Baby Led Weaning or Why My Kid Is Eating Greens and All the Colors of the Rainbow

When we eat out and my 2 year old child eats on her own whatever is on her plate, people are always amazed. What we did to achieve this feat was quite simple: Baby Led Weaning or BLW. It means letting your kid feed herself .

I read about BLW when I was pregnant. I even joined the BLW FB group (I grabbed the photos from here). The outcome that advocates claim were raising non-picky eaters who are independent eaters. That convinced me to try BLW. We didn't really go hardcore BLW. But we tried to follow these basic principles since our baby started munching at 6 months:

1. We prepared almost all her meals. And we did not mash her food.

Her first food was sayote. We peeled and cut the vegetable (french fries-size), steamed, then served after it cooled down. The sayote strips should be solid enough to retain their shape but when you press it between your finger, they should be soft enough to turn into mush. You would be surprised how hard those baby gums are; they can do the mashing. Oh, steamed food is not bad. I was surprised that Baguio beans and other veggies would taste sweet when steamed.

2. We eat together. We let her sit on her chair and eat her food with her hands.

Let your little one explore. Yes, she'll play a bit with her food and it's gonna be messy but that's part of it and that's how kids learn. We did show her how to do it at first. Nanay and Tatay ate the same sayote strips with her, and later on banana, tofu, avocado, papaya, string beans, kamote and kalabasa. Those were my kid's first food.

3. Introduce 1 food at a time. Steer clear of honey, peanuts, citrus and eggs until she turns 1.

We watched out for allergic reactions whenever we give her new food. We also allowed 2 days for her to get used to the new taste. It's rather exciting watching your child try something new and the look on your child's face as she tries a new texture and taste is priceless. Don't worry if your baby doesn't eat much. Milk is still their primary food. As your child grows, offer small and frequent meals.

4. Teach your little one how to chew. Don't panic when your child gags. Show her how to use that gagging reflex.























Exaggerate chewing movements. With our child, we even have a chant. Each time she brings food to her mouth, I chant NGUYA NGUYA NGUYA, NGASAB NGASAB NGASAB (from an Aklat Batibot, Sina Linggit Laban kay Barakuda) while showing her how to chew. And when she gags (and she will i tell you so be ready for it), show her how to dislodge the food by clearing your throat and coughing. Make sure your child is never left unsupervised when eating. And read on and practice Heimlich maneuver before you go on a BLW journey.

5. Eat local and all the colors of the rainbow.

You probably know the song Bahay Kubo. Sing it and you have a good list of first food you can introduce to your baby. Don't forget to let her try even the ones you don't like. My baby never liked ampalaya but we keep offering it once in a while. She still doesn't like it but I know some babies who love the bitter taste!

When she turned 1 year old, we gave her regular cooked food. She ate what we ate (this means we tried to eat healthy too and made sure to go easy on the spices). Her first cooked ulam were tinola and pakbet.

When she was two, we attended Tamang K.A.I.N. - Kid and Infant Nutrition Seminar organized by
Breastfeeding Pinays. We learned that kids should not just be eating greens but all the colors of the rainbow. And all the parts of the plant-- flower, fruit, sprout, leaves, seeds, stalk.

Yes, I know it takes a lot of work to make your child eat right. But I am rewarded each time we eat and she feeds herself. That means I've got an independent eater who let's her Nanay eat peacefully at mealtimes :)

FLASHCARD CHART HACK

I have to prepare four presentations for a workshop and I have class tomorrow. Instead, I find myself sewing a chart bag for my kid. I am a nanay first, after all.

The road to literacy is a print-rich environment.  So we have posters and books galore. We also have flashcards and puzzles tucked away in recycled containers. I’ve been meaning to get those charts for the flashcards and in the last MIBF, I told myself we are definitely buying one or two. But nanay got distracted and bought only books, books, books! 

We do need the charts. I thought I can make our own using a reusable shopping bag and plastic cover.  I took out my sewing kit and started working. 

It’s pretty easy. Except for threading the needle and keeping my little girl from being pricked.

It’s not pretty though. Try sewing with a toddler jumping around.

It’s usable. Yay! The rest of the flashcards can be stored in the bag.

