Low Carb Baby Diet

We just had this little girl's 15 month well-baby check-up. She is, blessedly, beautifully healthy. While my son has always been giant (seriously- on track to be close to 6'9" tall!) and my former micropreemie is, no surprise, petite (barely tipping the scales at 30 lb at 4 1/2 years old), this third baby is the one I always joke is "normal-sized". ;) At 30 1/2" tall and 21 lb 13 oz, she is in the 65th and 40th percentiles, respectively.

The pediatrician and I discussed all those typical well-baby things... milestones, sleeping, and- of course- diet. Did I have any concerns?

Well... not really. Except...

"She doesn't like carbs."

"You mean she doesn't like bread?"

"No, she really doesn't like most carbs... well, except for corn. She likes frozen corn. But she has no interest in cereal, oatmeal, bread, pasta, rice..."

"Good for her! No wonder she's so healthy."

And that was that.

Now... I'm not saying that carbs are bad for babies. I'm not saying that babies who eat carbs are not healthy babies. Not in the least.

But, from my discussion with the doctor and from my research into what baby diets tend to lack, it seems to me that most babies would do fine with a whole lot more fruits, veggies, and proteins and decidedly less carbs (think cereals, puffs, crackers, Cheerios, etc...)

My little G eats- no joke- close to ten pounds of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies EVERY WEEK. That seems like an extraordinary amount of food for her little 21 lb self... but it's so good for her! She also loves cubed hard cheeses (think Swiss and sharp cheddar) and also chicken, ham, eggs, beans, and fish. She still nurses 2-3 times a day. She will eat small amounts of whole grain carbs here and there and, for now, we're okay with that. Given the choice of fruit or a cookie, she will choose the fruit every time. Given the option of a french fry or a carrot, the carrot will win hands down.

The truth is that this wasn't a diet plan we set out to put in place- it's just the way she likes to eat. Happily, it's a healthy way to go... and we're going to enjoy it as long as it lasts!

What I find surprising, though, is how the baby food companies seem to encourage us to push carbs on our kids. Their recommended first food? Cereal. "It's easiest on their little systems!" they insist, while- in truth- many babies do better with banana or avocado to start. First finger food? Puffs. But why? Aren't soft-cooked veggies or ripe fruit bits just as safe? Toddler meal plan? Often filled with pasta.

I'm just trying to figure out why we're being encouraged to push all these refined carbohydrates on our children... all while continuing to feed my baby girl a low carb diet.

Because, well, it works for us. And it works for our doctors. And I think it would work for lots of families... I just wish the big "baby expert" food companies out there would share that too.

The Catch-22 of Breastfeeding Micropreemies

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I've wanted to write this post for a very long time. It's hard though. That's my only excuse for not having done so already...

I'm really not a "breastfeeding nazi". At most, I am an advocate for being fully educated and surrounding yourself with supportive people. Because I have now had such a successful breastfeeding relationship, it is something I hope for other moms and babies. But I do not feel it is my place to be judgmental or critical if it just doesn't work out for some reason.

That is my attitude with full-term babies and late-term preemies.

But here's my dirty little secret...

I DO judge moms of very premature babies who do not try (hard) to breastfeed or pump for their babies. It makes me angry and it makes my heart hurt for those tiny little miracles fighting so very hard and not being given their very best weapon against all the trials they will face.

Why the dichotomy?

Well, here's the thing. Full-term babies (and later-term preemies) receive a lot of wonderful antibodies from mama throughout that third trimester. Do they completely make up for not being breastfed? Nope. No question- they do not. But they are SOMETHING. They provide those babies with very real and important protection and defenses as they come out into this big ol' world. Micropreemies are born before the third trimester even begins. Scary, isn't it? You can't bank on a micropreemie having received antibodies in utero. The only way to pass them on? Breast milk.

But there's more. One of the more common issues to plague these extremely premature infants (and one that many nurses told me is a great fear) is necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC. NEC is an acute inflammatory disease in the intestines of infants. Necrosis or death of intestinal tissue may follow. The treatment? Most often, surgery. Portions of the bowel and/or intestines are removed and the babies are fitted with colostomy bags. The end of the world? No. But it doesn't end there... doctors and nurses must continue to monitor these babies closely. There is always the fear that they "didn't get it all" and it can continue to spread...

NEC kills babies. It's that simple. It is a dangerous, scary condition where the intestinal tract begins to die. In order to grow, these babies need to eat. In order to eat, they need to be able to digest. It's that simple.

I am not a medical professional and I wasn't able to pin down exact numbers. What I do know from my own conversations with the NICU team and from the research I've done is this:

NEC is over ten times more common in formula-fed infants as it is in breastfed infants.

Ten times.

We all know that breast milk is easier for babies to digest. This is especially true for the tiniest of babies. Their systems are simply taxed a little too much by formula. Formula companies have yet to produce a formula that is truly gentle enough for a micropreemie tummy. They add calories, yes, but that doesn't make it easier to digest. I would bet they're working on it. And I truly hope they are someday successful in making a better formulation for those oh-so-fragile bellies. But the breast milk from the preemie's mom? Consider this- moms of preemies produce breast milk that is different from that of full-term moms. I find that so amazing... not only was my milk easier for my baby girl to digest than formula, it was also easier for her than that of a full-term mommy would have been.

The most important thing you can do for your micropreemie, in my opinion, is to try (very hard) to provide breast milk.

There you go- that's my hard-nosed stance and, if I'm going to be real and authentic, I cannot apologize for it.

But here's the Catch-22...

