Are Bottles, Pacifiers and Cribs Necessary?

New moms these days are inundated with ads, catalogs, websites, and friends and family telling them all the different things they will “need” for their babies.  You can get baby swings, wearable baby carriers, strollers, special toys for every developmental stage, clothes for every season and holiday, breast pumps for when you want to go out by yourself and leave baby home, and the list goes on and on.  However, what does a baby really need?  At the minimum, a baby needs loving parents, warm milk, a few sets of clean and dry clothes, diapers (unless you are following elimination communication), and a safe place to sleep.  

Why are bottles, pacifiers and cribs not on the essential list?  What if you want to to go get coffee with a friend?  Don’t you need some bottles and a breast pump for your husband to feed the baby?  Nope. Just take baby with you.  What if soon after nursing, your baby still seems to want to suckle some more?  Don’t you need a pacifier for those times?  Nope, just offer your breast again.  Your baby will much prefer to nurse again than suck on a pacifier.  What about nighttime?  Doesn’t the baby need her own room with a crib? Nope, she can safely sleep with you as long as you follow safe sleep guidelines.   Did you know that the ecological breastfeeding lifestyle helps you keep your baby gear list down to the essential while promoting bonding between you and your baby, benefiting your milk supply, and helping you space your family?

Maybe you are thinking that you do not know anyone who mothers this way.  This seems so counter-cultural.  I lived this very lifestyle with my children!  All my babies have weaned now because they are growing up, but I mothered all five of them without pacifiers, bottles or cribs.  If you need support, the members of the CNML Ecological Breastfeeding Group can help you in living out this lifestyle.  Also, peruse our website for accurate breastfeeding and ecological breastfeeding info that does not go against Catholic teaching.  Do you need a breastfeeding book, Our Lady of La Leche medal or prayer shawl to keep you warm and remind you that someone prayed for you?  Just send an email to catholicbreastfeeding(at)yahoo(dot)com.