The chart can easily hang on doorknobs.

I figured other moms and early grade teachers would also like to make their own. 

Paumanhin, Anak

Naiiyak ako.

Hindi ko akalain na ganito ang magiging epekto sakin ng eleksiyon na ito. Siguro dahil nanay na ako. Ibang usapan na kasi kapag iniisip mo ang kinabukasan ng iyong supling.  Kung dati, puwede mong isangtabi, kalimutan o di pansinin ang anumang sisira ng araw mo o ang anim na taon mo, ngayon, hindi na puwede. Hindi na puwede.

Kaya paumanhin anak. Alam ko kulang ang aking mga luha at pagkuyom ng mga palad. Alam ko dapat mas may ginawa pa ako. Kulang ang pagboto. Kulang ang pagsusulat ng mga kuwento. Kulang ang paggamit ng Filipino. Kulang ang pananatili  sa ating bansa. Kulang ang pagmamahal na walang kaakibat na paggawa.

Kaya magtuturo ulit ako. Kahit anong taon pa yan. Magtuturo ako dahil ang guro, may kakayanan na magbigay ng mga pagpipilian. Dapat alam ng mga kabataan na may pagpipilian sila. Dapat alam ng mga bata na puwede silang matuto ng kahit ano, na malaya silang ipahayag ang kanilang saloobin at kaya nilang mag-isip para sa kanilang sarili. Ang  mga guro sa loob ng klasrum ay may kapangyarihan na ibalik ang panahon, upang malaman ng mga mag-aaral ang ating istorya. At mula sa ating kasaysayan nawa’y mahanap nila ang sariling landas, maging mapanuri sa kanilang mga pasya upang sila na mismo ang huhubog sa Pilipinas na inaasam ko.

All you really need to know about cloth diapers

Friends have been asking me about cloth diapering so I might as well write about it. Just the basics because a more in-depth discussion could lead to addiction (I know moms who buy them even if their toddlers are already potty trained just because of the cute prints).

This post is a bit long and can be overwhelming. I know it’s hard to digest everything but you’ll get the hang of it. Yes, there is science in cloth diapers. Especially to those who go beyond the use of nappies (some mommies even have excel documents comparing absorbency of soakers). But I will not go into that. Again, just the basics, based on my experience and what I’ve read.

CLOTH DIAPERS are reusable diapers. Think modern lampin, upgraded with snaps or Velcro and absorbent inserts or soakers. Also known as CDs to cloth nappying moms.

There are 2 PARTS OF CLOTH DIAPERS. Shell and inserts/soakers. Shell refers to the body of the diaper. This goes around your baby’s bum and is secured with snaps or Velcro in front. Inserts and soakers refer to the fabric that absorbs your little ones’ wee and catches the poop.

Most nappies are OSFM or One Size Fits Most, meaning they are adjustable. This is what those extra snaps are for. But there are also newborn size and large size aside from the regular (OSFM) ones.

(Adjusting pocket/ cover/aio diaper. Photo taken  from http://www.cottonbabies.com/blog/2011/08/cloth-101-rise-setting-for-one-size-diapers-and-covers.html)

Adjusting Hybrid fitted nappy (Fold-down)

There are 4 COMMON TYPES OF CLOTH DIAPERS.

Pockets have a pouch where you put the inserts in. It usually has waterproof outer lining made from PUL (polyurethane laminate which keeps the wetness from leaking out) and an inner microfleece or suedecloth inner lining (this is the one in contact with your babys bum and keeps it dry). The most common inserts are made of microfiber, bamboo cotton, bamboo charcoal and hemp. Pockets dry faster and last longer. But in warm weather, the PUL lining is not so breathable so baby’s bum may perspire a lot (same when you use disposable diapers). But if you air out baby’s bum for 10-15 min. every nappy change, it shouldn’t be a problem. As to the inner lining, some babies are allergic to microfleece or suedecloth so better purchase one of each first and see which one your baby prefers. 

For inserts, microfiber dry fast, bamboo charcoal can be placed in direct contact with baby’s bum while cotton and hemp are very absorbent but dries longer.

