Civil Debate - 'Natural' vs 'Commercial'

Liz - posted on 03/20/2012

Personally I would love to be a "natural" mother who uses cloth diapers and makes my own baby food. I did make my own baby food for my first two, but since then I just don't have the freezer space or the time to make it. My first two were exclusively on table foods earlier than my next two, simply because I didn't want to make any more baby food!



I got turned off by cloth diapers when a friend of mine said that her entire house reeked because of the soiled diapers that piled up while waiting for enough to accumulate to make a load of laundry. Ew. Disposable diapers stink enough, thanks. After that, I never had the desire to learn more about them. I have heard as well that "onesie extenders" are necessary for cloth diapers (adding to the cost) since cloth diapers are bulkier than store bought ones and onesies won't snap over them. They sure do make adorable covers for them these days, though!



I have been thinking more and more about going (at least partially) organic. But with all the sneaky ways nutrition facts can be hidden by labels (no sugar doesn't necessarily mean there's no sugar, just that there's a small enough amount that they don't have to add it, etc.) I guess I just don't trust anyone, and therefore am hesitant to spend the extra dough on organic foods. I know I'm probably being ridiculous, but that's me!

Cyndi - posted on 03/20/2012

Hi! I am a fairly recent convert to organic. Started in about 2009 with some items and adding more as I go along in time. I sure wish I had done it sooner, mainly when I was pregnant with first baby who is now almost 3. I have read some articles about how important a fresh and healthy diet is during pregnancy and often childhood. Now I am having some issues with 1st child. Well, am trying now. I have 9 month old son and 2 years and 9 month old daughter. She is super picky eater. Am trying to correct the mistakes I made with Ms. Picky with my second baby, my son. I started giving him the organic baby food with protein or meat at 6 months. I am not able to purée myself yet, just not confident of it I guess, but am doing my best with store bought. I use store diapers. I think it's great for people to do cloth, but I just do not want to deal with the poo diapers again.

Corinne - posted on 03/10/2012

Im all for the organic and natural ways but I dont do them personally. I try my best to buy the freshest fruits and veggies at farmers markets and places that have good quality. Like Tracy stated, its not always the most productive use of my time though!



Id like to get into the puree thing more, mainly bc I have the cookbook by Jessica Simpson "Despectivly Delicious", where you hide pureed fruits and veggies in foods that kids love to eat. Being a picky eater myself, it would also benefit my intake!

Tracy - posted on 03/09/2012

I am a half-and-half person. I like the idea of cloth diapers, but did not use them for several reasons, the main one being the up-front costs. Beyond that there was the practical consideration of sitters. Not being a stay-at-home mom, I have to send my kids to a sitter, and around here it is very hard to find one who is willing to change cloth diapers. So it's Pampers for me :)



As for food, I am more of a natural person, though my youngest gets more bottled food then my older son did. Again, it's practical. After work, I now have two kids to play with, feed, bathe, read to, etc. If I add puréeing to that every day, something else has to give, and I'm not willing to give up quality time with my family to purée, even if it's only 10-15 minutes. I do buy only organic baby food, though.



But that's just me :)