Discussion points for parents-to-be

Breast-feeding
Most Canadian newborns begin life as breast-fed babies for the clear reason that breast-feeding is best for both them and their mothers. Breast-feeding is a learned art that comes easily and naturally to many new mothers but, for others, the learning curve can be steep in the first few weeks. There are some women and men who, for various reasons, are not comfortable with the idea of breast-feeding. Now is the time to talk about your feelings, to read as much as you can about the subject, and to make your choice.

Sleeping arrangements
There are differing viewpoints on the topic of sharing your room and your bed with your baby, and you may revisit this particular issue several times during your offspring's childhood. Prior to the birth, you and your partner should discuss your feelings about safety, convenience, comfort, and privacy, but leave the topic open for reconsideration.

Diapers: disposable or cloth?
Fortunately, this is a decision that can be changed as easily as ... a diaper. Cost, convenience, and the environment are the factors you should take into consideration. Your baby may show a preference, but he will make his point later.

Disposables are certainly convenient. They're fast and easy to change, they're very absorbent, and they're easily disposed of initially. Although it's illegal to dispose of human feces in landfills, many people still roll up dirty diapers and toss them into the garbage. About 240,000 metric tons of disposable diapers hit landfill sites in Canada each year, the single largest nonrecyclable component of household garbage. But human waste dumped in landfill sites instead of sewers or septic systems contaminates our soil and groundwater, so discard any solid waste in the toilet before throwing the diaper out.

Disposable diapers can easily cost more than double the amount of cloth ones, even with the cost of laundering included. Though it's true that disposable diapers require less frequent changing because of their higher absorbency, sometimes parents change them less often than they should, which can cause the baby to develop diaper rash.

Because of environmental concerns, cloth diapers are regaining some of their popularity. You can now buy fitted cloth diapers, with Velcro fasteners or belts and in different sizes, which offer great improvements in changing efficiency and in protection over the old fashioned kind of cloth diaper. Plastic pants, the old ill-fitting, moisture-retaining bottom burners, are being replaced by diaper covers made of breathable fabrics that manage both to protect your lap and to be kind to sensitive baby bottoms. You can wash them yourself or, if your community has a diaper service, hire it to pick up, launder, and deliver on a weekly basis.

Be aware that some babies have sensitive skin that reacts to the chemicals used in the manufacture of disposables; others react to wet cloth. Your baby will let you know if he has a preference. And there's no reason why you can't use both: cloth diapers at home; disposables away from home.