Pumping is breastfeeding. Say it loud for the people in the back. Pumping is breastfeeding. Though breast milk is given to your child through a bottle, your baby is being breastfed. 

Not every mother and child has the same breastfeeding experience. There are many reasons why breastfeeding directly is not an option, sometimes babies have trouble latching on, or the parent or the child has a medical issue preventing them from feeding directly from the breast. Whatever the case, pumping your milk to feed your baby is a form of breastfeeding. 

When it comes to breastfeeding, and after a couple of kids and much reflection, I finally realized that I should not hold myself to standards out of my control and that the most crucial thing was feeding and nourishing my children.

Passing Moments

Oh, the many things that happened during my first birth. The baby was overdue, I had complications during delivery, and she had health issues resulting in a painful NICU stay. I couldn’t hold her after birth or physically breastfeed her until a week after that. However, the nurses quickly focused on pumping milk so she could benefit from the colostrum and I could be prepped for direct breastfeeding.

I personally was not looking forward to breastfeeding, but I was open to it. I knew breastfeeding would be good for the baby and me, and I was prepared to do it in the months leading up to her birth. But having missed the moment to feed and hold her directly after birth, I began to sink into an intense guilt and feeling of failure that further deepened my sadness and pain due to my daughter’s health.

Negotiations

When I could finally breastfeed my daughter, I found myself surrounded by the lactation specialist and the nurses, all doing their best to get my little one and me to come to an agreement. After a week of strictly bottle-feeding breast milk, she told me she was not having it. Let’s just say I learned a toothless bite still hurts a lot. The look on her face was of frustration and hunger. 

I’m pretty sure if she could have spoken at that moment, she would utter what her eyes said: “I don’t want to work so hard for my food.” Despite the support around me, I was starting to settle into the idea of being incapable. My mom, who formula-fed us, toggled between supportive and encouraging words while declaring that formula feeding was okay (which it is!)

A pumped-up approach

Though my daughter would not latch on, I kept pumping away at home and in the hospital daily to help her get better. It also helped me cope with having my baby stay in the hospital while I got to go home. With my daughter in the NICU, I looked at breastfeeding as one way I could try to break her out of that joint. So I took on pumping like a champ and crushed it. My husband even joined in, sometimes pumping manually for me while I tried to eat, was too exhausted or depressed.

I pumped in the hospital. I double-pumped. I would have triple-pumped if I could find a way to grow another breast. She thankfully got better, I took her home, and she’s now a whole adult. 

Embracing the reality

When my son was born a few years later, he also had some complications and did not latch on. I was once again wondering what was wrong with me. I realized that nothing was wrong with me. I breastfed my little buggers with purpose. I breastfed like a champ. The milk was coming from me. It was just delivered differently. I also stopped thinking about what was “right” and started understanding what was best for my child.

I learned that I did not have to define my motherhood by other people’s standards but by my unique experience as a mother. 

Medications and vaccines

Immediately after giving birth, routine care for newborns includes a few different treatments. It can be really helpful to know more about these recommendations ahead of time!

An antibiotic eye ointment, called erythromycin, is a clear gel that is gently squeezed into each eyelid. It looks greasy, but should not cause your baby any discomfort. It helps to protect against an eye infection called neonatal conjunctivitis that can be caused by many different bacteria present in the vagina, or rarely in amniotic fluid. Neonatal conjunctivitis can cause serious complications like blindness and requires IV antibiotics for treatment. In some states, you may not be able to sign refusal for this medication, it is mandated by law. 

Vitamin K is a small injection of — you guessed it — Vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for forming blood clots. After infancy, our bodies develop bacteria in the gut that make Vitamin K for us. But when they’re born babies don’t have this in their bodies yet. The shot gives them protection against bleeding while they develop their own gut bacteria to take over the job of making the vitamin for them. 

Not having enough vitamin K can cause bleeding issues that range from minor — like a little extra bleeding after getting a shot — to a severe condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, which can be fatal. Many parents are curious about using oral Vitamin K as an alternative to the shot. This is an option, but because Vitamin K in this form is processed through the digestive system (instead of going directly into the muscle and being absorbed into the bloodstream with the shot), oral doses have to be given weekly and are less effective than a one-time injection of the vitamin. Therefore, they are not typically offered or recommended. 

