So this post starts my weaning project. After reading some stuff and trusting my gut on how to go about this (but no contacting my lactation guru, Lisa, so I may be throwing this plan out the door), I've decided to start wean the monster. I actually started last night, since Stefan has been having some great luck with solid foods lately. I wrote a post on that, but I'm pretty sure I was waiting to attach a picture...I'll pop that one up too.
I nurse "on demand" so when I read that the best thing to do is start by dropping one feeding, well...it just doesn't work like that here. In one hour, especially at night, he may be "demanding" to be fed every 20 minutes...just a sip, but a feeding nonetheless. So I've decided to tackle habitual feeding times; right after solid feedings and right after waking from daytime naps, and hopefully soon, pre-sleep nursing. I'm trying to get him to drink other milk, or if that is refused, juice or water. He needs calories, so I'm not restricting them by limiting juice, etc. Yesterday we had some epic tantrums when I left off post nap nursing. After a noisy while, he decided he'd be up for tortillas and puffs with a side of Silk (bleh). Luckily Sean's video games kind of distracted him while I sat next to him and Sean and I ignored him until it all blew over. Today, I was more successful with putting off the post breakfast feeding while I gave him a cooking lesson on how to prep for squash soup. He's keen on puffs and cheerios, which he snacked on last week in place of nursing, which was so exciting to be able to teach and not have to leave the room in the middle of everything to satisfy the crank pants.
I've fallen back into the habit of nursing him to sleep, since it was just easier then propping myself up on the bars of his crib and rubbing his back, the circulation being cut off of my arms and hands. Plus he was teething (first year molar), so it was just working all around better; because snuggling in a rocking chair while I doze to lullabies is much more pleasing than dangling cribside. Anyway, I was able to get him to sleep in 2 songs this morning, so it worked out fine.
Once the nursing isn't associated with sleep or post solid eating, I will work to start refusing him all together except for feedings I want to keep (ie the ones that relieve my body and nourish him through the night or first thing in the morning). So far, it is seeming like it is going to be very hard for him to break and harder for me to say no. How can I turn down my begging 1-year old, with his down turned frown and tragically sad eyes, from the one thing that has offered him comfort for his whole 1 year life? Despite totally rearranging my diet and lifestyle (I'll put it out there that this food elimination/allergy runs that deep), I'm still not annoyed enough to toss breastfeeding out the window.
Showing posts with label Baby Lead Weaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby Lead Weaning. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, November 6, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Here's Some BLW for your eating enjoyment
It's nap time, so I'm taking a quick chance to hop on the 'puter, and put something useful up here. Stefan seems to have refined his pincher grasp and with that, getting foods into his mouth has also come along. I'm still shocked that he's actually consuming these solids, since it looks like nothing is going in, but rest assured, It's coming out. He's still consistently fickle, at 10 months, and really only eats tomato based sauces and curries without fail...oh and Squash with bacon soup was a total success. His tongue moves the solids (non-purees) around his mouth, and usually pushes most out. The cool thing with BLW is that merely doing that is enough to consider a meal a success. He has practice taking in different textures and flavors of different temperature, manipulating them in his mouth, and works on what I consider desensitizing his gag reflex (which once rejected even the smallest bit of food), and maybe swallows something!
Rapley Weaning, Or Baby Led Weaning information at this link.
So my Saturday was a total bust. What should have been a fall day of outside yard fun and a hay ride turned into back tracking my whole morning in Thomaston and Torrington in hopes of finding my credit card, which fell out of my pocket. Anyway, all I succeeded in was wearing myself out and making my cold worse and not getting anything really productive done. So I'll cut this short, as I want to catch up on some important, top secret stuff, and some rest to get rid of the illness that plagues my body.
"Children are a handful sometimes, A heartfull all the time..."
Rapley Weaning, Or Baby Led Weaning information at this link.
So my Saturday was a total bust. What should have been a fall day of outside yard fun and a hay ride turned into back tracking my whole morning in Thomaston and Torrington in hopes of finding my credit card, which fell out of my pocket. Anyway, all I succeeded in was wearing myself out and making my cold worse and not getting anything really productive done. So I'll cut this short, as I want to catch up on some important, top secret stuff, and some rest to get rid of the illness that plagues my body.
