Feedong my little girl

Diane - posted on 01/26/2011

A 16 month old can eat pretty much anything that isn't a choking hazzard (nuts, chewy or hard candies, grapes, anything that isn't cut up small) I would just feed her whatever you are eating, it will be messy but that's how they learn. As far as the bottle, I would get rid of that as soon as possible, 16 months is pretty old to still be drinking from a bottle, have you tried cups yet? The best way to get her to eat other things besides milk is to just limit the milk she gets, she'll be cranky about it for a few days but she'll survive.

Elanei - posted on 01/25/2011

Our 18mo old twin girls eat what we eat. We introduced "big kid" food at maybe 9mo-12mos, until they no longer wanted to eat baby food such as pablums. Maybe foods she can try eating on her own would help?? Some example of what we feed are: hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, dry toast at first and now with light layer of jam, fish shaped crackers, peas, carrots, blueberries, cheese, flavoured hot cereal made with whole milk & cooled (everything chopped up in small enough pieces)....At first sitting them down with solid food and then giving them their bottles, and now offering milk/water during their meals. Keep experimenting with different flavours and different textures & be consistent with always offering solid food for meals. She'll come around :) Good luck! I also found that eating with them helped a lot too ;)

As for 2nd question, we only have the twins... You'll find a way to balance everything (mums have been making things work for generations ;) ). I think so long as your daughter isnt being rushed to grow up (potty training etc) and she's still allowed to do things at her own rate, there shouldn't be the worry of not giving her enough time. Think positive! She'll have a playmate :) The first little bit may be a bit exhausting, but will have huge rewards in the end :)

Congrats on your upcoming new arrival & hope that you're able to find some suggestions which will put your mind at ease :) I'm a worrier too, but try not to sweat the small stuff :)

Mackenzie - posted on 01/24/2011

My boys are 17 months and 3 months and I think it is easier than you think it will be I am AD military and you just have to make time for everyone and send time as a family but dont forget to make time for yourself your you will go nuts. But for food ,my 17 month old loves eggs bagels fruit cups stuffed pasta anything really they can have anything they can chew. But my oldest son doesn't feel ignored I make time for both of them I switch up the time with my husband we rotate at night to spend time with both our boys plus let them spend time together the baby loves JJ he makes him smile :)

Tanya - posted on 01/24/2011

HI Tammy, I am 8 months pregnant, so I know exactly how you're feeling right now. People tell me, you just do it and you figure it out and it's great because the kids are so close. I think the key is having someone to help you, especially that first couple of weeks when you can barely walk with the stitches. My LO is about 30 pounds and there's no way I can lift him after delivery, which is going to be the hardest part, cause I know he won't understand (being only 17 months old at the time). But I have a good support system between my husband, mom, and grandma. Last time around I didn't take much advantage, but this time I think I have to, or I could hurt myself. I haven't gone through it yet, but I'll try to maybe update post-partum!

As for your 16 month old, give her anything she can hold herself. Finger foods are especially popular with my son, as well as soft foods like yogurt that stick to the spoon. Of course, whatever I am eating, he wants to eat, even if I gave him something he loves and I am eating something he doesn't like much. He just wants to be like the adults, so I tend to give him whatever I'm having. It's easier that way and he tends to at least give it a try. Then I follow up with a tried and true "Dessert" like fruit or yogurt.

HTH! Good luck :)

Mary - posted on 01/24/2011

Hi Tamela-I highly recommend a book by Magda Gerber called "Dear Parent: Parenting with Respect" I reccomend it to parents of twins as well because it gives practical advice on how to make sure both your children and you are getting what you need emotionally. Best of luck. I have a 17 month old and I am 15 weeks pregnant. My nieces are 18 months apart and once ny sister-in-law got through the first 1.5 years it got a lot easier because they play with each other all the time. Good Luck-Mary

Heather - posted on 01/24/2011

with your first question, my 16month old eats anything that I eat. I cut it up small enough so he won't choke on it. I just tell him he is a big boy and he gets all excited.
for the second question, I have a 16month ld and a 6month old they are 11months apart. it's a bit challanging at times but it's fun. I try to make sure that my 16month old is involved so he doesn't feel like he is being replaced. When the baby cries I tell him to go see whats wrong with bubba and he will run over there and start talking to him, pretty soon the baby stops crying and he is smiling at his older brother. it is very cute. so far they are the best of buds.

Lillian - posted on 01/23/2011

1st ? I would try mixing baby food with real food stuff that doesnt sound bad, or just try something new every few days in a chair. Get her use to it and let her play with it, and let her eat with you. Try giving her a sippy cup at the chair not a bottle. If she has a problem sucking on the sippy take the suctions out and let her just have the juice or water go down easy thats what we had to try.

2nd ? I am pregnant with our 2nd and my son is 16 months 2 and I am just as scared as you are. I have to go back to work and were married and its hell sometimes. I am hating leaving my kids without us. But now a days both parents have to work, everyone I have asked has said its better to have them closer together in age. Our dr said its better to not have your 2nd after your first is already 2 years old because its much harder then around 19 months apart. Plus your son will be much quicker at learning because he will have a big sister showing him everything. Enjoy it. We wanted ours 2 school years apart and that didnt happen lol. They will only be 1 year apart. Plus it will give your sister someone to play with and help you with. I was worried about my 1st wanting to have a pacifier or bottle again because the baby will have it again but I will worry about that when it comes time.

Kathy - posted on 01/22/2011

Ok. First question answer - a 16 month old can eat pretty much anything. My 17 month old daughter eats everything we eat. She started eating pieces of chicken at about 8 months.

