Of course, you want baby to get into the holiday spirit on Thursday, and if you’re considering letting her try a little bit of what you’re having, go for it! There are some Thanksgiving foods that make perfect baby purees and finger foods. (Obviously, only give these to your baby if she’s started on solids and you know she’s ready for these particular foods!)

Sweet potatoes

Cooked sweet potatoes are easy to mash, and they’re rich in beta-carotene, which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system.

Turkey

Yup, believe it or not, many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meats into baby’s diet fairly early (ask yours). Turkey is rich in protein and iron (if it’s dark meat). It can be pureed with a little water or fruit, or chopped into teeny pieces for a toddler who’s already a good chewer.

Pumpkin

Before you fill your pie, put aside some pumpkin for baby. It’s rich in beta carotene, and has protein and potassium, too. Ideally, you want to use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, that’s fine too. Just double check that you’re not giving her “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch and other stuff you probably don’t want her to have.

Apples

Same goes if you’re making an apple pie! Apples pack punches of vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too! Bake some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors will agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.

Green beans

Another food approved for early eaters is green beans — good news if you’re already stocking up for a casserole. These greens have vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and more. They’re also easy to prepare: just steam and then puree (just make sure the skins get completely mushed up — they can be stubborn!).

Squash

Butternut and acorn squashes are two of our favorite baby foods. Cut them in half, bake, scoop and puree (or cut into pieces, if your kid is older). They make the house smell amazing! Plus, they’ve got fiber, protein, potassium and calcium.

What foods are you going to give baby on Thanksgiving?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best and Worst Foods for Baby

Baby Food Recipes for Every Stage

How to Make Your Own Baby Food

I really feel it would have been so much easier to have and raise a baby in simpler times. Today, it feels like having and raising a baby has become somewhat of a competition or a trendy, popularity contest. That might sound harsh, but hear me out:

Although all the new advances in medicine have been amazing — heck, I wouldn’t have my son right now if it weren’t for ICSI-IVF–but along with all the wonderful advances, many theories, ideas, and rules have been created. Last time I checked, most people survived just fine without all these new theories and rules. There are theories on pregnancy, childbirth, sleep methods, feeding, vaccinating and the list can go on and on. I nannied for a couple different families that both followed some sort of parenting theory and I, truthfully, figured I would as well because I saw what worked and/or what didn’t work. However, every child is different.

Currently, my husband and I do not follow any type of theory whatsoever:

I did not have a birth plan — well, my plan consisted of: ‘yes I want an epidural.’ Other than that, whatever was best for baby and myself is what would happen. I just didn’t really care how I brought our son into the world, as long as it didn’t hurt too badly (yeah, right!).

He is getting vaccinated — regardless of all the debate going on these days.

I did choose to breastfeed, but I was also lucky enough to have a little guy who is a quick learner, and we haven’t had any problems. In fact, he eats so well, he’s the average size of a seven- or eight-month-old at only four month. I hate how some mothers are made to feel like crap if they stop breastfeeding. I am a full-time working mom who pumps at work and feeds him myself when I’m home, but not everyone is able to do that. And, quite frankly, breastfeeding is not for everyone. Truth be told, I would like to stop now, but I won’t. I promised myself before we had our son that I would go for nine months, so five more months to go and I won’t feel bad about stopping.

Despite the recommendation to keep a newborn away from crowds, he was actually out at a graduation party at three-and-a-half weeks old. And he never got sick.

He had his first boat ride at six weeks — it was a pontoon and grandpa was driving extra slow

He only slept in our room for about a month, then it was on to his own room. (And I did not break the ‘no bumper’ rule.)

He started eating rice cereal at four months, against the big belief of waiting until six months. He loves it!

I just read so many forums, message boards, and blogs that mention so many different theories that it makes me wonder sometimes if I’m doing the right thing; if I’m being the best mom I can be. And, honestly, once Connor graced us with his presence, all intentions of following any theories went out the window. We are following the only theory we know best: ours. This may come from the fact that we, essentially, have a very easy baby. Aside from some acid reflux issues in the beginning, he does not fuss or cry much, he eats wonderfully and on a perfect schedule (perfect for my work schedule), sleeps beautifully, and is incredibly happy. All without following a single theory from a single expert. We are first time parents; we don’t know everything and we never will have all the answers, but I do know this, the only theory we’ll follow right now is our own by doing our best by our son to make sure he is brought up safely, comfortably, and happily. And, so far, I think we’re doing a great job.

