22YO Vegan Mom Says Eating Dirt And Rocks Is Good For Her Son
What parenting philosophy you want to follow or how you want to raise your baby is your own decision. It's your child and your life, but when you choose to display that life online, you're inviting others to comment on it.
Alice Bender is no stranger to online spectators making comments about her life. Many just find it too difficult to not comment on her alternative lifestyle and parenting decisions.
Meet Alice And Fern
Alice Bender is a 22-year-old mother to baby Fern who started documenting her motherhood journey when she was still pregnant with her son.
From the beginning, her TikTok account @comingupfern has garnered a lot of attention thanks to her vegan lifestyle.
Mom & Baby Are Both Vegan
Both Alice and Fern are completely vegan, and their organic lifestyle spreads to every aspect of their lives.
Alice says that she is about 80% fruitarian, and says she had a "really easy pregnancy," which she attributes to her diet. She said in a previous pregnancy she was only vegetarian at the time and was "really sick" throughout the pregnancy.
Her Lifestyle Changed After Losing A Child
In 2019, Alice was pregnant with her daughter Aurelia and had a traditional hospital birth.
She says she was forced to have a c-section and didn't feel like she was given a choice, which she regrets. Her daughter passed away while in the hospital and Alice attributes her daughter's death to the traditional Western medicine practices she followed during her first pregnancy and birth.
Baby Fern Sets His Own Sleep Schedule
As part of her parenting philosophy, Alice likes to give her son as much choice as possible, including with his sleep "schedule."
Alice said in one video that her son sleeps when he wants, and she just sleeps at the same time. Sometimes that means they're up all night and sleep all day, or they sleep in 1-2 hour periods all day.
And She Doesn't Support The "Cry It Out" Method
Since baby Fern cosleeps with his parents, he's close by if he needs anything.
Alice is against the method of letting a baby self-soothe or "cry it out" at night because she feels it teaches them that they can't rely on their parents to come when they need something.
Alice "Isn't Afraid Of The Sun"
In another video, Alice talks about her daily playtime with baby Fern, including outdoor time.
"I bring him outside as often as possible, with no sunscreen, because we're not scared of the sun."
Alice Is Also Not Afraid Of Bacteria
A huge issue that many have with Alice's philosophy is the fact that she lets her baby eat whatever he wants or put whatever he'd like in his mouth.
That includes things like rocks, dirt, sand, or grocery carts.
She "Welcomes" Bacteria
One video, in particular, has had over 12M views on TikTok.
In that video, Alice talks about how she isn't afraid of bacteria and that she welcomes it for Fern. He's allowed to eat sticks, rocks, sand, or dirt if that's what he wants to do because it's a healthy bacteria for him to have in his body—according to her.
She Believes Formula Should Be "Illegal"
Alice exclusively breastfeeds Fern and plans to do so until he's at least four years old.
Not only does she not use formula, but she believes that it shouldn't be legal, and that most new mothers aren't properly informed on the risks it brings.
Why Can't We Sell Human Milk?
Alice says that selling breastmilk would be a better option than having mothers use formula.
"We sell non-human breast milk at the store, why not human milk? It doesn't make any sense."
You Can Follow Along With Alice And Fern
Many people do not agree with the way that Alice is raising baby Fern, but that's not going to stop her from posting content.
She knows that she has some controversial opinions or philosophies. That's not going to change her mind.
