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Seeking practical advice about natural family living? Peruse the articles about natural family living topics in Mothering Magazine’s most current issue. Each issue of Mothering contains philosophical inspiration and practical advice about natural family living. Topics are as diverse as breastfeeding, circumcision, vaccinations, organic foods, childhood illnesses, home birth, ear infections, parenting teens, midwifery, and homeopathy.

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Isssue 147 - March/April 2008

This issue of Mothering "speaks truth to power" with three hard-hitting articles by major activists and authors. In "Masking Maternal Mortality" (page 64), renowned midwife and author Ina May Gaskin challenges the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to step up its documentation of maternal deaths and address the lack of postpartum care that leads to them. In "Evading the Evidence" (page 58), David Kirby, author of the controversial book Evidence of Harm, deconstructs a CDC study that many claim disproves a causal connection between mercury in vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. And in "Ban the Bags" (page 72), activist Marsha Walker tells how her breastfeeding advocacy organization, the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, is working to end the distribution of formula samples in hospitals—and how you can join the fight.

Moving from the political to the practical, "Dumping Disposable Diapers," by Lindsay Evans (page 46), outlines how to make a smooth transition to cloth (and why the environment will thank you). Meanwhile, Elizabeth Gawlik's "The ABCs of Going Cloth" (page 52) gives you the skinny on the latest diaper styles and how to take care of them—these are definitely not your mother's diapers! You'll be amazed at how relatively easy these attractive varieties make padding your baby's bum. In addition, a special "Strokes of Genius" section (page 90) features products with the cloth-diapering parent in mind.

In Parenting 101, feeding your baby goes right alongside diapering. When your child is ready for solid foods, which are the best to choose? Locally grown and organic, says Cynthia Lair, who offers advice for taking those first healthy steps beyond breastfeeding in "Fresh First Foods" (page 82).

When to introduce solid foods, whether or not to vaccinate—parenting is full of choices with which others may disagree. In "On Being a Parenting Original" (page 36), Kelly Coyle DiNorcia describes strategies for keeping your inner peace even when others directly oppose your views.

We hope this issue gives you energy—to challenge the status quo, try out new ideas, and, most important, stay true to yourself. You've got the power.

Melissa Chianta
Managing Editor