Do you follow a specific parenting style or method? What parenting choices have you made that have been most important to you?

When my first child was born (after a grueling 36 hour labor) – he and I were an exhausted, overwhelmed, high strung, nervous mess. I had every intention of breastfeeding, but I had no idea how hard it would be. I latched him on over and over and as he fought me, we’d both just sob. I tried nipple shields, a lactation consultant, and after about two weeks I had an emotional and physical breakdown and switched to formula. It was insanely difficult to let go of that ideal while feeling the pressure from moms around me. I wish I could say changing to formula made things so much easier, but it didn’t. My son had a huge case of The Colic and we both were pretty miserable for six months as we tried different formulas to find one that his tummy could handle.

I was scared to have a second baby after that first experience but worked up the courage to go for it. When my daughter arrived, I wanted to try breastfeeding again. I was (way) more relaxed that time around but it still took 5 full days for my milk to come in. I used little droplets of formula to supplement while I latched her often and pumped to stimulate production. And then a moment I’ll never forget, while a lactation consultant was on the phone with me, I heard suck, and swallow! I was feeding my baby with my own body!! I went on to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months after that. Interestingly, overall, she was a much easier/happy baby. At 6 she’s also healthy, smart, and rarely sick.

So what does this all mean? Did breastfeeding make my daughter an easier baby? I don’t think so. My son is 9 now (he’s also healthy, advanced in school, and rarely sick). He’s still a pretty intense kid, too. I’m not convinced had we breastfed things would have turned out much differently. But do I wish I could go back and try it again with a new relaxed, accepting attitude? Absolutely.

Plus, more from The Bump

Mark Your Calendars, August 15 is Public Display of Breastfeeding Day

Breastfeeding Advice Hospitals Don’t Give

Must Watch: Real Mom Breastfeeding in Public Tips

Join the boob-olution!

On August 15^th, moms everywhere will breastfeed in public to celebrate Public Display of Breastfeeding (PDB) Day. Why make a big deal out of breastfeeding in public? To empower moms and show the world that if a mom chooses to breastfeed, it’s her right to feed her baby whenever and wherever she needs to. The more people who see moms nursing in public, the less of a big deal it’ll be – and that’s the goal.

You can show your support of breastfeeding by doing your own PDB on August 15. Visit www.thebump.com/pdb to take the pledge and tweet us @thebump #PDB to tell us where you are feeding baby!

Not a mom yet? You can still join the boob-olution by pledging to breastfeed when baby arrives.

Plus, more from The Bump

Should Moms Breastfeed in Uniform?

Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips from Real Mamas

Connect with Other Breastfeeding Moms

A recent study suggests that most new moms (a vast majority, actually) aren’t breastfeeding for as long as they intend to and that hospitals may be able to help others reach their goals.

For the study, published in Pediatrics, researchers questioned women before birth and throughout their babies’ first year. Of the women who planned to exclusively breastfeed, more than 85 percent wanted to do it for three months or more. But when they polled the moms afterwards, only 32.4 percent of them had reached their goal duration for breastfeeding.

Researchers examined how hospital practices influenced how long the women breastfed. Breastfeeding-friendly practices they took into account were the opportunity to breastfeed within one hour of birth, giving baby only breast milk, rooming in, breastfeeding on demand, not giving pacifiers and receiving information on breastfeeding support. Beginning breastfeeding within one hour of birth and not being given supplemental feedings or pacifiers were all associated with achieving exclusive breastfeeding goals. But after adjusting the data to account for all other hospital practices, researchers concluded that the only practice significantly associated with longer breastfeeding during was not receiving supplemental feedings. In other words, if you want to breastfeed exclusively, you may be more likely to succeed if you tell the nurses not to give your baby formula.

Also interesting to note is that mothers who were obese, smoked or intended to breastfeed for a very long time were less likely to meet their goal duration.

