Some BLW thoughts

One of the points of BLW is that baby chooses what he eats. In addition to practicing free will, it is thought that baby will know what they need, from what I've read. Like if they are low on protein, they'll jump on meat. I pretty much trust if I'm lacking a nutrient, I'll have an appropriate craving to satisfy it (though it will most likely not be the BEST source I can choose, like peanut butter cravings satisfying protein needs). However, after 29 years, I think that my mind and body have a rather good grasp at what is contained in the foods I eat. Stef on the other hand...not so many experiences. How does he know what vitamins are contained in spinach when he's never had it before. And even then, if he did have it, I really believe taste is going to influence his decision to eat it again. Perhaps I underestimate how our bodies work, there are some seemingly miraculous things out there that I can't explain without a lot of time to research, that end up working out really well for us humans. And then I also consider that I crave sugar, especially when I've had it a lot, and it isn't good for me in any way. After a few days without a coke or some other sweet, I don't really notice that it's gone...a little twisted, the addiction sugar forms in me.

For The Monster, he doesn't consume enough whole pieces of what not to satisfy his needs. Nursing is still the main source of his nutrition. A friend's son nursed exclusively until 11 months, when he showed he was ready to take on solids by grabbing and consuming a piece of pizza off an unsuspecting relative's plate at a party. That is another part of BLW, and I apologize if this is a repeat. I can't remember how specific I've gotten in the past (yes, I'm too lazy to go review the posts). Baby's body knows when it is ready to have less nursing and more solids. At this point, Monster's body is digesting a large majority of the nutrient in the breast milk, and it is satisfying his needs. In fact, solids can potentially inhibit uptake the of breast milk's more readily absorbed iron...so in this way, I can see where a baby's body knows what it needs and knows when the breast milk isn't cutting it. It is then that baby will start seeking out solids on their own...the cue is trying to take food off of people's plates, basically. I've also noticed excessive salivation and lip smacking in Stefan when I cook or eat in front of him, though since he isn't all up in the solids, I think these are kind of Pavlovian responses.

My final thought is in not neglecting spoon feeding. Like everything, BLW has its orthodox followers, one of which I am not. They contend that there should be NO spoon use, as it takes away from baby choosing. I say they are misguided, and if they are so brutal to only use a spoon as an object for shoving food into one's face, without the ability of presenting the baby with a choice, then they have some serious inabilities...no offense. Perhaps I'm blessed with a child who can communicate his wishes effectively and I take the time to let him do so, and can translate his non-verbal cues. Anyhow, in the case of slop-like foods (cereals, soups, curries, purees that are meant to be that way for everyone...in other words not just pureeing everything for baby's sake ie squash soup...ours is thick!), a spoon is totally necessary. Some babies take control of the spoon. Stefan, the opportunist, knows all the things Mom will do for him, and utensil holding is one. I thought he got sick of the same meals all the time, but he's been on pumpkin and squash soup for almost 2 weeks, with some intermittent curries, and is still voracious at meal time. He does exhibit utensil preference (mine, instead of his), and at one point did try to feed himself (note to self, get him back on that!). When he wants it, the grunting is endless, mouth agape. When it's done, we have eye cues, head turning, and slapping. I ask him a couple of times before we're officially all done, just to make sure. That's all I need to do. He's made a choice, I didn't have to clean a bunch of slop out of the dining room rug and everyone is happy. Otherwise, food placed in front of him is a toy to throw on the floor, except for a couple of things which may be food one minute but are soon a toy. Floor food has gotten old.

So like many other baby things, it's not all or nothing. If relying on the information on a page was the ONLY way to do something proclaiming to be the most beneficial for baby, we'd seriously be neglecting our babies and what they are trying to communicate to us.