Tag: baby

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:

Baby Art

| November 2, 2012

Baby art is great fun and a wonderful way for your baby to express their imagination and creativity. Imogen started playing with crayons and paper at 10 months old and from around 12 months of age drawing has become part of her every day play.

Here are a couple of my favourite drawings by Imogen at 18 months. Imogen said she was drawing Mama, Dada, Roooar (Lion), Mi Mi (one of our cats), Moon and Bear.

This drawing looks like hearts and roses, especially with the red and pink colours Imogen’s chosen.

Baby art is simple and fun.

We use:

  • 24 Crayola brightly coloured and easy to hold crayons (as of yesterday we’re down one as it ended up as a melted block in our tumble dryer)! Crayola Beginnings Jumbo Crayons
  • Crayola jumbo pencils, they’re easy for a baby to hold and smooth to draw with on paper, requiring less pressure than some crayons Crayola Beginnings Jumbo Pencils

If you’re looking for wonderful arts and crafts ideas for slightly older children head over to Red Ted Art where there’s plenty of great crafty activities to choose from.

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?