What brought you to MDC?

[gottaknit]

Looking at our roll call, it looks like we have quite a variety of mamas: some having their first, some having their fourth (or more?); at least five different countries on two different continents; and all sorts of plans for birth.

SO how did you all find MDC, and what aspects of Natural Family Living appeal to you the most?

I'll go first. I discovered MDC when I was pregnant with my son in 2004. I was growing increasingly frustrated and disgusted with my DDC on a mainstream board (comments like "Breastfeeding a baby girl will turn her into a lesbian", "Uncircumcised penises are gross", and "I wouldn't have a root canal without painkillers, why would you give birth without them!?" being the norm), when someone whispered MDC in my ear and I never looked back!

I already had some strong feelings about how I wanted to birth and parent, but other things I was clueless about (such as vaccines). We/I currently CD, co-sleep, breastfeed, and have stopped vaccinating for the time being (after DS was paralyzed from the waist down for 24 hours following DTAP).

I like the idea of CLW, but at the same time, am really hoping he chooses to wean soon!

How about you?

[my_sweet_tears]

I'm not part of this ddc but
I found mdc while on a search about cloth diapers
being single I was trying to find ways around spending a ton
of money. I really like mdc now. I dont think I would like any
other board as much just because everyone seems
so kind and understanding here.

[mommy-X-2]

I found MDC through my sister who found it through her stepsons mom. Im not a full on AP person but there are lots of things I like and believe in. I breastfeed, co-sleep, and wear my baby. I still believe in Vac and Cir. And I have no problem admiting that I WILL have drugs when I give birth. The thing I like about MDC the most is that even though we all come from different backgound I can say things like that and not be judged, but can also get support when I need it.

[Aeress]

I came to mdc from a good friend who gave me a copy of mothering. I went online to get a subscription and found the online forum.

I love all of the information I have gained. I bought my first sling becuase of mdc. I love all of the different people I have met.

[hammycakes]

When I became pg with my first at 20 I didn't know anyone else with children. So I had no one to influence me. I breastfed, co-slept, CD, used a snugli ( didn't know about slings then) fought with dr's about how i wanted it done.. I don't know why since I didn't even know how anyone else did things, it just seemed the "right" way ( for me.) With my second some things slipped- like I only CD at home, used a pacifier, let her taste ice cream.. : so on. I am not totally AP- but I wanted a board that would let me be who I am instead of having to deal with all the mainstream thought processes and either hold my tongue or try to gently point things out.. MDC is on the whole a much better fit for me.

L

[mexicomommy]

Love MDC!!!

I can't remember exactly how I came to MDC but I do know that it was like a breath of fresh air, I had only been on some other boards (that I won't mention) but I really disliked their view of birth, babies, etc. I love the support and good advice found here.
As far as natural stuff we breastfeed till child weans, co-sleep, cloth diaper, natural birth, normally homebirth, no vac., natural meds, and there is probably more but can't think of them right now.
I am really happy to have a group of mama's who are interested in some of the same things I am!
Charlsie

[stacey2061]

well, i was part of a mainstream DDC club, and there were a couple crunchy-types who directed me here when it became clear i wasn't entirely mainstream...i'm not 100% AP, but i'm very far left of centre. i parent instinctively and have found that most of what i believe meshes over here. i love being able to discuss sleep and breastfeeding issues without it becoming a major debate.

[kerilynn]

another member directed me here after she raved about how much more crunchy this site is than others.

I admit I am only SEMI crunchy (extended BF'ing, slinging, co-sleeping, homemade baby food, no cows milk ~ I tried all kinds of cloth diapers but ended up with seventh generation disposables because 1.) he kept a diaper rash 2.) we didn't have a washer/dryer and I don't eat all organics, we watch TV, I will deliver in a hospital ~Navy insurance~) I don't vax or circ.

I feel much more progressive than most mainstream moms though

[Vicitoria]

When my son was 4 or 5 months old a friend gave me a subscription to Mothering. I found the forums and they were a breath of fresh air. We co-sleep and were trying to avoid cio etc... it was nice to find others doing the same.

[marlygf]

I really don't remember how I found this place. I got pregnant with my first in 2001 and i knew I didn't want a needle in my spine because I hate needles! I switched from an ob to a midwife at 20 weeks and delivered my first in a hospital. Water labor and squatting pushing in the bed. I just started researching to death and found an about.com forum. It was about 50/50 on mainstream/crunchiness. Then I found delphi and they had attachment parenting forums. then I think I just fell into here. I love that I'm not a weirdo here

I don't circ, we're working on vax, no drugs delivery, first in a hosp, second in a birth center. We try to eat healthy and I'm working on the homeopathics. no cio, work on gentle discipline, co-sleep when younger, and nurse until at least 2 (or so that's the plan) delayed solids, try to help the environment. I guess i'm a work in process. I'm going to look more into cd'ing. I've never had my own washer and dryer and was just not wanting to try before, but I'm hoping I can figure it out.

[MrsAngelic]

Migrated over here in 2005 from a mainstream board when I was pregnant with my third child. Couldn't take the comments either, or the ppl coming to the Natural Childbirth thread and posting hateful things just for entertainment. There were some ladies who directed me here and I loved it.

We breastfeed, make our own baby food, co-sleep, no vac, homeschool, buy organic (though I'm torn sometimes, kosher organic is hard to find here), CD mostly (though I do want to get a w/d because I'm sick of washing those by hand, mostly in the summer), and I hope to get a Master Herbalist certification when I can find the time and money. Oh yeah, my inlaws think we've gone off the deep end. My MIL is a pediatric nurse so you can imagine all the pro-vaccine articles I get in my inbox, and formula coupons in the mail, and gee wiz why antagonize the hospital staff with a birth plan? lol, well she means well.

