Meat, sugar, and all those other things

[Cheeseburger]

OK katherine has been eating solid food since she was 6 1/2 months.... she usually just eats plain mushy veggies or fruit... she sometimes eats rice cereal with breastmilk, but i don't think she really likes it. And she REALLY hates barely or soy cereal.

So, when is it OK to introduce meat? She is 8 months now... and I was in the baby aisle looking for baby stuff, and i glanced at the meaty food jars and stuff, and all the casseroles with chicken and turkey say 8 months. So is it ok to give her some chicken & veggies i throw in a blender, or when is it OK for that?

We are holding off on milk & egg products still.

Also... I am deathly allergic to bananas. So, we have not given that to katherine even though it's supposed to be a great food for babies. Do you think we should not give any to her, or should we to see? But what if she has a reaction? Should we consult an allergist?

[Crissyanna]

I think if you threw the chicken and whatever in the food processor and pureed it very well, she should be fine. I would make it as soupy as the veggies are to start with until she gets used to it.

Dainyah doesn't like oatmeal. If I mix it with rice cereal, she'll eat it.

I would hold off on the bananas. Wait until she is about a year old and give her a bite. Wait a while to see if there is a reaction. Have you thought about asking the doc? I asked about my weird allergies and my husband's and was told that she just had a slightly higher than the average kid in having those. Not sure if I want to believe him or not really.

[Cheeseburger]

Well the thing i am worried about, is if her reaction is instant, like mine was anaphylatic shock and welts in my throat that cause my throat to swell shut.

So, if we tried, and that happened to her, we may not be able to get her to the hospital in time - and that freaks me out?

I know that allergies can be hereditary b/c my mom is allergic to coffee, and both me and my sister are also allergic to coffee...

[Crissyanna]

I would hold off on the bananas then, indefinately.

For Dainyah, I have decreed that she is not to get penicillian (Hubby's entire family is deathly allergic. So allergic that no doc has ever prescribed it to him), sulfa drugs (I am allergic to sulfite a preservative in tons of foods and that means no sulfa drugs for me) and walnuts (mine too).

Life sure is interesting when you are allergic to common stuff. I have sworn off so many foods from having to constantly read lables. It is amazing what is in stuff! I get grossed out by it all.

[BlessedMommy]

I'm no meat expert by any means. But tofu is allowed to be introduced at 8 months, so I would think that meat probably would be too, since they're similar?

If you're allergic to the bananas, wait, wait, wait. In my case, my mom, sister, and I have about 50 different allergies, so I'm going to put off solid food for as long as I possibly can.

[Cheeseburger]

I was going to put off solid food, but, Katherine was way ready for it at 6 1/2 months. she LOVES eating. She still gets most of her food through nursing, but she just really enjoys it and she sleeps longer if she has a small dinner of solids, so I try to make sure she gets something for dinner, even 2 spoonfuls or something helps. So, i didn't want to put it off anymore. I have noticed when I forget to feed her, she will wake up like 2-4 times at night for eating! and well that is a strain on me. It is easier to just feed her some pureed carrots or something LOL. It will just be easier when I can feed her whatever we eat... she only has 2 bottom teeth. When are you supposed to introduce crackers or whatever? I looked at some baby crackers that were supposed to be "nutritious and healthy" but they were basically all chemicals! and wheat! (we haven't introduced wheat yet. i want to hold off on wheat for a little.)

also what about apple juice? It seems all the babies i see around katherine's age have juice? we gave her a sip of water out of a bottle. She got excited about that, b/c she saw the liquid in the bottle and saw it moving around, and tried to drink it, so we opened the bottle and gave her a sip. Do you think that means she is ready for a sippy cup of water or juice? Not a lot, but maybe 1-2 oz. a day? would that hurt? Or, should i try giving her breastmilk in a cup? Or would that encourage her to wean? (I don't want her to wean too early)...

I am just confused about when to introduce stuff. When is it OK to mix in sugar, for instance? I have noticed that a lot of the baby food jars in the store have added sugar in some of the things, like blueberries. But, if i buy or make her food, i make sure it has no added sugar. I mean do babies really NEED any more sugar, isn't she getting enough of that with my b/m and any fruit she eats?

