Introducing solids to baby

Definition from Wikipedia:

Baby-led weaning (often also referred to as BLW) is a method of introducing solid foods. It allows a baby to control his solid food intake by self-feeding from the very beginning of the weaning process.

Baby Led Weaning is the emphasis of giving the baby control of what and how much she wants to eat. Solid foods are offered as a complement to breastmilk or formula starting around 6 months, while the baby continues to nurse or drink formula until at least 12 months.

With baby led weaning, there's no need for weaning spoons or "baby food". Baby led weaners generally skip purees altogether. Instead, the baby eats finger foods or the same foods as the rest of the family (with a common-sense approach to avoiding choking hazards). Sometimes baby led weaners offer runny or pureed foods, but allow their babies to handle the spoons on their own or with a little help, or use "edible dippers" (like pita bread).

A leading child-care expert has spoken out against pureed baby-food. Gill Rapley, deputy director of Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative, claims that the foods are unnecessary, reduce the nutritional benefits of breast milk, and that babies fed on them are slow to acquire chewing skills and become picky eaters.
"In 2002, World Health Organization-backed research found breast or formula milk provided all the nutrition a baby needs up to the age of six months. That research said feeding a baby any other food during their first six months would dilute the nutritional value of the milk and might even be harmful to the baby's health," she says.

Baby Led Weaning is not new, it is practiced all over the world in countries where formula is not available and was in this country before formula companies told 1950s mothers that their breast milk was no good...so they started feeding formula. The 1950s formula wasn't able to sustain a baby and so weaning and introducing food had to be done sooner (3-4months) which meant purees for babies. 
Which made sense that you would HAVE TO supplement with pureed baby foods so early.

However, formula these days can now sustain babies and if your breastfeeding you never have to worry about not giving your baby enough.  Breast milk changes it's content as baby grows...pretty cool huh.

So, why do so many parents introduce solids at 4months?? Because they are still relying on outdated information or old school theology. However, World Health Organisation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada, Health Insite - Australia and the Department of Public Health (U.K.) as well as the CDC all recommend that babies receive nothing but breast milk and/or formula for the first 6 months of age. 

There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.

I recently asked my pediatrician when they recommend we start Emily on solids (kind of a trick question because I was hoping they wouldn't say "right now"). And he said 6months! He said most parents like to start at 4months of age with rice cereal or something similar but it is unnecessary and can be damaging to baby's digestive system and increase the risk of food allergies!!

Reasons for delaying solids:

• Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness. 
• Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature. 
• Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
• Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.

With all that being said, we are going to start to introduce finger foods to Emily around 6months or a little sooner if she shows interest (which I think she will). We are going to bypass the whole puree stage.

We are going to offer her a selection of soft finger foods that can be easily grasped (cooked vegetable sticks, boiled or steamed broccoli florets on their stems and softened apple and pear sticks or banana pieces).

As Emily becomes more adept at moving food to the back of her mouth and swallowing, we will increase the range of foods and textures we offer (sticks of cheese and soft meats, etc.).

Babies who do BLW tend to eat a wide variety of foods, learn to feed themselves quicker, benefit with being more involved in mealtimes and tolerate textured food. Some puree weaned babies go on to refuse lumpy food.


I think it's going to be so fun to introduce finger foods! Although, I have to admit that I am a little bummed out because before I started researching this topic, I planned to make all of Emily's pureed food using organic produce and veggies.  And I was looking forward to it! But I am slowly getting over it and can't wait to start introducing finger foods.  Emily is already reaching for food (on my plate).  I think she will be ready at 5months.

For more information on BLW see the following links:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/babyledweaning.htm
http://babyledweaning.blogware.com/
http://www.netmums.com/food/Baby_led_weaning.2028/

I am "Crunchy"!

Crunchy.... this is a new phrase for me that I have come across these last couple of months. This is the definition I found of "Crunchy":  

An adjective describing persons or things relating to any or all of the following: vegetarianism; herbs; all-natural and organic products (such as food, skin and hair care products, etc.); recycling; protecting and preserving the environment; natural medicine; etc. People that are earthy-crunchy are sometimes called tree-huggers or hippies.

