Baby-led Weaning » Making A Home And Family

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May 2012

Breastfeeding Moms Need Support: Not Negative Comments

A friend recently asked how she could get the negative comments to stop regarding breastfeeding her 7 month old. I don’t even know where to begin, but I will anyway…

One – he’s still a BABY! Baby’s were meant to nurse and consume the food made perfectly for them, and to eat that food any time or any where. They really aren’t trying to offend anyone. If you go by the World Health Organization recommendations, they recommend a baby nurses exclusively to 6 months and with complimentary foods until they are TWO YEARS OLD! The world average is far beyond that, actually.

Two – You probably can’t change the minds of the people badgering you about it, honestly. I am assuming most people bring it up because (for some reason) they aren’t comfortable with it. They are unaware of the benefits and they are from a society where breasts are sexual instead of used for nourishing their children. Somehow the most natural thing in the world is foreign to so many people. Share your knowledge with them, but don’t start a fight over it. Do what you do because in your heart you are doing right for you and your family. Period.

Did you know that about 75% of mothers breastfeed at some point in their mothering “career?” Guess how many exclusively breastfeed to 6 months like WHO recommends! Just guess!

13.3.%!

That’s a lot of non-support going on! It ranges from spouses, to grandparents, to friends, to employers, to society as a whole helping a mom nourish her baby. The nay-sayers lead mamas to feel unsupported in their efforts and they quit breastfeeding their babies. Sad, huh?

I breastfeed my babies beyond what some people think is normal or comfortable to them. I just do and the nay-sayers aren’t going to change my mind about it. Why? Because breastfeeding leads to…

Better immunity
Reduced SIDs
Less diabetes
Less obesity
Less allergies
Higher IQs
Better bonding
Quicker weight loss for mom
Lower chances of breast cancer for mom and female breastfed child
The lists go on!

If you are a breastfeeding mom lacking support, please search it out because it does exist. There’s online support via Twitter or Facebook and real-life support like La Leche League. And if this little gem means anything to you, I support you! It’s not an easy job, and even harder without support but you can do this if you believe in your heart this is what you were meant to do. You are nourishing your child’s whole being, and he/she will thank you. <3

Category: Baby-led Weaning, Motherhood 3 Comments

Mar 2012

Baby-led Weaning Starter Foods

Jennie

{Photo Source}

I’ve talked about baby-led weaning and how to get started, but what are good and nutritious choices as starter foods for BLW? Here is a good list to start from:

Cooked veggies::
1. Peas
2. Carrots sticks
3. Green beans
4. Sweet potato (mashed or in wedges)
5. Squash
6. Broccoli florets
7. Pumpkin

Raw fruits::
1. Bananas
2. Avocado
3. Peaches
4. Pears
5. Apples
6. Apricots
7. Mangoes

Have you done Baby-led Weaning? If so, what were your child’s first foods? If you are planning on trying this time around, what foods do you plan on trying with your baby?

Category: Baby-led Weaning One Comment

Mar 2012

What is Baby-led Weaning? 3 Simple Ways to Start BLW!

Jennie

What is Baby-led Weaning and where do I start? That is what I was wondering just a few weeks ago. So, I’ll explain it and give you 3 simple ideas to get you started with Baby-Led Weaning (BLW). Baby-led Weaning is when your infant feeds himself/herself. You know all those puree recipes you’ve been reading? With BLW you can throw them all out the window because baby can feed themselves hand-held foods (think slices of avocado or steamed carrots) instead.

With pureed foods, the baby will learn to swallow foods first because they don’t need to understand how to mush it down or chew it first. So when they do, they will still gag and have to learn to manipulate chunky foods in their mouths. With BLW, they learn to mush and chew first while enjoying the tastes of the foods (and not necessarily swallowing it at first). After they accomplish grasping, picking it up and getting it to their mouth, and mushing it then they can work on the new skill of actually eating it.

If BLW sounds right for you and your little one, here are 3 simple ways to get started:

1. Is your baby ready for solid foods? Make sure your baby is old enough, has the skills, and is giving cues that he/she wants to start experimenting with solid foods. You can read more details about that here.

2. Be prepared. You may not need a magic bullet blender, but some other things may come in handy with BLW. A high chair or Bumbo seat with a tray will be a necessity because BLW can be messy, and in order to foster food independence a baby should really have their own eating space. A tablecloth that’s easy to wipe off or wash would be good underneath the highchair because there will be food that drops to the floor (and gets mashed onto the tray, the seat, and all over baby). A bib that catches food may be another nice item to add to the list or maybe just a dog to eat up the scraps – I kid, I kid.

3. Share your food. The easiest part of Baby-led Weaning is that you follow baby’s cues and you share your food. If you are having an apple for a snack – slice them a piece and let them gum it. If you are having mashed potatoes and steamed carrots for dinner – give them a sample. It’s that easy!

I’m looking forward to AJ starting his BLW journey very soon! Be sure to check back for pictures!

*Do remember if your family has allergies to wait until they are older to introduce those foods and be sure to space them apart so you can be sure if they have a reaction you know what it was that caused it.

Category: Baby-led Weaning 2 Comments

Mar 2012

5 Signs your Baby is Ready for Solid Food

Jennie

{Photo Source}

1. Baby is about 6 months of age. The intestines in a baby are their filtering system and they are quite immature when they are little. Around 4-7 months, the intestines go through a “growth spurt” if you will, and their leaky gut closes up. It actually creates a protective lining so it can be more selective about what it lets through into the bloodstream, and probably causing less allergies.

2. Baby watches you eat enthusiastically. You may notice that your baby is watching you eat. You move your fork from plate to mouth and he watches the whole action. He may even move his mouth like he is chewing or begin smacking his lips like the noises we make when we eat.

3. Baby reaches for your food. What is a better sign for solid food readiness than baby grabbing for your food? He may grab your plate, utensils, or even take a piece of food from your hand or plate and bring it to his mouth.

4. Baby can sit unassisted. If baby can sit up right unassisted, then this is a great sign that he can begin eating solid foods. Can you imagine trying to swallow while laying back in a bouncy seat?

5. Baby no longer has the tongue thrust reflex. The tongue thrust reflex is when baby sticks his tongue out every time something goes in. You may have seen a baby start cereal before they are ready for solids and they will push all their cereal right back out of their mouth. When this reflex is gone, they will know to actually use their teeth or gums to chew.

At this age, eating solids isn’t a necessity for nutrition because breastmilk (and most substitutes) provide complete nutrition for the first year of a child’s life. The main objective is social and motor development while learning to manuever solid foods and be included at family meal time.

Follow your baby cues and your instincts during this exciting and messy time.