"Children are a handful sometimes, A heartfull all the time..."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Twillight Zone
Life is a little crazy around here these days. The first few months of Stefan, there seemed to be a new thing happening every week. Then we hit a plateau after the 7 month Teeth. Nothing major going on, more importantly, nothing new to acclimate to. Then all of a sudden, cool stuff again."There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call The Twilight Zone."—Rod Serling
We started last week with some walking. It is so exciting to not physically move his legs! Also easier on mom when we practice walking. He's gotten so much better as the week has gone on and now we're working on speed a little bit. I'm so happy his socks have traction, so we don't need to get into shoes and whenever possible, he is barefoot. Baby (and adult) feet take in information about their surroundings (texture, temperature, if the ground is level, etc), AND Stefan uses his feet to kick and manipulate objects, so I figured I wouldn't glove them up in shoes unless it gets too cold. Most of the time he is very enraptured by his feet, and he forgets to look up, and bumps into things. He LOVES to watch my feet kick leaves, though the ground hasn't been exceptionally dry out here, so he doesn't walking in them so much yet.
Next cool thing is food. I feel so redundant (new movements, food/eating, sleeping, poo...what else is there, right?). We spent a night up in VT with our good friends, Lisa and Jamie. Lovely Lisa is a chef at a place that focuses on feeding women with special dietary needs....sooooooooo we were spoiled with some great non-dairy meals. Stefan was all over most of the food she cooked...eating smaller pieces than he has ever tried to hold, digging the curry (however, the gag reflex was working against him, spitting all his rice out), and though he loved the mashed potato, it still gives him a bit of a rash. He was all up in my food, seeming to really want to get into some solids. HERE is the super way wicked cool part: In preparation to go to Lisa's, I had eaten some bleu cheese earlier in the week, to test Stefan's allergy. No reaction, but I only had a very little. Well, we dove into more dairy in VT (not everything was diary free!), and still no major reaction. So last night, as we stumbled in just before Monday Night Football, Sean and I ordered some pizza, my first since April. So Good (!) and no reactions thus far! I'm so psyched. It seems like some dietary development just finally clicked.
Finally, another very way wicked super cool thing: Stranger Anxiety...or lets say his lack thereof. Now it could have just been the air (one of the cautious kitties were acting differently than anticipated, as well), but Stefan was totally into Lisa, and his new buddy, Jamie. He didn't do his famous "recoil", shared his gooey fingers with Lisa, chilled without me occasionally, and loved playing all his little games with them too. So I'm crossing my fingers, as many babies enter into their "stranger anxieties" around 9 months, that maybe we'll have already gotten over it. One can hope!
On a personal note...my week was total stupidity- like forgetting, missing, losing, lots of extra driving, dead dish washer, etc. Just one of those weeks that makes you want to get out of dodge and head to VT for a vacation. It was punctuated quite nicely with Sean's final Jetta dying in the parking lot of the Auto Zone...which one would argue was quite an advantageous place for it to die. It happened in the same parking lot, with the same problem with a previous Jetta only a couple of years ago. Among many other problems (windows that don't go down, exhaust leaks, electrical problems that made blinkers etc not work, no air cond., some cord snapping in relation to the starter...that was the same thing that went wrong on the last one) his car was so rusted that it couldn't be safely put onto jack stands in our driveway. Repairs were just too much and so the car passed on to it's final resting place in the dump. It's the end of an era (almost) as we only have one Jetta left...the original one, in pieces in the garage, as it has been pillaged to provide the subsequent Jettas with parts. Soon I'll be picking up my new Focus ST (new to me); a sporty 4-door with some very pleasant features.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Well Baby Visit
Today Stefan had his 9 month well baby visit. No shots, just a check up today, though you'd never know from the crying. Dr's visits are a mix of stress and happiness. Usually I'm planning on some battle because I've chosen to do something different than normal. Then I see the Pedi, and he is totally cool with my decisions, gives me advice about them, and I leave happy. Unless my Pedi is not in, but he was there today, so I'm not going there. I was prepared to fight BLW (though he said it is fine, but he didn't know much about it). I also thought Stefan was going to need his iron checked, since he's not consuming iron fortified cereal that much. (Note: babies don't absorb iron supplements readily and breast milk iron is actually designed for absorption.) However, as a part of my fight, I was ready to with that breast milk information- though cautious, since it isn't my first hand experience. Common sense would tell me my milk was sufficient (unless I was iron deficient which I am quite the contrary, from past blood tests), since back in the caveman days, there was no Gerber Stages at the local grocery store, or watering hole. Yet some how, they survived, since we're all here, right?