[kanaclark]

yeah, she's definitely ready to TRY a sippy cup. But just remember that TRY is an operative word. Some babies as young as five months can do the sippy cup thing, but as long as they're on a sippy cup regularly around the 12-15 month mark, you're ok. all babies are different, and some mature faster in these aspects.

as for the allergies, have her pediatrician refer you to an allergist. They can do the prick test and see everything she's allergic to. Tell them what runs in your family and they will definitely check those. If you have any questions about a prick test, I'll be glad to explain more about them to you.

[pioneerchristianmomof3]

On the topic of allergies...my dd#2 had severe allergies. I wanted to have her tested but was advised against it. Apparently the "prick" tests aren't accurate in children younger than 6 as their immune systems are immature. We did a food diary...introduce the new food in extemely small amounts and "wait and see". if nothing happens, give again...etc. It took about three weeks to figure out she was allergic to milk and soy. CB- I would wait to give her bananas as your reaction is so severe. If you want to try when she is older,(maybe in the er parking lot :wink: ) have an epi-pen ready. They can be bought over the counter at the pharmacy.

[BlessedMommy]

I guess my response here will be biased, since I'm into the whole "child-led weaning" thing. I'm going to let my daughter call the shots on cups, she won't have one until she shows interest in it, even if that's not until 12 months of age. But I've heard that it's fine to introduce a cup at 6 months of age, mostly for practice and fun, not so much for the nutritive value of the water or juice.

One word of caution though: I have two different friends who said that once juice was introduced to their babies, their babies didn't want to drink water anymore. Something to consider anyway.

We don't use bottles at all in our family in order to avoid premature weaning.

Just the way we do things in our family, though. I realize that others' circumstances are different. :)

[myjoyoverflows]

quick words...

Maddy doctor said that she could have meat just as soon as everything else as long as it was very fine...she had turkey at Thanksgiving and did great with it...

also, if you're going to give juice or water (which Maddy also takes fine) you should give it in a sippy cup, not a bottle...

Maddy has had juice and water...she hasn't stopped drinking water at all since having juice...

[justmeNmine]

I introduced meats along with fruits and veggies around 6 months; my dd is a year old now and eats everything! I also introduced a little juice around that time too, in a cup with a "spout" at the table. I would do 2 oz with 2 oz of water, usually grape. As far as sugar, I've never added sugar to anything for my daughter, though I realize some things do contain some sugar. I can't imagine being allergic to anything because I've never experienced it.

[Cheeseburger]

I guess my response here will be biased, since I'm into the whole "child-led weaning" thing. I'm going to let my daughter call the shots on cups, she won't have one until she shows interest in it, even if that's not until 12 months of age. But I've heard that it's fine to introduce a cup at 6 months of age, mostly for practice and fun, not so much for the nutritive value of the water or juice.

I think Katherine is showing interest is the thing, because she realizes we are drinking/eating... and she wants to participate I think. She tries to grab cups out of my hand etc that I am drinking from.... I am taking that as a sign she is at least interested in experimenting even if not full-on drinking out of a cup... she gets crazy excited at the dinner table for some reason.

One word of caution though: I have two different friends who said that once juice was introduced to their babies, their babies didn't want to drink water anymore. Something to consider anyway.

I was thinking about giving her watered down juice... I don't want her to have full on juice because it is just TOO MUCH sugar... my SIL had most of her kids thinking juice with water was a HUGE treat... lol if you asked them "Which do you want, juice, water, or juice with water?" they would want juice *with* water b.c she made it into a big treat for them... so I think I will do the same thing and just water it down really well.

We don't use bottles at all in our family in order to avoid premature weaning.

I heard that can happen. We use bottles occasionally but not on a regular basis. Mostly so DH can give her some milk if I am away, or when i was in surgery it was a lot easier for MIL to give her a bottle of my milk than to cup feed. I like having them in the house and having my milk in the freezer for in case of emergency you know? I dunno it just makes me feel better that if I go somewhere and get in an accident, she won't be without anything. Of course, nothing will probably happen, lol, plan for the worst and hope for the best I guess.

