Food, Meet Baby. Baby, Food

Hello everyone! Today's post is especially for you mamas and mamas-to-be...and for dads too. We have started introducing solid food to my daughter, Noëlle, who is now 7 months old, and I wanted to share our experience. I exclusively nursed her for her first 6.5 months, not wanting to introduce foods before my girl was really ready. Even now that she is eating a bit, her primary food source is still breast milk. It provides her with the nutrients she needs in a form designed just for her, is easily digested and assimilated, doesn't inflame the system the way formula can and often does and may actually prevent allergies, and it delivers antibodies and probiotics to build her immune system, which keeps her healthy and protected from illness. So now, on to food!

When to Introduce Solids? Some parents introduce solid foods as early as 4.5 months. That just didn't sound right me and there is a lot of evidence suggesting it isn't best. I have even witnessed cases of doctors recommending that babies begin eating solid foods early (some at 3 or 4 months!), only to have those babies react very poorly. I was in fact one of those who did not handle solid foods well when my mom's doctor said to start me at 4 months on rice cereal and cow's milk (hard on new digestive systems!). I also know some moms wait a long time...and I do mean a long time (12+ months!). And this didn't feel right either. So when was the right time for Noëlle? I have always suspected that every baby is different and each is ready at different times, and I wanted to be absolutely sure that we did wait until she was truly ready. But how important is waiting? And how would I know when she was? I talked to my naturopathic doctor and did my own homework. And I discovered some pretty compelling stuff along the way that helped me decide...

Oh Baby, What an Experience

Good afternoon everyone! So today marks the day before I was born 31 years ago AND the day before Noëlle, my beautiful, funny, happy baby girl, came into the world just 7 months ago. This morning on our walk I reflected on the last 7 months, 16 months (since I became pregnant), and the last 31 years. And it occurred to me that while I have the privilege and wisdom of 31 years of experience and reflection as a young girl and then a young women, I have only 7 months of reflection as a mama. I am a baby at mamahood! And I am learning more about myself, about being a mother, and of course about my new daughter every day. I will spare you the 45 minutes of reflection on being a mom, but what I want to talk about today is how absolutely fantastic my experience was with the model of care I received during pregnancy, during my labor and delivery and in the weeks postpartum. It was an experience that I want to share in the hopes that you may also really explore this model and not just write it off as I almost did in the beginning. It's too important to not give it the time and energy and focus that it truly deserves.

My Healthy Hair Guide

Sure, hair is just hair. I get it. There is so much else more important. But I can't help it...I love a healthy, shiny, voluminous head of hair and find that it's one of my favorite accessories. For me, hair can transform a look. I do different styles with different outfits, and often I plan my outfit around my hair; I part my hair every which way according to my mood; the color changes with my inspiration and often with the time of year; and my cut is constantly evolving thanks to a brilliant hair stylist with whom I collaborate ;) I have even been known to cut bangs on a whim when I thought it went better with my look that day. I have FUN with hair.