From Milk to Solids

Transitioning from milk to solids is a fun, exciting, rough, experimental time! Here's a few tips to help the transition.

 

 

1. Doctors recommend you start at 6 months of age, but you can really start anywhere from 4-6 months.

 

2. Ask some questions if you are questioning if they are ready.

A. Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?

B. Can your baby sit with support?

C. Is your baby mouthing his/her hands or toys?

D. Is your baby showing interest in what you are eating?

If yes, they are probably ready!

 

 

2. Start with rice cereal. Make a small amount and make it watery. It may seem gross but remember, this is the first time your child has had anything with any consistency but watery.

 

 

3. Take it slow. Try it once a day at first. Do this for a few days and increase it if they like it and are used to it. Continue your breast milk/formula as well.

 

 

4. Resist giving it to them in a bottle. Really try feeding them with a spoon to help them learn the practice of taking bites and swallowing.

 

5. Feed them very small spoonfuls. They need to get used to new textures and swallowing these new textures. As your baby gets used to it, you can make it thicker and offer more.


6. Start to introduce pureed foods (meats, veggies, fruits, etc.) as they master the cereal. I always bought this in Gerber. I did want to make Brody's food, but just did not have the time to do this as a working mom. Just always check the ingredients and make sure what it says it is is the first ingredient, no sugar, and no salt. The fewer the ingredients the better. Gerber is a great option if you can't or don't want to make your babies food.

 

7. About 8-10 months, you can offer very small pieces of "real" chopped up food. Make sure the food is small and easy to chew and swallow. Again, this is a new texture so it may take them some time to get used to it.

 

 

8. Aviod power struggles. If it just isn't working during a meal time, try again later. They will get it!

 

 

 

Hope your transition is easy! Happy eating!

 

 

 

Until next time, 

 

 

 

Bumbo Recall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may or may not have heard by now that Bumbo is doing a voluntary recall of their product. As a mother and owner of a Bumbo, this did concern me a little bit. I decided to research it a little and see what was going on.

 

Reasons for Recall

 

1. There is no safety belt on the previous Bumbo's. Children have been able to wiggle free out of the seat. Because of this, it has caused some injuries to children. The new Bumbo's will have this.

 

2. They are putting a new safety warning sticker on the Bumbo. This sticker is going to say that children should be supervised by parents at all times and that the Bumbo should not be off of the floor. There have been reports of children that were in their bumbo on a raised surface and somehow tipped the Bumbo over and fell. There have also been reports of skull fractures.

 

Are These Safe for My Child?

In all honesty, I believe yes they are. In my opinion, it is common sense to not leave your young child unsupervised on a counter top in a seat. I do understand some of these may have happened while being supervised and it was an accident that just happened. However, almost anything out there for babies to play on, sit in, etc. can be dangerous if not used properly. The same goes with this.  Here are a few tips I have to ensure your child is safe in these.

 

 1. Be present with your child. Never be more than about 1/2 an arms length away.  Don't get busy doing something else and forget your child is in the seat. Children who use these likely cannot sit stably and will wiggle therefore, it creates a possibility of wiggling off a raised surface or toppling over and getting hurt.

 

2. Use only on the ground.These seats are not made to be used on raised surfaces. A knife is used to cut not eat your soup. The same goes with this. Read the labels and use properly.  

 

3. Use the restraint belt. The Bumbo website suggest that you always use this belt now.

 

 

What if I had a Bumbo before they recalled it?
 

1. Request a Repair Kit. You can go here and request a repair kit. The kit includes a new warning sticker and belt. They say it is very easy to install.

 

2. Returns: You cannot return this product as part of this recall.

 

3. Email: Email recall@bumbousa.com  for any questions for concerns you have. You can also call (866) 898-4999.

 

Use common sense and extra precaution when caring for your child and using products! Nothing is safe when used improperly.

 

Information is available on the Bumbo Recall information page. 

 

 

 Until Next time,

 

 



From Nursing to Bottles

Transitioning a baby from nursing to bottles can be a tough task! While some babies transition beautifully, others do not. Many do it because they do not want to nurse anymore, cannot nurse anymore, or have to go back to work. Here are a few tips to try and help the transition easier!

 

Tip #1: Start trying to use bottles somewhere between 2-6 weeks of age. This could just be one bottle a day. This will hopefully prevent the baby from getting so used to nursing and so good at it that they hate bottles and refused to use them. You can still pump and put your breastmilk in the bottle, in fact this is recommended. Even put some in the very bottom of the nipple so they taste it as soon as they suck.
 

Tip #2: Take it slow. Don't only nurse one day and then try all bottles the next. This is a transition and your baby needs to be able to adapt. Slowly introduce more and more bottles over time.

 

Tip #3: Have daddy or someone else give them the bottles (until they are used to it). If the baby sees or smells mommy (Yes, they know your smell!) they may refuse to take the bottle knowing you are near! Try to be out of the room when this happens!

 

Tip #4: Stick with it! Your baby may really have a hard time transitioning to a bottle. Don't give up! I know it is hard on you both, but they will get it!
 

Tip #5: Try different bottles/nipples. I did a review on bottles here. Check it out. We used Playtex VentAire and loved them! However, your baby may not. You may have to try several bottles before they find one that makes them happy and most "resembles" you. Also, make sure the nipple is the right size and flow (it should be slow.)


Tip #6: Try different temperatures of the milk. You obviously want it warm and not hot, but you can try different temperatures of warmth. If you are really need to, pump your milk and measure the temperature right away and try to get it as close to that as possible.

Tip #7: Try holding your baby in different positions when getting the bottle. It may not be the bottle itself. It is possible when they drink from a bottle they get more gas or have a hard time eating in that position. Some examples you can look up would be the following: Cradle hold, Cross-over hold, Football hold, and Reclining Position. These are especially good for nursing but can be used with bottles. Also, you may need to sit them up a lot to feed the bottle to help reduce gas and improve digestion.



That is it for now! Good luck!
Email me with any questions you would like me to address!!

Until next time,