Hepatitis B is the only vaccine recommended for newborns. It is part of a 3 dose series, which is continued at your well-baby visits. If you have tested positive for Hepatitis B during pregnancy, the routine for your baby’s care will be slightly different.

Hearing, hearts, and jaundice

Some routine testing, like a hearing screen, cardiac screening, or bilirubin scan, are brief and non-invasive. Checking your baby’s hearing, pulse oximetry, and their jaundice level are all things you can expect before going home. If there are any red flags on those tests, your pediatric provider will discuss your options and next steps (which are often just re-checking the tests at a later hour or day). 

You might wonder why it’s so important to do these tests in the first days of your baby’s life. Let’s break it down. 

Hearing test 

A hearing test is important because even a newborn baby is already learning language. If their hearing is impaired (even in just one ear) knowing and addressing it early on can make a big difference for your baby’s language development. 

Oxygen levels

A pulse oximetry test of your baby’s oxygen level in different parts of the body — usually done by putting a sticker with a red light on your baby’s hand and foot. This test can help to catch worrying heart problems that happen in about 1 in 1,000 babies and might otherwise go unnoticed. 

Jaundice screening 

Jaundice screenings, often also done with a special light placed on your baby’s skin, make sure that bilirubin levels aren’t getting too high. Sometimes instead of a skin sensor, this is checked using a blood test, collected along with the blood sample discussed below. High bilirubin levels can cause problems like lethargy, poor feeding, and in some rare extreme cases, brain damage.

Newborn screening

Newborn screening is another test that is typically done after your baby is 24 hours old. It involves a small blood sample. You might picture having your blood drawn in your arm as an adult, but this test requires a very small sample and it can be tricky to find a tiny newborn vein. So most of the time, a heelstick is used. Your baby will have their foot warmed and then a small prick is made in their heel. Some babies barely notice, others might cry. Blood is collected onto a paper form, which is sent to your state’s processing lab by the hospital. 

But why?

The biggest question is, what are they screening my baby for? And that’s a great question! The answer varies because testing is a little bit different in each state. In general, the test covers multiple conditions that a baby can be born with and are impossible to see on a physical exam. Most of these conditions have treatments that are important to start early in life, so testing is essential.

It can be helpful to check what the testing requirements and suggestions are in your area, and discuss any particular concerns you have with your pediatric provider — such as a family history of a metabolic disorder. You can look up what your state tests for here if that information isn’t provided by your hospital. If you give birth outside of a hospital, it’s recommended that you have newborn screening done between 24 and 48 hours of life. This can typically be done by your home birth or birth center provider, or at a lab. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Recommended immunization schedule for baby’s first year
• Baby check-ups

One of the advances in Covid care is the medication Paxlovid. Wondering if this might be a good fit for you? You’ve come to the right place!

What is Paxlovid

Paxlovid is a combination of two medications, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. For it to be effective, you need to start it within five days of your first symptoms and take it for five days. The goal of treatment with Paxlovid is to reduce the chances of hospitalization and death for people at increased risk.

Providers have used ritonavir for a long time to treat pregnant people, and it has a good safety profile. We have less information about nirmatrelvir, but expert opinion is that its benefits in helping people avoid serious illness from Covid likely outweigh any unknown risks. 

Paxlovid during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, at the very least your provider should offer you Paxlovid and feel comfortable discussing its risks and benefits given your unique health situation. They will consider your vaccination status and additional risk factors like diabetes, kidney disease, and any challenges to your cardiovascular health. 

Paxlovid while breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding, then you’re aware that it’s important to check the safety of all of your medications, as many pass into your breast milk. If you have risk factors for severe illness or are not vaccinated, you may want to talk to your provider about Paxlovid. 

Again, there isn’t a lot of safety data on nirmatrelvir, so it’s important to have a risk and benefit discussion with your provider. There is conflicting information on breastfeeding safety, and that can be very difficult to navigate. Parents are choosing a range of solutions, including continuing to breastfeed and pumping and dumping. The experts at the Infant Risk Center are updating information as it becomes available and are available for free consultation by phone. 