These very premature infants often arrive so very early because something went awry with mom's health. Oftentimes, the mother is very, very sick and breastfeeding can be an incredible challenge. Women who have healthy, full-term babies and minimal complications with childbirth will often talk about how incredibly draining, frustrating, and downright hard it was to breastfeed. Now imagine adding in seizures, dangerously high blood pressure, organ failure, multiple transfusions, high doses of medication, and- let's not forget- the terror, stress, and devastation of having given birth three or more months early. Is it any wonder providing breast milk doesn't happen often enough for these very premature little ones?

I waver on this issue. Constantly. Every couple of months, someone asks me to pray for a micropreemie or very premature baby who is undergoing surgery for NEC. I do, of course. But I find myself wondering (did his mommy try to breastfeed?) and judging (why not???). I'm not proud of this. But it's the truth.

I'm trying to learn to balance those two sides of me- the side that fiercely advocates for the tiniest of babies and, thus, believes that their mommies owe it to them to try to breastfeed... and the side that realizes many of these mommies are still fighting to live themselves. They're not negligent mamas... they just have more on their plate than is humanly possible.

Where do you weigh in on the issue?

My Top Ten Tips For Exclusive Pumping Success

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I want to share with you all my best advice for pumping success. I wrote a few days ago about how I've exclusively formula-fed, exclusively pumped, and exclusively breastfed! Of the three, pumping was the most work, in my opinion. Here are my top ten tips for successful pumping:

1. Pump often. Especially in the beginning. It is no fun at ALL to get up every three hours (or every two if you're having supply issues), but it must be done. Rest-assured, once you get your supply established, you'll be able to space out nighttime feedings more. It's the same as feeding a baby, really... well, except you don't have the baby to cuddle and THAT'S why it's no fun at all. But stick with it... it gets easier.
2. If you can't have your baby with you (as is the case with a baby in NICU), keep a picture of your baby handy. You wouldn't think that would make a huge difference, but it does...
3. Use a good quality pump. If you're just pumping occasionally here and there but mostly nursing, this isn't critical. But if you're pumping exclusively? Especially in the beginning, I'd really recommend looking into renting a hospital grade pump. It will save you time and frustration. (Contact your insurance company, too... they may pick up some or all of the rental cost if there's a medical reason you must pump for your baby.)
4. Keep diversions handy. Pumping can be boring. Figure out what will entertain you while you do it. Magazines, an iPod, TV, whatever...
5. Invest in quality, easy-to-operate nursing bras. You want to be able to easily and comfortably use your pumping equipment. The ones I had were by Medela and I loved them.
6. Stay hydrated.
7. Eat. Seriously. Unfortunately, for many women who are exclusively pumping, there are scary circumstances that led up to that choice, often a baby who is struggling. Stress can lead to forgetting to eat. Not a good plan. Nursing (and pumping!) burn more calories than being pregnant does. You wouldn't starve yourself with a baby in your belly... don't do so now either.
8. Find a cheerleader or two. My husband was so supportive of me when I chose to pump for our 24-wk micropreemie. In those early days, he would get up with me in the middle of the night and help me get all set up. The NICU nurses also would sing my praises. Those "pats on the back" really helped keep me going when it got tough...
9. Remember that even a little bit can make a big difference. I happen to be one of those women who produces a ton of milk. Not every woman is. And that is OKAY. Whatever you manage to pump for your baby will help your baby, be it four ounces or a half-ounce.
10. Avoid saboteurs. Know that, like many aspects of motherhood, the decision to pump exclusively (even it's your baby's only viable breast milk option) may come under fire from some other mommies. I was told (more than once) that giving a baby breast milk through an NG-tube or in a bottle was SO inferior to nursing at the breast because of the delivery method, blah, blah, blah. Avoid people who try to make your feel like a failure when you're working so hard to do an amazing thing for your child!

Like so many things worth doing, exclusively pumping can be challenging and nerve-wracking. Stay the course and know that there are other mommies out there with the same worries and struggles as you. You're doing something amazing! Be proud of yourself.

This post is linked to Top Ten {Tuesday}

I Didn't Want to Breastfeed. And I Didn't.

I didn't want to breast feed.

I had heard stories about it.

I am related to women who had had significant struggles with it and, while they never told me I shouldn't attempt it myself, I was filled with terror at the prospect.

No one actually told me any "good" stories. I became a mommy before most of my friends. The one "mommy friend" I had who had breastfed told me bluntly, "I'm not so sure I'd do it again..."

I was convinced that my husband would never bond with the baby and that I would get no sleep should I choose to breastfeed. The "What to Expect..." Book advised me to get up every two hours and never, ever, even for a moment consider giving the baby anything from a bottle- even expressed breast milk- for a minimum of three weeks. Oh, dear.

I had modesty issues. To be truthful, I was horribly, miserably uncomfortable around women who were breastfeeding their babies, even when they were discreet. I had no problem with it- I would, even then, have defended a woman's right to nurse her baby any and everywhere. But it made me feel awkward. The thought of ever having to *gulp* feed my baby in front of anyone other than my husband made me feel sick and nervous.

I did NOT want to breast feed.

And I didn't.

When nightmares plagued me and I honestly lost sleep over how much I feared breastfeeding, I finally confessed to my obstetrician what I was feeling. She said to me, "Perhaps it's time to forgive yourself and just bottle feed your baby."

It was all I needed to hear.

Bottle-feed I did. I fed my baby boy formula for the first year of his life. He never had a drop of my milk.

And, oh, do I regret it...

What is important, however, is why I regret it.

I do not think my son suffered any ill-effects because of the formula. He was a healthy, thriving baby who was very rarely ill and bonded gloriously with both mommy and daddy. He is incredibly bright and, while exceptionally tall, right where he needs to be on the growth charts.

I regret my reasons for not nursing. I regret that I wasn't better-informed. I wish that I'd done more research and found more people with positive stories to talk to...

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me...

