Introducing food is such an exciting time! It can also be a challenge to manage all the varying perspectives around health and nutrition. As a reminder, please consult your doctor before making any substantial changes or introducing foods for the first time. Particularly, see how they feel about allergen foods given your family history and needs. Who is in Control?Eating is a personal responsibility. According to family wellness expert, Ellyn Satter, parents should take control over the when and the what. In other words, your job is to control the eating schedule (example: my child eats around 9am for breakfast and 1pm for lunch), and you decide what is on the plate (example: today my child will eat avocados and blueberries). Your child's responsibility is to decide if and how much. Our children might decide to boycott food. They might decide to eat 6 helpings. Our job is not to tell them when they are full or hungry. We must trust them. Furthermore, it is not necessary to force more food into baby's mouth. It is OK if they are done eating before they clear their plate. You can simply say and sign "All Done," and remove the food. Similarly, it's great if babies are exploring food (picking up, setting down, rubbing between fingers, putting it in and out of the mouth, etc.), but if they begin to play with food (throw it, smear it, pound it, give it to the dog, etc.) you can say "It looks like you're ready to play. We're all done eating." Then you wait until your next allocated meal to serve food. If baby is hungry between those times, continue with your nursing/formula routine. We also want to ensure the eating environment is child-led. This means the child is in charge of putting their own food in their bodies. There are a lot of ways this style of eating is possible. Puree v. BLWWhile it is wonderful to expose babies to a variety of tastes and textures, some families feel purees is most suited for their needs or goals. In this environment, consider pre-loading a spoon with the mixture and giving it to baby. The child can work to put it in their own mouths. Additionally, avoid purees that dilute the flavor of vegetables with fruit. If you are interested in baby led weaning, consider reading the book to help you get started. Generally, you can begin with strips of food and have them roasted. As babies begin to get more used to eating, you can mix food together, chop less, and offer more meals throughout the day. With BLW, you can include a variety of spices, flavors, and textures. Avoid added salt, sugar, or honey. Montessori v. High ChairIn the Montessori approach, baby is sitting in their own child-sized seat, at their own child-sized table, and they are using a utensils and plates. The reason Montessori proponents advocate for this style of eating is because, according to Pebblecreek Montessori, "It offers the child independence and encourages their participation in the process of eating." You can typically find child sized tables and chairs at thrift store. Here is an example of what to look for.
You can still be child-directed while using a high chair! High chairs are very convenient, and they allow the child to be at the family table. According to Danaye Barahona at Simple Families, once the child turns one, it is best to have a high chair that the child can get in and out of themselves. Additionally, their legs should be at a 90 degree bend when they are sitting. This ensures maximum comfort which promotes a more peaceful mealtime. Most high chairs have adjustable bottoms for children to use for climbing. Here is an example of one. I hope this gives you some food for thought as you venture into feeding baby! Please note that this post contains affiliate links to amazon in which I make a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases.
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This week we heard a presentation by women's health Physical Therapist Dr. Talia Kramer. She shared some information about the pelvic floor, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Here are some of the key takeaways.
Thanks everyone! Our discussion focused on the Search Institute's extensive national study on American Family Assets (2012). This comprehensive study included over 1500 families from diverse backgrounds to mirror an accurate sample of American families. Families who strive for the 5 elements found in their study are more likely to
5 elements & subelementsThe 5 elements found in their research were:
connection to infantsIn our class, we brainstormed some ways to employ these elements with young infants in our home. Nurturing Relationships
Establishing Routines
Maintaining Expectations
Adapting to Challenges
Connecting to Community
At homeI encourage you to talk more with your partners / coparenting teams about how these different elements can play out in your home. How can you all come together to create a strong family that relates to your goals and values?
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Emily BarstadParent Educator Archives
March 2020
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