If you have questions or are interested in taking Paxlovid or understanding more about it so you can be prepared if you get Covid, reach out to your provider for more details. They have all the most up-to-date information and should be able to talk through your options. 

Read more

COVID-19, postpartum, and breastfeeding: your questions answered

Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines

Dear Ovia, How do I get my husband involved more with the baby if he’s not a “baby person”?

I hear you on this! I definitely had a partner who was terrified of the newborn stage. Too small! Too delicate! That soft spot! Ah! Not all stages are our favorites, and some general acceptance of that being normal may be helpful. If he’s excited about older ages and stages and doesn’t prefer where you are now, try not to judge the excitement factor. 

That said — it doesn’t excuse him from equal parenting, division of labor and (as you said) involvement. He can be less into a certain stage (it’s possible that you may not love a future stage when he’s all in), but he still has to be your partner and be loving and helpful. If dropping hints like, “The baby loves when you sing!” or “Can you read to the baby?” hasn’t worked, it’s time to up the ante. 

Consider asking that he be fully responsible for certain things. This means he’s the breakfast guru or the bathtime expert while you disappear. Having a sense of independence, bonding and responsibility will hopefully show him the joy of this stage, but at the very least it will allow him to relieve some of the pressure on you. Plus, sometimes it helps when a parent discovers their own way of doing things.

He should also have tasks like diaper ordering, meal planning, or washing pump parts — not just bonding activities. The mental load of caring for a baby is immense, and sharing these logistical tasks also counts as involvement.

Lastly, when you do things together as a family, try asking him to step into the role of wearing the baby, pushing the stroller or swing, etc. Often you may feel natural in those roles, but asking him to fill those shoes involves him and changes the overall dynamic. 

Read more from this series

• I’m just not in the mood
• Responsible for all the infant care

What are inflamed ducts?

Inside your breast there are dozens of milk ducts. Imagine tiny strands of spaghetti that are crisscrossing and creating the pathways from milk making cells deep in your breast all the way out to the tip of your nipple. When your breast tissue gets overly full, irritated or injured, those tiny ducts can swell. It makes it harder for milk to comfortably let down and pass through your breast. Sometimes it feels like a hard pea, and sometimes the area gets so inflamed that it feels like multiple golf balls or a big lemon. If you notice lumps or bumps before a feeding — that could be okay. But if you have painful lumps and bumps after you’ve fed or pumped, it might be a sign of swollen ducts. Some people also notice that less milk is coming out of the impacted breast. 

What do I do first?

Identify the area and try some easy strategies. Most inflammation will improve  over 12-24 hours. Here are some tips:

• Breastfeed directly or pump on a normal schedule. Don’t increase stimulation to that side by feeding or pumping more. Feed or pump for what your baby needs during this time, don’t follow advice to “empty” breasts.
•  Keep things cool. Ice is your friend when it comes to inflammation. Apply cold or ice packs to the  swollen area for about 5 minutes every hour.  If it feels better to use cold during a feed or after, be flexible – the timing is up to you. 
• Take an anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen if it’s safe for you. Regular use can decrease inflammation overall and lessen your pain. A win-win.

• Rest. Breast inflammation can progress to mastitis, and your body is working overtime right now. Extra rest, hydration and support can make a huge difference. 
• Some older advice can actually be harmful. Deep massage, excessive suction (from person or machine), and lots of heat can actually make inflammation worse and prolong the problem.

Other Ideas:

• Try changing your breastfeeding position. This may not decrease inflammation, but it may increase your comfort. Dangle feeding can be dangerous for very young infants.
• Try therapeutic breast massage. This type of gentle massage can help elongate milk ducts temporarily and give relief. 
• Ask your provider about therapeutic ultrasound. While it isn’t a common practice in the US, there is some research suggesting it can be helpful.
• Consider a Lecithin supplement (discuss potential gut health impacts with your provider) or a probiotic. Both have benefits for certain people, you can check out specific info here as not all supplements are created equally!

What if I’m not getting better?

