I'm going a little bit backwards in history with this as we are a few weeks into eating but I wanted to share how we got here and then continue this blog in real time.
In order for Jack to have been ready to start on solid foods, he must be able to sit up unsupported in a high chair, grasp objects and bring them to his mouth. It is unsafe to have him sitting back in a bouncy chair, a stroller or a swing.
When he was a little over five months old we started having jack sit at the dining room table with us while we ate our meals. He fit in his high chair and could sit upright. We gave him a toy and he would happily sit and play while we ate, and chatted. We felt he enjoyed being part of our meals and we noticed when he really became interested in our food. The guideline for age is six months, but it is not a hard and fast rule. Just as it is with all developmental milestones, each baby is ready at his or her own time.
Jack would become fascinated by watching us chew and drink. If I held him while I ate, he would often grab at my plate. He was probably ready a couple of weeks before I finally let him have some food. He was born close to four weeks early and I really didn't expect him to be ready as early as he appeared to be. I was concerned that his digestive system wouldn't be caught up with his curiosity.
I made sure I read the guidelines and understood them thoroughly...
"The food is best if it is cut into pieces that can fit into his fist with an inch or two coming out of the top. Essentially the size of a french fry. They need a handle to grasp onto and at first can't seem to work out opening and closing their fist to get at the food.
The food should be steamed if it is a hard vegetable so that it can be easily "chewed" by the gums or teeth if there are any. Very hard vegetables such as carrots and squashes must be steamed longer to ensure they are the right denseness."
After a few weeks or when Jack has mastered the pincer grasp, the food can be cut into smaller pieces. Grapes cut in half, small pieces will have to be quite small so that they don't get stuck in the windpipe.
The idea is that Jack feeds himself.
He is in control of how much food goes in his mouth and when. This will allow him to really experience the flavour, texture and feeding. More importantly, he'll develop confidence in his ability to eat and trust to learn his own instincts. He will know what being full feels like and how much food that takes for him.
If he puts too much in his mouth, his excellent gag reflex will kick in and he will spit it out. Brilliant! Our bodies are designed for this and all I have to do is watch and trust.
No comments:
Post a Comment