Feed Me

We often (Lori, mostly) hold Ben on our laps at the dinner table when we're eating.  For some time now, Ben has looked with interest at the food we're eating.  And grabbing at it and our plates.  Or following the spoon or glass as it moves past him, mouth open, waiting, ready for the food. 

So, we asked at his last checkup, almost a month ago and the doctor said that at five months, it was ok to start him on rice cereal.  We figured last weekend was close enough, so on Saturday, we gave him a small amount of rice cereal mixed with breast milk.  He just ate it up.  Took him a little bit to figure out swallowing, but he didn't spit up or throw up any of it afterwards.  That night, a really horrible night with not much sleep.

The next day, we tried again, and again, he ate very well.  After he was done, Lori handed him to me.  I took a spoon from the drawer and held it out to him and he grabbed it.  It took him two tries and on the second try, got it into his mouth.  Shoved it in too far and made himself gag a little.  After that, content to take it from me and then immediately drop it on the floor.  Again, a really poor night of sleep.

Being the intelligent parents that we are, we wondered if there was a cause and so didn't give him any the next few nights.   However, the miserable sleep continued, so by today, Lori was ready to give him more.  She made up a bowl, and again he ate without incident.  When done, more, he wanted.  So, a second, smaller bowl was produced, consumed.  And again, requested more.  So another small bowl was made, eaten.

We were worried that he was going to be upset at the blandness, but that has not appeared to be the case.  We have a little eating machine on our hands.

Parents Magazine Speed Reading

Ok, I have a bunch of issues of Parents Magazine here. Lori hands them to me when she's done with them and I've been piling them on the floor with all the Newsweeks I haven't read.

In an attempt to clean up, I'm going skim all the magazines and mention the stuff I found interesting here. Ready? Let's go.

Neutral Tones for Clothing - bright colors and floral patterns are more likely to attract bugs, especially mosquitoes and bees.

Why Do Babies Like to Watch (or have Read to Them) the Same Thing Repeatedly? First, it helps them with vocabulary. They have all these thoughts rambling around in their brains. This helps them develop their vocabulary. Also, their memory. As they begin to remember the story, they are excited to be able to know what's coming next.

Pacifiers Are Good Again - Doctors now believe newborns who sleep with a pacifier are more sensitive to stimuli, making them more likely to react if they find themselves in a position where they can't breathe. (Recommend waiting on a pacifier until they've gotten proficient at breast feeding.)

TV and Food - Children who regularly watch TV while eating are more likely to eat more than children who also watch a lot of TV, but not while eating. Scientists believe that the children are distracted by the TV and ignoring their own bodies' cues telling them they are full.

Separation Anxiety - One family had the children push them out the door at the daycare. It was so much work and fun for the kids that they forgot to be upset that the parents were leaving.

Well, one down three to go. But, that's enough for now.