And Crunchy Mama is defined:

Mother who supports, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare organic foods.

If you would have told me in high school that I would become a "crunchy" person/mom someday, I would have laughed in your face!  lol

I don't think I am fully crunchy though.  I guess I would consider myself semi-crunchy as far as "crunchiness" goes.

I cloth diaper, babywear, breastfeed, make my own cleaning products, buy organic as much as possible, use natural non-toxic organic products, hang my clothes to dry, use herbs and natural medicines, considering homeschooling, plan on making Emily's baby food, delaying all vaccines, and the list goes on....but I had no idea that making choices like these earned me a new title.

I am totally ok with this whole Crunchy thing, in fact for me it is a compliment.... it means I did my research and I am making important informed decisions and not just following mainstream society and expecting someone else to tell me what works for us....bring on the granola and Birkenstocks! lol

Coconut Oil

Oh my, how I love my Coconut oil!!  I use it for everything.

Coconut oil has been called the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.”

Health benefits include:
- Promotes weight loss ;)
- Provides an immediate source of energy
- Supplies fewer calories than other fats
- Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health
- Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life)
- Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking)

According to Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife:
- Protects against heart disease, cancer & diabetes
- Acts as an antioxidant in its resistance to attack by free radicals,
protecting against degenerative diseases, in general.
- Protects from a range of infectious diseases. Fife lists 28 infectious
and degenerative disease conditions that coconut oil can help to relieve,
reduce or prevent.
And the list goes on…

I thought  I would share some ways that I use it.

Baby massage: After researching what type of oil to use for Emily's daily baby massage, I knew that coconut oil was the best choice. It is excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. But unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaky skin (Emily had flaky skin when she was born). It also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.

Rash Cream:
Emily hasn't really had a diaper rash but if I do notice her bottom getting a little tender or pink, I dab a little on.  It’s easy to apply and melts into her skin, providing natural protection and healing.

Cradle cap:  I've read it helps relieve cradle cap.  I remember Emily had a little dry skin on her head (I had to dig deep through all her hair..lol) but I did notice a few flakes here and there.  I would rub coconut oil on her scalp and the flakes went away.

Stretch marks:  I use to slather coconut oil on my growing belly.  Not sure if it actually prevents stretch marks but it sure did feel good! :)

Lotion/moisturizer: I use it all over my body.  Especially on my feet.  If I have really dry feet, I rub in the oil and immediately put socks on.  In the morning I have super soft feet!


Make-up remover: I dab some coconut oil on a cotton swab and I use it to remove my make-up..usually just my mascara.  It is great for your face!

Chapstick: I dab a little on my lips and it works wonders! It is healthy for you too...no parabens or other yucky stuff you find in chapstick!

Deodarant: I've mentioned it before, but I make my own deodorant. I use coconut oil with cornstarch and baking soda.

Cooking: I've used it to cook before.  I don't use it often. I've used it to grease baking sheets, fry tortillas and I've added it to pancake mixes.  You can't really taste a difference.
*Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.

There are so many beneficial ways to use coconut oil but I just haven't gotten around to trying them all. Oh, I used to take about 2tblspoons of coconut oil by mouth a day...but I got tired of doing it.  I should start again!
I am looking into using it as a hair conditioner and I've read it is a good alternative to gel.  I am going to see if Josh will give it a try.

I only use Organic Virgin Coconut oil.  I've tried several brands and I don't notice a difference in any of them.
This is a great brand : tropicaltraditions.com
 More more info click here

Do you like your children??

I had to share this post from another blogger.  It's a great post full of thought-provoking ideas!!

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I stood talking with a woman at the checkout and her 5-year-old was climbing first up her leg, then squealing, then dropping to the floor, still holding her mother’s arms, jerking her downward, demanding to be picked up, running round and round while the mother’s face grew more tense, trying to focus on our conversation–both of us attempting to ignore the giant elephant of this demanding child.
“I have two and I’m exhausted”, she said.  “They’re wild.”

