Baby-led feeding is an approach to solid food introduction that allows baby to explore and discover whole food on their own with parental supervision.

With baby-led feeding you give baby whole foods or foods cut into hand size spears or slices so that baby learns what is a comfortable and manageable bit size for them. This helps develop baby’s taste and texture sensations to natural food, and helps create their independence at the dinner table as well. Read More…

I, Leigh Anne DuChene, have researched, taught, and coached on holistic or natural baby-led weaning or baby-led feeding for 3 years now; through classes, online support, and one-on-one coaching.

I now offer my services through DuChene Natural Health Center’s Nourishing Origins. Our February Baby-Led Feeding classes are now scheduled, with more to come. Special offer when you register early, see below for details!

Join us on:

Baby-Led Feeding Class – Thursday, February 18, 2010 – 6:30 PM

Baby-Led Feeding Class – Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 1:00 PM

For more details and to register go to www.BabyLedFeeding.com

The Plano Area Real Diaper Circle

Meeting on February 2nd and March 16th

10:15am

at the Davis Library (7501 Independence Parkway)

Kids are always welcome at the meetings.

Please come by and share your cloth diapering experience or learn more about cloth diapering. And feel free to spread the word to anyone you think would be interested. And please contact Angela if you are interested but can’t make these times or contact Angela with any questions.

Also, there will be raffle tickets for sell at both meetings to raise funds for our table a the upcoming DFW Family Expo.

Check out the great prizes donated by our DFW area local cloth diapering businesses at
http://groups.google.com/group/planocloth/web/expo-raffle-prizes.

Drawings will be held at March meeting, but you don’t have to be present to win.

Angela Imes
Plano Area Real Diaper Circle Leader
planocloth@gmail.com

Dallas/Fort Worth DiaperFreeBaby will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. at the indoor play area of Irving Bible Church in Irving.  DiaperFreeBaby is a network of free support groups promoting a natural approach to responding to babies’ elimination needs. This practice is followed worldwide and is known as elimination communication, natural infant hygiene and infant potty training. The process involves observing one’s baby’s signs and signals, providing cue sounds and elimination-place associations, and can be done with or without any diaper use.

Event details:

Thursday, Nov. 19th

10 AM – 12 PM

Irving Bible Church
2435 Kinwest Parkway
Irving, TX 75063

Contact Natalie for more meeting details at 817-637-9156.

Visit DiaperFreeBaby online or join the local group.

Dallas/Fort Worth Baby Wearing group will be holding their monthly social meet-up on Sunday, November 15th in Plano.

Come to meet other baby wearing moms and bring your stash to show off!

Meeting details:

Sunday, Nov. 15th

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Meeting Location:
1804 Lake Hill Ln
Plano, TX 75023

Visit the DFW Babywearing group for more information about babywearing and the Dallas and Fort Worth area meetups.

Do you love keeping up with natural parenting news and information? North Texas Natural Family is looking for a web editor/moderator.

If you love to blog, writing at NTNF is a fun way to stay connected to the NTNF natural and holistic parenting community. Make a difference! For more information, contact lpoisso (at) northtexasnaturalfamily (dot) com.

Dallas/Fort Worth DiaperFreeBaby will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the indoor play area of Irving Bible Church in Irving.  DiaperFreeBaby is a network of free support groups promoting a natural approach to responding to babies’ elimination needs. This practice is followed worldwide and is known as elimination communication, natural infant hygiene and infant potty training. The process involves observing one’s baby’s signs and signals, providing cue sounds and elimination-place associations, and can be done with or without any diaper use.

Visit DiaperFreeBaby online or join the local group.

Baby Bond (a brand new, updated version of Baby Matters: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby) author Dr. Linda Folden Palmer will be speaking to Houston residents at a book signing at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Want to organize a presentation for your group right here in Dallas/Fort Worth? Read more about how to bring Dr. Palmer to a meeting of your group, later in this article.

