So, I had a list of questions to take to the doctor for Baby G's one-year well-baby check.
First question: Do we finally get to get rid of formula?
Subtext: Because I frickin' hate that stuff! It's expensive, smells bad, and I hate mixing it!
Answer: Yup. Have at it! Start mixing whole milk with your remaining formula to get her used to the switch.
Response: YESSSSSSS!!!!
Second question: How on earth do we start weaning this baby entirely off of bottles?
Subtext: Because I'm scared, damnit. I'm really really scared of this process. Don't let the baby know how much she intimidates me at times, okay?
Answer: Just drop a bottle feeding here and there and don't give one to her until she demands one. It's okay to keep giving them to her at naps and bedtime for a while. Those are the hardest ones to let go of for both baby and parents. I'll want to see her off of bottles by about 15 months or so.
Response: Phew... I have some time and I'm not a terrible parent for NOT dropping bottles cold turkey right at 12 months! YAY!
Third question: Why won't this child hold her own bottles or sippy cup?
Subtext: I know why she won't do it. She's got a good thing going right now. She gets her bottle and/or sippy contents and has to do absolutely no work on her part! But, I'm not going to tell you that because then you'll know that we *occasionally* indulge our child and her demands. Ok... more than occasionally, but still...
Answer: Actually, it's okay. She'll get it. One day she'll just decide that she is done with having things done for her and she'll demand to do it herself.
Response: Ok good. I can cross this off of my list of, "Things I'm doing to terribly ruin and/or destroy my child's life."
Fourth question: How many bananas is too many bananas? Can my child suffer from over-exposure to yellow curved fruits?
Subtext: Because this does not seem natural or healthy. It is the only food she asks for BY NAME at this point. If I sat her down with a bunch of bananas it would be like that one scene in Jurassic Park with the goat and the Tyrannosaurus. Not a pretty sight.
Answer: As long as she doesn't get constipated and as long as she's willingly eating other things, too, it should be fine.
Response: Thank goodness! Again, I can cross that off of my "How to improperly raise a child" list!
Fifth question: When my kid is self feeding, can she possibly overeat at this stage or will she stop eating when she's full?
Subtext: ...unlike both her father and her mother.
Answer: Yep, babies are way better at stopping when they are satisfied than adults are. She shouldn't over-stuff herself.
Response: Are you sure? That kid can EAT!
Subtext 2: Seriously, that kid can E-A-T!
Answer 2: Yes, I'm sure.
Phew... At least I now know I'm not ruining my child in various ways. Thanks Doc!
Awww...we have been adding some milk to Cash's bottles and oatmeal for a little while now. I'm more than ready to get rid of formula! The bottle.....hmm....I'm not ready for him to not use a bottle anymore. I still want him to be my baby!
ReplyDeleteWell, I may end up buying another small can of formula b/c we haven't actually gotten around to buying the whole milk to begin the weaning process and I didn't really want to do it when we were out of town (too many things going on at once!) so THIS WEEK we're going to start doing it. I've given her some milk with her meals (skim mixed with a bit of cream to mimic whole b/c I keep forgetting to buy some) and she seems to like it one time and then doesn't like it much the next. Silly baby!
ReplyDelete