When we choose a natural parenting lifestyle, generally (and I say this as a generalization!) we don’t spend our money on the “latest” baby gadgets.
I for example do not own:
- A swing
- A sleep positioner
- A bottle
- A sterilizer
- A weaning spoon
Amongst other things… I do own:
- Several slings
- Lots of hand knitted things
- Baby leg warmers
- Cloth diapers galore
- Lots of tie dyed second hand clothes
- And little hand made moccasins
I tend to blow my personal budget on cloth diapers that I think are cute, and gorgeous hand made or up-cycled clothes. I’m also very much a “book” mom, and love reading to my children, so we have a pretty impressive library. At one point I even signed on to be a direct sales consultant in a book company, just to get the free children’s story books!
I find it amazing the amount of money that pram and stroller companies get away with charging for the rolls royce style prams. I’ve got a couple of basic strollers, because sometimes the sling just doesn’t work for the two boys and I – but particularly when they were babies, I much preferred to wear my bubs.
I have friends who swear by using their prams to rock their babies off to sleep in, which is fine – I just found that once I had more than one baby, I simply didn’t have the time to stand rocking a pram, while attending to the needs of my older boy. A baby sling, in my book was a godsend!
I’ll also never understand the plethora of noisy supposedly educational or soothing plastic toys available for babies. I know of several moms who have a baby swing that vibrates, makes heart beat sounds, and is perfect for rocking a baby to sleep in. When the baby is awake, it’s fully equipped with colorful noise making toys to dangle in front of the baby to entertain him.
Now, as an actively practising attachment parent, these devices do worry me. I understand some moms needs to get 5 minutes or so to get things done – but a sling is wonderful for this too, and the baby isn’t left alone.
I will admit, I do own a bouncinette, one of those rockers that babies can be sat semi-reclining in. And this was wonderful for us when our family was eating dinner, as we’d sit our youngest in the bouncinette, and pop him up at the table with us – he could see us, and we could see him, and eat our meal together.
I’m pregnant with my third baby now, and haven’t got so far as to think about buying a crib, or a cot, or a stroller. I figure, I’ve got everything I “need” right on me (Two breasts, which function beautifully thank you!) and anything else is a bonus.
We co-sleep, so bedding isn’t an issue. I have two previous wardrobes full of gender neutral clothes, so that isn’t an issue, and I have a loving family and support community around me.
So, when this baby arrives, considering I’ve got most of what I want and all of what I need – I’m going to need to work really hard to find a way to spend my mommy money!! (More cloth diapers I think 
)
Photo by: easylocum
