Natural Kids in the City: Messy Play by Liz Parnell Mess is an essential part of childhood.  Living in a small urban homes or a rented property can make messy play stressful for parents and cause it to be avoided. Also, it is easy for parents to feel that people will criticize or judge if our child is seen wearing dirty clothes, or if our homes are less than pristine and spotless.. Read more.   Visit Natural Child magazine on Facebook and join the conversation (or start your own). Please read this message from the Editor and Publisher. Ask Naomi – Night Weaning a Toddler by Naomi Aldort It is possible to gently guide a two-year-old to wean from night nursing so a pregnant mom can get a good night's sleep. Emotional harm will only happen when a child doubts her value in the first place. What makes human wee-ones resilient is their knowledge that they are worthy and cared for. They can then handle varied situations and emotions while staying rooted in this self-assurance. Read more. Love Matters – Parenting in the Early Years: Fingerplays by Marty Layne Playing with your baby is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. The baby makes a sound, you answer, the baby repeats, you echo back. This kind of interchange that happens, often without thought, helps your child understand the give and take of conversation.  Read more.   PCB Exposure in Pregnant Women Has Gender-skewing Effect A study released in mid July, 2008 by researchers at the University of California, Davis has found that women exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are significantly less likely to give birth to male children than women exposed to lower levels of the banned environmental pollutants. Read more.

This online version of Natural Child Magazine is owned by Life Media, an independently owned family business founded in 1976 to publish books and Natural Life magazine. The company focuses on providing quality products about natural family living and a high level of service and integrity, in a way that minimizes our ecological footprint and respects all the inhabitants of Mother Earth. Read our sustainability statement. We also pride ourselves on our editorial independence and integrity. Read our ethics policy. We support the World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Natural Child Magazine is a spinoff from "The Natural Child" column, which began in Natural Life magazine in 1992.