The second part of my fight would have been how to get more iron in Stefan's diet without supplements. I found some sites with lists and "recipes" on how to get iron into Baby's diet. We actually tired smashed prunes in cereal earlier this week and he liked it.It turns out, there was no fight, no iron tests until 1 year, and I was uber happy.
The other cool part about Dr. visits is finding how much Stefan has grown with reliable scales! He's only put on a little weight this time: 19 lbs 12 oz and is 29 inches. So the new car seat needs to be had, since ours only goes to 30 inches. I thought I was off the hook for a while due to his weight not reaching the 25 lb. limit. Now you'd think the people who made our seat would have one in the very next size up. Nope. 35lb is the next size up with them, which seems to me to be a HUGE business blunder as we would have stayed with that company. We have another one now. Anyway, that is neither here nor there.
We've had a week of severe ups and downs. Tuesday, frustrating. Wednesday, WONDERFUL! He was a perfect gem in music classes, despite having only one nap. He discovered he could write with his finger in chalk dust on a chalk board- and that it coated his already magical fingers in white. He played on the floor quietly while I taught class for 45 minutes straight. We arrived home late, as we do every Tuesday and Wednesday, and he pretty much goes straight to bed (hence all the unreturned phone calls on Tuesday...sorry, bed time took a LONG time). Wednesday night...out peacefully listening to some cello music my childhood neighbor's mom, Eileen, sent us back in the winter. I suppose it's a little microcosm of "this too shall pass". For almost a week, we cut out the 10pm feeding. Now it's back. I wish the good stuff didn't keep passing! I know it will be back, but it was nice to chill with Sean longer than a couple of hours before I have to tend to the baby and hope I don't pass out for the night while doing so.
Today, we're back to troubled napping, and an overtired, silly baby. It does give me a chance to step back and remember what is important. Stefan getting a nap, or most things when he is truly sad, trumps most everything else (but for a bathroom break and even that is pushed further away). BS (Before Stefan) I thought I'd be sick of him after seeing him 24/7- there are certainly students of mine who I'd feel that way about after only a few hours. Of course, it's never the case. I don't know why he was so hard to go to nap just now...but if I felt as bad as he was seeming to feel, I'd want my mom to sit and cuddle with me also. If UPS hadn't shown up with Sean's new work computer, I'd still be trying to make myself comfortable in the rocking chair (the wood is much too firm for my tender bony bum and I love sitting sideways, however my blood vessels don't. Nothing like a numb back and legs). Yes, did you see that I said IBM actually sent Sean a new work computer...so now he isn't working on something that is over 5 years old, refurbished multiple times, and slower than molasses in January. Kudos for looking out for your employees, jerks...<pleh!> Sorry, sometimes I wish I could tell IBM to "Out source this!", you create a visual.
Tonight I'm off to band rehearsal, almost 3 baby-free hours! I said I don't get sick of him, I didn't say I don't appreciate time away...to drive... by myself... in my car... with my music loud, my windows down, and whatever other not so crazy things I choose to do.
The second part of my fight would have been how to get more iron in Stefan's diet without supplements. I found some sites with lists and "recipes" on how to get iron into Baby's diet. We actually tired smashed prunes in cereal earlier this week and he liked it.It turns out, there was no fight, no iron tests until 1 year, and I was uber happy.