I actually am tempted sometimes to give her a bottle b/c she can hold it herself and then I am FREE!! to cook dinner or slave away doing whatever. Yes, I'm a bad mom :? I have only gave in to that temptation once though!

Actually I am starting to not really like breastfeeding. My DH said weren't moms supposed to enjoy it. Well, I do enjoy it sometimes but other times it just feels like a hassle. I am committed to doing it for a lot longer but I already want to stop. I know it is good to do it for Katherine, and that is the main reason I am still doing it, and it's not terrible, but I don't get all those warm fuzzy feelings that they say you are supposed to get? Anyhow I don't know if I will make it through another year and a half or so of it. I am going to try though. And by then we might have another kid. It would also be nice if I didn't leak when my DH and are intimate. That's another reason I find it annoying. (sorry if that's TMI)

[Godzgirl]

could start introducing a sippy cup. my ds is 9 months and i'm starting to introduce him to a cup. (i also did this with my daughter and she had no problems with wanting to wean early) i give him water and a veggie drink that i drink. if you give your dd some juice you should diluate it with water so it's not to sugary. ummmm...lets see what else, if your baby is doing fine with eating her solids (fruit and veggies) it should be fine to slowly introduce her to meats by mixing in meat to her veggies that you already give her. that's what i've been doing with my ds and he's doing fine (did the same with my dd). I agree with the above posts i would definetly hold off on the bananas for sure! All other veggies and fruits are nuturious so you don't have to worry about her not getting bananas.

[BlessedMommy]

I love breastfeeding because it gives me an excuse to relax. LOL. One thing that Hannah and I enjoy on a daily basis is a morning nap. We curl up together she latches on and we drift off to sleep.

I know that it can be physically demanding, though and take up a lot of time. I take vitamins and try to eat as much healthy goodies as I can.
I think that my baby carriers help out a lot too, because then I can still get stuff done around the house.

[~Tara~]

Haven't read everything...just skimmed ...

First off, I don't puree foods for mine. I did some carrots and sweet potatoes a couple of kids ago, but that was it. Now, I'm lazy LOL If I can't mash it with a fork well enough, you don't need it. Or if they can't pick up small soft pieces to feed themselves...

That said...
Meat..I would say around 9-10 months, myself. But if you're going to pulverize it anywho, I don't think there's any issue with doing it sooner.

By all means, introduce a sippy cup. All of mine have tried a sippy cup of water BY 6 months. Some took well to it then, others didn't. But if they can't hold it themselves, it's not a regular thing. I just let them try from time to time, to use it. A couple of mine did NOT like the ones with valves where they had to really suck to get the water out. Little man gives me a dirty look and will toss the cup aside if I give him one with a valve. So, I either loosen that end of the valve or give him the cup with the simple lid. Then just be prepared for a bit of mess as he inevitably shakes the cup hehe (when going out, I use the cup with the valve IN, then take it out when we're somewhere and I give it to him, he doesn't drink in the car yet)
The cup has not led to any weaning for us. I only give water. They don't get even severely watered down juice until 1yr or later (and then it's white grape, first It's the gentlest, then we'll move on to apple, then mixed fruits, pure juice only though, no 'cocktails' or whatever)

what else am I missing here?
Oh...sugar...no, don't add sugar to anything. She doesn't need it. We have too much added sugar in our lives as it is ;) You don't need to add any sugar to her food, she won't know the difference.

and I also say no to giving her bananas since you have such a severe allergy to them Maybe around age 2 ? You could 'test' but I wouldn't before that time.

[rowansmom]

http://wholesomebabyfood.com/

this is a great website for understanding when to give foods when.

I'm sorry that you are not liking breastfeeding. It's good to hear that you are commited to it though. Because I'm studying to be a lactation educator, I'm interested in understanding your feelings towards breastfeeding.

