Defeating the PRS sterotype/agenda like a Champ!

WOW!  Has it really been 5 months since the last post?  Time flies when you're busy with a mobile baby!  

I'll catch you up on the past few months...

At four months this little stinker was rolling EVERYWHERE!  He loves, "You are my Sunshine."
At this time we met again with his surgeon and started letting him use a sippy cup for a few feedings a day whether he drank all of his milk or not.  We were just trying to get the transition started early!

He started out using the NUBY soft spout sippy cups with the nipple slit.  Since he doesn't have any suction and isn't able to suck he's been able to bite down on the nipple to get a strong flow of milk!  My smart lil' munchkin.
Actually, he's been using the pigeon feeder which works the same way.  We had transitioned him from the Haeberman nipple to the pigeon quite early by taking one feeding away at a time with the pigeon bottle. For you PRS mommies and daddies, this worked for us. Not saying it would for you, but the constant questions about the Haberman bottle and having to constantly squeeze for our baby got tiring and stressful.  I personally would recommend transitioning from the H to the P nipple ASAP. This also helped our little one transition to the sippy because the sippy worked quite the same way.

For all you non PRS parents:

Haberman Feeder

Haberman feeder

The Haberman Feeder works well for babies who are small or premature, or who have cleft palate only. It has a one-way valve that keeps milk in the nipple.
The baby can obtain milk by compressing the nipple against the roof of the mouth, without need for suction. The flow of the milk can be adjusted by rotating the nipple in the mouth.
Many babies can obtain milk from this feeder by themselves. The baby can control the flow of milk, and it is less tiring for the person feeding because no squeezing is needed.

Pigeon nipple

The Pigeon Nipple can be used with any bottle. It has a faster flow than the Haberman or squeeze bottle, and works well for slightly older infants.
Some newborns tolerate the flow of the Pigeon Nipple well, but feeding with this nipple should be checked by a nurse or infant feeding specialist on the cleft team.

Pigeon Nipple

The Pigeon Nipple works by compression only. The nipple has a firm side that goes toward the roof of the mouth and a softer side that goes on the tongue.
A small notch at the base of the nipple serves as an air vent. This notch should be uppermost under the baby's nose when feeding.
Tightening the nipple and collar slows the flow of milk. Loosening it makes the flow faster. If the nipple collapses, loosen and retighten the nipple.
A plastic one-way valve fits into the nipple to keep milk in the nipple. The valve should be placed with the flat side toward the tip of the nipple. When the baby begins to suck, milk flows readily. The infant controls the flow of milk and no squeezing is needed.
Credit: 
http://www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/chromosomal-genetic-conditions/cleft-lip-palate-feeding/






5 Months- 

This month welcomed us with 5 teeth ALL at once  Being the "hippy" parents that we are, we do everything to avoid medicines.  This little booger toughed out all five coming in with NOTHING! ;-) Mommy and Daddy about lost their patience though. :-)
 This month we also welcomed the completely MOBILE baby!  He began crawling around for his daddy's watch and then from there he went EVERYWHERE!


6 months-

He loves my USMC dog that hubs got for me when he was at basic many many years ago! :)

And of course he was a pretty handsome dinosaur for Halloween. LOL

Check out that jaw!  We are so happy that we didn't even have to mention jaw distraction!  We again chose to not consider it  because his breathing was O.K.

Our sweet angel started sitting up completely on his own without the occasional topple and crawling EVERYWHERE!

Jase also said "Momma."  Oh how happy I was!!!!  I even caught it on video when he said it the first time!!! yeah buddy!

FEEDINGS:

Many called us crazy, many shunned our decisions, many tried overriding our decision doing it their way , and others opinions were heard, but we didn't listen...


We waited until Jase was 6 months and 1 week to begin feeding pureed foods and it was one of the best parenting decisions we've made; right on up there with refusing a c-section and waiting until Jase was ready to enter the world on his own. 

There were a few reasons for this...

It gives the babies digestive system time to mature.  WHAT????  Yep!  Did you know your babies intestines aren't fully matured at birth?  Feeding too early can cause digestive issues, early allergies, and let in potential illnesses/bacteria.  With Jase already having feeding issues due to his cleft, we didn't want to add anything to our plates.  Some people understood this, others did not. :(

Delaying solids also helps protect your baby from future obesity.  SCORE!

Delaying solids also helped the transition to solid foods easier.  Who wants to lay their kid in a rock-n-play or bouncy seat and force food down their throats when they can't even sit up on their own. Poor babies.  Now on the other hand, if you chose to feed your child earlier; that is your right!  We respect it.  We won't force our opinions on you, just educate. All I ask is that others respect parents decisions. You may have chosen certain things with your child. That may have been the best decision for you.  We will make the best decisions for our child and ask that they are respected.
O.K. Off of my "wait to feed" pedestal.

I'd also like to share with you that we made all of Jase's baby food!  EASY EASY!  Not only did we know what we were feeding Jase, but it was SO much cheaper.  Who doesn't like to save money? Now mind you, it's winter.  The only available fruits in season are apples, bananas, pomegranate, and oranges.  I did have to stray for peaches (which he loves). This PRS baby is eating like a CHAMP!  We were so happy that we waited on solids!

Check out : http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/123600/10_reasons_to_delay_solids for more info