How finding success with BLW can open up more freedom for us as parents
It’s no secret that we all start things with good intentions, but oftentimes if something is hard for us…
…we don’t stick with it.
Take me for example. I am never consistent with exercise. It’s 100% not my favorite thing to do, so I often have a streak of good days where I’m consistent and then…I start finding excuses.
Why? I don’t know, maybe because it requires effort after I already do much, or because it’s a time commitment to work out and then shower when I hardly have enough time as it is.
Sounds like excuses right?
But here’s the thing. When we really want something to change, it takes time and effort to make it happen.
We need to form good habits to make these changes happen successfully.💪
So how does this relate to BLW, anyway?
Introducing solids is a BIG change to routine! You’ve spent 5-6 months navigating breastfeeding/bottle feeding, and all of the challenges that come with learning that. And by 6 months, you probably feel like you finally have a routine down…
Only to change it once again by adding in solids!
So many of you tell me you want to do BLW but you aren’t sure you can keep up with it because:
👉It’s a lot to prepare
👉You’re busy with work and other kids
👉You don’t like to cook
👉You’re scared
And what are these? Excuses. [sorry, not sorry for the tough love!]
If you really are committed to making this happen for your baby, you truly can do it!
The truth is, creating new habits that help us reach our success, like weekly meal planning or 15 mins of food prep after baby goes to bed, for example, might seem daunting until you realize the freedom they bring you later.
Bestselling author James Clear wrote:
“Habits do not restrict freedom. They create it. In fact, the people who don’t have their habits handled are often the ones with the least amount of freedom…building habits in the present allows you to do more of what you want in the future.”
This could not be more true when it comes to laying a solid foundation for mealtime for our little ones.
If we want to succeed at implementing and making BLW happen, we have to put in the work. But once we do? We see that our lives actually become so much easier.
BLW gives us the freedom to:
1️⃣enjoy mealtime together and not have to be as hands-on with spoon feeding or making your baby eat
2️⃣have a positive meal environment in our home rather than experience daily mealtime meltdowns and fights
3️⃣prepare meals that work for everyone in the family because we’ve done what we can to broaden food exposure/limit picky eating
4️⃣feel comfortable with our child eating in other settings (daycare, friend’s houses, restaurants, etc) because we know they do well and enjoy a variety without argument
We want all of these things, but sometimes struggling with getting there is the roadblock we run into. This is ok! It’s normal.
It’s why I’ve created First Foods Academy.
We can all read a book or watch a course, right? I mean, there are tons of these out there.
But being part of a community of moms doing the same thing, with an expert providing guidance and help gives us so many things:
support
accountability
confidence
ideas
friendships
feeling understood
encouragement
connection
And it’s often these things that help make habits stick.
In my career as a dietitian I’ve worked with all ages, and I’ve seen time and time again the damage that poor nutrition/poor eating habits as a young child causes later in life.
In the past, I’ve had clients who can’t find nourishing things to eat because they aren’t willing to try new foods. Or some that have developed serious health issues because they were never taught to have a healthy relationship with food.
I don’t want this for your child.
What I DO want is a solid foundation of happy, independent eating for them, and confidence for you, in providing this!
Success can be yours, if you’re willing to put in the work to make it happen.
But maybe you’re not sure where to start, or how you can possibly make this happen with your schedule… a free call with me can help you to learn more. We’ll chat about your goals with feeding, and brainstorm some custom ideas for making this work for you, no matter your life circumstance!
I’m rooting for you, and for your baby too! ❤️