• ...that nursing is easy for some women? When I decided to nurse my second child, a preemie born at 24 wks, I didn't know what to expect. I was prepared for great challenges. Imagine my surprise when my milk came in fully and plentifully within 24 hours. The same thing happened when my third child was born and I decided to breastfeed exclusively.
• ...that pumping breast milk and feeding it through a bottle can be an option? For my 4-month early baby, it was critical that she be able to get my milk through alternative means (a tube, in the beginning), but even full-term babies can (if so desired) get their breast milk from a bottle. In addition, there is not a good consensus on how much of an issue "nipple confusion" can be. I will say this much... my preemie daughter- who was tube fed for two months and then bottle fed for a month- successfully latched on and nursed at the breast. (We later had to stop because of micro-aspiration issues, but that had nothing to do with nipple confusion.) Some experts insist you must avoid anything but the breast for at least three weeks. Others are more lenient. Like so many things in life, there is no perfect answer. I will only say that I don't believe anyone should let fear of "nipple confusion" prevent them from breastfeeding.
• ...that breastfed babies can be good sleepers? My preemie baby had to be tube-fed every four hours, so I can't accurately gauge what kind of sleeper she was. But my third baby? She slept 5- and 6-hour stretches from the get-go and, since she was growing and thriving, that was considered just fine. By twelve weeks, she consistently slept through the night.
• ...that Daddy can still bond with baby? I will not lie to you all. My husband will tell you that he felt like he missed out a bit with our (breastfed) daughters vs. our (bottle-fed) son. He enjoyed doing all those late-night feedings and snuggling with his boy. BUT... he still cuddled our girls. He still got up and changed their diapers in the night while I used the bathroom and got some water. He was still vitally important and incredibly supportive. He even got up with me when I had to pump through the night in those early preemie days. Trust me... your husband has a vital role even if you choose to breastfeed!
• ...that I would find my own "comfort level" modesty-wise? I have nursed my daughter in public. I don't do it often... not because anyone has told me not to, but because I still feel a little uneasy with it. In the end, though, I've found that- if the need arose- people were amazingly supportive of me feeding my child. Or at least they pretended to be.
• ...that breastfeeding can be infinitely easier? It seems like a no-brainer, but I never considered how much time I was "wasting" stumbling down to the kitchen and preparing a bottle for a hungry-in-the-night infant. Simply sitting up in bed and nursing her was so very sweet and simple. Neither one of us had to be "fully" wake.
• ...that just because others had very real, very legitimate struggles with breastfeeding that didn't mean I would? When you haven't heard the "good side", it's hard to feel encouraged. I wish I had spoken more to my sisters-in-law who had successfully breastfed. I may have felt more confident about giving it a shot then.
• ...that, quite simply, breastfeeding can be the easy choice for some moms and babies.

I have exclusively formula-fed a baby. I have exclusively pumped for a baby. I have exclusively breastfed a baby. I feel like I can pretty confidently discuss feeding options with a decent bit of experience. I do not, in any way, feel that women who feed their babies formula are bad mommies. How we feed our babies is just one of many, many choices we need to make and there is not one perfect answer for every circumstance. That being said, I want to encourage any of you women who have yet to have a baby to not be scared to try. I want to encourage those of you who have only formula fed to give breastfeeding a try (or another try) should you have another baby. Surround yourself with positive influences and supportive people. Realize that those people won't necessarily be the most vocal breastfeeding advocates... sometimes "lactivists" can be a little too intimidating for people who are scared or struggling. I love women who are passionate about nursing... but I have now successfully nursed and my story "meets their approval"- that makes it easier for me.

It is my wish that you find the perfect feeding situation for you and your baby... I truly believe that, for most (but not all), that can be a happy, nursing relationship.

Most of all, I want you to know all the things that I, in my ignorance, did not.

Image credit.

Raising Good Eaters: Some Final Thoughts

For the past three weeks, I've been sharing some of my tips for raising good eaters. If you've missed any of those posts, you can find them here:

An Introduction

Determine Your Objectives

How To Incentavize

For this final part of the series, I want to just review a few main ideas and thoughts:

• Your child will not starve. I said it in the very first part of the series- as long as you're making healthy, balanced food available to your child, he or she will eat... eventually. It is far more important that your child is getting water than food, to be honest. Don't panic if she doesn't eat for a meal or two... or even more...
• It is NOT child abuse to not give in to your child's wishes. Some people seem to think that if their child is screaming and crying and acting like it's the end of the world then, well, it is. It is not. You are doing your child (and all future teachers and caregivers too, for that matter) a favor by sticking to your guns and making the decisions.
• You are the parent and you are (or should be) in charge. Like I just said- you need to make the decisions. It's your job. Quite frankly? It's a cop-out to serve up chicken nuggets every day. And you are better- and stronger- than that.
• Just because your child is not a good eater now doesn't mean he or she has to stay that way. Ready for a confession? I was a bad eater as a child. Picky, picky, picky. I outgrew it. I'm a fantastic eater and have been for years. There are two things going on here-- first of all, your child may simply outgrow the pickiness over time. Second of all, you can start changing those picky behaviors today... you do not have to keep making grilled cheese every single day.
• If your child eats well for other people, there is no reason that he or she can't eat well for you. Oh, how many times do I hear this one? "I just don't understand it! He ate EVERYTHING for the (baby sitter, teacher, aunt, *insert person other than you*)" It's not that I don't believe it... I do. But guess what? That means that if YOU stop giving him options, he'll eat it for you too.
• It does not matter what your neighbor/friend/sibling/etc. is serving their children. There are people out there who will try to make you feel like you're cruel for not letting your kids have Kid Cuisine or Kraft Easy Mac or pizza rolls or bagel bites all the time. My honest opinion is that most of them are kind of jealous of your steel-cut-oat-eating kid while they serve up Pop-Tarts every morning. I'm just sayin'. But, regardless of the reason, do not worry about what they're serving up or their opinion of what you're serving.
• Be confident and determined. The most important piece of advice I can give you is this... As you set out to raise good eaters, be confident about what you're doing. Whether you decide that you will re-serve a plate until it is finished or you will with-hold privileges until the veggies are consumed... feel good about what you're doing. Know that you are on an honorable mission and needn't feel like a bad person. When it's tough, carry on. The rewards are great.

