Resources for Natural Living

Local Resources
Internet Resources: 
    Cloth Diapering
    Babywearing
    Breastfeeding
    Elimination Communication
    Attachment Parenting
    Natural Living
    Miscellaneous
Almost Totally Unrelated Links

Local Resources

Natural Living Des Moines - all about living naturally in central Iowa!

Des Moines Babywearing - learn how to use baby slings, try on slings, learn more about babywearing.

Des Moines Cloth Diapering - learn all about cloth diapers.

Diaper Free Baby Iowa - an Elimination Communication support group

Des Moines has an Attachment Parenting International Chapter. 

As well as a Holistic Moms Network! Contacts are Jessica (953-5533) or Laura (262-0215).

We of course have several chapters of La Leche League here.

And ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network).

Mothers and Others for Midwives is a local midwifery advocacy organization.

Before and After the Birth
These are the (Bradley Method) childbirth classes we took to prepare for Wally's arrival. I highly recommend them. Contact me if you want more details from a former student.

Dr. Heather Yost, Yost Family Chiropractic 
278-9678
Dr. Heather is our family's chiropractor. I highly recommend her for your whole family. If you decide to give her a call, tell her you heard about her from Wallypop!

PrairieLand Herbs
An Awesome place for herbal products and essential oils. Get some Tea Tree Oil or Lavender Oil for your diapers!

Breastfeeding support in Des Moines
There are several places you can turn to for breastfeeding support in the greater Des Moines area. 
- La Leche League. Des Moines has an active LLL.
- Mommy and Me Breastfeeding Class at Mercy Hospital. Mercy offers a free class the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the auditorium for breastfeeding mothers. The Mercy lactation consultants are on hand to answer questions.
- Breastfeeding Support Group at Lutheran Hospital. Every Wednesday 1-2:30. 241-6570.
- Board Certified Lactation Consultants. There are several IBCLCs in the metro area.

Birth Options in Des Moines
- Hospital. Des Moines has four major hospitals - Mercy, Methodist, Lutheran, and Broadlawns. Methodist is the traditional "If you want a natural childbirth, go here" hospital. However, Methodist may not be available to parents wanting a birth attended by an independent midwife. (Ask your midwife.) We chose Mercy, and were generally happy with our birth. Our birth plan was followed for the most part, and our nurse was just wonderful. Broadlawns is the newest option for couples wanting a natural childbirth. Several local midwives are working with the staff at Broadlawns to make the hospital available to those with independent midwives.
- Birth Center. The Almost Home Birth Center is a very nice option for those wanting an out of home, yet homey, location for their birth.
- Homebirth. This is of course always an option, as well, and probably what we'll choose for our next baby. Des Moines has a few Nurse Midwives who attend homebirths.  

There are also several options for attendants at your birth in Des Moines. 
- OBs. Of course, you must be in a hospital if you want an OB. OBs are great if your birth or pregnancy is complicated in any way.
- Midwife. Des Moines midwives attend births in hospitals and at home, or at the birth center. Midwives are wonderful, and you are more likely to be able to have a normal birth with a midwife attending.
- Doulas. I would not give birth without a doula. We used Kim Danos and just loved her. I couldn't have asked for a better doula.

Cloth Diapering

Diaper Pin (please consider leaving a review!)
Diaper Decisions
Mothering Magazine article
The Diaper Hyena
Cloth Diapering 101

Babywearing

Kellymom's sling page
Mamatoto
Nine In, Nine Out
Wears The Baby
The Baby Wearer
Babywearing E-Book
No Mother Left Behind - provides free or low cost slings to poor mothers.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding.com
Kellymom
La Leche League
Dr. Hale's Breastfeeding Pharmacology
The Militant Breastfeeding Cult

Elimination Communication

Diaper Free Baby - A nonprofit organization promoting Diaper Free Babies!
IPT Late Starters Yahoo Group - a Yahoo Group where the discussion focuses on starting EC with an older infant
The Big EC Yahoo Group 
Diaper Free! A great book.

Attachment Parenting

Dr. Sears
Dr. Jay Gordon
Attachment Parenting International
Positive Discipline Resources
Aware Parenting

Natural Living

Natural Family Online
ICPA - Pediatric Chiropractic
Makin' Miracles - Chiro for pregnancy and children

Miscellaneous

Crunchy Mamas
Mothering Magazine - a natural parenting magazine
Arms of Love Family Fellowship - Crystal Lutton's page
The Family Corner - Christian AP
Quiverfull.com - resources for Quiverfull families
Articles by Alfie Kohn
Rosie Hippo - great toys and books
Attachments Catalog

Stuff That's Almost Totally Unrelated!

Urban Belly
I recently visited this new store in the East Village. What a refreshing alternative to Motherhood Maternity. Maternity and nursing clothes in current styles.

Swing Des Moines
Interested in learning to dance? Go here!