Intrepid Murmurings

I think our changes to the food routine are working!  We have been working really hard to follow the division of responsibility thing and to not pressure or even comment on what and how much Emma eats.   Not sure if she is eating better or just that the stress is lowered, but I'll take either option.  In the book, Satter talks about how even the slightest pressure (commenting on what she should try, etc) can result in battles of will, which almost always affects eating negatively.  It also seems it can take a few weeks of following the plan to see positive changes in terms of eating (attitudes and behavior issues can change immediately though!), as the kids relax and see food not as a tool to get positive/negative attention.  

I will say, I was totally unimpressed with one section of this book -- the one about "older babies" and weaning.  Basically she said that nursing a baby beyond a year is a horrible idea and causes a host of problems -- something to nip in the bud by weaning around a year.  WTF??????  I totally disagree with so many of the things she said in that chapter and had to put the book down for a few days because I was too annoyed.  I absolutely do not feel nursing affects my kids solid food and eating habits, or that they are manipulating me through our nursing relationship.  Their nursing is not causing poor behavior, in fact I would argue quite the opposite!   There are many documented pros to continuing to nurse past a year, and it is recommended by the World Health Organization, for goodness sake! Perhaps, as an expert in feeding problems, Satter mostly sees the horror stories and cases where extended nursing has become a problem? Which of course CAN happen, but is NOT the norm.   I take offense to her assuming that all extended nursing is bad, and more for the mother than the kid. Geesh!  

In terms of foods, I have been trying to think of new foods or combinations to try with all 3 girls.  We need to avoid the food ruts we have been in lately!  Here are some of the things that they DO like, most of the time (not necessarily all three, but at least one or two of them!) 

• cheese.  in all forms.  yogurt.  cottage cheese.  string, cheddar, cream cheese.  
• bread, crackers,  pretzels,  dry cereal (also with milk).  Pancakes and waffles, 
• fruit.  Elsie pretty much any fruit, Delia a bit more picky, Emma only a few types!  Everyone adores grapes though!  apples, pears, bananas, oranges.  peaches, canned usually. mangos.  applesauce or other pureed fruit (often mixed with yogurt). strawberries or raspberries. frozen (or fresh) blueberries.   
• dried fruit: raisins, craisins, cherries, dates.  apricots and prunes sometimes.  dried mango!  yum!
• ham, other deli meats.  cooked/roasted chicken.  chicken nuggets.  other meats very occasionally and depending on presentation.  scrambled eggs. 
• mac and cheese.  noodles and pasta.  potatoes.
• ham and cheese or pb&j sandwiches
• beans, sometimes.   
• broccoli, spinach or chard.  peas!!!  corn!!!  artichokes!!! beets!!!!  Not many other veggies but I'll take it...