I am still amazed at how many parents are "proud" and eager to share with
everyone how big their 4 month old baby is, and that they are taking 8 oz at
every feed.  The idea that over feeding and fast/high weight gain is a good
sign that their baby is growing well, and is going to be a "big boy", is a
serious misunderstanding that is pervasive everywhere.  I would think this
type of thinking would be a significant factor in the trend of life long
obesity.  

This also ties in with the sippy cups - again thinking a child must
constantly have juice or milk with them at all times.  While it is of course
important for them to have access to drinks when thirsty, as long as they
can get to the kitchen to get a drink when needed, it shouldn't function as
a "lovey" like a blanket or toy - which I frequently see happen.  It becomes
an item of comfort, which is never a good idea to combine with any type of
food or beverage.  Again - a link with obesity?

Moms are always surprised when I tell them they do not have to use bottles
for older infants - I had one breastfeeding mom call me and say her 5 month
old needed to start taking bottles, and she was having trouble switching her
from breast to bottle.  I asked why she needed to make the switch, and she
said her mom told her the baby needed to get used to a bottle.  I (calmly)
explained that there really is no reason for a baby to ever have a bottle
(she was not planning to return to work), and that the baby was old enough
to start cup drinking.  She was amazed at the idea, but when I told her it
would be one less thing to wean from, she got it.  (I always used "shot
glasses" for my kiddos - great size and easy to hold).  My kids would look
at bottles that belonged to other babies, and wouldn't have a clue as to
what to do with them (I was always proud of that fact).

It is funny - when I tried to find lidded cups for my kids (I admit, it is
easier to travel if it has a lid), the great majority of ones out there are
the spill free or valve type.  I had to search high and low to find the ones
that had the lid and spout but no valve.  They work great - are much cheaper
- and don't make kids so "dependent"  - kids realize they can drink from any
cup - not just their sippy cup.  We used the cup alone without the lid at
home, then if we needed to take a trip, I just added the lid to help
minimize the spills.

I believe that the "on the go" schedules of so many moms cause them to think
they have to have the spill free types so that they can come and go without
having to worry about the kids having drinks.  But it just seems like these
types of cups have evolved and are thought to be a basic need for kids, when
they really are an extension of the bottle - just in a bigger kid version. 
This is a great marketing tool for those companies - they now have added
another "must have" item to market to moms.

Breastfeeding skips all of this stuff - why is that the uncomplicated is
made to be so complicated??  It really is so much simpler and easier than
all of this.....and prevents so many unnecessary problems.

Jessica Elston
WIC BFPC, Indiana

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