When you breastfeed, how is it done? In froont of the tv (mine mostly is) in a chair, in bed, is she demanding, lifitng up your shirt etc (my 13 month old will shove his hand down my shirt even in church if he's hungry)

Did you ever enjoy it? is it painful? I am a mom who's mind never stops. so in the early stages on breastfeeding and sometiems even now, I wiill find myself sitting there thinking of all the other things I could be doing. I leanred how to BF in a sling and then be able to do other things, like fold laundry etc. but I also keep a note pad near me when breastfeediing, this way if I'm thinking of thigs I can use the time to write stuff downa nd organize my thoughts and then i don't feel like I'm wasting time.

Also it's very goood for me to tturn off the TV sometimes and cuddle on the couch or bed with DS and nurse and talk to him, that helps me relax, and not feel like it's a chore

[Cheeseburger]

When you breastfeed, how is it done? In froont of the tv (mine mostly is) in a chair, in bed, is she demanding, lifitng up your shirt etc (my 13 month old will shove his hand down my shirt even in church if he's hungry)

Well, either we are lying down on the couch or bed, or I am on the couch holding her in cradle position. we don't really do it in front of the TV. Sometimes if I am reading something on the internet my computer will be next to me, but not usually, that's very rare.

Did you ever enjoy it? is it painful? I am a mom who's mind never stops. so in the early stages on breastfeeding and sometiems even now, I wiill find myself sitting there thinking of all the other things I could be doing. I leanred how to BF in a sling and then be able to do other things, like fold laundry etc. but I also keep a note pad near me when breastfeediing, this way if I'm thinking of thigs I can use the time to write stuff downa nd organize my thoughts and then i don't feel like I'm wasting time.

Well, I enjoy it occassionally. It's not painful. Yes, I am always thinking of other things I should be doing. Usually during the day, b/f is interrupting something. For instance almost EVERY TIME I cook lunch/dinner, she gets hungry while I am busy, and I get stressed out because if i tend to her, the food will burn, but if I don't, she will cry, etc, so sometimes dinner is ruined because i have to stop cooking everything halfway through, and then start again after b/f. I know it is not her fault that happens, but, it does, because she is a frequent feeder, and that is frustrating.

Also it's very goood for me to tturn off the TV sometimes and cuddle on the couch or bed with DS and nurse and talk to him, that helps me relax, and not feel like it's a chore

I usually nurse in side-lying position.

I just feel burnt out from it. I mean, I cannot even take a nap and have DH watch her, without her wanting to nurse so he brings her into me... which disturbs my sleep. I rarely get enough sleep, since she only sleeps through the night occasionally, and when she does I wake up w/ an engorged breast that hurts because she didn't feed... so I try to pump a little to relieve the pressure so I can go back to sleep... which is annoying. Then when my supply calms down and gets used to her sleeping through the night, she starts wanting to feed 2x a night again, which builds it back up. Or every hour, if she's teething.

Also I am tired of leaking all the time. I am tired of not being able to wear a lot of shirts, because the nursing pads show through like little saucers LOL. I still leak a lot. Not as bad as it was at first, but I go through maybe 3 sets of nursing pads a day.

It's just an inconvenience. I know that sounds selfish but that is how I feel right now. 8 months of having to drop whatever I am doing to nurse around the clock - that is just crazy. And I have to always wear a bra b/c I will leak with DH when we are intimate. and that's really irritating, for him too. He is understanding about it, but that doesn't make any less annoying.

I would just like a break! I wish there was a switch so I could turn off my milk production for like a few days, then turn it back on when i am ready LOL

[Crissyanna]

You are not alone Cheeseburger. I too do not understand the feelings of relaxation or even euphoria that are a lot of times described with nursing. I don't mind doing it. Just sometimes a break would be nice (like for going grocery shopping by myself w/o the kiddo and hubby for a few hours. However, the last time I made a trip to the store and was gone for 45 minutes, she got hungry, screamed until I got home and totally demoralized my poor husband. He felt so useless because he couldn't give her what she wanted/needed [though, at night she eats constantly to pacify herself]). I do not feel all warm and fuzzy from it either. Never have. I just don't get it. Oh well. We were not all created the same, have to remember that one constantly.