Dr. Palmer’s book exhaustively lists the scientific evidence behind attachment parenting, breastfeeding and the reality of food allergies … Dr. Palmer shows how the establishment of science-conquering-nature has caused unnecessary suffering and heartache to parents and babies alike. — Vegetarian Baby and Child

Dr. Linda Palmer’s rebuttals of current mainstream child-rearing trends (artificial infant food, cow’s milk consumption) do not stop at their negative impact on infants but rather create a compelling and well-cited argument for their links with lifelong negative complications. — Journal of Human Lactation

Read more of Dr. Palmer’s articles on healthy, natural parenting online at her web site.

Organize your own program with Dr. Palmer

Dr. Palmer is available to speak to groups of 25 or more, so coordinate with several playgroups or parenting groups and bring Dr. Palmer to your own Houston event. Presentations may be tailored to parent groups or health professionals. Dr. Palmer may also be available in Dallas/Fort Worth. Contact Dr. Palmer directly to learn more about possible speaking dates for your group of 25 or more in Texas on Oct. 9-11.

See Dr. Palmer at Barnes and Noble in Houston:

2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
Barnes & Noble
12850 Memorial Drive, Houston 77024
(713) 465-5616

Families interested in green living enjoy so many resources here in Dallas/Fort Worth. Here’s what’s going on in the latter half of September and early October, courtesy of DFW Earth/Food/Animal/Green newsletter.

Monday, Sept. 14 Sierra Singles Dinner at 6:30ish at Cuquita’s Mexican, 214.575.3188, 8076 Spring Valley Rd., Richardson. You don’t have to be a Sierra Club member to attend. No reservations necessary; just show up.  Organizers: Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902, Paul Heller 972-620-1703.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 General meeting of the Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club, 7 p.m. Brief business meeting followed by speaker. Mr. Pete McKone, Certified Wildlife Biologist; Director of Environmental Services for Dunaway Associates and an adjunct professor at TCU will give a presentation on a variety of topics pertaining to urban development. Topics will include watershed management, stream and wetland restoration, natural resource planning and government/developer interface. This is a key component of sustainable development and will likely generate a number of thoughtful questions. Location: Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens, Moncrief Garden Center, 817-871-7686, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard at University, north of I-30, Fort Worth. Sierra Club general meetings are open to everyone, members and non-members alike, and are always free.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 Denton Organic Society meeting at 7 p.m. Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Ave., Denton, 940-382-8551.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 Dallas Outings Committee meeting, 7 p.m. The Outings Committee meets at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch75244 (north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). All outings leaders, future outings leaders and interested Sierrans are welcome.

Thursday, Sept. 17 Dallas Downriver Club monthly meeting at 7 p.m., 3701 N. Buckner Blvd. (just north of IH 30 and south of John West Road) Dallas 75228.

Sunday, Sept. 19 Dallas Trekkers group walks at White Rock Lake at 8 a.m. Meet at Doctors Hospital, 9330 Poppy Drive, Dallas.  972-489-3072 for more information. Small charge.

Saturday, Sept. 19 Dayhike White Rock Creek Trail. Come join us as we day hike 7 miles on the northern reaches of White Rock Creek. This is a very urban, paved trail but it is actually very nice as it follows the creek under all the main thorofares of north Dallas. No pets, please. Bring water and a snack as we will be walking all morning. We will leave the trail head promptly at 9 a.m. To rech the trailhead from the intersection of I-635 and Hillcrest Rd., go north on Hillcrest a short distance turn right on Valley View and turn right into the second parking lot. Remember it’s the second parking lot on the right. I’ll be near the restrooms and playground. Optional lunch afterwards. Leader: Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C).

Monday, Sept. 21 The Dallas Chapter of Native Plant Society meets. Social time begins at 6:30 with refreshments at the back. A speaker is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. REI store, located on the north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch. Take the stairs to the second floor and turn left to find the meeting rooms. Free.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 Inner City Outings meeting. Snacks and social starts at 6:45 p.m., meeting starts at 7 p.m. Inner City Outings (“ICO”) is an outreach program of the Sierra Club comprised of volunteers who provide wilderness experiences such as day hikes and camping for disadvantaged youth. ICO meets on the fourth Tuesdays at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch 75244 (north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). All volunteers and those considering becoming an ICO volunteer are welcome. Contact the ICO Chair for more information.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 Fort Worth Organic Club meets at 7 p.m. at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, north of I-30, turn left into main entrance from University. Free.

