Namastè!
Happy Tuesday, all.
I'm here making dinner. Yesterday we had salmon with lime and sweet peppers, sautéed shrimp, steamed veggies, and basmati rice. (Baked potato for me.) One of my mom pals heard the menu and asked something I hear quite often lately...
"What are you making for the baby?"
"Same," I replied, glancing at the broccoli cuts steaming on the range.
"He's gonna eat that?!" Incredulous.
"He eats whatever we eat. Usually a spoonful of this or that, then when he's thirsty he gets milkies."
Wait, what?
My son is now 13 months old. He still gets milkies. He's had a rough go of solids, tho. We didn't start offering them until he was almost 9 months old, and he steadfastly preferred his milkies.
He eats Indian, Jamaican, and Chinese food often, and occasionally he'll nibble at a cheeseburger or nuggets. He's very fond of veggies--his favorites are carrots, potatoes, peas (English first, but he also likes blackeyed peas), and corn.
Prior to his birthday, we didn't press the issue.
My friend was paying rapt attention at this point, as she has a tot who eschews all foods except tater tots, macaroni, and bananas. She fortifies her with toddler nutrition drinks, and mealtimes get a little testy sometimes. (Don't even think it. The tot is well fed, well nourished, and meeting her milestones in her own perfect time. I know my tribe is awesome, but I also know some mommies be sancti.)
As we were talking, I clued her in on how we did it.
Don't press!
We have never pressed him to eat solids. We figured in due time he would be sitting at the table eating curries, stir fry, and soufflé like the rest of our family. While some people have literally asked me if I wasn't being a bit lazy by nursing or giving expressed milkies "at his age," most have understood to simply not bother him with tastes of their food or me with questions about why he isn't eating.
When we make too big a deal of something, it opens the door for anxiety. Having dealt with the big kid food intro scenario before, I knew it was best to just play it cool. If I had something and he showed interest, I'd let him have a bite. If he wanted more, cool. If he didn't like it, no pressure.
Avoid gimmicks.
We skipped most of the cute little kids' foods. You know, cartoon characters and TV show endorsements. While those things are fun, I didn't want him to gravitate toward processed food because one, NO. Two, I try to avoid any kind of gimmicks because those items won't be available forever. Example: When Princess Namastè was a tot, she adored Mickey Pizza.
The little frozen pizzas were her favorite lunch treat, and I'd serve it with fruit or veggies for a quick fix. She loved it, so I loved it. I'd always keep one in the freezer, so she'd have it if whatever I made for dinner wasn't appealing.
Make one meal, mama.
My first big mistake was the fact that I practically always made two meals. One for me, the mommy food, and one for her. She wasn't into trying new food, and she had no incentive. If she didn't want the broccoli, no problem--she had mashed potatoes.
With Baby Namastè, I no longer do that. If he isn't allergic to the meal, there is no alternate. He's expected to eat what we eat. Usually he does. We don't make a huge fuss over anything food related, so he doesn't either.
Don't make a fuss!
Food is simpmy nourishment. We don't reward clean plates or punish unfinished meals. Desserts aren't prizes. Treats are not contingent upon anything but hunger and availability (within reason).
If my kids eat every bite of their dinners and want a little more, we offer another smaller serving of food. If they don't or won't finish, we just take the plates up and allow them to be excused. There is never any shaming or reproach. Dessert isn't an event. Ice cream, cookies, and candy are treats, not staples or rewards, and we don't make a big production of eating them.
We definitely lean toward healthier options--mostly organic, natural, locally sourced (when possible) foods. We don't shun processed goodies, but they're not regular fare.
Vary it up!
As I've probably said ad nauseam, Family Namastè's culture spans from India to Jamaica, with southern American influences. We enjoy Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food as well. As such, we have always encouraged the kids to try different foods from a myriad of cultures and provided them opportunities to do so.
While we all like pasta night, we mix it up with Indian night. Then we have something Mexican or even southern staples, soul food. Because the kids are exposed so early to so many different flavors and textures, they never really have to transition from bland baby food to standard table fare.
NOTE: I'm NOT anti-jarred food, but it doesn't work out with every kid. Lainey's Mommy gave me some priceless guidance when I was starting out with Baby Namastè and pureès. He just shows a helluva lot more interest and intent with regular food. Do what works for you.
Getting back at it...
Because of our culture and parenting philosophy, we just feed him what we eat. It's much easier. He has already developed some favorites! Example: today we had curry chicken, basmati rice, and sweet green peas. He has a Mickey Mouse plate, shaped like a Mickey head. Peas in the ears, curry and rice in the head, and empty within 20 minutes because Baby Namastè LOVES his curries and masalas.
Keep trying.
Just like adults, babies sometimes have to acclimate themselves to new flavors and textures. They may take to something instantly, or it may take a few tries. They may never like that food, and that's fine. Imagine going from a sweet liquid drink that filled your tummy and made you all cozy, to lumpy/crunch/mushy/savory/bitter/sour BUT interesting things that sometimes catch you off guard.
Be gentle on your heart and theirs. It's all a journey, and we all take different paths.
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Namastè!
Tayè K. ♡
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