Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Lesson 8: Wearing Diapers
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Wearing diapers in public
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Diaper wearing man sentenced to three years in prison
Thursday, 24 March 2011
The World Changed When Men Stopped Wearing Hats
My Grandfather always wore a fedora whenever he and I would walk down the streets of Greenpoint Brooklyn in the late 1950's and early 1960's. I would watch old movies on TV and noticed that all men wore suits and ties and hats even to the ball game. What happened to change that piece of male haberdashery to be banished?
If memory serves, the hat disappeared when Kennedy became president. As I look back on it he seemed to set the fashion statement that men would be capless and hatless and the fedora would be back in the hatbox it came in never to be seen again.
Lately we have seen some reemergence of the porkpie with some of Hollywood's elite and some of the more outstanding male black athletes sporting very smart fedoras.
I know you might be thinking that we do wear hats, baseball hats but that goes only for informal wear not as business attire or a date with the woman in our lives. And to be frank I am just too old to wear a hat on backwards, askew or making my ear the front of my face.
I think that men became emasculated when they stopped wearing hats. We lost some of our masculinity as the battle of the sexes heated up and man acquiesced to the women's liberation movement. Men have to reclaim some of the territory they gave up with not so much as a left jab in the air.
Why did men stop wearing hats? Was it really about a fashion choice? If it were like women's fashions wouldn't wearing a hat make a comeback? The bustle never did but a hat? It must have more meaning than just a bygone piece of attire.
After all a hat keeps us warm and I don't know about you but I feel so much more toasty when my baldpate is covered from the elements. We go from indoors to the seat of our car and its just a few moments and maybe we really feel we don't need a hat. Despite that I think wearing a hat can make a comeback and it makes us distinctively male. I even think the significant other in our lives might like it and it sets off our face rather well too.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Monday, 1 November 2010
Babywearing - The Art of Wearing Your Baby in a Sling Or Carrier
I was once asked what parenting tool I found most valuable. My answer is babywearing. I find babywearing to be the most valuable tool for parenting because of all the abundant benefits to parent and baby and because of the lifestyle you find yourself in when you embrace wearing your baby.
It is so interesting to me when people ask about this new or alternative parenting style. Parents have been wearing their babies for centuries. Strollers are the new, alternative invention. Women all over the world wear their babies every day, as did their mothers and grandmothers. Wearing your baby provides a feeling of completeness. You know I love following your innate wisdom as a mother and do you not feel that sense of completeness when baby is pressed against your chest? Carrying or babywearing meets a baby's needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement (all of which encourage neurological development) while on the go.
What is it?
In response to me telling a therapist friend that I practice babywearing, she replied, "What is that? You wear a scarf made out of babies? That is really messed up Rachel." Of course, she was joking. But the truth was that even this intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning, helper of families was so unfamiliar with the concept that I may as well have been talking about wearing scarves made out of babies. To wear your baby means to carry her, to hold her on your body. It's really that simple. To get all these amazing benefits, all you have to do is hold your baby. With the addition of a sling or carrier to the equation, babywearing not only makes all the all tenants of attachment parenting easier but life in general! Make the sling part of your daily wardrobe, pop baby in, and live your life. Voila- babywearing.
Why?
Babywearing gives mom freedom! So many parents out there think they have to choose: sit cozy in a chair and rock your baby on your chest and breastfeed or strap baby to a chair venture out into the world- but what if baby wants to nurse? What if he gets cold? What if he demands to be held and then how will you push the stroller and open doors? Babywearing gives you the freedom to have it all! Baby is snuggled close, safe and cozy, rhythmically moving, can breastfeed anytime with privacy all while mom has 2 free hands, complete mobility, and gets to be connected to the outside world! You are less dependent on things like car seat carriers, cribs, and swings. The entire world becomes a safe haven for baby- you are home, not house is home. Really think about that. You can do anything and go anywhere if you are home to baby. You are now free to go out! Home is where mother is, no reason mother has to be stuck at home. Babies in slings are quiet and content so they are society-friendly. Bring them out to dinner, take baby to that office party, you are now set up to live a truly family-integrated lifestyle. Even traveling need not be feared (unfamiliar sights and sounds are not frightening, easier transitions, close by (no wandering)).
Have a baby who cries (rhetorical question- all babies cry sometimes). Then babywearing is your savior because it calms baby. One study found that compared to a control group of babies whose parents were not given a free sling and encouraged to babywear, they cried 43% less! Also, in cross cultural studies of other cultures where babies are worn all the time, long periods of crying are unheard of. One of the culprits for crying is disorganization (of the nervous system). Infant Massage helps regulate this and so does babywearing. It promotes organization by teaching babies how to be content, in large part because it mimics the womb (swaddling, heartbeat, temp regulation, nutrition right there, rythmic motion, booming voice, not alone). Fans of The Happiest Baby on the Block program should love babywearing. If getting baby down for bedtime is a challenge in your home, try "wearing down". Just wear baby, live your life, he will fall asleep, remove yourself from the sling and place him in bed.
