The Ultimate Guide for Crunch Moms: Embrace Natural Parenting

Last Updated on July 22, 2023 by Avi Steen

Whether you’re already a devoted crunchy mom or just curious about different parenting styles, this crunch moms guide is for you.

As a mom myself, I’ve found that natural parenting kind of just fell into place in my motherhood journey. I fell in love with the ideas of early potty training, using cloth diapers, extended breastfeeding, and babywearing—all of which are pillars of crunchy mom parenting.

What is a Crunchy Mom, Anyways?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what “crunchy or scrunchy moms” terms are all about. Picture moms who believe in gentle and eco-conscious parenting—moms who embrace natural approaches that prioritize their child’s well-being and the environment.

Crunch Mom vs. Silky Mom

On the other hand, we have “silky moms” who might prefer more conventional parenting styles, and that’s completely okay! This guide is judgment-free, and our goal is to provide support for moms interested in natural parenting.

I am not a full-on crunchy mom; I do have some silky aspects as well! 

I started off as a working mom, as many women do, but I had a heavy desire to raise my children in the Lord and fulfill the calling of being a stay-at-home mom. To set aside this time, I had to quit my work-from-home job. It’s been such a blessing!

Crunchy Parenting

Cloth Diapering

First up, let’s talk about cloth diapering. If you’re wondering why anyone would choose cloth over disposables, I’m here to tell you there are plenty of reasons!

Not only are cloth diapers better for the environment, but they can also save you some serious money. Personally, I used these cloth diapers on Amazon and these bamboo cloth inserts to help with heavy soilers. 

I started cloth diapering my first daughter at about six months (when our disposables ran out). Yes, it was messy at times, but we saved a lot of money, and water expenses for daily washing were low since we live in the country and have well water.

Elimination Communication

Now, you might be intrigued by the concept of elimination communication, which involves tuning in to your baby’s elimination needs and helping them with potty training from an early age.

It might sound a bit daunting, but it can be an amazing bonding experience and lead to early potty training success. 

I also started elimination communication with my first daughter around 5-6 months (around the time she could sit up). She was potty trained two months before her second birthday. My second daughter took a little more time, but she was still potty trained at two years old.

I wrote about my experience here: Early Potty Training Before 1 Years Old

Babywearing

One of my absolute favorite things about early motherhood is babywearing. There’s nothing like having your little one close to your heart as you tackle daily tasks.

Babywearing has some fantastic benefits for both you and your baby. This baby carrier was my favorite along with the Moby carrier in the winter for extra warmth. 

Breastfeeding:

Ah, breastfeeding—the beautiful connection between natural parenting and nourishing your baby. I know breastfeeding is not a part of every mother’s story, but I actually loved it so much.

Yes, it had its struggles and emotions, but so does every part of motherhood.

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Nurturing Your Baby’s Development Naturally

Creating a stimulating and nurturing environment for your baby doesn’t have to be complicated. Natural wood toys like the ones below helped my children navigate play without the annoying battery-powered toys that usually end up in the donation pile a few months after their birthdays.  

And let’s not forget about embracing a natural lifestyle in everyday activities like cleaning, cooking, and playing. Your children love to do things with you.

I would give my children simple tasks like putting a towel in a basket or pouring already measured rice into the rice cooker. They love the sense of accomplishment they feel when helping you around the house.

Balancing Natural Parenting with Real-Life Demands

I’ll be the first to admit that living a crunchy lifestyle, while rewarding, comes with its own set of challenges. Sometimes I would forget to start the wash, and we would have no cloth diapers the next day. Or I’d give up completely on most things crunchy on my third child because I’m simply just too tired. 

Being a mom is not perfect. Being a mama is defined by going with the flow and just loving on your children as best you can. 

Embrace the imperfections and find a balance that works for you and your family.

So, there you have it, our ultimate guide for crunchy moms! Whether you decide to fully embrace natural parenting or incorporate elements that resonate with you, the beauty of motherhood lies in finding what works best for you and your family.

Embrace your unique journey, and always remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting.

Let’s celebrate our differences and the love we pour into raising our little ones in the Lord. As we part ways, here’s a scripture that captures the essence of parenting:

“5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road when you lie down, and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)