Thanks so much for joining me on this journey toward raising good eaters! What questions do you have for me? Any specific issues you wish I would have addressed? I'd love to talk about it in the comments!

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Raising Good Eaters: How to Incentavize

Okay, first things first, lest I receive a bunch of emails... incentavize is not a word. Not at all. But it has a much nicer ring than "bribe", does it not? And so I'm going to use it. You can choose to think I'm weird or think I'm clever or a little of both...

For the past couple of weeks, I've been talking about Raising Good Eaters. The first week, all I asked you to do was get used to the idea that your child won't starve. I think that's one of the things that irks me most of all... parents who just throw in the towel because they think their little angels will waste away to nothingness if they're not given precisely what they WANT to eat. Kids aren't stupid. And they're human, just like us... we are hard-wired to eat to survive. If it takes getting really hungry to make your child eat a variety of wholesome foods then, I say, go for it.

Last week, I shared a little bit about my personal goals for my own good eaters. I have very definite ideas of what I hope to see from my children and I outlined the steps that I must take to help achieve them.

This week, I want to talk about bribing incentavizing.

Incentavizing can range from the extremely simple and obvious ("You may not have dessert until you finish your meal.") to the more sophisticated and complex ("You need to eat your vegetables to get the vitamins you need for energy. If you don't get that energy, you won't be able to practice baseball with Daddy.")

Truth? I use both in my house. Shamelessly. I prefer the second method because I think it helps to really illustrate the benefits of healthy foods for our bodies. I also like the idea of not using a sweet, "unhealthy" treat to get your child to force his way through the healthy stuff. I find that the reward of being able to do something fun with Mommy or Daddy is a really good incentive.

However...

The dessert reward works well with young children too. Kids need to have a certain level of reasoning to be able to make that whole "veggies=energy=able to play sports" equation. It works great with my five-year old. With the four-year old? Not so much. She's still at the, "Do you want a cookie? Yes? Then eat your green beans" phase. And I'm okay with that.

I've heard all the arguments about why it's not a good idea to encourage "clean plates"... why you shouldn't "reward" eating with sweet treats... why you should allow your child to take a small bite and spit it out if she doesn't like it... I am not saying that these studies have no merit. I'm sure a lot of money went into figuring out that the way we've been raising kids for hundreds of years is no good. And that's dandy.

But, for my family, I will continue encouraging good eating and offering incentives. To me, it's no different than allowing myself fifteen minutes to relax with a book after cleaning the first floor of my house... it does not take away from the accomplishment, but it helps motivate me along the way.

I do not have to make these "deals" at every meal or even every day. My kids are pretty well-trained now, if you will, and they know what is expected of them. But it helps to have these tricks up my sleeve... and to be willing to use them.

What tricks do you have to incentavize good eating habits in your children? Are you comfortable using "bribery" or do you think it's a bad move?

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Raising Good Eaters: Determine Your Objectives

It's a funny thing, this whole "parenting gig". We all have different ways of defining success. What I consider an example of "good eating" may fall way short for you. Likewise, my expectations may prove to be too lofty for others of you. And that is absolutely A-OK, either way. The idea here is to get where YOU want to be with your children. As you set out to raise your own good eaters, I believe you should start by determining your objectives.

Determining your objectives is basically just deciding what you're hoping for. As a jumping off point, here is a list of mine:

1. I want my children to eat what I put before them.
2. I expect my children to be polite, even when something isn't their favorite.
3. I will not let my children be in charge. I am willing to accept that they will each have a few foods that they simple don't care for (we all do), but I refuse to let them dictate what is served to them.
4. I want my children to try different, unusual, unknown foods.
5. I am not afraid of any single food group- including dessert :) -but I would like to see all of them represented (and consumed) at mealtime.

Those are five objectives that I have when it comes to feeding my children. Yours may look very different. The important thing is that you have a concrete idea mapped out in your mind of what you expect, where you're willing to compromise, and where you are not.

From there, I need to come up with actual, do-able steps that I can take to help achieve those objectives... these are things that I will do, not things that my children need to do. As far as their part and how I bribe "incentivize" them, well, I'll address that next week.

Here's how my steps might look:

1. I want my children to eat what I put before them, therefore...

• a. I will serve them small, manageable portions.
• b. I will serve a variety of foods at every meal.
• c. I will dish up reasonable portions for myself and my husband and we will be good role models of eating what we have.

2. I expect my children to be polite, even when something isn't their favorite, therefore...

• a. I will model this by example; I will eat things that I don't "love" and will always decline politely when it is something I just cannot handle.
• b. I will continue to serve my children things that aren't their very favorites so that they are used to compromise and the fact that, well, that's life.
• c. I will not hesitate to correct my children, even in public, to ensure they use their manners.

3. I will not let my children be in charge, therefore...

• a. I will allow my children to have a couple of foods they just do not have to eat, e.g. my son cannot stand pickles and my daughter doesn't like Swiss cheese. This is only fair. After all, I despise pineapple and no one makes me eat it.
• b. I do not ask my children what they want for meals. Honestly, I rarely even offer choices, but- if I do- they are very specific, e.g. "Would you like a tuna sandwich or an egg sandwich with your apple slices?" I avoid asking open-ended questions. I am in charge of what goes on the plate.
• c. I will give my children fair warning- the menu plan is posted, so they know what they're getting. Being able to see what's coming gives them a sense of control, but I remain ever-in-charge of what's being served up.