Thursday, Sept. 24 Dallas Organic Gardening Club monthly meeting. Fretz Recreation Center, Dallas. 7 p.m. Free.

Thursday, Sept. 24 Arlington Organic Gardening Club monthly meeting. Bob Duncan Community Center Garden Room, 2800 S. Center St. in Arlington. 7 p.m. Free.

Saturday, Sept. 26 Beginner Backpacking class. Aimed at beginners, this class is an ideal way to learn about backpacking. Topics include: backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, boots, socks, cookware, food, water, wilderness ethics, and preparing for a trip. Instructors are experienced Dallas Sierra Club leaders. There will be time for questions and a hands-on look at outdoor gear. Lunch of backpacking food is included. You will also have the opportunity to learn about and sign up for several beginner backpacking trips. The fee is $20 for Sierra Club members and $30 for non-members (cash or check) You can sign up to be a Sierra Club member at the class. No reservations are necessary, just show up. The class will be held at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). The class will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at about 5:00 p.m. Leader: Laura Kimberly 972-307-8364(H).

Saturday, Sept. 26 See Sierra Club at Garland Healthy Living Expo 2009 – Healthy You, Healthy Earth: Rx for a Better World. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Garland ISD Center, 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd, Garland.

Sunday, Sept. 27 Watch party for The National Parks: America’s Best Idea hosted by the Dallas Sierra Club at the Studio Movie Grill, 11170 N. Central Expressway, northeast corner at Royal, Dallas 75243. Private theater viewing of two-hour opening episode of Ken Burns documentary. Experience the large screen viewing to enjoy the amazing photography and emotional in-depth look at the history, heritage and magnificent beauty of these American treasures. Food (including several vegetarian options but no vegan options) and drinks will be available before and during the program; purchase not required but greatly appreciated since it offsets the group’s cost of the event. FREE ADMISSION but RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by Monday, Sept. 21. For phone reservations (deadline Sept. 21) and/or cancellations: leave a complete message at 972-369-5543 with your name, number of reservations wanted/canceled and return phone number. Unfortunately, inaudible messages or those without a return number can’t be honored.

Monday, Sept. 28 Mid-Suburban Sierra Club organizational meeting for communities near DFW Airport at 7 p.m. After having the summer off, the Mid-Suburban satellite group of the Sierra Club will have an organizational meeting on Monday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. at the Sunflower Shoppe Community Room, 5100 Hwy 121, Colleyville 76034. This will be an informal meeting to discuss what we can do as a club in the communities surrounding DFW Airport. Possibilities include: 1. Monthly or quarterly educational meetings with speakers; 2. Socials; 3. Movie nights with documentaries; 4. Family events with plans for children; 5. Dayhikes in some of our many local nature areas and parks; 6. Cool Cities–Sierra campaign for local municipalities; 7. Involvement with (healthy and environmentally friendly) school lunches; 8. Energy meetings; 9. Book discussion groups like we had a few years ago –Choices for Sustainable Living was one; 10. Your suggestions. There will be leaders from both the Dallas and Fort Worth Sierra Club to answer your questions and help us plan. Please bring your ideas and, hopefully, your willingness to help this area’s club expand and flourish. We need something like this in our part of the metroplex but it is not something that can be planned or implemented by two or three people. I really want to see you on September 28. If you have questions or suggestions about the meeting or the area, please call me, Terry Jensen, at 817-545-0140 or 972-251-1532. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 1 Almost TGIF Hike along the Trinity Trail. End the work week with a hike on a paved portion of the Trinity Trail near the Fort Worth Zoo for approximately 3-4 miles. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the parking lot just south of the Hoffbrau Steak House on University Drive in Fort Worth approximately 1 mile south of I-30. Bring water for yourself and wear appropriate clothing. Optional meal/libations after hike. In the event of rain, hike will be cancelled. Please, no dogs. Leader: Claudia Blalock 817-924-6242.