Mine will go a night or two and only wake once, I get engorged horribly, then she is up three or four times a night the next night. I know what it is like.

Instead of a switch that turned us off, why not one that will turn on our husbands. That way, they can truly understand what it is like to do this for their children. Mine is very understanding, but he has admitted to me that he feels left out because he can't feed her like I can. That way, he isn't feeling left out, and he learns what it is like to be a wet bar 24/7 and we get a small break.

Now, don't misunderstand me, I love Dainyah. Very much. I know nursing is best for her, and it is good for me, I just wish that sometimes I could get a break. I do plan on nursing her as long as possible, just that I would love to maybe go to the woman's ministry meetings on Friday mornings w/o her, or to the woman's Bible study. Everyone oohs and ahhs over her and she gets spoiled and no one can concentrate and pay attention to the lesson because they are all cooing at her. While, that isn't my problem per se', I do feel responsible for introducing the distraction.

[Cheeseburger]

Crissyanna,

I have the SAME problem at women's bible study. Nobody pays attention. Katherine is actually very well-behaved at bible study, quietly plays on the floor with some toys I bring, but everyone is all smiles at her and saying "oooooooh, hello! how are you cutie?" etc etc. lol!

But yeah, I don't get all the warm fuzzies. I don't understand women who talk about the great bond they have with their baby through nursing? I don't think I would feel any different about Katherine whether I nursed her or not, you know? I mean, she's my kid, could I love her any less?

[BlessedMommy]

The way I get through some of Hannah's high need times is to think, "She's only a baby once." This time is intense but it is short. Someday she will be a toddler and be down to nursing only 6-8 times a day or less. :)

I do find it to be a great bonding tool and I think that my PPD would have been a lot more severe if I wasn't nursing, so nursing's good for me too. I also enjoy skipping my period.

But it does get tough. Hannah normally eats all the way around the clock very frequently. If we didn't co-sleep, I probably wouldn't be functional enough to type a coherent paragraph. I guess, maybe it's less stressful for me, because I'm pretty laid back. I love a good excuse to take a morning nap every morning! (My hubby has commented that he's envious of us getting to take a nap)

One Sunday when DH and I were home together, he noticed how often Hannah was eating and commented, "Wow, I never realized how much she ate before. It's a wonder that you get anything done at all!" That remark was encouraging, becuase I realized that he understood the challenges.

Nursing is tough, but bottlefeeding is tough. I know for sure that it's easier for me to whip out a breast every couple of hours at night, then roll over and go back to sleep, all while staying laying down in bed than to go and mix and heat formula.

[Crissyanna]

Ditto. However, I think that if I used formula, I would feel guilty because I know it isn't the best for her. You know what I mean?

I guess I don't produce enough prolactin or somethng. They say that is responsible for the sense of well being/warm fuzzies/relaxatin from nursing. But then, I am normally a kind of uptight person who recently learned how to let myself feel feelings (long story) and to just let go and have fun (though, my idea of fun is totally different than most peoples....) and enjoy myself for the sake of having fun. I wonder if that is part of it...

[BlessedMommy]

Totally. For the average family, breastfeeding is important, for me it's almost a moral obligation because of the health problems in my family.

We have a very severe history of allergies and I know that she would mostly likely come out with a lot, if I didn't breastfeed.

And if for some reason I just couldn't breastfeed, I would have to feed her the expensive hypoallergenic formula, most likely.

[Cheeseburger]

Knowing it's the best thing for baby is one reason. That, and formula is simply too expensive... $20 a week or something like that, and that's for the cheaper formula.

So let's see. breastfeeding so far... i've saved approximately $640. There. That makes me feel better. :D

[EvaS]

Ruth said
Someday she will be a toddler and be down to nursing only 6-8 times a day or less.

Whoa!! am I doing something wrong cuz Abby only feeds 2x a day and she's 11 months and sometimes she refuses 1 of those feeds. I mean 6-8 times a day.....yikes!!!