 Good pockets: Modia and Bum Genius (suedecloth inner lining), Charlie Banana and Fuzzibunz (microfleece inner lining)

Good pockets but a lot cheaper: Alva and Happy Flute (suedecloth inner lining), Sunbaby, Baby Leaf and Baby Land (microfleece inner lining)

Covers are perfect for the first few months when babies pee every hour or so. Soakers are used with covers. The soakers are made from organic cloth that can be placed in direct contact with baby’s bum. So you have your cover (shell) then on top of it you place the soaker (some can be secured w/ snaps) or folded lampin and it’s ready for your baby. The cover, like pockets has waterproofing (outer lining made from PUL). Once baby pees, you remove the soaker, wipe the cover and let it air-dry a bit. You can use it again up to 3 times, unless of course your baby poops on the nappy then you have to change everything.

Good covers: Grovia, Flip, Thirsties

Good covers but a lot cheaper: Clue bebe, Baby Chic, Weegro

Hybrid fitteds

Hybrid fitteds or HFs are best for Philippine climate. They’re breathable and hypoallergenic. Some moms say this is the best choice when baby sleeps on her side. But a hybrid fitted nappy is also more expensive and though the soakers and shells are made of absorbent cloth, it is not waterproof. Most of my stash are HFs. Not because I prefer it over pockets or covers but because I wanted to support local Filipino WAHMs (work at home moms) who craft beautiful nappies.

Good HFs: PNP, Cottony Tail, Fluffy Pwets, Myook Butts

Good HFs but cheaper: Ego Bum, Hapee Janee, Lily and Luna

AIO

AIOs or All in one diapers are cloth nappies with the soakers sewn on the shell.  An AIO diaper is also water proof. The soakers normally have stay-dry lining that wicks away wetness from baby’s bum.

Good AIOs: Bum Genius, Grovia

Good AIOs but a lot cheaper: Dandy Nappy

DIAPER CARE

New Nappies need to be PREPPED. Prepping simply means washing ahead to rid of factory residues. I soak new nappies overnight in tap water then wash them with detergent the next day. Others soak natural fibre inserts (bamboo, cotton, hemp) in hot water. Some moms wash these up to 6 times (so they can reach maximum absorbency) before using.

Use DETERGENT without bleach, whiteners or fabric softeners. Nappies should be RINSED well (no bubbles in the final rinse water).

Put used diapers in WETBAG when outside (a bag with PUL lining) or DRY PAIL at home (a pail w/o cover). For diapers with poop, I remove and flush the poop away before putting the soiled nappy in the dry pail. If I have time, I PRE-RINSE. I rinse nappies and hang them dry until laundry day. WE do laundry 2 to 3 times a week.

Stinky nappies need to be STRIPPED. Use RLR detergent (follow directions on packet), vinegar or bleach. For vinegar and bleach, just add a bit to the final rinse.

Let nappies hang dry (inner lining facing up or horizontally) under the sun to disinfect it further. I use our shoe rack for that. Some moms use dyer but with lowest setting as PUL linings and elastics deteriorates with too much heat.

Nappies stay on the bum 2-3 hours for daytime use. At night, boost diaper with extra insert so nappies do not leak and baby can sleep longer. Microfiber inserts can dry skin and cause rashes so make sure you don’t put it directly on baby’s bum and only use them with pockets or insert socks.

Using microfiber insert stuffed inside insert sock

                                      

If you do laundry  everyday, you only need a small stash (10-20 nappies). Keep in mind that newborns change nappies up to 12 times a day, infants up to 8 times a day and toddlers up to 6 times a day.
 
                                           

Our stash when we started using cloth diapers :)

When my baby was smaller, we had traditional lampins too (flats and prefolds) and fasten them with a snappi or use them with covers. During rainy days, we use them as inserts when all the inserts are still wet.

 


















How to fold flats:

There you have it. See, it’s not so hard. Just think, you’re doing this to keep your kid away from chemicals found in disposables, save money and lessen your carbon footprint. If you feel like giving up, remember that disposable diapers take 500 years to decompose!

 (photo taken from https://www.snugglebugz.ca/blog/the-pregnancy-files-cloth-or-disposable-diapers/)