Cleaning up the Mess

So, we've decided to Embrace the Mess, but how do we deal with and clean up the mess?!!

How do we stop everything from staining?  What other tips do we have?

STAINS

Aargh, I hate stains, but I'm really not very good with them.  I wish I was good at it, but I'm not...  I'm so bad that I have passed all the washing duties to my husband!  There are some great tips out there to keep your whites (sort of) white blah, blah, blah :)

There are a couple of things that are really, really bad stainers...  Pear, banana, beetroot, spaghetti bolognaise are a few to be named.  So, what should we do to help?

The first thing to do, is to grab one of those full bibs - you know the ones, they have arms and tie up at the back - like a big painting apron, but teensy for little babies!  These are a life saver, they really are...

General Tips:
These tips should work for most stains and so fit into the 'general' group.

A good tip I have heard is to pull the clothes very tight; stretch as tight as possible and pour boiling water over the stain.  I have tried this before, but I think I tried it when the stain was already very, very old... It actually worked a little, but I'm sure it would have worked much better had I done this when the stain was very new.

If you don't mind using NapiSan, then soaking always helps, making sure the NapiSan is dissolved first, and massaging the clothes every now and again in the bucket.

If you're not a fan of NapiSan, you can use BiCarb Soda - make a paste with a little water and smear on the stain and leave on for at least 10 minutes, rubbing a little.  A paste can also be made from NapiSan too and used in the same way.

DO NOT USE A DRIER WITH YOUR CLOTHES UNTIL A STAIN IS REMOVED, OTHERWISE IT WILL SET, AND BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE

Pear and Banana -

I've heard and know from personal experience that these are probably the worst stainers, but some of the best snacks!!  The best thing to do is to rinse them straight away, then wash as soon as possible and hang them with the stain facing the sun...
Another I haven't tried yet, but will certainly do this next time - for banana, rub it all over with tea tree oil, and for pear - rub with glycerine and leave for 20 minutes - wash as normal :)  They sound interesting, and the tips were found here

Spaghetti Bolognaise -

• FRESH - 
• Use a dishwashing liquid (bleach free) and pour a little onto the stain.  Rub the fabric between your fingers so that you're rubbing both the front and the back together.  The dishwashing liquid will help to break down the oil in the stain and effectively remove. Rinse with cold water and repeat the process until the stain is gone.  Wash as normal.  Don't dry the clothes until the stain is gone!
• Talcum powder???  Sprinkle on the stain and leave it sit for an hour to absorb the oils, then brush it off an wash as noraml.
• SET - Tomato stains that have been 'set' (clothes dried in the drier, hot water used etc).  These stains are almost impossible to remove :(  A few tips I've seen are:
• Moisten the fabric with water, then use dishwashing liquid as above, but instead of just using your hands to rub the stain, rub it with an ice cube as well.  If the stain still remains, repeat a couple of times, and if it's still there, rub the area with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
• Use the 'boiling water' method
• BiCarb and Salt.  Make a paste from equal parts of salt and bicarb with a little water.  Rub onto the stain and work it in with your fingers.  Wash the fabric as normal.  

So, I think that'll do for part one of cleaning up stains - more stain solutions to come!

I'll find some stained clothes somewhere around and trial some of the ideas that I've set out here, keep checking in and giving me some ideas :)

xx

How should I start my baby on solids??

We've had some questions about what foods to start your 6 month old on.  Do you have to give one food at a time?  In the morning?  How long should you wait between offering different foods?

Here's hoping the following information will help you.

1.  What age should I start feeding my child?  Are there any other indicators?

Firstly, the current World Health Organisation (W.H.O) recommendation is for exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months - ie, no water, no other foods at all.  Obviously if you're bottle feeding, then nothing but formula for the first 6 months :)

In Australia and some other Western countries, the recommendations seem to be to start solids between 4 and 6 months.  There is another article being written that will be published in August this year that will give updated information..........

The premise of Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is to follow the cues of your baby, both externally and internally.  It's the external abilities that let us know that the internals are ready.  So for BLW, your baby must have the ability to sit unaided.  They do not have to be able to manoeuvre themselves into a sitting position, but if they are say up, they need to be able to balance themselves for a 'period' of time, to be able to sit in their high hair.  They must be able to manipulate objects to their mouths, and also show an interest in food.

2.  Known Allergens - to introduce or not...

It used to be encouraged to hold off giving your baby known food allergens until over 1, or sometimes even later, as it was thought that by excluding these foods until your child was more mature, it would reduce the occurrence of severe food reactions.  Since then, the research has not backed this thinking, and it is now thought that it could actually have had the opposite effect!  It is now recommended that unless you have a family history if food allergies, then you should not limit the intake of these foods.

The food allergens include but aren't limited to peanuts and other tree nuts, wheat and or gluten, and dairy :)

3.  How many foods should I introduce at a time?

 In 'traditional' or purée feeding, it is common to introduce foods one at a time, for a couple of days each on case there is a reaction.  In BLW there is no 'rule' as such, but I believe that this is where common sense should prevail...  If you are personally worried about introducing different foods, then introduce them slowly, if you are not worried, then introduce them as you see fit.  If you have no history of food allergies then give whatever food you are eating, providing it's suitable and nutritious :)

4. What type of foods should I start on?

When your baby is first starting to eat, it helps to give them food that is easy to hold, and easy to disintegrate into their mouth.

Food shaped like 'chips' or long rectangles are easy to hold onto.  Carrots, beans, sweet potato, roast potato, banana, pear, steak, chicken etc.  foods that are hard can be steamed to soften them.  Broccoli makes a perfect first food as it has a built in handle!

Soon after your bub has grasped the concept, they will be picking up much smaller bits and will be able to master things even as small and peas.

5.  Do I really just give my baby what we are eating?

It a nutshell, yes, give your baby what you are eating.  You may or may not tailor what you are eating at first to suit bub, eg loads more steamed veges, but you do not have to.

A few rules of thumb should be taken into consideration
a)  Hold off on the salt.
      If you need to add salt to your dish, do it after you have taken out bub's portions.  Try to avoid  store bought stocks etc.
b) Hold off the sugar.
      Explore different ways to cook without using processed sugars.  Use fruit where possible to sweeten if you must.
c)  No honey!
      Honey (in rare occurrences) may contain botulism, which can be very serious if small babies contract it.  The botulism spores are not killed off in conventional household cooking, so please do not give your baby honey  :)
d)  Avoid processed foods
      This is good for the whole family, to eat real, whole foods, however it's not always possible, so do what you can to eat unprocessed foods the majority of the time.


I think that's about it.  BLW at a glance.

There may be more questions that you have, so I can update this blog post at any time.  If I have left anything out, please let me know, and likewise if you think there is some misinformation in here, please also let me know!

Enjoy your Baby Led Weaning experience.  Remember to ask questions.  Below are some pics taken during the first few weeks of BLW Miss O!