10 Ways to Tell You’re a Granola Mom
Granola is natural, simple and healthy. The same can be said for granola moms, who are conscious of the environment, their health and the health of their children from infancy and beyond. Granola moms are often lumped into the attached parenting style that includes giving birth at home, sharing a bed with your infant, breastfeeding into the toddler years and much more. Call it kooky, but this new style of parenting has major health and relationship benefits for mothers and their children. Here are 10 ways to tell you’re a granola mom:
- You only do homebirths
Many granola moms prefer giving birth at home with a midwife’s assistance, rather than at a hospital. For women who are healthy and having a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, homebirths
are considered to be just as safe as having a child in the hospital, and they provide a more familiar, relaxed setting for labor. It is also seen as a gentler way for babies to be born, because they are not rushed or separated from their parents and they experience fewer medical interventions. - You practice exclusive breastfeeding
Granola moms are well aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding infants, especially exclusive breastfeeding, which involves no food or liquid other than breastmilk during the first six months. Many granola mothers believe in breastfeeding exclusively until the child weans themselves, typically around 2 or 3 years old. Exclusive breastfeeding is thought to enhance the bond between mother and child, provide optimal nutrition, as well as increase immunity, prevent illnesses and reduce health risks for both baby and mom. - You practice co-sleeping
The close bond granola moms have with their children does not end at bedtime; they are big proponents of having a family bed and co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is the practice of sleeping next to your infant in your bed, which is supposed to promote breastfeeding and bonding, as well as provide a safer alternative to crib sleeping when done correctly. For many granola mothers, co-sleeping involves nursing throughout the night and into toddler years and beyond. - You do not vaccinate your children
Granola mothers are typically against vaccinating their children for a number of personal, health and religious reasons. Many believe shots will do more harm to their children than good, like
causing illnesses, neurological problems and cancer. The more parents question the effects of immunizations, the more it has become a personal choice to forgo shots all together. - You do not let your children cry it out alone
Granola moms aren’t the type to let their babies fuss all day and cry all night. If they practice co-sleeping, crying at night can be avoided more easily. During the day, granola mothers may tote their babies around in a body sling or wrap to keep them close and avoid fussing. - You only use cloth diapers
It is very common for granola mothers to use cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. Cloth diapers are extremely cost-effective because they can be washed and reused over and over again. In addition to the money saved by using cloth diapers, mothers will be helping the Earth by reducing the amount of waste disposable diapers create. - You let your kids run around in the nude
All parents want their children to feel comfortable in their own skin, but some granola parents mean that literally. Whether it’s to overcome society’s nude taboo, or to limit the amount of clothes parents have to wash, children of granola parents may be more likely to run around in their birthday suits than other kids their age. - You make homemade and organic-only foods
Once weaned from breast milk-only diets, the children of granola mothers will start to incorporate organic, all-natural foods into their routine. Many granola moms are all about homemade baby food and snacks that use all-natural ingredients, in addition to eating organic foods themselves. Certified organic foods are free of toxic pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, artificial ingredients and irradiation, in order to meet strict standards and uphold the integrity of the food. For the health and earth-conscious mother, organic is the preferred way to go. - You do not support circumcising infants
Granola mothers tend to say, “no” to circumcision because of the potential health risks involved with the procedure. Newborn circumcisions can have negative side effects, such as excessive and dangerous bleeding, damage to the penis, infections, urinary blockages and chronic pain. Because circumcisions are not medically necessary, many granola mothers will avoid having the procedure done all together to prevent any potential risks. - You want your kids to experience experiential learning
Many granola moms believe in experiential learning for their children, which involves the active engagement in what is being taught. Granola moms want their children to understand concepts, through observation, interaction and personal experience, rather than just hearing or reading about others’ experiences. Experiential learning is usually best achieved when kids are homeschooled and the parent(s) can guide their learning experience and focus on individualized learning.