Anyway, back to the topic. Cheese, I introduced meat into Abby's diet between 7-8 months. I started with chicken first and moved up to red meat at about 9 months and I just started trying her with fish. Just mix it with veg or fruit or both and puree it. Abby's fav was chicken with carrots and apple. I also introduced a cup to her when she started solids, I only ever give her water and she loves it. She didn't start drinking much water at first but now she drinks quite a bit. When we are at play group she will even try to steal some other kids cup :lol:

I agree with Tara about the sugar thing. I wouldn't put any sugar or salt in any of the food you give her. People always think i'm a bad mom bcuz I won't give Abby chocolate (dh's grandparents especially). I don't want my child addicted to chocolate and she's never tasted it so it's not like she misses it.

and I know what you are saying about the nursing thing. I think once Abby hit 6 months it began to feel a bit wierd to me. I know, it's probably just wierd thinking, but I felt like she wasn't a baby anymore and it just felt a bit strange. However, I carried on and it looks as if we will be weaning soon bcuz she is just becoming disinterested in it. Anyway, yeah ok I talked too much :D

[BlessedMommy]

Eva,

Every baby is different. Abby's diet is balanced but probably based mainly on solids. Other babies love to nurse and don't eat as much food.

For me and Hannah, I anticipate a higher frequency nursing pattern. Right now I nurse between 10-20 times a day. When she's maybe 1 1/2 or 2 years old I anticipate that dropping down to maybe 6 times or maybe 4 times a day or probably down to once or twice right before weaning.

I guess everybody's view of a baby is different. I look at children under two as babies, so maybe that's why longer nursing doesn't seem weird to me.

ITA about withholding chocolate. You're not a mean mom! Goodness, she's not even 1 yet!

When Hannah starts eating food, we're going to feed her as much organic food as possible and withhold sugar as long as possible. Kids aren't born with a taste for sugar, we give it to them.

[~Tara~]

Ruth said
Someday she will be a toddler and be down to nursing only 6-8 times a day or less.

Whoa!! am I doing something wrong cuz Abby only feeds 2x a day and she's 11 months and sometimes she refuses 1 of those feeds. I mean 6-8 times a day.....yikes!!!


All of mine have nursed frequently, in that 6 feedings a day area, right up til they weaned. As Ruth said, my babies' diets are centered around nursing, not solids, that's the difference, and it's a BIG difference. :)

Oh and Cheese...
About the age you Katherine is now, is about when I generally hit a nursing lull myself. It just seems like such work. The baby is still nursing frequently, all day, all night. This is also when my babies start their nights in their own bed, because no one is sleeping well at night. I believe my babies can sleep better at night, go with less nursing, they just don't because they are right there by the source. So, to test that, I try them in their beds. Lo and behold, every one of them have done well with it. Giving at least 4 hrs right away. That helps a LOT LOL But still pretty demanding during the day. (losing train of thought, kid interruptions)
Anyway...
I feel a little 'blah' about nursing for a little while around that time, but haven't been to the point of wanting to stop. Just "gee, this is rather draining still" KWIM? So, maybe it's quite different in intensity from where you are now. Anyway, then around 1 yr, just after, I feel it again. That's the one that gets me. That's the one that has me weaning. That's the one that gives me my longest nursing of 16 months. I'm determined to break through this one this time and nurse onto 2 yr :)
It's just that at around that time, the child *is* letting up some in nursing...just enough to give me a 'taste of freedom' back and it feels good. I won't lie about that. I enjoy having *my* body back. I enjoy not having to worry about wearing a nursing friendly outfit EVERYWHERE I go. So, I begin to get frustrated when the child comes back to me. As infrequently as it may be at that time, it always *seems* more frequent. So, I encourage their slight inklings of weaning. They take to it well. And soon, no more nursies.

All that to say (I think) I can understand (at least to some extent) how you're feeling right now about nursing. Try to hang in there. Know that you have already done a good job, you have done well for your baby. But believe that you can continue, that you can get through this and once again enjoy nursing that baby girl. And I'm not even talking about all that warm, fuzzy kind of enjoyment. That's over by month 2 for me LOL But there is still a joy, a happiness to be found, if you're willing to look for and grab onto it :)