Wild.  Her words played back as I drove home.  The lady appeared to be a Christian–I know at least that she attended church regularly.
Lately it seems that  I see too many mothers not enjoying their children.  Some of them say so right out loud.  They scramble to go places, to find activities to entertain them.  It seems impossible to them to just be at home for any length of time with their children, playing, hanging out, soaking them in.
Just being….something, I think maybe children need more than anything.
What is the problem?

I sit frozen at my computer after typing that question. I think of so many things, intertwined, reciprocating, and it’s impossible to make a list.

I think of mothers and fathers who simply lack the wisdom and understanding of basic child-training.  I think of a new wave of parenting among Christians that shames parents for even believing that the Bible teaches they have authority over their children. What do we do with that?

I think of parents too busy to engage in child training if they did understand it; too consumed with other pursuits to roll up their sleeves and perform the arduous task of raising children.

I think of how the birth control mentality we embrace inadvertently distorts our view of children and makes them a burden before they even arrive.

I think of the sheer lack of time parents spend with their children that hinders the natural friendship and affectionate bond that should exist which draws us to enjoy them.

I think of our addiction to entertainment and distraction and how it destroys family relationships.

I think of so many organizations that subtlety pull the already-fragmented family in different directions–physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I think of a century of feminist dogma that convinced us that motherhood was peripheral, at best, and not worth our full attention.

I think of the utter death of the “Christian soldier about my Father’s business” in the 21st century.

And I think of how all these factors become a vicious cycle that reaffirms our decision to stop having children–godly offspring that were intended to “speak with the enemy in the gates”.

I think of apathy among Christians, and a lack of theological depth and a flippant belief system.

What we believe affects how we live.
And if we believe that “it doesn’t really matter–this way or that, whatever works for you” we all end up swirling around in this cesspool of confusion and consequences from rejecting the wisdom of God.

Yep, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stick with “Do You Like Your Children”.
Everything’s connected.  It’s about our whole world view.
That’s my life message.
And we’re going to have to do a lot of rewinding to get to liking our children again.

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Wow! Isn't that amazing!! I pray that I will set an example of self-sacrificing, godly parenting not only to my sweet Emily, but for so many young mothers around us ~ even in our church ~ who are still obliviously enmeshed in a worldly view of children and parenthood.

We MUST reclaim the vision of what the Lord intends to do through Godly families. As parents, we must embrace our role as parents and allow Him to instill in us a multi-generational vision. We need Patriarchs and Matriarchs that understand the importance of raising Godly children who will raise Godly children. We must believe the Lord when He tells us that children are a blessing and heritage from Him.
I know that He uses the role of motherhood to purify me, refine me, and make me more in the image of Christ. And through me and my Josh, He is raising up a young woman who will glorify Him and be used to further His Kingdom.
There is NO more important job I could have in this life than that of motherhood. It breaks my heart to see women all around me missing their calling, wishing it would be over, being deceived into pursuing things that don’t matter.
May the Lord humble us and open our eyes to the true importance of our task!!!

Wish lists

At the request of several people, we've updated our wish lists:)

You can see them here:


Emily's Wish List
Josh's Wish List
Angela's Wish List

Babies Don't Keep

Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton


I came across this sweet quote and it struck a cord in my heart. Why is it so easy to get focused on too many little things, when the most important thing is to simply and lovingly rock my sweet baby, hold her and completely love on her.

Spring Cleaning anyone??

So what are you doing for your spring cleaning??  Martha Stewart has a helpful printable checklist you can use to help get you started. The list is from her book, "Homekeeping Handbook".

Don't laugh, but usually I really enjoy spring cleaning....I really do!  But this time it isn't as "easy" for me with a big ole' preggo belly.  And the fact that we are in the middle of moving doesn't make it any easier.  

I guess I don't really have to do much "spring cleaning" because we are moving and I am cleaning everything I pack thoroughly. As we packed up our washer & dryer, I cleaned them in detail (lint trap, stains...).  My next task is to focus on the refrigerator...but I can't really deep clean it until we move it into the other house but I am kinda looking forward to it.  My nesting urge is really in high gear right now and I can't wait to have a "clean" house (the way I want it)...finally!!!!

Happy cleaning!! :)