Feeding

So, I will readily admit that I am a food Nazi when it comes to feeding my babies. For the life of me I will never understand the logic that says you must stuff artifical rice flakes full of empty crap and iron down your poor babies throat, shortly followed by a regime of jars full of pureed substances that looks the same as what comes out your baby's diaper.

Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating a wee bit, but honestly--would you eat that crap? I think not. So, I give you Janelle's rules for feeding her babies under 18 months.

1) Breastmilk.

Did you hear me? Or should I say it again? Breastmilk, breastmilk, breastmilk. It's what small and big babies are designed to eat and should be their primary nutrition for at least the first year. I don't do formula, so don't even ask. (and this is my blog, so I don't have to be PC about it)

Breastmilk ONLY until 8, 9, 10 months or so. Yes. I absolutely delay solids. I don't believe that small babies need anything more than their mother's nutrient rich milk in the first 9 mos or so of life. My philosophy is that Gerber was not around 100 years ago or 1000 years ago. Our babies are made to eat this way.

2) After that I gradually and slowly start with the yellow and orange fruits and veggies. Fresh, please. I make an effort to make my baby's own food, just as I do for my older children. I wouldn't eat that canned mush so neither do I expect my little one to. I deserve fresh food, as does she. Those baby food mashers are great for this, as are food processors or the old fashioned fork. One can even make large amounts, place individual portions in ice cube trays and freeze. Wa-la! You have individual servings. Mix with some warm breast milk and BAM! You have a meal.

3) Introduce the "other colors".. greens and what not. Usually in the form of things such as avocados which are a fabulous source of essential fatty acids.

4) delay all high allergen foods until a minimum of 18 mos. This includes citrus, wheat, dairy, corn (most especially corn syrup!!!), eggs and nuts. With the large amount of food sensitivities present in the US today, I do not believe this in unreasonable.

5) no artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup. I do, however, allow a "real" birthday cake for the first bday.. I am not that big of a grinch

6) Breastmilk again. Even in the toddler years it proves to provide important antibodies and nutrient in addition to promoting bonding and security for the toddler. Weaning happens when Mom, child or both are ready.. thus far this has been around 2 1/2 years.

So, there ya go... Patty-baby is thriving today at 8 mos. She weighs 18 lbs 3 oz and had her iron checked this week which came back absolutely normal. She has had bananas starting 2 weeks ago and had some applesauce for the first time today.

In comparision, for those who think "well, my baby was HUGE so I had to feed him 5 jars of baby crap in one feeding", my first son was 20 lbs at age 6 mos and continued to exclusively breastfeed until 10 1/2 mos old before any other foods touched his mouth. My 2nd son was the same way and was 9 1/2 mos when he started solids.

Put the Gerber crap away, I say. ;-p