A resource to inspire, inform and empower parents.

Become a Badass Public Breastfeeder in 7 Days: Day 5 – Support From Loved Ones

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, breastfeeding in public. Partner Support

One of the most important things to maintaining a breastfeeding relationship is unconditional support from your partner. Many women are lucky to have this support, but there are still a lot of women out there who struggle with criticism or friction from their partners. [Read more…]

Become a Badass Public Breastfeeder in 7 Days: Day 3 – Your Environment

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, breastfeeding in public. Your Environment 

We have taken that first step to walking outside with our baby knowing that she will be hungry and want to breastfeed while we are outside. Now we can get down to real NIP business. You might be concerned that you are going to have a negative experience. [Read more…]

Become a Badass Public Breastfeeder in 7 Days: Day 2 – All Eyes on You

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, breastfeeding in public. All Eyes on You: Dealing with staring

This was the most common concern I heard from women when I asked them what worries them about breastfeeding in public. You are already nervous to breastfeed in public. One day you get up the nerve to go to a restaurant. You start to breastfeed your baby and you notice a creepy dude staring at you. You notice a woman giving you dirty looks. [Read more…]

Become a Badass Public Breastfeeder in 7 Days: Day 1 – To NIP or Not to NIP

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, breastfeeding in public. To NIP or Not to NIP

Nursing in Public (NIP) can seem daunting to a new mother. It can even be difficult and anxiety provoking for a veteran mother! I will spend the next 7 days helping you navigate the world of NIP. I will cover everything from clothing to comebacks to give you the confidence and tools you need to NIP without fear. Practice makes perfect with breastfeeding in public. The first time might be terrifying, the second time nerve wracking, but soon it will become as second nature to you as being outside has ever been. [Read more…]

8 Tips Toward Gentler Parenting

Gentle Parenting isn’t something that you just one day decide you are going to start doing. Many people struggle with yelling, hitting and other behaviors that they would like to change. This is a long road. This is a journey filled with self- discovery and humbling acknowledgement of our limitations. [Read more…]

We Might Not Be Able to Help You

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder, and son Jack. I don’t like the title of this blog post. It’s too negative. But I am going to go with it because I don’t think a truer statement can be made on this topic. I feel compelled to write to you about the type of advocacy, support and service you can expect from The Badass Breastfeeder. I don’t generally write “response” type posts to things I read on Facebook, but since there seems to be some confusion about what we do here I think this time it is appropriate. [Read more…]

Wounded Children and Attachment Disorder: This is Why Attachment Parenting Matters by guest blogger Alecia

Hi. My name is Alecia and I practice what is commonly referred to as “attachment parenting”. (This can mean many things in practice but the general idea of “AP” is for the parent to focus on connecting with and respecting the unique needs of each child.) I have also been diagnosed with attachment disorder. Now many of you may be saying to yourselves, “What in the world is she talking about?! You can’t have attachment disorder and be an attachment parent! That’s impossible!” But I am here to tell you that it is not only possible, it happens every day in the homes of people like me who choose to be parent consciously and compassionately. [Read more…]

Listen to Your Heart

By Eve Burns

Buddy (my 18 month old) woke up at 2 am the other night, which is unusual since he usually sleeps all night. (I almost said he’s been sleeping through the night, but did you know that the medical definition of sleeping through the night is five hours? I know, right?) He was doing that really mournful stop-and-start cry. So I waited about two minutes to see if he’d just go right back to sleep. No dice. So I went to him, gave him some boob and he went peacefully back to sleep.

He went peacefully back to sleep.

I could have just let him cry and he’d eventually drift off. No, not drift off. He’d cry and cry until he gave up and fell asleep. [Read more…]

What is the Difference Between Attachment Parenting/Gentle Parenting and Permissive Parenting?

Alice's twins playing. For me, Atachment Parenting (AP) does not mean permissive, however, I have noticed that it becomes that way for some. I think the problem lies in starting out AP with infants when their wants and needs are the same. Often we have come from backgrounds of very mainstream parenting and so the discipline we know is spanking, time outs, etc. but we don’t want to use those types of practices on our children as they get older. People don’t know how to teach and guide their children any other way so end up getting walked all over; they want their children to be happy, and are afraid of their big emotions. Another aspect of this issue is that there seems to be this either/or mentality; either the parents are in control or their children are. The fact that there is another option of mutual respect and understanding of a child’s developmental capabilities, etc. does not seem to occur to some or factor in to how they deal with conflict as it arises. I give my children quite a bit of freedom compared to many parents of toddlers I know, but the difference is that when they are “acting out,” for lack of a better sense of the word, I look for the need behind the behavior rather than treating them like they are being “bad” just for the sake of it. I stay connected to them so that I am easier able to figure out what is underlying their behavior. Most importantly, I respect their autonomy and their feelings, and provide plenty of opportunity to have control over their lives. Every situation is new and is dealt with separately, not like an ongoing issue, because that’s how toddlers think. And I don’t shame them. When I need to set a limit, I do so gently, “I’m not going to let you do that.” Or “you have already had 2 cookies, I don’t want you to have another right now.” And if the limit involves an action, like they are about to hit or kick or grab, I will gently hold their hand or foot; holding the limit, while also stating it. If this induces crying, I don’t try to stop that or fix it; I just stay with them, supporting that release of feelings. This has helped us through many transitions and rough patches. I read Alfie Kohn, Naomi Aldort, Magda Gerber, Pam Leo…there are many others.

By Alice Romolo

Books, Books and No More Books: Attachment Parenting With Mess Makers

Read this post at Breastfeeding Basics!

Books, Books and No More Books