Feeding Baby Whole Foods

I have decided that I want to only feed my son whole foods. I will be making all of his baby food (as long as everything goes according to plan). 

So far things are going well.  His first taste of solids was homemade brown rice cereal. He really wasn't impressed, but I have given him a little every night this week. Next week I will try adding some banana to the cereal, hopefully he will like that better!

Lance's first taste of baby cereal

I had no idea how easy it was to make your own brown rice baby cereal!

Brown Rice Cereal Recipe:

1/2 cup Water

1/4 cup Ground Brown Rice

1/4 cup Breast Milk or Formula
A little something for sweetener (banana, maple syrup, etc)

To grind the brown rice take regular brown rice, but it in a blender, and blend until it reaches a fine powdery consistency. 

Next boil the water, then SLOWLY (this is key) while stirring, add the rice powder. Take off the burner and add the milk. Make sure it is cool enough for your baby before feeding it to them. 

Getting Baby to Sleep Strategies

Lance at 4 Months

I have been having a hard time getting my five month old son to sleep through the night. He's waking up about twice a night which isn't too bad, but I would really love a full night's sleep!

Does anyone have any tips on how to get him to sleep through the night?

Things I have tried:

White noise
Making sure he's full before bed: feeding him rice cereal just before bed and then breastfeeding him as well

Resources for New Moms

I recently came across an interesting series of podcasts from the  Zero to Three: National Center for Infant, Toddlers, and Families website. 

I found several of them very useful and relevant to my personal experiences with my five month old.

Creating Healthy Connections: Nurturing Brain Development From Birth to Three 

Our Families, Ourselves: How Our History Influences How We Raise Our Children

Night-Night…or Not: Talking About Babies, Toddlers, and Sleep

Early Experiences Count: How Emotional Development Unfolds Starting at Birth

Beyond “Use Your Words!”: How Babies Begin to Develop Self-Control in the First Three Years

Turning On or Tuning Out: The Influence of Media on Young Children’s Development 

Across the Generations: The Role of Grandparents in Young Children’s Lives

Feeding the Body and Mind: Nurturing Healthy Eating Habits From the Start

Daddy, Papi, Papa or Baba: The Influence of Father’s on Young Children’s Development 

Shh, Shh, It’s Okay: Coping With Crying in Babies and Toddlers

“I Like Me!”:  Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years

Sharing the Care: How Partnering with Your Child’s Caregiver Supports Healthy Development 

If any of these sound like they would be helpful you can find them at:

http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/