4. I want my children to try different, unusual, unknown foods, therefore...

• a. I will not fall into a "menu rut"; I will try new recipes and serve up new flavors regularly.
• b. Once again, my husband and I will model by example. We will try new things enthusiastically and talk up the process.
• c. I will introduce spices and different flavors/textures from a very early age. We enjoyed Garlicky Clams Linguine for my nephew's birthday last week. Guess who was scarfing up garlicky clams? My ten month old. (For the record, my 4- and 5-year olds cleaned their plates too.)
  

5. I would like to see all food groups represented and consumed at mealtime, therefore...

• a. I will menu plan. This ensures I have all bases covered.
• b. I will serve small portions and insist that they all be finished before seconds are dished out, e.g."You may have more rice when you've eaten your broccoli."
  
• c. I will teach my children what different types of foods do for their bodies-- what foods help their muscles, which strengthen their bones, which help build up their immune systems, etc. Kids are fascinated by having an active role in how their bodies grow and feel!

Those are my commitments. Is it ever frustrating? Sure. Would it be easier to toss PB&J and pretzels on a plate everyday and call it good? Yep. But that won't get me any closer to my goal of raising good eaters. Being willing to do my part in ensuring that my kids become well-rounded, open-minded eaters makes it easier (and more fair) for me to expect them to do their parts too.

What goals and objectives do you have for mealtime with your children? What steps are you willing to take? Are you having trouble coming up with YOUR steps for the objective? Let me know and I'll try to help!

Next week, I'll be talking about the role of giving incentives to get your kids to eat. (Controversial topic, to be sure, but that's never stopped me before!)

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Raising Good Eaters: An Introduction

My children are far from perfect. And, believe me, I am far from a perfect mother. But you wanna know one thing I'm pretty confident that I'm good at? Raising good eaters. I hear time and time again from teachers, family, and other parents that my kids are great eaters. When people aren't remarking on what good eaters I have, they're lamenting their "only eats Eggo waffles and chicken nuggets" offspring.

Truth be told, these other parents very, very rarely seek my advice or input on how to broaden their children's gastrointestinal horizons. Frankly, it's easier to throw up your hands, shrug, and declare, "What can I do? He's just picky." If that's where you're at- no problem. But this series isn't for you.

Likewise, if you're looking to transfer your child over to a vegan diet or raw diet or completely sugar- and flour-free diet or any other fairly specific and narrow meal plan... this probably isn't for you either.

This series is for parents of babies and toddlers who want to raise children who will try things. Explore things. Eat what's set in front of them. Learn to take bites and say "no, thank you" if it's truly something they don't like. It's for parents of persnickety preschoolers who are wondering where they went wrong and if it's even possible to get back on track. I want to share with you all both the philosophy behind how I approach feeding my children and specific steps I've taken to ensure they're the kids labeled "good eaters".

Throughout the month of April, I'm going to be offering up tips and suggestions to help you raise your very own troop of "good eaters". I encourage you to join me on this journey if you're trying to improve the variety in your children's diets. I also encourage you to chime in if you're raising your own good eaters! I have no doubt that there's a wealth of knowledge out there and I still have much to learn... after all, my oldest is still in preschool.

For this week, I just want to leave you with one thought in your head... one little nugget to file away and keep ever-present in your mind... because it is crucial that you get this concept if this process is going to be successful:

Your child will not starve.*


That's it. That's all I want you to focus on and let mull around in there for the week. Really think about it and allow yourself to get comfortable with the idea that, as long as you're making nutritious food accessible to your child, he is not going to starve.

I'll see you next week and we can really get started.

(* note: Clearly, these posts are designed for parents who are raising "typical" children who are picky eaters, but otherwise healthy. Please do not think I intend these suggestions to be appropriate for all children. I realize there are special circumstances. All that being said, however, please be aware that one of my preschoolers is a former micropreemie who had all those "difficulty gaining weight" preemie issues... and she still turned into a good eater- and there's not an ounce of Pediasure in our home. Use your own -and your doctor's- good judgement here.)

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.

Nursing: "I Really Tried..."

Last Tuesday, I was chatting with another preschool mommy during story hour. We were talking about our sons' teacher who is expecting a baby girl in less than a month. She was trying to decide from which store she should buy a gift card. Both being moms of three, we laughed about how, really, as long as you could buy diapers there, any store would do! Still chuckling, she went on...

"I remember after my first was born, my in-laws would show up once a week with a bag of diapers and my parents would bring me a can of formula, which was just so perf..."

I was just listening to her finish out her thought about how great that was (and I sure bet it was!) when she interrupted herself to back-track and say...

"I mean, I tried nursing. It was just really hard for me and it wasn't going well and, well, I ended up using formula because she just wasn't gaining weight and I was feeling desperate and..."

She looked at me, a touch of panic in her eyes, as if wondering what I was going to say to this.

I said,

"Wow, that sounds like a real blessing and just what you needed!"

It makes me sad.

Not that she didn't nurse her baby. Not that she had trouble with it. Not even that apparently no one was really able to help her work it out.

It makes me sad that she felt the need to defend herself so much. I hadn't judged her even before her big rundown about what went wrong. Had she never attempted nursing, I wouldn't have deemed her a bad mommy.

I am happy to be breastfeeding my daughter. I have always felt adamant about the rights of mothers to nurse their babies wherever it needs to be done. There are enough studies and reports out there to tell you that there are lots of benefits to breastfeeding- you don't need my two cents added in.

But there are wonderful formula-feeding mommies out there. Just like there are lousy moms who breastfeed. That one decision does not tell the whole story. If you nurse, that doesn't automatically make you a good mom. If you formula-feed, that doesn't make you a bad mom.