Sometimes inflammation takes time to improve. As long as you aren’t seeing symptoms of mastitis, continuing to monitor your breasts closely and sticking with the tips above is advisable. In many cases, inflammation is persistent because your body has an oversupply of milk. Working on managing the oversupply can also help relieve inflammation (especially if it happens frequently). A professional lactation consultant can help you do this safely while meeting your personal feeding goals. 

How do I keep this from happening again?

Many people experience swollen ducts no matter what preventative steps they take — it’s not your fault. In addition to checking for oversupply, looking for ways your breasts may be getting injured is helpful. Injury and trauma aren’t always visible! Checking your baby’s latch is a great place to start for prevention. Teething, growth spurts or illness can all change a baby’s latch temporarily and cause trauma. If you’re pumping, it can help to check your flange size, fit, and settings. Poor flange fit and too much suction can cause injury in the same way a poor latch can.

You might also want to consider any recent schedule changes. Did your baby recently start sleeping for much longer stretches of time or did you return to work? Are you wearing a new bra or baby carrier that is pinching or putting pressure on your breasts? Did you start sleeping on your stomach or go for a long car trip? It takes time for your breast to fully heal after a significant episode of inflammation. It’s not unusual to feel that lumps and bumps are gone, but pain or a “bruised” feeling remain. Contacting breastfeeding support for frequent swollen ducts is another great idea.

We know that it takes a long time for newer information to make its way into normal discussion when it comes to parenting. You may have been told by well-meaning friends, family or healthcare workers that you have a clog, and been given outdated advice. It’s also possible you’ve read the newest information and feel like it’s not for you – this can be especially true for exclusive pumpers or people with blebs. Your Ovia experts are here to help you navigate this time and all of your choices, and most importantly – to feel better!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Does your newborn want to feed several times close together, often during the evening? Do they crash after this timeframe and often have the longest sleep of their day? This may be frustrating, but it’s completely normal — it’s a feeding pattern known as cluster feeding. Here’s what you need to know, including tips for this often-tiring pattern. 

What is cluster feeding?

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to feed several times during a shorter period. A cluster feed usually lasts for a few hours at a time, and looks differently from baby’s typical feeding habits. Baby might alternate between eating, crying and possibly resting several times in a 2-3 hour period. They might want to feed as often as every 20-30 minutes within this timeframe. 

Cluster feeding is perfectly normal, so don’t be alarmed at the changes in your baby’s feeding routine. If however, your baby seems to cluster feed around the clock, this may be something else, and it’s a good idea to get some support for feeding.

Why do babies cluster feed?

Cluster feeding is a way for newborn babies to make sure they get enough breastmilk (or formula). Often people notice it when they’re going through a growth spurt, increasing milk intake to satisfy their increased developmental needs. 

During this growth spurt, Baby instinctively knows that feeding in clusters is the best way to encourage their mother to produce more breastmilk. Breastmilk production is all about “supply and demand” — the more baby drinks, the greater supply their mother will have to meet their needs. 

If you’re breastfeeding, this doesn’t mean that you weren’t producing enough milk before, baby’s just entering a time where they need more milk.

While cluster feeding is most common in breastfed babies, don’t be surprised if your bottle-fed baby starts cluster feeding.

Cluster feeding can also happen when a baby is tired or sick and needs shorter, more frequent feeds. When babies get overwhelmed or tired at the end of the day – you often see some cluster feeding as they soothe their needs in the best way they know how. 

How to know if Baby is cluster feeding ?

Generally, your 0-3 month old baby will feed 8-12 times every 24 hours. If they’re looking for more than this, they’re likely cluster feeding. Here are some other signs:

• Baby wants to feed repeatedly and constantly 
• Even if they’ve already been fed, baby doesn’t seem satisfied with the feeding (especially in the evenings or later afternoons)
• Baby eats more frequently, in shorter sessions than normal
• Your baby won’t stop crying until they’re fed- other soothing methods don’t help
• Besides the urges to feed frequently and the added fussiness when hungry, nothing seems “wrong” with baby
• Baby is content during feedings
• Baby still has the same amount of wet and dirty diapers

When they’re in the cluster feeding phase, your baby will usually exhibit signs of hunger frequently during the evenings, even after they’ve already been fed. These may include:

• Rooting (searching for the breast or bottle, or turning their head towards whatever touches their cheek)
• Nuzzling against the breast
• Opening the mouth wide 
• Mouthing
• Moving the fists to the mouth
• Lip-smacking
• Fussiness 
• Becoming more alert

How long does cluster feeding last? 

