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It is entirely possible to be so set in your ideals that you become totally closed off to the possibilty of learning from someone who lives a different lifestyle to us. I’ve been guilty of it. I’ve looked at others and thought, you’re parenting style is the total opposite to mine what can I possibly learn from you.

Literally closing myself off to any potetional to learn something new.

But everyone has different ways of doing things, everyone has different methods, everyone has something to offer.

I was watching 19 Kids And Counting, and I thought well I wouldn’t have that many children, and I certainly don’t believe dancing is evil, but I really admired how calm she was despite having that many children and her advice about always finding a reason to smile at the little ones has really given me a different point of view.

I know polygamy is not for me, but I admire their sense of community spirit.

Quins by Surrogacy showed me all about sacrifice for motherhood and friendship. Wow, what a loving piece of television.

But it’s not just about television. I consider myself an Attachment Parent, but I’m constantly learning from those who apply to a different parenting philosophy.

If we only ever listened to that which we agree with and never left ourselves and our ideals open to be challenged then we’d miss every opportunity to learn something new.

My most unexpected lesson was from Tizzie Hall’s Save Our Sleep. I fundamentally don’t agree with a vast majority of her advice. But when I read her book when my daughter was very young, I took that an early bedtime was key to a good nights sleep. So we set up predictable bed time rituals, got her into bed by 7 each night and ever since we’ve had few issues around actual bed time itself.

Tidbits of good advice can come from anywhere.

Just because someone uses a routine doesn’t mean she won’t have a great settling technique that can be applied to a baby led approach. Someone who doesn’t do BLW might have a great toddler friendly dinner recipe collection. Granny might be old school, but she may also have some awesome nursery rhymes and baby games up her sleeve.

We all know what advice just will not apply to us and that’s fine, just don’t follow it. But just because someone gave a bad piece of advice once doesn’t mean it’s all crap. You don’t open a cookbook, see your least favourite meal on the first page and then disregard the rest without even glancing at it.

And if the only lesson you learn us that you’re happy with the way you’re doing things do you’ll continue without change then you’ve still learnt something.

Keep your ears and your mind open.

Dear Tizzie Hall Part 2

Here is the original Dear Tizzie Hall.

Dear Tizzie Hall,

I’ve watched your video a few times and it still doesnt sit well with me. Everything you’re doing screams at me SIDS RISK!

Firstly, you are wearing a tshirt yet you put the baby in a long sleeved onesie, a sleeping bag, a DOUBLE wrap, then in a cot with 4 blankets. He must be boiling! Any crying grizzling by the baby and I’d start to worry about overheating! Babies sweat when they cry grizzle. I remember picking my son up after he’s been crying for maximum 60 seconds, I’d been changing my toddlers nappy and he had to wait while I washed my hands. Anyway, he was sweating and hot! I can’t imagine how he’d be after 5 minutes. Now imagine how hot he would have been if I followed your bedding guide!

Here is what the American SIDS Institute has to say about preventing SIDS.

5. Do not over-clothe the infant while she sleeps. Just use enough clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.

If you’re wearing tshirt and shorts, then 8 layers is excessive. Perhaps if you are in a cold climate and you yourself are wearing singlet, long sleeved shirt, and a jumper then multiple layers may be appropriate.

The only time a healthcare professional has ever recommended that many blankets to me was when my son was in NICU. You see some early birds have trouble maintaining their tempreture so when transferring from a tempreture controlled humicrib to an open bassinet they put multiple layers of thick blankets on to help baby maintain tempreture without using a huge amount of energy to and potentially dropping weight. After a temp reading comes back normal a layer is removed until you have a onesie, a swaddle and one blanket, this is under cold air conditioning. 8 layers would be for babies who are still struggling.

By any chance have you watched the Wiggles Let’s Eat? There’s a song about safe sleeping. If you’ve watched it you obviously missed the line “the cot is clear for you my dear, and we won’t overwrap.” They’re endorsed by SIDS and Kids by the way

And next we come to that stuffed toy. Right by the babies face. Lucky that baby is so overstepped he can’t move, or else I’d worry about potential suffocation. Before 1 year of age it is recommended you have no donnas, pillows, bumpers or toys in the cot with the baby. We didn’t give our daughter a blanket in her bed until she was 19 months old. This is when she started sleeping with a doll as well.

But what do I know. How about this from www.sidsandkids.org

2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)

So going by that I’d assume you wouldn’t put a soft toy right next to your babies face.

Along with your advice on breastfeeding being incorrect and controlled crying comforting being dangerous if followed to an absolute tee, your bedding guide is a SIDS risk.

I truly hope your followers use common sense when preparing their babies sleep environment.

Yours sincerely,
A Very Concerned Mother