The other cool part about Dr. visits is finding how much Stefan has grown with reliable scales! He's only put on a little weight this time: 19 lbs 12 oz and is 29 inches. So the new car seat needs to be had, since ours only goes to 30 inches. I thought I was off the hook for a while due to his weight not reaching the 25 lb. limit. Now you'd think the people who made our seat would have one in the very next size up. Nope. 35lb is the next size up with them, which seems to me to be a HUGE business blunder as we would have stayed with that company. We have another one now. Anyway, that is neither here nor there.
We've had a week of severe ups and downs. Tuesday, frustrating. Wednesday, WONDERFUL! He was a perfect gem in music classes, despite having only one nap. He discovered he could write with his finger in chalk dust on a chalk board- and that it coated his already magical fingers in white. He played on the floor quietly while I taught class for 45 minutes straight. We arrived home late, as we do every Tuesday and Wednesday, and he pretty much goes straight to bed (hence all the unreturned phone calls on Tuesday...sorry, bed time took a LONG time). Wednesday night...out peacefully listening to some cello music my childhood neighbor's mom, Eileen, sent us back in the winter. I suppose it's a little microcosm of "this too shall pass". For almost a week, we cut out the 10pm feeding. Now it's back. I wish the good stuff didn't keep passing! I know it will be back, but it was nice to chill with Sean longer than a couple of hours before I have to tend to the baby and hope I don't pass out for the night while doing so.
Today, we're back to troubled napping, and an overtired, silly baby. It does give me a chance to step back and remember what is important. Stefan getting a nap, or most things when he is truly sad, trumps most everything else (but for a bathroom break and even that is pushed further away). BS (Before Stefan) I thought I'd be sick of him after seeing him 24/7- there are certainly students of mine who I'd feel that way about after only a few hours. Of course, it's never the case. I don't know why he was so hard to go to nap just now...but if I felt as bad as he was seeming to feel, I'd want my mom to sit and cuddle with me also. If UPS hadn't shown up with Sean's new work computer, I'd still be trying to make myself comfortable in the rocking chair (the wood is much too firm for my tender bony bum and I love sitting sideways, however my blood vessels don't. Nothing like a numb back and legs). Yes, did you see that I said IBM actually sent Sean a new work computer...so now he isn't working on something that is over 5 years old, refurbished multiple times, and slower than molasses in January. Kudos for looking out for your employees, jerks...<pleh!> Sorry, sometimes I wish I could tell IBM to "Out source this!", you create a visual.
Tonight I'm off to band rehearsal, almost 3 baby-free hours! I said I don't get sick of him, I didn't say I don't appreciate time away...to drive... by myself... in my car... with my music loud, my windows down, and whatever other not so crazy things I choose to do.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Simply an update
Not too many deep thoughts for this post. I put him down a while ago for a nap, and he'll probably wake soon. It's easiest not to get involved in anything and plant myself in the room next to his so I can hear him wake. Anyway....
A couple of cool things I think I noticed...one is that he has started communicating more than just throwing "ehhh" back in forth, like a little conversation. Sean noticed that while he was "talking", he was looking at a cup in particular. When Sean gave him the out of reach object, Stefan was thrilled. I think he may have been asking Sean for the cup. There have been a couple of other occurrences like this, I'm just not sure if he's actually realized that he can communicate with sound, or if I just recognized his communication until now. I think it's the former.
He's made laundry folding go faster. I dump the basket in front of him, sit behind him, and he hands me the clothing, piece by piece. If I through in a "Thank You" for every piece, he gets excited and keeps the game going. I think this has drinking game potential, but I'm weary of drinking near the clean laundry!
Another very cool thing is he's making strides with BLW. It is only a small step forward, followed by the two steps back were in now, but we had a great meal where he was totally into feeding himself. He was making choices to try different foods and most of it ended up in his mouth. Since that day (last Wed.) he's returned to only small tastes before he throws the food on the floor. I keep trying daily; once I cut into the veg/fruit, it is kind of destined to be his (and some mine when I demonstrate how to eat it, and finally just consume what he's about to throw on the floor). So I kind of "kill" him with one food until it's gone. Last night we went a little crazy and had a whole spread of mushroom, mango, pepper, onion, and potato. He even got a chance to try some good steak (we grilled a nice cut to perfection, nom nom). I think the potato gave him a bad face rash when he rubbed it all over his cheeks, so we'll have to come back to that one another day. I'm glad he's making choices, mimicking my eating, and I'm not shoving processed yuck baby food at him. I can't even trust my morning OJ to be healthy and fresh, no way I'm trusting those baby food companies to have Stefan's best interests in mind!