Cluster feeding can be a normal part of a baby’s daily pattern or it can be brief, lasting for a few days at a time. Babies usually “grow out of” cluster feeding around 3 or 4 months of age (of course, every baby is different.) 

Again, if your baby’s “cluster feeding” goes around the clock, it’s a good idea to check their weight and get feeding support, as this might be a sign that your baby isn’t efficiently getting enough milk.

How to deal with cluster feeding?

While it can be exhausting, try to lean into this pattern and feed Baby as often as they need and want to. This time will pass.

Here are some tips

• Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it.
• If you’re breastfeeding and you’ve pumped breastmilk, or if you’re bottle-feeding, you could have another family member offer a bottle (or bottles). Use that time for self-care (such as a walk, a shower, or a few uninterrupted minutes to yourself), 
• Keep water and nutritious snacks by your feeding area to stay nourished. 
• Try to nap just prior to when you expect the cluster feed.
• Plan ahead in other ways if you can. Use the bathroom, and try to get comfortable in your feeding area, right before you think Baby will want to cluster feed.
• Plan to cluster feed in front of the TV so you can watch a movie or show that you enjoy. 
• Or, plan to listen to an audiobook, podcast, or music during a feed. 
• Practice feeding Baby in a sling or carrier. That way, you’ll be able to walk around hands-free
• Call a friend or family member during feedings
• Lie down to feed Baby, so that you can rest your body as much as possible.
• If you have older children, designate special toys (or shows) for them that they can only take out during baby’s feeding times.
• Ask your partner (or friends/relatives) for help with cooking and housework during baby’s cluster feeding periods.

A lactation consultant can be extremely helpful as you navigate breastfeeding, cluster feeding, and caring for your mental health. 

How to soothe Baby during cluster feeding times?

Cluster feeding usually coincides with baby’s fussiest times. They may cry a lot in between feedings, even though they’ll be satisfied during the feedings themselves. 

Try these tips

• Move Baby around while feeding (walk while using a sling or carrier, or gently rock Baby). 
• Try skin to skin snuggles
• Sing or talk to Baby with a gentle voice. 
• Play soothing sounds (white noise or calming music). Turning on a fan may also create white noise.
• Hold Baby close to help them feel secure. Lightly swaddling them may help as well.
• Feed Baby in a quiet, dark room to remove unsettling stimuli.
• Try holding Baby in different positions.

What is the difference between cluster feeding and colic?

When your baby is cluster feeding, they may cry a lot, especially during the evenings, but they’ll be satisfied during feeding. However, if Baby keeps crying for several hours per day, for no reason you can find, and feeding and other efforts don’t soothe them, they may have colic.

Colic crying can sound like screaming, while cluster feed crying will sound like Baby’s normal “hungry” cry. Also, colic crying tends to peak at six weeks, continue without a break, and stop around three months of age.

You’ve got this

Even though it may be frustrating, cluster feeding is a normal feeding pattern. Lean into ways to cope. You’ve got this!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Allergic reaction vs. eczema flare-up

• Eczema may flare up when your child’s skin is exposed to any number of triggers, including food.
• Food allergic reactions should be reliable and reproducible. If your child is allergic to a food, they’ll reliably develop an allergic reaction shortly after eating that food, every time they eat it.
• The red itchy rash associated with eczema is different from the hives that food allergies can cause
• Food allergic reactions should only appear when your child is exposed to an allergenic food. Eczema is most often chronic or lifelong, with symptoms persisting regardless of your child’s exposure to allergenic foods
• Eczema and food allergies belong to the atopic march. In other words, eczema is a precursor to food allergies, and eczema symptoms usually appear before food allergies. 

Food allergies and eczema are closely related. Both conditions involve the immune system. Babies with eczema are at the greatest risk of developing food allergies. And foods can cause both allergic reactions and eczema flare-ups.

