It's Judgement Day

I made a comment about another mum, which caused a bit of a stir, and made me think. It's natural to judge - those who say they don't, probably don't realise they're doing it. We try not to - and it's not about thinking we are better but we all have our own views on what's right or wrong. What I feel is right for my baby might be completely wrong for another. Somebody who prefers attachment-style parenting (baby-wearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, cuddle-it-out, baby-led weaning) may think that a mother who formula feeds, traditional weans, cot-sleeps and lets baby cry it out is cruel, and this mother may think the attachment mommy is spoiling their baby, but we all have our own way of doing things, and if it isn't hurting baby then why not?

My baby sleeps in his own room, he sleeps better without his daddy's snoring and mummy's fidgeting waking him up. I'm a smoker so I don't co-sleep as I don't want to breathe my faggy breath all over him but I do wake up the minute he cries. Some parent's might not think it appropriate but I do.

I don't baby-wear as I have problems with my joints and the extra weight hurts my pelvis, but he's almost always with me, and I try to stay where he can see me.

I tried breastfeeding but he is now much happier on formula. He had three months of breastfeeding and he still has one breastfeed at night time but his reflus has improved since being on SMA Staydown. I'm gutted I can't feed him anymore, as I loved it.

When it comes to crying, if I know he's well fed, burped, not got a dirty nappy, at the right temperature - I'll let him whinge for a while. I'll pick him up if he cries properly and give him a cuddle but if he's crying because he's tired, he will settle himself.

I was advised to start traditional weaning at 17 weeks by my GP. I'm unsure about this, I'm going to follow baby's lead. If his weight is fine and he's reflux settles, I'll wait a little longer. He already takes 7oz bottles for hourly, if his milk intake is huge by then, I might try weaning, but if he's happy, I'll leave him until he needs more.

I don't think any of this makes me a better or worse mother than anybody else. I know what's best for my child but it might not be the same for somebody else's baby. He's happy, healthy and thriving, and most importantly, loved by his parents.

Thinking twice before judging other's parenting...
xxx