Babywearing promotes learning in all aspects of development. Babies learn about the world from the carrier. They see what mom sees, hear what dad hears, and experience mom and dad's reaction to the stimuli. Babywearing enhances speech development. Worn babies are right at mouth and eye level. They are right there, involved in all your conversations. Before you know it, they are even including themselves.
Babywearing makes you a better and more successful parent. One example is improved attentiveness. In one study moms were given a sling or infant seat. Carrying moms were more attentive at postpartum and 13 months and infants were more securely attached. Another example is improved breastfeeding success. Wearing your baby in a sling makes breastfeeding easier, makes discreet nursing easier, satisfies the frequent nurser, organizes problem suckers (gets them in the right position and relaxed), and helps the slow-to-gain-weight baby. Babywearing makes home management easier. You can get all your household stuff done even though sometimes baby is just not happy anywhere but in the arms of mom or dad. Put baby in the carrier and wash the dishes, fold the laundry, vacuum the floors (babies are especially soothed by this one- try it!). Trying to be a great mom to baby and an older sibling? Babywearing gives you the freedom to give your hands and attention to big sister. Another great example is work and wear: work while mothering. These two things do not need to be mutually exclusive. You can contribute to the world in positive and meaningful ways while being a devoted parent. One of the most important benefits for some mothers is that babywearing helps overcome Postpartum Depression (PPD).
Research supports the benefits of babywearing. Like with infant massage, the power of nurturing touch involved in babywearing tunes you in to your little one and results in reduced crying, improved breastfeeding rates, improved sleep, better attachment and improved parental responsiveness. Evidence-based benefits for full term babies include improved state organization and motor system modulation; improved temperature regulation; and an analgesic effect, reduced crying, improved maternal responsiveness, and babies who were more securely attached. Preterm babies especially have been shown to receive marked benefits from babywearing including shortened hospital stay, decreased illness, higher exclusive breastfeeding rates/longer breastfeeding duration, increased weight gain, improved temperature regulation, and improved maternal sense of competence.
How?
Try, try, try again. Like breastfeeding, babywearing takes some work at the beginning to get the hang of it. If I had a nickel for every time I was stopped while wearing my baby out in the world and told, "Wow, that looks amazing. I wish I could have that. I was given a Baby Bjorn for my shower but it hurt my back." or "Wow, that looks amazing. I wish I could have that but my baby didn't like it. I think her legs were uncomfortable." (or something to these extents). I had to try many styles, types, and brands before I found the perfect carriers for me and my babies. And it took practice to get the hang of using each one. But once you make it over the hump, there is bliss on the other side. Don't be intimidated and don't quit! Get recommendations from other like-minded parents. This is important- other like-minded parents. You may have a lot of friends who you like and have a lot of history with who occasionally use a Baby Bjorn and tell you to get one but look for role models around you. If you see a mom loading groceries in her cart while reading a list with her older son and as you get closer notice she is even breastfeeding too- ask her about her sling! I am frequently asked about my tools for babywearing. I take it as a compliment each and every time. Go shopping! Every store that sells slings has models to try on. Stores like the Pomerado Woman's Boutique and Babies in Bloom have people there to give you all the help you need. My favorite carriers are Baby K'tan for newborns and Ergo Baby as he gets heavier and needs more support. There are many other types (ring sling, mei tai, structured carrier, moby wrap, etc.) and brands. And for each type of carrier there are numerous position options for baby.
Quote:
Babywearing is extremely beneficial to getting breastfeeding off to a good start. When babies are worn, either skin-to-skin or in a baby wrap/carrier, they cry less, are more neurologically centered, and feel less stress. Skin-to-skin and babywearing in the first month after childbirth has been proven to help bring in a mother's milk more quickly and help develop a sustained milk supply. As a breastfeeding mom, it is easier to sense when your baby is hungry because you will notice all of the 'hunger signs' (smacking lips, hands to mouth, rooting) before it accelerates to the last sign (crying!) Also, it is very easy to master breastfeeding while babywearing, which allows the mom more freedom to go about her day without worrying about breastfeeding in public or scheduling her day around when her baby might be ready to eat. For more information about the benefits of breastfeeding and babywearing, check out the web site about Kangaroo Mother Care (www.kangaroomothercare.com ).
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Baby Wearing and Organic Baby Carriers
Baby Wearing is a method of carrying or 'wearing' your baby in a piece of fabric that can be wrapped around your baby and yourself, slung across a shoulder in a fabric Sling or Rebozo, secured in a traditional Asian style carrier such as a Mei Tai, worn on your body in a Backpack or Framed style carrier, or held in one of the most popular style of carriers today - a Soft-Structured carrier such as an Ergo or Beco baby carrier. Holding, carrying and wearing your baby is not a new invention or trend. Long before the use of baby carriages, prams, strollers or push chairs became the norm, women have worn their babies to keep them warm, facilitate nursing, help regulate breathing and heart beat patterns, keep babies safe from predators and danger, and to allow mothers to go about their daily activities or work, all while keeping their precious baby close at hand.