But how can you tell the difference between an allergic reaction such as hives and an eczema flare-up, so you can get the right care for your child? We break down what parents need to know.

Food allergic reactions: What triggers them?

Our immune systems protect our bodies from foreign invaders, like viruses and bacteria. But when someone eats a food they are allergic to, their immune system mistakes the proteins of that food for a foreign invader. The immune system signals their body to over-defend itself against those food proteins, and this triggers an allergic reaction. 

Food allergic reactions: What do they usually look like?

In babies and young children, the most common signs of an allergic reaction are hives and vomiting.

Hives caused by a food allergic reaction

Mild or moderate allergic reactions can also cause swelling of the face, lips, and eyes. Usually, these symptoms appear within seconds or minutes and they’ll almost always occur within 2 hours of eating the food. 

People with food allergies don’t always develop the same symptoms every time they have an allergic reaction. So, you can’t predict what an allergic reaction will look like in your child. 

Most importantly, remember that a mild to moderate reaction can sometimes quickly turn severe. This is true even if your child never had an allergic reaction before. 

Severe food allergic reactions: What do they look like?

Symptoms of a severe food allergic reaction can include:

• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling or tightness of the throat 
• Struggling to swallow
• Struggling to breathe
• Noisy breathing
• Persistent coughing
• Wheezing
• Struggling to vocalize
• Change in voice or cry
• Diarrhea 
• Dizziness 
• Collapsing or fainting 
• Pale appearance 
• Feeling floppy (only in infants and young children)

When a food allergic reaction causes severe symptoms in more than one organ system, it is classified as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.

Eczema flare-ups: What triggers them?

Your child’s eczema may flare up when their skin is exposed to any number of triggers. If your child has food or environmental allergies, their allergens could trigger a flare-up. In addition to allergens, dry skin, dry air, heat, existing skin infections, and irritants may also trigger eczema flare-ups. Some irritants that may trigger flare-ups include fabrics (like polyester, nylon, or wool), fragrances (found in soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, and shampoo), chemicals, and metals.

Eczema Flare-Ups: What do they look like?

Eczema makes the skin dry, red, and itchy. It can cause patches of red or dry skin, rough and itchy skin, or crusty scales and bumps that may leak fluid. These flare-ups often appear on the forehead, cheeks, scalp, knees, elbows, arm joints or leg joints. 

Eczema flare-ups v. Allergic reactions

Foods can trigger both eczema flare-ups and allergic reactions. So, how can you tell the difference? If your child has food allergies and eczema, a food allergic reaction may make their eczema worse.

But, the red itchy rash associated with eczema is different from the hives that food allergies can cause. And there are many other symptoms of an allergic reaction that aren’t associated with eczema (like swelling and vomiting). A good rule of thumb is the National Eczema Association’s explanation that food allergic reactions are “reliable, reproducible, consistent and timely.”

If your child is allergic to a food, they’ll reliably develop an allergic reaction shortly after eating that food, every time they eat it. Once you remove the food(s) they are allergic to from their diet, they will no longer show symptoms of a reaction. 

Whenever your child appears to have a flare-up, keep track of all their surroundings, including what they ate within the past 2 hours. What fabric is their clothing made of? Did you use soap, lotion or shampoo with a fragrance? It can be difficult, but finding and removing other consistent eczema triggers can help you figure out whether food is an eczema trigger — or an allergen. 

If you’re having trouble pinpointing the issue, allergy testing is the most reliable way to determine whether your child has a food food or other allergy. 

The atopic march and chronic eczema

The atopic march describes how children with one allergic condition are at increased risk for others, and how allergic conditions tend to appear in a certain order (one usually “marches” after the other).

Eczema and food allergies are both considered allergic conditions, and both are part of the atopic march. Babies usually develop eczema before food allergies, and infants with eczema are at increased risk for developing a food allergy. 

Most food allergic reactions like hives should go away within a few days or weeks, and by avoiding the allergenic or “problem” food, should go away altogether. On the other hand, eczema can often be a chronic condition and usually starts in infancy. Chronic eczema is the most common type of eczema and can be lifelong. 

