Monday, September 22

Feeding Taelyn

This is actually part of the post at State Horse 4-H, but I felt that the matter deserved a separate post.

Taelyn's pediatrician has recommended that we not feed Taelyn anything but breast milk until she is 6 months old. Dr Cox said she has 2 reasons for this. First, she likes the baby to be able to set up on their own as it reduces choking. Second, it helps to reduce the possibility of food allergies. Jon and I talked about it, and we would like to follow that advice.

"Papa G" (as he calls himself) got himself in trouble several times over the weekend. He thinks it is OK to feed Taelyn. I wasn't happy at him feeding her watermelon...but I was down right angry when he tried pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and oreos-oh, did I mention the french fry!? He says that I need to relax. I think we should take a poll (see poll in right column). Please let me know your thoughts.

8 comments:

DyeFam said...

Ok-I'm not good at advice! I say Mom's know best-I waited for Payton until he was 6 months but with stockton he was 4 months eating french fries?!! Who knows-Good luck! Eating time is such a stressful time in their lives! And for the parents too

Tamaran said...

Thanks Val.

Us Lochers said...

I know that pediatricians recommend that less is more until they are one. BUT it seems as if the allergies are a LOT more prevelant (sp?) then they've ever been. SO, my very own personal opinion.... they need to eat more in moderation. I would still listen to the ped. since s/he knows better and has actual education. I am also going to say its going to depend on the child on when and how much food your babe is going to need. By the time Alyssa was 4 months, she needed more than just bottles to keep her tied over. Aubrey was not the same way.

Also, keep in mind that everthing with your first baby seems so crucial and by the time your second comes your not as up tight about everything.

Trust me when I say, even though I thought I was laid back, I was pretty up tight.

Builder said...

Nature is best!
She needs nutrients, not hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup. Junk food (cookies, oreos, French fries, etc.) have little to no nutrients. When she needs energy to grow, why fill her tummy with empty calories? There are no benefits to giving her those things now (or when she’s 6 months). There’s no need for even little tastes because you’re just developing her tastes for empty calorie foods when you should be developing her tastes for fruits and vegetables. I think Grandpa will be glad to do what's BEST for his granddaughter.

Tamaran said...

Kathy emailed me this comment:

Follow Taelyn’s lead. Is she acting like she is still hungry after you nurse her? Say an hour to two later? How is she sleeping at night? I would mix up some rice cereal for her that is runny and try dropping some on her tongue and watch how she reacts. Is she interested? When you touch her tongue with the tip of the little spoon does she start to suck it off with her tongue and lips? If she is doing that I would try giving her a table spoon of mixed rice. You can mix it with warm water/formula or breast milk. And then watch how she does. But definitely relax. People have been having/feeding/raising healthy babies for millennia and obvious done alright. You are her mother and have been given a 6th sense. Do not doubt your gut feelings. I mean really if survival depended on a mother doing exactly the right thing at the right time our race would have died out long ago. Look at all the babies and children of teenage mothers and indigent women. You are doing a wonderful job. She will taste that and at first she will just let you give it to her at your convenience but then she will make the connection between the spoon and her tummy and then she will make the connection that she can get fed cereal by fussing and then she will make the connection with the cereal box she is going to get fed and she will get excited and animated. Even insistent. So yes, I would introduce her to a little and watch her. There you have this opinion.

I think I'll follow her advice. For the last month Taelyn has been waking up every 2 hours at night to eat. Maybe she isn't getting enough to eat from me. We'll try it tonight and let you know how it goes...

gramma D said...

Oh come on... PaPa G was just letting her taste it on her tongue. She always has her tongue out trying to taste things. She wanted that watermelon so bad she was shaking. I don't think she actually got any of the cookie either. You do have to feed her at exactly 2 hr intervals or she gets very upset. I think it is time you start feeding her a little cereal.

mike & teresa said...

I'm sure your dad has given her more things than you know about it.

Tamaran said...

Actually, probably not. He has never been left alone with her. Not because I don't trust him, but because he only sees her when we go home to visit. We are always there (that comes from still breast feeding, I'm sure).