TIME Magazine’s May 10 cover of Los Angeles mom Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her 4-year-old son turned heads around the country. And Lexington was no exception.
While the image might not have been the best way to draw attention to attachment parenting, there’s no denying that parents around the country, including Lexingtonians, are taking a more natural look at pregnancy and child rearing.
“Yes, breastfeeding, baby wearing and other ‘crunchy mom’ activities are associated with attachment parenting,” said Fresh Fannies diaper service founder and mother Melody Blauser. “But it’s just one style of parenting. Attachment parenting isn’t for everyone; it’s about whatever works for you.”
The inclination to live a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle has inspired parents to educate themselves before taking the pregnancy plunge.
“There is no doubt that mothers are becoming more aware of the ramifications of different parenting and lifestyle choices,” said Anne Rust, owner, director and prenatal advisor at Baby Moon, a prenatal and new mom community. “Consumers are seeking out increased options and alternatives for birth in higher numbers each year. I believe that when parents are educated and thoughtful in their choices, that is a form of natural parenting.”
For Blauser and her husband, Leland, the decision to go green with their daughter began with the seemingly simple question of diapers.
“Disposable diapers are the third largest contributor to landfills, and we wanted only the safest and healthiest material against our baby’s skin,” Blauser said. “We’ve always paid attention to the environment and wanted to continue that in starting our family, but as working parents, using cloth diapers can be time-consuming.”
And so Fresh Fannies was born.
“These are not your mother’s cloth diapers,” Blauser said. “It’s velcro or snaps — no more pins. There are a lot of moms who work full-time like me out there; the diaper service is a great way for those parents to have the option to use cloth diapers without the burden of the time involved.”
Melody attributes the growing natural parenting trend to the sheer fact that her generation is more environmentally aware than her parents and grandparents.
“When disposable diaper technology arrived, everyone wanted to use it,” she explained. “It’s taken awhile for moms to realize what diapers were doing to the environment.”
Rust started Baby Moon in 2004 when she began thinking about having a family of her own.
“I love working with women and babies and knew how much support was needed during the childbearing year,” she explained. “So much of the health and vitality of a culture depends on the health and happiness of women during pregnancy.”
Baby Moon now offers a myriad of fitness, wellness and educational classes designed to support women and families through pre-conception, pregnancy and early parenthood.
“In my nearly 10 years in business supporting new parents, we have seen continued and consistent growth in these areas,” said Rust, who is also a certified birth doula, providing professional labor support to women and couples.
Lexington is home to a variety of small businesses offering green products and services to expecting parents. Healthy teaching kitchen The Wholesome Chef offers cooking classes for pregnant and new moms, all of which include tips, recipes and inspiration for preparing a balanced diet on little sleep.
“For moms, eating well before pregnancy and well into breastfeeding ensures that the next generation is getting all they need and nothing they don’t,” explained owner and chef Carolyn Gilles. “Once baby is old enough for solid foods, one of the best things you can give your child is a taste for healthy foods such as greens, beans and fruits. They (and you) develop good eating habits for life together.”
Baby Moon’s downstairs neighbor on Richmond Road, Mother Nurture, also provides natural parenting supplies, including breast pumps, cloth diapers and carriers.
For expectant mothers with questions and a desire for more information, Rust recommends finding like-minded parents.
“This is one of the most important things you can do to integrate new choices into your lifestyle. We have so many resources here in Lexington for expanding awareness — and awareness is contagious,” she said. “The groundswell will continue as more and more parents are exposed to alternative choices. In the past, making that choice was like trying to swim upstream. Now the barrier to entry has been removed for more parents, and it is much easier to jump onboard.”