Introducing Allergens

The USDA Dietary Guidelines state: “if an infant has severe eczema, egg allergy, or both (conditions that increase the risk of peanut allergy), age-appropriate, peanut-containing foods should be introduced into the diet as early as age 4 to 6 months.”

Feeding your baby these foods consistently, starting between 4-11 months of age, is especially important for babies with eczema, because of their increased food allergy risk. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Content provided by Ready, Set, Food!. Ready, Set, Food! is a complete guided system that gently introduces your baby to the top 9 most common childhood food allergens, including peanut, egg, and milk. 

Starting solids is an exciting milestone for you and your baby. They’re about to embark on discovering new tastes and textures. But how do you know when your baby is ready to start solids?

Although many babies are ready around 6 months of age, every baby is different. Not all babies are ready for solids at a certain age or weight. Instead, pay attention to your little one’s developmental signs to clue you in that they may be ready for solids.

Here are the top six telltale signs that your baby is ready to explore solid foods.

1. Baby can sit upright without your help.

This means that if you place Baby on the floor in a seated position, they can stay upright (with decent posture) for at least 10-15 seconds, ideally longer. This trunk and head strength is crucial for learning to eat solids safely. Imagine trying to eat while wiggling and wobbling everywhere. And if your head slumps forward, it’s tough to chew and swallow safely. For success and safety – this is #1.

2. Baby can grasp objects.

Whether they’re grasping a rattle, reaching for your glasses, or even grabbing your spoon, when baby’s able to grasp objects, that’s a sign that they’re developmentally ready for solids. They don’t need to have a certain type of grasp (like the pincer grasp) mastered. All that matters is that they’re using some type of grasp.

3. Baby opens their mouth wide.

We’ve mentioned grasping, but how about bringing that object to their own mouth? If Baby is lifting a toy, spoon or other object to their mouth, that’s a really helpful skill as they learn to feed themselves.

4. Baby has the needed hand-eye-mouth coordination. 

This involves several of the signs we’ve already listed above. Baby needs the coordination and skills to look at the food, grab the food or a spoon, pick up the food or spoon, open their mouth, place the food inside, clamp down on the food, and swallow. 

This is especially important if you want to start baby-led weaning, where Baby feeds themself.

5. Baby’s tongue reflex has changed.

Babies are born with a “tongue-thrusting” reflex that helps them push food out of their mouth. But once babies are ready for solids, they outgrow this “tongue-thrusting” reflex. At that point, instead of pushing food out of their mouth, their tongue learns to move food to the back of their mouth, and they are able to swallow. This coordination takes time, which is why the first month of solids often involves lots of trying and not a lot of eating.

6. Baby is interested in your family’s food.

Is your baby eyeing you closely as you munch on your dinner? Are they intently looking at solid foods? Then, they’re probably eager to try solid foods of their own. The same goes if they reach for and try to grasp at the food you’re holding — or try to swipe your fork or spoon. They might also imitate the chewing motions or lip-smacking that they see you make at the table. Keep in mind that this sign alone is not enough to start solids. Some babies may take an interest in your food from very early on, and some foods are not safe or appropriate to share!

When starting solid foods, you can typically use the family meal once a day. Breastmilk and/or formula is still Baby’s primary source of nutrition during the first year. Serving allergens early and often once you start solids may have a protective effect against later food allergies. If your baby or family has a history of food allergies, then talk to your pediatric provider about what steps to take.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

These recent guidelines offer recommendations that include 0 to 2 year olds for the first time ever, including a key recommendation that parents should “introduce infants to allergenic foods.” Let’s break down these important new food allergy guidelines.

USDA guidelines on early introduction: 5 key takeaways for parents

1. Introduce Infants to Potentially Allergenic Foods

The new Dietary Guidelines recommend that parents introduce infants to allergenic foods like peanuts, egg, cow milk products, tree nuts, wheat, crustacean shellfish, fish, and soy. They note that, for example, introducing peanuts “reduces the risk that an infant will develop a food allergy to peanuts.” Parents should introduce these allergenic foods in baby’s first year of life along with other complementary foods.

2. There is no evidence that suggests parents should delay peanut introduction

It is important to introduce these foods early, in your baby’s first year of life.

