A "Baby-Led" Lifestyle

"Baby-led weaning", "Baby-led sleeping", and "Baby-led eating solids" might be new "Buzz words" to some parents, but this concept is really old. While many "experts" believe that keeping a baby on a schedule is best and certain milestones should happen at specific stages in a baby's life, I think that the babies are the experts! Babies are incredibly smart, more then we give them credit for. They are not aware of "stages", or days, weeks and months, or even time. They are very in tune to their bodies, and know what they want, when they want it. We must remember that in the first years of a babies life, they are developing and growing very fast and every day is different for them. Their "schedule", whether its sleeping, eating or playing will vary. It doesn't mean that they are not on a schedule. They are - their schedule! And that means sometimes when a baby takes a longer nap, they needed it, and yes, you may not get to the store, but that is what your baby needed to stay well!

Think about a time when you were extra tired and really wanted to sleep in or take a mid-day nap. This is your body's way of recovering or fighting off a cold. If you powered through your day, ignoring your needs, you might end up sick.

By letting your baby lead, with your gentle guidance of course, you are meeting your baby's needs.

Some might say that "Nolan runs the show", but for our family, the baby-led lifestyle works best. We do not fight over schedules because we let Nolan lead the way. He knows best what he needs. When Nolan seemed interested in solid foods, we let him try a little, and slowly added more and more into his diet. If he did not like something, we never pushed it, but just tried introducing it another day. By only offering healthy foods, those are the foods that he had a taste for and an option to choose from. Now that he is older and can recognize foods, keeping only healthy foods in the house is imperative. If he opens the refrigerator or cupboard and sees something he wants, he can have it. Starting Solid Foods...When?, Starting Solid Foods...What?, Starting Solid Foods...How?

I have not stop nursing him because he still uses my "liquid gold" for comfort and to help him fight off colds. He will wean completely when he is ready.

When it came to using the potty, it was a slow and gentle introduction. We are still working on it, but always with praise.

We co-sleep, and Nolan has mostly followed our sleeping schedule. And sometimes recently, he will choose to sleep on the floor on some pillows. I think his way of finding his own space and "practicing" sleeping on his own. He is weaning himself out of our bed. We have never had a "bed-time" fight, because we all go to bed together and he feels safe and secure. Sometimes he will fall asleep while we watch evening TV, sometimes he won't. As for naps, he usually takes a nap around 1:00pm - 3:00pm, but again that varies from day to day.  I know he is tired around that time, but instead of forcing him to the bed at a certain time, we cuddle on the couch or in bed, nurse and he eventually falls asleep when he is ready.



7/2011:
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.



When it comes to playing, climbing and exercising we let Nolan try what he wants when he is ready. I have noticed that he will observe everything from the sidelines first and then try. Or he will play first on the item he is familiar with (say the swing), before progressing to something new (the rock wall). With our guidance and supervision, we let him climb, hang, swing, jump, swim., bike and roll. I try not to be that "over-protective" parent. This is the only way he will learn his body's limits.

By following Nolan's lead, we save alot of time and tears. He is happy, content and secure; and we feel that we are happier, less-stressed and better parents.