Infant Feeding Guidelines

I was really concerned about preventing food allergies and introducing foods to Jr in a way that made sense for his developmental stages. I followed the guidlelines of Emerald City Birthing

0-6 mo breast milk
      introduce water at 3 months if desired. Base the amount of water on one third of the childs body weight in fluid ounces daily.  I took this amount lightly based on the amount of breat feeding which occured in the day.

Try to introduce "solid" foods once your baby is over 17 lbs and/or has teeth, and is able to sit up unassisted, and/or able to push food away.
Watch for signs of allergy such as:  rash around the mouth or anus, hyperactivity or lethargy, runny nose (tho this is also a common symptom of teething) eczema, diarrhea or mucus in stool, redness of face and/or cheeks, behavioral changes.

6 mo and on:
Breast milk
advacado
yam
beet
carrot
applesauce
pear
cherry, pitted and smashed
plum
prune
blueberry

9 mo and on:
basmati rice
millet
oatmeal
split peas
papaya
nectarine
mashed potatoe
sweet potatoe
artichoke
cabbage
peas

12 mo and on:
squash
asparagus
yogurt
chard
onion
garlic
spirilina
molasses

18 mo and on:
greens
turnips
eggplant
buckwheat
rye
kelp
tahini
beans
lamb
chicken
fish

21 mo and on:
wheat
orange
pineapple
brewer's yeast
cashew butter
walnuts
eggs
beef
liver
salmon
turkey
lentils

24 mo and on:
sunflower seeds
peanut butter
cottage cheese
soy
duck
clams
honey

I must admit, Jr is now 17 months old and he eats just about anything.  Right around twelve months I heard about new research that support it may be the actual delay of food introduction that is responsible for the rise of allergies in children today.  I only recently began offering him very small amounts of soy, as I fear its estrogen fixing properties more than any allergy.  Honey is another one I am waiting on since  it seems like even my grandmother didn't give her little ones honey.

There are a few things on the chart that seem way out there, such as cottage cheese held out until 2 yrs or older.  Babies love cottage cheese.  I was most concerned with the first foods.  Advacado turned out to be the perfect baby food.  High in the fats they need for brain development. Portable, Ready-to-eat, and delicious!. Combined with yams, that is a pretty colorful early diet.  I introduced foods slowlly; each time a new food was introduced, I waited 3-4 days before offering another new food option. This allowed me to observe a total body response to the new food.

Whole foods are a must. Organic is best.  I simply bought fresh seasonal produce and steamed, then blended in a KidCo food mill. Simple and super cheap.  A large batch of food could be frozen in ice cube trays then stored in glass containers until needed.  Perfect!

Wabisabi Mama: Toddler tantrums

Interesting post from one of my favorite mom blog sites.

Wabisabi Mama: Toddler tantrums

What are your tactics?

Bed time routine

So I had great ideas about weaning Jr. once we returned from our international travels. The day happened to be exactly  one week prior to his 14th month birthday.  I talked big about cutting him off cold turkey the second we hit American soil again.

Believe it or not, my plan worked almost to a tee.

The moment we hit American soil needs to be adapted to read "Seattle soil". Then allow for the exception once we hit my parents place and we were all so exhausted from the previous 72 hours I completely forgot my plan. You have to understand... I mean let me throw a few numbers at you:

72 hours...
6 meals out...
5 cab rides...
4 legs of air travel...
1 night in a bad hotel...
2 cots for sleeping at the airport in a hallway that made the hotel seem like a five star resort...
1 dingy ride to mark the begin of our return home...

So, I forgot. So sue me!

But finally we made it back to our home! Unfortunately some of the stress of air travel had allowed Jr and I to increase our daily feedings to a short snack before bed, to when ever he felt like it. So my milk supply was sky high.
I didn't care though. I had set a goal, and I am one to stick to a plan.  So I did it.  I decided we were home and we were done.  That night I bagged up all of my courage and went to put Jr. to sleep with no breast milk.  Armed with just books and a few off-key songs in my head i headed towards his room hardened for one of the worst battles I could imagine.

Five minutes later after some serious squirming and resistance, he was asleep.

He never seemed to miss it.  Apparently it was not just in my game plan, but Jr.'s as well!  Having set up a pre nursing routine definitely helped.  We were able to wind down with the books and songs just like we always had.  I also think, in our case, not having dad step in to take over the night time routine (as I had imagined would happen) eased the transition because nothing was new with our routine, expect that I kept my shirt on!

A few days later, one of my breasts was so engorged I was afraid I would end up with an impacted milk duct.  I have seen abscesses.  That was not what I wanted on my breast. I couldn't imagine anything much more painful than just the engorgement.  So I offered- with so much hesitation that I was forever going to regret it- Jr to breast feed again.  He gladly threw down his toy car and cruised over to me. He nursed for less than five minutes.  Just enough to relieve the pressure then he got distracted by something across the room and went for it.  That was it!

More on engorgement from breastfeeding.com

Now, about three weeks into it I find myself in a bit of a bind as to how awake Jr should be when we finish our books and songs.  I want him to learn to sooth himself down. And he does. He sleeps through the night too, so what is so bad about having him be asleep as I lay him down.  Some times he awakes a bit and cries for a couple of minutes before he falls back asleep.  Is that enough self soothing? Any more and he has a screaming fit that I can not ignore.

Here is a quick video on some sleep tips that I generally followed throughout Jr's life:

Baby Center Sleep Video

If anyone out there has a comment- the things that worked, or the things that didn't work for you, I would love to know!

Have baby... Will travel

Traveling abroad with a baby is definitely a new game for me.
As out international departure date near, what would generally be increased excitement has become a period of increased questions.
We are, as I am sure all traveling families attempt, trying to travel light. Tis isn't just an ideal of ours but a requirement once we reach our destination. Once aboard the private sailboat with grandma and grandpa (who will for the future be referred to as Capa and Adi, room is limited and many of the things that may be helpful to these new parents en route, will create a cumbersome burden once aboard.
So the questions keep coming. As soon as i figure one out, another pops into my head.

1. How will i manage to get through the airport with no stroller, baggage, and Jr?
Answer: my Mei tai wrap. totally low profile, packable, comfy, and best of all, it is styly enough for my Mr. to wear also. Check 'em out at



2. How will i get my 14 mo Jr. To sit happily on my lap for over twelve hours of flights and three lay overs.
Answer: lots of snack, some new toys (actually old favorites that I have hidden for now), and honestly- none of it will probably work very well. Which is why I have taken Jr's pediatricians advice and am continuing to breastfeed until we return. It is good for Jr; will be an emergency supply of food in case something happens, it may keep my fellow plane passengers happier; and most of all will help boost Jr's immunity to anything we come in contact with along the way.

3. How do we get around once we are there without a caraway?
Answer: Not sure about his one yet. I guess, when in Rome... Jr will probably be on my lap once again. That sue puts a damper on any driving tours!

4. Do hotels have cribs?
Answer: yes and if it is a good one, there should be no extra charge.

5. How do I ensure there is enough food for Jr at our remote destination without having check a duffel bag full of food.
Answer: amazingly TSA allows for additional limits of liquids if you are traveling with a young one or are a mom who is pumping while away from her baby. Incredible. I am sure this rule came about only after some one made a stick. I would be surprised if a regulatory agency came up with this on their own.

Here is the kind of thing i expect to see from a regulartory agency.  This just made me laugh!

"NEVER leave babies in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine.
-from the tsa website

Now, I guess I can be thankful that question never entered my mind!