[Daffodil]

In the past few days I've been giving Arielle more solids in preparation of getting off of formula and you know, being a normal human being. It was going great until she threw up yesterday... Not sure what caused it but she was fine after that. Anyway, I'm going to continue feeding her more solids.

I just don't know how much to feed her and how to balance her meals once she is off of formula. I will ask her pedi at her one year appointment, but for example, she wakes up at 3 am and gets a bottle...I know she doesn't NEED a bottle at that point but it gets her back to sleep . What do I do once she is off formula? Milk? Water? Nothing?

Also, my hubby has become a health-freak where our daughter is concerned (unfortunately that hasn't extended to us yet ) and freaks out whenever I buy anything not-super-healthy for her. For example, a few ladies were talking about how they give their babies waffles with yogurt on it...so I did the same thing. "Why are you giving her waffles? They aren't nutritious!" Same thing with crackers or any other snack that kids usually eat. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her stuffing her face with snacks and not eat veggies or meat, but I think once in awhile is ok. Otherwise I honestly don't know what to feed her. He was even giving me grief about me giving her cheese sandwhiches since I got kraft cheese and not organic cheese.

Ok, finally, the sippy cup. She can kinda/sorta use it when she wants to. But nothing consistant and never more than a sip, unless I'm holding it for her. But that's not the point of a sippy and I don't want to be holding her cups for her like I do her bottles. Should I just stop altogether? My mom said to feed her (or let her feed herself, but she's not good at this either) and just put the sippy in front of her... But I feel guilty because she doesn't seem to realize she needs to drink out of it, she'll just play with it and then throw it down.

Also eating with a spoon... everyone tells me just let her try it herself. I do, but...she just puts her hand on the food and then gets food everywhere. She gets mad when I try to guide it. How long do I let her do it? How big a mess is she supposed to make? When is she going to figure out how to feed herself (ok, I know no one can answer that question...but what is the average age?)

I know this wont help but you will learn as you go. It all depends on the baby. I feed 3 solid meals a day. She gets a cup of 50/50 juice, or plain water, or sometimes soy milk. I was putting formula in cups but I stopped because I want her to realize cups are for drinks that go with eating. Keep in mind that nutrition IS good, but also are whole wheat waffles/pancakes too. Babies do need the extra fats in moderation. I cant remember when Kaitlyn actually USED a spoon and fork the correct way but I gave her utensils early. Kaileigh as a spoon and fork at every meal. She has no idea how to get food on it but she knows how to put it in her mouth. Im think Kaitlyn was 1 1/2 when she actually used it correctly? I could be off on age though, its been quite a few years. At her age meals will only get messier Kaileigh had a bath after lunch and dinner yesterday. It's easier to toss her in the tub then wipe her up with a towel/wipes. She will figure out how to eat on her own, I promise . oh and if your wanting to cut out formula during the night, I personally would just put water in the bottle. Eventually she will not want it.

[AndiNW]

I wish I could help, but I can't remember what I did with DD. You'd think it would be easier the second time around. Nope! I guess that's what happens when your kids are 4 1/2 years apart.
I can't remember the transition, but it just seemed that one day she just had sippy cups. I kept the her nighttime bottle for a while...too scared to change that one. I think I always gave her food first, then the sippy cup with milk part way through or after the meal or she would just play with it. I think at some point she just figured it out. I know that doesn't help, but it's all I've got!
As for food, if it's not super-healthy then I try to buy organic...makes me feel better. Along with the crackers/waffles, I think if you are giving some fruits and veggies along with it, it's not that bad. I struggle too with variety of food and what I should make for Wyatt. It's tough.
As for self-feeding with a spoon. We're a long way from that. I don't even know when DD started doing that! So there's my very unhelpful response. At least you know you're not alone!

[Wren]

I know I am supposed to stop using bottles soon, but Stella still drools most of what she drinks out of the sippy cup straight down her shirt, so I still only give her water until she figures it out. She feeds herself finger foods, but she is also far from being able to use utensils.