A couple of cool things I think I noticed...one is that he has started communicating more than just throwing "ehhh" back in forth, like a little conversation. Sean noticed that while he was "talking", he was looking at a cup in particular. When Sean gave him the out of reach object, Stefan was thrilled. I think he may have been asking Sean for the cup. There have been a couple of other occurrences like this, I'm just not sure if he's actually realized that he can communicate with sound, or if I just recognized his communication until now. I think it's the former.
He's made laundry folding go faster. I dump the basket in front of him, sit behind him, and he hands me the clothing, piece by piece. If I through in a "Thank You" for every piece, he gets excited and keeps the game going. I think this has drinking game potential, but I'm weary of drinking near the clean laundry!
Another very cool thing is he's making strides with BLW. It is only a small step forward, followed by the two steps back were in now, but we had a great meal where he was totally into feeding himself. He was making choices to try different foods and most of it ended up in his mouth. Since that day (last Wed.) he's returned to only small tastes before he throws the food on the floor. I keep trying daily; once I cut into the veg/fruit, it is kind of destined to be his (and some mine when I demonstrate how to eat it, and finally just consume what he's about to throw on the floor). So I kind of "kill" him with one food until it's gone. Last night we went a little crazy and had a whole spread of mushroom, mango, pepper, onion, and potato. He even got a chance to try some good steak (we grilled a nice cut to perfection, nom nom). I think the potato gave him a bad face rash when he rubbed it all over his cheeks, so we'll have to come back to that one another day. I'm glad he's making choices, mimicking my eating, and I'm not shoving processed yuck baby food at him. I can't even trust my morning OJ to be healthy and fresh, no way I'm trusting those baby food companies to have Stefan's best interests in mind!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My little chutney butt
Here's a little note while I kill time before going to teach and purposefully ignore Stefan on the floor. He's mad to be on his back, but I think it's about time he figured how to get off his back himself. He does roll, but that puts him on his tummy which he hates...another place he should spend more time. So we're practicing independence.
He's been making more progress in solids. I realized today that in addition to taste, temperature, and consistency, the shape/size of the bits he is presented with and how many are also effecting if he tries to eat it. I knew they did, but I thought after he tasted how amazing food is, it wouldn't matter. I've been going a bit too small, he needs something golf ball sized or larger. Though chip-shaped food is recommended for BLW, he's not so down with it. One has only to look at the dining room floor to realize what he likes and doesn't (I'm trying to discourage floor food without success). Yesterday he had fun with a huge hunk of grilled squash and today, a big mushroom. He also tried some of the rice covered in curry sauce I made and was screaming for more (yes screaming, he doesn't mince screams). We've also been practicing using a cup, no sippy top. He eats his solids meals with me, so we just sit at the table together and practice...it gives me something to do besides eat in silence.
Well I better go rescue him, seems he's really pissed off on his belly...cheers!
He's been making more progress in solids. I realized today that in addition to taste, temperature, and consistency, the shape/size of the bits he is presented with and how many are also effecting if he tries to eat it. I knew they did, but I thought after he tasted how amazing food is, it wouldn't matter. I've been going a bit too small, he needs something golf ball sized or larger. Though chip-shaped food is recommended for BLW, he's not so down with it. One has only to look at the dining room floor to realize what he likes and doesn't (I'm trying to discourage floor food without success). Yesterday he had fun with a huge hunk of grilled squash and today, a big mushroom. He also tried some of the rice covered in curry sauce I made and was screaming for more (yes screaming, he doesn't mince screams). We've also been practicing using a cup, no sippy top. He eats his solids meals with me, so we just sit at the table together and practice...it gives me something to do besides eat in silence.