It's just not right. It's not right that there are excellent mommies out there who feel the need to tear open raw wounds and share their difficult stories with everyone in the hopes that, maybe, just maybe, they won't be judged too harshly then. Why must we insist upon "a darn good excuse" in order for this to be permissible? Mommies, as a breed, need to be more compassionate and supportive of each other... I expect formula-feeding mothers to put up with me breastfeeding my baby (discreetly) in public if the need arises. They should be able to expect me to be kind.

Let's save our energy for when it really matters. Let's save it for when children are in jeopardy or being raised in loveless homes. Maybe then we can all- all of us just doing our best to raise our babies- come together and make a difference.

Hot & Sour Peanut Noodles

I've already shared a couple great meatless recipes with you- Garlicky Clams Linguine and Shrimp Rotini. While delicious, those recipes both require some seafood which is not really a "pantry staple" (though the canned clams are easy to have on hand) and can sometimes be pricey. Plus, not every family enjoys seafood as much as mine!

Without a doubt, my "go-to" meatless recipe-- and one my husband requests at least every other week-- is Hot & Sour Peanut Noodles. Made from simple, on-hand ingredients, this quick, protein-packed meal always gets rave reviews.

Hot & Sour Peanut Noodles

12-16 oz. thin spaghetti (vermicelli)

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth/stock

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup lime juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, based on your family's tolerance for heat

1/2 tsp (or so) minced garlic

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Into hot pan (but you can turn the burner off), add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth.

Add noodles and toss.

This dish can stand alone like this, but it's even tastier if you add some things. Last night, I served it up with some chopped broccoli, cauliflower, red pepper, and zucchini mixed in.

Sometimes, I DO add meat-- chicken and pork are both equally delicious. We love it with mushrooms. The sky's the limit really-- just rely on your family's tastes and you can't go wrong. I've even made this recipe using rice instead of noodles-- still tasty!

People will look at you funny as you dump peanut butter in with spaghetti but trust me on this...you've gotta try it! Super easy, super fast, super budget-friendly. Now that's using your noodle. (Sorry... had to do it.;))

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This post is linked to:

$5 Dinner Challenge

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday

Babies Drinking From Straws

At her six-month check-up, my baby girl was given the go-ahead to try sipping some water from a sippy cup. Since she's exclusively breastfed, she's never really taken a bottle so that's not something I even want to introduce. She's also never been one bit interested in a pacifier. I admit there are times when it may have been nice for her to like one, but, still, it's one less thing to have to wean from. I was pretty delighted to just go right to the sippy!

My girl? Not so thrilled with the whole thing. I gave her a hard spout and a soft spout. She wasn't overly fond of either. Then I offered her a straw.

Voila.
I'm delighted to find these Munchkin cups that are relatively leak-proof, but offer a straw instead of a spout.




Not only is this simply my daughter's preferred method of drinking, but it's also a great one for other children too. I'm not saying that all 8-month olds need to be drinking from a straw... not at all. But the simple truth is that drinking from a straw is a socially acceptable way to consume beverages for, well, your whole life! It's a good skill to have. Drinking from a sippy cup? Well, that becomes age-inappropriate much sooner. And I've already made my thoughts on extended sippy cup use abundantly clear..


Great cup. Happy baby. Happy mommy.

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This post is linked to:
Things I Love Thursday

FYI: I bought my G's Munchkin cups when I discovered them. I was just so happy to have a leak-proof cup with a straw! I was not paid or in any way compensated for this post. If Munchkin needs a young model to demonstrate their awesome product, however, I've got someone in mind... ;)

Honey Vanilla Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast choice. Wholesome and inexpensive, it's a near-perfect option especially when paired with a protein. Plain ol' oatmeal hasn't caught on around my house though. What does get them running to my breakfast table?

Honey Vanilla Oatmeal

Ingredients:

2 c water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 c old-fashioned oats
1 tablespoon butter
2-3 tablespoons honey*
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Bring water and salt to a boil in small saucepan. Stir in oats and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Add honey and vanilla and stir until well-mixed. Serve immediately.

*White or brown sugar can be substituted for honey. This will make it a little less healthy, but still less "sugary" than packaged flavored oatmeal. Making it with sugar also makes it safe for older babies less than one year old (for whom honey is not considered safe).

G's New High Chair

I LOVE this high chair.

Our little baby G. doesn't have a ton of "new" things. She's baby #3, after all, and that's just the way it goes. But when we moved halfway across the country and bought a house with a FAR smaller kitchen than my last, well, space became an issue it hadn't been before. Added to that, I have to be brutally honest and confess that I must not have been the most thorough "high chair scrubber" with my second child because, well, it's kind of scungy looking.

Enter the Fisher Price Space Saver high chair. This baby hooks right onto a regular chair (kind of like a booster seat), but it has all the features of a traditional high chair. I especially love that it has different reclining positions- this is great for when baby isn't quite up to "unassisted sitting" yet. And, well, my husband loves the 5-point harness. For a guy who loves to say "safety first" all the time, that's a very nice feature. ;)

What else do I love? Oh, yeah. The price tag. At under fifty bucks, it wasn't a gigantic investment. A gift card we received back when she was born took care of it. (Thanks, Mr. and Mrs K.!) I had originally pondered getting a wooden high chair because they tend to take up less space. Even used, I couldn't find one for fifty dollars. This high chair worked for us both space-wise and economically.

Finally, I must admit that I enjoy that G. has something brand new and all hers. I love hand-me-downs. I do. I enjoyed them when I was growing up too (I'm also the third child), but I definitely liked having things that were "just mine". There's something nice about a brand, spankin' new, unstained, unripped, more "modern" seat for my sweet baby girl...