As for your second question, my oldest two are under 13 months apart. I worried about my oldest being a big brother right after his first birthday, but he loved it! I told him he was going to have a little brother everyday, so, when my second was born, my first didn't find it strange. He did everything he could do at 1 to help. They are best friends. They fight, but they are inseparable. They are the same way with their 3 year old brother and 17 month old sister. They are now 6 and 5, so that tells you how close in age all my kids are! 4 in 5 years. It's tough, but so worth it!

Erin - posted on 01/22/2011

ok with the first question, i have the same problem with my son all he will eat is weet bix for breakfast, sandwich for lunch then i do him a bowl of vegies and thats usually all he eats in a daily meal. he will have snacks and what not in between but his main meals dont change much. and with the second one well i can help with that as my 2 kids are less then a year apart. when i first fell pregnant with my boy i was scared but now that they are 17 months and 28 months old honestly i wouldnt have it any other way. they get on so well but also they have their fights just like any other kids. yes it was exhausting as my little boy had colic then with my partner working i was up to my daughter through the day with having next to no sleep at night. having them close together gives them a close friend in childhood. but show her that the new baby isnt a burden on her, show her thats its fun to have a baby brother even though she may not get all of mummys attention like before.

Blackwood - posted on 01/17/2011

I think is sounds like you've got this figured out and what ever you don't, remember at one point you didn't with your daughter either, but you've managed. Exciting that you are gonna have one of each, the best of both worlds!

Tamela - posted on 01/17/2011

Thank you ladies so much for your great advice. i think my daughter is like Katrina's son, she would rather drink her calories. she's not too big on food. we do try to feed her what we eat. we've been doing it since she was about a year old but she'll have a few spoon fulls and then ask for her bottle. we are slowly achieving our goal though cause since last week we're down to 3 bottles a day plus yoghurt and bread and rice and fruits and whatever else she'll agree to eat.
I'm excited about the little guy in my tummy, especially since we found out that its a boy and i'm looking forward to the challenges and all the beautiful moments that are to come.

Thank you once again for your great advice.

Blackwood - posted on 01/16/2011

My son is 17 months old and doesn't like Milk, so he is still on formula and has about 3 bottles, before bed, in the middle of the nite and before nap. It's not ideal, but it works so far and that's what I have to go on. He doesn't like too much. He like yogurt, veggie crackers, cheerios, peas, strawberries. My son would rather drink his calories as well. I try to give him what we are having and if that doesn't work, he has peas. At this point you just have to try to lessen one bottle at a time, some children are not good with a major change, so just one bottle at a time. If texture is an issue, then do yogurt or applesauce (come in so many different flavours). As for your second question. I can't answer that, I wish I could I was expecting our second, but lost it. Thankfully I was not too far along and we are currently trying. Just don't be so hard on yourself. Get rest when you can. Understand dishes maybe in the sink and you might have clean close not put away. The best advise I can give, is spend the time you need with your children and things THAT NEED TO GET DONE, don't worry too much about the small stuff and take a moment to yourself. Maybe pick yourself up a magazine you'd like and take even 5 mins out of the day to read it. It's okay to ask for help and get hubby in there to do his far share. I found that having a "whiteboard" on the fridge for notes or food list help. I would make a "to do" list and who ever could do a task and cross an item off the list. Best of luck

Emily - posted on 01/15/2011

Your daughter *should* be able to eat everything you eat. I wouldn't waste time making up baby cereal anymore. I just give my daughter regular food. Does your daughter show an interest in feeding herself? Maybe she just needs some more variety with her foods. Try to give her food before you give her milk. She is not going to starve herself. She can't make a bottle herself, so if she's not getting filled up with that, she'll likely eat more. I would also stop giving juice. It's just extra sugar that she doesn't need, and can fill her up, making her less likely to eat.

It is definitely tiring having two, but I wouldn't change it for the world. The most challenging thing is being able to multi-task.. meeting both of their needs, and sometimes that's at the same time. But watching them play and laugh together is such a sweet thing and makes it all worth it. You will be fine.

Rachael - posted on 01/15/2011

i can't really help with the second question, although I would assume it will be exhausting. in terms of getting her to eat more there are tons of things you can give her: pretty much anything you can eat. my son nis 16 months and eats anything from apples to spaghetti to fish. as long as it's cut into appropriate size and she is good at chewing it's fine. also, offer the food before the bottle and get her to drink water.

Amy - posted on 01/14/2011

With the 1st question My 16 month old eats what we eat. She has been doing that since 12 months. She does not really like meat or things like that I think because it heard to chew but they can eat what you are eating. Just chop it up fine and watch them.

As for the second question I'm 30 with our second and they will be 18 -19 months apart. I don't know how its going to be when he is born but I can tell you they are going to be close play mates. It has happened and you should just expect a jealous toddler at first. We are doing a welcome home party for the new baby to make it fun for her. I think it will help to ease the trasion. Also I got her a baby doll and a play kitchen so she can inmate mom. Like I said I don't know how its all going to work out but I think it won't be too bad.

Lani - posted on 01/12/2011

I can't help you on the 2nd one as I only have Abbi. My nieces, however, are 13 months apart and my sister in law was exhausted. I did my best to take the girls for the night whenever possible. I would say to take friends and family's offers of help. I know it's hard to be away from the baby over night (I've only been away from Abbi over night 3x, 2 with my mom and 1x with my sister in law and nieces) But the rest and sleep were well worth it!

As for eating, Abbi is 17months old and she eats what we eat. It's just chopped up small enough she can swallow with no help. Some stuff if I can't chop it is put in the food processor (like spaghetti). She does really well with 'big kid' food. Occasionally something will get stuck but she has always coughed it up on her own, I just watch her carefully in case I need to help. But she eats what we eat and is constantly asking for a 'bite' whenever she sees anyone with a snack.

Good luck!