Tag: babies

Weaning

| November 4, 2012

I started weaning Imogen when she was almost 6 months old. We experimented with different foods and textures which made weaning really enjoyable and a good way to introduce Imogen to new flavours.

Each day I’d give Imogen a teaspoon or two of pureed organic carrots or pureed organic pears which are very gentle on a baby’s tummy. I always try to use organic produce for the benefit of my family’s health.

Imogen eating pureed organic butternut squash and carrots

Imogen has the East Coast Multi Height Highchair and I highly recommend it. It’s made of solid wood and grows with your child, becoming a chair which is suitable for use for children up to the age of 10 years old. When I introduced baby led weaning it was great to use the tray table as a large plate to lay out the assortment of foods for Imogen to try.

Some of my favourite no-cook baby foods are mashed banana and mashed avocado. Banana’s are easy to digest, sweet to taste and provide slow release sugars for sustained energy. Avocados are full of nutrients and help to boost the immune system as they contain the antioxidant vitamin E.

You can read more about our experiences with weaning:

Breastfeeding and Calories

| October 30, 2012

Waitrose Fairtrade Organic Bananas

One of the great advantages of breastfeeding is that it burns calories.

Breastfeeding Mums will burn up to 500 calories a day just from providing their babies with the best start in life.

Breastfeeding and eating a diet rich in nutritious foods have been the best things for my post pregnancy weight loss.

When you’re breastfeeding you spend a lot of time sitting, hopefully with your feet up, so it’s important to get outside everyday for your mental health and enjoy a leisurely walk with baby.

I was quite often ravenous when I was breastfeeding. I breastfed on demand so it was essential I ate small snacks and meals throughout the day to keep my energy levels up, to ensure optimal amounts of breast milk production and to maintain my blood sugar levels.

Because you’re burning so many calories when you breastfeed you’ll need to consume around 300 to 500 more calories per day when you’re breastfeeding to ensure proper milk production and to keep up with the demands of your body.

Whatever you eat as a breastfeeding Mum will pass directly into your breast milk and into baby who consumes your breast milk so avoiding additives, contaminants and highly processed foods is essential.

For the health of Mum and Baby, I always recommend you eat organic foods.

Breastfeeding Mums should eat healthy and nutritious foods that will provide you with sustained energy release to keep you going and regulate your blood sugar levels. This also helps to maintain your mood as blood sugar spikes and lows can leave you feeling up and down.

Some of my favourite foods to eat for energy when breastfeeding:

  • Organic Bananas – rich in potassium and low in sodium, a quick and healthy snack with calming properties.
  • Organic Apples make a perfect snack. Highly nutritious and a good source of vitamins A and B1 as well as being rich in minerals. High in fibre to help cleanse your system and to keep you regular. It’s best to eat only Organic Apples here’s why.
  • Organic Free Range Eggs Scrambled on toasted Rye Bread – a quick and healthy way to eat protein. Eggs are low in fat and provide balanced nutrition, being rich in B vitamins and many minerals.

 
What are your favourite foods for energy when breastfeeding?
 

Benefits of Breastfeeding

| October 28, 2012

No doubt you will have heard Breast is Best.

Despite this there’s still a lot of debate when it comes to feeding and what’s best for your baby.

Exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding with breast milk and formula or exclusive formula feeding?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a statement in January 2011 indicating findings show exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of 6 months is best for babies, as it helps to achieve optimal growth, development and health.

This statement on breastfeeding by the WHO is for all babies, not just babies in developing countries.

My thoughts are that if you can breastfeed and if you want to breastfeed then it’s best for Mum and baby to breastfeed. Nutritionally, emotionally and physiologically.

Here are just some of the Benefits of Breastfeeding

  • The fat in breast milk is more digestible for babies, compared with cow’s milk, so there’s a greater absorption of fat-soluble vitamins into baby’s bloodstream.
  • The hormones in breast milk promote baby’s growth.
  • Breastfeeding will give your baby the best start and allow them to grow and develop at optimal levels.
  • Breastfeeding decreases the risk of your baby developing infections as Mum’s breast milk provides antibodies for her baby.
  • Breastfeeding can help to reduce Mum’s risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Breastfeeding is the best way to burn calories, and you get to sit down and put your feet up at the same time!
  • Breastfeeding gives Mum and baby regular skin-to-skin contact which nurtures bonding and provides great emotional benefits.
  • There’s a reduced risk of breastfed babies developing childhood diabetes.
  • Breast milk provides baby with protection against allergies, eczema and asthma.

 
What are your thoughts on the benefits of breastfeeding?