You are right that women had less babies historically. They had babies spaced around 3-4 years apart, for about 25 years. This was because of lactation ammenorrhea, due to co-sleeping, exclusive breastfeeding, baby-wearing (proximity influences hormones). Modernity has dramatically changed this...women's hips, breasts, arms, and backs were replaced with car seats, soothers+bottles, strollers, cribs, etc. This is not a judgment, but an observation.
Helping women see that there is an alternate way to space their children that could be more in line with how God designed women+babies would be so helpful. For some reason sleep training is incredibly encouraged (and vo-sleeping frowned upon, almost lumped in with gentle parenting) in reformed circles, which is one of the largest factors in influencing hormonal changes post-partum in women. Obviously this is a conscience issue, but I wish it was not seen as the default when the opposite is closer to reality.
Helen and my youngest was born at similar ages for us. It was delightful. We started too late. With every child, I thought, "Might be a Down's child, but we'll love her anyway".
As usual I greatly appreciate your wise, pastoral wisdom and your biblically and experientially nuanced positions. Over and over I find myself saying "Amen, and amen."
Congratulations!
You are right that women had less babies historically. They had babies spaced around 3-4 years apart, for about 25 years. This was because of lactation ammenorrhea, due to co-sleeping, exclusive breastfeeding, baby-wearing (proximity influences hormones). Modernity has dramatically changed this...women's hips, breasts, arms, and backs were replaced with car seats, soothers+bottles, strollers, cribs, etc. This is not a judgment, but an observation.
Helping women see that there is an alternate way to space their children that could be more in line with how God designed women+babies would be so helpful. For some reason sleep training is incredibly encouraged (and vo-sleeping frowned upon, almost lumped in with gentle parenting) in reformed circles, which is one of the largest factors in influencing hormonal changes post-partum in women. Obviously this is a conscience issue, but I wish it was not seen as the default when the opposite is closer to reality.
Helen and my youngest was born at similar ages for us. It was delightful. We started too late. With every child, I thought, "Might be a Down's child, but we'll love her anyway".
Congratulations! Great reminders.
As usual I greatly appreciate your wise, pastoral wisdom and your biblically and experientially nuanced positions. Over and over I find myself saying "Amen, and amen."