Baby Feed the Baby

I've heard it a thousand times: "I gave her a bottle she should be good to go". I started to realize at five and a half month my poor daughter had never received baby food from my husband. When confronted his response: "Where already doing that?". I admit I had to laugh at his obliviousness to the world around him. I had been purchasing baby food for two months or so and we were ready for level two foods! I tried to relay that babies grow into adults and have to start somewhere. Yet the more I have relayed this story the more I find its a man thing!

So many women have said to me their men, for multiple reasons, don't and for quite a while. So how do you get them to realize the importance of introducing solid food? Starve them. Thats right give that man a bottle and only a bottle for a week. Then we'll see what he does the next time he's asked to feed your child. 

No but honestly not every man will do that, but many don't see the importance. When given the choice of receiving a mouthful of food in their face; or the no fuss bottle? Well you see where this is heading. Of course he's going to choose the bottle. Its built into a mans thought process. Solve the problem with the quickest easiest solution. Baby's hungry, must get food, bottles in the fridge, give bottle to baby. That simple. So what do you do?

Your husband will want whats best for your baby. As frustrating as it can be, be realistic that this may take several talks to drive the point home. Notice I said talks and not fights, screaming matches, etc. Men will just shut down if they think they're in trouble. You know how to approach your man when you want something, so do it right. Next when you sit down to explain it to him make sure your child is there. This will drive the point home and you can show him what he needs to do. After all the time you've spent with your child you probably know the easiest and less messy way of doing it. You don't need to go into explaining the food groups and what your child needs. If its easier label their food for that specific meal and it may keep you more organized as well.

Above all things remember to be ready for a mess. Your child is messy and so is your husband. When you husband gets the knack for it; eating time will more than likely become play time as well. So ladies be prepared for it. If your husband is already taking an active interest, and your feeling bold, define the rules for the difference between play time and eating. Otherwise leave it be. Be understanding that your husband will always do things differently than you. Not only that he will help that child break all the rules. Why? Because the little child in him wants to. So save yourself the headache and relax. Keep your original complaint in mind and remember he's doing what you asked. No matter how messy it gets. If it really becomes a huge problem then sorry sweet heart: do it yourself.