Weanie

I know that breast feeding isn't easy for everyone. Many women struggle. But, I didn't. Leighton is a great little eater and has been from the start. Around five and a half months, we introduced some solid foods - avocado, sweet potato, rice cereal ...  I was still mostly feeding her myself, but the solids were adding an air of excitement to the repertoire.

We started at Kids' Work two weeks ago - Leighton attends every tuesday and has a nanny and grandma to care for her the rest of the week. We thought Kids' Work would be a good place for Leighton to hone her mini social skills and learn about what the other kiddles are up to.

I guess it works the same way for parents. I walked in and saw three other little Lei-sized peanuts, sitting in high chairs, munching on puffs. "You know ... puffs."

No. I didn't know about puffs. As it turns out, I didn't know about many things made by Gerber, and I don't much care to ... except for the puffs. Those little things are attractive. They come in flavors like cherry and sweet potato and dissolve in your babe's mouth. Brilliant.

I decided to procure some puffs. I picked Lei up from her first daycare experience and we went to Target. Opposite the wall of Gerber products are the sippy cups. As I stared at this fantastic wall of plastic, it occurred to me that my kid is growing ... fast ... and will continue to require different kinds of foods and beverages. Once the "puffs" excitement wore off, I got a little sad. Then I vowed to find non-plastic sippy cups. 

It got worse. Over the past few weeks, Leighton has reserved her breast feeding for evenings only and even that is dwindling. I feel guilty, and I know I shouldn't. I want my body back, but the weaning thing is just so sad. What if I only have one child and this is it?

As I write this, I'm quite sure my days are numbered. I just had the flu and couldn't even get up to pump the other night. Let's just say my shirts are a bit larger in the bust at the moment.

Comments

[Jen Freeman]

We have puffs for on-the-road distractions and we actually buy Happy Baby Whole Grain rice and oat puffs. She likes Spinach flavor for some reason. She never appeared to have a corn allergy, but I am not a fan of Gerber so it is what it is.

We also don't do the sippy cups. She likes a straw.

[Rebecca M.]

Puffs are made out of corn which is an allergen best avoided in babies that young. Plus they are basically just baby junk food. Plain organic puffed brown rice is a much healthier choice.