3. Parents should introduce peanut-containing foods at 4-6 months for high risk infants

Babies at high risk for food allergies are those with severe eczema and/or egg allergy. For these babies, introducing peanuts at 4-6 months can “reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy.” Parents should consult with their healthcare provider before introducing peanuts to determine the safest way to introduce them.

4. Nuts and chunks of peanut butter can pose a choking risk

Parents should find appropriate forms of allergenic foods to introduce to their baby as nuts and peanut butter can be a choking hazard. Learn more about how to safely introduce peanuts from the NIAID Guidelines here.

5. Diversify your baby’s meals after six months

In addition to allergenic foods, it is strongly recommended to introduce a variety of foods across all food groups to help with your baby’s growth and development.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Content provided by Ready, Set, Food!. Ready, Set, Food! is a complete guided system that gently introduces your baby to the top 9 most common childhood food allergens, including peanut, egg, and milk. 

Parents may feel sad, disappointed, or angry for not getting the experience they had envisioned, like their body has failed them somehow, or even that they failed their baby in some way. Whether these feelings stem from a traumatic birth or the loss of a hoped-for moment, they are valid. If you’re struggling to accept your birth experience, here are some ways to navigate complex emotions and honor your own strength.

Be open to your negative feelings

You might put pressure on yourself, or receive well-meaning advice, to focus on the outcome of your experience instead of dwelling on the difficult details. But the truth is, giving your genuine emotions space to surface can actually help you process them. This doesn’t mean you need to speak freely with everyone about your birth and listen to their input and advice. It’s okay to set boundaries for yourself and have a few good responses for when you’re not ready to talk about it. Simply saying something like, “This is still a very sensitive space for me and I’d like to talk about something else,” is perfectly acceptable. Your birth story matters, it is yours to share on your own terms. And holding parts of it close and/or grieving any part of it does not take away from the love and gratitude you feel for your new baby. 

Processing your story when birth doesn’t go as planned

When birth doesn’t go as planned, it can be helpful to talk with your doctor or midwife afterwards (when you’re ready). They can help answer any lingering questions you might have and provide clarity on why things unfolded as they did. Having insight into why your provider made certain decisions might help you view your experience in a new light or just better understand what happened that day or night. It can also be therapeutic to write out your birth story and/or the story you had envisioned for your birth. The writing process can help you identify and validate the emotions you are experiencing. You don’t need to have writing expertise or even show your story to anyone for it to help. Finally, talk about your feelings with a loved one or counselor if that’s possible for you. Ask loved ones just to listen so you can fully express how you feel.

Give yourself credit

It took considerable strength and a whole lot of love to carry and give birth to your baby. Your body accomplished an incredible feat, and you adapted as best as you could when your story didn’t go as planned. Acknowledge the courage it took to face the uncertain moments and keep moving forward. You did what was necessary for you and your baby and you have so much to be proud of. You are not less of a mother or parent because you grieve any part of your birth experience. It might be hard to feel this way right now and that’s okay. It’s okay to feel robbed of what you had anticipated and grateful for your baby. It isn’t straightforward and tidy. Emotions can be really messy.

Ask for help when you need it

The postpartum period can be full of complex and overwhelming emotions in addition to the physical healing you’re doing. Lean on the close relationships in your life and let people you love know when you’re having a tough time. It can also help to seek out a group for new moms in your area. Finding friends who relate to your experiences can be comforting. If your emotions feel too heavy to handle, even with your support system, or impact your ability to get through the day, talk to your doctor so you can be assessed for postpartum depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You don’t need to face this alone, and there are treatments (including counseling) that can help. You can feel better.

The bottom line

When birth doesn’t go as planned, it’s essential that you allow yourself space to grieve. It’s understandable to have expectations for such a big life moment and to experience disappointment when things happen differently than you hoped. Take it day by day, treat yourself kindly, and know that as difficult feelings surface, they can also begin to heal.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical team 

Sources

• “Births – Method of Delivery.” National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.html
• “C-section.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. June 12, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655
• “Pain Management for C-Sections.” Yale Medicine. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/anesthesia-for-c-section
• “Cesarean Birth FAQs.” Acog.org. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth