Baby's First Natural Foods

Luna is just about 8 months old. For the past few months I have been struggling with how to start her on solid foods.  There is an overwhelming variety of direction out there coming from doctors, family, friends, books and the Internet. Her first doctor recommended spoon feeding baby food; as in jars, as in the norm for most American babies.  He also recommended rice cereal in addition to her pureed fruits and veggies. The only reason that I began to question this norm was because in our history jarred baby food and a box of rice cereal were not options and somehow babies survived.  I don't feel that there is anything wrong with the mainstream style of feeding, it is easy and convenient. I just wanted to explore a more traditional way of introducing my baby to food. 

Then I switched to a more holistic doctor. She preached instilling healthy eating habits from the start to avoid problems in the future.  Ironically, I found her style to be more logical and convenient than the American norm. First, vegetables should lead the way. If you start your baby on vegetables then they grow to prefer vegetables over sweets. Well, that makes sense!  Next, I was advised to get rid of the spoon. What???  Let her eat her meals you eat yours and simply mash up and share any vegetables that you are having letting her feed herself. That was an interesting concept, but again, it made sense. If you let her feed herself she will eat if she is hungry and until she is full, if she is not hungry she will not eat.  While babies are still mainly getting a bottle or being breast fed they are getting all the nutrients that their little bodies need.  The beginning stages of adding solids (around 6-9 months) are more for exploration than nutrition. As I began to feed Luna in the more traditional manner life got a bit easier.

I also began to read more books on a babies first foods that were in line with what I had learned. I came across a great book that all expecting and new mothers should read if they are they are questioning the mainstream feeding style.  The book is called Beautiful Babies by Kristen Michaelis and Joe Salatin.  It takes you from nutrition before getting pregnant all the way to your babies first foods.  I highly recommend it.  Another is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. This book also challenges politically correct nutrition and teaches you to feed your baby the most nutrient dense foods that help grow a healthy baby.  What I learned from these books and Luna's new doctor all coincided. Egg yolks, vegetables, avocados, cod liver oil and roe are all great starter foods to get your baby on the right track.  Not once was rice cereal recommended.  I actually discovered that rice cereal is not easily digested by babies and is more of a nutrient lacking filler.  In a world of anorexia and obesity, I have learned that it is best to fill your baby with the most nutrient dense foods and steer clear from any fillers such as rice cereal.

Now, I am not judging one way or another, every situation is different, but I am finding the more natural approach seems to be a good fit for me and my baby.  So far she is accepting it and enjoying it better than she did the spoon! It is a step away from mainstream, but it is not nearly as difficult or inconvenient as I would have imagined.  This style actualy seems to lead to a happier baby and more free time for mom.    

The Beginning of a Journey

I am a new mother of a beautiful little girl named Luna Paisley.  As expected, since she came into this world six months ago, my life has changed drastically.  Not only is a typical day no longer a typical day, but I found myself constantly dissatisfied with normality in America.  Her well being is my responsibility.  That is a big job in itself, but given the state of our country it is even bigger than I imagined. 

This is not a democrat vs republican rant, I've had about enough of that.  In my opinion, the division of the parties has done more harm than good and we have been distracted from the true problems. It is more of an "I am tired of the direction that we have taken this country and I am going to stop being complacent and make a change."  I don't want my little girl to grow up blinded by the ways of society.  She deserves to be handed the truth in order to form her own decisions.  She shouldn't have to search for it.

Now, you may wonder the direction that this blog is going to go based on the above.  This is more of a journey to discover the truth behind the clutter created by society, greed and our complacency.  I plan to learn as I go and share what I uncover with you.  Do with it what you may.  I don't claim to have all the answers, but I feel that our freedom and right to pursue happiness has been compromised.  It seems that the pursuit of money and power within the country has become more important than the health and well being of 'its' people and 'its' people have voluntarily put on their blindfolds and followed the flock to the slaughterhouse to feed the greed.  It's a vicious cycle.   

So for her sake, mine and yours...I am questioning the norm.