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How about you? Did you purchase anything special and new for your second, third, or beyond child? (Other than diapers or opposite gender clothes, that it ;)). Tell me about it!

This post is linked to Things I Love Thursday, hosted at The Diaper Diaries.

Small Pan Big Taste Brownies

As I tweeted around about all the action going on in my kitchen, I realized I had never shared my brownie recipe on here. Given the fact that I probably make these once a week (it's a wonder I'm not big as a house), I figured it's about time I shared it with all of you.

Small Pan Big Taste Brownies

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 T (a splash) milk or heavy cream if you have it handy
  
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• heaping 1/3 (or scant 1/2- whichever you prefer) cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped candy pieces (Heath are my absolute favorite, but Reeses peanut butter cup, York peppermint pattie, Snickers, and others work well too!)

Melt butter and and milk together over low heat in large, heat-safe bowl. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Add egg, followed by baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Stir in cocoa and, finally, the flour. If using choc chips, stir these into your batter and pour into greased 8" or 9" square pan. If using candy bits, go ahead and dump your brownie batter in a greased 8" or 9" square pan and sprinkle the candies on top. Bake for 20-22 minutes at 350.

Additional notes:

• These are the rich, fudgy kind of brownie- nothing cake-like about these at all.
• I've tried to double this recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan- it did NOT work for me. If you figure it out, please let me know! I HAVE had success with doubling the recipe and baking two pans of it at once- the bonus there is that I can do two different candy types at the same time.
• I've baked these in a 9" round pan before too. They're very pretty and look super rich if topped with ganache and cut into triangles.
• The type of milk you use does not matter one bit in this recipe- there's not enough of it to amount to anything, but I do notice if I leave it out.
• Sifting the dry ingredients together first is the BEST way to go but, in the interest of transparency, I'm letting you know that I very rarely do that. I dearly love the "one bowl, one spoon" nature of this recipe...

Introducing Cereal!

It's a bittersweet day here today.

This little one is growing up a bit.



Just recently, Baby G has started showing an interest in our food. She has always been a part of our mealtimes, joining us at the table. But it is only in the last little while that she has been aware of what WE'RE eating and showing some signs of readiness.

At her four month check-up, we were given the go-ahead to introduce solids. I was in no hurry. Neither was she. In all honesty, I kind of like being her only source of nourishment. Maybe that's selfish or self-serving or some other less-than-attractive trait, but I had no problem with my baby continuing right along just exclusively breastfeeding and thriving.

All that being said, when she showed those first signs of readiness, I also knew it was time to act.

So this morning I mixed a teaspoon or two of rice cereal in a 1/2 ounce of expressed breast milk.

I started by offering her just a tiny bit on a clean fingertip. She happily sucked that off. After trying that a few times, I offered her a spoon.

She opened her mouth. She tried it.



She likes it.

Not as much as straight milk, mind you, but she likes it. ;)

We're moving on to another phase here in the Parenting Miracles household. Am I a little sad to have her "growing up" on me? You betcha. Am I delighted to see how well she's doing with this next stage? Oh, yes, I'm proud as punch! And I'm just so glad that I think we waited until she was ready, but capitalized on the moment when it arrived.

Bon appetit, sweet baby girl.

(Just in case you were wondering who she looks like... ;))

My Buttercream Got All Grown-Up!

(image courtesy of Food Network because I forgot to take a photo and theirs is prettier anyhow...)

Want to take your frosting up a notch?

Have someone who could use some real, whole fat in her diet? (like, ahem, a skinny preemie??)

Committed to using "real" foods when you bake?

Ready for a grown-up buttercream that's deliciously decadent without being cloyingly sweet?

I've got a recipe to fit those bills!

I was in charge of the birthday cake for my dad's birthday this past Sunday and I went on the hunt for something "new"... my dad favors white cake with white frosting so I at least wanted to try a new buttercream recipe to keep it interesting!

I found this one at the Food Network website and, oh, is it ever good! There's not as much sugar vs. butter in this one, making it ridiculously rich. Subbing cream for the typical milk whips up light and fluffy and, again, richly.

Here is the recipe, direct from their site. You'll find my notes in parentheses.

Ingredients

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar (I don't bother sifting- you beat it so long, it's unnecessary in my opinion.)
  
• 1 cup butter (I used salted because I think it balanced the sweetness well-- I really did have both on hand and chose the salted.)
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (This will result in a "french vanilla" kind of a color. If that bothers you, some shops sell special clear vanilla or you could omit it, but I think you'd lose out on great flavor that way...)
  
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream (I needed between 3 and 4 T to get mine to a spreadable consistency... you know the drill- just add a bit at a time until it's just right.)
  

Directions

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

Enjoy every last creamy, buttery, decadent bit and kiss that shortening/sugary mess from the store goodbye.

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This post is linked to Cupcake Tuesday, hosted at Hoosier Homemade.

Cheese- The Stronger, The Better

This is going to seem like an odd frugal tip to many, but bear with me...

If you want to save some money, use strong cheese.
Aged swiss, extra sharp cheddar, gorgonzola, bleu, feta... these all pack enough flavor so that a little goes a long way. Ditto for herbed/spiced cheeses like havarti dill and pepperjack.

Choosing a strong or herbed cheese means you can use less-- in an omelet, sprinkled on a salad, or melted over a dish. It would take a whole lot more mozzarella, colby, or American to fulfill a "cheesy craving".

If you happen to need to watch your fat intake for health reasons, this is also good news! Less cheese means less fat.

Me? I've said it before- I've never met a cheese I didn't like (well, except maybe head cheese- but that's not really cheese, after all...). Using smaller amounts of stronger cheeses adds variety to my menu and pennies to my wallet. And that's something to smile about.

Say cheese.

