August 10th, 2010 by mothershipster

Being a new parent is overwhelming. The things that should be easy; like breastfeeding; are usually more challenging than anticipated. Oftentimes, all the classes you took before fly right out of the window the moment that baby is at breast! Yet the things that are easy; like sleeping; become raging political debates within certain circles. We have only a short time of being a mom to a newborn. Please don’t rush it or ruin it by overcomplicating things. Get help when you need it, but don’t let Corporate Consumer Culture dictate who you are as a parent. Every day I get products that are more ridiculous than the one before. Those gimmicks will never be sold at BOING BOING. We know what you need, and it’s simple. Babies don’t need batteries. Or Nap Nannies.

The product below was recalled. In my opinion, it should never have been sold. The more we complicate things, the more we are at risk for being overwhelmed by them. Stricter regulation is needed in the hugely profit-oriented  businesses that call themselves “baby friendly”. It’s all marketing. And it’s coming at you full force. Be on guard, and don’t buy anything that promises to increase your baby’s i.q. (baby einstein) once you plug it in.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10309.html

By outsourcing everything-from baby nurses to “sleep experts” the upper class parenting model has been usurped by its very employees. It is now assumed that everyone must have a doula and lactation consultant. (full disclosure; i am one)  One OB told me how their client worried she was the only one in her birthing class that didn’t have a doula. “I am your doula.” was the reply. Here! Here! Do you need all these classes? No. Will they make you feel better? Temporarily. Until reality comes screeching into your life with its unpredictable cries, patterns and needs.

You will figure it out. You will.

Until then, I urge you to avoid gimmicks that prey upon your insecurities and complicate what is rather simple. Of course, for those of you paying $400.00 for a babyproofer (which is just you crawling around your home using common sense) I’m sure you will continue to do so. But you do so at your own peril. You give up many things  when you hand over that $600.00 check to your “learn to feed your baby” class; including the joys of trial and error, and the satisfaction that comes from figuring it out on your own.  Giving up your authority, or deferring to a self appointed expert, this early in your child’s life does not bode well for them or you. It creates a culture of insecurity, anxiety and erodes the very foundation of what you have worked so hard for. A family!  Your family.

So please, keep it simple. Your baby needs you. And YOU are the expert in the making!!