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weaning
Mealtime with Baby
Table manners… Healthy eating habits… Self-control. We all want our children to develop these abilities, but it’s hard for parents to know how and when to start! Did you know that children have the potential to develop these qualities from the time they start showing interest in solid food?While you might think it’s impossible to instill these qualities in your baby or toddler, it’s really not that hard if you have the right expectations and tools. Click here to learn more about Montessori meal…
Weaning Chair and Table
Recently I've been getting requests from readers for pictures and measurements for the weaning chair and table my husband built for Zach. We got the measurements from a dear friend and Montessori consultant, Jeanne-Marie Paynel of Voila Montessori. She has graciously made these resources available to parents everywhere at this link. Please consider donating to support her efforts and help her continue to share her amazing knowledge. I hope this helps!!
Milk It!
We're at this great stage where Zach is beginning to eat just about everything we do (although sometimes I have to mash it up a bit because he only has 5 teeth). A couple of nights ago he devoured copious amounts of homemade garlicky baba ganoush, followed by mahi mahi with shitake mushrooms and grapefruit reduction! He's also finally figured out how to drink out of a glass (more about that in another post), but he's not crazy about the concept of plain water. I've successfully transitioned h…
Using a Fork (with video)
During the past few months, I've given Zach many opportunities to explore eating with his fingers. On several occasions I've offered him small pieces of fruit or steamed vegetables that he can grab with his hands and bring to his mouth. I thought he would find this enjoyable, since he loves to eat, but it's actually been super-frustrating for him!
Because he's only 8 months old and hasn't developed fine motor control yet, he can't grasp the pieces with a coordinated pincer grip. He manages to …
Because he's only 8 months old and hasn't developed fine motor control yet, he can't grasp the pieces with a coordinated pincer grip. He manages to …
Child-Sized: Spoons
I had a hard time finding small spoons for Zach that were made out of metal. Apparently, most manufacturers believe that a baby will hurt himself if they don't coat the spoon in soft plastic. For a while we used the Nuk spoons because at least they were a good size and the handle was metal. Then, I found these spoons on Amazon. They are perfect for little mouths and little hands, and yet they are the real thing, made of stainless steel with a nice weight and finish. Zach didn't even blink w…Messed-Up World
Why is it that doctors warn you about the dangers of having a vaginal birth after a C-section, but never explain the risks of repeat C-sections?
Why is it that you're forced to sign a waiver warning you of the dangers of NOT vaccinating, but are never told about the dangers of vaccinating?
Why is it that parents worry about letting their kids out of their sight, but don't think about the damage they're causing by being helicopter parents?
Why is it that parents and doctors freak out about feeding b…
Why is it that you're forced to sign a waiver warning you of the dangers of NOT vaccinating, but are never told about the dangers of vaccinating?
Why is it that parents worry about letting their kids out of their sight, but don't think about the damage they're causing by being helicopter parents?
Why is it that parents and doctors freak out about feeding b…
Making the Soup
Last week I wrote about our experience with the Jaramillo Soup. The beauty of this soup is that you can make it with whatever you have in your fridge, so it's economical and uncomplicated. When I started making it for Zach, I began by giving him 2 oz. three times per day, mixed with breast milk (plus nursing on-demand the rest of the day). This meant that I was making about 1/3 of the recipe featured here. I gradually increased the amount of soup based on his demands and hunger level. By si…
Montessori Weaning: Food and Independence (with video)
When Zach was around 4 months old, we started noticing that he was extremely interested in watching us eat. He would follow our fork from plate to mouth, opening his mouth in imitation of our actions and salivating madly! We knew the time had come to begin the weaning process.
The word "weaning" strikes fear in the heart of many parents. It is associated with the end of breastfeeding and connotes depriving the child of the nourishment and affection he has come to know and love. However, Monte…
The word "weaning" strikes fear in the heart of many parents. It is associated with the end of breastfeeding and connotes depriving the child of the nourishment and affection he has come to know and love. However, Monte…
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