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This post is linked to Frugal Friday, hosted by Jessica at Life as MOM.

Allergy-Safe Drinkable Yogurt

Awhile back, I wrote about making your own yogurt drinks. This is both a convenient and frugal option. As I mentioned at the time, it also enabled me to "custom make" soy yogurt drinks for me then-finicky daughter. We are very fortunate to have no food allergies in our family, but my little girl went through a phase when we could only get her to drink and eat soy dairy products. We're past that, blessedly, but I haven't forgotten the lessons I learned.

Today FishMama is hosting a recipe swap of recipes for special dietary needs. It reminded me of my past Yogurt Drink post.

I want you to encourage you look beyond even my soy version of the yogurt drink. When you make your own, you can customize to meet the special needs of your own family. This method can easily be applied using rice milk products, coconut milk, or almond milk. So often, small babies who have dairy allergies also seem to have soy allergies or, at least, sensitivities to soy. Still, yogurt (and, thus, yogurt drinks) are a great source of nutrition for even small children. By learning to make your own, you can meet stay within necessary dietary restrictions and still allow your child the same type of "yogurt treat" the kiddos down the street may be enjoying.

I have no doubt there are those who can take it another step and make their OWN yogurt for these needs. But, if you're not quite there yet (like me), it's nice to know you can find the necessary ingredients to make your own custom-blended, allergy-safe yogurt drinks.

(**Bonus: As I mentioned early, these yogurt drinks are ideal for children who may swallowing issues too-- their thickened consistency makes aspiration much less likely.**)

Is It Worth It For A "Restfull" Night?

(All images in this post directly from Enfamil's website.)

Isn't that sleeping baby precious? Doesn't your heart just sigh with peace as you gaze at that picture? What are you willing to do to get your baby to sleep so soundly?

My Twitter friends got an earful from me yesterday. I have a feeling Enfamil will regret ever sending me a coupon for their new Enfamil Lipil Restfull formula...

My four month old is exclusively breastfed, just so you know. That does not mean I don't usually appreciate the coupons. I have a good friend who is currently using formula (Enfamil, to be exact) and I'm happy to pass on the savings so she can continue to buy her preferred formula brand. My first child was exclusively formula-fed (Enfamil again) and my second had a tablespoon of specialty formula (sorry, Enfamil, our NICU used Similac) added to expressed breast milk to up the calories. I am NOT anti-formula. I really want to make that clear. While I am thrilled to be nursing my daughter and it is going beautifully smoothly for us, I believe there are many good reasons to turn to formula too. So this is not, in any way, a "bottle feeding slam" post.

What this is is a criticism of this new "Restfull" formulation.

Here are the high points, according to Enfamil's website:

"Specially designed to help babies feel full longer and sleep better."

-Allow me to just pause and point out that this states "help babies FEEL full longer..." not "help babies BE full longer". This formula is not really filling your baby up- just taking longer to digest so she doesn't bother you with her pesky cries for more nutrition...

"Give your baby a RestFull Night.

Your baby needs a proper amount of sleep to keep her healthy and happy. That's why we created new Enfamil RestFull, the formula specially designed to naturally encourage a good night's sleep."

-Babies DO need sleep, no doubt. So do you. But "tricking" a baby's tummy into feeling full isn't the answer, in my opinion.

The website goes on...

• A natural way to help keep your baby feeling satisfied. (Natural = Rice Starch, just so you know)
  
• Thickens gently in baby's tummy and digests slowly. (Translation- this formula is harder for your baby to digest.)
  

To be fair, the website then lists six tips for a Restfull night, all of which are valid and helpful (well, except perhaps the inevitable formula plug, but you have to expect that). They include:

• 
  

• Try to be consistent with your baby's sleep routine.
• Relax your baby with a warm bath.
• Dim the lights, and create a calm bedtime environment.
• Enjoy the special bonding time of feeding your baby Enfamil Restfull.
• Soothe your baby with a lullaby or a bedtime story.
• Kiss your baby goodnight.

Those are good suggestions.

But this formula? I don't trust it. I think the idea of creating something to "thicken" in a baby's belly just so she'll sleep longer is simply wrong. It's basically just like the previous generations who put rice cereal in the bottle. Did the babies sleep? Yep. But study after study has since shown that it's not what's best for our babies. So why is a formula company, who presumably has many researchers on staff, marketing it to us?

Why?

Because it will sell. Read the comments on the website and you'll see that dozens of parents-even those of newborns- have bought it and tried it. Because they're tired. They're sleep-deprived. They're desperate. And Enfamil, knowing this, lures them in with the promise of more rest. Under the guise that it's also good for their baby. Shameful, if you ask me.

I don't like the idea, period, but I don't have as much issue with marketing it to parents of babies, say 6 months or older. Or even 4 months and older. Babies who are large enough to handle longer stretches of sleep and who may even be eating rice cereal (so the rice starch won't be so new on that little tummy).

I could not find an age guideline anywhere on the website or on the brochure that came with my coupon. The closest you'll see is this disclaimer:

"Ask your baby's doctor if Enfamil Restfull is right for your baby."

That's not enough, in my opinion.

I am cringing at the thought that people are giving this stuff to their 2-week old babies. The way it's labeled, it looks like, if your doctor recommended Enfamil Lipil, then this is the formula you should use at bedtime. I have a feeling very few people are really asking their pediatricians.

I think this is a big fail, Enfamil, and I'm not afraid to tell the world how I feel. You can trust that this coupon will NOT be getting passed on. If you don't want to pull the product (and why would you? I'm sure it sells.), then I urge you to at least use responsible marketing and provide appropriate age recommendations for the consumer.

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But what do you all think? I'd love to know! Would you buy this product? Recommend it to a friend? Let me have it!

This post included in Real Life's Your Life Your Blog.