[IfMamaAintHappy]

I found MDC off of someone at breastfeeding.com probably, about 5 years ago. I am not as NFL as many here, but my AP choices have certainly been influenced and encouraged by being here!

[DoomaYula]

My best friend in real life is on here and would constantly talk about MDC, how great it is, blah blah... at the time I was involved in a few mainstream boards but I just COULDN'T.STAND.IT.ANY.LONGER. The whole, "homebirth is dangerous, "I schedule all my c-s because I've heard that labor hurts," "breastfeeding past 1yo is weird," "why would you cloth diaper?!?!?!" "but if you don't vax your kids they'll get sick!" "but un'circed penises are UGLY," I could go on and on. Ya know? And honestly, I came to my beliefs about parenting and pregnancy just through asking WHY. I was pregnant with twin boys -- WHY do I have to have a scheduled c-s at 38w? WHY do I have to circ them? WHY do I have to vax them? WHY do I have to use 'sposies? WHY do I have to send them to school?

Anyway, even though I had a lot of online "friends" on the more mainstream boards, and I don't feel like I've made many "friends" on MDC, I still feel way more comfortable here!

[Liam's Mum]

I think some crunchier type moms on another board I frequent posted links to articles here, and I loved them and learned a lot. So I started lurking around the message boards and found I had lots more to learn I have come here more lately because of a couple things, got sick of reading posts on the other board from moms patting each other on the back for doing CIO, and was sure I'd find more info here about nursing while pregnant (and not have to read about it being "parents' choice" to circumcise their newborn DS's as I know I would in the other DDC...)

[mamablair]

I stumbled across MDC actually looking for moms to connect with after my DS had a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and I was scared out of my mind. So, somehow I found MDC and this whole new world opened up to me.

I've always been a lot crunchier than anyone I know around me, CD, BF, Homemade Baby food, Unmedicated Birth. Since I've joined MDC I need to pace myself with crunchiness, so much exciting things to learn about and I love that there is acceptance even if I'm not crunchy in every aspect. I did make a baby sling the other day for DC#2. I'm so excited to start baby wearing, and it turned out beautiful!

[Brisen]

I found MDC when I did a google for no shampoo or no-poo hair care. I happened to be pg with S at the time, so it was nice to find this board. I'm not really much crunchier now than I was when I found it -- was already planning a homebirth for S, my first birth was drug-free, I was already using cloth dipes and slings and co sleeping and not circing (though that's culturally the norm for where I am) and homeschooling and questioning vax and extended breastfeeding and learning about gentle discipline -- but it was so nice to find a place that was about all of those things & more.

[newmothermary]

I am here b.c I want to be the best mama I can be.
I myself was bf'd, cd'd and was worn as a baby.

My grandma carried me on her back in a mei tai way longer than she probably should.
She was still carrying me when I was old enough to have the most treasured memories of feeling incredibly safe and secured in the world.
I don't think I ever quite felt that way again.

I am Chinese from Hong Kong and my grandma was from China. The mei tai was crimson red silk with embroidery befitting Joseph's amazing dreamcoat of techincolor. I only wish I have it today.
Quite many a Chinese I know would not consider bw b.c it is considered old-fashioned and defeating to the purpose of technological advancement. Several of my family members feel this way.
Obviously, I am not one of them. My parents showed (still do) their love with a curt economy. I am an outwardly cuddly, huggy, lovey person today b.c my grandma carried me and in doing so, it instilled in me a sense that love in a sometimes cruel world can be possible. I can almost remember each step she took, the delicious sensation. And with each sway of her gait, I clung to her. I would've clung on closer if I knew what I know now.


My Devon (10 mos. young) has hypotonia (low tone) and associate delays.
She is sunshine!: :


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...devonsiggy.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r.../marydevon.jpg

[firstkid4me]

I was on another mainstream message board, went through an expecting club and then it turned into a playgroup after dd was born. I said some things on the board that made plenty of the other women hate me (formula is an acceptable substitute for breastmilk but I wouldn't let them kid themselves into thinking that it's "just as good.") Well, I did something that I wasn't proud of when dd was 8 months old, posted about it, and they just jumped on me like a trampoline. A woman who admitted to BEATING her two year old because she wouldn't turn off the tv (she said she was yelling while hitting her daughter) called ME a bad mother and said I should have my dd taken away. That was the last straw. A friend from the board told me about mdc and I came here and found that I wasn't the weird one. I've gone back to that playgroup a few times, but it's weird.

[gottaknit]

Originally Posted by mommy-X-2

I still believe in Vac and Cir. And I have no problem admiting that I WILL have drugs when I give birth. The thing I like about MDC the most is that even though we all come from different backgound I can say things like that and not be judged, but can also get support when I need it.

I'm not sure what it means to "believe in circ" , but I wouldn't mention it here, even if you're Jewish. The MDC community does not take infant genital mutilation lightly. You will be judged for it.

Have you checked out The Case Against Circumcision forum? It will open your eyes to how cruel, barbaric, and unneccessary sexual mutilation is.

[jrayn]

When I was pregnant, I decided to go to a midwife that my aunt went to and the midwife had a mothering magazine that I would TRY to read while waiting but never really waited long enough to really read it.
After having Hypatia, one day I was bored and didn't like the mainstream magazines I was reading or the mainstream websites, so I did a search for mothering and found the website.