Well I better go rescue him, seems he's really pissed off on his belly...cheers!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Teeth, Cuckes, Throwing, Oh My
Most days, I love motherhood 100%, despite little frustrations through out the day. I could sit and watch/play with Stefan day after day and never grow bored. Yesterday, however, I could have thrown it out the window...and for part of today, too. I hate the pressure of getting a job done (repair and sometimes teaching) and being torn by baby needs as well. Note: house pressures are easily tossed aside in favor of baby care:) I guess, if my house is a wreck, we don't really care, but I need to keep customers happy, so it is very hard to put the crying teeth-Monster aside in favor of a pay check.
The repairs were finally completed this afternoon, and a great weight lifted. Now, to get the fall schedule straight and I'll be very happy. It stinks being so unsettled every year wondering how much work I'll actually have and it never turns out to be as much as I need. Oh well that is a whole other can of worms. On to the update.
Stefan has the biggest bumps ever on his top gums. I'm hoping something cuts through soon and we're out from under this teething cloud! He refuses to hold any relief (teether etc), and I'm tired of holding them for him... and being covered in ice water along with the floor and furniture. We've tried frozen wash cloths, ice in food bags, water in pacifiers, ice water in bottles, water in cups (this he actually likes, but is high maintenance), frozen bananas, cold carrots, and traditional teethers. Finally today, I think he received a little relief from a cold cucumber which leads me to this afternoon's excitement:
He's "eaten" 3 pieces of cucumber by himself. Eating means he held them in his hand and tasted it repeatedly, but not actually consumed more than a little bit. Hurray BLW!
Finally, the newest trick: Throwing things. It's really hysterical to see, though I choose which emotion to display, as I don't want it to turn into bad habits. So he is allowed to throw Poo (Winnie), and Eeyore during diaper changes and I make all sorts of faces. However, he does NOT get any response besides, "All done" (verbally and in sign), for tossing food on the floor. Then there is throwing toys all around the room...I just ignore it completely. I figure, if he tosses ALL of them, far enough away, he'll HAVE to crawl to get them. He's still completely immobile, but he has motions for the parts of crawling. He can easily get into position on his tummy fast, but doesn't tuck his legs. He has opposing arms and legs moving and can scoot himself at times with help, but again, can't do much with it by himself. So I'm just waiting for all the little parts to fall together on that one.
The repairs were finally completed this afternoon, and a great weight lifted. Now, to get the fall schedule straight and I'll be very happy. It stinks being so unsettled every year wondering how much work I'll actually have and it never turns out to be as much as I need. Oh well that is a whole other can of worms. On to the update.
Stefan has the biggest bumps ever on his top gums. I'm hoping something cuts through soon and we're out from under this teething cloud! He refuses to hold any relief (teether etc), and I'm tired of holding them for him... and being covered in ice water along with the floor and furniture. We've tried frozen wash cloths, ice in food bags, water in pacifiers, ice water in bottles, water in cups (this he actually likes, but is high maintenance), frozen bananas, cold carrots, and traditional teethers. Finally today, I think he received a little relief from a cold cucumber which leads me to this afternoon's excitement:
He's "eaten" 3 pieces of cucumber by himself. Eating means he held them in his hand and tasted it repeatedly, but not actually consumed more than a little bit. Hurray BLW!
Finally, the newest trick: Throwing things. It's really hysterical to see, though I choose which emotion to display, as I don't want it to turn into bad habits. So he is allowed to throw Poo (Winnie), and Eeyore during diaper changes and I make all sorts of faces. However, he does NOT get any response besides, "All done" (verbally and in sign), for tossing food on the floor. Then there is throwing toys all around the room...I just ignore it completely. I figure, if he tosses ALL of them, far enough away, he'll HAVE to crawl to get them. He's still completely immobile, but he has motions for the parts of crawling. He can easily get into position on his tummy fast, but doesn't tuck his legs. He has opposing arms and legs moving and can scoot himself at times with help, but again, can't do much with it by himself. So I'm just waiting for all the little parts to fall together on that one.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Pickles and Watermelon...are you pregnant? Or How we're taking a step back in BLW
Stefan was getting along famously with avocado and cereal until this week. It all started with some peaches. Fresh, ripe, soft, organic peaches. Stefan hates them and mommy learned that if you keep trying to convince a baby he wants what you're giving him, you may end up with a lap full of puke. Good gag reflex, Stef.
