When Eleanor was a couple of days old and we were still in the hospital, a staff member came in the room while she was crying. It was about three in the morning, Matt and I were exhausted and Eleanor was screaming. The staff member (later we found out she was a nurse’s aide) told us that Eleanor was starving and that we needed to give her some formula. I doubted her and my doubts were confirmed a few hours later when we talked to a doctor. I’m pretty sure she’s not starving now. At her four month doctor visit today, she was one ounce shy of fifteen pounds. She is quite the chunk.
The doctor said that it is time to start her on rice cereal. I’m a bit conflicted about starting so soon. From what I’ve read, starting “solids” later (closer to six months) reduces the likelihood of the child developing food allergies. Eleanor is at an increased risk of food allergies because Matt is allergic to peanuts. So, is she missing out on anything if we wait another month or two to introduce her to cereal?
This whole parenting thing is confusing. Everyone has an opinion about everything. How do you know who to listen to? The medical community changes its mind on how to do things with every generation (or so it seems).
Eleanor has been Little Miss Fussy Piddles this week until today. We think it was from all the traveling. She was her happy self today, and then I took her to get shots. It was not near as bad as last time. Yesterday, I started preparing her for the shots by telling her that it was going to hurt, but only for a minute and it would keep her from getting bad diseases. I even explained as best I could in Indonesian, just in case she understands that better. She did really well through all four shots, much calmer than last time. I was quite grateful for this since Matt could not get off work.
So, Matt will be finishing his chaplaincy residency either in August 2006 or August 2007 (depending on if he is offered the second year or not). Where do you think we should go after that?
4 comments:
We're certainly not starting Cedar on cereal (that is, carbohydrate mush) so early. The excuse usually given is that mother's milk doesn't have all the nutriets, such as iron, but unless I'm mistaken rice cereal is not itself high in iron. RED MEAT is what you need.
And, of course, you should move to the Pacific Northwest once Matt is certifiable.
Some would say I already am.
Well Melody she is beautiful! If I'm ever up there with Joe or something I will see if we can stop by and see ya'll. Reed said to use the "Lumpkin force!!!" "Wait you did use the Lumpkin force you got a baby!" bye Jeane and REED
alice would suggest that you should go to chick fil-a. i'm not sure if that's a good long term plan or not... i'd maybe try to find somewhere a little more homey. you know, like detroit.
as for the cereal, there's no rush to start little munchkins on solid foods. not sure why your pediatrician seemed to think that there is. most folks say 4-6 months based primarily on "scientific mumbo-jumbo." unless you really want eleanor to experience the joys of malt-o-meal, i'd not be in such a big hurry. a nice, juicy, tender ribeye couldn't hurt, though, i'm sure.
joel
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