Since she is allergic to dairy I'm not really sure when I should be stopping formula. I will be talking to her doctor at her next appointment. I don't think only soy milk would be adequate at this point.

[sweetliberty]

I'm no help with the night time bottle, after I made my post about cutting it out Aaron gave it up on his own. He also has always had a great desire to feed himself. We only do finger foods for now; I'm not even attempting utensils yet. As for the sippy cup I would stop holding it for her. Aaron knows I'll hold his bottles but the sippy is something he has to do. He's only now started actually drinking significant amounts out of it so we're attempting to slowly take away bottles and putting the formula in the cup.

The only snacks he gets are Cheerios. I get a small handful and put them on the end table and he'll go over and eat one or two occasionally when he's playing.

[shockandawe]

I think Shannon is right - whatever works for you guys is right. But here's what's happening at our table...maybe you can figure out what you want to do, or don't want to do after reading it:

Maggie is a year old for all intents and purposes. She gets three solid meals every day, and is still getting milk in her bottles. She gets a sippy cup with 50/50 juice and water or plain water with every meal. She used to do well with a spoon when we were feeding her purees, but now that we're eating regular solid food, she wants little to none of using utensils. She's happy feeding herself with her hands. I'm using a plate now (but started just using the tray on her high chair). I have to hold down the plate with one hand while I eat with my other to prevent food flying. It's messy, but she's still eating.

She figured out how to use her sippy cup, and has spent most of the last 2 mos letting half of it dribble down into her bib. She's doing better with that this week. It's like she suddenly decided not to waste half her juice.

Re: meal content, as a rule, I do my level best to make sure that there is a grain/carb, fruit, veggie and protein on her plate at every meal. With relatively few exceptions this has made me comfortable that she's getting the most balance possible in her diet. The biggest challenges I have are with the grains and the proteins. Grains - DH is diabetic and I'm obese, so finding fibre carbs (which babies still need) that we can both metabolize has been next to impossible. But I keep trying, and am using portion size to offset things on our side as best I can. The other challenge we have is proteins. Maggie's still only got three of her front teeth. So I've had to introduce proteins in a slow and very teeny tiny way. I don't worry about waffles, and I don't worry about pasta for her. I'm also not an organic addict.

All you can do is make the best possible choices. Look to her for a little direction in what she's interested in too. As an example, there's no way I'm going to get Maggie to use a spoon and fork before she's ready for it. Til then, I try to give her a few bites off mine at every meal. Til she gets to where she wants to hold it on her own.

As far as DH is concerned, if he were my DH, I think he'd be finding himself responsible for all meal times and grocery shopping duty. Just sayin, he's free to have an opinion, but in my house, opinions come with ownership of the solution. That's why I get to have so many opinions...lol. Maybe you can find an antique butter churner and a picture of a cow for him as a big neon sign that says he's free to start milking that cow and making your cheese for you...lol...

Good luck! And not to worry...you'll get there! It will all come together for us one day!

[Daffodil]

Originally Posted by shockandawe

As far as DH is concerned, if he were my DH, I think he'd be finding himself responsible for all meal times and grocery shopping duty. Just sayin, he's free to have an opinion, but in my house, opinions come with ownership of the solution. That's why I get to have so many opinions...lol. Maybe you can find an antique butter churner and a picture of a cow for him as a big neon sign that says he's free to start milking that cow and making your cheese for you...lol...

!

LOL my husband is very type-A and opinionated and both of us know the routine...he says his thing and I do my thing. I used to get mad but now I know he always has to say SOMETHING (kinda like my mom lol). Like I am pretty sure Arielle is allowed to eat more carbs proportionally than he and I should be eating, but I do want to ask the pedi to know for sure. I do buy organic whenever possible but I didn't see any american cheese that was organic, so I bought what they had.