No problem, lets go back to bananas. Fresh, ripe, succulent, organic banana. Nope, now those are on the "gag until he pukes" list too (no I didn't learn my lesson the first time...or rather, I'm persistent).
Ok, no problem, lets just go back to our old buddy avocado...but, mark my words, mommy is making it thick- you need new textures! Blat!! Even after I thinned it out! That's now on the list. Ok, but how could we go wrong with rice cereal....we could. On the list. He had no clue what to even do with cheerios.
A side note: he still salivates over my food, like bacon...so maybe he's just ticked that I get the good stuff;)
In my efforts to be a sassy mommy, I gave him my pickle- just a hint on his lip. Viola- he loved it. Just like he loved water melon the other day- however that is kind of prone to being bitten with Mr. Tooth and chokable chunks come loose, which cause him to gag, then puke, and really has little nutritional value, so don't count on it too soon, Kid.
And just what is BLW and why does all the current food refusal effect it? Baby Lead Weaning, where basically we skip pureed food and head right to solids when he's developmentally ready. However I got a little bored and started him with some solids that could be easily mashed- by my definition, ones that he could eat if left to his own devices.
To be ready for BLW, baby has to exhibit certain signs...sits upright unassisted well, gag reflex lessened/gone, and able to pick up things with a pincher grasp. Then, healthy food is served in pieces that can be held in a fist. Baby experiments more with the new morsels than eats them, is able to explore on his own, and isn't forced to eat foods he don't want. He's not eating for nutrition, but rather for experience. Also, it prolongs the amount of time he receives breast milk, as he isn't filling his belly with solids quite yet.
So, in an effort to work on his gag reflex, I've been thickening his current food, without success. And I think we've worked backward in solid food, but it seems the other babies in his cohort on a forum I read kind of have done the same thing, so we'll just wait this out. Two steps forward, one step back...
No problem, lets go back to bananas. Fresh, ripe, succulent, organic banana. Nope, now those are on the "gag until he pukes" list too (no I didn't learn my lesson the first time...or rather, I'm persistent).
Ok, no problem, lets just go back to our old buddy avocado...but, mark my words, mommy is making it thick- you need new textures! Blat!! Even after I thinned it out! That's now on the list. Ok, but how could we go wrong with rice cereal....we could. On the list. He had no clue what to even do with cheerios.
A side note: he still salivates over my food, like bacon...so maybe he's just ticked that I get the good stuff;)
In my efforts to be a sassy mommy, I gave him my pickle- just a hint on his lip. Viola- he loved it. Just like he loved water melon the other day- however that is kind of prone to being bitten with Mr. Tooth and chokable chunks come loose, which cause him to gag, then puke, and really has little nutritional value, so don't count on it too soon, Kid.
And just what is BLW and why does all the current food refusal effect it? Baby Lead Weaning, where basically we skip pureed food and head right to solids when he's developmentally ready. However I got a little bored and started him with some solids that could be easily mashed- by my definition, ones that he could eat if left to his own devices.
To be ready for BLW, baby has to exhibit certain signs...sits upright unassisted well, gag reflex lessened/gone, and able to pick up things with a pincher grasp. Then, healthy food is served in pieces that can be held in a fist. Baby experiments more with the new morsels than eats them, is able to explore on his own, and isn't forced to eat foods he don't want. He's not eating for nutrition, but rather for experience. Also, it prolongs the amount of time he receives breast milk, as he isn't filling his belly with solids quite yet.
So, in an effort to work on his gag reflex, I've been thickening his current food, without success. And I think we've worked backward in solid food, but it seems the other babies in his cohort on a forum I read kind of have done the same thing, so we'll just wait this out. Two steps forward, one step back...
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