazar

PD1. If you read Spanish please visit the Spanish Blog. These two blogs have different content, but with the same respectful parenting orientation.

PD2. See the form on the top, next to the banner? Yes, you’re welcome to suscribe to my English mailing list