I do want her to eat healthy but we need to set the example. And everyting in moderation, a pancake here or there is ok. But I think his all-or-nothing mentality is actually preventing him from eating a healthy diet, he's either eating ONLY broths and salads, or he is eating chili-cheese fries and pizza. He fluctuates so much because he can't find that balance. This is getting pretty OT, but my point is basically that I do my own research and own thing anyway, so I'm glad to find out what you ladies are doing, since JM is my main research-source!

[Karlie]

Luca has three meals a day, two snacks and 4 bottles of formula in the daytime. I leave him a sippy cup of water at night which he helps himself to. Luca is on table food and eats the same meals that Noah eats so that means he eats good food 90% of the time and not so great food 10% of the time which is cool with me. I follow a baby/toddler cookbook and choose recipes that I know both kids will like/manage.

[starrsgirl]

Seema, I wish we lived near each other! I stare at Emmett every single day and have no clue what to feed him. DH says feed him what I eat, but I'm a terrible eater.

Maybe we would make a thread or a sticky or something with meal ideas? Like ideas for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. I have this idea that if I make a list with at least 5-10 ideas for each meal, I can post it on my refridgerator and have a better sense of what I can do. Then every day, I only have to pick an option from the list, not reinvent the wheel.

This food stuff is killing me over here too. I miss the purees because they were so easy. if I could, I would also eat baby mush with the flavor labeled on the side. I hate the ordeal of cooking/eating.

[Ally-Mac]

Originally Posted by starrsgirl

Seema, I wish we lived near each other! I stare at Emmett every single day and have no clue what to feed him. DH says feed him what I eat, but I'm a terrible eater.

Maybe we would make a thread or a sticky or something with meal ideas? Like ideas for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. I have this idea that if I make a list with at least 5-10 ideas for each meal, I can post it on my refridgerator and have a better sense of what I can do. Then every day, I only have to pick an option from the list, not reinvent the wheel.

This food stuff is killing me over here too. I miss the purees because they were so easy. if I could, I would also eat baby mush with the flavor labeled on the side. I hate the ordeal of cooking/eating.

Liz, I think this is a great idea! I also have no freaking clue what to feed Sydney. doesn't help that she is as picky as can be. the only thing that I've found that she truly loves is yogurt and kraft dinner. I certainly can't feed her KD every day ....once in awhile I don't mind, but I'm running out of things to make for her that are easy and nutritious. I think a sticky is a great idea! I need quick healthy meals -- nothing with alot of prep. I work so by the time I get home, I'm exhausted and don't feel like making a meal from scratch. Someone give me some ideas!!!!

[Wren]

Originally Posted by starrsgirl

Maybe we would make a thread or a sticky or something with meal ideas? Like ideas for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. I have this idea that if I make a list with at least 5-10 ideas for each meal, I can post it on my refridgerator and have a better sense of what I can do. Then every day, I only have to pick an option from the list, not reinvent the wheel.

This food stuff is killing me over here too. I miss the purees because they were so easy. if I could, I would also eat baby mush with the flavor labeled on the side. I hate the ordeal of cooking/eating.

When my husband was away for 6 weeks, I actually ate baby food a couple of times for dinner. He's the cook in the family. I second the idea of a meal ideas sticky. Since Stella can't eat eggs, cheese or yogurt, I need some more ideas.

Caleb was the same with his sippy cups but I finally found one he will drink from (Nuk)

In the morning he gets his sippy 1/2 formula 1/2 whole milk and some yobaby yogurt.

For lunch he gets a protein, carb, and a friut. Yesterday he had some grilled chicken cut really small, whole wheat bread, banana. With his lunch he got the formula/milk mix again in his sippy.

For dinner he eats what we eat. Last night he had ground beef and mashed potatoes (we had hamburgers).

Caleb does not get a bottle during the night. If he seems hungry during the day he gets an extra sippy with the formula/milk mix. For snacks he gets cheerios, organic puffs, or mum-mums.

Someone start the thread the way you want it and I'll stickie it.