Saturday, Oct. 3 Dayhike Trinity River Greenbelt. Octoberfest 10K DAYHIKE Hike 10K (6 miles) on the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor. This is an easy trail running along side the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. No reservations required, just show up. Please, no pets. Bring water and snacks. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Highway 380 Trailhead Park. Admission to the park is $5.00 per person or free with a Texas State Parks Pass. There will be an optional lunch afterwards. The Park is on US Hwy 380 2.1 miles west of Hwy 377 or 2.8 miles east of Loop 288 in Denton. Highway 380 can be reached from Central Expwy, Preston Road, or the Tollway. Bring extra shoes in case the trail is muddy. Leader: Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C).

Saturday, Oct. 3 Workday to make TRAC tidy. October marks the one-year anniversary of the Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC), a fabulous environmental learning center in South Dallas. To mark the event, TRAC plans a large celebration during the second weekend in October. To help get ready for it, Sierra Club Dallas Group is scheduling a service outing to the facility to help spiff up the grounds and make the whole place shine in anticipation of the large turnout they are expecting for the anniversary event. We will be clearing brush, removing any trash, and generally performing tasks that will improve the look of the trails and the waterways encompassed by the center. No special skills or tools required. Please contact Teresa Wilkin for further details and to get on the crew list. Leader: Teresa Wilkin 214-693-1503(H).

Sunday, Oct. 4 Sustainable Sunday: Vegan Buffet every first Sunday at Papaya Garden, 1201 W. Airport Frwy #100, 817 684-9378, Euless, on the corner of Airport Fwy (Hwy 183) and Industrial (FM157 also known as Collins in Arlington). Thai, plant-based, and all-you-can-eat buffet is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Larger restaurant, more room, good food. Ask for Terry at the door to meet/converse with an interesting group of people. Or sit with your friends and family. Organizer: Terry Jensen 817 545-0140 or 972 251-1532.

Read more online: DFW Earth/Food/Animal/Green newsletter

What would happen if you let your child stay out of school to explore whatever she is most interested in doing for as long as she wanted to do it? It’s not as outlandish as it might sound. It’s called “unschooling” and thousands of families find it just the ticket to a creative, individualized education. Hundreds of unschoolers from all over the country will converge at the Marriott Solana Hotel & Spa in Westlake Sept. 4-8 for Rethinking Education, an international confluence for unschooling families.

The 13th annual event, founded and produced by unschooling parent and Colleyville resident Barb Lundgren, features nonstop workshops, activities and fellowship for parents, teens and children alike.

• Freedom and education
• Parenting and community
• Entrepreneuring
• Alternative therapies for well-being
• Sustainability
• Retirement
• Spirit
• Gobs of cool sessions and activities for kids, teens and young adults
• “One Big Apartment” for teens and young adults
• Art, music, dance

Also known as “child-led,” “interest-led” or “inquiry-based” learning, unschooling is a style of home educating that follows a child’s individual and developmental passions. “Interest-initiated learning works well for children with a deep, abiding interest or hobby, as well as for students with clearly delineated goals,” writes Karen Taylor in the California Home School Network’s The California Home School Guide. On the flip side, she admits, “Some say that unschooling results in educational gaps, holes in a student’s knowledge.”

Gaps? Many unschoolers worry about those later, rather than sooner. Unschooling is more a whole-family lifestyle than an educational approach or curriculum. Unschooling parents strive to deluge their families in a rich stream of educational opportunities and “real life” experiences. The aim is to give kids not only the space to discover their own interests but also the tools to dive in when they’re ready to “fill the gaps” with gusto.

For more questions about unschooling or the conference, visit Rethinking Education for details on its array of programs and to register for the conference.

From PhD in Parenting

Where is the safest place to give birth? If you are at a low risk of complications, then a midwife assisted home birth is your best bet according to a new Canadian study by Dr. Patrician Janssen from the University of British Columbia.

According to the CBC, the study found that the rate of death per 1,000 births in the first month of life was:

* 0.35 for planned home births
* 0.57 for hospital births with a midwife
* 0.64 for hospital births with a physician

Newborns born at home were less likely to require resuscitation or oxygen therapy after birth and were less likely to have aspirite meconium. Babies born at home were more likely to be admitted to hospital after birth than those born in a hospital. However, this was for fairly easily treatable and common conditions like jaundice and a baby born in the hospital that has jaundice probably wouldn’t have been sent home in the first place if it was jaundiced (therefore there would be no record of the baby being admitted to hospital).

Read more at PhD in Parenting.