Did you breastfeeding for longer or shorter than you wanted to? What factors do you think influenced that?

Plus, more from The Bump:

A Smart Start to Breastfeeding: What Every Beginner Should Know

Answers to all your breastfeeding questions

Worst Breastfeeding Advice Ever!

Is your toddler a picky eater when he’s sick? (And all you want to pump him full of fluids and food so he gets better soon?) Next time he refuses to eat or drink and you’re worried about dehydration, try this trick from user Christina-marie, who posted this suggestion on our Toddlers 12-24 Months board.

“Once when my son didn’t want to eat or drink anything, my grandmother told me, ‘Give him some milk toast,’” she says. “I had no idea what she was talking about, but basically it’s exactly as the name implies: Make some toast, cut it up into bite-sized portions and then pour milk on it so that it’s wet.”

Grandma knows best! Christina-marie says that the first time she tried this trick, the milk toast “was literally gone in a minute. It also got a bit of fluid into him — two birds, one stone! Thankfully he was fine the next day. Grandma said that all of her kids would eat this when they were sick no matter what! ”

Tell us, what are your tips for dealing with a picky eater?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Secret For Getting Your Picky Eater to Chow Down

How To Keep a Picky Eater Healthy

Get Your Kids to Eat More Veggies

You’d think these baby products would be all clear for baby’s use, but a new study in Pediatrics, “Injuries Associated with Bottles, Pacifiers and Sippy Cups” suggests that babies moving around while carrying a bottle, pacifier or sippy cup might be prone to serious injuries. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (which is a survey of about 100 hospitals nationwide), over 45,000 children under the age of three were treated in the emergency room between 1991-2010 — that’s one child every four hours. Of these injuries, 86 percent occurred from falls while using the products and 83 percent of the falls resulted in injuries to the mouth and face. Two-thirds of these injuries happened among one-year-olds, who are most unstable while walking. Injuries included bruising and minor dental damage.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends making the transition from bottle cup by the time baby’s one year old to prevent injuries and help baby get used to them more quickly. The AAP also recommends weaning babies off pacifiers between six to 12 months old. Parents can prevent injuries by keeping a close eye on their babies while they’re using bottles, pacifiers or sippy cups. Also, if possible, parents should keep their child seated when drinking.

Do you monitor your baby when he’s using a pacifier, sippy cup or bottle? Are you worried about baby injuring himself while using these products?

Plus, more from The Bump:

When Should I Introduce Baby to a Sippy Cup?

Shop Bottles and Feeding Gear

What to Know About Feeding Baby

Yeah, you read that right. Alicia Silverstone feeds her 11-month-old son, Bear Blu, from her mouth to his! The actress posted a photo and video on her website of her giving Bear Blu some of her breakfast which included some cast iron mocha wrapped with nori and some veggies from her miso soup. Wow that’s some breakfast!

Apparently Bear Blu is pretty used to his mama feeding him mouth-to-mouth, because Alicia wrote, “He literally crawls across the room to attack my mouth if I’m eating.”

What do you think of Alicia Silverstone’s feeding method? Do you ever share foods mouth-to-mouth with your kids?

Wondering whether you should schedule baby’s feedings or just feed him when he signals he’s hungry? New research suggests that feeding on demand could actually lead to higher IQ’s and better standardized test scores than strict feeding schedule do. The study, from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex and Oxford University in the UK, examined the effects of scheduled and on-demand feeding. According to the UK’s The Guardian, researchers took a sample of 10, 419 children born in the early 1990s and looked at a range of background factors like their parents’ level of education, family income, child’s gender and age, maternal health and parenting styles. They found that the difference between babies fed on demand and on schedule was present in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies, despite the other factors. Researchers also looked at babies whose moms tried to feed on a schedule but were unable to — for those babies, there was a higher level of IQ similar to those babies who were fed on-demand.

Experts believe that babies fed on-demand may be smarter because baby’s brain development depends on communications between his “emotional brain” and his mother’s response.

But don’t think that on-demand feeding will make your baby a future member of Mensa! Researchers say that it won’t necessarily move your kid from the bottom to the top of his class, but it could move baby up four or five IQ points.

Do you feed baby on-demand? What do you think of this study?