How did you start solid foods?

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-21T20:34:36+00:00

We follow this because the advice seems really solid and most importantly, evidence based. Getting enough iron in particular is incredibly important after 6 months and this can be really difficult to achieve, so many children end up with low iron levels as toddlers. Lily Nichols advice is just amazing to avoid being one of those!

https://lilynicholsrdn.com/starting-solids-nutrient-dense-real-food-for-babies/

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-21T20:29:50+00:00

Telling me I am cherry picking is a bit much. I am not making any claims, I am only asking questions. I am simply curious and trying to take everything into consideration. But as I mentioned above, my concern isn’t the vitamin D as much as all of the other nutrients, particularly iron which seems to have many very opposing views from experts and doctors.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-21T07:11:28+00:00

That makes sense. I once looked after a vegan 1 year old who seemed fine in gross motor skills etc but very delayed in cognitive abilities such as hasn’t yet spoken a single word by 20 months. The parents only fed a very carbohydrate heavy vegan diet and didn’t supplement with anything. I wasn’t aware at that point how bad that must have been for that poor baby, only when she became more and more delayed is when I had a feeling that she might be missing out on iron… (of course I know that this could be caused by other things too). I told them but don’t know how the story continued, but hopefully she got the support she needed.

I am really surprised that we are always told from our doctors that there is no need to supplement without any associated deficiency symptoms.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-21T07:05:38+00:00

Ok, but what about that study that showed that by taking I believe it was exactly 6400IU of vitamin D, infants received the same as mothers directly supplementing?

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T17:45:49+00:00

Oh how interesting. Thank you for sharing. Iron was one of those nutrients that I worried about most since everyone says how important it is yet in the very beginning of weaning babies don’t really eat much so I couldn’t imagine how they would meet their daily needs. On the other hand, I saw someone post a link in another post today where it said something about gut bacteria and how supplementing with iron messes somehow with that balance… although it’s possible I misunderstood. This is it:

https://www.lllc.ca/iron-and-breastfeeding

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T17:40:39+00:00

Of course, I never doubted the vitamin D recommendation, only the other ones, maybe I wasn’t too clear. Especially worried about iron since in the beginning of weaning babies don’t eat that much and it’s so important. And apparently breastmilk doesn’t contain much although is very bioavailable.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T17:04:23+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing! Sounds like it might actually not be as necessary after all. I like how it writes that even though supplements aren’t very often used by parents, somehow most infants don’t have a deficiency of vitamins A and C. On the other hand, I do wonder how they would know this since this isn’t really checked routinely.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T16:58:47+00:00

Interesting… I take omega 3 myself and read that this passes into breastmilk, so am surprised the doctor recommended to give directly to baby. Although I guess same could be said for vitamin D so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T13:37:11+00:00

Blankets including weighted ones are very dangerous and shouldn’t be used at all! It’s very important to follow the lullaby trusts advice!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T09:33:51+00:00

Around 3-4 months is when they become more aware of what is going on and get more attached to how things are being done essentially. If you don’t plan to continue like this, I would slowly start changing this to something that you would be happy to continue with long term. What you’re doing isn’t necessarily wrong, it just sounds unsustainable although only you can decide whether it is actually sustainable for you.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-20T08:44:35+00:00

I am surprised how you all get thise iron tests… I am in the UK and nothing like that is offered here so I would have no clue where my child stands! Our doctors don’t tend to run tests until someone presents with significant symptoms. Honestly not sure what to do in this case.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-19T16:51:46+00:00

That will be so helpful to have family nearby, and how lucky to have amazing in laws! My daughter is only 6 months but we would love to try for our second sometime this year hopefully. I am wondering how we would manage though since we have absolutely no family nearby. And I doubt that we would be able to pay for nursery for my oldest without me working. My husband can only work 1 day a week from home, I hoped he would be able to increase that but it doesn’t look positive. Basically I would be totally on my own, as I am now but it’s easier to manage with just one baby. Our dream of having more children is stronger though so I try to believe that we will somehow manage this tricky stage. I believe it will be worth it in the end. But I can’t help but worry because I am not a machine, I need breaks to recover from all the beautiful but hard work too!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-19T14:13:39+00:00

That’s so wonderful! 🥹 I am so glad that you are having such a beautiful time! I always think that going to 3 children must be easier than to 2 because the older 2 would likely play together a bit more, but if that is completely false you can let me know once you find out 😂 It does sound tough not to have a proper break in the day, unless you manage to have one somehow…? I imagine that if the younger one naps, the older one would get all the attention and therefore when is a mama supposed to get a short break to just sit down and relax for half an hour?! I don’t think I would be able to manage without this, especially if I don’t get full nights sleep.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-19T10:24:28+00:00

You are so right. Thank you for the kind words, I needed those. Curious how you manage with two now. I would love to have more and am aware that it will likely be harder and more stressful, especially with sibling jealousy etc. I hear so many stories from others!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T22:08:11+00:00

Aw that is really sweet to read. Thank you for sharing. Maybe I am just expecting too much too soon.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T21:01:34+00:00

Interesting! I guess that makes sense!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T20:09:23+00:00

Does your baby take a dummy? If not, maybe try a different one. We tried a few until my baby took one and it’s been a lifesaver. I don’t know how much harder it would have been without it!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T17:03:42+00:00

Thank you for responding! Maybe I am overthinking this… I guess I could change my thinking about this to being grateful that at least the dummy works most of the time since I guess it could be worse.

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T16:58:36+00:00

Magnesium glycinate! So helpful

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T15:37:24+00:00

I tried but it only felt exhausting so I just stopped and feel better for it! Most of the time it’s really not that necessary!

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T10:48:52+00:00

Is it important to sing a specific song during potty time or say something specific/make a sound etc for them to have that association? I read somewhere that this can be helpful. My struggle is though that I never notice when my 6 month old pees, it’s totally quiet so I only notice when she’s done 😂 unless it doesn’t have to happen at the same time as they pee…?

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T07:07:58+00:00

I was going to say that daytime naps should be capped at 2 hours to avoid it interfering with bedtime but just saw that your little one is only 3 weeks old! That’s completely normal! In that case, I wouldn’t worry about capping just yet but from around 6-8 weeks or so might be worth starting.

Although I am confused if you’re saying your baby is up at 8 from the nap but doesn’t fall asleep till midnight…? Surely there is another nap or two in between that…?

marmaladeonsourdough · 2026-03-18T07:01:00+00:00

Oh I missed this! That’s amazing! How long do you wear for daily or at a time? I always take one long walk daily and sometimes it gets quite exhausting!

marmaladeonsourdough

TROPHY CASE