Recent studies suggest that babies who are carried not only cry less, but also learn more than non-carried babies as they spend less time crying to communicate their needs, and more time observing what their mothers and other people in their community are doing. If you wear your baby on your front, side, hip or back, your baby is essentially at the same level as you are, and is able to observe everything you do from the same vantage point. A good baby carrier not only frees up your hands to shop, cook, clean, talk on the phone or attend to a toddler or sibling, but a Sling, Wrap, or Carrier worn correctly will support your baby without causing any discomfort to the parent, caretaker or person wearing your baby. Wearing your baby in a Sling or Carrier also promotes communication between your baby and yourself. Parents of worn babies become very aware of their children's gestures, movements and facial expressions which lead to positive interaction and communication between you and your child.
A sling or baby carrier can even act as a transitional womb during those early months when a baby needs his or her mother nearly 24/7. If your baby suffers from colic or you have a baby that has a difficult time sleeping, or startles easily, a baby carrier may be just what the doctor ordered - or didn't order but should have. For breastfeeding moms, a sling can provide a discreet nursing environment where your baby can nurse without distractions, and then simply fall asleep against your chest. Perhaps the most import item on a new mom or dad's checklist, a wrap, sling or carrier for your baby can be used from birth all the way through the toddler years. You will find it indispensable in airports, restaurants & in busy cities where pushing a stroller becomes nothing but a hassle, and in keeping strangers' curious hands away from your newborn. As parents of a toddler and and infant, our baby carriers are the best baby 'gear' investment we have made to date, and we do not own a single stroller. To top it all off, wearing your baby in a carrier on your body is great weight-bearing exercise and can help mom AND dad lose the extra baby weight.
Friday, 17 September 2010
How to Enhance Natural Beauty Without Wearing Make Up
For most women, wearing make up has become as normal as wearing clothes. Recently, women are starting look to other ways of displaying their natural beauty. Because women often cover up their natural beauty, it can seem like difficult trying to tap into methods of enhancing beauty naturally without relying on make up.
The following methods outline all natural beauty enhancements that will make a woman look and feel good:
Eat a Healthy and Well Balanced Diet: Nutritious foods not only make you feel good, but also makes you look good. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will improve your skin's appearance. You will return to a natural shiny and conditions such as acne will clear up. Your skin will feel smooth and soft. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will help flush out toxins and replenish your skin's elasticity.
Get Plenty of Exercise: Not only will exercise improve physical health and mood, it will also add a shiny glow to your face. Your self esteem will be boosted and your natural beauty will shine through.
Reduce Stress: Unfortunately, our busy lifestyles create a lot of stress. This can take a toll on our health and skin. Engage in activities that reduce stress. This can include: walking, jogging, yoga, getting a massage...etc. Not only will it reduce stress, but it can help reduce the signs of aging.
Skin Cleansers: Cleaning your face with natural cleansers will help remove dirt, bacteria, and dirt. It will also help restore your skin's natural healthy condition. Using an exfoliater will also clean out dirt, bacteria, and debris
Skin Moisturizers: Moisturizing your skin with an organic moisturizer will help rejuvenate your skin leaving it smooth and soft. You will look younger and healthier. It will also help clear up dry and flaky skin revealing a much healthier shine. A tinted moisturizer will provide a natural look.
Facial Cleansing Mask: Use a deep cleansing facial mask once a week. These masks will penetrate deep into the pores to remove dirt, bacteria, and other impurities. Use a clay mask for oily skin and a gel mask for dry skin. Cleansing masks help the skin achieve a healthy glow.
Sleep: Getting a full night's sleep will help restore the skin and eliminate any puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.
Talcum Powder: Apply just a small amount of Talcum powder on your face. This will help bring out the natural beauty and make sure that oily skin does not accumulate
Lip Care: Wash your lips to remove any dead skin. Butter or an organic lip moisturizer will keep your lips smooth and soft.
Eyebrows and Eyelashes: Shape and curl eyelashes and eyebrows to a give a natural groomed appearance.
New Haircut: Getting a cute new haircut will help add some spice to your look. Look in hair magazines or talk to your hairstylist.
New Wardrobe: Go on a mini shopping spree and add some flash to your traditional clothes.
Make up enhances beauty, but natural beauty is a priceless gift. A woman can look beautiful even without make up. There are such a wide range of things women can do to bring out their natural beauty without using make up. Once you bring out your natural beauty, you may be pleasantly surprised to see your inner beauty shine through.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Women Wearing Wedding Diapers?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5P_ra_mASc&hl=en